Determination of pH value of isoelectric solution and identification of passive iron surface phases using immersion method

Using the method of phase modeling, the pH values of solutions corresponding to the uncharged surface of passive iron and ferric oxide γ-Fe₂O₃ (pH₀) are compared. According to the theory of connected places, the charge of metal oxide surface is determined by the adsorption or desorption of hydrogen ions leading to a change in the potential drop at the oxide/solution interface. Preliminarily passivated iron electrode was washed with twice-distilled water and placed into 0.5 M NaNO₃ solution with various pH values; the variation in the potential (ΔE) with time was studied. The pH₀ value for passive electrode under the open-circuit conditions was determined by the dependence of ΔE on the pH value (pH₀ 6.2 ± 0.1). The pH₀ value was close to that for γ-Fe₂O₃ (pH₀ 6.2), which was determined by the method of potentiometrical titration of oxide suspension in the nitrate solution. The introduction of surface-active ions Ba²⁺ and Cl^? changes the charge of passive iron surface: Ba²⁺ ions increase the electrode potential, while Cl^? ions decrease it. Comparing the pH₀ values for passive electrode and metal oxides, one can identify the composition of passive electrode surface.     

Electrochemical detection of blood lead based on the enhancement effect of copper

The anodic stripping peak current of lead on the glassy carbon electrode surface was greatly increased in the presence of high concentration of copper ion. The effects of supporting electrolyte, concentration of Cu²⁺, accumulation potential and accumulation time were studied on the stripping peak current of Pb²⁺. As a result, a sensitive, simple and rapid electrochemical method was developed for the detection of lead. In 0.01 M HNO₃ solution containing 800 g,g L^?1 Cu²⁺, the stripping peak current of Pb²⁺ increases linearly with its concentration over the range from 2 to 100 μg L^?1. The detection limit is 1 μg L^?1 after 4-min accumulation at ?0.8 V. It was used to detect the concentration of lead in blood samples, and the results consisted with the values that obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Electrochemical Investigation for Cu2+ Oscillatory Phenomena at the Liquid/Liquid Interface with a Specific Adsorption of Ion Pair Model

In this paper, a novel current oscillatory phenomenon for Cu²⁺ at the water/1,2‐dichloroethane interface is reported with cyclic voltammetry and potential‐step chronoamperometry. The small irregular current spikes were only observed near the site of the oxidation peak of CuCl₂^? and were mainly related to the Cu²⁺concentration in the aqueous phase. Our experimental results demonstrated that the current oscillation is caused by specific adsorption of ion pairs at the W/DCE interface between Cu²⁺ in the aqueous phase and TPB^? in the organic phase. Therefore, a specific adsorption of ion pair model has been formulated for the current oscillation at the liquid/liquid interface. The DFT calculation method was used to explain the mechanism of ion pair formation. The calculation results suggested that the TPB^?Cu²⁺TPB^? ion pair has the lowest‐energy state, thus providing qualitative support for the ion pair model. A probable mechanism for the observed current oscillation was also discussed in this paper. At the same time, a spectrophotometric experiment was performed to evidence a strong attractive interaction between Cu²⁺ and TPB^?.     

Highly selective transport of lead cation through bulk liquid membrane by macrocyclic ligand of decyl-18-crown-6 as carrier

The liquid membrane transport of Pb²⁺ cation using decyl-18-crown-6 as selective ion carrier was studied. The transport of lead ion across the liquid membrane in the presence of S₂O ₃ ^2? , P₂O ₇ ^4? , CN^?, SCN^?, and DDC^? as stripping agents in the receiving phase shows that the nature and the concentration of the stripping agents affect on Pb²⁺ cation transport and the maximum transport occurs when the sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃) was used. The effects of various parameters influencing the transport efficiency such as the pH of the source and receiving phases, the concentration of picrate ion as counter ion in the source phase were also studied. Five replicated experiments show that a value 82.12 ± 2.09% of the initial concentration of the Pb²⁺ cation in the source phase is extracted into the receiving phase after 4 hours. Also the selectivity and efficiency of lead ion transport from the source phase containing equimolar mixtures of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ag⁺ metal cations were investigated.     

Water phase sensitization of TiO2 particles film by adsorbed polypyridine Ru complexes

Sensitization of porous TiO₂ film was achieved in water phase by monomeric as well as polymeric polypyridine Ru complexes, i.e., Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, polymer-pendant Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, dicarboxybipyridine Ru complex (Ru(dcbpy)₃⁴⁻), and bipyrimidine Ru complex, to generate photocurrent. It was found that the photocurrent induced by Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ is saturated with the increase of the complex concentration in water showing that adsorption of the complex onto the TiO₂ is important for the sensitization. The water insoluble poly-Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ could be used as a film on the TiO₂ although the efficiency was not very good under the conditions employed. The anionic Ru(dcbpy)₃⁴⁻ gave the best results probably because of its electrostatic adsorption onto the positively charged TiO₂.     

Structure and phase transitions of azomethine biligand complexes of iron(III) based on 3,4,5-tri(tetradecyloxy)benzoyloxy-4-salicylidene-N′-ethyl-N-ethylenediamine

New biligand complexes of iron(III) are synthesized based on 3,4,5-tri(tetradecyloxy)benzoyloxy-4-salicylidene-N′-ethyl-N-ethylenediamine azomethine with the outer sphere NO₃^?, PF₆^?, Cl^?, BF₄^?, ClO₄^?, and CNS^– anions. All the target compounds are characterized by gel exclusion chromatography, elemental analysis, and electron, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. The presence of complex-forming ions is confirmed by FT-IR spectra in the far region. The formation of biligand polychelate complexes with an octahedral packing of the iron ion is observed. Phase transitions in the resulting coordination compounds are studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarizing thermomicroscopy. The presence of several polymorphic crystalline modifications, as well as mesophases, is established. Mesomorphic properties are found for complexes with chloride and tetrafluoroborate anions.     

Removal of thiocyanates and heavy metal ions from simulated wastewater solutions by electro- and peroxyelectrocoagulation

A procedure for treatment of simulated wastewater solutions to remove Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and SCN^? ions using various combinations of aluminum and iron electrodes in the electro- and peroxyelectrocoagulation processes was studied. The influence exerted by the current density, pH of solution, and concentrations of impurities and hydrogen peroxide on the efficiency of removal of these ions was analyzed. Electrocoagulation using aluminum anode does not lead to a significant decrease in the thiocyanate concentration. In the peroxyelectrocoagulation process, the efficiency of removal of SCN? ions increases with an increase in the [H₂O₂]: [SCN^?] ratio. The electrocoagulation efficiency with the Fe/Fe electrode pair reaches 87% for SCN^? and 99.5% for Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ at a current density of 20 mA cm^–2 and electrolysis time of 20 min.     

Electrochemical investigation of corrosion and corrosion inhibition of iron in hydrochloric acid solutions

The inhibition effect of 1-methyl pyrazole (MPA) on the acidic corrosion of iron in 1.0 M HCl was studied at different concentrations (10^?3–10^?2 M) by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and EIS measurements. It is found from the polarization studies that methyl pyrazole (MPA) behaves mainly as anodic inhibitor in HCl. Values of polarization resistance (R_p) and double layer capacitance (C_dl) in the absence and presence of MPA in 1.0 M HCl are determined. The adsorption of MPA on iron surface from HCl is found to obey Temkin adsorption isotherm.     

Effects of alkyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactants on the kinetics of the oxidation of tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) by azido-pentacyanocobaltate(III) complex

The redox reaction between tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II), [Fe(phen)₃]²⁺, and azido-pentacyanocobaltate(III), [Co(CN)₅N₃]^3? was investigated in three cationic surfactants: dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the presence of 0.1?M NaCl at 35°C. Second-order rate constant in the absence and presence of surfactant, k_w and k_ψ, respectively, were obtained in the concentration ranges DTAB?=?0???4.667?×?10^?4?mol?dm^?3, TTAB?=?0–9.364?×?10^?5?mol?dm^?3, CTAB?=?0???6.220?×?10^?5?mol?dm^?3. Electron transfer rate was inhibited by the surfactants with premicelllar activity. Inhibition factors, k_w/k_ψ followed the trend CTAB?>?TTAB?>?DTAB with respect to the surfactant concentrations used. The magnitudes of the binding constants obtained suggest significant electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Activation parameters ΔH^≠, ΔS^≠, and E_a have larger positive values in the presence of surfactants than in surfactant-free medium. The electron transfer is proposed to proceed via outer-sphere mechanism in the presence of the surfactants.     

Response surface methodology for optimization of heavy metal removal by magnetic biosorbent made from anaerobic sludge

In this study, optimum conditions for adsorption of heavy metals such as Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ onto a low-cost, magnetically modified-alkali conditioned anaerobically digested sludge (MADS) adsorbent were obtained. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) incorporating Central Composite Design (CCD) of experiments was applied to optimize four independent process variables. Statistical analysis was executed by ANOVA and the quadratic model developed had regression coefficients of 0.959, 0.957 and 0.95 for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺, respectively. The independent variables such as pH, time and initial concentration positively influenced adsorption capacity, q_e, whereas the value of q_e decreased with an increase in MADS dosage. Model validation experiments for optimization of adsorption process showed comparable results with predicted values. The adsorption capacity of MADS adsorbent at optimum conditions found through RSM analysis was 29.721 mg L^?1, 28.551 mg L^?1 and 28.601 mg L^?1 for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ respectively.     

Corrosion resistances of passive films on low‐Cr steel and carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solution

The passive ranges of carbon steel rebar and 3Cr steel rebar in saturated Ca(OH)₂‐simulated concrete pore solution with pH 12.6 were determined by means of cyclic voltammetry and potentiodynamic polarization curves. Chronopotentiometry was used to obtain steady‐state conditions for the formation of passive films on rebar samples at different anodic potentials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Mott–Schottky and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer curves were employed to compare the formed passive films at different potentials. Additionally, cyclic polarization curves were used to compare the corrosion resistances of formed passive films on the two rebars in saturated Ca(OH)₂‐simulated concrete pore solution with different concentration of Cl^?. The results show that the passive ranges of the two rebars are all between ?0.15 and +0.6 V, and more stable passive films can be formed on both rebars at the anodic potential of +0.3 V. In the absence of Cl^?, the stability and corrosion resistance of the passive film formed on the 3Cr rebar are better than those of CS rebar. The passive film of 3Cr steel has the relatively better pitting corrosion resistance than carbon steel in saturated Ca(OH)₂‐simulated concrete pore solution that contains different concentration of Cl^?. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiotracer study of the adsorption of phosphoric acid on platinized platinum electrodes in the presence of different ions and oxalic acid

Radiotracer study of the adsorption of phosphoric acid on platinized platinum electrodes was carried out under different experimental conditions. The potential and concentration dependence of the adsorption was studied at low concentrations (5×10^?6–6×10^?3 mol dm^?3) in the presence of 1 M HClO₄ supporting electrolyte. A Freundlich type isotherm was found. The effect of different additives was studied. In the presence of Cl^? and HSO₄^? ions and oxalic acid the decrease of the adsorption of H₃PO₄ may be observed. On the other hand Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions induce the increase of the adsorption of H₃PO₄ in the potential range where their electrosorption takes place.     

Estimating of surface activity of Cl− and Br− ions in the (In-Ga)/[N-methylformamide + mc KCl + (1 − m)c KClO4] and (In-Ga)/[N-methylformamide + mc KBr + (1 − m)c KClO4] systems by different methods

Differential capacitance curves in the (In-Ga)/[N-methylformamide + mc KCl + (1 ? m)c KClO₄] and (In-Ga)/[N-methylformamide + mc KBr + (1 ? m)c KClO₄] systems are measured using an ac bridge for the following molar portions m of the surface-active anion: 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1. The Cl^? and Br^? anions specific adsorption in the systems can be described quantitatively by the Frumkin isotherm. The principal parameters of Cl^? and Br^? anions adsorption at the (In-Ga)/N-methylformamide interface are determined by different methods. Unlike Ga/N-methylformamide interface, where the adsorption energy increased in the sequence I^? ≈ Br^? < Cl^?, at the (In-Ga)/N-methylformamide interface it increased in the reverse sequence: Cl^? < Br^? < I^?. The adsorption parameters at the charge density q = 0, obtained by three different methods, are close to each other. However, the parameters α₁ and α₂, which characterize the charge effect on the adsorption energy, when determined by the analyzing of dependences of adsorption potential drop E _ads on ln(mc), differ from those determined by two other methods. The error may be caused by the assuming that the adsorption potential drop is proportional to the coverage of dense layer with the specifically adsorbed ions.     

Adsorption behaviors of strontium using macroporous silica based hexagonal tungsten oxide

A novel macroporous silica-based hexagonal tungsten oxide (h-WO₃/SiO₂) with exchangeable sodium cations located in hexagonal tunnel structure was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal treatment of sodium tungstate dihydrate with 1 mol/L HCl solution. Utilization of the h-WO₃/SiO₂ adsorbent to remove aqueous strontium was investigated under the condition of various pH values, contact time, the initial concentration of metal ions, salt ion concentration, and coexisting ions. According to the experimental data, Sr²⁺ adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 15 min in acidic solution, and the maximum removal capacity of Sr²⁺ occurred at pH 4. The kinetic adsorption of Sr²⁺ on h-WO₃/SiO₂ was controlled by pseudo second-order model, and the saturated adsorption of Sr²⁺ on h-WO₃/SiO₂ was better described by Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models compared with the Freundlich isotherm model. The distribution coefficient of Sr²⁺ was more than 2000 cm³/g in the presence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, La³⁺, and Eu³⁺, indicating that the h-WO₃/SiO₂ showed excellent selectivity towards Sr²⁺ in pH 4.     

The Physical Chemistry of Membranes : M.E. Starzak. Academic Press,Orlando, 1984, x + 334 pp., US$47.00. Equations of Membrane Biophys. N. Lakshminarayanaiah,Academic Press,Orlando, 1984, x + 426 pp., £53.50

Changes in the adsorption profiles of 1,4-naphthohydroquinone (NHQ) on smooth polycrystalline platinum electrodes in aqueous 1 M HClO₄ brought about by varying levels of surface-active organic impurities [typified by hydroquinone (HQ) and benzene] have been studied by thin-layer electrochemical techniques, 10^?5M HQ is sufficient to alter the adsorption profile of NHQ; above 10^?4M HQ, the packing density transitions prominent from pure NHQ solutions were completely suppressed. Similar results were obtained when benzene was used as the contaminant. Packing density measurements indicated that the subject surface-active impurities inhibited formation of flat-, but not edge-, adsorbed NHQ; this is in agreement with data from a previous study [M.P. Soriaga, J.H. White, D. Song and A.T. Hubbard, J. Electroanal. Chem., 171 (1984) 359] which showed that low-levels of iodide, a surface-active anion, enforced formation of edge-adsorbed NHQ even at (low) concentrations where flat-adsrobed species would have formed from pure NHQ solutions. The presence of surface-active impurities may help account for the profound differences in adsorption measurements reported in the literature for various aromatic compounds.     

Cost‐Efficient Graphitic Carbon Nitride as an Effective Photocatalyst for Antibiotic Degradation: An Insight into the Effects of Different Precursors and Coexisting Ions,and Photocatalytic Mechanism

In this study, the photocatalytic activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) synthesized via different precursors (urea, thiourea, and dicyandiamide) is investigated in the degradation process of tetracycline. Owing to the efficient charge separation and transfer, prolonged radiative lifetime of charge, large surface area, and nanosheet morphology, the urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄ exhibits superior photocatalytic activity for tetracycline degradation under visible‐light irradiation. This performance can compare with that of most reported g‐C₃N₄‐based composite photocatalysts. Through the time‐circle degradation experiment, the urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄ is found to have an excellent photocatalytic stability. The presence of NO₃^?, CH₃COO^?, Cl^? and SO₄^2? ions with the concentration of 10 mm inhibits the photocatalytic activity of urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄, where this inhibitory effect is more obvious for Cl^? and SO₄^2? ions. For the coexisting Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Zn²⁺ ions, the Cu²⁺ ion exhibits a significantly higher inhibitory effect than Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions for tetracycline degradation. However, both the inhibitory and facilitating effects are observed in the presence of Fe³⁺ ion with different concentration. The h⁺, ^.OH and ^.O₂^? radicals are confirmed as major oxidation species and a possible photocatalytic mechanism is proposed in a urea‐derived g‐C₃N₄ reaction system. This study is of important significance to promote the large‐scale application of g‐C₃N₄ photocatalysts in antibiotic wastewater purification.     

The Hofmeister Anion Effect on Ionophore‐based Ion‐selective Nanospheres Containing Solvatochromic Dyes

Recently reported ionophore‐based ion‐selective nanospheres contained pH‐independent and positively charged solvatochromic dyes. Here, we evaluate systematically the effect of anions to the fluorescence response of the nanospheres. The anion interference was found significant for anion concentrations above 10 mM. The sensor responses in the presence of various anion background was studied. While target ion (K⁺) causes the fluorescence of the nanospheres to decrease, increasing anion background also leads to lower fluorescence intensity. Lipophilic anions such as ClO₄^?, SCN^?, and I^? exhibited much more interference than hydrophilic anions (e. g., NO₃^?, Cl^?, F^?, SO₄^2?). The trend of the anion interference followed the Hofmeister series. A theoretical model was also demonstrated based on anion adsorption on the surface of the nanospheres.     

Properties of semiconductor electrodes coated with living films of cyanobacteria

IntactPhormidium sp. cells, immobilized on a SnO₂ semiconductor electrode, are capable of transferring electrons to SnO₂ in a light-dependent reaction. Drying a “wet” algal electrode at 50°C for 60 min increases photocurrent output capacity by 100-fold. We have studied the effect of various parameters on photocurrent generation. The magnitude of the photocurrent increased with increasing light intensity and depended on the nature of the electrolyte solution. The output, about 8 μA 10 μg Chl^?1 cm⁺², was obtained using 50 mM H₃BO₃?Na₂CO₃?KCl buffer as an electrolyte, an irradiance (>460 nm) of 250 J/m², and potentiostatic conditions (the algal working electrode was poised at +0.6 V vs a saturated calomel electrode). The yield was more than doubled upon addition of an electron carrier, such as methyl viologen, benzyl viologen, or Vitamin K₃, to the electrolyte solution. Maximum photocurrent was obtained at around pH 8 and 45°C, which are optimal conditions for growth of the cyanobacterium. Furthermore, DCMU, an inhibitor of photosynthetic electron flow, drastically decreased the yield, as did heat treatment of the electrode at 110°C for 15 min. The photocurrent action spectrum peak coincided well with the absorption peak of the light-harvesting pigment, phycocyanin. These results support the idea that electron transfer can occur across algal cell walls from the source of the light-induced reactions located within the lamellar membranes to the semiconductor electrode.     

Application of ion-imprinted polymer synthesized by precipitation polymerization as an efficient and selective sorbent for separation and pre-concentration of chromium ions from some real samples

In this study, a new Cr(III)-imprinted polymer (Cr(III)-IIP) is prepared from CrCl₃·6H₂O, methacrylic acid functional monomer, ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate cross-linking agent, 2,2?-azobisisobutyronitrile radical initiator and 2,2-(azanediylbis (ethane-2,1-diyl))bis(isoindoline-1,3-dione) ligand. To obtain the maximum adsorption capacity, the optimum condition was studied through pH, type and concentration of eluent, IIP weight, sample volume as well as the adsorption and desorption times. The Cr(III) ion content was determined via flame atomic absorption spectrometer. In optimum conditions, the adsorption capacity of the IIP for Cr(III) was obtained to be 74.65 mg g^?1, using 50 mg of IIP and the initial pH solution of 3.0. Both the adsorption and desorption times for quantitative analyses of Cr(III) ions were 15 and 5 min; respectively. After elution of the adsorbed ions by 3 mL of 4 mol L^?1 HNO₃ aqueous solution, the established IIP-based SPE procedure provides a reasonable pre-concentration factor of 100. The IIP-based pre-concentration method provides a low detection limit of 1.7 µg L^?1 with good repeatability (RSD?=?3.22%). Reusability studies confirmed that synthesis IIP is reusable and recoverable up to six cycles. According to the selectivity experiments, it was concluded that the prepared sorbent possesses more affinity toward Cr(III) ions than other ions such as Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺ ions. To evaluate the potential applicability of the proposed separation method, the pre-concentration and determination of trace amounts of Cr(III) were performed successfully in food samples with complex matrices, a bestial sample (i.e. cow liver) and an herbal product (i.e., broccoli) as real samples.