Investigation of removal of Cr(VI), Mo(VI), W(VI), V(IV), and V(V) oxy-ions from industrial waste-waters by adsorption and electrosorption at high-area carbon cloth

Adsorption and electrosorption of Cr(VI), Mo(VI), W(VI), V(IV), and V(V) ions from water samples at low concentration were studied at high-area C-cloth electrodes. The concentrations of ions in the solution were monitored using in situ UV spectroscopy. All the investigated ions, except V(IV), showed better adsorption in acidic media. Positive polarization of the C-cloth caused increased adsorption of Cr(VI), Mo(VI), and V(V) ions. When previously adsorbed, Mo(VI) and V(V) ions were shown to be largely desorbable by negative polarization of the C-cloth. Since V(IV) does not become adsorbed significantly at the C-cloth in acidic media, the method provides an interesting means for separation of V(V) and V(IV) species in solution. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).