Effect of Characteristics of Magnesium Oxide Powder on Composition and Strength of Magnesium Potassium Phosphate Compound for Solidifying Radioactive Waste

Phase composition, particle morphology, and granulometric composition of commercial samples of MgO powders of various chemical purities (classification from technical grade to chemical grade) prepared by heat treatment at 1300°C for 3 h were studied for the subsequent synthesis of a compound based on magnesium potassium phosphate matrix MgKPO₄·6H₂O, promising for solidifying liquid radioactive waste. It has been established that to obtain a homogeneous mineral-like compound with compressive strength of about 15 MPa, which meets the regulatory requirements for solidified forms of liquid radioactive waste, it is necessary to use magnesium oxide powder with a particle size of not more than 50 μm, which have a high degree of crystallinity (the average crystallite size is not less than 40 nm). It was noted that the impurities of metal compounds, primarily silicon, calcium, and iron in the MgO powder, do not affect the synthesis conditions and the mechanical strength of the compound.

     

Utilization of waste phosphate aluminum slag for cement manufacture

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of application of waste phosphate aluminum slag (PAS) for cement manufacture. To recycle waste PAS and minimize adverse effects on cement hydration induced by phosphate, NH₄OH was used to purify PAS. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to determine to confirm the removal of harmful phosphate. The effect of PAS on the hydration product composition, heat release and compressive strength was also investigated. The results demonstrated that NH₄OH was effective in removing harmful AlPO₄ in PAS and 10% NH₄OH was considered as the optimal treatment concentration. In addition, the purification of NH₄OH alleviated the delay in cement hydration caused by AlPO₄ and the heat release curve of purified PAS (PPAS) cement tends to that of OPC. Moreover, the compressive strength of PPAS mortar at 28 days was 49.4 ​MPa, which is 18% higher than the compressive strength of PAS mortar. PAS purified by NH₄OH can be applied to cement manufacturing.     

Novel bulk synthesis of magnesium oxide nanobelts networks by microwave hydrothermal route

Novel magnesium oxide (MgO) nanobelt structures were successfully synthesized on a large scale, low cost and catalyst free by a microwave hydrothermal route using the magnesium metal and potassium hydroxide precursors at 200 °C for 10 min. The synthesized MgO nanobelts were systemically characterized by power X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy and transmission-high resolution electron microscopy. The XRD results indicate that the MgO nanobelts have the well-crystalline cubic phase. The detailed morphological studies revealed that the synthesized products were nanobelts and were grown in large quantity. The optical energy gap of MgO nanobelts was found to be 3.1 eV. The photoluminescence spectra of the MgO nanobelts show a strong and broad green emission band, a weak ultraviolet emission band, and a weak red emission band. This novel method will open new dimensions for synthesized 1-D metal oxide and can be easily extended to the synthesis and assembly of other inorganic nanocrystals.     

Fast concentration of dissolved forms of cesium radioisotopes from large seawater samples

The method developed for cesium concentration from large freshwater samples was tested and adapted for analysis of cesium radionuclides in seawater. Concentration of dissolved forms of cesium in large seawater samples (about 100 L) was performed using composite absorbers AMP-PAN and KNiFC-PAN with ammonium molybdophosphate and potassium–nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) as active components, respectively, and polyacrylonitrile as a binding polymer. A specially designed chromatography column with bed volume (BV) 25 mL allowed fast flow rates of seawater (up to 1,200 BV h^?1). The recovery yields were determined by ICP-MS analysis of stable cesium added to seawater sample. Both absorbers proved usability for cesium concentration from large seawater samples. KNiFC-PAN material was slightly more effective in cesium concentration from acidified seawater (recovery yield around 93 % for 700 BV h^?1). This material showed similar efficiency in cesium concentration also from natural seawater. The activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs determined in seawater from the central Pacific Ocean were 1.5 ± 0.1 and 1.4 ± 0.1 Bq m^?3 for an offshore (January 2012) and a coastal (February 2012) locality, respectively, ¹³⁴Cs activities were below detection limit (<0.2 Bq m^?3).     

Cesium removal from solution using PAN-based potassium nickel hexacyanoferrate (II) composite spheres

A polyacrylonitrile–potassium nickel hexacyanoferrates composite adsorbent was prepared to remove cesium ion in aqueous solution. The dual nozzle technique was applied to prepare a composite sphere. The physicochemical behavior of the ion exchanger was specified with different techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, specific surface analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis. The effects of contact time, solution initial pH, presence of various cations and initial cesium concentration on the adsorption was also investigated and the optimum conditions for separation of cesium were determined. In addition, adsorption kinetics and adsorption mechanism were studied by modeling the experimental data and related parameters were also evaluated, which showed that sorption data fitted to pseudo-second-order and film diffusion models. Adsorption isotherm in batch experiments showed that the sorption data were successfully fitted with Langmuir model. Finally the adsorption dynamic capacities of the synthesized composite in column experiments were evaluated at 139.925 and 119.539 mg/g for flow rate of 1 and 3 BV/min, respectively.     

Formation of carnallite type double salts by grinding mixtures of magnesium and alkali halides with the same anions

The formation of carnallite type double salts by grinding mixtures of hydrated magnesium halide and alkali halides with the same anions was investigated by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Carnallite (KMgCl₃·6H₂O), cesium-carnallite (CsMgCl₃·6H₂O), bromo-carnallite (KMgBr₃·6H₂O) and cesium-bromo-carnallite (CsMgBr₃·6H₂O) were formed by grinding mixtures of MgCl₂·6H₂O with KCl or CsCl and MgBr₂·6H₂O with KBr or CsBr, respectively. Hydrated solid solutions of magnesium in potassium or cesium halides were obtained from that portion of potassium and cesium halides which did not take part in the formation of the double salt.     

Microstructural and mechanical properties of porous biocomposite scaffolds based on polyvinyl alcohol,nano-hydroxyapatite and cellulose nanocrystals

In this study, in situ synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA)/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) organic–inorganic biocomposite porous scaffolds is reported. The effect of the CNC content on the properties of the biocomposite scaffold was investigated and characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, porosity and compressive strength measurements, thermal studies, and in vitro biomineralization and degradation studies. The morphological study showed highly porous structures with good pore interconnectivity in which n-HA was homogeneously dispersed. XRD analysis showed a decrease in the crystalline fraction and crystallite size of nano-hydroxyapatite with introduction of PVA and with increasing content of CNC. It was observed that the porosity decreased to some extent with increasing CNC content, while increases in the compressive strength (from 0.85 to 2.09 MPa) and elastic modulus (from 4.68 to 16.01 MPa) were found as the CNC content was increased. In vitro biomineralization study revealed the formation of apatite on PVA/n-HA/CNC biocomposite scaffolds when soaked for 7 and 14 days in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. The obtained porous scaffolds offering good mechanical performance may provide a promising alternative scaffolding matrix for use in the field of bone tissue engineering.     

Formation of Struvite Crystals in a Simulated Food Waste Aerobic Composting Process

Bench-scale treatments with three mixtures of Mg and P salts,including K3PO4+MgSO4,K2HPO4+MgSO4,and KH2PO4+MgSO4 as additives in a simulated food waste aerobic composting process,were conducted to test the magnesium ammonium phosphate(MAP) formation,and the compost products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD),Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS) analyses.The comparison results between XRD,SEM,and EDS analyses of MAPs in the dried compost and synthesized MAPs co...     

Thermogravimetry of ternary cement blends

This study reports the microstructure characteristic and compressive strength of multi-blended cement under different curing methods. Fly ash, ground bottom ash, and undensified silica fume were used to replace part of cement at 50 % by mass. Mortar and paste specimens were cured in air at ambient temperature, water at 25, 40, and 60 °C and sealed with plastic sheeting for 28 days. In addition, these specimens were cured in an autoclave for 6, 9, and 12 h. Results indicated that the compressive strength of multi-blended mixes containing silica fume 10 % by mass cured with plastic sealed and cured in water at 25 and 40 °C was similar to or higher than the corresponding Portland cement control at 28 day. Moreover, the mixes containing silica fume 10 % by mass cured in water at 60 °C had higher compressive strength than Portland cement control. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry results confirmed that there was increased pozzolanic reaction with increasing silica fume content which relates to the increasing in strength. For autoclaved curing, the compressive strength of multi-blended cement specimens with silica fume (total of 50 % replacement) was noticeably higher than control Portland cement mix and was highest when autoclaving time was 9 h. X-ray diffraction results showed the pattern of 0.9, 1.1, and 1.4 nm tobermorite crystalline phases as the main product of this curing. Thermogravimetry results showed dehydration of 1.4 nm tobermorite and 1.1 nm tobermorite at about 80–90 and 135–150 °C, respectively. Tobermorite (also shown by scanning electron microscope) thereby as a result lead to significant compressive strength improvement in the short time of autoclaved curing.     

Thermal characterisation of autoclaved cement made with alumina-silica rich industrialwaste

The hydration products of hydrothermally cured OPC-quartz blends incorporating clay-brick waste were characterised using simultaneous DTA-TG, XRD and SEM. The exotherm above 800°C on the DTA curve, due to the formation of β-wollastonite (β-CS) was related to the compressive strength. The area and/or height of the exotherm increased with compressive strength and was due primarily to the presence of calcium silicate hydrate phases including 1.1 nm tobermorite. Supporting evidence is provided by XRD and SEM.     

Thermal study of clay ceramic pastes containing sugarcane bagasse ash waste

This study focuses on the thermal and mineralogical transformations of clay ceramic pastes. The pastes contain different amounts of sugarcane bagasse ash waste. Thermal and mineralogical changes occurring during firing were characterized by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry analysis (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy. On heating three endothermic events within the 73.5–75.7, 276.9–283.5, and 567.1–573.5 °C temperature ranges were identified. The endothermic valleys could be mainly interpreted as the release of physically adsorbed water, dehydration of hydroxides, and dehydroxylation of kaolinite, respectively. Two exothermic events within the 618.9–690.1 and 948 °C temperature ranges were identified. The exothermic peaks are associated with the decomposition of organic compounds and crystallization of mullite from metakaolinite, respectively. TG results indicate that the clay ceramic pastes had a total mass loss in the 13.1–13.6 % range, and are dependent on the sugarcane bagasse ash waste amount added. It was found that the replacement of natural clay with sugarcane bagasse ash waste, in the range up to 20 wt%, influenced the thermal behavior and technological properties of the clay ceramic pastes. In addition, the thermal analysis results agree well with the XRD.     

Dielectric properties of Ni-doped Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 ceramics prepared with hydrothermal synthesized nanopowders

Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Ti_1?xNi_xO₃ (BSTN) ceramics were prepared from BSTN nanopowders synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The phase and microstructure of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. XRD results indicate a cubic structure of the pure BST nanopowders. The cubic structure can be converted to the orthorhombic phase with increasing of Ni content to x = 0.01 and returned to the cubic structure with the presence of Ni(OH)₂ impurity phase for x = 0.03 and 0.05. However, the BSTN ceramics sintered at 1,200 °C for 3 h revealed the orthorhombic phase structure with NiO impurity phase for all Ni content. The doping of Ni in Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ structure can increase the grain size of samples from 1.47 to 3.26 μm. The dielectric constant, loss tangent (tanδ) and phase transition temperature of BSTN ceramics were reduced with increasing Ni content.     

FIA Potentiometric and Solvent Extraction Studies of Alkali Metal and Alkaline Earth Cation Complexation by bis(Tert-butylbenzo)-21-crown-7

Abstract

A flow injection analysis study of the potentiometric selectivity of bis[4(5)-tert-butylbenzo]-21-crown-7 (D(tBB)21C7) for cesium over the other alkali metal cations and three alkaline earth cations has been conducted. A PVC matrix membrane containing D(tBB)21C7 as an ionophore was coated on the tip of a silver wire incorporated in a flow cell. No selectivity for cesium over rubidium and only low selectivity over potassium were noted. However, very high selectivities for cesium over sodium, lithium, strontium, calcium, and magnesium were observed. Selectivity of D(tBB)21C7 in the solvent extraction of alkali metal cations was determined by the picrate extraction method. The percent extraction into deuteriochloroform decreased in the order cesium, rubidium > potassium » sodium » lithium. Thus good agreement was observed between the responses of D(tBB)21C7 towards alkali metal cations in polymeric membrane electrodes and in solvent extraction.     

Effect of additives on the performance of Dyckerhoff cement,Class G,submitted to simulated hydrothermal curing

Stability of Dyckerhoff cement Class G partially substituted (15 mass%) by metakaolin (MK), silica fume (SF) and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (BFS) was investigated after 7 days of curing under standard and two different autoclaving conditions. Mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffraction analysis and combined thermogravimetric–differential scanning calorimetry were used to evaluate pore structure development, compressive strength and their dependence on the type of additives in relation to the particular phase composition. Hydrothermal curing led to the formation of α-C₂SH and jaffeite, mostly in the case of referential samples and compositions with addition of slowly reacting BFS. Whilst modest hydrothermal curing (0.6 MPa, 165 °C) favoured formation of α-C₂SH, larger amounts of jaffeite were determined after curing at the highest used pressure and temperature (2.0 MPa, 220 °C). Undesired transformation of primary hydration products was prevented especially by addition of highly reactive and very fine SF. Particular composition attained the best pore structure characteristics and compressive strength after curing at 0.6 MPa and 165 °C. Formation of more stable phases with C/S ratio close to 1 was proved by wollastonite formation during DSC analyses. More severe conditions of curing, however, led to the significant deterioration of microstructure and strength of corresponding sample, probably due to the formation of trabzonite, killalaite and zoisite. Considering the values of hydraulic permeability coefficient and compressive strength, replacement of cement by MK improved significantly the properties of cement when compared with the referential as well as with other blended compositions under the mentioned curing conditions.     

Porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents from pitch–polymer compositions

The study results of porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents (AC) obtained from pitch–polymer compositions were presented. The compositions were carbonized and activated with steam, potassium hydroxide, and magnesium and potassium carbonates. For the obtained AC, the thermal analysis and the determination of adsorption value of iodine and porous structure by adsorption/desorption of nitrogen at 77 K were carried out. The possibility of obtained activated carbons from pitch–polymer compositions was demonstrated. The use of untypical feedstock, as an effect of combination of bituminous substance with polymeric waste and improvement of the methods of production, creates the potential possibility to produce carbon adsorbents of interesting properties and porous structure.     

钙磷物质的量比对磷酸钙骨水泥性能的影响

本研究通过在磷酸钙骨水泥(calcium phosphate cement,CPC)固相配方中添加不同量的氯化钙(CaCl2),制备不同钙磷物质的量比的CPC,研究不同钙磷物质的量比对CPC性能的影响。测试CPC的初、终凝时间。将CPC体外模拟浸泡3d和7d,研究模拟生理条件下CPC的性能,分别利用X-射线衍射(XRD)、力学性能实验机、扫描电镜(SEM)等研究CPC相成分、抗压强度和断面微观形貌。通过化学滴定测定浸泡液中氯离子浓度。结果表明:提高钙磷物质的量比不会显著延长CPC凝结时间;模拟浸泡液中的氯离子浓度处于正常生理条件的范围内;随钙磷物质的量比的增加,水化后CPC的抗压强度显著提高,而经过体外模拟浸泡后,钙磷物质的量比为1.67和1.80的CPC的抗压强度明显下降;具有较高钙磷物质的量比的CPC体外模拟浸泡后,形成多孔结构、弱结晶类骨磷灰石的终产物。     

Enhancement of optical conductivity in the ultra-violet region of Cs doped ZnO sol gel thin films

Nano crystalline cesium (Cs) doped ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrate by sol gel spin coating method with 1–3 mol.% doping concentration and different annealing temperatures. The deposited films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Hall Effect, Photoluminescence (PL) and UV–Visible studies. XRD measurements reveal that all the samples abound in the wurtzite structure with polycrystalline nature. An increase in crystalline size from 19.60 to 44.54 nm is observed with the increase of doping concentration. Electrical conductivity of Cs doped ZnO films were observed from Hall effect measurements and the maximum carrier concentration obtained is 7.35 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3. The near band emission (384 nm) peak intensity increases with the increase of Cs doping concentration and a maximum intensity 55,280 was observed for CZ3 film from PL spectrum. Also a low energy near infrared (NIR) emission peak centered at 1.62 eV appears for the Cs doped ZnO films. The average transmission of CZ film is 88 % and the absorption edge is red shifted with the increase of Cs doping concentration and also the optical conductivity increases in the UV region.     

Aqueous sol–gel synthesis of lanthanum phosphate nano rods starting from lanthanum chloride precursor

Aqueous sol–gel technique is reported for synthesizing nanosize, rod shaped lanthanum phosphate particles starting from lanthanum chloride, which is suitable for variety of applications such as machinable ceramics, thermal barrier coatings and luminescent materials. The phosphate particles are having rod like morphology having an overall size in the range 25–100 nm and with an average aspect ratio 4. The morphology is retained even after calcination at 800 °C. The average crystallite size for the as prepared particles was calculated to be 8 nm using Scherrer equation applied on X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The particles obtained were characterized using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD and Electron Microscopy techniques (TEM and SEM). The phase stability was found using thermo gravimetric analysis. The surface wettability monitored using tensiometer through dynamic contact angle method indicated that lanthanum phosphate surface possesses considerable hydrophobic character.     

The effect of the synthesis method on the parameters of pore structure and selectivity of ferrocyanide sorbents based on natural minerals

Ferrocyanide sorbents were obtained via thin-layer and surface modification of natural clinoptilolite and marl. The effect of modification method on surface characteristics of these sorbents and their selectivity for cesium was studied. It was shown that the modification resulted in an increase of selectivity of modified ferrocyanide sorbents to cesium as compared with the natural clinoptilolite in presence of Na⁺, as well as in an increase of cesium distribution coefficients in presence of K⁺. The nickel–potassium ferrocyanide based on the clinoptilolite showed the highest selectivity for cesium at sodium concentrations of 10^?4—2 mol L^?1: cesium distribution coefficient was lg K _d = 4.5 ± 0.4 L kg^?1 and cesium/sodium separation factor was α(Cs/Na) = 250. In the presence of NH₄ ⁺, all modified sorbents showed approximately equal selectivity for ¹³⁷Cs. Probable applications of the sorbents were suggested.     

Expeditious green synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted isoxazole-5(4<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>)-ones catalyzed by nano-MgO

In this work, it was found that magnesium oxide nanoparticles (nano-MgO) catalyzed one-pot three-component reaction of hydroxylamine hydrochloride with aryl aldehydes (or heteroaryl aldehydes) and β-oxoesters to synthesize some biologically active isoxazole-5(4H)-one-based heterocycles. The reactions were completed using 3 mol% catalyst loading in aqueous medium at room temperature. Nano-MgO was synthesized by precipitation and hydrothermal treatment of aqueous salt solution. The structure of the nano-MgO was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The presented environmentally friendly heterocyclization offers some interesting merits, including safety, high product yield, mild conditions, low cost, minimal waste, good atom efficiency, catalyst recoverable, energy efficiency, avoidance of hazardous organic solvents, and easy workup.