Abstract
A DTC (Diethyl ammonium diethyl dithiocarbamate) entrapped sol gel silica (DTCSG) was prepared and investigated for the removal of Cr (III) from non-competitive aqueous solutions. The physico-chemical parameters such as adsorption isotherm, equilibration time, pH and temperature effect on the removal were studied. The equilibration was achieved in 60 minutes. Adsorption of chromium ions on the control (undoped) sol gel silica was found very low. The removal was maximum when pH of the aqueous phase was 6 and the adsorption capacity of DTCSG for adsorption of Cr(III) ions from non-competitive solutions was 0.5 mgl gm(-1) (0.01mmol gm(-1)) at room temperature 28 degrees +/- 2. This increased with increase in temperature and attained a maximum value at 60 degrees C, where removal capacity increased to 60 micromol g(-1) DTCSG. From these results it is clear that the extraction of chromium(III) is possible with DTCSG.