Cu(II) Catalytic Reduction of Cr(VI) by Tartaric Acid Under the Irradiation of Simulated Solar Light.

Cu(II) catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by tartaric acid under the irradiation of simulated solar light was investigated through batch experiments at pHs from 3 to 6 and at temperatures from 15°C to 35°C. Results demonstrated that introduction of Cu(II) could markedly improve reduction of Cr(VI) in comparison with tartaric acid alone. Optimal removal of Cr(VI) was achieved at pH 4. Reduction of Cr(VI) increased with increasing temperatures and initial concentrations of Cu(II) and tartaric acid. The catalytic role of Cu(II) in the reduction of Cr(VI) was ascribed to the formation of Cu(II)-tartaric acid complex, which generated active reductive intermediates, including Cu(I) and tartaric acid radicals through a pathway of metal-ligand-electron transfer with light. Cu(II) photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by tartaric acid followed pseudo zero-order kinetics with regard to Cr(VI), and the activation energy was calculated to be 21.48 kJ/mol. To date, such a role of Cu(II) has not been reported. The results from the present study are helpful in fully understanding the photochemical reductive behavior of Cr(VI) in the presence of both tartaric acid and Cu(II) in soil and aquatic environments.