An FTIR and XPS Study of Immobilization of Chromium with Fly Ash Based Geopolymers

Immobilization of Cr3+ with fly ash geopolymers was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) techniques. The chromium sludge, as Cr(OH)3, was prepared with chemical precipitation method. The amounts of aluminum and silicon leached before and after the chromium sludge addition were measured using ICP-AES. The results suggested that the amounts of silicon and aluminum leached were reduced for the fly ash geopolymers after chromium sludge was incorporated. The decrease of silicon leaching was more pronounced than aluminum. FTIR results showed that the intensity of the main peak shifted into lower and the wave number of Si--O--Si and Al--O--Si became higher. The XPS results indicated that the O(1s) bind energy decreased, Si(2p) and Cr(2p) bind energy increased, while Al(2p) bind energy remained unchanged due to Cr3+ addition. It was also confirmed that the chromium is easily incorporated into the fly ash geopolymers paste, and polymerized with silicate units. The immobilization of Cr3+ using fly ash geopolymers is attributed not only to physical encapsulation, but also to chemical reaction.