Solid phase extraction of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by adsorption of its diphenylcarbazide complex on an Amberlite XAD-4 resin column

A method has been developed for the solid phase extraction of chromium(VI) based on the adsorption of its diphenylcarbazide complex on an Amberlite XAD-4 resin column. The influence of acidity, stability of the column, sample volume, flow rate and interfering ions were studied in detail. The adsorbed complex could be eluted using acetone-sulfuric acid mixture and the concentration of chromium was determined using visible spectrophotometry. A detection limit of 6 μg L−1 could be achieved. A preconcentration factor of 27 could be obtained for 400 mL sample volume. The validity of the method was checked in spiked water samples and electroplating wastewater.