A multitracer study on the adsorption of 47 elements on a calcareous soil and its solid components

The distribution coefficients of 47 elements from Na to Bi on untreated calcareous soil, treated soil to remove CaCO₃ and treated soil to remove both CaCO₃ and organic matter, respectively, were determined by using a multitracer technique. The variation of the distribution coefficients of 47 elements was explained in terms of chemical bond formation and hydration. The effect of different solid components of the calcareous soil on the adsorption was investigated.     

Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of iodide-ions in form of ionic associate with brilliant green using electrochemical oxidation

A combined method involving electrochemical oxidation of iodide to iodate at a platinum electrode followed by extraction in CCl₄ of ionic associates of iodine-iodide complexes with brilliant green, formed in excess of iodide, was developed for the spectrophotometric quantification of iodide. The slope of the calibration curve yields a molar extinction coefficient of ɛ = 3·10⁵ L mol⁻¹cm⁻¹. This method can be used for the quantification of iodide in the concentration range of 3·10⁻⁷ − 3·10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 5·10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The interfering effect of other ions on the determination of the iodide concentration was also investigated. The method was successfully applied for the determination of iodide in real samples of NaCl and spring water. Relative standard deviation is 1–2%.     

Adsorption and desorption of Am(III) on calcareous soil and its parent material

Summary The adsorption and desorption of Am(III) on a calcareous soil (sierozem) and its parent material (loess) were studied by batch technique. The molarities of the Am(III) aqueous solutions were less than 5 ^. 10^-9 mol/l. High adsorbability was found of Am(III) on the calcareous soil and its parent material. In order to decrease the adsorption and, hence, to investigate the adsorption characteristics properly, stable Eu³⁺ as hold back carrier and analogue was added to the aqueous solution. The relative contributions of CaCO₃, organic matter (OM) to the Am(III) adsorption on calcareous soil and its parent material were investigated. The adsorption and desorption isotherms of Am(III) on untreated soil and loess and the three kinds of treated soils and three kinds of treated loesses to remove CaCO₃, OM and both CaCO₃ and OM were determined, respectively. It was found that all isotherms were linear, the average distribution coefficients (K^-_d) for the untreated soil and for the untreated loess were almost equal, while there was an obvious difference between the values of the average distribution coefficients (K^-_d) for the treated soil and the treated loess to remove CaCO₃ or OM. The adsorption-desorption hysteresis on the untreated and treated soils and loesses actually occurred and there was an obvious difference between the hysteresis coefficients on both the corresponding treated soil and loess. It can be concluded that the adsorbability of Am(III) on calcareous soil is similar to that on its parent material, and that the contributions of CaCO₃ and OM to the Am(III) adsorption by the untreated soil are different from those by the untreated parent material.     

Sorption and desorption of neptunium(V) on calcareous soil and its solid components: A comparative study

The sorption and desorption isotherms of untreated calcareous soil and three treated soils to remove CaCO₃, organic matter (OM) and both CaCO₃ and OM were determined and analyzed with the Freundlich equation at pH 7.8, moderate concentrations of NpO₂ ⁺ (~10^-5mol/l), in the presence of 0.01 mol/l CaCl₂ and under ambient aerobic conditions. The relative contribution of CaCO₃ and OM to the neptunium(V) sorption on calcareous soil and the sorption/desorption hysteresis is discussed. The effects of adding fulvic acid (FA) and carbonate in to the solution on the sorption of neptunium(V) on the soils were also studied. The sorption and desorption characteristics of NpO₂ ⁺, Zn²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺ on the soils are compared.     

Binding constants of lead by humic and fulvic acids studied by anodic stripping square wave voltammetry

A better understanding of metal ion binding to soil organic substances is of fundamental importance in geochemical modeling of environments. Fulvic acids (FA) and humic acids (HA) make up an important part of soil organic matter, and their binding capacity affects the fate of metal ions and plays an important role in their mobility. Binding constants of Pb(II) to HA and FA were evaluated by anodic stripping square wave voltammetry (ASSWV) where the binding reaction was performed at pH 4.5 in a medium of 0.020 mol l⁻¹ KNO₃. Results showed that ASSWV technique was well suited for the estimation of the binding capacity of a natural organic matter towards heavy metals. Based on the voltammetric titration curves, binding constants of Pb(II) complexes formed with HA and FA were 0.78 × 10⁶ and 0.15 × 10⁶ mol⁻¹ l, which indicated that complex of Pb²⁺ with HA was more stable than with FA. The average molecular weight of HA and FA prepared from soil samples were also found to be 1821 g mol⁻¹ and 805 g mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Abiotic reaction of iodate with sphagnum peat and other natural organic matter

Previous studies have shown that iodine (including ¹²⁹I) can be strongly retained in organic-rich surface soils and sediment and that a large fraction of soluble iodine may be associated with dissolved humic material. Iodate (IO₃⁻) reacts with natural organic matter (NOM) producing either hypoiodous acid (HIO) or I₂ as an intermediate. This intermediate is subsequently incorporated into the organic matter. Based on reactions of model compounds, we infer that iodine reacts with peat by aromatic substitution of hydrogen on phenolic constituents of the peat. Alternatively, the intermediate, HIO or I₂, may be reduced to iodide (I⁻). The pH (and temperature) dependence of the IO₃⁻ reaction (reduction) has been explored with sphagnum peat, alkali lignin, and several model compounds. The incorporation of iodine into NOM has been verified by pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Model compound studies indicate that reduction of IO₃⁻ to HIO may result from reaction with hydroquinone (or semiquinone) moieties of the peat.     

Determination of total and extractable hydrogen peroxide in organic and aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate

The development of a spectrophotometric method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide in uranyl nitrate solutions is reported. The method involves the measurement of the absorbance at 520 nm of a vanadyl peroxide species. This species was formed by the addition of a reagent consisting of vanadium (V) (50 mmol·dm⁻³) in dilute sulphuric acid (2 mol·dm⁻³ H₂SO₄). This reagent, after dilution, was also used as an extractant for organic phase samples. The method is simple and robust and tolerant of nitric acid and U(VI). Specificity and accuracy were improved by the application of solid phase extraction techniques to remove entrained organic solvents and Pu(IV). Reverse phase solid phase extraction was used to clean-up aqueous samples or extracts which were contaminated with entrained solvent. A solid phase extraction system based upon an extraction chromatography system was used to remove Pu(IV). Detection limits of 26 μmol·dm⁻³ (0.88 μg·cm⁻³) or 7 μmol·dm⁻³ (0.24 μg·cm⁻³) for, respectively, a 1 and 4 cm path length cell were obtained. Precisions of RSD=1.4% and 19.5% were obtained at the extremes of the calibration curve (5 mmol·dm⁻³ and 50 μmol·dm⁻³ H₂O₂, 1 cm cell). The introduction of the extraction and clean-up stages had a negligible effect upon the precision of the determination. The stability of an organic phase sample was tested and no loss of analyte could be discerned over a period of at least 5 days. The presence of trace levels of reductants interfered with the determination, e.g., hydrazine (<2 mmol·dm⁻³), but this effect was ameliorated by increasing the concentration of the colormetric reagent.     

Preparation of a novel polymer gel electrolyte based on N-methyl-quinoline iodide and its application in quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell

Using poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene) as polymer host, 1,2-propanediol carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate as mixture solvent, N-methyl-quinoline iodide and iodine as the source of I⁻/I₃ ⁻, a novel polymer gel electrolyte with ionic conductivity of 5.12 × 10⁻³ S· cm⁻¹ at 25°C was prepared by sol-gel and hydrothermal methods. Based on the polymer gel electrolyte, a quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated. The solar cell possess better long-term stability and light-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency of 4.04% under irradiation of 100 mW· cm⁻². The influences of polymer host, solvent, N-methyl-quinoline iodide and temperature on ionic conductivity of the polymer gel electrolyte and the performance of the dye-sensitized solar cell was discussed.     

Recovery of actinides extracted by Truex solvent from high level waste using complexing agents

The sorption and migration of radiostrontium in a calcareous soil from Yu Zhong county of Gansu province (China) was studied using batch and column experiments. Sorption isotherms, breakthrough curves and concentration profiles for the untreated soil and the soil treated to remove CaCO₃ were determined, respectively. It was found that radiostrontium is a relatively mobile nuclide in calcareous soil and removal of CaCO₃ from the soil slightly increases the retention ability for radiostrontium. The breakthrough curves were fitted to the analytical solution of a one-dimensional convection-dispersion transport model that assumes a reversible linear isotherm. Good agreement was obtained between the measured and predicted concentration profiles.     

Effect of fulvic acid and ionic strength on the sorption of radiostrontium on Chinese calcareous soil and its solid components

Summary The sorption and desorption of radionuclide ⁹⁰Sr²⁺were investigated on untreated calcareous soil and two treated soils to remove organic matter and calcium carbonate using batch technique. The experiments were carried out at ambient condition, pH 7.8±0.1 and in the presence of 0.001M NaCl. Effects of fulvic acid and ionic strength on the sorption of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺on calcareous soil were also studied. It was found that the sorption isotherms are linear in the strontium concentration range used herein, and the sorption of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺on the calcareous soil can be described as a reversible sorption process and the sorption mechanism is mainly ion-exchange. The sorption is dependent on ionic strength, and fulvic acid enhances the sorption of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺on calcareous soil. Organic matter present in the calcareous soil is a significant trap of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺and is responsible for the sorption.     

Polyatomic anion versus acetonitrile in coordinating ability: structural properties of AgX-bearing 1,4-bis(2-isonicotinoyloxyethyl)piperazine (X??=?NO3?, CF3SO3?, ClO4?, BF4?, and PF6?)

Type studies on competitive polyatomic anion versus acetonitrile coordination in the self-assembly of a series of [Ag₂(X) _m (bip)(NCCH₃) _n ](X)_2−m (X⁻ = NO₃ ⁻, CF₃SO₃ ⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, BF₄ ⁻, and PF₆ ⁻; m = 0, 2; n = 0, 2, 4; bip = 1,4-bis(2-isonicotinoyloxyethyl)piperazine) were carried out. Each bip spacer acts as an N₄ tetradentate ligand and is linked to four silver(I) centers through two pyridine and two piperazine moieties, producing a double strand consisting of two 20-membered ring units. The coordinating environment around the silver(I) center is subtly determined by the competition of the polyatomic anions with acetonitrile, that is, by the Ag···NCCH₃ versus Ag···X interactions. The coordinating ability of acetonitrile is inversely proportional to the order of the coordination ability of the Hoffmeister series of polyatomic anions, NO₃ ⁻ ≫ CF₃SO₃ ⁻ > ClO₄ ⁻ > BF₄ ⁻ ≫ PF₆ ⁻.     

Mechanism and kinetics of the production of hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide in ethene/ozone/water gas-phase system

The mechanism and kinetics of the production of hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HMHP) in ethene/ ozone/water gas-phase system were investigated at room temperature (298±2 K) and atmospheric pressure (1×105 Pa). The reactants were monitored in situ by long path FTIR spectroscopy. Peroxides were measured by an HPLC post-column fluorescence technique after sampling with a cold trap. The rate constants (k3) of reaction CH2O2 H2O→HMHP (R3) determined by fitting model calculations to ex-perimental data range from (1.6―6.0)×10?17 cm3·molecule?1·s?1. Moreover, a theoretical study of reac-tion (R3) was performed using density functional theory at QCISD(T)/6-311 (2d,2p)//B3LYP/6-311 G(2d, 2p) level of theory. Based on the calculation of the reaction potential energy surface and intrinsic reac-tion coordinates, the classic transitional state theory (TST) derived k3 (kTST), canonical variational tran-sition state theory (CVT) derived k3 (kCVT), and the corrected kCVT with small-curvature tunneling (kCVT/SCT) were calculated using Polyrate Version 8.02 program to be 2.47×10-17, 2.47×10-17 and 5.22×10-17 cm3·molecule-1·s-1, respectively, generally in agreement with those fitted by the model.     

Solubility and hydrolysis of lutetium at different [Lu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>]<Subscript>initial</Subscript>

Solubility product (Lu(OH)_3(s)⇆Lu³⁺+3OH⁻) and first hydrolysis (Lu³⁺+H₂O⇆Lu(OH)²⁺+H⁺) constants were determined for an initial lutetium concentration range from 3.72·10⁻⁵ mol·dm⁻³ to 2.09·10⁻³ mol·dm⁻³. Measurements were made in 2 mol·dm⁻³ NaClO₄ ionic strength, under CO₂-free conditions and temperature was controlled at 303 K. Solubility diagrams (pLu_aq vs. pC _H) were determined by means of a radiochemical method using ¹⁷⁷Lu. The pC _H for the beginning of precipitation and solubility product constant were determined from these diagrams and both the first hydrolysis and solubility product constants were calculated by fitting the diagrams to the solubility equation. The pC _H values of precipitation increases inversely to [Lu³⁺]_initial and the values for the first hydrolysis and solubility product constants were log₁₀ β* _Lu,H = −7.92±0.07 and log₁₀ K*_sp,Lu(OH)3 = −23.37±0.14. Individual solubility values for pC _H range between the beginning of precipitation and 8.5 were S _Lu3+ = 3.5·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³, S _Lu(OH)2+ = 6.2·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³, and then total solubility was 9.7·10⁻⁷ mol·dm⁻³.     

Fluorimetric determination of traces of europium(III) using a new chelator and acetate or phosphate in dimethylsulfoxide as enhancers

A new Schiff-base ligand [N, N′, N″-Tri- (2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone) – triaminotriethylamine (TDATA)] with a tripodal structure was synthesized. Its fluorescence intensity with the europium(III) complex was increased about 178-fold in the presence of sodium acetate (NaAc) and about 126-fold in the presence of sodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄) solution. After adding the organic solvent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to the above system, which leads to Eu³⁺ the fluorescence was further enhanced about 12-fold. Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace amounts of Eu³⁺ based on the phenomenon was performed. The excitation and emission wavelength is 365 nm and 615 nm, respectively. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensities vary linearly with the concentration of Eu³⁺ in the range of 4.9 × 10⁻¹²–3.2 × 10⁻⁶ mol · L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 4.5 × 10⁻¹² mol · L⁻¹ (for the TDATA-NaAc-DMSO system) or 6.2 × 10⁻¹¹–8.6 × 10⁻⁶ mol · L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 6.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mol · L⁻¹ (for the TDATA-Na₃PO₄-DMSO system). Interferences of some rare earth metals and other inorganic ions are described. The method is a selective, sensitive, rapid and simple analytical procedure for the determination of europium(III) in a high purity yttrium oxide and synthetic sample. The mechanism for the fluorescence enhancement is also discussed.     

Spin-adduct of the P4 ·− radical anion during the electrochemical reduction of white phosphorus

The radical anion P₄·⁻ was detected and identified by the ESR method as a spin-adduct with nitrone during the electrochemical reduction of white phosphorus in the presence of a spin trap, viz., α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone, in a special electrolysis cell with a helical platinum working electrode in the potentiostatic mode. The character of the behavior of P₄·⁻ and the spin trap during electrochemical reduction was monitored by cyclic voltammetry directly in the electrolysis cell, and the spin-adduct formed was detected by ESR.     

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.     

Fabrication de128Xe comme traceur pour l'analyse de traces de xenon

¹²⁸Xe is produced by one-day irradiation of potassium iodide at a neutron flux of 10¹³ n·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ at a rate of 0.9 mm³ TPN for one gram of iodine. Xe is separated from the matrix by melting or hydrolysis. The main part of water is removed from the gas by cooling. Xenon (∼99%) thus obtained is freed from H₂, O₂, N₂, CH₄ and the last traces of water by gas chromatography and used for isotopic analysis.      

Pulse radiolysis study of the oxidation of the I<Superscript>−</Superscript> ions with the radical anions Br<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>·−</Superscript> in an aqueous solution: formation and properties of the radical anion BrI<Superscript>·−</Superscript>

The radiation chemical redox transformations in solutions of bromides in the presence of minor additives of iodides were studied by pulse radiolysis. The change in the concentrations of the Br⁻ and I⁻ ions changes the ratio of the formed short-lived radical anions Br₂ ^·−, BrI^·−, and I₂ ^·−. The spectrum of the mixed radical anion BrI^·− contains a broad optical band at 370 nm with ɛ₃₇₀ = 9650 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The reduction potential of the BrI^·−/Br⁻, I⁻ pair is 1.25 V. The rate constants for the forward and backward reactions Br₂ ^·− + I⁻ ⇌ BrI^·− + Br⁻ are k _f = 4.3·10⁹ and k _r = 1.0·10⁵ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively; for the reactions BrI^·− ⇌ Br⁻ + I^·, k _f = 5.7·10⁸ s⁻¹ and k _r = 1.0·10¹⁰ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1787–1792, September, 2008.     

Coprecipitation as a means for the determination of zirconium traces by isotope dilution analysis in the presence of substoichiometric amounts of complexones

The possibility of using coprecipitation on Cu(OH)₂·nH₂O and Fe₂O₃·nH₂O precipitates to separate a part of zirconium unreacted with complexone in the presence of a 100-fold amount of impurities has been examined. The reaction between ethylenedia-minetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and zirconium 10⁻³−10⁻⁵ M has been used as substoichiometric reaction. A zirconium determination in the concentration range of 10⁻⁴−10⁻⁶ g/ml in artificial mixtures and steel samples has been developed using the systems of EDTA-Zr−Cu(OH)₂·nH₂O and EDTA−Zr−Fe₂O₃·nH₂O.     

Pulse radiolytic investigation of the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with gentamycin

Hydroxyl radicals were generated radiolytically in N₂O-saturated aqueous solutions of the aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamycin. Using the pulse radiolysis technique, the rate constant of OH radicals with gentamycin determined was 1.2·10⁹ dm³·mol⁻¹·s⁻¹. Upon^.OH attack a transient species with an absorption maximum at 270 nm is observed which decays by second-order kinetics within the solute concentration range of 3.2·10⁻⁵ to 1·10⁻³mol·dm⁻³. Transient species undergoes transformation to a permanent product absorbing between 260 and 340 nm with maximum absorption at 300 nm. Rate constant of the reaction of bimolecular decay of gentamycin radicals, k (Gen^.+Gen^.) was found to be ≈ 1.4·10⁷ dm³·mol⁻¹·s⁻¹.