Competing Ion Effect of Stabilization by Cr(III) & Cr(VI) in Ettringite Crystal Structure

In this study, the degree of the substitution of Cr3+ and Cr6+ into the ettringite structure has been investigated to extent the immobilization potential of ettringite in the field under specific conditions. Aqueous suspension containing calcium hydroxide, alumium sulfate, CrCl2(trivalent chromium) and CrO3(hexavalent chromium) was subjected to ultrasound irradiation under atmospheric pressure to investigate their effects on synthesis of Cr-ettringite. In the result, the substitution of Cr3+ into Al site takes place in ettringite structure in solution with Cr3+, and monosulfate/friedel’ salt phase is also formed by occurrence of extra Al ion in solution. However, in the case of Cr6+, owing to a higher affinity of sulfate anion to form ettringite than that of Cr6+,most of Cr6+ did not substituted into the crystal structure of ettringite.