IChO 2020 · Theory problem 9

Quantification of Heavy Metal Ions

| 12% of the total | Points | 5 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 25 | 30 | 100 |

Problem 9. Quantification of Heavy Metal Ions

For the quantitative analysis of heavy metal ions in a factory’s wastewater pool, the following steps have been applied by an analyzer at 298 K:

Step 1) 10-mL samples of each were obtained from five different regions in a wastewater pool, mixed in a 100-mL beaker, and then stirred for 5 minutes using a magnetic stirrer.

Step 2) 10-mL of sample solution was taken from the 100-mL beaker and 142 mg of \(\ce{Na2SO4}\) was added while stirring, followed by transfer to a three-electrode cell as seen in Figure 1a. In this electrochemical cell, \(\ce{Pt}\) wire, \(\ce{Ag/AgCl}\) (3 M \(\ce{KCl}\)), and \(\ce{Pt}\) foil served as the working, reference, and counter electrodes, respectively.

Step 3) These electrodes were connected to a potentiostat and a constant potential of −0.50 V vs. \(\ce{Ag/AgCl}\) for 14 minutes was applied as seen in Figure 1b (horizontal line). It is assumed that 14 min. is sufficient to complete the expected electrochemical reactions.

Figure 1

Figure 1. a) Electrochemical cell design; 1) Working electrode (\(\ce{Pt}\) wire), 2) reference electrode (\(\ce{Ag/AgCl}\), 3M \(\ce{KCl}\)), 3) counter electrode (\(\ce{Pt}\) foil), 4) cell tap, 5) electrochemical cell, 6) 10-mL of sample solution. b) Potential change of working electrode as a function of time. y-axis: potential/V vs \(\ce{Ag/AgCl}\), x-axis: time/min.

Step 4) The electrodes were rinsed with distilled water, placed into another electrochemical cell including 10-mL of 0.1 M \(\ce{H2SO4}\) solution, and potential was scanned between −0.50 and +0.50 V as seen in Figure 1b (downward sloping line in 2 min.). Current vs. potential data for this step are presented in Figure 2a, which is like an excellent view of Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), the highest mountain in Turkey (Figure 2b).

Figure 2

Figure 2. a) Potential scan of the working electrode as a function of current in 0.1 M \(\ce{H2SO4}\) solution after keeping it constant at a potential of −0.50 V in 10-mL of wastewater sample as seen in Figure 1b (horizontal line). y-axis: current/μA, x-axis: potential/V vs \(\ce{Ag/AgCl}\), b) A view of Great and Little Ararat peaks.

Step 5) Another 10-mL of the sample solution prepared in step 1 was taken and the processes explained in steps 2 and 3 were applied in that order. The electrodes were rinsed with distilled water and placed into 10-mL of 0.1 M \(\ce{H2SO4}\) solution. Then the potential of the working electrode was kept constant at +0.05 V for 14 minutes. It is assumed that 14 min. is sufficient to complete the expected electrochemical reactions.

Step 6) After step 5 was performed, the solution in the electrochemical cell was placed in a suitable oven to evaporate at 150 °C until dry solid was obtained.

Step 7) 5-mL of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, \(\ce{H4Y}\)) (Figure 3) solution was added to the solid obtained in step 6 and it was shaken to dissolve. It is known that 1-mL of EDTA solution is equivalent to 3.85 mg/mL \(\ce{BaCO3}\). Then, pH of the solution was adjusted to 10.0. Excess EDTA was titrated with standard 0.0010 M \(\ce{Ni(NO3)2}\) solution and it was observed that 95.60 mL of \(\ce{Ni(NO3)2}\) solution was consumed up to the endpoint.

Figure 3

Figure 3. Chemical structure of EDTA (\(\ce{H4Y}\)).

  • In water saturated with \(\ce{H2S}\), equilibrium concentration of \([\ce{H2S}]\) is 0.1 M.
  • \(K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{NiS})=4.0\times10^{-20}\); \(K_{\mathrm{sp}}(\ce{CuS})=1.0\times10^{-36}\)
  • \(K_{\mathrm{a1}}(\ce{H2S})=9.6\times10^{-8}\); \(K_{\mathrm{a2}}(\ce{H2S})=1.3\times10^{-14}\)
Reaction \(E^\circ/\mathrm{V}\) (at 298 K)
\(\ce{2H2O(l) + 2e- -> H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)}\) −0.83
\(\ce{Ni^2+(aq) + 2e- -> Ni(s)}\) −0.24
\(\ce{2H+(aq) + 2e- -> H2(g)}\) 0.00
\(\ce{Cu^2+(aq) + 2e- -> Cu(s)}\) +0.34
\(\ce{Ag+(aq) + e- -> Ag(s)}\) +0.80
\(\ce{O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e- -> 2H2O(l)}\) +1.23

9.1. Which of the following can be considered for peak 1 and peak 2 in Figure 2a, respectively? Tick the correct box on the answer sheet.

  • ☐ Peak 1: electrochemical reduction of \(\ce{Ni}\) / Peak 2: electrochemical reduction of \(\ce{Cu}\)
  • ☐ Peak 1: electrochemical reduction of \(\ce{Cu}\) / Peak 2: electrochemical reduction of \(\ce{Ni}\)
  • ☐ Peak 1: electrochemical reduction of \(\ce{Ni}\) / Peak 2: electrochemical oxidation of \(\ce{Cu}\)
  • ☐ Peak 1: electrochemical oxidation of \(\ce{Ni}\) / Peak 2: electrochemical oxidation of \(\ce{Cu}\)
  • ☐ Peak 1: electrochemical oxidation of \(\ce{Cu}\) / Peak 2: electrochemical oxidation of \(\ce{Ni}\)

9.2. Which of the statement is expected, if the potential is applied as −1.2 V instead of -0.5 V at the first step (horizontal line) in Figure 1b? Tick the correct box on the answer sheet.

  • ☐ \(\ce{NO}\) evolution
  • ☐ \(\ce{NO2}\) evolution
  • ☐ Nitrogen evolution
  • ☐ Oxygen evolution
  • ☐ Hydrogen evolution

9.3. Calculate the scan rate of data presented in Figure 2a as mV/s at 298 K.

The potential of the following cell is measured as 0.437 V.

\[ \ce{Pt},\ce{H2}(0.92\ \mathrm{bar}) \mid \ce{HCl}(1.50\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{M}),\ce{AgCl}(sat) \mid\ce{Ag} \]

9.4. Calculate the standard electrode potential value (V) of half-cell of \(\ce{AgCl(s) + e- -> Ag(s) + Cl-(aq)}\) at 298 K. Note: You must show all works.

9.5. Which of the statements is the main purpose of step 5 in this analysis? Tick the correct box on the answer sheet.

  • ☐ Modification of \(\ce{Pt}\) wire with \(\ce{Ni}\)–\(\ce{Cu}\) alloy film
  • ☐ Modification of \(\ce{Pt}\) wire with \(\ce{Ni}\) film
  • ☐ Electrochemical stripping of both \(\ce{Cu}\) and \(\ce{Ni}\) from \(\ce{Cu}\)–\(\ce{Ni}\)-modified \(\ce{Pt}\) wire to the solution
  • ☐ Electrochemical stripping of \(\ce{Cu}\) from \(\ce{Cu}\)–\(\ce{Ni}\)-modified \(\ce{Pt}\) wire to the solution
  • ☐ Electrochemical stripping of \(\ce{Ni}\) from \(\ce{Cu}\)–\(\ce{Ni}\)-modified \(\ce{Pt}\) wire to the solution

9.6. Write net ionic equations for the complexation and the back titration reaction of step 7 on the answer sheet

9.7. Calculate \(\ce{Ni^2+}\) concentration as mg/L in the wastewater of the factory. Note: You must show all works.

9.8. Calculate the minimum pH value for starting the precipitation of \(\ce{Ni^2+}\) ions in the solution obtained in step 5 by passing \(\ce{H2S}\) gas into the solution until saturation. If you cannot solve question 9.7, use 20 mg/L \(\ce{Ni^2+}\) sample for this question. Note: You must show all works.

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 9.1. Fourth box: peak 1 is nickel oxidation; peak 2 is copper oxidation.
  • 9.2. Fifth box: hydrogen evolution, \(\ce{H2}\), SMILES [H][H].
  • 9.3. \(\boxed{v=+8.33\ \mathrm{mV\,s^{-1}}}\).
  • 9.4. \(\boxed{E^\circ_{\ce{AgCl/Ag}}=+0.222\ \mathrm{V}}\), relative to the standard hydrogen electrode.
  • 9.5. Fifth box: selective electrochemical stripping of nickel from the copper–nickel deposit into solution.
  • 9.6. Complexation: \(\ce{Ni^2+ + H4Y -> [NiY]^2- + 4H+}\). Back titration, using fully deprotonated EDTA notation: \(\ce{Ni^2+ + Y^4- -> [NiY]^2-}\). Species names and SMILES are given below.
  • 9.7. \(\boxed{c_{\mathrm{mass}}(\ce{Ni^2+})\approx11.4\ \mathrm{mg\,L^{-1}}}\), or approximately \(11\ \mathrm{mg\,L^{-1}}\) to two significant figures.
  • 9.8. \(\boxed{\mathrm{pH}_{\min}\approx3.11}\).

Solution

9.1. Identification of the stripping peaks

During the deposition step, nickel(II) ions, \(\ce{Ni^2+}\), SMILES [Ni+2], and copper(II) ions, \(\ce{Cu^2+}\), SMILES [Cu+2], are reduced onto the working electrode:

\[ \ce{Ni^2+(aq) + 2e- -> Ni(s)} \] \[ \ce{Cu^2+(aq) + 2e- -> Cu(s)} \]

The subsequent scan goes from −0.50 to +0.50 V: it moves toward more positive potential, despite the downward appearance of the line in Figure 1b. The deposited metals are therefore oxidized and stripped into solution.

Nickel has the lower standard reduction potential:

\[ E^\circ_{\ce{Ni^2+/Ni}}=-0.24\ \mathrm{V} < E^\circ_{\ce{Cu^2+/Cu}}=+0.34\ \mathrm{V}. \]

Nickel is consequently oxidized at the earlier, less positive stripping peak, followed by copper:

\[ \text{Peak 1:}\qquad \ce{Ni(s) -> Ni^2+(aq) + 2e-} \] \[ \text{Peak 2:}\qquad \ce{Cu(s) -> Cu^2+(aq) + 2e-}. \]

Thus, tick the fourth box.

9.2. Effect of applying −1.2 V

The much more negative working-electrode potential promotes reduction of water and hydrogen evolution:

\[ \ce{2H2O(l) + 2e- -> H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)}. \]

The species are water, SMILES O; hydrogen, SMILES [H][H]; and hydroxide ion, SMILES [OH-].

Thus, tick the fifth box: hydrogen evolution.

9.3. Scan rate

The potential changes by \(1.00\ \mathrm{V}\) in \(2\ \mathrm{min}=120\ \mathrm{s}\):

\[ v=\frac{\Delta E}{\Delta t} =\frac{(+0.50)-(-0.50)}{120} =8.333\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{V\,s^{-1}}. \]

Therefore,

\[ \boxed{v=+8.33\ \mathrm{mV\,s^{-1}}}. \]

The positive sign indicates increasing potential.

9.4. Standard potential of the silver/silver chloride electrode

Hydrochloric acid supplies hydrogen ions, \(\ce{H+}\), SMILES [H+], and chloride ions, \(\ce{Cl-}\), SMILES [Cl-]. Silver(I) chloride has the ionic-component SMILES [Ag+].[Cl-]; this specifies its constituents, not its crystal lattice.

The left-hand electrode undergoes oxidation:

\[ \ce{H2(g) -> 2H+(aq) + 2e-}. \]

The right-hand electrode undergoes reduction:

\[ \ce{2AgCl(s) + 2e- -> 2Ag(s) + 2Cl-(aq)}. \]

The overall cell reaction is therefore

\[ \ce{H2(g) + 2AgCl(s) -> 2H+(aq) + 2Ag(s) + 2Cl-(aq)}. \]

Two electrons are transferred, and the reaction quotient is

\[ Q=\frac{a_{\ce{H+}}^2a_{\ce{Cl-}}^2} {p_{\ce{H2}}/p^\circ}. \]

Taking solution activities as concentrations divided by the standard concentration, and neglecting the small chloride contribution from dissolved silver chloride,

\[ a_{\ce{H+}}=a_{\ce{Cl-}}=1.50\times10^{-2}, \qquad \frac{p_{\ce{H2}}}{p^\circ}=0.92. \]

Thus,

\[ Q=\frac{(1.50\times10^{-2})^4}{0.92} =5.5027\times10^{-8}. \]

Since the standard hydrogen electrode has \(E^\circ=0\),

\[ E^\circ_{\mathrm{cell}}=E^\circ_{\ce{AgCl/Ag}}. \]

The Nernst equation gives

\[ E_{\mathrm{cell}} =E^\circ_{\mathrm{cell}}-\frac{RT}{2F}\ln Q, \]

so, using \(R=8.314\ \mathrm{J\,mol^{-1}\,K^{-1}}\) and \(F=96485\ \mathrm{C\,mol^{-1}}\),

\[ \begin{aligned} E^\circ_{\ce{AgCl/Ag}} &=0.437+ \frac{(8.314)(298)}{2(96485)} \ln(5.5027\times10^{-8})\\ &=0.437-0.2146\\ &=0.2224\ \mathrm{V}. \end{aligned} \]

Therefore,

\[ \boxed{E^\circ_{\ce{AgCl/Ag}}=+0.222\ \mathrm{V}\text{ vs SHE}}. \]

9.5. Purpose of step 5

In Figure 2a, +0.05 V lies after the nickel stripping peak and before the copper stripping peak. Holding the electrode at this potential selectively oxidizes deposited nickel:

\[ \ce{Ni(s) -> Ni^2+(aq) + 2e-}. \]

Under the problem’s stated assumption of complete reaction, nickel is transferred into the fresh acid solution while copper remains on the electrode. This separates nickel for its subsequent determination.

Thus, tick the fifth box.

9.6. Complexation and back-titration equations

The ligand and complex are:

  • Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, \(\ce{H4Y}\): O=C(O)CN(CC(=O)O)CCN(CC(=O)O)CC(=O)O
  • Ethylenediaminetetraacetate ion, \(\ce{Y^4-}\): O=C([O-])CN(CC(=O)[O-])CCN(CC(=O)[O-])CC(=O)[O-]
  • Nickel(II)–EDTA complex, \(\ce{[NiY]^2-}\), using dative-bond SMILES: [Ni+2]12345<-N(CC(=O)[O-]->1)(CC(=O)[O-]->2)CCN->3(CC(=O)[O-]->4)CC(=O)[O-]->5

EDTA coordinates through its two amine nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom from each of its four carboxylate groups. This gives an approximately octahedral nickel coordination environment. The SMILES specifies donor connectivity; no particular coordination stereoisomer or conformation is selected.

For complexation of the sample nickel, written with the acid specified in the problem,

\[ \boxed{\ce{Ni^2+(aq) + H4Y(aq) -> [NiY]^2-(aq) + 4H+(aq)}}. \]

For back titration of the excess EDTA, written using the fully deprotonated ligand,

\[ \boxed{\ce{Ni^2+(aq) + Y^4-(aq) -> [NiY]^2-(aq)}}. \]

These are alternative protonation conventions for the same underlying complex formation. The second equation does not require all uncomplexed EDTA to exist as \(\ce{Y^4-}\) at pH 10; protonation equilibria accompany complexation.

Crucially, one mole of nickel(II) consumes one mole of EDTA in both stages.

9.7. Nickel concentration in the wastewater

Interpret the EDTA standardization as \(3.85\ \mathrm{mg}\) of barium carbonate equivalent per millilitre of EDTA solution.

Barium carbonate, \(\ce{BaCO3}\), has ionic-component SMILES [Ba+2].[O-]C(=O)[O-]. Each mole contains one mole of barium(II) ion, [Ba+2], corresponding to one mole of EDTA in a 1:1 metal–EDTA complex.

Using

\[ M(\ce{BaCO3})=197.34\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \qquad M(\ce{Ni})=58.69\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}, \]

the EDTA concentration is

\[ c_{\mathrm{EDTA}} = \frac{3.85\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{g}/ (197.34\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}})} {1.00\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm{L}} = 0.0195095\ \mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}}. \]

The amount added in \(5\ \mathrm{mL}\) is

\[ n_{\mathrm{EDTA,added}} =(0.005\ \mathrm{L})(0.0195095\ \mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}}) =9.75474\times10^{-5}\ \mathrm{mol}. \]

The back titration measures the unconsumed EDTA:

\[ \begin{aligned} n_{\mathrm{EDTA,excess}} &=n_{\mathrm{Ni,titrant}}\\ &=(0.09560\ \mathrm{L})(0.0010\ \mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}})\\ &=9.560\times10^{-5}\ \mathrm{mol}. \end{aligned} \]

Keeping guard digits in the subtraction, the nickel recovered from the wastewater aliquot is

\[ \begin{aligned} n_{\mathrm{Ni,sample}} &=n_{\mathrm{EDTA,added}}-n_{\mathrm{EDTA,excess}}\\ &=9.75474\times10^{-5}-9.560\times10^{-5}\\ &=1.9474\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol}. \end{aligned} \]

This nickel came from \(10\ \mathrm{mL}=0.010\ \mathrm{L}\) of wastewater. Hence,

\[ \begin{aligned} c_{\mathrm{mass}}(\ce{Ni^2+}) &=\frac{(1.9474\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol}) (58.69\ \mathrm{g\,mol^{-1}}) (10^3\ \mathrm{mg\,g^{-1}})} {0.010\ \mathrm{L}}\\ &=11.429\ \mathrm{mg\,L^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Thus the nominal calculated result is

\[ \boxed{c_{\mathrm{mass}}(\ce{Ni^2+})\approx11.4\ \mathrm{mg\,L^{-1}}}, \]

or approximately \(11\ \mathrm{mg\,L^{-1}}\) to two significant figures.

The 100-mL beaker does not introduce a dilution factor: five 10-mL portions were mixed, with no instruction to dilute them to 100 mL. The result represents the pooled wastewater sample.

9.8. Minimum pH for nickel sulfide precipitation

The nickel recovered in step 5 is contained in \(10\ \mathrm{mL}\), so its concentration before precipitation is

\[ [\ce{Ni^2+}] =\frac{1.9474\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm{mol}}{0.010\ \mathrm{L}} =1.9474\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}}. \]

The sulfur species are hydrogen sulfide, \(\ce{H2S}\), SMILES S; hydrosulfide ion, \(\ce{HS-}\), SMILES [SH-]; and sulfide ion, \(\ce{S^2-}\), SMILES [S-2].

Their acid-dissociation equilibria are

\[ \ce{H2S(aq) <=> H+(aq) + HS-(aq)} \]

and

\[ \ce{HS-(aq) <=> H+(aq) + S^2-(aq)}. \]

Multiplying the two equilibrium expressions gives

\[ K_{\mathrm{a1}}K_{\mathrm{a2}} = \frac{[\ce{H+}]^2[\ce{S^2-}]}{[\ce{H2S}]}. \]

Therefore,

\[ [\ce{S^2-}] = \frac{K_{\mathrm{a1}}K_{\mathrm{a2}}[\ce{H2S}]} {[\ce{H+}]^2}. \]

Nickel(II) sulfide, \(\ce{NiS}\), has ionic-component SMILES [Ni+2].[S-2]; its precipitation reaction is

\[ \ce{Ni^2+(aq) + S^2-(aq) -> NiS(s)}. \]

At the onset of precipitation,

\[ [\ce{Ni^2+}][\ce{S^2-}]=K_{\mathrm{sp}}. \]

Thus the required sulfide concentration is

\[ [\ce{S^2-}]_{\mathrm{crit}} = \frac{4.0\times10^{-20}}{1.9474\times10^{-4}} = 2.0540\times10^{-16}\ \mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}}. \]

Using the specified saturated concentration \([\ce{H2S}]=0.1\ \mathrm{M}\),

\[ \begin{aligned} [\ce{H+}] &= \sqrt{ \frac{K_{\mathrm{a1}}K_{\mathrm{a2}}[\ce{H2S}]} {[\ce{S^2-}]_{\mathrm{crit}}} }\\ &= \sqrt{ \frac{(9.6\times10^{-8})(1.3\times10^{-14})(0.1)} {2.0540\times10^{-16}} }\\ &=7.7948\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm{mol\,L^{-1}}. \end{aligned} \]

Consequently,

\[ \boxed{\mathrm{pH}_{\min} =-\log_{10}(7.7948\times10^{-4}) =3.108\approx3.11}. \]

Increasing the pH increases the sulfide concentration, so precipitation becomes favorable above this threshold. The copper sulfide solubility product is unnecessary because step 5 selectively transfers nickel into the solution.

The solution was checked against the official solution. Where this solution differs from the official solution, the official solution contains an error or a misprint.