Bioremediation of effluent from a uranium mill tailings repository in South China by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azolla</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anabaena</Emphasis>

Hydroponic experiments were conducted on the removal of uranium, heavy metals and nutrients from the effluent of a uranium mill tailings repository in South China by Azolla–Anabaena. The plant–microbe symbiont was kept in the effluent for 30 days, and it was found that U, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and SO₄^2? reduced by 87.6, 99.1, 98.8, 88.2, 91, 78.3, 77.5, 93.4, 98.7 and 76.7%, respectively. Specifically, the concentration of uranium reduced to 0.039 mg L^?1, which is below the limits of contaminants by the Department of Environmental Protection of China. The concentration of Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, TP and TN in the effluent reached the quality standard for drinking water. The results showed that Azolla–Anabaena can be used for the bioremediation of the effluent from the uranium mill tailings repository.     

Enhanced lithium-ion intercalation and conduction of transparent tantalum oxide films by lithium addition with an atmospheric pressure plasma jet

An investigation is conducted on enhancing lithium-ion intercalation and conduction performance of transparent organo tantalum oxide (TaO _y C _z ) films, by addition of lithium via a fast co-synthesis onto 40 Ω/□ flexible polyethylene terephthalate/indium tin oxide substrates at the short exposed durations of 33–34 s, using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) at various mixed concentrations of tantalum ethoxide [Ta(OC₂H₅)₅] and lithium tert-butoxide [(CH₃)₃COLi] precursors. Transparent organo-lithiated tantalum oxide (Li _x TaO _y C _z ) films expose noteworthy Li⁺ ion intercalation and conduction performance for 200 cycles of reversible Li⁺ ion intercalation and deintercalation in a 1 M LiClO₄-propylene carbonate electrolyte, by switching measurements with a potential sweep from ?1.25 to 1.25 V at a scan rate of 50 mV/s and a potential step at ?1.25 and 1.25 V, even after being bent 360° around a 2.5-cm diameter rod for 1000 cycles. The Li⁺ ionic diffusion coefficient and conductivity of 6.2?×?10^?10 cm²/s and 6.0?×?10^?11 S/cm for TaO _y C _z films are greatly progressed of up to 9.6?×?10^?10 cm²/s and 7.8?×?10^?9 S/cm for Li _x TaO _y C _z films by co-synthesis with an APPJ.     

Adsorption of trace thorium(IV) from aqueous solution by mono-modified β-cyclodextrin polyrotaxane using response surface methodology (RSM)

The adsorption of thorium(IV) was studied using a novel supramolecular polyrotaxane based on β-cyclodextrin derivatives. The effects of pH, contact time, Th(IV) initial concentration and adsorbents dosage on the adsorption of thorium(IV) by polyrotaxane were optimized using Box–Behnken design of response surface methodology. Analysis of variance and correlation coefficients showed that the predicted model was consistent with the experimental data well. The adsorption best fitted to the Langmuir model indicated that the adsorption process happened on homogeneous surface. The thermodynamic parameters (?G ⁰ < 0, ?H ⁰ > 0, ?S ⁰ > 0) demonstrated that the adsorption of Th(IV) ions onto polyrotaxane was spontaneous and endothermic.     

Facile synthesis of 5A zeolite from attapulgite clay for adsorption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-paraffins

5A zeolites were facilely synthesized from attapulgite clay and sodium aluminate precursors. The optimum synthesis condition for 4A zeolite (Na-form) were H₂O/attapulgite ratio of 40:1 volume/mass, NaOH/attapulgite mass ratio of 2.35:1, the crystallization time was 4 h at 80–85 °C. The 4A zeolite was converted to related 5A zeolite (Ca-form) through ionic exchanges using calcium chloride solution with the Si/Al mole ratio of 1.3. SEM images demonstrated that as-synthesized 5A zeolites are ordered cubic crystals, average crystals length dimension is 1–2 μm. And the zeolites product had a specific surface area of 482 m² g^?1 and total pore volume of 0.274 cm³ g^?1. The static adsorption experiments showed that the equilibrium adsorption capacities of n-decane and n-pentadecane on produced 5A zeolite were 0.253 and 0.510 g g^?1, respectively. And the adsorption equilibrium time of n-decane and n-pentadecane on 5A zeolite were 45 and 60 min, respectively. The experimental adsorption data of n-decane and n-pentadecane on three zeolites could be properly fitted by the Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm model.     

Impact of poly(vinyl alcohol) adsorption on the surface characteristics of mixed oxide Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) influence on the adsorption and electrokinetic properties of the mixed oxide Mn _x O _y –SiO₂/polymer solution system was examined. Three oxides differing with the Mn _x O _y contents were applied (0.2; 1 and 3 mmol/g SiO₂, respectively). The PVA with the molecular weight 100 kDa was characterized with the acetate groups content equal to 14 %. Adsorption, solid surface charge and zeta potential measurements were made as a function of solution pH (3–10). The obtained results showed that the PVA adsorption amount strongly depends on not only the solution pH, but also manganese oxide content on the mixed oxide surface. The higher solution pH value (or Mn _x O _y content) is, the higher polymer adsorption is obtained. The PVA addition to the solid suspension causes minimal changes of the mixed oxide surface charge density, whereas the zeta potential of solid particles increases significantly in the polymer presence.     

Adsorptive recovery of geniposidic acid from gardenia yellow pigment extraction wastewater by anion exchange: equilibrium,thermodynamics and mechanism modeling and simulation

For many years, the traditional process of gardenia yellow pigment extraction has produced wastewater containing significant quantities of Geniposidic acid (GSA), a substance that could be put to pharmacological uses if it could be effectively recovered. This study aimed to provide an efficient adsorption material, D08, for recycling GSA. Batch experiments showed that adsorption capacity depends on initial concentration and temperature. The maximal adsorption capacity of GSA onto an anionic exchanger reached 310 mg/g. The pK _a value of GSA was determined to be 4.21. Pore diffusion coefficients (D _p) of GSA for 283, 298 and 313 K were 3.274 × 10^?10, 5.069 × 10^?10 and 7.356 × 10^?10 m²/s, respectively. Recovery efficiency of GSA was achieved to 99.81 %. In comparison with pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order equations, the PDM model demonstrated the best fit to the kinetics data of GSA adsorption. Adsorption/desorption experiments proved that D08 offers great adsorption capacity, high adsorption rate and good repeatability. In order to help us to accurately comprehend the mass transfer process, numerical simulation and post-processing to variables c(r, t) and q(r, t) were performed to clarify the adsorption process.     

Theoretical and experimental study of the catalytic cathodic stripping square-wave voltammetry of chromium species

The electrocatalytic mechanism of Cr(III) reduction in the presence of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and nitrate ions is studied theoretically and experimentally by using stripping square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Experimental curves are in excellent agreement with theoretical profiles corresponding to a catalytic reaction of second kind. This type of mechanism is equivalent to a CE mechanism, where the chemical reaction produces the electroactive species. Accordingly, the reaction of Cr(III)–H₂O–DTPA and \( {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-} \) would produce the electroactive species Cr(III)–NO₃–DTPA and this last species would release \( {\mathrm{NO}}_2^{-} \) to the solution during the electrochemical step. In this regard, the complex of Cr(III)–DTPA would work as the catalyzer that allows the reduction of \( {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-} \) to \( {\mathrm{NO}}_2^{-} \). Furthermore, it was found that the electrochemical reaction is quite irreversible, with a constant of k _s?=?9.4?×?10^?5 cm s^?1, while the constant for the chemical step has been estimated to be k _chem?=?1.3?×?10⁴ s^?1. Considering that the equilibrium constant is K?=?0.01, it is possible to estimate the kinetic constants of the chemical reaction as k ₁?=?1?×?10² s^?1 and k _?1?=?1.29?×?10⁴ s^?1. These values of k ₁ and k _?1 indicate that the exchange of water molecules by nitrate is fast and that the equilibrium favors the complex with water. Also, a value for the formal potential E°’?≈??1.1 V was obtained. The model used for simulating experimental curves does not consider the adsorption of reactants yet. Accordingly, weak adsorption of reagents should be expected.     

Adsorption properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas monteilii</Emphasis> for removal of uranium from aqueous solution

The Pseudomonas monteilii. YL-1 was cultured from deep sea sediment to remove uranium from aqueous solution. Different influence factors on uranium adsorption efficiency were investigated. The kinetic model of Pseudomonas monteilii could be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the Freundlich isotherm model could fit the experiment data well, indicating that the adsorption was multilayer adsorption. The adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic reaction by thermodynamic analysis. The functional groups of Pseudomonas monteilii such as hydroxy, carboxyl, amino and amide may act with UO₂²⁺ by chemisorption or strong complexation in the process of uranium adsorption.     

Saw-sedge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladium mariscus</Emphasis> as a functional low-cost adsorbent for effective removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from aqueous systems

For the first time in the published literature, a study is described concerning the use of the saw-sedge Cladium mariscus (C. mariscus) for adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous systems. Among the experiments carried out, the elemental composition of C. mariscus was determined (C = 48.0 %, H = 7.1 %, N = 0.95 %, S = 0.4 %), FTIR spectroscopic analysis was performed to confirm the chemical structure of the adsorbent, and porous structure parameters were measured: BET surface area (A _BET  = 0.6 m²/g), total pore volume (V _p  = 0.001 cm³/g) and average pore size (S _p  = 6.6 nm). It was shown that the effectiveness of removal of 2,4-D from aqueous systems using C. mariscus depends on parameters of the process: contact time, system pH, mass of sorbent, and temperature. Maximum adsorption was attained for a solution at pH = 3. Further increase in the alkalinity of the tested systems led to a reduction in the effectiveness of the process. The kinetic of adsorption of 2,4-D by C. mariscus was also determined, and thermodynamic aspects were investigated. The experimental data obtained correspond to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model of type 1. Additionally the negative values obtained for ΔHº indicate that the process is exothermic, and the negative values of ΔGº show it to be spontaneous. As the temperature of the system increases the spontaneity of adsorption is reduced, in accordance with the exothermic nature of the process.     

Synthesis and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-cyclodextrin–carboxymethyl cellulose–graphene oxide composite materials and its application for removal of basic fuchsin

A novel β-cyclodextrin–carboxymethyl cellulose–graphene oxide composite material (β-CD–CMC–GO) was synthesized, and its application as excellent adsorbents was carried out for removal basic fuchsin (BF) in aqueous solution. The structure and morphology of β-CD–CMC–GO composite material were characterized by using FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD, TG and DSC methods. The composites could remove basic fuchsin from aqueous solution efficiently. The adsorption experiment was carried out and the optimum experimental conditions were ascertained. The highest adsorption efficiency was obtained 97.3% at 0.015 g/mL dosage of β-CD–CMC–GO, the temperature of 25 °C and time of 2.5 h. Adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm and adsorption thermodynamic were used to analyze the adsorption system. The experimental data of adsorption kinetics of system were well followed by pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorption isotherm data were fitted using Langmuir isotherm model and Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity of basic fuchsin reached 58.65 mg/g. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. The adsorbent has excellent regeneration ability and reproducibility. The proposed method shows that the β-CD–CMC–GO could be applied to removal of basic fuchsin in wastewater with satisfactory result.     

Cadmium removal from aqueous solution by biochar obtained by co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge with tea waste

Resource utilization is a critical pathway for sustainable solid waste treatment. Biochar was prepared from the co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and tea waste. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurement, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis were employed to characterize the biochar. Then, the interface behavior between biochar and Cd from aqueous solution was investigated. The effect of adsorbent dose and pH on Cd adsorption was evaluated. Adsorption kinetics and the adsorption isotherm were studied, and the adsorption mechanism was explored. The results showed that the suitable adsorbent dose was 4 g L^?1 and the optimal pH of the Cd solution remained at 6.0. Cadmium sorption on the biochar could be well described by the pseudo-second order kinetic model (R ² > 0.98). The adsorption process was described using the Langmuir (R ² > 0.86), Freundlich (R ² > 0.86), Temkin (R ² > 0.84) and Dubinin–Radushkevich (R ² > 0.86) isotherm models. The proportion of organic constituents in biochar was 69.2–72.4%. Minerals that originated in biochar played an important role during the Cd adsorption process, and the contribution of minerals accounted for 27.6–30.8% of the total adsorption. The main mechanism of the Cd adsorption process by biochar involved ion exchange, surface complexation, electrostatic interaction, surface co-precipitation, and other mechanisms. Therefore, biochar created by the co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and tea waste could be used as an adsorbent for the removal of metal ions from contaminated water.     

Blinded predictions of standard binding free energies: lessons learned from the SAMPL6 challenge

In the context of the SAMPL6 challenges, series of blinded predictions of standard binding free energies were made with the SOMD software for a dataset of 27 host–guest systems featuring two octa-acids hosts (OA and TEMOA) and a cucurbituril ring (CB8) host. Three different models were used, ModelA computes the free energy of binding based on a double annihilation technique; ModelB additionally takes into account long-range dispersion and standard state corrections; ModelC additionally introduces an empirical correction term derived from a regression analysis of SAMPL5 predictions previously made with SOMD. The performance of each model was evaluated with two different setups; buffer explicitly matches the ionic strength from the binding assays, whereas no-buffer merely neutralizes the host–guest net charge with counter-ions. ModelC/no-buffer shows the lowest mean-unsigned error for the overall dataset (MUE 1.29?<?1.39?<?1.50 kcal mol^?1, 95% CI), while explicit modelling of the buffer improves significantly results for the CB8 host only. Correlation with experimental data ranges from excellent for the host TEMOA (R² 0.91?<?0.94?<?0.96), to poor for CB8 (R² 0.04?<?0.12?<?0.23). Further investigations indicate a pronounced dependence of the binding free energies on the modelled ionic strength, and variable reproducibility of the binding free energies between different simulation packages.     

A Novel 3D Platinum–Thallium Coordination Polymer having Strong Metal–Metal Interactions

A new three-dimensional platinum(II)–thallium(I) coordination polymer [{Pt(pda)(NHCOtBu)₂}₄Tl₄][Pt(CN)₄]₂·2H ₂ O (pda = 1,2-propyldiamine) has been prepared from the direct reaction of [Tl₂Pt(CN)₄] and [Pt(pda)(NHCOtBu)₂] in water, and its structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic, space group Pn, a = 11.567(2) Å, b = 11.570(2) Å, c = 37.677(8)Å, β = 94.64(3)°, V = 5025.8(17) Å³, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0679 and wR2 = 0.1574 [I >  2σ (I)], Goodness-of-fit on F ² = 1.055. The compound exhibits a novel 3D network structure consisting of [Pt(CN)₄]^2? connected 1D infinite Pt–Tl–Pt–Tl chains via strong Pt–Tl bonds.     

Volumetric,Viscometric and Speed of Sound Studies of Binary Mixtures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tert</Emphasis>-butyl Acetate with Fluorobenzene,Chlorobenzene and Bromobenzene at (298.15 and 308.15) K and at Atmospheric Pressure 0.087 MPa

Volumetric, viscometric and speed of sound studies of binary mixtures of tert-butyl acetate with fluorobenzene, chlorobenzene and bromobenzene have been made over the entire range of composition, at (298.15 and 308.15) K and at atmospheric pressure (p?=?0.089 MPa). From the experimental values of density, viscosity, and speed of sound, the excess molar volumes V^E, deviations in viscosity ?η and deviation in isentropic compressibility ΔK _S have been calculated. The V^E and ΔK _S values are negative while the ?η the values are positive over the entire composition range for the binary mixtures. The derived parameters have been fitted with the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. The interaction parameters of McAllister model are used to correlate the experimental values of density, viscosity and speed of sound.     

Thermodynamic Properties of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Aspartates of Alkali and Alkali-Earth Metals in Aqueous Solutions at 298.15 and 310.15 K and Specific Cation Effects on Biomolecule Solvation

Vapor pressure osmometry was applied to the systems calcium l-aspartate ((S)-aminobutanedioic acid calcium salt)?+?water for varying molalities of Ca–l-Asp (m_Ca–l-Asp?=?0.01–1.02 mol·kg^?1) and guanidinium hydrochloride (methanamidine hydrochloride)?+?sodium L–aspartate ((S)–aminobutanedioic acid sodium salt)?+?water, varying the molalities of GndmCl and Na–l-Asp (m_Na–l-Asp?=?0.1, 0.25, 0.4, 0.57 mol·kg^?1 and m_GndmCl?=?0.1–1.1 mol·kg^?1) at T?=?298.15 K and 310.15 K. From vapor pressure osmometry, activities of water, and the corresponding osmotic coefficients of the mixtures Ca–l-Asp?+?water and Na–l-Asp?+?GndmCl?+?water have been calculated, both being directly related to the chemical potentials of the different species and therefore to their Gibbs energy. Mean molal ion activity coefficients were obtained from experimental data fits with the Pitzer equations and the corresponding dual and triple interaction parameters were derived for the Ca–l-Asp?+?water binary system. β⁽²⁾ Pitzer parameters different from zero are required for Ca–l-Asp in water to reproduce the osmotic coefficient decrease with increasing concentration. Mean Spherical Approximation parameters accounting for Coulomb and short range interactions that describe the calcium and magnesium aspartates and glutamates are given. The decrease in the chemical potential of the aspartates corresponds to the Hofmeister series: NaAsp?>?Mg(Asp)₂?>?CaAsp. A strong interaction between amino acid and salt due to specific dispersion interactions in amino acid salt systems containing guanidinium based salt has been revealed that is in agreement with MD and half-empirical quantum-chemical calculations.     

Solubility of B-Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> and the Hydrolysis of Niobium(V) in Aqueous Solution as a Function of Temperature and Ionic Strength

B-Nb₂O₅ was recrystallized from commercially available oxide, and XRD analyses indicated that it is stable in contact with solutions over the pH range 0 to 9, whereas solid polyniobates such as Na₈Nb₆O₁₉?13H₂O(s) appear to predominate at pH>9. Solubilities of the crystalline B-Nb₂O₅ were determined in five NaClO₄ solutions (0.1≤I _m /mol?kg^?1≤1.0) over a wide pH range at (25.0±0.1)?°C and at 0.1 MPa. A limited number of measurements were also made at I _m =6.0 mol?kg^?1, whereas at I _m =1.0 mol?kg^?1 the full range of pH was also covered at (10, 50 and 70)?°C. The pH of these solutions was fixed using either HClO₄ (pH≤4) or NaOH (pH≥10) and determined by mass balance, whereas the pH on the molality scale was measured in buffer mixtures of acetic acid?+?acetate (4≤pH≤6), Bis-Tris (pH≈7), Tris (pH≈8) and boric acid?+?borate (pH≈9). Treatment of the solubility results indicated the presence of four species, \(\mathrm{Nb(OH)}_{n}^{5-n}\) (where n=4–7), so that the molal solubility quotients were determined according to:

$0\mathrm{.5Nb}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{5}\mathrm{(cr)+0}\mathrm{.5(2}n-5\mathrm{)H}_{2}\mathrm{O(l)}_{\leftarrow}^{\to}\mathrm{Nb(OH)}_{n}^{5-n}+(n-5)\mathrm{H}^{+}\quad (n=4\mbox{--}7)$

and were fitted empirically as a function of ionic strength and temperature, including the appropriate Debye-Hückel term. A Specific Interaction Theory (SIT) approach was also attempted. The former approach yielded the following values of log?₁₀ K _sn (infinite dilution) at 25?°C: ?(7.4±0.2) for n=4; ?(9.1±0.1) for n=5; ?(14.1±0.3) for n=6; and ?(23.9±0.6) for n=7. Given the experimental uncertainties (2σ), it is interesting to note that the effect of ionic strength only exceeded the combined uncertainties significantly in the case of log?₁₀ K _s6 to I _m =1.0 mol?kg^?1, such that these values may be of use by defining their magnitudes in other media. Values of Δ _f G ^o, Δ _f H ^o, S ^o and \(C_{p}^{\mathrm{o}}\) (298.15 K, 0.1 MPa) for each hydrolysis product were calculated and tabulated.

     

Thermodynamic Study on the Protonation and Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-Complexation of a Biodegradable Chelant (HEIDA) at Different Ionic Strengths and Temperatures

A potentiometric method has been used for the determination of the protonation constants of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (HEIDA or L) at various temperatures 283.15?≤?T/K?≤?383.15 and different ionic strengths of NaCl_(aq), 0.12?≤?I/mol·kg^?1?≤?4.84. Ionic strength dependence parameters were calculated using a Debye–Hückel type equation, Specific Ion Interaction Theory and Pitzer equations. Protonation constants at infinite dilution calculated by the SIT model are \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{1}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 8.998 \pm 0.008 \) (amino group), \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{2}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 2.515 \pm 0.009 \) and \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{3}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 1.06 \pm 0.002 \) (carboxylic groups). The formation constants of HEIDA complexes with sodium, calcium and magnesium were determined. In the first case, the formation of a weak complex species, NaL, was found and the stability constant value at infinite dilution is log₁₀K_NaL?=?0.78?±?0.23. For Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, the CaL, CaHL, CaL₂ and MgL species were found, respectively. The calculated stability constants for the calcium complexes at T?=?298.15 K and I?=?0.150 mol·dm^?3 are: log₁₀β_CaL?=?4.92?±?0.01, log₁₀β_CaHL?=?11.11?±?0.02 and \( \log_{10} \beta_{\text{Ca{L}}_{2}} \)?=?7.84?±?0.03, while for the magnesium complex (at I?=?0.176 mol·dm^?3): log₁₀β_MgL?=?2.928?±?0.006. Protonation thermodynamic functions have also been calculated and interpreted.     

Apparent Molar Volumes of Aqueous Solutions of Magnesium Tetraborate from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa

Densities for aqueous solutions of magnesium tetraborate MgB₄O₇(aq) at the molalities of (0.00556–0.03341) mol·kg^?1 were measured with an Anton Paar Digital vibrating-tube densimeter at temperature intervals of 5 K from 283.15 to 363.15 K and 0.1 MPa. Apparent molar volumes were obtained based on the experimental density data, and the 3D diagrams of the apparent molar volume (V _? ) of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature (T) and molality (m) were plotted. On the basis of the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equation, the coefficients of the correlation equation for densities of MgB₄O₇(aq) against temperature and molality were parameterized. According to the Pitzer ion-interaction model of the apparent molar volume, the temperature correlation equations of Pitzer single-salt parameters F(i,p,T)?=?a₀?+?a₁?×?T?+?a₂?×?T ²?+?a₃/T?+?a₄?×?ln(T)?+?a₅?×?T ³ (where T is temperature in Kelvin, a _i are model parameters) for MgB₄O₇ were obtained for the first time.     

Experimental investigation of radiocesium sorption on ceramic clay using a batch method

In this study, radiocesium sorption on ceramic clay was investigated as a function of particle size and initial ¹³⁷Cs concentration using a batch method. Ceramic clay samples taken from the Sö?üt(?nisar) clay deposit were composed of kaolinite, dickite and quartz. The equilibrium time and the liquid–solid ratio were determined as 60 min and 250 mL g^?1, respectively. The distribution coefficients (K _d) for variable liquid–solid ratio and the percentage adsorption (P _Ad) were calculated. The values of K _d and P _Ad ranged from 483 to 3165 mL g^?1 and 34–93%, respectively. The K _d and P _Ad values increased with increasing particle size, but decreased with increasing initial concentration. The sorption data were interpreted in terms of a Langmuir isotherm. The results indicated that the Sö?üt(?nhisar) ceramic clay has good sorption capacity for cesium.     

Synthesis and characterization of Sr<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Ru<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript> perovskite as a solid oxide fuel cell cathode material

The oxygen-deficient Sr_0.75Y_0.25Co_0.9Ru_0.1O_3?δ (SYCR) cathode is systematically evaluated for the application of solid oxide fuel cells. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that SYCR presents a tetragonal structure with space group of I4/mmm (139). In the measured high oxygen partial pressure (pO₂) region (0.01–0.21 atm), the conductivity increases with increasing pO₂ because of the oxygen vacancy annihilation and hole creation, relating to a general p-type semiconducting mechanism. To get an insight into the rate-limiting step of SYCR cathode, behaviors of individual polarization resistance (R ₁ and R ₂) are investigated in different pO₂. The obtained fitting results reveal that R ₁ is nearly independent on the pO₂, while R ₂ presents a (pO₂)^?0.5 dependence. At 800 °C, SYCR cathode exhibits an R _p value of 0.14 Ω cm², moreover, when using the wet hydrogen (～ 3% H₂O) as fuel and ambient air as oxidant, the maximum power density of single cell Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia)|YSZ|SYCR reaches 452.9 W cm^?2.