Studies on extraction of chromium (VI) from acidic solutions containing various metal ions by emulsion liquid membrane using Alamine 336 as extractant

The extraction of chromium (VI) ions from acidic solutions containing various metal ions by emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) was studied. Liquid membrane consists of a diluent, a surfactant, and an extractant. 0.5 M ammonium carbonate solution was used as stripping solution. Effects of acid concentration in feed solution, type and concentration of stripping solution, mixing speed, surfactant concentration, phase ratio and the influence of membrane characteristics were studied and optimum conditions were determined. Under the optimum conditions, extraction of chromium (VI) was tested and it was possible to selectively extract 99% of chromium from the acidic feed solution. This study also examined the effect of extractant concentration and acid type in the feed solution on the extraction of Cr (VI) ions and almost all of Cr (VI) from the acidic feed solution containing 500 mg/L from each of Co (II), Ni (II), Cd (II), Zn (II), and Cu (II) ions, and 100–500 mg/L Cr (VI) was extracted within 5–10 min.     

Determination of pKa value, kinetic studies of decomposition and oxygen transfer for chromium(VI) peroxide

The determination of pK_a value for the unstable chromium(VI) peroxide, CrO(O₂)₂(H₂O) in aqueous solution is presented. The pK_a value is found to be (1.55 ± 0.03). The kinetic decomposition of chromium(VI) peroxide is dependent on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the pH range between 2.5 and 4.0. We have proposed the possible explanation for the formation of triperoxo chromium complex of hydrogen peroxide which is dependent on decomposition. Activation of coordinate peroxide in chromium(VI) peroxide observed in the kinetic studies is by reduction of thiolato-cobalt(III) complex. The rate constant (M⁻¹ s⁻¹, 15 °C) for the oxygen atom transfer reaction from CrO(O₂)₂(OH)⁻ to (en)₂Co(SCH₂CH₂NH₂)²⁺ is found to be (25.0 ± 1.3).     

Column chromatographic speciation of chromium for Cr(VI) and several species of Cr(III)

Summary Chromium can be present in aqueous solution as Cr(VI) or in monomeric, dimeric, trimeric and higher polymeric forms of Cr(III). Many monomeric forms of Cr(III) are possible, with the water molecules of Cr(H₂O) ₆ ³⁺ substituted by anionic or neutral species. This proliferation of Cr(III) species makes the complete speciation of chromium a continuing challenge to the analyst. A simple and effective cation exchange procedure for the separation of various of these species uses a small glass column containing 1 mL of pre-treated cation exchange resin (Na⁺ form). Stepwise elution with solutions of perchloric acid, Ca²⁺ (pH=2) and La³⁺ (pH=2) separates Cr(VI) and seven Cr(III) species from CrX₃ to tetramer. Radiometric (Cr-51), spectrophotometric and other detection methods can be employed; the use of radiochromium gives the lowest detection limit.     

Oxidative degradation of non-ionic surfactant (TritonX-100) by chromium(VI)

Degradation of polyoxyethylene chain of non-ionic surfactant (TritonX-100) by chromium(VI) has been studied spectrophotometrically under different experimental conditions. The reaction rate bears a first-order dependence on the [Cr(VI)] under pseudo-first-order conditions, [TritonX-100]  [Cr(VI)] in presence of 1.16 mol dm⁻³ perchloric acid. The observed rate constant (k_obs) was 3.3 × 10⁻⁴ to 3.5 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and the half-life (t_1/2) was 33–35 min for chromium(VI). The effects of total [TritonX-100] and [H⁺] on the reaction rate were determined. Reducing nature of non-ionic TritonX-100 surfactant is found to be due to the presence of –OH group in the polyoxyethylene chain. It was observed that monomeric and non-ionic micelles of TritonX-100 were oxidized by chromium(VI). When [TritonX-100] was less than its critical micelle concentration (cmc) the k_obs values increased from 0.76 × 10⁻⁴ to 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. As the [TritonX-100] was greater than the cmc, the k_obs values increases from 2.1 × 10⁻⁴ to 8.2 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ in presence of constant [HClO₄] (1.16 mol dm⁻³) at 40 °C. A comparison was made of the oxidative degradation rates of TritonX-100 with different metal ion oxidants. The order of the effectiveness of different oxidants was as follows: permanganate > diperiodatoargentate(III) > chromium(VI) > cerium(IV).     

Spectrophotometric determination of Chromium(VI) using cyclam as a reagent

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive method for spectrophotometric determination of chromium(VI), based on the absorbance of its complex with 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) is presented. The complex showed a molar absorbtivity of 1.5?×?10⁴?L?mol^?1?cm^?1 at 379?nm. Under optimum experimental conditions, a pH of 4.5 and 1.960?×?10³?mg?L^?1 cyclam were selected, and all measurements were performed 10?min after mixing. Major cations and anions did not show any interference; Beer's law was applicable in the concentration range 0.2–20?mg?L^?1 with a detection limit of 0.001?mg?L^?1. The standard deviation in the determination is ±0.5?mg?L^?1 for a 15.0?mg?L^?1 solution (n?=?7). The described method provides a simple and reliable means for determination of Cr(VI) in real samples.     

Selective, peroxidase substrate based “signal-on” colorimetric assay for the detection of chromium (VI)

Due to the potentially adverse effects of the chromium (VI) on the human health and also on the environment, the quantitative determination of Cr(VI) is of particular interest. This work herein reports a facile, selective and rapid colorimetric determination of Cr(VI) based on the peroxidase substrate-2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) as the color developing agent. ABTS, which was usually acted as peroxidase substrate for the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, is used here for the first time to fabricate the “signal-on” colorimetric Assay for Cr(VI). The ABTS was chosen instead of the commonly used 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) due to its good solubility, stability, sensitivity and low background. This method provided a convenient colorimetric detection of Cr(VI) with a wider linear range from 8.33 μg L⁻¹ to 1.25 mg L⁻¹ by recording the absorption spectra at the wavelength of 419 nm and a low detection limit of 7.87 μg L⁻¹. In addition, the entire detection takes less than 10 min.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of N-substituted phenothiazines by chromium(VI)

The kinetics of oxidation of N-acetylphenothiazine (NAPT) by Cr(VI) in 80% acetic acid-20% water (v/v) mixture is first-order each in [NAPT] and [Cr(VI)]. The reaction is catalysed by added acid with a third-order dependence in [HCIO₄], Increase in polarity of the solvent medium decreases the rate. The oxidation is insensitive to variations in ionic strength as well as added acrylamide. Oxidations of phenothiazine (PT) and N-methylphenothiazine (NMPT) under similar conditions are found to be very fast. However kinetic investigations with NMPT in an acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer show first-order dependence each in [NMPT] and [Cr(VI)] and a fractional-order dependence in [H⁺] in the pH range 1.80-3.09. Increase in polarity of the medium increases the rate. In both the cases, the corresponding sulphoxides are identified as oxidation products. Based on the kinetic results, mechanisms for oxidations are proposed.     

Sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric determination of chromium(VI) in water by fluorescence enhancement

A new fluorogenic method for the selective and sensitive determination of chromium(VI) in acidic water using rhodamine B hydrazide was developed. This method was based on the oxidation of non-fluorescent rhodamine B hydrazide by potassium dichromate in acidic aqueous conditions to give rhodamine B, which was highly fluorescent, as a product. With the optimum condition described, the fluorescence enhancement at 585 nm was linearly related to the concentration of chromium(VI) in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ (2.60-104 ng mL⁻¹) with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9993 (n = 18) and a detection limit of 5.5 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ (0.29 ng mL⁻¹). The R.S.D. was 2.2% (n = 5). The proposed method was also applied to the determination of chromium(VI) in drinking water, river water and synthetic samples.     

Modification of catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric method of hexavalent chromium determination in the presence of DTPA and nitrate

The voltammetric procedure for determination of traces of Cr(VI) [Anal. Chim. Acta (1992) 262:103] was modified by changing the temperature of the measurements. It was found that at the temperature of 40 °C the time of decrease of the Cr(III) signal was shortened from 30 to 5 min. As a result the total analysis time was drastically shortened. The modified procedure does not show any disadvantage as compared to the original method. The results of Cr(VI) determination by the modified procedure are less affected by Cr(III) as compared to the original method. The detection limit of the method was 2.5 × 10^-11 mol L^-1 (1.2 ng L^-1). The validation of the modified procedure was performed by comparison of the results of analyses of tap and river water samples with those obtained using original procedure.     

Chromium(VI) transport through the Raipore 1030 anion exchange membrane

The flat sheet Raipore R1030 anion exchange membrane has been evaluated as a sample interface in an optical sensor for Cr(VI) monitoring. The R1030 is an anion exchange membrane containing quaternary ammonium groups. The Donnan dialysis (DD) that takes place has been enhanced with facilitated transport of Cr(VI) anions by using a 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) solution as stripping phase. The DPC acts as a reducing reagent for Cr(VI), and as a complexing reagent for the generated Cr(III). The Cr(III) complex is a strongly absorbing species, and this is the basis of the optical detection. The effect of chemical parameters on Cr(VI) transport has been evaluated. Experiments with UV-VIS detection have shown that the membrane R1030-DPC system exhibits features suitable for Cr(VI) optical sensing. A simplified model based on a kinetic approach is reported describing the transport mechanism of the chemically facilitated DD process.     

Liquid-supported membranes in chromium(VI) optical sensing: transport modelling

Flat sheet liquid-supported membranes (FSLSM) containing Aliquat 336 as a carrier have been evaluated as sample interface in an optical sensor for Cr(VI) monitoring. A model describing the transport mechanism of Cr(VI) through the membrane is reported. The model considers a diffusion process through a feed aqueous diffusion layer, a fast interfacial chemical reaction and a diffusion of ALQHCrO₄ and (ALQ)₂CrO₄ species through the membrane (Aliquat 336, ALQ). The mathematical equations describing the transport rate are derived and they correlate the membrane permeability coefficient to diffusional and equilibrium parameters as well as to the chemical composition of the system, i.e. extractant concentration in the membrane phase and acidity in the feed phase. The experimental data are explained by the derived equations and the diffusion resistances to mass transfer are evaluated. The influence of other experimental parameters, such as stirring speed in the feed phase and nature of the diluent and stripping agent on the transport is also discussed. Experiments with optical detection demonstrate the suitability of liquid-supported membranes (LSM) containing ALQ as interfaces for optical sensing.     

Preparation of Pd/ceramic composite membrane 1. Improvement of the conventional preparation technique

The Pd/ceramic composite membrane made is reported in this paper. The thin palladium film was deposited on the surface of a porous ceramic substrate by the conventional and improved electroless plating technique, respectively. The rate of palladium deposition increases and especially the sensitization and activation steps in the conventional electroless plating process has been omitted by an improved technique.     

Determination of trace chromium(VI) by an inhibition-based enzyme biosensor incorporating an electropolymerized aniline membrane and ferrocene as electron transfer mediator

A novel inhibition-based glucose oxidase (GOx) biosensor for environmental chromium(VI) detection is described. An electropolymerized aniline membrane has been prepared on a platinum electrode containing ferrocene as electron transfer mediator, on which GOx is cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. The mechanism of the redox reaction on the electrode and the performance of the sensor are studied. The sensor's response to glucose decreases when it is inhibited by chromium(VI), with a lower detection limit of 0.49?µg?L^?1, and the linear response range is divided into two parts, one of which is 0.49–95.73?µg?L^?1 and the other is 95.73?µg^?1 to8.05?mg?L^?1. The enzyme membrane is shown to be completely reactivated after inhibition, retaining 90% activity over more than forty days. Interference to chromium(VI) determination from lead(II), copper(II), cadmium(II), chromium(III), cobalt(II), tin(II) and nickel(II) is found to be minimal, while high concentrations of mercury(II) and silver(I) may interfere with the determination of trace chromium(VI). The sensor has been used for chromium(VI) determination in soil samples with good results.     

Removal of humic matter interference in the determination of Cr(VI) in soil extracts by the diphenylcarbazide method

Alkaline digestion of soil samples, which is recommended for minimizing Cr(III)–Cr(VI) interconversions during the extraction of Cr(VI), may also solubilize humic matter (HM). The latter is responsible for both positive and negative interference in the analysis of Cr(VI) in the extract by the diphenylcarbazide (DPC) method. Humic compounds indeed absorb light at 540 nm as the Cr-DPC product and are also able to rapidly reduce Cr(VI) under the pH conditions of the standard DPC method. To prevent any risk of interference and make the DPC method applicable to soil extracts, a new protocol is proposed. This consists of three successive steps: (1) extraction of Cr(VI) by the U.S.EPA method 3060A in the presence of Mg²⁺; (2) batch removal of solubilised HM by the XAD-7 sorbent at pH 3.0 ± 0.1 with 3–5 min contact time; (3) analysis of Cr(VI) with the DPC method at pH 3.0 ± 0.1. The application of this new protocol to the soil product SQC-012 Lot 4 certified by R.T. Corporation (RTC, USA) gave significantly lower Cr(VI) concentrations and smaller variability compared to certified values (46.5 ± 2.3 instead of 153 ± 32.6 mg/kg). The new protocol was validated by Cr(VI) and Cr(III) spikes either to the soil/extractant suspension or to the exctract. Cr(VI) results in the wide range of acceptance limits (104–202 mg/kg) reported by RTC were only obtained when the U.S.EPA method 3060A without the addition of Mg²⁺ and DPC analysis at pH 1.0 were applied. The latter procedure appears questionable since it leads to largely variable results which reflect the complex role played by humic matter in the determination of Cr(VI) and the instability of Cr(III) during the extraction.     

Determination of total and soluble chromium(VI) in compost by ion chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

As part of a project investigating the air-water exchange of nutrients and inorganic micropollutants to the North Sea, the atmospheric deposition of nutrients and trace metals in their different compositions and via various pathways was investigated. Intensive sampling campaigns were organised on the research vessel Belgica (ns 21/98 campaign from September 28 to October 1, 1998 and ns 10/99 campaign from April 19 to 23, 1999), at a sampling station near the Belgian coast (Knokke-Heist) and at the University campus of Antwerp. Simulation work and remobilisation experiments were carried out to obtain a general view of the kinetics of solubilisation of the constituents under investigation. Sample treatment requires a leaching system with a quantitative recovery of the species of interest in the leaching solution within a reasonably short period of time (30 min).

For this reason, a re-circulation leaching system was developed, tested, optimised and compared with a more accepted ultrasound leaching method.     

Determination of chromium(VI) and total chromium in water by in-electrode coulometric titration in a porous glassy carbon electrode

Chromium(VI) is determined through its direct electrochemical reduction in the bulk of a porous glassy carbon electrode. An electrode filled with the acidified sample and Cr(VI) is reduced by means of a constant current whereas the potential of the electrode is monitored. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 1.9 and 6.0 μg · L⁻¹, resp. The linear range, repeatability and reproducibility were found to be 5–500 μg · L⁻¹, 1.2, and 1.8%, resp. The influence of Fe(III), Ca(II), Mg(II), sulphates, nitrates, humic acids and surfactants was investigated. Total chromium was measured after chemical oxidation of Cr(III) to chromate by permanganate. The method was applied to analyses of water samples.     

Preparation of cross‐linked porous starch and its adsorption for chromium (VI) in tannery wastewater

Various cross‐linked amino starches were used for chromium (VI) adsorption in the environmental protection area. In order to improve chromium (VI) adsorption, the new cross‐linked amino starch with porous structure (CPS) was synthesized by reverse emulsion polymerization, using waxy corn starch after enzyme hydrolysis (ES) as raw material, N,N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (MBAA) as cross‐linking agent, and ceric ammonium nitrate as initiator. The effects of the volume ratio of oil phase/aqueous phase, the content of emulsifiers, ES, and MBAA on the swelling, solubility property, chromium (VI) adsorption capacity, grafting ratio, and conversion ratio of CPS were investigated. The properties and morphology of CPS have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The maximum adsorption capacity for chromium (VI) ions of CPS reached 28.83 mg/g when the synthesis condition of CPS was controlled as V_oil: V_H2O 8:1, emulsifier 9%, starch 2%, and MBAA 10%. The new adsorption peaks of CPS at 1641 cm^?1 and 1541 cm^?1 proved the cross‐linking reaction between ES and MBAA. The thermal decomposition temperature of CPS was improved to 250°C, and the gelatinization temperature and enthalpy value of CPS were decreased compared with ES because of the occurrence of the cross‐linking reaction. The CPS was like a sponge with a large amount of pores, and the size of these pores was 5 µm. CPS also exhibited superior adsorption property to other heavy metal ions such as cadmium (II) and lead (II) (17.37 and 35.56 mg/g). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel Au–Ag–Pt three-electrode microchip sensing platform for chromium(VI) determination

A simple, rapid and portable electrochemical microchip sensing platform has been successfully constructed for chromium(VI) determination. Gold–silver–platinum (Au–Ag–Pt) three-material electrodes (gold as working electrode, silver as reference electrode and platinum as counter electrode) were integrated on one poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate by polymer compatible photolithography process. The three-electrode microchip sensing platform was used for Cr(VI) determination for the first time, and exhibited high sensitivity and good reproducibility. A wide linear range from 2 to 200 μM with a good linear correlation (R² = 0.998) was obtained, and the detection limit was 0.9 μM. In addition, the practical analytical application of the sensing micro-platform was assessed by determination of Cr(VI) in real water samples with satisfactory results. Armed with the remarkable advantages, such as ease of use, low analyte consumption, inexpensive cost and fast response time, the microchip sensing platform may hold great potential for the high-throughput and in-field environmental monitoring Cr(VI) pollutant.     

Simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water by reversed phase HPLC,after chelating with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate

Summary A method for simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI), using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate as chelating agent is given. At room temperature and pH 5.8 sodium diethyldithiocarbamate reacts with both Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Examination of this reaction by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography, makes it possible to correct for the interference between Cr(III) and Cr(VI) when determining the amount of Cr(III) present in the solution.     

Chemically selective membrane optode for Cr(VI) determination in aqueous samples

A methodology for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Cr(VI) from aqueous samples was developed using a membrane optode formed by physical inclusion of a Cr(VI) selective chromophore 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) into a plasticized cellulose triacetate matrix. The inclusion of an anion exchanger (Aliquat-336) was found to be effective for immobilization of both DPC and Cr(VI)-DPC complex in the optode matrix itself. The proportionality in intensity of the magenta color on the optodes loaded with varying amounts of Cr(VI) suggests its potential applications for screening of Cr(VI) in aqueous samples by visual colorimetry. On loading high amounts of Cr(VI) in the membrane optode, its color changes from magenta to yellow, which indicates the possibility of using it as a threshold detector for Cr(VI). The membrane optode was optimized in terms of obtaining maximum preconcentration efficiency for Cr(VI) and subsequent stable optical response proportional to the amount of Cr(VI) in the membrane optode sample. The membrane optodes were tested for Cr(VI) determination in tap water and seawater samples. Using this optode, Cr(VI) even at levels of 13.6 ppb could be quantitatively detected. The optodes developed in the present work were found to be stable, cost effective, easy to prepare and efficient for direct preconcentration and determination of Cr(VI) in a variety of aqueous samples using spectrophotometry. However, this membrane optode is for one time use only as the reaction of Cr(VI) with DPC is irreversible.