Preconcentration and separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) using sawdust as a sorbent

A simple, inexpensive method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) on sawdust from Cedrus deodera has been developed for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water samples. Because different exchange capacities were observed for the two forms of chromium at different pH—Cr(III) was selectively retained at pH 3 to 4 whereas Cr(VI) was retained at pH 1—complete separation of the two forms of chromium is possible. Retained species were eluted with 2.5 mL 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl and 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH. Detection limits of 0.05 and 0.04 μg mL⁻¹ were achieved for Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively, with enrichment factors of 100 and 80. Recovery was quantitative using 250 mL sample volume for Cr(III) and 200 mL for Cr(VI). Different kinetic and thermodynamic properties that affect sorption of the chromium species on the sawdust were also determined. Metal ion concentration was measured as the Cr(VI)–diphenylcarbazide complex by UV–visible spectroscopy. The method was successfully applied for speciation of chromium in environmental and industrial water samples.     

Reduction of Cr(VI) Assisted by Sol-Gel Generated Electron-Hole Centers

We report an in-situ harvesting technique of electron-hole (e⁻-h⁺) carriers (e.g., the defect electrons in the O^{2 −} matrix and the self-trapped holes, Si–O⁻–Si) generated during sol-gel processing. In the absence of redox species, the e⁻-h⁺ centers created during room temperature sol-gel polycondensation steps are quickly annihilated and deactivated. However, when Cr(VI) ions are pre-dispersed in sol-gel solutions, the ejected electrons can be effectively harvested for the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) ions which are encapsulated in the silica gel matrix. The Cr(VI) ions, the possible intermediate oxidation states of chromium ions such as Cr(V) and/or Cr(IV), and the stable Cr(III)-hole complexes in the sol-gel matrix are investigated using uv-visible spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The chemical stability of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in sol-gel networks is compared to that in aqueous solutions. The results indicate that the utilization of e⁻-h⁺ carriers generated in the sol-gel can be an effective and selective means for investigating the redox process of Cr(VI) and encapsulating the stable Cr(III) ions in the confined sol-gel environments.     

Electrode processes and their kinetic parameters in the reduction and oxidation of Cr(III) and Cr(II) in molten CsCl

The reduction of chromium ions in the CsCl-CrCl₃ melt in wide concentration and temperature ranges is reported. It is assumed that the melt contains polynuclear chromium complexes. The reduction of Cr(III) to Cr(II) is a reversible one-electron process. The electroreduction of divalent chromium to chromium metal is an irreversible process involving dinuclear and mononuclear chromium complex ions. The electron transfer rate constant has been calculated for various temperatures and chromium chloride concentrations in the salt melt. The activation energy of electron transfer and its dependence on the CrCl₃ concentration in the electrolyte have been determined for the Cr(III) ↔ Cr(II) process.     

Cr(III)/Cr(VI) speciation in aerosol particles by extractive separation and thermal ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry

 An isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) method, using the formation of positive thermal ions, was developed for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) speciation in aerosol particles. Cr(III) and Cr(VI) spike species, enriched in ⁵³Cr, were applied for the isotope dilution step. After leaching of filter collected aerosol samples by an alkaline solution at pH 13, species separation was carried out by extraction with a liquid anion exchanger in methyl isobutyl ketone. Cr(VI) in the organic phase was re-extracted into an ammoniacal solution and chromium was then isolated from both fractions of species by electrodeposition. Detection limits of 30 pg/m³ for Cr(III) and of 8 pg/m³ for Cr(VI) were achieved in atmospheric aerosols for volumes of air samples of about 120 m³. These low detection limits allowed the determination of chromium species in continental aerosol particles in dependence on different seasons. The Cr(III) /Cr(VI) ratio was always found to be about 0.3 whereas dust from soil erosion, which is probably the primary source of chromium in the atmosphere, showed higher ratios. This indicates that chromium is oxidized in the atmosphere. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated in two interlaboratory comparisons of Cr(VI) determinations in welding dust samples. The IDMS method also contributed to the certification of a corresponding standard reference material organized by the Standard Reference Bureau of the European Union. Chromium speciation, including the determination of elemental chromium Cr(0), was carried out in aerosols of different welding processes for stainless steel. These analyses showed distinct differences in the distribution of chromium species in the welding process and can be used as an exact calibration method for routine methods in this important field of monitoring corresponding working places. Received: 19 August 1996/Revised: 24 September 1996/Accepted: 28 September 1996     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) by Means of Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde Resin and FAAS

 A method is described for the quantitative preconcentration and separation of trace chromium in water by adsorption on melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin. Cr(VI) is enriched from aqueous solutions on the resin. After elution the Cr(VI) is determined by FAAS. The capacity of the resin is maximal at ∼ pH 2. Total chromium can be determined by the method after oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by hydrogen peroxide. The relative standard deviations (10 replicate analyses) for 10 mg/L levels of Cr(VI), Cr(III) and total chromium were 1.5, 3.5 and 2.8% respectively. The procedure has been applied to the determination and speciation of chromium in lake water, tap water and chromium-plating baths.     

Speciated isotope dilution analysis of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water by ICP-DRC-MS

An isotope dilution method has been developed for the speciation analysis of chromium in natural waters which accounts for species interconversions without the requirement of a separation instrument connected to the mass spectrometer. The method involves (i) in-situ spiking of the sample with isotopically enriched chromium species; (ii) separation of chromium species by precipitation with iron hydroxide; (iii) careful measurement of isotope ratios using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) with a dynamic reaction cell (DRC) to remove isobaric polyatomic interferences. The method detection limits are 0.4 μg L⁻¹ for Cr(III) and 0.04 μg L⁻¹ for Cr(VI). The method is demonstrated for the speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in local nullah and synthetically spiked water samples. The percentage of conversion from Cr(III) to Cr(VI) increased from 5.9% to 9.3% with increase of the concentration of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) from 1 to 100 μg L⁻¹, while the reverse conversion from Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was observed within a range between 0.9% and 1.9%. The equilibrium constant for the conversion was found to be independent of the initial concentrations of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and in the range of 1.0 (at pH 3) to 1.8 (at pH 10). The precision of the method is better than that of the DPC method for Cr(VI) analysis, with the added bonuses of freedom from interferences and simultaneous Cr(III) determination.     

Thermal Investigations of M[La(C2O4)3]⋅xH2O (M=Cr(III) and Co(III))

The complexes M[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅xH₂O (x=10 for M=Cr(III) and x=7 forM=Co(III)) have been synthesized and their thermal stability was investigated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, reflectance and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Thermal investigations using TG, DTG and DTA techniques in air of chromium(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)decahydrate, Cr[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅10H₂O showed the complex decomposition pattern in air. The compound released all the ten molecules of water within ∼170°C, followed by decomposition to a mixture of oxides and carbides of chromium and lanthanum, i.e. CrO₂, Cr₂O₃, Cr₃O₄, Cr₃C₂, La₂O₃, La₂C₃, LaCO, LaCrO_x (2<x<3) and C at ∼1000°C through the intermediate formation of several compounds of chromium and lanthanum at ∼374, ∼430 and ∼550°C. Thecobalt(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)heptahydrate, Co[La(C₂O₄)₃]⋅7H₂O becomes anhydrous around 225°C, followed by decomposition to Co₃O₄, La₂(CO₃)₃ and C at ∼340°C and several other mixture species of cobalt and lanthanum at∼485°C. The end products were identified to be LaCoO₃, Co₃O₄, La₂O₃, La₂C₃, Co₃C, LaCO and C at ∼ 2>1000°C. DSC studies in nitrogen of both the compounds showed several distinct steps of decomposition along with ΔH and ΔSvalues. IR and powder XRD studies have identified some of the intermediate species. The tentative mechanisms for the decomposition in air are proposed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The extraction of Cr(III) from aqueous thiocyanate solutions and its separation from Co(II) and Ni(II)

For the system liquid anion-exchanger—Cr(III)−NCS⁻, an investigation has been made of the dependence of the percentage extraction of Cr(III) on parameters such as standing time of the Cr(III)−NCS⁻ solution, temperature, pH and type of exchanger. Quantitative extraction of e.g. 4·10⁻⁴ M Cr(III) by 0.1M Aliquat in CCl₄ is easily achieved at room temperature, using 4.75M KNCS−0.05N HCl as aqueous phase. At high Cr(III) concentrations, the complex anion present in the organic phase is Cr(NCS) ₆ ³⁻ ; when working with dilute metal ion solutions, the species extracted is Cr(NCS)₄ (H₂O) ₂ ⁻ . Separations of mixtures containing 10⁻²−10⁻⁴ M Co(II), Ni(II) and Cr(III) have successfully been accomplished.     

Amperometric Determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) by Flow Injection Analysis

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) can be attained by flow injection analysis with amperometric detection. Cr(VI) is reduced in an acidic medium to Cr(III) with a glassy carbon electrode at —0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl and the current is recorded. Cr(III) is oxidised on-line to Cr(VI) with alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution. From the difference of the total chromium and Cr(VI), the amount of Cr(III) was obtained. A linear calibration curve for Cr(VI) was obtained for the concentration ranges 0.01-5.0ppm of Cr(VI) and we have calculated the limit of determination to be about 0.5ppb. We have studied the degree of reproducibility obtained using the solid electrodes under various conditions. The influence of flow rate, coil length, interfenences and the extent of reaction were studied.     

The effect of Cr(III)-organic complexes on the determination of inorganic chromium species in groundwater by ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate–methylisobutylketone extraction procedure

Groundwater samples collected from a tannery contaminated area were analyzed for chromium species with the objective of investigating the interference of Cr(III)-organic complexes in the determination of Cr(VI) using APDC–MIBK extraction procedure. The contribution of Cr(III), Cr(VI) and Cr(III)-organic complexes towards total chromium ranged between 2 and 61%, 27 and 86%, and, 6 and 23%, respectively. The Cr(III)-organic complexes were not extractable by APDC–MIBK, however, HNO₃ digestion released the organic bound Cr(III). Interference of organic bound Cr(III) in Cr(VI) determination due to MIBK soluble Cr(III) was not observed. Significant difference between total dissolved chromium determined after appropriate digestion procedure, and the sum of dissolved Cr(III) and Cr(VI) determined indicates the presence of the Cr(III)-organic complexes. MIBK extraction of samples without APDC is an useful way to check the extractability of organic bound Cr(III). The presence of soluble Cr(III)-organic complexes thus add complexity to chromium speciation analysis by APDC–MIBK procedure.     

Electroanalytical Detection of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) Ions Using a Novel Microbial Sensor

A microbial sensor, namely carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with Citrobacter freundii (Cf–CPE) has been developed for the detection of hexavalent (Cr(VI)) and trivalent (Cr(III)) chromium present in aqueous samples using voltammetry, an electroanalytical technique. The biosensor developed, demonstrated about a twofold higher performance as compared to the bare CPE for the chosen ions. Using cyclic voltammetry and by employing the fabricated Cf–CPE, the lowest limit of detection (LLOD) of 1x10⁻⁴ M and 5x10⁻⁴ M for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions respectively could be achieved. By adopting the Differential Pulse Cathodic Stripping Voltammetric technique, the LLOD could be further improved to 1x10⁻⁹ M and 1x10⁻⁷ M for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions respectively using the biomodified electrodes. The reactions occurring at the electrode surface‐chromium solution interface and the mechanisms of biosorption of chromium species onto the biosensor are discussed. The stability and utility of the developed biosensor for the analysis of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions in chromite mine water samples has been evaluated.     

Diamond paste-based electrodes for determination of Cr(III) in pharmaceutical compounds

A new class of monocrystalline diamond paste-based electrodes is proposed for the determination of chromium(III) at trace levels in vitamins. Three types of monocrystalline diamond—natural diamond 1 (natural diamond), synthetic diamond 50 (synthetic-1), and synthetic diamond 1 (synthetic-2)—were used for electrode construction. The linear concentration ranges are between 10^–10 and 10^–8; 10^–9 and 10^–7, and 10^–10 to 10^–8 mol L^–1, with limits of detection of 10^–12, 10^–12, and 10^–11 mol L^–1, when natural diamond, synthetic-1, and synthetic-2, respectively, are used as electrode materials. For electrodes based on natural diamond and synthetic-1 it was found that Cr(III) yields a peak at about +0.275±0.015 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) within a predetermined positive potential range situated between +0.4 and +0.2 V, while for the electrode based on synthetic-2 the peaks are found at +0.300±0.015 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The proposed method is reliable for the determination of chromium(III) at trace levels in two vitamin tablets (RSD<0.2%).     

Speciation of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) by electrothermal atomisation AAS after electrodeposition on a L'vov platform

Summary The pyrolysed graphite L'vov platform of a tube furnace is considered as an electrode for the electrodeposition and speciation of chromium by electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA-AAS). Firstly, a preliminary study of the Cr(VI)/Cr(III) voltammetric behavior at pH 4.70 on a glassy-carbon electrode is carried out. Secondly, the L'vov platform is used as a cathodic macro-electrode for the selective preconcentration of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) on a mercury film. Speciation of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) is carried out on the basis of the electrolysis potential (E_e): at pH 4.70 and E_e=–0.30 V, only Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III) and accumulated as Cr(OH)₃ by adsorption on a mercury film; at E_e=–1.80 V both Cr(VI) and Cr(III) are accumulated forming an amalgam with added mercury(II) ions. Once the film has been formed, the platform is transferred to a graphite tube to atomise the element. The reliability of the method was tested for the speciation of chromium in natural waters and it proves to be highly sensitive thanks to the electroanalytical step. In all samples, the Cr(VI) concentration was less than the detection limit (0.15 ng ml^–1), and the concentration of Cr(III) agrees with those of total chromium. The analytical recovery of Cr(VI) added to water samples [3.50 ng ml^–1 of Cr(VI)] was 105±6.2%.     

Application of double-spike isotope dilution for the accurate determination of Cr(III), Cr(VI) and total Cr in yeast

A method is presented for the simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in yeast using species-specific double-spike isotope dilution (SSDSID) with anion-exchange liquid chromatography (LC) separation and sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (SF-ICP-MS) detection. Total Cr is quantitated using ID SF-ICP-MS. Samples were digested on a hot plate at 95±2 °C for 6 h in an alkaline solution of 0.5 M NaOH and 0.28 M Na₂CO₃ for the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI), whereas microwave-assisted decomposition with HNO₃ and H₂O₂ was used for the determination of total Cr. Concentrations of 2,014±16, 1,952±103 and 76±48 mg kg⁻¹ (one standard deviation, n=4, 3, 3), respectively were obtained for total Cr, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the yeast sample. Significant oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) (24.2±7.6% Cr(III) oxidized, n=3) and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) (37.6±6.5% Cr(VI) reduced, n=3 ) occurred during alkaline extraction and subsequent chromatographic separation at pH 7. Despite this significant bidirectional redox transformation, quantitative recoveries for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were achieved using the SSDSID method. In addition, mass balance between total Cr and the sum of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) concentrations was achieved. Method detection limits of 0.3, 2 and 30 mg kg⁻¹ were obtained for total Cr, Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively, based on a 0.2-g sub-sample.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental samples by using coprecipitation with praseodymium(III) hydroxide and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A speciation procedure has been established for the flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) based on coprecipitation of Cr(III) by using praseodymium(III) hydroxide (Pr(OH)₃) precipitate. In the presented system, Cr(III) was quantitatively (>95%) recovered at the pH range of 10.0?C12.0 on Pr(III) hydroxide, while the recoveries of Cr(VI) were below 10%. The method was applied to the determination of the total chromium after reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The concentration of Cr(VI) is calculated by difference of total chromium and Cr(III) levels. The analytical parameters including pH of the aqueous medium, amount of Pr(III), centrifugation speed, sample volume were optimized. The influences of matrix ions were also investigated. The method was validated by the analysis of TMDA 70 fortified lake water certified reference material. The method was applied to the speciation of chromium in water samples.     

Experimental and calculation methods of studying the effect of second coordination sphere on standard rate constants of charge transfer for Cr(III)/Cr(II) redox couple in chloride melts

The cyclic voltammetry method was used to determine the standard rate constants of charge transfer (k _s) on a glassy carbon electrode for the Cr(III)/Cr(II) redox couple in the systems of NaCl-KCl-CrCl₃, KCl-CrCl₃, and CsCl-CrCl₃ in the temperature range of 973–1173 K. It was shown that k _s grows at an increase in the temperature and decreases as sodium cations are replaced by potassium and cesium cations in the second coordination sphere of chromium complexes. The calculations carried out using the PC GAMESS/Firefly quantum-chemical software by means of the DFT technique showed that the values of the charge transfer activation energy change monotonously in the series of Na-K-Cs in accordance with the ratio of reorganization energies. In its turn, this leads to monotonous variation of the charge transfer rate constants.     

Flavonol Derivatives for Determination of Cr(III) and W(VI)

 Simple, rapid, sensitive and selective methods for the determination of Cr(III) and W(VI) with flavonol derivatives in the presence of surface-active agents are proposed. In the pH ranges 3.4–4.2 and 1.9–2.5, the molar absorptivities of Cr(III)-morin-emulsifier S (EFA) and W(VI)-morin-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) systems are 1.13×10⁵ and 2.13×10⁴ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 435 and 415 nm, respectively. The Cr(III)-quercetin-PVP and W(VI)-quercetin-cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) systems are formed in the pH ranges 4–4.6 and 2.2–2.8 with molar absorptivities 1.02×10⁵ and 9.02×10⁴ L. mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 441 and 419 nm, respectively. The linear dynamic ranges for the determination of Cr(III) and W(VI) with morin in the presence of EFA and PVP are 0.03–0.46 and 0.71–8.1 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The corresponding ranges with quercetin are 0.04–0.54 and 0.14–2.1 μg mL⁻¹ of Cr(III) and W(VI), respectively. The r.s.d (n = 10) for the determination of 0.25 and 3.7 μg mL⁻¹ of Cr(III) and W(VI) with morin and their detection limits are 0.88 and 0.99% and 0.016 and 0.63 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. Using quercetin, the r.s.d (n = 10) for 0.22 and 1.2 μg mL⁻¹ of Cr(III) and W(VI) and their detection limits are 0.92 and 0.91% and 0.015 and 0.08 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The critical evaluation of the proposed methods is performed by statistical analysis of the experimental data. The proposed methods are applied to determine Cr in steel, non-ferrous alloys, wastewater and mud filtrate and to the determination of W in steel. Received March 8, 1999. Revision January 21, 2000.     

Determination of dissociation constants for coordination compounds of Cr(III) and Co(III) using potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods

The acid–base properties of analogous complex ions of chromium(III) and cobalt(III) in aqueous solution have been studied. The equilibrium constants for all metal complexes were determined by using potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration methods. First, dissociation constants for the studied complexes of Cr(III) and Co(III) were determined by means of the potentiometric titration method and using the STOICHIO computer programme. Then, pH-spectrophotometric titrations were performed and the OriginPro 7.5 computer programme was used to calculate the same constants. The measurements using both methods were carried out under the same conditions of temperature, T = 298.15 K, and over the same pH range 2.00–10.00, respectively. It turned out that the two methods used enabled us to obtain acidity constants in very good agreement.     

Metallosurfactants of Chromium(III) Coordination Complexes. Synthesis, Characterization and Determination of CMC Values

A number of mixed ligand chromium(III)–surfactant coordination complexes, of the type cis-[Cr(en)₂(A)X]²⁺ and cis-α-[Cr(trien)(A)X]²⁺ (A = Dodecyl or Cetylamine; X = F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻) were synthesized from the corresponding dihalogeno complexes by ligand substitution. These compounds form foam in aqueous solution when shaken. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of these surfactant metal complexes in aqueous solution were obtained from conductance measurements. Specific conductivity data (at 303, 308 and 313 K) served for evaluation of the temperature-dependent critical micelle concentration (cmc) and the thermodynamics of micellization (Δ G_m⁰, Δ H_m⁰ and Δ S_m⁰).     

Cr(III) and Cr(VI) Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Cheaply Available Fruit Waste and Algal Biomass

This study compared the effectiveness of different biosorbents, viz. materials commonly present in natural treatment systems (Scenedesmus quadricauda and reed) and commonly produced fruit wastes (orange and banana peel) to remove Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from a synthetic wastewater simulating tannery wastewater. The Cr(III) removal efficiency followed the order S. quadricauda?>?orange peel?>?banana peel?>?reed, whereas the Cr(VI) removal followed the order banana peel?>?S. quadricauda?>?reed?>?orange peel. The chromium biosorption kinetics were governed by the intraparticle diffusion mechanism. Isotherm data obtained using the different biosorbents were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and SIPS models, revealing that the experimental data followed most closely the monolayer sorption theory-based Langmuir model than the other models. The maximum Cr(III) sorption capacity, calculated using the Langmuir model, was found to be 12 and 9 mg/g for S. quadricauda and orange peel, respectively, and the maximum Cr(VI) sorption capacity calculated for banana peel was 3 mg/g. The influence of biosorbent size, pH, solid–liquid ratio, and competing ions were examined for Cr(III) biosorption by S. quadricauda and orange peel and for Cr(VI) sorption by banana peel. The solution pH was found to be the most influential parameter affecting the biosorption process: whereas pH 5 was found to be optimum for maximum removal of Cr(III), Cr(VI) was best removed at a pH as low as 3. Interference to chromium sorption by various ions revealed that Cr(III) binding onto orange peel occurs through electrostatic forces, whereas Cr(VI) binding onto banana peel through non-electrostatic forces.