Abstract
Ettringite was prepared in the presence of various dosages of CrO (4) (2-) ions at three different temperatures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) results showed shift in the peaks characterized to ettringite as the result of formation of Cr-substituted ettringite. Substitution of SO (4) (2-) by CrO (4) (2-) ions in ettringite crystal resulted in delay in the rate of its formation, as well as reduction in the crystal diameters. However, the crystal diameters and rate of formation of both ettringite and Cr-substituted ettringite were increased by increasing temperature of preparation, and this was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. The thermodynamic parameters: the enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy changes for substitution process were studied. It is concluded that the removal of chromate ions by ettringite is an endothermic spontaneous process. The positive value of Delta SA degrees suggests increasing in randomness during the removal process.