Application of ionizing radiation to environmental protection: removal of toxic Cr(VI) metal ion in industrial wastewater: preliminary study

Hexavalent chromium, a major contaminant in most wastewater sites, is a potential health threat inducing cancer to humans while trivalent chromium is an essential element for the metabolism of sugar. The radiation-induced reduction of Cr(VI) metal ion to Cr(III) by the perhydroxyl radical (HO₂ ^?) and carboxyl radical anion (CO₂ ^??) produced by continuous radiolysis of water was investigated by steady state radiolysis of O₂, Ar and N₂O-saturated pH 3 solutions in the presence of formate. In all cases the removed Cr(VI) was a linear function of the absorbed dose. The added formate was favorable for removing Cr(VI). Its presence protects the solution from reverse radiolytic oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The measured and calculated yield of removal of Cr(VI) do agree quite well at low formate concentration but at high formate concentration the measured yield was higher than the expected. When all formate is exhausted no recovery of Cr(VI) from Cr(III) was observed in case of O₂- and Ar-saturated solutions whilst in the case of N₂O-saturated solutions Cr(VI) recovers. The results obtained in this study highlight the potential of this technology for industrial wastewater treatment.     

Comparison of chromium speciation by CZE and ion exchange followed by AAS

The hydrogen chromate anion (HCrO₄ ^–), which is the predominant species in acidic solutions and solutions with low chromium concentration, was determined by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using UV detection on-column at 200 nm. A fused-silica capillary (55 cm × 50 μm i.d.) was employed with a high negative voltage of 20 kV. Total chromium was determined after reduction by H₂O₂ and its complexation by EDTA. The use of H₂O₂ as reducing agent is advantageous, as it does not increase the conductivity of the solution. Detection limits achieved (for 200 s injection time) were 30 and 8 μg/L for Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively. The CZE results obtained for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were compared with those obtained by ion exchange with subsequent AAS.     

Separation and Removal of Metal Ionic Species by Polymer Inclusion Membranes

Competitive alkali metal cation transport across polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing sym-(alkyl)dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetic acid carriers provides excellent selectivity for Na⁺ transport with the total fluxes being strongly influenced by the length of the alkyl chain that is attached geminal to the functional side arm in the lariat ether. Removal of chromium(VI) anions by PIMs from acidic aqueous phases was also investigated. Using tri-n-octylamine (TOA) as the ion carrier, Cr(VI) was removed by a PIM to decrease the source phase metal concentration from 1.0 to 0.010 ppm after 30 hours of transport. Competitive transport of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions from acidic source phases through PIMs and supported liquid membranes (SLMs) containing TOA and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as carriers was evaluated and a very high Cr(VI)/Cr(III) separation ratio of 4800 was achieved with a PIM containing TOA. Competitive transport of Zn(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) from acidic aqueous solutions through PIMs containing TOA was investigated. The selectivity order for metal ion transport was: HCrO₄ ^–>CdCl₄ ^2–+CdCl₃ ^–>ZnCl₄ ^2–+ ZnCl₃ ^–. Non-contact atomic force microscopy was used to obtain images of the pores in cellulose triacetate membranes containing a plasticizer.     

Sorption of Cr(VI) ions by oxyhydrates of M x Al1?x O y · nH2O composition, where M is Zr(IV), Ti(IV), or Sn(IV)

The equilibrium and kinetics of Cr(VI) ion sorption from acidic (pH 2.5) and alkaline (pH 10.5) aqueous solutions by oxyhydrates of the M _x Al_{1 ? x} O _y · nH₂O composition, where M is Zr(IV), Ti(IV), or Sn(IV) and x = 0.0?0.7, are studied. It is shown that the sorption equilibrium can be described using the Langmuir model. The effective diffusion coefficients of Cr(VI) ions calculated from the exchange half-time and specific conductivity of oxyhydrates measured after the sorption of the target component are (0.11?C0.28) × 10^?11 m² s^?1.     

Choice of a suitable hetero-aromatic nitrogen base as promoter for chromic acid oxidation of dl-mandelic acid in aqueous media at room temperature

Chromic acid oxidation of dl-mandelic acid in the presence and absence of different promoters has been studied in aqueous media under the kinetic conditions [mandelic acid]_T ? [Cr(VI)]_T and [promoter]_T ? [Cr(VI)]_T at 30 °C. The promoters used in this oxidation reaction, picolinic acid (PA), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), are strong chelating ligands which form complexes with most transition metal ions. The reaction is first-order with regard to [H⁺], [mandelic acid]_T, and [Cr(VI)]_T and also has first-order dependence on [promoter]_T. HCrO₄ ^? was found to be kinetically active in the absence of promoters; in the presence of promoters the Cr(VI)–promoter complexes were believed to be the active oxidants. In this path the Cr(VI)-promoter complex in each case undergoes nucleophilic attack by the mandelic acid to form a ternary complex which subsequently undergoes redox decomposition involving 3e transfer as the rate-determining step. Among the three promoters oxidation is much faster with 1,10-phenanthroline.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between dimethylformamide and chromium(VI)

The kinetics of oxidation of N,N‐dimethylformamide by chromium(VI) has been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous perchloric acid media at 20°C. The rate showed a first‐order dependence on both [Cr(VI)] and [DMF], and increased markedly with increasing [H⁺]. The order with respect to [HClO₄] was found to lie between 1 and 2. The rate was found to be independent of ionic strength as well as of any inhibition effect of Mn(II). The formation of superoxochromium(III) ion was detected in an aerated solution of chromium(VI), DMF and HClO₄. The proposed mechanism, involving two reaction pathways, leads to the rate law, rate = K_a1 [HCrO₄⁻] [DMF] (k_I K_a2 [H⁺]²+k_II[H⁺]). The first pathway, with rate constant k_I, involves the formation of chromium(V) and a free radical. The second pathway, with rate constant k_II, involves the formation of Cr(IV), CO₂ and dimethylamine. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 409–415, 1999     

Heavy Metal Resistances and Chromium Removal of a Novel Cr(VI)-Reducing Pseudomonad Strain Isolated from Circulating Cooling Water of Iron and Steel Plant

Three bacterial isolates, GT2, GT3, and GT7, were isolated from the sludge and water of a circulating cooling system of iron and steel plant by screening on Cr(VI)-containing plates. Three isolates were characterized as the members of the genus Pseudomonas on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. All isolates were capable of resisting multiple antibiotics and heavy metals. GT7 was most resistant to Cr(VI), with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.5 mmol L^?1. GT7 displayed varied rates of Cr(VI) reduction in M2 broth, which was dependent on pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and inoculating dose. Total chromium analysis revealed that GT7 could remove a part of chromium from the media, and the maximum rate of chromium removal was up to 40.8 %. The Cr(VI) reductase activity of GT7 was mainly associated with the soluble fraction of cell-free extracts and reached optimum at pH 6.0～8.0. The reductase activity was apparently enhanced by external electron donors and Cu(II), whereas it was seriously inhibited by Hg(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II). The reductase showed a K _m of 74 μmol L^?1 of Cr(VI) and a V _max of 0.86 μmol of Cr(VI) min^?1 mg^?1 of protein. The results suggested that GT7 could be a promising candidate for in situ bioremediation of Cr(VI).     

Hexavalent chromium quantification in solution: Comparing direct UV–visible spectrometry with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide colorimetry

Quantification of Cr(VI) in an aqueous solution is conducted by direct UV–visible spectrophotometry based on the yellow coloring of the chromate ion. Measurements show that absorption follows the Beer–Lambert law over a wide range of concentrations. At pH below the pK_a of 6.4 (HCrO₄^?/CrO₄^?2), the absorption maximum lies at 350 nm wavelength and the linear range spans from 0.5 to 100 mg Cr(VI)/L; above the pK_a (pH 6.4), the absorption maximum is 373 nm and linearity occurs in the range of 0.5–25 mg/L. The wide range of validity of the Beer–Lambert law is advantageous for the measurement of concentrated samples. The standard method of analysis of aqueous Cr(VI) is by colorimetry with the 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC)–Cr(VI) complex. This method, although very sensitive, bears a narrow range of linearity from 0 to 0.8 mg Cr(VI)/L. It is shown that when analyzing Cr(VI) solutions with concentrations in the range of 30–500 mg/L, the DPC method gives inaccurate results and relative standard deviations of 20–50%. This is due to high dilution factors. On the contrary, the direct method performs with high accuracy. Relative standard deviation is only 0.5% at 500 mg Cr(VI)/L. The direct method is fast, reliable, and nondestructive for the sample. The direct method is recommended for the quantification of Cr(VI) at concentrations greater than 1 mg/L.     

Enhanced sorption of perfluorooctane sulfonate and Cr(VI) on organo montmorillonite: influence of solution pH and uptake mechanism

An effective sorbent to remove the perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) simultaneously from simulating plating wastewater was prepared in this study. The removal of Cr was pH-dependent. However, PFOS removal on organo-montmorillonites (Mts) was not sensitive to pH changes. The presence of micelles and hemi-micelles resulted in an enhanced PFOS sorption capacity which reached 1,000 mg/g on the hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMAB) modified montmorillonite. The cationic surfactants on organo-Mts were largely responsible to the hydrophobic partition. For Cr(VI), the stable coordination compounds between amido, sulfhydryl groups and HCrO₄ ^? were beneficial to its sorption on AET–Mt and AET–HDTMAB–Mt (AET, 2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride). The result indicated that the AET–HDTMAB–Mt was highly effective for removing both PFOS and Cr(VI) simultaneously, and their sorption capacities reached 890 and 14 mg/g respectively.     

Differential-pulse voltammetric determination of molybdenum in nitrate medium in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline

The determination of Mo(VI) by differential-pulse voltammetry based on catalytic currents in nitrate medium is described. The existence of catalytic currents in the system Mo(VI)NO₃^? in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline was proved by various polarographic techniques. The optimum background electrolyte is 20 ml 0.5 M KNO₃?0.005 M HNO³ with the addition of 1 ml of 1 × 10^?2 M 8-hydroxyquinoline. The detection limit is 7 × 10^?10 M under these conditions. Cr(VI), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) interfere when present at higher concentrations then Mo(VI) and W(VI) interferes at an equal concentration to Mo(VI). The method was successfully used in analyses of environmental samples.     

The spectrophotometric determination of vanadium after extraction as vanadium(III) ferronate by tribenzylamine

Vanadium(III) obtained by dithionite reduction of vanadium(V) can be extracted as its ferron complex with tribenzylamine in chloroform from 0.05 M sulphuric acid. Vanadium (0–5 μg ml^-1) is determined spectrophotometrically at 430 nm with a sensitivity of 0.0028 μg V cm^-2. Al(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(II, III), Hg(II), Si(IV), Be(II), Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II), Ba(II), Cr(VI, III), W(VI), Zn(II), U(VI), Mn(II). Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Th(IV) do not interfere; only Mo(VI), Ti(IV), Zr(IV). Bi(V) and Sn(II) interfere. A single determination takes only 7 min. The extracted complex is V^III (R-3H.TBA)₃ where R = C₉H₄O₄NSI. The method is satisfactory for the determination of vanadium in steels, alum and other samples without preliminary separations.     

Solvent Extraction of Selenate and Chromate Using a Diaminocalix[4]arene

The extraction of Se(VI) and Cr(VI) using a diammoniumcalix[4]arene was investigated. A study of parameters such as ligand concentration, pH or diluent was carried out and allowed to specify the stoichiometry of the extracted species. It was shown that Se(VI) is extracted into CHCl₃ as (LH₂ ²⁺, Cl^-, HSeO₄ ^-) and ((LH₂ ²⁺)₂, 2Cl^-, SeO₄ ^2-)species at pH 2.6. An increase of pH or an addition of 5% or 10% decanol in CHCl₃ favors the extraction of SeO₄ ^2- over HSeO₄ ^- but leads to a drastic decrease of seleniumextraction. Cr(VI) was shown to be extracted as(LH₂ ²⁺, Cl^-, HCrO₄ ^-) at pH 2.6 and probably as (LH⁺, HCrO₄ ^-) for higher pH.     

Effect of Mn(II) and Ce(IV) Ions on the Oxidation of Lactic Acid by Chromic Acid

The kinetics and mechanism of lactic acid oxidation in the presence of Mn(II) and Ce(IV) ions by chromic acid were studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation of lactic acid by Cr(VI) was found to proceed in two measurable steps, both of which gave pyruvic acid as the primary product in the absence of Mn(II). 2Cr(VI)+2CH₃CHOHCOOH → 2CH₃COCOOH+Cr(V)+Cr(III) Cr(V)+CH₃CHOHCOOH → Cr(III)+CH₃COCOOHThe observed kinetics was explained due to the catalytic and inhibitory effects of Mn(II) and Ce(IV) on the lactic acid oxidation by Cr(VI). The reactivity of lactic acid depends upon the experimental conditions. It acts as a two-or three-equivalent reducing agent in the absence or presence of Mn(II). It was examined that Cr(III) products resulting from the direct reduction of Cr(VI) by three-equivalent reducing agents. The oxidation of lactic acid follows the complex order kinetics with respect to [lactic acid]. The activation parameters E_a, ΔH^#, and ΔS^# were calculated and discussed.     

Electron transfer. 109. The reaction of dimeric molybdenum(V) with carboxylato-bound chromium(V). A third mechanistic variation

The bridged dimer of molybdenum(V), Mo₂O₄²⁺ (aq) is oxidized to Mo(VI) by carboxylato-bound chromium(V). Reaction of bis(chelated) Cr(V) with excess (Mo^V)₂ yields a chelated Cr(III) complex, but this conversion proceeds through a pink Cr(IV) intermediate, indicating that the oxidation of (Mo^V)₂ entails a series of le^? steps, passing through a reactive transient, the mixed valence complex, Mo^VMo^VI. When experiments are carried out in buffers of the ligating acid, 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, two stages of ligation of (Mo^V)₂ by the ligand anion, characterized by rate constants near 10⁴ and 0.14 M^?1 s^?1 (19°C; pH 3.0; μ = 0.6 M) must be considered. In quick mixing experiments, the first, but not the second, of these proceeds before the redox reaction gets under way, and autocatalytic redox profiles are observed. If the slower ligation is allowed to reach completion before Cr(V) is added, reduction to Cr(IV) is greatly accelerated and conforms to the superposition of two processes, whereas the reduction of Cr(IV) to Cr(III) is slow and exhibits a rate independent of [Cr^IV]. A proposed sequence applicable to the latter conditions includes reductions of Cr(V) at two ligation levels, slow unimolecular conversion of (Mo^V)₂ to an activated form, and rapid reduction of the latter with Cr(IV). Here Cr(IV) has assumed the role of a scavenger for the reactive form of (Mo^V)₂.     

Determination of chromium(III) and total chromium in natural waters using a surface ion-imprinted silica gel as selective adsorbent

A sensitive and selective method has been developed to determine Cr(III) and total Cr in natural water samples by ICP-AES with a Cr(III)-imprinted aminopropyl-functionalised silica gel adsorbent. The Cr(III)-imprinted and non-imprinted adsorbent were prepared by an easy one-step reaction with a surface imprinting technique. Their maximum static adsorption capacities for Cr(III) were 11.12 mg g^?1 and 3.81 mg g^?1, respectively. The relative selectivity factors (α _r) for Cr(III)/Co(II), Cr(III)/Au(III), Cr(III)/Ni(II), Cr(III)/Cu(II), Cr(III)/Zn(II), and Cr(III)/Cr(VI), were 377, 21.4, 15.4, 27.7, 26.4, and 31.9, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, Cr(III) can be absorbed quantitatively, but Cr(VI) was not retained. Total chromium was obtained after reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III) with hydroxyammonium chloride. The detection limit (3σ) for Cr(III) was 0.11 ng mL^?1. The relative standard deviation was 1.2%. The proposed method has been validated by analysing two certified reference materials and successfully applied to the determination and speciation of chromium in natural water samples with satisfactory results.     

Reaktionsprodukte aus Chlormethoxiphosphinen und Antimon(V)-chlorid. Schwingungsspektren der 1:1 Addukte aus Methoxiphosphorylverbindungen und Antimon(V)-chlorid

Reaction Products of Chloromethoxiphosphines and Antimony (V) Chloride. Vibrational Spectra of the 1:1-adducts of Methoxiphosphoryl Compounds and Antimony (V) Chloride Chloromethoxiphosphines react with antimony(V) chloride in a redox process to yield the chloromethoxiphospllonium hexachloroantimonates(V) (CH₃O)₃PCl₂⁺SbCl₆^? (II) and CH₃OPCl₃⁺SbCl₆^? (III). II, III, (CH₃O)₃PCl⁺SbCl₆^?(1) and (CH₃O)₄P⁺SbCl₆^? eliminate easily methyl chloride and give the addition compounds OP(OCH₃)₃·SbCl₅(IV), OPCl(OCH₃)₂ · SbCl₅ (V), OPCl₂(OCH₃)·SbCl₅ (VI) and OPCl₃·SbCl₅ (VII). The vibrational spectra of IV, V nnd VI are discussed.     

Hydrogen‐bonded network structures in dipyridinium,bis(2‐methylpyridinium), bis(3‐methylpyridinium) and bis(4‐methylpyridinium) dioxidobis(oxydiacetato)uranate(VI)

Four complexes containing the [UO₂(oda)₂]²⁻ anion (oda is oxydiacetate) are reported, namely dipyridinium dioxidobis(oxydiacetato)uranate(VI), (C₅H₆N)₂[U(C₄H₄O₅)₂O₂], (I), bis(2‐methylpyridinium) dioxidobis(oxydiacetato)uranate(VI), (C₈H₈N)₂[U(C₄H₄O₅)₂O₂], (II), bis(3‐methylpyridinium) dioxidobis(oxydiacetato)uranate(VI), (C₈H₈N)₂[U(C₄H₄O₅)₂O₂], (III), and bis(4‐methylpyridinium) dioxidobis(oxydiacetato)uranate(VI), (C₈H₈N)₂[U(C₄H₄O₅)₂O₂], (IV). The anions are achiral and are located on a mirror plane in (I) and on inversion centres in (II)–(IV). The four complexes are assembled into three‐dimensional structures via N—H...O and C—H...O interactions. Compounds (III) and (IV) are isomorphous; the [UO₂(oda)₂]²⁻ anions form a porous matrix which is nearly identical in the two structures, and the cations are located in channels formed in this matrix. Compounds (I) and (II) are very different from (III) and (IV): (I) forms a layered structure, while (II) forms ribbons.     

A new spot test for cerium(IV)

Summary A new colour reaction for the detection of cerram(IV) which can be carried out both in a test tube and on a spot plate has been described. The test solution is treated with methylene blue in nitric acid solution (11) to form a rose-red colour. This simple procedure has an advantage over the existing tests in that it is applicable in the presence of oxidising agents like chromium(VI), vanadium(V), nitrate, perchlorate and of coloured ions like copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), chromium(III), iron(III), vanadium(IV), uranium(VI).

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Zusammenfassung Eine neue, sowohl in der Eprouvette wie auf der Tüpfelplatte ausführbare Farbreaktion zum Nachweis von Cer(IV) wurde angegeben. Die Probelösung wird mit salpetersaurer Methylenblaulösung behandelt und gibt eine rosarote Färbung. Die Reaktion hat gegenüber bekannten Tests den Vorteil, in Gegenwart von Oxydationsmitteln wie Cr(VI), V(V), NO₃ ^–, ClO₄ ^– bzw. in Anwesenheit gefärbter Ionen wie Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), V(IV) oder U(VI) anwendbar zu sein.

     

Dioxygen binding and activation by a highly reactive Cr(II) compound containing S,N-donors derived from o-aminothiophenol

We report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of a Cr(II) complex, [Cr(H₂O)(L^ISQ)₂] (1) [(L^ISQ)^1? is o-iminothionebenzosemiquinonate(1?) π-radical], that is highly stable in solid state in the presence of air but undergoes spontaneous change in solution, both in the presence and absence of air. Physicochemical studies in solution show that a superoxo-Cr^III species, [Cr(O₂)(OH)(L^ISQ)₂]^? is generated initially in DMF solution of 1 in the presence of air owing to its immediate deprotonation followed by O₂ binding to the deprotonated species. The formation of this superoxo-Cr^III species is prominent and gradual in the presence of CH₃OH, a scavenger of CrO²⁺ species. This Cr(O₂)²⁺ species in turn is converted to another highly reactive O=Cr(IV) intermediate [O=Cr(OH)(L^ISQ)₂]^? which undergoes disproportionation producing an unstable O=Cr(V) species, [O=Cr(OH)(L^ISQ)₂] and a stable Cr(III) compound, [Cr(OH)(DMF)(L^ISQ)₂] (2). The rate of this disproportionation is enhanced in the presence of MnCl₂, [N(n-Bu)₄]PF₆ and KSCN. The generated O=Cr(IV) species interacts with DNA with complete cleavage. The O=Cr(V) species slowly disappears from solution as revealed from EPR studies.