Synergistic chemisorption performance for Cr(VI) decontamination by novel pyrogallol-amine copolymer decorated on carbonized corncob

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a highly toxic pollutant with substantial risks to ecosystems, rendering its efficient removal from waters a critical challenge. This study fabricated a novel poly(pyrogallol-tetraethylenepentamine)/carbonizing corncob (PPTA/CC) composite for Cr(VI) decontamination by decorating mussel-inspired resin onto carbonized corncob (CC) via a facile modification strategy. The PPTA/CC hybrid synergistically integrated the hierarchical porosity of the CC support with the abundant phenolic hydroxyl and amino functional groups of PPTA polymer layer, thereby facilitating rapid adsorption-reduction of Cr(VI). The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 787 mg g −1 , with the process being spontaneous (as indicated by negative ΔG°) and endothermic, well-described by the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. PPTA/CC candidate also exhibited outstanding selectivity and stability toward Cr(VI) in the presence of common coexisting ions. These results highlight PPTA/CC as a promising composite material for the efficient remediation of Cr(VI) in wastewater treatment applications.