Investigating the oxidation state of Fe from LiFePO4-based lithium ion battery cathodes via capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method with ultraviolet/visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy for iron speciation in lithium ion battery (LIB) electrolytes was developed. The complexation of Fe²⁺ with 1,10-phenantroline (o-phen) and of Fe³⁺ with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) revealed effective stabilization of both iron species during sample preparation and CE measurements. For the investigation of small electrolyte volumes from LIB cells, a sample buffer with optimal sample pH was developed to inhibit precipitation of Fe³⁺ during complexation of Fe²⁺ with o-phen. However, the presence of the conducting salt lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) in the electrolyte led to the precipitation of the complex [Fe(o-phen)₃](PF₆)₂. Addition of acetonitrile (ACN) to the sample successfully re-dissolved this Fe²⁺-complex to retain the quantification of both species. Further optimization of the method successfully prevented the oxidation of dissolved Fe²⁺ with ambient oxygen during sample preparation, by previously stabilizing the sample with HCl or by working under counterflow of argon. Following dissolution experiments with the positive electrode material LiFePO₄ (LFP) in LIB electrolytes under dry room conditions at 20°C and 60°C mainly revealed iron dissolution at elevated temperatures due to the formation of acidic electrolyte decomposition products. Despite the primary oxidation state of iron in LFP of +2, both iron species were detected in the electrolytes that derive from oxidation of dissolved Fe²⁺ by remaining molecular oxygen in the sample vials during the dissolution experiments.     

Living carbocationic polymerization of p-halostyrenes. III. Syntheses and characterization of novel thermoplastic elastomers of isobutylene and p-chlorostyrene

Novel linear and three-arm star radial thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) comprising rubbery polyisobutylene (PIB) center blocks connected to glassy poly(p-chlorostyrene) (PpClSt) outer blocks have been synthesized by sequential monomer addition. For triblock polymer synthesis isobutylene (IB) was added continuously to a bifunctional initiating system (dicumylmethyl ether/TiCl₄) dissolved in CH₃Cl/methylcyclohexane solvent mixture at –80°C. After the living PIB sequence has reached the desired molecular weight p-chlorostyrene (pClSt) was added to produce the PpClSt end blocks. The synthesis conditions for the TPEs were developed with the help of model experiments using the 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl)/TiCl₄ initiating system and subsequent PIB-PpClSt diblock syntheses. The triblock and radiol block polymers after solvent extraction exhibited excellent TPE characteristics. Copolymer compositions were determined by ¹H-NMR and UV spectroscopy and further characterization was carried out by GPC, DSC, DMTA, and selective solvent extraction techniques. The TPEs exhibit two T_g's characteristic of glassy PpClSt (129°C) and rubbery PIB (?70°C) segments. Cast TPE films were clear and gave tensile strengths of 1.2-21 MPa with elongations of 460–1500%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a triblock polymer containing ca. 38 wt % PpClSt suggests cylindrical PpClSt domains of 40–70 nm length and 25–35 nm diam embedded in a PIB matrix.     

Hydrothermal extraction of potassium,sodium, rubidium and cesium from rocks by lithium hydroxide and determination at very low natural levels

The selective extraction of Na, K, Rb and Cs from rocks is described. The method is particularly designed for low levels of rubidium and cesium in basic and ultrabasic rocks. The rocks are decomposed with lithium hydroxide solution at 180°C. Only part of the aluminium and chromium accompany the alkali metals into solution; all other rock constitutents are left behind as insoluble lithium silicate, hydroxides of divalent metals, etc. Concentration of rubidium and cesium too low to be determined directly by flame emission spectrometry are pre-concentrated up to 25-fold by liquid-liquid extraction. Quantitative recovery (>99.5%) of the two metals is achieved by coprecipitation with potassium tetraphenylboron within the organic phase (di-isobutyl ketone) for subsequent back-extraction and dissolution in an acidic aqueous phase. Detection limits are 1 mg kg^?1 Na or K, 0.1 mg kg^?1 Rb and 0.05 mg kg^?1 Cs in the rock for the direct determination and 0.003 mg kg^?1 Rb and 0.001 mg kg^?1 Cs after preconcentration. Methods are described for the purification of lithium hydroxide and the potassium nitrate used as carrier. Results are presented for the Na₂ O, K₂O, Rb and Cs contents and the K/Rb values for 23 geochemical references samples (basic and ultrabasic rocks, and iron formation samples).     

Kinetics and mechanisms of iron sulfide reductions in hydrogen and in carbon monoxide

The reduction of iron sulfides by hydrogen and by carbon monoxide has been studied using plug flow and thermogravimetric methods. The reactions were studied in the 523–723°K temperature range and were found to be first-order processes. Plug flow studies were used to correlate reaction rates between pyrite and the gases as a function of the surface area of the pyrite. The rate of H₂S formation increases with the surface area of the pyrite sample. The results of thermogravimetric experiments indicate that the reactions consist of several steps. Rate constants for the pyrite reduction by H₂ and by CO were obtained. The activation energies increased with degree of reduction. Values of E_a were 113.2 (step I) and 122.5 kJ/mole (step II) for pyrite reduction with CO and 99.4 (step I), 122.4 (step II), 125.2 (step III), and 142.6 kJ/mole (step IV) for pyrite reduction with hydrogen.     

Preparation and characterization of highly photoactive nanocrystalline TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders by solvent evaporationinduced crystallization method

Highly photoactive bi-phase nanocrystalline TiO₂ photocatalyst was prepared by a solvent evaporation-induced crystallization (SEIC) method, and calcined at different temperatures. The obtained TiO₂ photocatalyst was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and BET surface areas. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in air. The results show that solvent evaporation can promote the crystallization and phase transformation of TiO₂ at 100°C. When calcination temperatures are below 600°C, the prepared TiO₂ powders show bimodal pore size distributions in the mesoporous region. At 700°C, the pore size distributions exhibit monomodal distribution of the inter-aggregated pores due to the collapse of the intra-aggregated pores. At 100°C, the obtained TiO₂ photocatalyst by this method shows good photocatalytic activity, and at 400°C, its photocatalytic activity exceeds that of Degussa P25. This may be attributed to the fact that the prepared TiO₂ photocatalyst has higher specific surface areas, smaller crystallite size and bimodal pore size distribution.     

重金属在黄铁矿中的相态及其释放的分级提取和漫反射红外光谱分析

以分级提取-电感耦合等离子体质谱考察了黄铁矿中重金属的相态分布。结果表明,黄铁矿中的重金属以Pb为主,总量达830mg/kg,并且酸可交换态Pb主要存在于碳酸盐相中或直接以PbS形式存在,这部分Pb达56.9%;易还原态Pb主要存在于铁氧化物相中,为29.7%;可氧化态和残余态Pb存在于硫化物相和硅酸盐相中,分别为3.5%和9.9%。黄铁矿在自然条件下以Pb释放为主,Cr和Cd的释放也不容忽视。漫反射红外光谱表征发现,黄铁矿在表面氧化过程中,其表面羟基增强,表明存在表面溶解及表面酸化现象。进一步的机理探讨认为,重金属在黄铁矿表面存在一种“溶解-吸附”平衡,这一平衡由黄铁矿表面氧化和碳酸盐中和作用共同控制,并决定重金属的释放及迁移。     

Comparative study of electrochemical and thermal oxidation of pyrite

The oxidation of pyrite was studied as a function of grain size, employing voltammetric and thermal analysis. The data obtained with the electrochemical experiments are consistent with the results shown in the thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) records. The use of both techniques revealed that oxidation of the mineral is affected by the grain size employed. The maximum yield of SO₄ ^2– was obtained from electrodes constructed with <210 μm-sized particles. The same behavior was observed during thermal decomposition. When the temperature surpasses 490 °C, the small particles (<210 μm) oxidize in a single step which is not affected by changes in the rate of air flow, indicative of their higher reactivity among the ground mineral electrodes. The comparison between the results obtained by the two methods suggests that, below 490 °C or 0.6 V, pyrite oxidation, either in air or in aqueous media, is similar and depends on the semiconducting properties of the mineral. Electronic Publication     

Effect of methanol on the dissolution of neodymium oxide in hydrochloric acid solutions

The effect of methanol on the solubility of Nd₂O₃ in HCl medium in the temperature range of 25–55°C were studied. HCl-CH₃OH was observed to be a better solvent than HCl-CH₃OH-H₂O and hydrochloric acid for the dissolution of Nd₂O₃ mainly due to prevention of neodymium hydroxide and dissolution increased with increase of HCl concentration even at high HCl concentrations. Presence of methanol in the medium was determined to cause corresponding decreases in conductivity, E_SCE, pH values with corresponding increase in E_R values. Neodymium compounds formed in HCl-CH₃OH medium at 25°C were isolated and identified using X-ray diffraction, thermal and chemical analysis methods and their thermal behaviour were investigated between 25–1100°C. NdCl₃ × x ₁CH₃OH and NdCl₃ × x ₂CH₃OH × 4.14H₂O (x ₁ + x ₂ = 2.8) were formed in non-aqueous medium and these compounds were converted into NdCl₃, NdCl_2.37 and NdCl₃ × 0.47CH₃OH with complete and partial loss of water and methanol around 240°C respectively. Methanol was completely removed around 390°C with formation of NdCl_2.37 (77.5%) and NdOCl (22.5%) and NdOCl was detected as the major stable phase above 700°C.     

Interferences in uranium oxidation states during dissolution of solid phases

The effects of iron on uranium oxidation states during sample dissolution were studied. A mineral acid mixture in anaerobic conditions was used for the dissolution the sample and the uranium oxidation states were determined by ion exchange. The first experiments were performed with pure iron chloride compounds. In the second stage, study was made of common iron-containing minerals. Uranium oxidation states were affected when the content of iron compound was as low as 10^-5M. In the case of the natural minerals, pyrite caused uranium to change to an increasingly reduced state, whereas goethite caused it to change to an increasingly oxidized state as the amount of mineral was increased. The interferences of the silicates fell between those of pyrite and goethite. The results indicate that a wide range of common bulk rocks with less than 20 wt% of iron-containing minerals can be reliable chemically analyzed for uranium oxidation state.     

Should acid ammonium oxalate replace hydroxylammonium chloride in step 2 of the revised BCR sequential extraction protocol for soil and sediment?

The revised, four-step BCR sequential extraction for soil or sediment has been compared with an alternative procedure in which 0.2 mol l⁻¹ ammonium oxalate (pH 3) replaced 0.5 mol l⁻¹ hydroxylammonium chloride (pH 1.5) in step 2, the reducible step. A variety of substrates were studied: BCR CRM601, a sewage sludge amended soil, two industrial soils, and a steel manufacturing by-product (basic oxygen furnace filter cake). Greater amounts of iron were recovered in step 2 when acid ammonium oxalate was used, for all substrates. Similar trends were observed for copper. Manganese and zinc were not strongly affected by the procedural modification, except for zinc in the two industrial soils, where oxalate extraction proved more efficient than use of hydroxylammonium chloride. A large proportion of the calcium and lead isolated in step 2 of the BCR procedure was not released until step 3 when the alternative procedure with oxalate in step 2 was used. This is probably due to rapid precipitation of analyte oxalates from solution. Thus, whilst oxalate offers superior dissolution of iron-containing matrix components, it should not be used if calcium or lead concentrations are to be measured. Selection of the most appropriated sequential extraction protocol for use in a particular study must always be carried out on the basis of “fitness for purpose” criteria. However, the revised BCR protocol, involving use of 0.5 mol l⁻¹ NH₂OH·HCl in the reducible step, appears to be more generally applicable than procedures involving acid ammonium oxalate.     

Thermal stability and flammability of polyurethane foams chemically reinforced with POSS

Manganese ferrite nanopowder was prepared by a new solvothermal method, using 1,2 propanediol as solvent and KOH as precipitant. The as-synthesized powder, by solvothermal treatment in autoclave at 195 °C, for 12 h, consisted of fine manganese ferrite nanoparticles. The further thermal treatment of the initial manganese ferrite powder to higher temperature resulted in manganese ferrite decomposition due to Mn(II) oxidation to Mn(III), as observed by X-ray diffraction. FT-IR spectroscopy has evidenced that the oxidation takes place even at 400 °C. The oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn(III) was studied by TG/DSC simultaneous thermal analysis. It was shown that Mn(II) oxidation takes place in a very small extent up to 400 °C. The main oxidation step occurs around 600 °C, when a clear mass gain is registered on TG curve, associated with a sharp exothermic effect on DSC curve. The exothermic effect is smaller in case of the powder annealed at 400 °C, confirming the superficial oxidation of Mn(II) up to 400 °C. In order to avoid Mn(II) oxidation, the powder obtained at 400 °C was further annealed at 800 °C in argon atmosphere, without degassing, when manganese ferrite MnFe₂O₄ was obtained as major crystalline phase (69 %). All manganese ferrite powders showed a superparamagnetic behavior, with maximum magnetization of 51 emu g^?1 in case of the as-synthesized powder, characteristic of magnetic ferrite nanopowders.     

Kinetics of FeSe2 oxidation by ferric iron and its reactivity compared with FeS2

The mobility and bioavailability of selenium is a major health and environmental issue and a main concern for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Chemically and/or microbially mediated oxidation of insoluble Se-bearing particulate, such as iron selenides, to dissolved and mobile phases controls the transport and distribution of Se in the environment. The oxidation of ferroselite(FeSe2) by ferric iron was investigated in anoxic conditions. The redox reaction can be represented by: FeSe2 + 2Fe3+ = 2Se0 + 3Fe2+. Kinetic studies indicated that the reaction can be described by second-order rate law, with rate constants of 0.49±0.01, 0.85±0.02, 1.84±0.04, and 3.29±0.13 L mol-1 s-1 at pH 1.62, 1.87, 2.23, and 2.49, respectively. The positive correlation between reaction rate and pH implies that diffusion of Fe3+ oxidant to the mineral surface is the rate-determining step. The strong reactivity of FeSe2 towards Fe3+ suggests that ferric iron may play a significant role in FeSe2 oxidation process(e.g., by Se4+, O2, etc.) and Se0 should be the first reaction product. Also, it was shown that the reduction rate of Fe3+ or Se4+ by pyrite(FeS2) can be significantly increased in the presence of FeSe2, suggesting a stronger reactivity of FeSe2 compared with pyrite. The results obtained extend our knowledge about the subtle interaction between Se, pyrite and iron selenides in the environment, and give insight into the transfer of selenium from iron selenides to bio-available selenium(i.e., selenite and selenate) in the Se-rich environment.     

Fast ultrasound-assisted extraction of copper,iron, manganese and zinc from human hair samples prior to flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometric detection

A dynamic ultrasound-assisted extraction procedure utilizing diluted nitric acid was developed for the determination of copper, iron, manganese and zinc in human hair taken from workers in permanent contact with a polluted environment. The extraction unit of the dynamic ultrasound-assisted extraction system contains a minicolumn into which a specified amount of hair (5–50 mg) is placed. Once inserted into the continuous manifold, trace metals were extracted at 3 mL min⁻¹ with 3 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid under the action of ultrasound for 2 min for zinc and 3 min for copper, iron and manganese determination, and using an ultrasonic water-bath temperature of 70 °C for zinc and 80 °C for copper, iron and manganese determination. The system permits the direct analysis of hair and yields concentrations with relative standard deviations of <3% (n = 11). The applicability of the procedure was verified by analysing human hair samples from workers exposed to welding fumes, and its accuracy was assessed through comparison with a conventional sample dissolution procedure and the use of a certified reference material (BCR 397, human hair).     

Mercury forms and their transformation in pyrite under weathering

Pyrite is considered to be the major carrier of mercury in coal. Here, the chemical characteristics of two natural pyrite samples of different weathering degrees were characterized by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Thermal stability of Hg was also analyzed via temperature programmed desorption experiment (TPD). Characteristic ions such as S⁻, Fe⁺, FeS⁻, and FeS₂⁻ were detected on the surface of fresh pyrite. The release temperature of Hg ranged between 180°C and 300°C, and the characteristic peak of black HgS was recorded. In addition, abundant Fe₂O₃⁻, FeSO⁻, SO₄⁻, and HSO₄⁻ were detected on the surface of weathered pyrite, and the release temperature of Hg therein was mainly distributed at 260°C to 380°C and 520°C to 600°C, corresponding to the characteristic peaks of red HgS and HgSO₄, respectively. The results show that pyrite is acidified during weathering and that Hg forms in pyrite are transformed from the original state (HgS) to HgSO₄.     

Comparison of original and modified BCR sequential extraction procedures for the fractionation of copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc in soils and sediments

This article describes a detailed comparison between the original BCR sequential extraction procedure, step 2 of which involves treatment with 0.1 mol l⁻¹ hydroxylammonium chloride at pH 2, and the revised BCR procedure (step 2: 0.5 mol l⁻¹ hydroxylammonium chloride at pH 1.5). An intermediate protocol was also evaluated in which 0.5 mol l⁻¹ hydroxylammonium chloride at pH 2 was used. The procedures were applied to five soil and sediment substrates: a sewage sludge-amended soil, two different industrially contaminated soils, a river sediment and an inter-tidal sediment. Extractable iron and manganese concentrations were measured to assess the effects of the procedural modifications on dissolution of the reducible matrix components. Trace elements copper, lead and zinc were also determined. Statistical analysis (two-tailed t-tests at 95% confidence interval) indicated that recovery of iron in step 2 was not markedly enhanced when the intermediate protocol was used. However, significantly greater amounts were isolated with the revised BCR scheme than with the original procedure. Copper behaved similarly to iron. Lead recoveries were increased by use of both modified protocols, with the greatest effect occurring for the revised BCR extraction. In contrast, manganese and zinc extraction did not vary markedly between procedures. The work indicates that the revised BCR sequential extraction provides better attack on the iron-based components of the reducible matrix for a wide range of soils and sediments.     

Effect of storage time on the pressure oxidation enthalpy of pyrite

The information on heat of oxidation?Creduction reactions is important for the heat balance and optimization of the autoclave design in the hydrometallurgical industry in ore processing. Pyrite (FeS₂) is a gangue mineral that presents with nickel-containing pentlandite, and copper-containing chalcopyrite minerals. The presence of pyrite impacts to the overall heat of leaching process. This study has been performed on a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC80, Setaram) with a commercial mixing cell to study the thermal behaviour of pure pyrite FeS₂ (Valdenegrillos, Spain) mineral particles during oxidative pressure leaching at 150?°C and partial oxygen pressure of 3.4?MPa. A calorimetric method for determining the enthalpy of leaching of sulphide minerals at high temperatures and oxygen pressures has been used to evaluate the enthalpies of oxidation of freshly ground pyrite and pyrite stored for a year in contact with air (stored pyrite) under conditions relevant to pressure oxidation operations. Ground pyrite stored over time has long since been known to result in greater heat evolution during oxidative leaching. A likely mechanism for this phenomenon was uncovered: formation of ferrous sulphate and sulphuric acid during storage in contact with air influencing greater heat evolution at the outset of the reaction. Two mass loss steps on TG curve of stored pyrite, attributed to the elimination of atmospheric moisture and H₂O molecule from FeSO₄·H₂O, is absent on TG curve of freshly ground pyrite.     

Thermodynamics and kinetics of complexation of iron(III) ion by picolinic and dipicolinic acids

The complexation reactions of iron(III) with 2-pyridine carboxylic acia (picolinic acid) and 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid) in aqueous solutions have been studied by spectrophotometric and stopped flow techniques. Equilibrium constants were determined for the 1 : 1 complexes at temperatures between 25 and 80°C. The values obtained are: Picolinic Acid (HL): Fe³⁺+ H₂L⁺? FeHL³⁺+H+(K₁ = 2.8,ΔH = 2 kcal mole^?1 at 25°C, μ = 2.67 M) Dipicolinic Acid (H₂D): Fe³⁺+H₂D? FeD⁺+2H⁺(K₁K_1A= 227 M, ΔH = 3.4 kcal mole^?1 at 25°C,μ = 1.0 M). The rate constants for the formation of these complexes are also given. The results are used to evaluate the effects of these two acids upon the rate of dissolution of iron(III) from its oxides.     

Effective and selective aerobic oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols using CoFe2O4@HT@Imine‐CuII and TEMPO in the air atmosphere

In this study, we present a versatile and easy procedure for modifying a cobalt ferrite nanoparticle step by step. A new nanocatalyst was prepared via Cu^II immobilized onto CoFe₂O₄@HT@Imine. The catalyst was fully characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analyses. The current procedure as a green protocol offers benefits including a simple operational method, an excellent yield of products, mild reaction conditions, minimum chemical wastes, and short reaction times. Without any significant reduction in the catalytic performance, up to five recyclability cycles of the catalyst were obtained. The optimization results suggest that the best condition in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol derivatives is 0.003 g of the CoFe₂O₄@HT@Imine‐Cu^II catalyst, TEMPO, at 70°C under solvent‐free condition and air.     

Dilute solution properties of a polyurethane. I. Linear polymers

A linear polyurethane of high molecular weight was prepared in solution by the polyaddition of equimolar amounts of ethylene glycol and methylene bis(4-phenyl isocyanate). The polymer was fractionated by using a direct sequential extraction procedure, with a solvent–nonsolvent system consisting of N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetone (A). The resulting fractions were characterized by viscosity and lightscattering measurements. The relationship between the intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight was found in DMF at 25°C. to be [η] = 3.64 × 10^?4M^0.71. The unperturbed polymer chain dimensions were determined from intrinsic viscosity measurements carried out under experimentally determined theta conditions.     

Synergistic extraction of copper(II) from sulfate medium with capric acid and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide in chloroform

The synergistic solvent extraction of copper(II) from 0.33?mol?dm^?3 Na₂SO₄ aqueous solutions with capric acid (HL) in the absence and presence of tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in chloroform at 25°C has been studied. The extracted species when capric acid was used alone is CuL₂(HL)₂. In the presence of TOPO, the extracted complex is CuL₂(HL)₂(TOPO). The TOPO–HL interaction strongly influences the synergistic extraction efficiency. The extraction constants were calculated.