Composite Zn(II) Ferrocyanide/Polyethylenimine Cryogels for Point-of-Use Selective Removal of Cs-137 Radionuclides

The feasibility of several approaches to the fabrication of monolith composite cryogels containing transition-metal ferrocyanides for Cs⁺ ion uptake has been evaluated. Although in the series of investigated metal ion precursors (Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), and Co(II)), in situ formation of the sorption active phase in polyethyleneimine (PEI) cryogel was feasible only in the case of Zn(II) ferrocyanide, this approach has shown significant advantages over the immobilization of ex situ synthesized ferrocyanide nanoparticles. Nanoparticles of the mixed ferrocyanide Zn_1.85K_0.33[Fe(CN)₆] formed in situ had an average size of 516 ± 146 nm and were homogeneously distributed in the monolith located at the polymer surface rather than embedded in the matrix. The Young modulus of the PEI cryogel increased after modification from 25 to 57 kPa, but composites maintained high permeability to the flow. Sorption of Cs⁺ ions has been investigated at superficial velocity up to 8 m/h. Steep breakthrough profiles and uptake efficiency of >99.5% until breakthrough point confirmed that a supermacroporous structure of the monolith composite assured good mass transfer, so that intraparticle diffusion was not the limiting stage of sorption kinetics. Application of the rate-constant distribution model (RCD model) to analyze the breakthrough curves of Cs⁺ sorption allowed the identification of two types of sorption sites with a difference in sorption rate constants of ~1 log unit. Most likely, sorption on “fast” sorption sites was governed by ion exchange between Cs⁺ ions in solution and K⁺ ions in the ferrocyanide lattice. Cs-137 radionuclide removal was investigated using the monolith composite columns of various geometries at superficial velocity up to the 6.6 m/h; specific gamma activity was reduced from 265 kBq/L to the background level, showing high potential of these materials for POU application.     

Ion exchange with silica-titania gels

Silica-titania gels containing 25, 50 and 75 mol% TiO₂ were prepared and the sorption of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions by these materials has been studied. Distribution coefficient values for Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ ions were found to pass through broad maxima as a function of TiO₂ content except in the case of Sr under alkaline conditions where there was a continuous increase. Capacity values also increased with TiO₂ content and samples containing 50% (for K⁺ and Cs⁺), 75% (for Li⁺ and Na⁺) and 25%/50% (for Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺) TiO₂ exhibited maximum capacities. However, unlike with alkali metals, capacities of a given sorbent for the three alkaline earth ions were almost the same. Large capacities obtained for the latter ions seem to indicate a mineral-forming reaction with 25% and 50% materials. On the other hand, the 25% TiO₂ gel seems to sorb Sr at trace level by an ion exchange mechanism. Coupled with its Cs sorption capability, this material may find potential use in large scale decontamination of low level waste solutions.     

Preparation of hybrid ion exchanger based on acrylamide for sorption of some toxic metal ions from aqueous waste solutions

Crystalline phases of polyacrylamide titanium tungstophosphate composite material has been synthesized via sol–gel method. The properties of its were determined using different technique. The ion-exchange capacities of the hybrid material for Cs⁺, Co²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions it was found that 6.22, 2.76 and 1.38 mequiv. g^–1 respectively. The material was found that highly selective for Eu³⁺ and the selectivity sequence for sorption of Cs⁺, Co²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions on polyacrylamide titanium tungstophosphate was found that; Eu³⁺ > Cs⁺ > Co²⁺. Thermodynamic parameters have been calculated for the studied ions showing that the overall adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models.     

Sorption of plutonium from low level liquid waste using nano MnO2

Nano-crystalline MnO₂ has been synthesized by the method of alcoholic hydrolysis of KMnO₄ and its potential as a sorbent for plutonium present in the low level liquid waste (LLW) solutions was investigated. The kinetic studies on the sorption of Pu by MnO₂ reveal the attainment of equilibrium sorption in 15 h, however 90 % of sorption could be achieved within an hour. In the studies on optimization of the solution conditions for sorption, it was observed that the sorption increases with the pH of the aqueous solution, attains the maximum value of 100 % at pH = 3 and remains constant thereafter. The sorption was found to be nearly independent of the ionic strength (0.01–1.0 M) of the aqueous solutions maintained using NaClO₄, indicating the inner sphere complexation between the Pu⁴⁺ ions and the surface sites on MnO₂. Interference studies with different fission products, viz., Cs⁺, Sr²⁺ and Nd³⁺, revealed decrease in the percentage sorption with increasing pH of the suspension indicating the competition between the metal ions. However, at the metal ion concentrations prevalent in the low level liquid waste solutions, the decrease in the Pu sorption was only marginally decreased to 90 % at pH = 3, the decrease being more in the case of Nd³⁺ than that in the case of Cs⁺. This study, therefore, shows nano-crystalline MnO₂ can be used as a sorbent for separation of Pu from LLW solutions.     

Complex forming and extraction properties of oligo benzo-fused crown ethers

The complex forming properties with alkali metal and ammonium ions of a series of oligo benzo-condensed 18-crown-6 ethers1–8 having a different gradation of lipophilicity and of molecular rigidity are investigated by voltammetry at the interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) and by a liquid-liquid extraction technique. The experimental results obtained in the two phase system H₂O/nitrobenzene are discussed in relation to the structure of the crown and the cation type. The stability constants for the 1 : 1 complexes of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and NH ₄ ⁺ in nitrobenzene have been determined and compared with the extraction constants for the 1: 1 complexes of Na⁺ and K⁺ and for the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes of Cs⁺, showing the effect of oligo benzo condensation for the 18-crown-6 system.     

Ternäre Selenide der Lanthanide mit Alkalimetallen: I. Der Formeltyp Cs3M7Se12 (M = Gd–Ho)

Ternary Selenides of the Lanthanides with Alkali Metals: I. The Composition Cs₃M₇Se₁₂ (M = Gd–Ho) When the lanthanides gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium and holmium are oxidized with selenium in a molar ratio of 2 : 3 in evacuated silica tubes (700 °C, 7 d) and CsCl is added, ternary cesium lanthanide selenides with the composition Cs₃M₇Se₁₂ (M = Gd–Ho) readily form. Surplus CsCl as flux accelerates the crystallization of the yellow, transparent needles. Since these crystals are stable to hydrolysis, excess CsCl and the chloride by-products (e. g. Cs₃MCl₆) can be rinsed off easily with water. The crystal structure of the flanking representatives Cs₃Gd₇Se₁₂ and Cs₃Ho₇Se₁₂ (orthorhombic, Pnnm (no. 58), Z = 2; Cs₃Gd₇Se₁₂: a = 1294.8(3), b = 2650.1(5), c = 419.36(9) pm, R₁ = 0.098, wR₂ = 0.173; Cs₃Ho₇Se₁₂: a = 1280.4(3), b = 2621.2(5), c = 412.13(8) pm, R₁ = 0.096, wR₂ = 0.126) was determined and refined on the basis of X-ray data from single crystals. With the help of powder diffraction Cs₃Tb₇Se₁₂ (a = 1289.4(1), b = 2640.3(2), c = 416.82(3) pm) and Cs₃Dy₇Se₁₂ (a = 1285.3(1), b = 2631.5(2), c = 414.47(3) pm) were established to be isotypic. The four new compounds crystallize isostructurally with Cs₃Y₇Se₁₂, so that a three-dimensional framework {[M₇Se₁₂]^3–} of vertex- and edge-sharing [MSe₆] octahedra is present. Wave-like, one-dimensional infinite ”︁triple-channels”︁ run through the structure along [001] which are filled with two crystallographically different Cs⁺ cations (CN(Cs1) = 7 + 1, CN(Cs2) = 6). Owing to much too close Cs⁺–Cs⁺ contacts only a semi-occupation is possible for the Cs2 position which the structure refinements inevitably prove.     

Studies on the ion-exchange behaviour of chromium ferrocyanide

The sorption of univalent, bivalent and trivalent ions has been studied on chromium ferrocyanide gel. The studies reveal a high sorption capacity for Cs⁺, Tl⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Th⁴⁺. The sorption of monovalent cations show purely ion-exchange mechanism while the uptake of bivalent and trivalent cations is non-equivalent in nature. Single elution of Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and Tl⁺ has been performed from the columns of this exchanger and the recovery is almost complete in all the cases. Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺ get completely adsorbed on the gel column and their elution is not possible probably due to the formation of some new solid phases. Depending on the K_d values of the metal ions, a large number of separations of radiochemical as well as analytical importance can be performed on the columns of this exchanger material.     

Extraction of cesium and barium by dicarbollide and polyethylene glycol in the presence of alkylammonium cations

The extraction of cesium and barium cations into nitrobenzene and 60% (vol.%) nitrobenzene +40% CCl₄ mixture in the presence of dicarbollide (+Slovafol 909), and primary alkylammonium cations has been studied. Extraction constants determined for three methylammonium cations correlate well with their hydration enthalpies. Reverse order of the hydrophobicity of methylammonium cations (competition with bare Cs⁺ ion) and of their tendency to enter the polyethylene glycol complex (competition with polyethylene glycol complexed Cs⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions) is recorded. The possibility of the regeneration of the organic phase after stripping of Cs⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions with methylammonium cations has been investigated.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of Cs+ solvated by methylamine

We report the vibrational spectra of the cluster ions Cs⁺(CH₃NH₂)_N, N=3–22. Bands in the 1015–1050 cm^?1 region of the infrared are due to the v8 mode (CN stretch) of methylamine molecules displaying different degrees of interaction with the central ion. Monte Carlo simulations of the solvated Cs⁺ ion indicate that nine methylamine molecules fill the first solvation shell of Cs⁺ and that possible rearrangements in cluster structure occur at N=14?15. No absorptions due to bulklike methylamine molecules are observed through N=22.     

Facilitated Transfer of Alkali Metal Ions by a Tetraester Derivative of Thiacalix[4]arene at the Liquid–Liquid Interface

The facilitated transfer of alkali metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) by 25,26,27,28‐tetraethoxycarbonylmethoxy‐thiacalix[4]arene across the water/1,2‐dichloroethane interface was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The dependence of the half‐wave transfer potential on the metal and ligand concentrations was used to formulate the stoichiometric ratio and to evaluate the association constants of the complexes formed between ionophore and metal ions. While the facilitated transfer of Li⁺ ion was not observed across the water/1,2‐dichloroethane interface, the facilitated transfers were observed by formation of 1 : 1 (metal:ionophore) complex for Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺ ions except for Cs⁺ ion. In the case of Cs⁺ a 1 : 2 (metal:ionophore) complex was obtained from its special electrochemical response to the variation of ligand concentrations in the organic phase. The logarithms of the complex association constants, for facilitated transfer of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺, were estimated as 6.52, 7.75, 7.91 (log β₁°), and 8.36 (log β₂°), respectively.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis and density functional theory study of noncovalent interactions of cyclic peptide [Gly6]‐antamanide with small cations

ACE and density functional theory were employed to study the noncovalent interactions of cyclic decapeptide glycine‐6‐antamanide ([Gly⁶]AA), synthetic derivative of native antamanide (AA) peptide from the deadly poisonous fungus Amanita phalloides , with small cations (Li⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, NH₄⁺, and Ca²⁺) in methanol. The strength of these interactions was quantified by the apparent stability constants of the appropriate complexes determined by ACE. The stability constants were calculated using the nonlinear regression analysis of the dependence of the effective electrophoretic mobility of [Gly⁶]AA on the concentration of the above ions in the BGE (methanolic solution of 20 mM chloroacetic acid, 10 mM Tris, pH_MeOH 7.8, containing 0–70 mM concentrations of the above ions added in the form of chlorides). Prior to stability constant calculation, the effective mobilities measured at actual temperature inside the capillary and at variable ionic strength of the BGEs were corrected to the values corresponding to the reference temperature of 25°C and to the constant ionic strength of 10 mM. From the above ions, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ cations interacted weakly with [Gly⁶]AA but no interactions of [Gly⁶]AA with univalent Li⁺ and NH₄⁺ ions and divalent Ca²⁺ ion were observed. The apparent stability constants of [Gly⁶]AA‐Rb⁺ and [Gly⁶]AA‐Cs⁺ complexes were found to be equal to 13 ± 4 and 22 ± 3 L/mol, respectively. The structural characteristics of these complexes, such as position of the Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ ions in the cavity of the [Gly⁶]AA molecule and the interatomic distances within these complexes, were obtained by the density functional theory calculations.     

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.     

Effect of Cs+ ions on the electrochemical nanogravimetric response of platinum electrode in acid media

Platinum electrodes have been investigated in sulfuric acid solutions in the presence and absence of Cs⁺ ions by electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN). An unusual potential dependence of the quartz crystal frequency response has been observed in the presence of Cs⁺ ions. The frequency decrease is more pronounced in the region of the underpotential deposition of hydrogen, and the frequency decrease in the double layer region diminishes as the concentration ratio of Cs⁺ and H⁺ ions increases. After immersion in Cs₂SO₄ solutions the frequency change was higher than that expected taking into account the density and viscosity. The effects observed can be explained by the specific adsorption of Cs⁺ ions on the Pt surface, which competes with the hydrogen adsorption. At more positive potentials than the potential of zero charge (pzc) a desorption of the Cs⁺ ions starts. In this potential region both Cs⁺ and HSO₄^? ions are adsorbed at the platinum surface. In the double layer region the mass change caused by the desorption of Cs⁺ ions and the starting adsorption of sulfate ions compensates each other.     

Stabilities in Water of Alkali Metal Ion Complexes with Dibenzo-24-crown-8 and Dibenzo-18-crown-6 and Their Transfer Activity Coefficients from Water to Nonaqueous Solvents

Stability constants K _ML for the 1:1 complexes of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ with dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) and dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) in water have been determined by a capillary electrophoretic technique at 25°C. The K _ML sequence is Na⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ < Cs⁺ for DB24C8 and Na⁺ < K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ for DB18C6. Compared with DB18C6, DB24C8 exhibits higher selectivity for K⁺ over Na⁺, but lower selectivity for K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺. To evaluate the solvation of the complexes in water, their transfer activity coefficients sH₂O between polar nonaqueous solvents and water have been calculated. The sH₂O values provide the following information: interactions with water of the metal ions and of the crown-ether oxygens are greatly reduced upon complexation and the complexes undergo hydrophobic hydration in water; the character of each alkali metal ion in solvation is more effectively masked by DB24C8 than by DB18C6, because of the larger and more flexible ring structure of DB24C8. Solvent effects on the complex stabilities are discussed on the basis of the sH₂O values.     

Stepwise Reduction of Azapentabenzocorannulene

Mono‐ and dianions of 2‐tert‐butyl‐3a²‐azapentabenzo[bc,ef,hi,kl,no]corannulene ( 1 a ) were synthesized by chemical reduction with sodium and cesium metals, and crystallized as the corresponding salts in the presence of 18‐crown‐6 ether. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the sodium salt, [{Na⁺(18‐crown‐6)(THF)₂}₃{Na⁺(18‐crown‐6)(THF)}( 1 a ^2?)₂], revealed the presence of a naked dianion. In contrast, controlled reaction of 1 a with Cs allowed the isolation of singly and doubly reduced forms of 1 a , both forming π‐complexes with cesium ions in the solid state. In [{Cs⁺(18‐crown‐6)}( 1 a ^?)]?THF, asymmetric binding of the Cs⁺ ion to the concave surface of 1 a ^? is observed, whereas in [{Cs⁺(18‐crown‐6)}₂( 1 a ^2?)], two Cs⁺ ions bind to both the concave and convex surfaces of the dianion. The present study provides the first successful isolation and characterization of the reduced products of heteroatom‐containing buckybowl molecules.     

Caesiumchromhalogenide Cs3CrCl6, Cs3Cr2Cl9 und Cs3CrBr6 – Darstellung,Eigenschaften, Kristallstruktur

Cesium Chromium Halides Cs₃CrCl₆, Cs₃Cr₂Cl₉, and Cs₃CrBr₆ – Preparation, Properties, Crystal Structure The crystal structures of Cs₃CrCl₆ and Cs₃Cr₂Cl₉ were determined and redetermined by X‐ray single‐crystal studies (space group Pnnm, Z = 6, a = 1115.6(2) pm, b = 2291.3(5) pm, c = 743.8(1) pm, R_f = 7.73%, 1025 unique reflections with I > 2σ(I) (Cs₃CrCl₆); P6₃/mmc, Z = 2, a = 721.7(2) pm und c = 1791.0(1) pm; R_f = 2.06%, 395 unique reflections with I > 2.5σ(I) (Cs₃Cr₂Cl₉). The structure of Cs₃CrCl₆ consists of two different isolated CrCl₆ octahedra and five crystallographic different Cs⁺ ions. The CrCl₆ octahedra form ropes in the direction [001]. Because of orientational disordering of the Cr(1)Cl₆ octahedra and the an only half‐occupation of some cesium and chlorine sites Cs₃CrCl₆ is strongly disordered in direction of the (020) plane. The ionic conductivity of Cs₃CrCl₆, which was expected owing to the great disorder, however, is with 7.3 × 10^–5 Ω^–1 cm^–1 at 740 K relatively small. The compound Cs₃CrBr₆, which was firstly prepared by quenching stoichiometric amounts of CsBr and CrBr₃ from 833 K, is metastable at ambient temperature. It is probably isostructural to Cs₃CrCl₆ as shown by X‐ray powder photographs.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of cesium(I) sorption on hydrous silica

Summary Batch sorption experiments of cesium, Cs⁺, on SiO₂ ^. xH₂O (silica gel) have been conducted with variable times of equilibration, amounts of silica gel (0.10-1.00 g), cesium concentrations (5.00 ^. 10^-5-2.40 ^. 10^-3M), ionic strengths (0.20-1.40M NaClO₄), pH (2.50-7.70), and temperatures (273-333 K). The diffusion coefficient of Cs⁺ ion was calculated to be (9.19±0.86) ^. 10^-11 m^{2 .} s^-1 under particle diffusion-controlled conditions. The sorption rate was (3.94±0.65) ^. 10^-3 s^-1 at 298 K, pH 7.70±0.05 in 0.20M NaClO₄. The sorption data fits the Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. Cesium sorption on 0.20 g silica gel decreased with ionic strength from (40.42±0.34)% in 0.20M NaClO₄ to (6.35±0.40)% in 1.40M NaClO₄, at pH_(initial) 8.20±0.05. A gradual decrease in pH with increased ionic strength is consistent with a cation-exchange mechanism. Sorption of Cs⁺ on silica gel decreased with increased temperature, indicating an exothermic enthalpy. The presence of anions such as fluoride, carbonate, phosphate and oxalate in the aqueous medium did not influence the cesium sorption profile.     

Der erste röntgenstrukturanalytisch charakterisierte Cs+ – „in cavity”︁ – Komplex eines einundzwanziggliedrigen Coronanden: (Maleonitril-Dithio[21]krone-7)caesium-hexachloroantimonat

First X-ray Crystallographic Characterized Cs⁺ ‘‘in cavity”︁”︁ Complex of a Twenty-one Membered Coronand: (Maleonitrile-Dithio[21]crown-7)caesium Hexachloroantimonate A new maleonitrile-crown dithioether, the maleonitrile-dithio[21]crown-7 (mn–21 S₂O₅), was synthesized by high dilution cyclization of (Z)-1,2-disodium-1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolate ( 1 ) with 1,17-dichloro-3,6,9,12,15-pentaoxaheptadecane ( 2 ) in ethanol/water mixtures. Mn–21 S₂O₅ forms with CsSbCl₆ in MeCN/MeNO₂ a 1 : 1 complex [Cs(mn–21 S₂O₅)]SbCl₆. X-ray crystal analysis revealed that the complex cation [Cs(mn–21 S₂O₅)]⁺ is an ‘‘in cavity”︁”︁ complex in which the Cs⁺ ion is coordinated by seven donor atoms (five O and two S atoms). This is the first X-ray crystallographic evidence of Cs⁺ coordination by seven donors in a hole of a twenty-one membered coronand.     

CsPr(CO3)2: Erste Einkristalle eines wasserfreien ternären Selten-Erd-Carbonats

CsPr(CO₃)₂: First Single Crystals of an Anhydrous Ternary Rare-Earth Carbonate For the first time, single crystals of CsPr(CO₃)₂ were obtained by thermolysis of Cs₂(H₃O)Pr(CH₃COO)₆ at 400°C under high CO₂ pressure (300 bar) in a steel autoclave. The crystal structure (triclinic, P1 , Z = 4, a = 860.2(3), b = 887.4(3), c = 892.6(3) pm, α = 98.56(2), β = 96.19(1), γ = 115.29(2)°, V_m = 90.03(6) cm³/mol, R = 0.033, R_w = 0.029) was determined from four-circle-diffractometer data. CsPr(CO₃)₂ forms an aragonite like layer structure. Layers containing Cs⁺ and Pr³⁺ in a 1 : 1 ratio are stacked in the fashion of the hexagonal closest packing in the [001] direction. They are separated through CO₃^2? ion layers. The Pr³⁺ ions are surrounded by 8 or 9 oxygen atoms, the coordination numbers of Cs⁺ are 11 and 12. The site symmetry of the CO₃^2? ions is C₁. All bands of the internal vibrations are observed in the IR spectrum. CsPr(CO₃)₂ decomposes above in 435°C to Cs₂CO₃ and Pr₂O₂CO₃.     

Synthetic calcium aluminosilicates and their sorption properties with respect to Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

Sorption characteristics of synthetic calcium aluminosilicates (CAS) obtained in the multicomponent CaCl₂–AlCl₃–KOH–SiO₂–H₂O system are presented. The isotherms of Sr²⁺ sorption on CAS from aqueous solutions containing no additional salts were measured for Sr²⁺ concentration from 0.5 to 11.1 mmol/L and solid to liquid phase ratio S: L = 1: 100. The maximum sorption capacity of synthetic CAS was determined, the phase distribution constants of Sr²⁺ ions at different S: L ratios were found. The recoveries of Sr²⁺ ions from solutions containing 0.01 mol/L Ca(NO₃)₂ and from a solution simulating water of the Mayak plant sewage pond No. 11 were determined.