Salt-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction of Cr(VI) ion using an ionic liquid for preconcentration prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

We report on the salt-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction of cationic complexes of Cr(VI) ion using the hydrophilic ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoraborate and potassium hydrogen phosphate. This is a novel, simple, non-toxic and effective technique for sample pretreatment technique that displays large extraction efficiency and represents a new platform where Cr(VI) is complexed with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) in sulfuric acid medium. It was applied to the extraction of Cr(VI) in the form of the Cr(VI)-DPC complex prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Cr(III) ion also can be determined by this procedure after oxidation to Cr(VI). Extraction is mainly affected by the amount of water-soluble IL, the kind and quantity of inorganic salts, by pH and the concentration of DPC. Calibration plots are linear in the range from 3 to 150?μg?L^?1 of Cr(VI), and the limit of detection is 1.25?μg?L^?1. The method was successfully applied to the speciation and determination of trace levels of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water samples containing high levels of dissolved salts or food grade salts.

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.     

Speciation of chromium by in-capillary derivatization and electrophoretically mediated microanalysis

An electrophoretic method for chromium speciation analysis--as Cr(III) and Cr(VI)--based on in-capillary derivatization with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) is here proposed. As Cr(III) does not react with DPC, it was oxidized also in-capillary to Cr(VI) by Ce(IV). For this purpose, a capillary electrophoresis (CE) mode called electrophoretically mediated microanalysis (EMMA) based on sequential injection of sample and reagents--namely, DPC, sample and Ce(IV)--was employed. The conditions of both reactions--Cr(III) oxidation and Cr(VI)-DPC derivatization--were optimized in order to quantify separately the Cr(VI)-DPC complex from the original Cr(VI) in the sample and that from oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The electrophoretic conditions were independently optimized for variables influencing the resolution and those affecting sensitivity. The method thus developed was applied to the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in glass material, for which different sample preparation methods--namely, EPA method 3060A, ultrasound-assisted leaching and microwave-assisted digestion--were tested. Microwave-assisted digestion was found to be the best sample preparation alternative in terms of efficiency of the step--99.6 and 98.3% for Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively--and procedure time--20 min. The complete method was validated with the certified reference material BAM-S004.     

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.     

A microfluidic paper-based analytical device for rapid quantification of particulate chromium

Occupational exposure to Cr is concerning because of its myriad of health effects. Assessing chromium exposure is also cost and resource intensive because the analysis typically uses sophisticated instrumental techniques like inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Here, we report a novel, simple, inexpensive microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for measuring total Cr in airborne particulate matter. In the μPAD, tetravalent cerium (Ce(IV)) was used in a pretreatment zone to oxidize all soluble Cr to Cr(VI). After elution to the detection zone, Cr(VI) reacts with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (1,5-DPC) forming 1,5-diphenylcarbazone (DPCO) and Cr(III). The resulting Cr(III) forms a distinct purple colored complex with the DPCO. As proof-of-principle, particulate matter (PM) collected on a sample filter was analyzed with the μPAD to quantify the mass of total Cr. A log-linear working range (0.23–3.75 μg; r² = 0.998) between Cr and color intensity was obtained with a detection limit of 0.12 μg. For validation, a certified reference containing multiple competing metals was analyzed. Quantitative agreement was obtained between known Cr levels in the sample and the Cr measured using the μPAD.     

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.     

Chromium speciation using an automated liquid handling system with inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometric detection

The speciation of inorganic chromium in environmental samples is required for accurate assessment of pollution levels. Of the two chromium oxidation states, Cr (VI) is a known carcinogen, while Cr (III) is an essential element. Total chromium measurement cannot be used to determine actual environmental impact due to the considerable difference in toxicity of the two elemental forms. An automated liquid handling system, the PrepLab™, can be used with an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) to quantify Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in liquid samples. An autosampler is used to introduce discrete sample volumes into a solid-phase chelation resin column. The Cr (III) and Cr (VI) species are separated and are introduced on-line into the VG PlasmaQuad 3 ICP-MS for detection. The chromatographic data are collected in time resolved analysis mode with the capability of simultaneous multiple-isotopic detection.     

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry of exhaled breath condensate headspace

Collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a relatively simple noninvasive method of breath analysis; however, no data have been reported that would relate concentration of volatile compounds in EBC to their gaseous concentrations in exhaled air. The aim of the study was to investigate which volatile compounds are present in EBC and how their concentrations relate to results of direct breath analysis. Thus, samples of EBC were collected in a standard way from several subjects and absolute levels of several common volatile breath metabolites (ammonia, acetone, ethanol, methanol, propanol, isoprene, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) were then determined in their headspace using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). Results are compared with those from on-line breath analyses carried out immediately before collecting the EBC samples. It has been demonstrated that SIFT-MS can be used to quantify the concentrations of volatiles in EBC samples and that, for methanol, ammonia, ethanol and acetone, the EBC concentrations correlate with the direct breath levels. However, the EBC concentrations of isoprene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and propanol do not correlate with direct breath measurements. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel approach for speciation of airborne chromium by convective-interaction media fast-monolithic chromatography with electrothermal atomic-absorption spectrometric detection

A new analytical procedure using an anion-exchange separation support based on convective-interaction media (CIM) was developed for the speciation of chromium. The separation of Cr(VI) was performed on a weak anion-exchange CIM diethylamine (DEAE) fast-monolithic chromatographic disc. Buffer A (0.005 mol dm(-3) TRIS-HCl, pH 8.0) and buffer B (buffer A plus 3 mol dm(-3) NH4NO3) were employed in the separation procedure. The separated chromium species were determined 'off-line' by ETAAS in 0.5 cm3 fractions. The applicability of the CIM DEAE-ETAAS procedure was investigated for the determination of airborne Cr(VI) at a plasma cutting workplace. Aerosols were collected on polycarbonate membrane filters of 8 and 0.4 microm pore size (inhalable and respirable aerosols). Alkaline extraction of filters in a heated ultrasonic bath was applied to leach chromium. Good repeatability of measurement (+/-3.0%) of the alkaline extracts was obtained for Cr(VI). The LOD (3s) was found to be 0.30 microg m(-3) Cr(VI), when 0.25 m3 of air was collected on the filter. The validation of the procedure was performed by spiking filters with Cr(VI) and by the analysis of the standard reference material CRM 545, Cr(VI) in welding dust loaded on a filter. Good recoveries for spiked samples (101-102%) and good agreement between Cr(VI) found and the reported certified value for CRM 545 were obtained. The extracts were also analysed by the FPLC-ETAAS technique. Good agreement between two techniques (r2 = 0.9978) confirmed the reliability of the CIM DEAE-ETAAS procedure developed. The main advantage of the procedure lies in the speed of the chromatographic separation (chromatographic run completed in 15 min).     

Determination of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in plastics using organic-assisted alkaline extraction

An organic-assisted alkaline extraction method was developed for the determination of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in plastics. The solubilization of polymer as a pre-step of the alkaline extraction provided good extraction efficiency of Cr(VI) from the sample. The optimization of the experimental conditions affecting the extraction and UV–vis spectrophotometric analysis was accomplished by evaluating the recovery rate of Cr(VI) through the analysis of Cr(VI) in in-house polymer reference materials (RMs). With the proposed method, most of the Cr(VI) in polymers was released within a short extraction time of 30 min and the Cr(III)-DPCO complex can be kept stable for 24 h. The heating for the extraction of the Cr(VI) was not necessary. The optimal pH of the final solution was fixed at 2.0. The proposed extraction method was applied successfully for the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in spiked samples. The practical applicability of this new method was evaluated through the analysis of Cr(VI) in in-house polymer RMs. The good linearity was demonstrated at desired concentrations of the range 0–3.3 mg L⁻¹. The detection limits were quite low, varying from 0.0061 to 0.0285 mg L⁻¹. The recovery of Cr(VI) was between 97 and 106%, and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was below 6%.     

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.     

Hexavalent chromium recovery by liquid-liquid extraction with tributylphosphate from acidic chloride media.

A method is introduced for recuperation of chromium(VI) in water samples by liquid-liquid extraction with tributylphosphate PO(C4H9O)3 (TBP) from acidic chloride media. The optimum conditions for quantitative extraction of Cr(VI) were evaluated by varying the experimental parameters, such as the shaking period, the pH of the aqueous phase, the hydrochloric acid concentration, the hydrogen and chloride ion concentrations, the extractant concentration and the ratio of aqueous-to-organic phase. The probable extracted species of hexavalent chromium in organic phase, deduced from log-log plots, were H2CrO4 in acid media in absence of chloride and HCrO3Cl in acidic chloride media. Chromium(VI) was found to be extracted with tributylphosphate from acidic chloride media according to the following reaction: HCrO4-(aq), + 2H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) + 2TBP(org) <==> [HCrO3Cl, 2TBP](org) + H2O(aq). Since the tributylphosphate (TBP) exhibited a high selectivity for chromium(VI), this method can be applicable to the extraction and the determination of chromium in both oxidation states [Cr(VI) and Cr(III)] in water samples.     

Application of a renewable silver based mercury film electrode to the determination of Cr(VI) in soil samples

The design and experimental results of the application of a renewable mercury film silver based electrode to the determination of Cr(VI) in soil samples are presented. The main feature of this procedure is that it can be used in field measurements. The procedure is based on the extraction of total Cr(VI) exploiting the complexation property of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) followed by electrochemical reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) with the formation of Cr(III)-H₂DTPA complex adsorbed on mercury film electrode. The voltammetric signal is caused by reduction of this complex. The validation of the proposed procedure was made by Cr(VI) determination in the certified reference material “Chromium VI in soil”. The protocol for Cr(VI) determination has also been applied to the analysis of Rendoll soil samples with satisfying precision.

     

Determination of Chromium (VI) in Airborne Particulate Matter by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a well-established carcinogen associated with lung, nasal, and sinus cancer. Cr(VI) threshold limit values in workroom air have been recently lowered. Consequently, the currently available analytical methods are insufficiently sensitive or high cost. In this paper, a simple, cost-effective, sensitive, and reproducible method using solid-phase extraction with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for determination of hexavalent chromium in airborne samples is reported. The method validation included selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision. Interferences from other ions likely to be present in airborne samples, including trivalent chromium, were tested and selectivity was demonstrated. The detection and quantification limits were, respectively, as low as 0.1 and 0.4?µg?L^?1. The linearity ranged from 0.5 to 50.0?µg?L^?1, with a regression coefficients exceeding 0.998. The extraction recovery exceeded 98%. The developed method was successfully compared with a reference spectrophotometric method. The performances achieved were similar to ion chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography approaches. The novel method was tested on airborne samples collected from the workplace. The method’s performance suggests that it may be an alternative to high-cost techniques for monitoring occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium.     

An assessment of alkyl chain length effect of symmetric İmidazolium salts as a carrier for selective separation of Cr(VI)

Selective solvent extraction (SSX) of Cr(VI) and recovery was evaluated by using a homologous series of symmetric imidazolium bromide salts (SIMs) having various alkyl chain length. Therefore, propyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, and decyl substituted SIMs were used as an ion carrier. The executive parameters affecting both extraction and stripping conditions were investigated for optimization. Finally, a direct correlation was observed a between increasing alkyl chain length and selective Cr(VI) extraction from acidic solutions containing Cr(VI), Fe(III), Co(II), Cd(II), Ni(II). This relationship was reversed in the stripping conditions. Optimal extraction and stripping were obtained for SIM5 and SIM2 as 97.49% and 70.00%, respectively.     

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     

Chromium speciation,selective extraction and preconcentration by alumina-functionalised 2-pyridenecarboxyladehyde thiosemicarbazone

A method is proposed and explored for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI), selective extraction and preconcentration in various water samples based on dynamic and static techniques. Three newly designed alumina phases-physically adsorbed-2-pyridenecarboxyladehyde-thiosemicarbazone [Al-2PC-TSC (I–III)] were synthesised and characterised. Stability tests and application of [Al-2PC-TSC (I–III)] as inorganic ion exchangers and chelating solid sorbents for various metal ions were studied and evaluated. The distribution coefficient and separation factors of chromium species versus other interfering metal ions were determined to examine the incorporated selectivity into these alumina phases. Quantitative recovery of Cr(VI) was accomplished by [Al-2PC-TSC (I–III)] at pH = 1.0 while Cr(III) was found to be quantitatively recovered on these sorbents at pH = 7.0 with minimal or no interference between these two species under the studied buffering conditions. Selective solid phase speciation and preconcentration of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in various real water samples were successfully performed and accomplished via a micro-column, with 200 as a preconcentration factor. Selective speciation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) via preconcentration from seawater and industrial water samples by alumina phases in pH = 1 was found to give percentage recovery values of Cr(VI) in the range 93.5–97.3 ± 3.0–5.0% and 94.0–97.5 ± 3.0–4.0%, for seawater and industrial water samples, respectively.     

Ultrasonic assisted deep eutectic solvent liquid–liquid microextraction using azadipyrromethene dye as complexing agent for assessment of chromium species in environmental samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel type of solvent named deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been considered as a green ionic liquid analogue. A novel method was developed for enrichment and speciation of chromium ion from water and food samples based on deep eutectic solvent and ultrasonic extraction. The procedure for this method was comprised of Cr(III) complex formation with a hydrophobic complexing agent (Z)‐N‐(3,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐3,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐imine (azadipyrromethene dye). Metal complex was entrapped in a deep eutectic solvent as an extracting solvent. While Cr(III) recovery was quantitative, the recovery of Cr(VI) was found 5%. After reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), the method was applied for determination of total chromium(III) ion. The amount of Cr(VI) was calculated as subtracting of Cr(III) from total chromium ion. Various analytical parameters were optimized. The certified reference materials were analyzed and standard addition method also carried out to real samples to check the accuracy of the developed method. Preconcentration factor was found to be 50. The limit of detection of chromium(III) was found to be 4.3 ng l^‐1. The precision of developed method as the relative standard deviation (RSD) was found as 3.5 %. The developed method was applied successfully for the speciation of chromium ions in water and food samples.     

Evaluation of ammonia buffer containing EDTA as an extractant for Cr(VI) from solid samples

A novel procedure for the extraction of soluble, sparingly soluble and insoluble Cr(VI) from solid samples was presented. EDTA was added to an ammonia buffer commonly used only for the extraction of soluble and sparingly soluble Cr(VI). In the course of extraction in an ultrasonic bath cations which form insoluble chromates are complexed with EDTA while Cr(VI) is transferred to the solution. A concentration of EDTA equal to 0.01 mol L⁻¹ was chosen. The presence of EDTA in the extraction solution enables not only dissolution of insoluble Cr(VI) but also, as reported previously in literature, minimises oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The extraction procedure was optimised and applied to Cr(VI) determination in the paint chips real sample. The results obtained were compared with the results obtained using two other extraction procedures. The results show that the novel extraction procedure can be used for the extraction of soluble, sparingly soluble and insoluble Cr(VI) from real solid samples.     

快速溶剂萃取-离子色谱法同时测定塑料中的三价铬和六价铬

建立了采用快速溶剂萃取-离子色谱同时测定塑料中三价铬和六价铬的方法。三价铬和六价铬分别以吡啶-2,6-二羧酸(PDCA)和1,5-二苯卡巴肼(DPC)作为络合剂在柱前和柱后进行衍生化,分别在紫外和可见波长下采用紫外检测器进行检测,灵敏度高,基体干扰小。本方法对三价铬和六价铬的检出限分别为5.0 μg/L和0.5 μg/L;分别在50～1000 μg/L和5.0～100 μg/L范围内呈现良好的线性关系,线性相关系数分别为0.9994和0.9998;三价铬和六价铬的回收率范围为90.7%～101.1%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.7%～4.4%。该方法分析速度快、灵敏度高、重现性好,可用于塑料中三价铬和六价铬的同时测定。