Determination of hexavalent chromium in plastic certified reference materials by X-ray absorption fine structure analysis

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis with transmission mode was used to determine the percentages of hexavalent chromium {Cr(VI)} in total Cr in plastic certified reference materials (CRMs). Cr-K edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra were observed and the normalized pre-edge peaks of the spectrum where absorption data was summed was acquired for the determination of Cr(VI). Examination of different number of data point and range of photon energy for summed absorption of the pre-edge peak resulted in reproducible absorption data, though the measurements were carried out at different beam time and beam line. The concentrations of Cr(VI) in the plastic CRMs were also estimated from both the certified value of total Cr and the determined percentage of Cr(VI). The analytical procedure and the estimated concentrations can be useful for the determination of Cr(VI) in plastics with respect to RoHS (restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronics equipment) directive.