COMPOSITES OF POLYPYRROLE AND CARBON-BLACK .4. USE IN ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTION ABATEMENT OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM

Composites of an electronically conducting polymer (polypyrrole) with carbon black were used to reduce Cr(VI) to (the less toxic) Cr(III) in aqueous media. The carbon black content in these composites was varie d from similar to 5 to similar to 65% (by weight); an increase in the carbon black fraction increased the ability of the composite to reduce Cr(VI). The composite outperformed both its components, namely polypy rrole and carbon black, in its ability to treat Cr(VI). The Cr(VI) con version obeyed pseudo first-order kinetics. The mechanistic and practi cal implications of this new Cr(VI) pollution abatement approach are d iscussed. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd