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THE SYNTHESIS OF LEAD PYROPHOSPHATE, PB2P2O7, IN WATER
Citation:
LYTLE, D. A., C. P. WHITE, AND M. R. SCHOCK. THE SYNTHESIS OF LEAD PYROPHOSPHATE, PB2P2O7, IN WATER. doi:10.1017/S1431927, C. E. Lyman (ed.), MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 14(4):335-341, (2008).
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Description:
Polyphosphates are used in the drinking water to prevent the precipitation of cations such as calcium and iron. The possible negative impact of using polyphosphates is the undesirable complexation of lead which could result in elevated lead levels in consumer’s tap water. Although the water industry has focused on complexation, lead polyphosphate solids such as lead pyrophosphate, Pb2P2O7 have been considered in other fields and not been shown to form in water. The ability to form lead pyrophosphate in water could have a potential impact on the strategies used to reduce lead levels in drinking water distribution systems. The objective of this work was to determine whether lead pyrophosphate could form under approximately potable drinking water conditions. Lead pyrophosphate, was synthesized in water (pH 8.2, 10 mg C/L, 2.7 mg Cl2/L) after 13 days of aging. Synthesis did not require elevated temperatures or microwave assisted approaches used by past researchers. The findings suggest that lead (and possibly other metal) pyrophosphates could conceivably form in drinking water distribution systems although, much more work is necessary to determine the chemistry and kinetic boundaries.
