Indirect radiotracer study of the adsorption of chromate ions on γ-Al2O3 and direct study of the adsorption of sulfate ions on Cr2O3 using 35S-labelled H2SO4

The specific adsorption of sulfate ions on Cr₂O₃ was studied by a radiotracer technique using ³⁵S-labelled sulfuric acid in low concentrations (c<10^–3 mol dm^–3) in the presence of a large excess of perchlorate supporting electrolyte. The pH and concentration dependence were determined. It was found that the extent of adsorption is determined by the protonation of the surface sites, similar to other oxides studied previously. A comparison of Cr₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ in this respect shows that the protonation of the former takes place at significantly lower pH values than that of the latter. The indirect radiotracer study of the adsorption of chromate on Al₂O₃ was carried out using labelled sulfate ions as indicator species. The results obtained show that the adsorption strength of chromate species is very low in comparison to sulfate ions and a regular Langmuir-like adsorption behaviour can be observed. It is believed that the observations presented may contribute to a better understanding of the behaviour of surface layers with a mixed oxide content. Electronic Publication     

Specific adsorption of anions preceding the dissolution of CuO in acidic solution

The specific adsorption of sulfate and chloride ions on powdered CuO was studied by radiotracer techniques in acidified of 0.5 mol dm^–3 NaClO₄ supporting electrolyte. It was found that the pH and concentration dependence of the adsorption of labelled sulfates could be determined over a wide pH range (2.0≤pH≤7.0), despite the gradual dissolution of the copper oxide. No specific adsorption was found at pH≥7.0. It was postulated that the specific adsorption was preceded by the protonation of the CuO surface. No reliable relationships were found for labelled chlorides, owing to the relatively high desorption rate of the surface complexes formed in the sorption process. The apparent adsorbability of sulfate ions was significantly higher than that of the chloride ions, as shown by the results of competitive adsorption of the two species. This observation was in agreement with the postulated lower desorption rate of the surface complex formed with sulfates than that of species formed with chlorides. Electronic Publication     

Hydrogenation of nitrate in water over bimetallic Pd-Ag/Al2O3 catalysts

Hydrogenation of nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) in water was studied with 0.8 ×10⁻³–3.2 ×10⁻³ mol/dm³ of reactant in the temperature range of 293–313 K over palladium promoted Ag catalysts. Pd-Ag catalysts with a low ratio of Ag/Pd were characterized by high efficiency in the reduction of nitrates. The degradation of nitrates followed approximately first order decay and the estimated apparent activation energy was about 4 kJ/mol.     

Determination of neodymium, holmium and erbium in mixed rare earths by norfloxacin

Norfloxacin (NFX) is proposed as reagent for the derivative spectrophotometric determination of neodymium, holmium and erbium in mixed rare earths. The absorption spectra of 4f electron transitions of the systems of neodymium, holmium and erbium complexes with norfloxacin in presence of cetylpyridinium chloride were studied by normal and derivative spectra. The absorption bands found normally at 575 nm for neodymium, 450 nm for holmium and 523 nm for erbium were enhanced markedly. Using the second derivative spectrum, Beer’s Law is obeyed from 5.0 × 10^–5∼ 2.5 × 10^–4 mol dm^–3 for neodymium, holmium and erbium. The relative standard deviations are 1.0, 1.4 and 1.1% for 6.9 × 10^–5 mol dm^–3 of neodymium, 6.1 × 10^–5 mol dm^–3 of holmium and 6.0 × 10^–5 mol dm^–3 of erbium, respectively. A method for the direct determination of neodymium, holmium and erbium in mixtures of rare earth elements with good accuracy and selectivity, is described. Received: 18 December 1997 / Revised: 23 February 1998 / Accepted: 26 February 1998     

Determination of neodymium, holmium and erbium in mixed rare earths by norfloxacin

Norfloxacin (NFX) is proposed as reagent for the derivative spectrophotometric determination of neodymium, holmium and erbium in mixed rare earths. The absorption spectra of 4f electron transitions of the systems of neodymium, holmium and erbium complexes with norfloxacin in presence of cetylpyridinium chloride were studied by normal and derivative spectra. The absorption bands found normally at 575 nm for neodymium, 450 nm for holmium and 523 nm for erbium were enhanced markedly. Using the second derivative spectrum, Beer’s Law is obeyed from 5.0 × 10^–5∼ 2.5 × 10^–4 mol dm^–3 for neodymium, holmium and erbium. The relative standard deviations are 1.0, 1.4 and 1.1% for 6.9 × 10^–5 mol dm^–3 of neodymium, 6.1 × 10^–5 mol dm^–3 of holmium and 6.0 × 10^–5 mol dm^–3 of erbium, respectively. A method for the direct determination of neodymium, holmium and erbium in mixtures of rare earth elements with good accuracy and selectivity, is described. Received: 18 December 1997 / Revised: 23 February 1998 / Accepted: 26 February 1998     

Adsorption of Cl? ions on electrodeposited rhodium black layer (rhodized electrode) at low concentrations

The adsorption of Cl^– ions on rhodium black layer (rhodized electrodes) was studied by radiotracer technique at low Cl^– ion concentrations (c10^–5 mol dm^–3) in 1 mol dm^–3 H₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte. The specific adsorption of Cl^– ions was treated in terms of partition between solution phase and electrodeposited Rh black layer. The potential dependence of the partition coefficient is determined.     

Comparison of the specific adsorption of sulfate (HSO<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript>) ions on Cr and Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The specific adsorption of sulfate ions on powdered Cr was studied by a radiotracer technique using ³⁵S-labeled sulfuric acid in low concentration (c<10^–3 mol dm^–3) in the presence of a large excess of perchlorate supporting electrolyte. The pH and concentration dependence were determined. On the basis of a comparison of the results obtained for Cr₂O₃ and Cr, it can be assumed that, similar to other metals, the overall sorption behavior of Cr is determined by the protective oxide film present on the surface.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of l-Cysteine by Corey’s reagent

The kinetics of oxidation of l-Cysteine by pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) was studied at 0.1–0.3 mol dm⁻³ HClO₄ in the range 25–40 °C. The reaction exhibits first order dependence with respect to PCC and fractional order in cysteine. The increase in the oxidation rate with acidity suggests the involvement of a protonated chromium(VI) species in the rate-determining step. Cysteic acid is identified as the product of oxidation. A suitable mechanism involving the formation of a complex is proposed. The activation parameters of the rate-determining step are computed using the linear least squares method and the values of E _a and ΔS ^# are found to be 46.0 ± 2.0 KJ mol⁻¹ and −38.0 ± 3.2 JK⁻¹ mol⁻¹ respectively.     

Base hydrolysis ofcis-(methyl/ethylamine)bis(ethylenediamine) (salicylato)cobalt(III) complexes

The kinetics of the base hydrolysis ofcis-[Co(en)₂(RNH₂)-(SalH)]²⁺ (R=Me or Et; SalH=HOC₆H₄CO ₂ ⁻ ) were investigated in aqueous ClO ₄ ⁻ in the 0.004–0.450 mol dm⁻³ [OH⁻] range, I=0.50 mol dm⁻³ at 30–40°C. The phenoxide species is hydrolysed via [OH⁻]-independent and [OH⁻]-dependent paths, the latter being first order in [OH⁻]. The high rate of alkali-independent hydrolysis of the phenoxide species is associated with high ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ values, in keeping with the SNICB mechanism involving an amido conjugate base generated by the phenoxide-assisted NH-deprotonation of the coordinated amine. The [OH⁻]-dependent path also involves the conventional SN₁ CB mechanism. The rate constant, k₁, for the SNICB path exhibits a steric acceleration with the increasing size of the non-labile alkylamine, whereas the rate constant, k₂, for the SN₁CB path shows a reverse trend. TMC 2578     

Mechanism of the acid catalysed hydrolysis of the chromatopenta-amminecobalt(III) ion

The kinetics of the acid hydrolysis of chromatopenta-amminecobalt(III) ion has been studied using a stopped-flow method over the acidity range 0.01≤[H⁺]<-1.0 mol dm⁻³ and 20.0°C<-ϕ<-30.0°C at ionic strengths 0.5 and 1.0 mol dm⁻³ (LiNO₃). These studies reveal that the complex is first protonated and subsequently hydrolysed to the aquapentaammine cobalt(III) ion. The rate constants for the hydrolysis of the mono and diprotonated species at 25°C are 0.83±0.01 s⁻¹ and (1.60±0.02)×10⁴ mol⁻¹ dm⁻³ s⁻¹, respectively. TMC 2664     

Study of the chemical properties of gravitation dust sediments

The chemical properties of the gravitation dust sediment particles depend on their source. Two samples of the gravitation dust sediment have been investigated. The first sample, collected in locality Košice – Vel’ká Ida, near by U.S. Steel Ltd. (a metallurgy plant), represents the metallurgy industry pollutants. The second sample, collected in Košice city, represents the urban dust. Dust sediments particles create a non-homogeneous system. For this reason, the particles size distribution has been studied. On the base of the obtained experimental results one sample was divided into two approximately same mass fractions. The mineralogical composition of the dust particles matrix was determined by DTA, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses. The total content of the chosen trace risk elements was defined by various AAS methods. The physical–chemical forms of elements in the dust sediment are characterised by different mobility and biotoxicity. The single-step extraction was used for the isolation of various element forms. 1 mol · dm⁻³ NH₄NO₃, 0.05 mol · dm⁻³ EDTA, and 2 mol · dm⁻³ HNO₃ were used as extraction reagents. The content of the elements in extracts was determined by the FAAS method.     

Differential pulse polarographic study of thiamine (vitamin B1) in neutral and acidic aqueous solutions

The differential pulse (dp) polarograms of thiamine in neutral aqueous solutions exhibited six peaks at low depolarizer concentration (⋦10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³) and only three peaks at concentrations ≥10⁻³ mol dm⁻³. Only one of these was found to correspond to the diffusion-controlled reduction of this compound at the dme and this was shown to be an irreversible two-electron process. The kinetic parameters derived from the dp polarograms were found to be in good agreement with those calculated from classical polarograms and were:E _1/2=−1·261 Vvs SCE,an _a=0·54 andD≈3·5×10⁻⁶ cm² sec⁻¹ for 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ thiamine in 0·1 mol dm⁻³ acetate buffer (pH 6·5). The reduction product has been identified as dihydrothiamine. The effect of pH on the dpp of thiamine was studied in the pH range 0–7. In the pH region 5·5 to 7·0 only one peak attributable to the B₁ ⁺ form of thiamine is present. In the pH region 3·5–5·5 another dpp peak attributable to the protonated form (B₁H²⁺) of thiamine was also observed. At pHs less than 3 only one peak was observed which could be attributed to the doubly protonated form (B₁ H₂ ³⁺) of thiamine. Surfactants like triton-X-100 and CTABr were found to inhibit the electroreduction of thiamine due to the strong adsorption of these compounds on the dme. Thiamine itself was found to have an inhibitory effect on its own electroreduction, although to a smaller extent.     

Electrochemical behavior of electrodeposited film derived from rhein and its activity towards myoglobin reduction

The stable electroactive thin film of rhein has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the electrodeposited film derived from rhein indicated the electrode reaction was kinetically controlled in the region of higher frequency, the charge transfer resistance was 2.6×10³ Ω cm² and capacitance value was 13.2 μF cm² . The electrodeposited film derived from rhein exhibited a good electrocatalytic activity for myoglobin (Mb) reduction. In 0.30 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄solution, the catalysis currents were proportional to the concentrations of Mb over the range of 1.5×10⁻⁷–1.3×10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³. The detection limit is 1.0×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ (S/N=3). The relative standard deviation is 4.8% for eight successive determinations of 5.0×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ Mb.     

Hydrolysis of titanium sulphate compounds

The influence of TiOSO₄ and free sulphuric acid concentrations in the starting solution on the degree of titanyl sulphate conversion to hydrated titanium dioxide and post-hydrolytic sulphuric acid was studied. Titanyl sulphate solution, an intermediate product in the commercial preparation of titanium dioxide pigments by sulphate route, was used. It was found that the degree of hydrolysis markedly depends on the studied parameters. The lower was the content of TiOSO₄ in the starting solution, the higher conversion was achieved. The degree of hydrolysis at the final stage varied between 81 % (420 g TiOSO₄ dm⁻³, 216 g H₂SO₄ dm⁻³) and 92 % (300 g TiOSO₄ dm⁻³, 216 g H₂SO₄ dm⁻³). The same relation was obtained when changing the concentration of free H₂SO₄ in the starting solution. The degree of hydrolysis at the final stage varied between 49 % (261 g H₂SO₄ dm⁻³, 340 g TiOSO₄ dm⁻³) and 96 % (136 g H₂SO₄ dm⁻³, 340 g TiOSO₄ dm⁻³). The particle size of the obtained hydrated titanium dioxide (HTD) also depends on the initial solution composition. Presented at the 34th International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 21–25 May 2007.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of dimethyl sulphoxide by sodium bromate-sodium bisulphite reagent in aqueous medium

Rates of oxidation of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) by HOBr producedin situ from sodium bromate-sodium bisulphite reagent have been studied iodometrically in aqueous medium. The order in [DMSO] is one when [DMSO] < 001 mol dm^-3, fractional when [DMSO] is between 0.01 and 0.5mol dm^-3 and zero when (DMSO) > 0.5 mol dm^-3. Different rate laws are operative under these three conditions though HOBr is the effective oxidizing species in all the cases. A mechanism involving an intermediate four-membered cyclic transition state between DMSO and HOBr (formation constantK), which decomposes in a slow step with a rate constant(k) has been proposed. Thermodynamic parameters for the adduct formation step and activation parameters for the first-order decomposition of the adduct step have been evaluated in the temperature range 308–323 K. Activation parameters have also been determined while the orders in [DMSO] are unity and zero. The reaction product has been identified as dimethyl sulphone (DMSO₂).     

Radiotracer technique in adsorption studies Part XVIII: Uptake of Ce(III) from aqueous solutions by hydrous manganese and stannic oxides

The removal of Ce(III) from aqueous solutions by hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) and hydrous stannic oxide (HSO) was studied as a function of concentrations (10⁻²−10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³) and pH (1.2–10.0) by using the radiotracer technique. The effects of co-ions and irradiation of HMO and HSO were also studied. The uptake of Ce(III) fitted well with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. No significant desorption of pre-adsorbed Ce(III) in the studied temperature range (303–333 K) indicates that both the solids may be good adsorbents for the removal of Ce(III).     

Anion adsorption in the course of dichromate reduction on a smooth gold electrode in aqueous acid solutions

The specific adsorption of anions (HSO₄ ⁻, Cl⁻) present in low concentration (c < 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³) was studied by radiotracer techniques in the course of the reduction of dichromate (chromate) species in 1 mol dm⁻³ HClO₄ supporting electrolyte. In accordance with the results of preliminary studies reported earlier, enhancement of the anion adsorption was found, induced by some adsorbed intermediates of the reduction process. Potential dependence of the induced adsorption and its correlation with the reduction rate was investigated. The role of adsorption competition between various anions is discussed. It is concluded that study of the induced anion adsorption could be a tool for the investigation of the sorption of intermediates formed in the course of the reduction. Received: 3 May 1999 / Accepted: 10 June 1999     

Monitoring formation of poly(neutral red) film by EQCM

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) is employed for monitoring the growth of poly(neutral red) films on platinum in the electrolytic solution containing 5.0 mmol dm⁻³ neutral red, 0.3 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄, and 0.5 mol dm⁻³ Na₂SO₄. The in situ measurement of the frequency changes of the EQCM reveals that both the adsorption/desorption of neutral red and the formation of poly(neutral red) film can be observed together with anion sorption/desorption during the redox transformation of the polymer, and that the polymerization rate of neutral red increases slowly before the 11th cycle and then increases quickly with increasing number of potential cycles. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 284–289. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Zinc-cobalt alloy: electrodeposition and characterization

Zinc-cobalt alloy electrodeposits offer enhanced corrosion protection to steel, compared to zinc deposits. A near neutral zinc-cobalt alloy sulfate bath was developed. In the absence of β-naphthol and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), only a light grey and non-uniform deposit was obtained. Addition of boric acid yielded a grey and uniform deposit. To obtain the grey uniform alloy deposit, the optimum bath composition was: 0.5 M ZnSO₄, 0.5 M CoSO₄, 40 g/L H₃BO₃, 0.865 g/L SLS and 0.345 g/L β-naphthol. The current efficiency for alloy deposition was 50% in the current density range 0.5–2.5 A/dm². X-ray fluorescence studies on the alloy deposit formed on steel revealed 58–75% zinc on the surface. Anodic stripping voltammetric studies were carried out on zinc-cobalt alloy films formed on glassy carbon to identify the phases formed in the alloy. Zn-Co alloy film dissolution peaks suggested the existence of β, β₁ and γ phases of the alloy. Electronic Publication     

Thermal, spectral and magnetic characterization of Co(II), Ni(II) AND Cu(II) 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates

Physico-chemical properties of 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) were studied. The complexes were obtained as mono- and trihydrates with a metal ion to ligand ratio of 1:2. All analysed 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates are polycrystalline compounds with colours depending on the central ions: pink for Co(II), green for Ni(II), and blue for Cu(II) complexes. Their thermal decomposition was studied only in the range of 293–523 K, because it was found that on heating in air above 523 K 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates decompose explosively. Hydrated complexes lose crystallization water molecules in one step and anhydrous compounds are formed. The final products of their decomposition are the oxides of the respective transition metals. From the results it appears that during dehydration process no transformation of nitro group to nitrite takes place. The solubilities of analysed complexes in water at 293 K are of the order of 10^–4–10^–2 mol dm^–3. The magnetic moment values of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates experimentally determined at 76–303 K change from 3.89 to 4.82 μ_B for Co(II) complex, from 2.25 to 2.98 μ_B for Ni(II) 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoate, and from 0.27 to 1.44 μ_B for Cu(II) complex. 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), and Ni(II) follow the Curie–Weiss law. Complex of Cu(II) forms dimer.