Inner- and outer-sphere complexation of ions at the goethite-solution interface

Formation of inner- and outer-sphere complexes of environmentally important divalent ions on the goethite surface was examined by applying the charge distribution CD model for inner- and outer-sphere complexation. The model assumes spatial charge distribution between the surface (0-plane) and the next electrostatic plane (1-plane) for innersphere complexation and between the 1-plane and the head end of the diffuse double layer (2-plane) for the outersphere complexation. The latter approach has been used because the distance of closest approach to a charged surface may differ for different ions. The surface structural approach implies the use of a Three-Plane model for the compact part (Stern layer) of solid-solution interface, which is divided into two layers. The thickness of each layer depends on the capacitance and the local dielectric constant. The new approach has been applied to describe the adsorption of magnesium, calcium, strontium, and sulfate ions. It is shown that the concept can successfully describe the development of surface charge in the presence of Ca(+2), Mg(+2), Sr(+2), and SO4(-2) as a function of loading, pH, and salt level, and also the shift in the isoelectric point (IEP) of goethite. The CD modeling revealed that, for the conditions studied, magnesium is mainly adsorbed as a bidentate innersphere complex, calcium can be a combination of bidentate innersphere and a monodentate inner- or outer-sphere complexes, and strontium is probably adsorbed as an outersphere complex. Sulfate is present as a mixture of inner- and outer-sphere monodentate complexes. Outersphere complexation is less pH dependent than innersphere complexation. The CD model predicts that the outersphere complexation of divalent cations and anions is relatively favorable at respectively low and high pH. Increase of ion loading favors the formation of innersphere complexes.     

Macroscopic and spectroscopic characterization of selenate, selenite, and chromate adsorption at the solid–water interface of γ-Al2O3

The interaction of selenate, selenite, and chromate with the hydrated surface of γ-Al₂O₃ was studied using a combination of macroscopic pH edge data, electrophoretic mobility measurements, and X-ray absorption spectroscopic analyses. The pH edge data show generally increased oxyanion adsorption with decreasing pH, and indicate ionic strength-(in)dependent adsorption of chromate and selenate across the pH range 4–9, and ionic strength-(in)dependent adsorption of selenite in this pH range. The adsorption of chromate peaks at pH 5.0, whereas for selenate and selenite no pH adsorption maxima are observed. Electrophoretic mobility measurements show that all three oxyanions decrease the zeta potential of γ-Al₂O₃ upon adsorption; however, only selenite decreased the pH_PZC of the γ-Al₂O₃ sorbent. EXAFS data indicate that selenite ions are coordinated in a bridging bidentate fashion to surface AlO₆ octahedra, whereas no second-neighbor Al scattering was observed for adsorbed selenate ions. Combined, the results presented here show that pH is a major factor in determining the extent of adsorption of selenate, selenite, and chromate on hydrated γ-Al₂O₃. The results point to substantial differences between these anions as to the mode of adsorption at the hydrated γ-Al₂O₃ surface, with selenate adsorbing as nonprotonated outer-sphere complexes, chromate forming a mixture of monoprotonated and nonprotonated outer-sphere adsorption complexes, and selenite coordinating as inner-sphere surface complexes in bridging configuration.     

Preparation and Characterization of Ceramic Hollow Microspheres for Heavy Metal Ion Removal in Wastewater

Ceramic hollow microspheres (CHMSs) were prepared to use as supports for the removal of heavy metal ions from industrial waste-water. A water extraction sol–gel technique was used to prepare porous CHMS by extracting water from an emulsion of LUDOX (silica colloid; SiO₂, Aldrich Co.) and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. Experiments were conducted to control pore size, wall thickness, and separation yield by examining the ratio of precursors (LUDOX and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol), catalyst (NH₄OH), sintering temperature, surfactant (SPAN 80), extractant (n-butanol), stirring speed, and concentration of precursor (LUDOX). The results revealed that the optimum conditions were 20 ml of a 10 wt% solution of LUDOX, 10 ml of NH₄OH, a sintering temperature of 500°C, 0.4 ml of SPAN 80, 200 ml of n-butanol, and a stirring speed of 730 rpm/100 ml of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. CHMSs were impregnated in Cyanex 272 and examined for their ability to remove heavy metal ions from a solution. Based on an experiment involving the removal of metal ions using CHMSs that were prepared under optimum conditions, Zn ion was removed at a level of 0.354 mmol/g at pH 4, which was about twice the adsorption capacity of CHMSs prepared by Wilcox (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc.346, 201 (1994)).     

Substituent Effects on Binding Constants of Carotenoids to n-Heptane/AOT Reverse Micelles

The absorption spectra of 6′-apo-β-caroten-6′-ol (1), 6′-apo-β-caroten-6′-oic acid (2), and ethyl 6′-apo-β-caroten-6′-oate (3) were analyzed in homogeneous media and in reversed micelles of AOT (sodium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) in n-heptane. The possible solute–solvent interactions of these compounds were analyzed in pure solvents by Taft and Kamlet's solvatochromic comparison method. These carotenoids show sensitivity similar to that of medium polarity-polarizability as measured by π*. Moreover, the absorption spectra of carotenoid 3 and to much less extent carotenoid 2 display broadening of the visible bands induced by polar solvents characteristic of carotenoids that contain a carbonyl functional group in conjugation with the carbon–carbon π-electron system. They are also sensitive to the ability of the solvent to accept protons in a hydrogen bond interaction measured by β. This sensitivity follows the expected order: 2>1>3. In the reverse micellar system, while the spectra for 3 remain unchanged, the intensity of the absorption band characteristic of n-heptane for 1 and 2 decreases as the AOT concentration increases, and a new band develops. This new band is attributed to the solute bound to the micelle interface. These changes allowed us to determine the binding constant (K_b) between these compounds and AOT. At W₀=[H₂O]/[AOT]=0 the values of K_b of 326±5 and 6.2±0.3 were found for the acid 2 and the alcohol 1, respectively. The strength of binding is interpreted considering their hydrogen-bond donor ability and the solubility in the organic pseudophase. For 1K_bdecreases as W₀ is increased, while for 2 no variation was observed. These effects are discussed in terms of carotenoid–water competition for interfacial binding sites.     

Nitrogen Adsorption Studies of PAN-Based Activated Carbon Fibers Prepared by Different Activation Methods

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs) prepared by various activation methods were characterized using low-temperature nitrogen adsorption over a wide relative pressure from 10⁻⁶ to 1. Nitrogen adsorption is a standard tool for determination of porous structure parameters. In the present work, we carried out extensive adsorption studies of a series of PAN-ACFs activated by different methods. It was shown that the high-resolution α_S plot provided valuable information about structural properties of samples under study. The pore size distributions of samples under study were calculated by employing the regularization method according to density functional theory. By these analyses, the pore development and the dominant pores of samples prepared by different methods can be clearly observed. Moreover, the adsorption measurement could provide profound insight into the structural heterogeneity of the ACFs.     

Surface layers of 6-thioguanine on the mercury electrode

The adsorption behavior of 6-thioguanine (6TG) on a hanging mercury drop electrode has been studied with ac and cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M Na2SO4 and 0.01 M sodium acetate solutions at pH 4.3. Several condensed phases of chemically adsorbed 6TG as well as one phase of physically adsorbed 6TG have been characterized. Under total coverage conditions, the films of chemiadsorbed molecules inhibit rather efficiently the electrode reaction of mercury oxide formation.     

Electroacoustic and Potentiometric Studies of the Hematite/Water Interface

The basic charging properties of nearly spherical hematite particles were studied by using potentiometric titration and the electroacoustic technique. Both the pH and the ionic strength dependence of the surface charge and the ζ-potential were studied in detail. For calculating the ζ-potential from mobility data a few different theories were used and obtained differences are discussed. At pH values higher than 7 and at high electrolyte concentrations (50 mM and 100 mM NaNO₃), it was difficult to fit the mobility data by using the full mobility spectra including both magnitude and phase angle at several frequencies. In this regime the best fits were obtained by using a theory for aggregated complexes (porous particles). From potentiometric titrations in 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 M NaNO₃, parameters for a 1-pK Basic Stern Model were determined. The model was used to examine the possibility of correlating the experimentally determined ζ-potentials to the model-calculated potentials at the Stern plane. Qualitatively, the model predicted the correct ionic strength dependence of the ζ-potentials, and there was also a rather good quantitative agreement at high ionic strengths (50 and 100 mM NaNO₃). However, at lower ionic strengths the model predicted values up to 40% higher than those found from the electroacoustic study. Surface conduction behind the slip plane was discussed as a possible cause for this discrepancy.     

Solution Chemistry of Europium(III) Aqua Ion at Micromolar Concentrations as Probed by Direct Excitation Luminescence Spectroscopy

Direct excitation europium(III) luminescence spectroscopy is used to study the speciation of aqueous europium(III) ions at micromolar concentrations and near neutral pH. The pH and concentration dependence of the europium(III) ⁷F₀→⁵D₀ excitation peak is consistent with the formation of both mononuclear and dinuclear europium(III) hydroxide complexes at pH 6.5. Luminescence intensity and lifetime quenching studies in the presence of Nd^III at pH 5.0 and 6.5 support the formation of a dinuclear complex at pH 6.5. Steady state excitation and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy are consistent with the formation of innersphere nitrate and fluoride complexes, but outersphere perchlorate and chloride complexes at pH 6.5 and 5.0.     

Characterization of Titania/Silica Gel by Means of Low-Pressure Nitrogen Adsorption

Adsorbents synthesized by grafting of titania onto mesoporous silica gel surfaces at different temperatures were studied by means of nitrogen adsorption–desorption and water desorption. The pore size distribution f(R_p) of titania/silica gel depends on the titania concentration (C_TiO2) and the temperature of titania synthesis. Nonuniformity of TiO₂ phase is maximal at a low C_TiO2 value (3.2 wt.% anatase deposited at 473 K), and two peaks of the fractal dimension distribution f(D) are observed at such a concentration of titania, but at larger C_TiO2 values, only one f(D) peak is seen. More ordered filling of pores and adsorption sites by nitrogen, reflecting in the shape of adsorption energy distributions f(E) at different pressures of adsorbate, is observed for adsorbent with titania (rutile+anatase) grafted on silica gel at a higher temperature (673 K).     

Effects of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption of phosphate and arsenate at the goethite-water interface

The surface properties of a well-crystallized synthetic goethite have been studied by acid-base potentiometric titrations, electrophoresis, and phosphate and arsenate adsorption isotherms at different pH and electrolyte concentrations. The PZC and IEP of the studied goethite were 9.3+/-0.1 and 9.3+/-0.2, respectively. Phosphate and arsenate adsorption decrease as the pH increases in either 0.1 or 0.01 M KNO(3) solutions. Phosphate adsorption is more sensitive to changes in pH and ionic strength than that of arsenate. The combined effects of pH and ionic strength result in higher phosphate adsorption in acidic media at most ionic strengths, but result in lower phosphate adsorption in basic media and low ionic strengths. The CD-MUSIC model yields rather good fit of the experimental data. For phosphate it was necessary to postulate the presence of three inner-sphere surface complexes (monodentate nonprotonated, bidentate nonprotonated, and bidentate protonated). In contrast, arsenate could be well described by postulating only the presence of the two bidenate species. A small improvement of the arsenate adsorption data could be achieved by assuming the presence of a monodentate protonated species. Model predictions are in agreement with spectroscopic evidence, which suggest, especially for the case of arsenate, that mainly bidentate inner-sphere complexes are formed at the goethite-water interface.     

Silylating Agents Grafted onto Silica Derived from Leached Chrysotile

Silica from leached chrysotile fibers (SILO) was silanized with trialkoxyaminosilanes to yield inorganic–organic hybrids designated SILx (x=1–3). The greatest amounts of the immobilized agents were quantified as 2.14, 1.90, and 2.18 mmol g⁻¹ on SIL1, SIL2, and SIL3 for –(CH₂)₃NH₂,–(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₂NH₂, and –(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₂NH(CH₂)₂NH₂ groups attached to the inorganic support. The infrared spectra for all modified silicas showed the absence of the Si–OH deformation mode, originally found at 950 cm⁻¹, and the appearance of asymmetric and symmetric C–H stretching bands at 2950 and 2840 cm⁻¹. Other important bands associated with the organic moieties were assigned to ν_as(NH) at 3478 and ν_sym(NH) at 3418 cm⁻¹. The NMR spectrum of the solid precursor material suggested two different kinds of silicon atoms: silanol and siloxane groups, between −90 and 110 ppm; however, additional species of silicon that contain the organic moieties bonded to silicon at −58 and −66 ppm appeared after chemical modification. These modified silicas showed a high adsorption capacity for cobalt and copper cations in aqueous solution, in contrast to the original SILO matrix, confirming the unequivocal anchoring of silylating agents on the silica surface.     

Adsorption of cadmium(II) onto goethite and kaolinite in the presence of benzene carboxylic acids

The effect of benzene carboxylic acids on the adsorption of Cd(II) (5×10⁻⁵ M) by goethite and kaolinite has been studied in 0.005 M NaNO₃ at 25°C. The concentrations of phthalic (benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid), hemimellitic (1,2,3), trimellitic (1,2,4), trimesic (1,3,5), pyromellitic (1,2,4,5) and mellitic (1,2,3,4,5,6) acids varied from 2.5×10⁻⁵ to 1×10⁻³ M. Mellitic acid complexes Cd(II) strongly above about pH 3, but the other acids only at higher pH, phthalic acid forming the weakest complexes. Phthalic, trimesic and mellitic acids adsorbed strongly to goethite at pH 3, but adsorption decreased at higher pH; however, mellitic acid was still about 50% adsorbed at pH 9, by which the other two were almost entirely in solution. At 10⁻³ M all the acids enhanced the adsorption of Cd(II) to goethite, the higher members of the series being the most effective. The higher members of the series suppressed Cd(II) adsorption onto kaolinite, but phthalic and trimesic acids caused slight enhancement. The effects of mellitic acid on Cd(II) adsorption depended strongly on its concentration. The maximum enhancement of Cd(II) adsorption onto goethite was at 10⁻⁴ M. The greatest suppression of Cd(II) adsorption onto kaolinite was at 10⁻³ M, and at 2.5×10⁻⁵ M mellitic acid enhanced Cd(II) adsorption onto kaolinite at intermediate pH. The results are interpreted in terms of complexation between metal and ligand (acid), metal and substrate, ligand and substrate, and the formation of ternary surface complexes in which the ligand acts as a bridge between the metal and the surface.     

Adsorption Isotherms of Cetylpyridinium Chloride with Iron III Salts at Air/Water and Silica/Water Interfaces

The interaction of iron III salts and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) has been studied at the air/water and silica/water interfaces. The surface tension of cetylpyridinium chloride has been determined in aqueous solutions in the presence of iron III chloride and iron III nitrate at two constant pH values, namely, 3.5 and 1.2. It is shown that the surface tension of the cationic surfactant depends upon the ionic strength of the solution through the pH adjustment in the presence of the former salt but not in the presence of the latter. The effect of iron III nitrate on the surface tension of CPC is similar to that of potassium nitrate, indicating that the iron III various-hydrolyzed species do not interfere with the composition of the air/water interface. The competitive adsorption of iron III nitrate salt and the cationic surfactant at a silica/water interface was next investigated. The adsorption isotherms were determined at pH 3.5. It is shown that although the iron III ions, which were added to the silica dispersion in the presence of the cetylpyridinium ions, were strongly bound to the anionic surface sites, the surfactant ions are not salted out in the solution but remain in close vicinity of the silica surface. Conversely as the cationic surfactant is added first to the silica dispersion in the presence of the adsorbed iron III ions, the metal ions and the surfactant ions are both coadsorbed onto the silica surface. It is suggested that iron III hydrolyzed or free cations and the cationic surfactant molecules may not compete for the same adsorption sites onto the silica surface.     

Polydispersity and Functional Group Distribution of Dispersant Polymer: Adsorption Properties and Magnetic Paint Dispersion

The quantitative analysis examining the functional group distribution of a dispersant polymer for magnetic paints is conducted by statistical estimation and adsorption experiments. The dispersant polymer contains averagely one or two functional groups on the chain, and has generally large polydispersity. By the calculation based on the random distribution of the functional group and the molecular weight, a typical design of the dispersant polymer is found to contain a significant amount of nonfunctionalized chains and highly functionalized ones. In adsorption experiments, the adsorbed amount of the polymer mass and the functional group are separately measured to determine the functional group distribution. The distribution is also evaluated by a sequential adsorption experiment, in which the chains are fractionated by the adsorption strength. Obtained experimental results agree with the calculated results. A practical method for increasing the effective chains in the paint is to make use of a preferential adsorption of the functionalized chain.     

Effects of Nonionic and Mixed Cationic-Nonionic Micelles on the Rate of Alkaline Hydrolysis of 4-Nitrophthalimide

Pseudo-first-order rate constants (k_obs) for alkaline hydrolysis of 4-nitrophthalimide show a monotonic decrease with increase in [C₁₂E₂₃]_T (total concentration of Brij 35) at constant [CH₃CN] and [NaOH]. This micellar effect is explained in terms of a pseudophase micelle model. The rate of hydrolysis becomes too slow to monitor at [C₁₂E₂₃]_T≥0.03 M in the absence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) and at [C₁₂E₂₃]_T≥0.04 M in the presence of 0.006–0.02 M CTABr at 0.01 M NaOH. The plots of k_obs versus [C₁₂E₂₃]_T show minima at 0.006 and 0.01 M CTABr, while such a minimum is not visible at 0.02 M CTABr.     

Highly Dispersed X/SiO(2) and C/X/SiO(2) (X=Alumina, Titania, Alumina/Titania) in the Gas and Liquid Media

Fumed oxides, such as silica, alumina, titania, and mixed X/silicas (X=Al₂O₃ (AS), TiO₂ (TS), CVD-TiO₂, Al₂O₃/TiO₂ (AST)), pristine or covered by carbon deposits formed due to pyrolysis of cyclohexene, were studied using nitrogen adsorption–desorption, photon correlation spectroscopy particle sizing, and electrophoresis. A significant influence of the nature of surface-active sites and structural features of oxides (individual silica, mixed fumed, or prepared using chemical vapor deposition (CVD)) on the pyrolysis of cyclohexene is observed with respect to the pore size distributions due to differences between primary particles in aggregates and on their outer surfaces in the filling of channels by pyrocarbon, resulting also in a decrease in fractal dimension. Structural characteristics and dependences of the particle size distribution and electrokinetic potential of X/SiO₂ and C/X/SiO₂ on the pH of aqueous suspensions suggest that the carbon deposit covers mainly acidic sites at the X/SiO₂ interfaces and X phase patches possessing catalytic activity in pyrolysis, as the negative charge of particles is reduced by pyrocarbon grafting.     

H(2)O Outgassing Properties of Fumed and Precipitated Silica Particles by Temperature-Programmed Desorption

Temperature-programmed desorption was performed at temperatures up to 850 K on as-received fumed and precipitated silica particles. Physisorbed water molecules on both types of silica had activation energies in the range of 38–61 kJ/mol. However, the activation energies of desorption for chemisorbed water varied from 80 to >247 kJ/mol for fumed silica, Cab-O-Sil-M-7D, and 96 to 155 kJ/mol for precipitated silica, Hi-Sil-233. Our results suggest that physisorbed water can be effectively pumped away at room temperature (or preferably at 320 K) in a matter of hours. Chemisorbed water with high activation energies of desorption (>126 kJ/mol) will not escape silica surfaces in 100 years even at 320 K, while a significant amount of the chemisorbed water with medium activation energies (80–109 kJ/mol) will leave the silica surfaces in that time span. Most of the chemisorbed water with activation energies <126 kJ/mol can be pumped away in a matter of days in a good vacuum environment at 500 K. We had previously measured about 0.1–0.4 wt% of water in silica-reinforced polysiloxane formulations containing 21% Cab-O-Sil-M-7D and 4% Hi-Sil-233. Comparing present results with these formulations, we conclude that the adsorbed H₂O and the Si–OH bonds on the silica surfaces are the major contributors to water outgassing from these types of silica-filled polymers.     

Use of the Gaussian Distribution Function as a Tool to Estimate Continuous Heterogeneity in Adsorbing Systems

In environmental engineering, adsorption and desorption are phenomena commonly referred to as responsible for pollution dispersion, retention, or retardation in soils, aquifers, and hydrologic systems. They are also used to remove organic pollutants from water or odorous compounds in gas deodorization. Most often, the characterization of the aqueous adsorption systems that are of engineering interest involves a narrow adsorbate concentration range and low values of the adsorbate concentration. The practice is to use the Freundlich equation that best fits most data and is considered sufficient to design adsorption contactors. However, no physical or chemical meaning can be associated with the values taken by the parameters. The present paper gives a new way of analyzing adsorption data, using an extension of the Freundlich equation and the Gaussian distribution function that makes it possible to associate parameter values of this extension with the adsorbate–adsorbent normal interaction energy, its heterogeneity, and to some extent the adsorbate–adsorbate lateral interaction energy.     

Assembly of Alternated Multivalent Ion/Polyelectrolyte Layers on Colloidal Particles. Stability of the Multilayers and Encapsulation of Macromolecules into Polyelectrolyte Capsules

Alternating adsorption of multivalent ions and oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on colloid particles has been investigated. Multilayer films composed of Tb³⁺/polysterene sulfonate (PSS) and 4-pyrene sulfate/polyallylamine (PAH) were successfully assembled on polysterene sulfonate (PS) and melamine formaldehyde (MF) latex particles. The amount of assembled material was estimated by fluorescence and the linear growth of the film versus the number of layers was demonstrated. These multilayers are not stable and can be decomposed by salt and temperature. Dissolution of MF particles leads to formation of hollow capsules consisting of multivalent ion/polyelectrolyte multilayers. Comparative analysis of the capsules was done by confocal and scanning force microscopy. Complex hollow spheres consisting of Tb³⁺/PSS or 4-PS/PAH as an inner shell and stable PSS/PAH as an outer shell were produced. Due to selective permeability of the outer shell after degradation of the inner shell the multivalent ions are released out of the capsule while the polyelectrolytes fill the capsule interior. This is indicative of swelling of the capsule by osmotic pressure. The filled capsules were studied by confocal and scanning electron microscopy. Possibilities of encapsulating macromolecules in defined amounts per capsule are discussed.     

The influence of temperature on the adsorption of mellitic acid onto goethite

The adsorption of mellitic acid (benzene-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexacarboxylic acid) onto goethite was investigated at five temperatures between 10 and 70 degrees C. Mellitic acid adsorption increased with increasing temperature below pH 7.5, but at higher pH the effect of increasing temperature was to reduce the amount adsorbed. Potentiometric titrations were conducted and adsorption isotherms were measured over the same temperature range, and the data obtained were used in conjunction with adsorption edge data to develop an Extended Constant Capacitance Surface Complexation Model of mellitic acid adsorption. A single set of reactions was used to model the adsorption for the three different experiment types at the five temperatures studied. The adsorption reactions proposed for mellitate ion (L(6-)) adsorption at the goethite surface (SOH) involved the formation of two outer-sphere complexes: SOH + L(6-) + 3H+ <==> [(SOH2)+ (LH2)(4-)]3-, 2SOH + L(6-) + 2H+ <==> [(SOH2)2(2+) (L)(6-)]4-. This mechanism is consistent with recent ATR-FTIR spectroscopic measurements of the mellitate-goethite system. Thermodynamic parameters calculated from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants for these reactions indicate that the adsorption of mellitic acid onto goethite is accompanied by a large entropy increase.