Polycarboxylate was found as a catalyst for enhancing Cr(VI) reduction in GDE.
The synergistic effect in class="glyphImg imgLazyJSB">OH production was observed in GDE/Cr(VI) system.
The formation of class="glyphImg imgLazyJSB">OH via Cr(V) activating H2O2 was inhibited by polycarboxylate.
Polycarboxylates expanse Cr(V) coordination number from tetrahedron to octahedron.
Real concentrated Cr(VI) effluent can be successfully detoxified in GDE.