Adsorption properties of ionic species on cross-linked chitosans modified with catechol and salicylic acid moieties.

Catechol-type chitosan resin and salicylic acid-type chitosan resin were easily synthesized for use in estimating the adsorption behavior of 34 elements at pH 1 - 7 in aquatic media. The catechol-type chitosan resin could adsorb Cu(II) at pH 3 - 7, In(III) at pH 4 - 6, Pb(II) and lanthanoids at pH 5 - 7, and U(VI) at pH 4 - 7 more effectively than the salicylic acid-type chitosan resin and the cross-linked chitosan resin (base material). Adsorption ability was in the order: catechol-type chitosan resin > salicylic acid-type chitosan resin > cross-linked chitosan resin.     

Synthesis of chitosan resin possessing a phenylarsonic acid moiety for collection/concentration of uranium and its determination by ICP-AES

A chitosan resin possessing a phenylarsonic acid moiety (phenylarsonic acid type chitosan resin) was developed for the collection and concentration of trace uranium prior to inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry (AES) measurement. The adsorption behavior of 52 elements was systematically examined by packing it in a minicolumn and measuring the elements in the effluent by ICP mass spectrometry. The resin could adsorb several cationic species by a chelating mechanism, and several oxo acids, such as Ti(IV), V(V), Mo(VI), and W(VI), by an anion-exchange mechanism and/or a chelating mechanism. Especially, U(VI) could be adsorbed almost 100% over a wide pH region from pH 4 to 8. Uranium adsorbed was easily eluted with 1 M nitric acid (10 mL), and the 25-fold preconcentration of uranium was achieved by using a proposed column procedure, which could be applied to the determination of trace uranium in seawater by ICP-AES. The limit of detection was 0.1 ng mL⁻¹ for measurement by ICP-AES coupled with 25-fold column preconcentration.     

Investigation of the role of chelating ligand in the synthesis of ion-imprinted polymeric resins on the selective enrichment of uranium(VI)

Uranyl ion-imprinted polymeric (IIP) resins were prepared by dissolving stoichiometric amounts of uranyl nitrate and selected chelating ligands, viz. salicylaldoxime, catechol, succinicacid, 5,7-dichloroquinoline-8-ol and 4-vinyl pyridine in 2-methoxy ethanol (porogen) and copolymerizing thermally in the presence of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and ethyleneglycol-dimethacrylate (EGDMA), using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (initiator). Again, IIP resins were also prepared on similar lines by utilizing ternary [uranium-non-vinylated ligand-vinylated ligand (4-vinyl pyridine)] complexes. Non-imprinted polymeric resins were identically prepared in both cases without the use of uranyl imprint ion. The percent enrichment and retention capacity studies showed significant imprinting effect in all cases. However, ion-imprinted polymeric resins formed with succinic acid (SA) or 5,7-dichloroquinoline-8-ol (DCQ) and 4-vinylpyridine (VP) alone gave quantitative enrichment and various parameters that influence the enrichment and elution were then optimized. The percent enrichment of uranium from synthetic seawater solutions was found to be 25.0 ± 0.5 and 83.0 ± 0.8 for SA-VP and DCQ-VP systems, respectively. The DCQ-VP-based IIP resins were successfully tested for the recovery of uranium from real seawater samples.     

Use of amidoximated hydrogel for removal and recovery of U(VI) ion from water samples

Poly(acrylamidoxime-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) (PAMSA) hydrogel was prepared by copolymerization of acrylonitrile and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid as monomer, N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) as crosslinking agent and potassium peroxodisulfate as initiator. Amidoximated copolymer network was prepared by the reaction of copolymer network with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. A batch procedure was used for the determination of the characteristics of the U(VI) solid phase extraction from the amidoximated hydrogel. The determination of U(VI) was performed by spectrophotometric method using arsenazo-III as complexing agent. Optimal pH value for the quantitative preconcentration was 3, and full desorption was achieved with 3 mol L⁻¹ HClO₄. The adsorption process can be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the equilibrium adsorption isotherm was closely fitted with the Langmuir model. A preconcentration factor of 20 and the three sigma detection limit of 2.8 μg L⁻¹ (n = 20) were achieved for uranium(VI) ions. The PAMSA hydrogel was used for separating and preconcentrating the uranyl ion existing in sea water samples, thermal spring water samples and the certified reference materials (TMDA 64; fortified lake water sample).     

Biosorption studies of uranium (VI) on cross-linked chitosan: isotherm,kinetic and thermodynamic aspects

The cross-linked chitosan (CS) gels synthesized by using glutaraldehyde (GLA), epichlorohydrin (EC), and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as cross-linkers respectively were used to investigate the adsorption of U(VI) ions in an aqueous solution. The pure chitosan (PCS) and the cross-linked chitosan gels were characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis. The kinetic, thermodynamic adsorption and adsorption isotherms of U(VI) ions onto unmodified and modified cross-linked chitosan were studied in a batch adsorption experiments. The effect of pH, contact time and temperature on the adsorption capacity were also carried out. At the optimum pH, the maximum adsorbed amount of PCS, GLACS, ECCS and EGDECS were 483.05, 147.05, 344.83 and 67.56 mg/g, respectively. The uranium (VI) adsorption process of PCS and ECCS followed better with pseudo-second-order kinetic model, while GLACS and EGDECS followed pseudo-first-order kinetic model well. The results obtained from the equilibrium isotherms adsorption studied of U(VI) ions were analyzed in two adsorption models, namely, Langmuir and Freundlich isothms models, the results showed that the Langmuir isotherm had better conformity to the equilibrium data. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔHo), entropy (ΔSo), and Gibbs free energy (ΔGo) showed that the adsorption process was both spontaneous and endothermic.     

Amberlite XAD-4 functionalized with succinic acid for the solid phase extractive preconcentration and separation of uranium(VI)

Amberlite XAD-4 resin has been functionalized with succinic acid by coupling it with dibromosuccinic acid after acetylation. The resulting resin has been characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis and TGA and has been used for preconcentrative separation of uranium(VI) from host of other inorganic species prior to its determination by spectrophotometry. The optimum pH value for quantitative sorption of uranium(VI) in both batch and column modes is 4.5-8.0 and desorption can be achieved by using 5.0 ml of 1.0 mol l⁻¹ HCl. The sorption capacity of functionalized resin is 12.3 mg g⁻¹. Calibration graphs were rectilinear over the uranium(VI) concentrations in the range 5-200 μg l⁻¹. Five replicate determinations of 50 μg of uranium(VI) present in 1000 ml of solution gave a mean absorbance of 0.10 with a relative standard deviation of 2.56%. The detection limit corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank was found to be 2 μg l⁻¹. Various cationic and anionic species at 200-fold amounts do not interfere during the preconcentration of 5.0 μg of uranium(VI) present in 1000 ml (batch) or 100 ml (column) of sample solution. Further, adsorption kinetic and isotherm studies were also carried out by a batch method to understand the nature of sorption of uranium(VI) with the succinic acid functionalized resin. The accuracy of the developed solid phase extractive preconcentration method in conjunction with Arsenazo III procedure was tested by analyzing marine sediment (MESS-3) and soil (IAEA soil-7) reference material. Further, the above procedure has been successfully employed for the analysis of soil and sediment samples.     

Exit reactor Thetis/Ghent (1967–2003): A recollection of its significant contribution to NAA and its leading role in the development of the k<Subscript>0</Subscript>-standardization

Resins with monoamides as functional groups have been synthesized and their fundamental adsorption behaviors have been examined for selective recovery of uranium(VI) from nitric acid media. The resins synthesized with porous silica support showed greatly different adsorptions for U(VI) depending on the chemical structures of the functional group. Some resins show little or no adsorption for U(VI) from 0.1 to 6 mol/dm³ HNO₃. While, resins consisting of dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) showed an increasing adsorption with an increasing concentration of HNO³ up to 9 to 12 mol/dm³. Other ions were not found to be adsorbed onto Silica-DMAA under similar solution conditions, which means that the resin is selective for U(VI) in HNO₃ media.     

Extraction of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions using silica-gel-bound macrocycles for alpha contaminated waste water treatment

The efficiency for the extraction of U(VI) of new modified silica gels, namely N-tripropionate (or N-triacetate)-substituted tetraazamacrocycles-bound silica gels, has been studied. The effect of the nature of the ligand, the pH and the temperature was studied both in batch experiments as well as in continuous extraction. These silica gels are good candidates for the extraction of U(VI) when compared to a commercially available acid-type chelating resin. The breakthrough and regeneration tests showed that the total removal of U(VI) from a contaminated solution can be achieved by using a column packed with such tetraazamacrocycles-bound silica gels. Finally, the use of a modified silica gel in a pilot device allowed the total decontamination of 50 m³ of real effluents containing traces of uranium, plutonium, and americium.     

Surface and biological activity of sophorolipid molecules produced by Wickerhamiella domercqiae var. sophorolipid CGMCC 1576

The ion-imprinted magnetic chitosan resins (IMCR) prepared using U(VI) as a template and glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker showed higher adsorption capacity and selectivity for the U(VI) ions compared with the non-imprinted magnetic chitosan resins (NIMCR) without a template. The results showed that the adsorption of U(VI) on the magnetic chitosan resins was affected by the initial pH value, the initial U(VI) concentration, as well as the temperature. Both kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were estimated. These data indicated an exothermic spontaneous adsorption process that kinetically followed the second-order adsorption process. Equilibrium experiments were fitted in Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models to show very good fits with the Langmuir isotherm equation for the monolayer adsorption process. The monolayer adsorption capacity values of 187.26 mg/g for IMCR and 160.77 mg/g for NIMCR were very close to the maximum capacity values obtained at pH 5.0, temperature 298 K, adsorbent dose 50 mg, and contact time 3 h. The selectivity coefficient of uranyl ions and other metal ions on IMCR indicated an overall preference for uranyl ions. Furthermore, the IMCR could be regenerated through the desorption of the U(VI) ions using 0.5 M HNO(3) solution and could be reused to adsorb again.     

Solid phase extraction and preconcentration of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) on Duolite XAD761 prior to their inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination

A simple and effective method is presented for the separation and preconcentration of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by solid phase extraction on Duolite XAD761 adsorption resin. Thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) 9-phenyl-3-fluorone chelates are formed and adsorbed onto the Duolite XAD761. Thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) are quantitatively eluted with 2 mol L⁻¹ HCl and determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The influences of analytical parameters including pH, amount of reagents, amount of Duolite XAD761 and sample volume, etc. were investigated on the recovery of analyte ions. The interference of a large number of anions and cations has been studied and the optimized conditions developed have been utilized for the trace determination of uranium and thorium. A preconcentration factor of 30 for uranium and thorium was achieved. The relative standard deviation (N = 10) was 2.3% for uranium and 4.5% for thorium ions for 10 replicate determinations in the solution containing 0.5 μg of uranium and thorium. The three sigma detection limits (N = 15) for thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) ions were found to be 4.5 and 6.3 ng L⁻¹, respectively. The developed solid phase extraction method was successively utilized for the determination of traces thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) in environmental samples by ICP-MS.     

Interaction of uranium(VI) with nitrogen containing model ligands studied by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

The complexation of uranium(VI) with two nitrogen containing organic ligands, representing model substances for humic acid building blocks, has been investigated at pH values between 1.5 and 4.5 and an ionic strength of 0.1 M (NaClO₄). Using two independent fluorescence spectroscopic methods, time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and TRLFS with ultrafast pulses (fs-TRLFS), the complex formation of uranium(VI) with anthranilic and nicotinic acid in aqueous solution was studied. In both systems a decrease in the luminescence intensity was observed with increasing ligand or metal ion concentration. Uranium(VI) complexes of the type M_xL_yH_z were identified. Anthranilic acid forms a 1:1 complex under the given experimental conditions with a stability constant of log β₁₁₁ = 8.00 ± 0.31. For the uranium(VI) nicotinate system 1:1 and 1:2 complexes could be identified. The corresponding formation constants were calculated to be log β₁₁₁ = 8.59 ± 0.17 and log β₁₂₂ = 17.18 ± 0.35.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of uranium, thorium, and zirconium using the partial least squares method after their preconcentration by α-benzoin oxime modified Amberlite XAD-2000 resin

A new solid phase extraction method for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of uranium, thorium, and zirconium in water samples is proposed. The procedure is based on the adsorption of U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) ions on a column of Amberlite XAD-2000 resin loaded with α-benzoin oxime prior to their simultaneous spectrophotometric determination with Arsenazo III using orthogonal signal correction partial least squares method. The enrichment factor for preconcentration of uranium, thorium, and zirconium was found to be 100. The detection limits for U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) were 0.50, 0.54, and 0.48 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The precision of the method, evaluated as the relative standard deviation obtained by analyzing a series of 10 replicates, was below 4% for all elements. The practical applicability of the developed sorbent was examined using synthetic seawater, natural waters and ceramic samples.     

Functionalization of chitosan with 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid for the adsorption/collection of uranium in water samples and its determination by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

A chitosan resin derivatized with 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid moiety (CCTS-DHBA resin) was newly synthesized for the collection/concentration of trace uranium by using cross-linked chitosan (CCTS) as base material, and the adsorption behavior of uranium as well as 60 elements on the resin was examined by passing the sample solutions through a mini-column packed with the resin. After the elution of the collected elements on the resin with 1 M HNO₃, the eluates were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).The CCTS-DHBA resin can adsorb several metal cations and several oxoanionic elements at appropriate pH. Among these metal ions, uranium shows an excellent adsorption behavior on this resin. Uranium as UO₂²⁺ species can be adsorbed on the resin by chelating mechanism with adsorption capacity of 330 mg g⁻¹ resin. Through the column treatment, the complete removal of large amounts of alkali and alkaline earth matrices without any loss of adsorption efficiency over prolonged usage were achieved with this resin.The CCTS-DHBA resin was applied to the adsorption/collection of uranium in tap water, river water and seawater samples with satisfactory results. The validation of the proposed method was carried out by analyzing uranium in the standard reference materials of SLRS-4, CASS-4, and NASS-5 after passing through the CCTS-DHBA resin, and the results showed good agreement with the certified values.     

Synthesis of salicylaldehyde-modified mesoporous silica and its application as a new sorbent for separation, preconcentration and determination of uranium by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A new functionalized mesoporous silica (MCM-41) using salicylaldehyde was utilized for the separation, preconcentration and determination of uranium in natural water by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).Experimental conditions for effective adsorption of trace levels of U(VI) were optimized. The preconcentration factor was 100 (1.0 mL of elution for a 100 mL sample volume). The analytical curve was linear in the range 2-1000 μg L⁻¹ and the detection limit was 0.5 ng mL⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) under optimum conditions was 2.5% (n = 10). Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination of uranium at pH 5. The sorbent exhibited excellent stability and its sorption capacity under optimum conditions has been found to be 10 mg of uranium per gram of sorbent. The method was applied for the recovery and determination of uranium in different water samples.     

Simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of uranium and thorium in aqueous samples by new modified mesoporous silica prior to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry determination

A new synthesized modified mesoporous silica (MCM-41) using 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde (fural) was applied as an effective sorbent for the solid phase extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) ions from aqueous solution for the measurement by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The influences of some analytical parameters on the quantitative recoveries of the analyte ions were investigated in batch method. Under optimal conditions, the analyte ions were sorbed by the sorbent at pH 5.5 and then eluted with 1.0 mL of 1.0 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃. The preconcentration factor was 100 for a 100 mL sample volume. The limits of detection (LOD) obtained for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) were 0.3 μg L⁻¹. The maximum sorption capacity of the modified MCM-41 was found to be 47 and 49 mg g⁻¹ for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV), respectively. The sorbent exhibited good stability, reusability, high adsorption capacity and fast rate of equilibrium for sorption/desorption of uranium and thorium ions. The applicability of the synthesized sorbent was examined using CRM and real water samples.     

Simultaneous determination of uranium carbide dissolution products by capillary zone electrophoresis

Separation and simultaneous determination of a number of organic acid anions (oxalate, mellitate, trimellitate and benzoate) and U(VI) with direct UV detection is developed for analysis of uranium carbide (UC) dissolution products by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Reverse polarity mode is used. It is found that complex formation of U(VI) with carbonate, used as a carrier electrolyte, allows U(VI) to be determined, as negatively charged species, in a single run with organic acid anions. Some parameters such as pH value, composition of electrolyte and detection wavelength are optimized. Under the chosen conditions (carbonate buffer (ionic strength of 100 mM), pH 9.8, 0.15 mM tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB)) a complete separation is achieved. Calibration plots are linear in two ranges of concentration for U(VI) (∼1 × 10⁻⁵ to 1 × 10⁻³), mellitate and trimellitate (∼5 × 10⁻⁶ to 5 × 10⁻⁴), and about one range (∼1 × 10⁻⁴ to 5 × 10⁻³) for oxalate and benzoate. Accuracy of the procedure is checked by the “added-found” method in standard mixture solutions. Relative standard deviation is within the range of 2–10% and the recovery is in the range of 90–110%. This method is applied for the analysis of real UC dissolution samples.     

Cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of uranium (VI) complexed with 2, 6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid

Uranium (VI) (U(VI)) forms a complex with dipicolinic acid (2, 6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid).This complex can be used for a highly sensitive and selective determination of uranium by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (ACSV) using a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) as working electrode. Influence of effective parameters such as pH, concentration of ligand, accumulation potential and accumulation time on the sensitivity and selectivity were studied. The detection limit (3σ of the blank value) obtained under the optimal experimental conditions is 0.27 × 10⁻⁹ M after 150 s of the accumulation time. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of U(VI) in the range of 1 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.2 × 10⁻⁷ M. The relative standard deviation of 2.5% at the 3.5 × 10⁻⁸ M level was obtained. The interference of some metal ions and anions were studied. The application of this method was tested in the determination of uranium in synthetic and natural water samples.     

Chemical enrichment and separation of uranyl ions in aqueous media using novel polyurethane foam chemically grafted with different basic dyestuff sorbents

The new type of the grafted polyurethane foam sorbents were prepared by coupling polyether polyol, toluene diisocyanate and basic dyestuff (Methylene blue, Rhodamine B and Brilliant green). The Me.B-PUF, Rh.B-PUF and Br.G-PUF were characterized using UV/vis, IR and TGA. The adsorption properties and chromatographic behaviour of these new adsorbents for preconcentration and separation of uranium(VI) ions at low concentrations from aqueous thiocyanate media were investigated by a batch process. The maximum sorption of U(VI) was in the pH ranges 1-4. The kinetics of sorption of the U(VI) by the Grafted-PUF were found to be fast with half life of sorption (t_1/2) in 2.43 min. The average sorption capacity of different sorbents 0.124 meq g⁻¹ for uranyl ions, enrichment factors ≈40 and the recovery 98-100% were achieved (R.S.D. ≈ 0.73%). The basic dyestuff Grafted-PUF could be used many times without decreasing their capacities significantly. The value of the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) for the sorbents is −7.3 kJ mol⁻¹, which reflects the spontaneous nature of sorption process. The sorption mechanism of the metal ion onto Grafted-PUF was also discussed.     

Adsorption and preconcentration of divalent metal ions in fossil fuels and biofuels: gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, diesel-like and ethanol by using chitosan microspheres and thermodynamic approach

Biodiesel and diesel-like have been obtained from soybean oil by transesterification and thermal cracking process, respectively. These biofuels were characterized as according to ANP standards by using specific ASTM methods. Ethanol, gasoline, and diesel were purchased from a gas station. Deacetylation degree of chitosan was determined by three distinct methods (conductimetry, FTIR and NMR), and the average degree was 78.95%. The chitosan microspheres were prepared from chitosan by split-coating and these spheres were crosslinked using glutaraldehyde. The surface area of microspheres was determined by BET method, and the surface area of crosslinked microspheres was 9.2 m² g⁻¹. The adsorption isotherms of cooper, nickel and zinc on microspheres of chitosan were determined in petroleum derivatives (gasoline and diesel oil), as well as in biofuels (alcohol, biodiesel and diesel-like). The adsorption order in all fuels was: Cu > Ni > Zn. The elution tests presented the following preconcentration degrees: >4.5 to ethanol, >4.4 to gasoline, >4.0 to diesel, >3.8 to biodiesel and >3.6 to diesel-like. The application of chitosan microspheres in the metal ions preconcentration showed the potential of this biopolymer to enrich fuel sample in order to be analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Adsorption of uranium ions by crosslinked polyester resin functionalized with acrylic acid from aqueous solutions

In this paper, the crosslinked polyester resin containing acrylic acid functional groups was used for the adsorption of uranium ions from aqueous solutions. For this purpose, the crosslinked polyester resin of unsaturated polyester in styrene monomer (Polipol 353, Poliya) and acrylic acid as weight percentage at 80 and 20%, respectively was synthesized by using methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEK_p, Butanox M60, Azo Nobel)-cobalt octoate initiator system. The adsorption of uranium ions on the sample (0.05 g copolymer and 5 mL of U(VI) solution were mixed) of the crosslinked polyester resin functionalized with acrylic acid was carried out in a batch reactor. The effects of adsorption parameters of the contact time, temperature, pH of solution and initial uranium(VI) concentration for U(VI) adsorption on the crosslinked polyester resin functionalized with acrylic acid were investigated. The adsorption data obtained from experimental results depending on the initial U(VI) concentration were analyzed by the Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) adsorption isotherms. The adsorption capacity and free energy change were determined by using D–R isotherm. The obtained experimental adsorption data depending on temperature were evaluated to calculate the thermodynamic parameters of enthalpy (ΔH°), entropy (ΔS°) and free energy change (ΔG°) for the U(VI) adsorption on the crosslinked polyester resin functionalized with acrylic acid from aqueous solutions. The obtained adsorption data depending on contact time were analyzed by using adsorption models such as the modified Freundlich, Elovich, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models.