Enhanced degradation of organic contaminants by Fe(III)/peroxymonosulfate process with l-cysteine

The difficulty in Fe(III)/Fe(II) conversion in the Fe(III)/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) process limits its efficiency and application. Herein, l-cysteine (Cys), a green natural organic ligand with reducing capability, was innovatively introduced into Fe(III)/PMS to construct an excellent Cys/Fe(III)/PMS process. The Cys/Fe(III)/PMS process, at room temperature, can degrade a variety of organic contaminants, including dyes, phenolic compounds, and pharmaceuticals. In subsequent experiments with acid orange 7 (AO7), the AO7 degradation efficiency followed pseudo-first-order kinetic which exhibited an initial “fast stage” and a second “slow stage”. The rate constant values ranged depending on the initial Cys, Fe(III), PMS, and AO7 concentrations, reaction temperature, and pH values. In addition, the presence of Cl^?, NO₃^?, and SO₄^2? had negligible impact while HCO₃^? and humic acid inhibited the degradation of AO7. Furthermore, radical scavenger experiments and methyl phenyl sulfoxide (PMSO) transformation assay indicated that sulfate radical, hydroxyl radical, and ferryl ion (Fe(IV)) were the dominant reactive species involved in the Cys/Fe(III)/PMS process. Finally, based on the results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, several AO7 degradation pathways, including N=N cleavage, hydroxylation, and ring opening were proposed. This study provided a new insight to improve the efficiency of Fe(III)/PMS process by accelerating Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle with Cys.     

Synthesis of Functional Resins Containing Heterocyclic Rings and Their Sorption Properties for Noble-Metal Ions

Five kinds of functional resins, 2-aminopyridine resin (2-APR), 3-APR, 4-APR, 2-hydroxypyridine resin (2-HPR), and 2-thiolbenzothiazole resin (2-TBTR), were synthesized. The functional group capacities of the resins were 3.0–4.2 mmol/g resin. The sorption capacities of 4-APR, 3-APR, and 2-APR for Au(III) and Pt(IV) were 3.12–3.22 mmol Au(III)/g APR and 1.27–1.60 mmol Pt(IV)/g APR. The molar complex ratios, Au(III)/NH-C₅H₄N and Pt(IV)/NH-Cs H₄N were 0.84–0.97 and 0.34–0.48, respectively. Selective sorption of 4-APR for various coexistent metal ions over a wide acidity range (1–5 N HCl) was in the following order: Pt(IV) > Au(III) > Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Pd(II) > Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺. The Au(III) adsorbed on APR can be quantitatively eluted with 2% aqueous thiourea. The regenerated APR can be reused without apparent decrease in the sorption capacity for Au(III). The separation of Au(III) and Cu²⁺ was studied preliminarily. The excellent properties show that APR may be used in the gold industry. The sorption capacities of 2-HPR for Au(III) is 0.99 mmol Au(III)/g 2-HPR. That of 2-TBTR for Au(III) is less than that of APR. 2-HPR is stable below 100°C, while 4-APR and 2-APR are stable below 80°C in air.     

Role of oxygen in the degradation of atrazine by UV/Fe(III) process

In this study, the role of oxygen in the regeneration of Fe(III) during the degradation of atrazine in UV/Fe(III) process was studied. The degradations of atrazine in UV/Fe(III) and UV-photolysis processes in the presence and absence of oxygen were compared. The results showed that the degradations of atrazine in these processes followed the pseudo-first-order kinetics well. The process exhibiting the highest rate constant (k) was UV/Fe(III)/air process, because k-value for UV/Fe(III)/air process was about 1.47, 2.23 and 2.56 times of those for UV/Fe(III)/N₂, UV/air and UV/N₂ processes, respectively. The degradation of atrazine was enhanced by oxygen in UV/Fe(III) process and the enhancement was more remarkable at higher initial concentrations of Fe(III). The investigation into the changes of Fe(III) concentrations demonstrated that the presence of oxygen led to the regeneration of Fe(III), which resulted in the enhancement of atrazine degradation. With air bubbling, the ferric ions were 25% more than those with N₂ bubbling. The experimental data showed the regeneration of Fe(III) required the excited organic molecules and oxygen and on the basis of these results, the regeneration mechanism of Fe(III) was proposed. It was also found that due to the oxidation of Fe(II), the degradation of atrazine in UV/Fe(II)/air process was effective at a low Fe(II) concentration of 7 mg/L, similar to that in UV/Fe(III)/air process. This study makes clear the role of oxygen in the regeneration of Fe(III), and thus it provides a guide to reduce the input of Fe(III) and is helpful to the application of UV/Fe(III) process in practice.     

Oxidation of Fe(III) to Fe(VI) by ozone in alkaline solutions

The action of ozone on a suspension of Fe(III) hydroxide in alkaline solutions was studied by the spectrophotometric method. A partial conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(VI) is observed at Fe(III) concentrations exceeding 2 mmol l⁻¹. The tenfold increase of the initial Fe(III) concentration raises the Fe(VI) yield by a factor of 2–3. The mechanism of the process includes the decomposition of ozone with the formation of ozonide ions, which oxidize Fe(III) up to Fe(IV), Fe(V), and Fe(VI) in parallel with their conversion to O₂⁻ and HO₂⁻. Fe(VIII) is not formed.     

Efficient Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling triggered by MoO2 in Fenton reaction for the degradation of dye molecules and the reduction of Cr(VI)

There is a relatively low efficiency of Fe(III)/Fe(II) conversion cycle and H₂O₂ decomposition (<30%) in conventional Fenton process, which further results in a low production efficiency of OH and seriously restricts the application of Fenton. Herein, we report that the commercial MoO₂ can be used as the cocatalyst in Fenton process to dramatically accelerate the oxidation of Lissamine rhodamine B (L-RhB), where the efficiency of Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling is greatly enhanced in the Fenton reaction meanwhile. And the L-RhB solution could be degraded nearly 100% in 1 min in the MoO₂ cocatalytic Fenton system under the optimal reaction condition, which is apparently better than that of the conventional Fenton system (～50%). Different from the conventional Fenton reaction where the OH plays an important role in the oxidation process, it shows that ¹O₂ contributes most in the MoO₂ cocatalytic Fenton reaction. However, it is found that the exposed Mo⁴⁺ active sites on the surface of MoO₂ powders can greatly promote the rate-limiting step of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ cycle conversion, thus minimizing the dosage of H₂O₂ (0.400 mmol/L) and Fe²⁺ (0.105 mmol/L). Interestingly, the MoO₂ cocatalytic Fenton system also exhibits a good ability for reducing Cr(VI) ions, where the reduction ability for Cr(VI) reaches almost 100% within 2 h. In short, this work shows a new discovery for MoO₂ cocatalytic advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), which devotes a lot to the practical water remediation application.     

Degradation of trichloroethylene in aqueous solution by persulfate activated with Fe(III)–EDDS complex

In this study, an environmentally friendly complexing agent, S,S′-ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS), was applied in Fe(III)-mediated activation of persulfate (PS), and the degradation performance of trichloroethylene (TCE) was investigated. The effects of PS concentration, Fe(III)/EDDS molar ratio, and inorganic anions on TCE degradation were evaluated, and the generated reactive oxygen species responsible for TCE removal were identified. The results showed that nearly complete TCE degradation was achieved with PS of 15.0 mM and a molar ratio of Fe(III)/EDDS of 4:1. An increase in PS concentration or Fe(III)/EDDS molar ratio to a certain value resulted in enhanced TCE degradation. All of the anions (Cl^?, HCO₃ ^?, SO₄ ^2?, and NO ₃ ^? ) at tested concentrations had negative effects on TCE removal. In addition, investigations using radical probe compounds and radical scavengers revealed that sulfate radicals (SO ₄ ^·? ), hydroxyl radicals (^·OH), and superoxide radical anions (O ₂ ^·? ) were all generated in the Fe(III)–EDDS/PS system, and ^·OH was the primary radical responsible for TCE degradation. In conclusion, the Fe(III)–EDDS-activated PS process is a promising technique for TCE-contaminated groundwater remediation.     

Electrocatalytic effect of iron sulfates on oxygen reduction. Influence of the solvation sphere of the mediator

The redox catalysis of oxygen reduction was performed on a platinum rotating disk electrode. The Fe(III)/Fe(II)/H₂SO₄ system at different pH's was used as a MEDIATOR. The catalytic effect of mediator was directly related to the solvation sphere of Fe(III) and Fe(II). Only the redox couple FeHSO ₄ ²⁺ /FeHSO ₄ ⁺ (pH<0) showed a catalytic effect on oxygen reduction.     

A correlation between spin state and electrochemical electron-transfer rate for tris(N,N-disubtituted dithiocarbamato) iron(III) complexes

The electrochemical electron-transfer rate constants for the redox systems Fe(IV)L₃⁺/Fe(III)L₃ (L=N,N-disubstituted dithicarbamate ion) and Fe(III)L₃/Fe(II)L₃^? with a variety of substituents were measured at a platinum electrode in acetonitrile with the galvanostatic double-pulse method. It is known that each of the Fe(III) complexes exists both in a highspin state ⁶A₁ and a low-spin state ²T₂ in equilibirium of which position is widely changed by a subtle change in substituent. The standard rate constants for Fe(IV)L₃⁺/Fe(III)L₃ were larger or smaller than those for Fe(III)L₃/Fe(II)L₃^? according as the Fe(III)L₃ complexes are predominantly low- or high-spin complexes. Since the Fe(IV) and Fe(II) complexes are low-and high-spin complexes respectively, these findings suggest that electrochemical electron-transfer reactions accompanied by a spin-state change are slower than those without it. Such spin-state effect on electrode reactions has rarely been discussed so far.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin on gold nanoparticle decorated carbon ionic liquid electrode

In this paper a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) was fabricated by using ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([EMIM]EtOSO₃) as modifier and further gold nanoparticles were in situ electrodeposited on the surface of CILE. The fabricated Au/CILE was used as a new platform for the immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) with the help of a Nafion film. Electrochemical experimental results indicated that direct electron transfer of Hb was realized on the surface of Au/CILE with a pair of well-defined quasi-reversible redox peaks appeared. The formal peak potential (E⁰′) was obtained as −0.210 V (vs. SCE) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), which was the characteristic of Hb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. The fabricated Nafion/Hb/Au/CILE showed excellent electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and the reduction peak current was in proportional to TCA concentration in the range from 0.2 to 18.0 mmol/L with the detection limit as 0.16 mmol/L (S/N = 3). The proposed electrode showed good stability and reproducibility, and it had the potential application as a new third-generation electrochemical biosensor.     

Synthesis and applications of surface-grafted Th(IV)-imprinted polymers for selective solid-phase extraction of thorium(IV)

A new functional monomer N-(o-carboxyphenyl)maleamic acid (CPMA) was synthesized and chosen for the preparation of surface-grafted ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) specific for thorium(IV). Polymerizable double bond was introduced to silica gel surface by amidation reaction between -NH₂ and maleic anhydride. In the ion-imprinting process, thorium(IV) was complexed with the carboxyl groups, then was imprinted in the polymers grafted to the silica gel surface. The imprinted Th(IV) was removed with 3 mol L⁻¹ HCl. The obtained imprinted particles exhibited excellent selectivity and rapid kinetics process for Th(IV). The relatively selective factor (α_r) values of Th(IV)/La(III), Th(IV)/Ce(III), Th(IV)/Nd(III), Th(IV)/U(VI), and Th(IV)/Zr(IV) were 85.7, 88.9, 26.6, 64.4, and 433.8, respectively, which were greater than 1. The precision (R.S.D.), the detection limit (3σ), and the quantification limit (10σ) of the method were 1.9%, 0.51 ng mL⁻¹ and 1.19 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The prepared IIPs as solid-phase extractants were successfully applied for the preconcentration of trace thorium in natural and certified samples prior to its determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) with satisfactory results.     

Optimization of adsorption parameters for Fe (III) ions removal from aqueous solutions by transition metal oxide nanocomposite

Manganese oxide nanocomposite (Mn₂O₃/Mn₃O₄) was prepared by sol-gel technique and used as an adsorbent. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to characterize the adsorbent. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to evaluate the effects of solution pH, initial Fe (III) ions concentration, adsorbent weight, and contact time on the removal ratio of the Fe (III) ions. A total of 27 adsorption experimental runs were carried out employing the detailed conditions designed based on the Box-Behnken design (BBD). Results showed that the pH of the solution and initial Fe (III) ions concentration were the most significant parameters for Fe (III) ions removal. In process optimization, the maximal value of the removal ratio of Fe (III) was achieved as 95.80%. Moreover, the corresponding optimal parameters of adsorption process were as: contact time?=?62.5?min, initial Fe (III) concentration?=?50?mg/L, adsorbent weight?=?0.5?g, and pH?=?5. The experimental confirmation tests showed a strong correlation between the predicted and experimental responses (R²?=?0.9803). The fitness of equilibrium data to common isotherm equations such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin were also tested. The sorption isotherm of adsorbent was best described by the Langmuir model. The kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich kinetic models. The adsorption kinetics of Fe (III) ions were well fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.     

Synthesis and properties of titanomagnetite (Fe3−xTixO4) nanoparticles: A tunable solid-state Fe(II/III) redox system

Titanomagnetite (Fe_3−xTi_xO₄) nanoparticles were synthesized by room temperature aqueous precipitation, in which Ti(IV) replaces Fe(III) and is charge compensated by conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(II) in the unit cell. A comprehensive suite of tools was used to probe composition, structure, and magnetic properties down to site-occupancy level, emphasizing distribution and accessibility of Fe(II) as a function of x. Synthesis of nanoparticles in the range 0 ? x ? 0.6 was attempted; Ti, total Fe and Fe(II) content were verified by chemical analysis. TEM indicated homogeneous spherical 9-12 nm particles. μ-XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy on anoxic aqueous suspensions verified the inverse spinel structure and Ti(IV) incorporation in the unit cell up to x ? 0.38, based on Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio deduced from the unit cell edge and Mössbauer spectra. Nanoparticles with a higher value of x possessed a minor amorphous secondary Fe(II)/Ti(IV) phase. XANES/EXAFS indicated Ti(IV) incorporation in the octahedral sublattice (B-site) and proportional increases in Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio. XA/XMCD indicated that increases arise from increasing B-site Fe(II), and that these charge-balancing equivalents segregate to those B-sites near particle surfaces. Dissolution studies showed that this segregation persists after release of Fe(II) into solution, in amounts systematically proportional to x and thus the Fe(II)/Fe(III) ratio. A mechanistic reaction model was developed entailing mobile B-site Fe(II) supplying a highly interactive surface phase that undergoes interfacial electron transfer with oxidants in solution, sustained by outward Fe(II) migration from particle interiors and concurrent inward migration of charge-balancing cationic vacancies in a ratio of 3:1.     

Kinetics of iron(III)-catalyzed autoxidation of sulfur(IV) in acetate buffered medium

The kinetics of the environmentally important oxidation of sulfur(IV) by oxygen in acetate buffered medium in the presence of Fe(III) and the pH range 5.27–5.70 has been studied. The results were in agreement with the rate law:

Cerium isotope partition in HNO3/TBP or HDEHP extraction systems

The^142/140Ce unit separation factors (q) for cerium(III)-cerium(IV) exchange reaction in an extraction system containing Ce(IV) in tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) or di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and Ce(III) in nitric acid were determined. The value of q was found to be 1.00054±0.00012 (2) in 6M HNO₃/TBP and 1.00078±0.00028 in 6M HNO₃/HDEHP extraction systems. The dehydration and complex formation processes and their contribution to reduced partition function ratios (RPFR's) are discussed.     

Locating redox couples in the layered sulfides with application to Cu[Cr2]S4

Use of LiPF₆ in EC:DEC as electrolyte has allowed electrochemical extraction of Li from LiV_1−yM_yS₂ and LiTi_1−yM_yS₂ (M=Cr or Fe). The data show access not only to the Ti(IV)/Ti(III) and V(IV)/V(III) redox couples, but also to the V(V)/V(IV) and Fe(III)/Fe(II) couples in these layered sulfides. However, the Cr(IV)/Cr(III) couple could not be accessed. The concept of redox-couple pinning is outlined and applied to the V(V)/V(IV) and Fe(III)/Fe(II) couples, which are pinned at the top of the S-3p bands. Holes associated with the “pinned” couples occupy orbitals of dominant S-3p character, but they have sufficient cation-3d character to prevent condensation of the holes into p-p antibonding states of disulfide bonds. Strong covalent bonding in the pinned couples creates itinerant-electron states in the partially occupied couples. Application to the metallic, ferromagnetic thiospinel Cu[Cr₂]S₄ favors location of the itinerant holes in states of a pinned Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple having primarily S-3p character.     

Static secondary ionization mass spectrometry analysis of tributyl phosphate on mineral surfaces: Effect of Fe(II)

The static secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) spectrum of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) on a variety of basalt and quartz samples is affected by the chemical composition of the mineral surface. When TBP is adsorbed on Fe(II)-bearing surfaces, the compound undergoes concomitant H^? abstraction and reduction, followed by the elimination of two C₄H₈ molecules to form an ion at m/z 137⁺. When TBP is adsorbed to quartz or other nonreducing surfaces, it merely undergoes protonation and elimination of three C₄H₈ molecules to form H₄PO ₄ ⁺ . When TBP is adsorbed to Fe(III)-bearing surfaces, it undergoes H^? abstraction and elimination of two C₄H₈ molecules, to form an ion at m/z 153⁺. These conclusions are supported by model studies that employed FeO, Fe₂0₃, TBP, and tributyl phosphite. The results show that the SIMS spectrum is very sensitive to the mode of TBP adsorption on the mineral surface.     

Isotope exchange and separation factor of238U/235U for the system U(III)/U(IV) in aqueous/organic phases

A study of the isotope exchange reaction U(III)_org/U(IV)_aq in the extraction system: 7M HCl — tributyl phosphate (TBP) — toluene has been performed. For 20 s of contact the results show a separation factor²³⁵U/²³⁸U of 1.014. This large separation factor is explained by the oxidation reaction of²³⁵U(III) and²³⁸U(III).     

Liquid-liquid extraction and spectrophotometric determination of palladium with 2-mercaptobenz-amide

2-Mercaptobenzamide (MBA) was investigated as a reagent for the extraction of palladium. The palladium complex of MBA was extracted into tributyl phosphate (TBP). The pK_a of the ligand was 5.45 with the stability constant of the palladium complex β₂=10^7.1. The composition of the complex in TBP was Pd:MBA:TBP=1:2:2. Addition of sodium chloride accelerated the rate of extraction. Various interfering ions could be masked with EDTA; Ag(I), Au(III), Os(VIII), Se(IV), Te(IV) etc. interfered. The molar absorptivity was 1.59×10⁴ l mol^?1 cm^?1; 1–35 μg Pd could be determined at pH 6.0.     

Application of NiMoO4 Nanorods for the Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin with Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode

In this paper NiMoO₄ nanorods were synthesized and used to accelerate the direct electron transfer of hemoglobin (Hb). By using an ionic liquid (IL) 1‐butylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate (BPPF₆) modified carbon paste electrode (CILE) as the basic electrode, NiMoO₄ nanorods and Hb composite biomaterial was further cast on the surface of CILE and fixed by chitosan (CTS) to establish a modified electrode denoted as CTS/NiMoO₄‐Hb/CILE. UV‐vis and FT‐IR spectroscopic results showed that Hb in the film retained its native structures without any conformational changes. Electrochemical behaviors of Hb entrapped in the film were carefully investigated by cyclic voltammetry with a pair of well‐defined and quasi‐reversible redox voltammetric peaks appearing in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 3.0), which was attributed to the direct electrochemistry of the electroactive center of Hb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II). The results were ascribed to the specific characteristic of NiMoO₄ nanorods, which accelerated the direct electron transfer rate of Hb with the underlying CILE. The electrochemical parameters of Hb in the composite film were further carefully calculated with the results of the electron transfer number (n) as 1.08, the charge transfer coefficient (α) as 0.39 and the electron‐transfer rate constant (k_s) as 0.82 s^?1. The Hb modified electrode showed good electrocatalytic ability toward the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in the concentration range from 0.2 to 26.0 mmol/L with a detection limit of 0.072 mmol/L (3σ), and H₂O₂ in the concentration range from 0.1 to 426.0 µmol/L with a detection limit of 3.16×10^?8 mol/L (3σ).     

Volumetric determination of uranium in a mixture of uranium and plutonium employing Fe(III) as titrant

Summary A method for the determination of U in the presence of Pu based on the reduction of U to U(IV) and Pu to Pu(III) by zinc amalgam followed by oxidimetry of U(IV) has been developed. Fe(III) perchlorate was chosen as the most suitable titrant for the selective oxidation of U(IV) as conventional oxidising titrants fail in the presence of Pu(III). The potentiometric titration of U(IV) with Fe(III) is known to be slow. This problem, however, has been overcome by selecting a suitable buffer medium and complexing agent to alter the potentials of the Fe(III)/Fe(II) and U(VI)/U(IV) systems in the favourable direction. Results of the titration of U(IV) with Fe(III) at pH 2 in the presence of ferrozine as complexing agent for Fe(II) are summarized. R.S.D. obtained for twenty determinations of 3–5 mg of U was 0.3 % in the presence of 1–4 mg of Pu.

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Volumetrische Bestimmung von Uran in einem U/Pu-Gemisch mit Hilfe von Fe(III)

Zusammenfassung Das Verfahren beruht auf der Reduktion von U zu U(IV) und Pu zu Pu(III) mit Hilfe von Zinkamalgam und anschließender Titration mit Fe(III)-perchlorat. Dieses Reagens hat sich für die selektive Oxidation des U(IV) am besten bewährt, da andere Oxidationsmittel in Gegenwart von Pu(III) versagen. Die Endpunktsindikation erfolgt potentiometrisch, wobei die an sich langsame Einstellung des Endpunktes dadurch beschleunigt wird, daß durch Zusatz eines geeigneten Puffers und eines Komplexierungsmittels (Ferrozin) für Fe(II) die Redoxpotentiale von Fe(III)/Fe(II) und U(VI)/U(IV) entsprechend verschoben werden. Die relative Standardabweichung für die Bestimmung von 3–5 mg U in Gegenwart von 1–4 mg Pu liegt bei 0,3%.