Sorption and diffusion processes with134Cs and85Sr in natural sorbents

Sorption and diffusion processes with¹³⁴Cs and⁸⁵Sr in natural bentonites have been investigated. The distribution coefficients (K _d ) have been determined by a batch method. Various factors affecting theK _d value as water-to-bentonite ratio, concentration of the competitive cations in the aqueous phase or bentonite-to-sand ratio in the mixed sorbents have been evaluated. A comparison of the sorption and diffusion data has been made.     

Removal of natural uranium from water produced in the oil industry using Algerian bentonite

Batch sorption experiments have been carried out to remove natural uranium (NORM) from water obtained together with crude oil and natural gas, using Algerian bentonites. The effect of some important factors such as S/L ratio, pH, initial concentration, particle size was evaluated and a kinetic study performed. The value of the distribution coefficient (K _d) at equilibrium for natural uranium varied from 30 to 600 cm³·g⁻¹ and 50 to 1100 cm³·g⁻¹ (∼10% margin error) using natural bentonite and drilling bentonite, respectively. The isotherms showed that the data are consistent with both Freundlich and Langmuir models.     

Sorption of strontium on Slovak bentonites

Sorption of Sr on five Slovak bentonites of deposits has been studied with the use of batch technique. In the experiments there have been used natural, chemically modified and irradiated samples, in three different kinds of grain size. The pH influence on sorption of strontium on bentonites, pH change after sorption and influence of competitive ions have been studied. Distribution ratios have been determined for bentonite–strontium solution system as a function of contact time, pH and sorbate concentration. The data have been interpreted in term of Langmuir isotherm. The uptake of Sr has been rapid and the sorption of strontium has increased by increasing pH. The percentage sorption has decreased with increasing metal concentrations. The pH value after sorption for the natrificated forms of bentonite starts already in the alkaline area and moves to the higher values. For the natural bentonites the values occur in the neutral or in the acidic area. Sorption of Sr has been suppressed by presence of competitive cations as follows: Ba²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > NH₄ ⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺. By sorption on natrificated samples colloidal particles and pH value increase have been formed. The bentonite exposure as a result of interaction of γ-rays has led to expansion of the specific surface, increasing of the sorption capacity and to the change in the solubility of the clay materials.     

Study on fluorescence and DNA-binding of praseodymium(III) complex containing 2,2'-bipyridine

Bentonite samples collected from vicinity of Petrovac and Aleksinac were treated with different sulfuric acid molarities. Acid attack dissolved the octahedral sheets by interlayer and edge attack. The effects of the H₂SO₄ acid caused an exchange of Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Mg²⁺ with H⁺ ions leading to a modification of the smectite crystalline structure. The Mg and Fe substitution in the octahedral sheets promoted the dispersion of corresponding layers and formation of amorphous silicon. The activated bentonites, after the treatment of sulfuric acid, exhibited a lower cation-exchange capacity (CEC) and significant increase of specific surface area from 6 to 387 m² g⁻¹ (bentonite from Petrovac) and from 11 to 306 m² g⁻¹ (bentonite from Aleksinac). The acid reaction caused a splitting of particles within the octahedral sheet which led to an increase in specific surface area and decrease in CEC in both bentonites.     

Effect of gamma-irradiation on adsorption properties of Slovak bentonites

One of the basic prerequisites for the use of bentonite as engineering barrier in deep geological repositories for radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel is their stability against ionizing radiation stemming from radionuclides present in radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in the adsorption properties of selected Slovak bentonites in relation to uranium fission products (¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr), prior to and after irradiation of bentonites with a ⁶⁰Co γ-source and specifying the changes in the structure of Slovak bentonites induced by γ-radiation. The changes in irradiated natural forms of Slovak bentonites and the changes in their natrified analogues and fractions with different grain sizes were studied from five Slovak deposits: Jelšovy potok, Kopernica, Lastovce, Lieskovec and Dolná Ves. The EPR spectra of bentonites from deposits Jelšovy potok and Lieskovec with absorbed doses of 10⁴ and 10⁵ Gy γ-rays showed no changes in the structure of the studied Slovak bentonites. The changes, which in terms of structure destabilization can be considered insignificant, occurred only in bentonites with absorbed doses of γ-radiation as much as 1 MGy. The absorbed dose of 1 MGy γ-radiation did not have an effect on the adsorption of cesium on every studied bentonite. Changes that can also be regarded as insignificant occurred only during strontium adsorption, especially on Fe–bentonite from deposit Lieskovec and Ca–Mg–bentonite from deposit Jelšovy potok, when an increase in the adsorption capacity occurred. Attention should be paid in further research of this topic which would require carrying out experiments on bentonite samples with absorbed doses higher by several orders of magnitude.     

Comparative study of strontium adsorption on dioctahedral and trioctahedral smectites

Slovak bentonites characterized by good rheological, mineralogical and chemical stability are considered as suitable sealing barriers for construction of Slovak deep geological repository for high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. There is several Slovak bentonite deposits, bentonites of which have appropriate adsorption properties meeting the geotechnical requirements for this type of barriers. Study of adsorption properties of bentonites (mainly smectites) is an essential step for developing the migration model long-lived corrosion and activation products, and fission products of uranium. Nuclear wastes contain the most important nuclear fission products, β-emitter ⁹⁰Sr with long half-life, biological half-life and high mobility. The present paper investigates and compares the strontium adsorption properties of bentonites of different mineral composition consisted mainly of dioctahedral and trioctahedral smectites.     

Conductivity Studies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Tetrabutylammonium Tetraphenylborate in 3-Pentanone in the Temperature Range from 283.15 to 329.15 K

The molar conductivities (Λ) of solutions of n-tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylborate (NBu₄BPh₄) in 3-pentanone have been measured in the temperature range from 283.15 to 329.15 K. The conductance data have been analyzed using the Lee-Wheaton conductivity equation with the distance parameter (a) set at Bjerrum’s pairing distance, and the limiting molar conductivities (Λ_o) and the association equilibrium constants (K _A) have been derived. The limiting ion conductivities (λ_±^o) have been evaluated according to the method of Krumgalz. The λ₊ ^o values have been compared with λ₊ ^o values calculated from the empirical equation of Gill. The thermodynamic functions, Gibbs energy (Δ G _A ^o), enthalpy (Δ H _A ^o) and entropy (Δ S _A ^o) for the process of ion-pair formation as well as the activation energy of the ionic movement (ΔH ^∗) have been evaluated. The obtained results are discussed in terms of ion-ion and ion-solvent interactions.     

Thermal studies on some organotin(IV) complexes with piperidine and 2-aminopyridine dithiocarbamates

The complexes of piperidine dithiocarbamate, 2-aminopyridine dithiocarbamate and organotin(IV) of the type R₃Sn(L¹), R₂Sn(L¹)₂, R₃Sn(L²), R₂Sn(L²)₂, [R=C₆H₅CH₂ (benzyl), p-ClC₆H₄CH₂ (p-chlorobenzyl), L ¹=sodium piperidine dithiocarbamate and L ²=sodium 2-aminopyridine dithiocarbamate] have been synthesised and characterised by spectral studies (IR, UV, ¹H NMR). Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analytical (DTA) studies have beeen carried out for these complexes and from the TG curves, the order and apparent activation energy for the thermal decomposition reactions have been elucidated. The various thermal studies have been correlated with some structural aspects of the complexes concerned. From DTA curves, the heat of reaction has been calculated.     

Density and Viscosity of 1-Alkanols

Densities and viscosities have been measured for twelve 1-alkanols from methanol to 1-dodecanol at temperatures ranging from 303.15 to 323.15?K. Molar volumes, V _m , have been calculated from the density data, which have been found to follow the additive equation, V _m ?=?V _CH3 ?+?nV _CH2 ?+?V _OH, where n is the number of CH₂ groups. V _m have been plotted against n, showing an excellent linear relationship. The average values of V _CH2 at 303.15?K and 323.15?K have been determined from the slopes of this equation. The viscosities have been found to increase almost exponentially with the number of carbon atoms at different temperatures. The thermodynamic activation parameters, free energy, ?G ^≠, enthalpy, ?H ^≠, and entropy, ?S ^≠ for viscous flow have been plotted against the number of C atoms – all have been found to increase with the chain length of 1-alkanols.     

Theoretical studies on structures and electronic spectra of linear carbon chains C2nH+ (n = 1−5)

The density functional theory (DFT) and the complete active space self‐consistent‐field (CASSCF) method have been used for full geometry optimization of carbon chains C_2nH⁺ (n = 1–5) in their ground states and selected excited states, respectively. Calculations show that C_2nH⁺ (n = 1–5) have stable linear structures with the ground state of X³Π for C₂H⁺ or X³Σ^? for other species. The excited‐state properties of C_2nH⁺ have been investigated by the multiconfigurational second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2), and predicted vertical excitation energies show good agreement with the available experimental values. On the basis of our calculations, the unsolved observed bands in previous experiments have been interpreted. CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations also have been used to explore the vertical emission energy of selected low‐lying states in C_2nH⁺ (n = 1–5). Present results indicate that the predicted vertical excitation and emission energies of C_2nH⁺ have similar size dependences, and they gradually decrease as the chain size increases. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Theoretical rotational-vibrational spectra of theX 3 B 1,a 1 A 1 andb 1 B 1 states of NH 2 +

Summary The three-dimensional potential energy functions have been calculated from highly correlated multireference configuration interaction electronic wavefunctions for theX ³ B ₁,a ¹ A ₁, andb ¹ B ₁ states of the NH ₂ ⁺ ion. For the quasi-linear electronic ground state this information and the electric dipole moment functions have been used to calculate spectroscopic constants, line intensities and rotationally resolved absorption spectra. For thea ¹ A ₁-b ¹ B ₁ bent/quasi-linear Renner-Teller system ro-vibronic energy levels have been obtained from a variational approach accounting for anharmonicity, rotation-vibration and electronic angular momenta coupling effects. The vibronic levels are given for energies up to 13 500 cm^–1 for the bending levels and up to 8000 cm^–1 for the stretching and combination levels.Dedicated in the honor of Prof. Werner Kutzelnigg     

New diorganotin(IV) complexes with some Schiff bases derived from β-diketones: synthesis,spectral properties,thermal analysis,and antibacterial activity

The Schiff bases H₂L^a, H₂L^b, and H₂L^c have been prepared from the reaction of 2-amino-4-chlorophenol with acetylacetone, benzoylacetone, and dibenzoylmethane, respectively. Organotin(IV) complexes [SnPh₂(L^a)] (1), [SnPh₂(L^b)] (2), [SnPh₂(L^c)] (3), and [SnMe₂(L^c)] (4) have been synthesized from the reaction of SnPh₂Cl₂ and SnMe₂Cl₂ with these Schiff bases. The synthesized complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. Spectroscopic data suggest the Schiff bases are completely deprotonated and coordinated tridentate to tin via imine nitrogen and phenolic and enolic oxygen atoms; the coordination number of tin is five. Thermal decomposition of the complexes has been studied by thermogravimetry. The in vitro antibacterial activities of the Schiff bases and their complexes have been evaluated against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. H₂L^a, H₂L^c, and all complexes exhibited good activities and have potential as drugs.     

Analysis of ;W and O NMR chemical shifts in polyoxometalates by extended Hückel mo calculations

The extended Hückel molecular orbital (EHMO) calculations have been carried out using cluster approach to polyoxo anions, i.e. calculations have been done for a single octahedron MO₆ of different symmetry and results have been used to analyze ¹⁸³ W and ¹⁷ O NMR spectra. Using five d→d* energy differences for the individual WO₆ the sum Σ1/ (E_d→E_d*) have been calculated and plotted against the ¹⁸³ W chemical shift (from +258 to −670 ppm) for corresponding type of tungsten atom and practically a linear correlation between two parameters have been observed. This points out the electronic nature of the ¹⁸³ W chemical shift. Similar correlation have been found for the ¹⁷O NMR chemical shifts (−90 to +800 ppm) when the plotted against product of the R⁻³ Σ1/ (E_p→E_p*) where the R⁻³ bond length of the corresponding W–O bond. Increasing the ¹⁸³ W nuclear magnetic shielding with the calculated electron population on tungsten atom for closely related anions has been observed, but no general tendency between δ and the calculated electronic charge if the symmetry of polyhedron is changed is expected.     

Redox reactions of 2-hydroxy pyridine: A pulse radiolysis study

Rate constants for reactions of 2-pyridinol with one electron reductants, such ase _aq ⁻ and H atoms and one-electron oxidants, viz. OH, N₃, Br ₂ ⁻ , C1 ₂ ⁻ and O⁻ have been determined at different pH values using the pulse radiolysis technique. From the corrected absorption spectra of the product transient species, the extinction coefficients of these species at their respective absorption maxima have been determined. The kinetics of decay of these transients have been investigated. ThepK _a values of transients formed bye _aq ⁻ and OH radical reactions have been estimated to be 7.6 and 3.5 respectively. Rate constants for electron transfer from semireduced 2-pyridinol to different electron acceptors have been determined.     

Theoretical electronic structure of the molecule ScI

Theoretical investigation of the 18 lowest electronic states of the molecule ScI in the representation ^2S+1Λ^(±) has been performed via CASSCF and MRCI (single and double excitation with Davidson correction) calculations. To the best of our knowledge these calculated electronic states are the first ones from ab initio methods. Thirteen electronic states between 4,500 cm^?1 and 21,000 cm^?1 have been studied for the first time and have not yet been observed experimentally. The harmonic frequency ω_e, the internuclear distance R_e, the electronic transition energy with respect to the ground state T_e, and the rotational constant B_e have been calculated for the considered electronic states. By using the canonical functions approach the eigenvalues E_υ and the rotational constants B_υ have also been calculated for the six lowest‐lying electronic states. The comparison of these results with the theoretical and the experimental data available in the literature shows a good agreement. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Volumetric Properties for the Electrolyte (NaCl,NaBr and NaI) Monosaccharide (D‐Mannose and D‐Ribose)‐Water Systems at 298.15 K

Densities have been measured for the electrolyte (NaCl, NaBr and NaI)‐monosaccharide (D ‐mannose and D‐ribose)‐water solutions at 298.15 K. These data have been used to calculate the apparent molar volumes of the saccharides (V_Φ,S) and electrolytes (V_Φ,E) in the studied solutions. Infinite dilution apparent molar volumes, V_Φ,S⁰ and V_Φ,E⁰, have been evaluated, together with the standard transfer volumes of the saccharides (Δ_tV_S⁰) from water to aqueous electrolyte solutions and those of the electrolytes (Δ_tV_E⁰) from water to aqueous saccharide solutions. It was shown that both the Δ_tV_S⁰ and Δ_tV_E⁰ values are positive and increase with increasing molalities of sodium halides and saccharides, respectively. Overall, the Δ_tV_S⁰ and Δ_tV_E⁰ values have the order of NaCl > NaBr > NaI except for NaI‐ribose and NaI‐ribose. Volumetric interaction parameters for the electrolyte‐monosaccharide pairs in water were obtained and interpreted by the stereochemistry of the monosaccharide molecules and the structural interaction model.     

Mixed-ligand Copper(II) Complexes: Investigation of their Spectroscopic, Catalysis, Antimicrobial and Potentiometric Properties

Schiff base ligands HL¹–HL⁶ have been prepared from the reaction of 2,6-diformyl-4-t-butylphenol and 2,6-di-formyl-4-methylphenol with various aromatic amines in ethanolic solution. The Schiff base ligands 2,2′-dipyridine (dp) mixed-ligand Cu^II complexes have been obtained. Mixed-ligand Cu^II complexes containing the dp ligand have ionic nature and they conduct the electricity in solution media. The complexes have been obtained in two different forms: one of them is [Cu₂(Lⁿ)Cl₃] (n: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) and other complexes have the general formula [Cu₂(Lⁿ)(dp)₂]3Cl. Ligands and their complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, electronic spectra, molar conductance, ¹H(¹³C)-n.m.r. and mass spectral data. Their stoichiometric protonation constants have been determined potentiometrically in dioxan using a combined pH electrode at 25 °C, under a nitrogen atmosphere. For the calculation of the protonation constants, PKAS computer programme has been used. The effects of the substituents on the protonation constants and the additivities of these effects are discussed. The antimicrobial activity studies of the ligands and their complexes have been studied against the Bacillus megaterium, Micrococcus luteus, Corynebavterium xenosis, Enterococcuc faecalis, bacteria and Saccoramyces cerevisia, yeast. The catalytic properties of the complexes have been studied on the ascorbic acid, catechol and 2,6-di-t-butylphenol substrates. Thermal behaviour of the complexes has been studied by thermal techniques.     

Electroanalytical Responses of Arsenic Oxide,Methanol, and Oxygen at the Ruthenium Oxide–Hexachloroiridate with Platinum Hybrid Film

Electrochemically active ruthenium oxide (RuO_x?nH₂O), ruthenium oxide/hexachloroiridate (RuO_x?nH₂O/IrCl₆^2?), and ruthenium oxide/hexachloroiridate/platinum (RuO_x?nH₂O/IrCl₆^2?/Pt) hybrid films have been prepared from the mixture of Ru³⁺, IrCl₆^2?, and PtCl₆^2? ions in an acidic aqueous solution. The repetitive cyclic voltammetry (CV) has been used for the film preparation process. The electrochemical properties and the growth mechanism of the above mentioned different kinds of hybrid films have been investigated using CV and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The morphological and quantitative analyses have been carried out using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray. Among these above mentioned films, RuO_x?nH₂O/IrCl₆^2?/Pt hybrid film exhibits promising electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of arsenic oxide, methanol and reduction of oxygen. Further, detailed study of electrocatalysis using rotating ring disk electrodes and amperometric methods have been carried out for arsenic oxide oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions at the hybrid films. From the results, the sensitivity of RuO_x?nH₂O/IrCl₆^2?/Pt hybrid film has been calculated for arsenic oxide as 0.7 mA mM^?1; and for oxygen as 1.8 mA mM^?1.     

Quantum chemistry study on B32 and B32H2–32

The structures of B32 and B₃₂H^2–₃₂ with I_h symmetry have been investigated by means of ab initio calculations at STO-3G level. The relationship between molecular orbitals of them has been analyzed and their bonding properties have been discussed. Then the possibility of their existence, as well as the similarity and difference between B₃₂ (B₃₂H^2–₃₂) and C₆₀ (C₆₀H₆₀) have been inferred.