Heavy metal removal using SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> binary oxide: experimental design approach

Sorption of Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺ as heavy metals ions at the interface of the binary oxide TiO₂-SiO₂ was investigated. In addition, physical properties of TiO₂-SiO₂ matrices such as BET surface area, X-ray diffraction, and point of zero charge (pH_PZC) were measured. Statistical design of experiments was applied to find the conditions of sorption at which the maximum heavy metal removal was achieved. A second order polynomial function was used to correlate the independent variables (pH, metal ion concentration, and shaking time) and response (heavy metal removal). Values of regression parameters were determined by the computer program, Design expert^® (Stat-Ease Inc.). The quality of fit of the polynomial model equation was expressed by the regression coefficient R ². The sorption results showed that the pH is the most significant factor. In turn, the sorbed percentage reached 100% at high initial concentration and long shaking times due to formation of hydroxyl compounds between the ions and TiO₂-SiO₂ matrices. The results show that there is a Gaussian (normal) distribution of residuals (squared differences between experimentally observed and predicted values from the model), and also that the differences between observed and predicted values are in the range of ±5%. These indicate that experiments were well-conducted and the results have no significant error.     

Impact of environmental conditions on the sorption behavior of UO<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>2+</Superscript> onto attapulgite studied by batch experiments

The sorption of UO₂ ²⁺ from aqueous solution on attapulgite was investigated as a function of contact time, solid content, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, humic acid (HA), and fulvic acid (FA) under ambient conditions by using batch technique. The attapulgite sample was characterized by XRD and FTIR in detail. The results indicated that the sorption of UO₂ ²⁺ was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The sorption of UO₂ ²⁺ on attapulgite increased quickly with rising pH at pH < 6.5, and decreased with increasing pH at pH > 6.5. The presence of HA or FA enhanced the sorption of UO₂ ²⁺ on attapulgite obviously at low pH because of the strong complexation of surface adsorbed HA/FA with UO₂ ²⁺ on attapulgite surface. Sorption of UO₂ ²⁺ on attapulgite was mainly dominated by ion-exchange or outer-sphere surface complexation at low pH values, but by inner-sphere surface complexation at high pH values. The results indicate that attapulgite is a very suitable adsorbent for the preconcentration and solidification of UO₂ ²⁺ from large volumes of aqueous solutions because of its negative surface charge and large surface areas.     

A comparative study of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> sorption onto MX-80 bentonite,LA bentonite, γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Humic substances have attracted great interest in the investigation of metal ion behavior in the environment because of their special properties. Sorption and complexation of Pb²⁺ on MX-80 bentonite, LA bentonite, alumina and silica as a function of pH were studied in the presence and absence of fulvic acid (FA). The experiments were carried out in 0.01M and 0.001M NaNO₃ solutions under ambient conditions. The results indicate that sorption of Pb²⁺ on the solid samples is strongly dependent on pH and FA. The sorption of Pb²⁺ is not influenced drastically by ionic strength. The nature of minerals/oxides, nature of humic substances and the composition of the solution are important factors in the behavior of metal ions in the environment. The results also indicate that FA has a positive effect on Pb²⁺ sorption at low and a negative effect at high pH values, and the results are discussed in the comparative complexation between FA-Pb²⁺ and Pb²⁺-minerals.     

Cadmium sorption properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxyapatite cryogels: I. kinetic and isotherm studies

A new adsorbent for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater, poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxyapatite(PVA/HAp) composite cryogel, has been investigated. The PVA/HAp cryogel was prepared through a clean process by using water and freeze-thawing. The PVA/HAp cryogel is provided with interconnected macropores varying from 0.1 um to several um and well dispersed and immobilized HAp in cryogel. Batch experiments of cadmium sorption were carried out to test the sorption ability of PVA/HAp cryogel. The isotherm and kinetics of cadmium sorption were studied by fitting the experimental results to isotherm and kinetics models. The Langmuir isotherm suitable for this system shows the maximum sorption capacity of 53.3 mg/g. For kinetics, the double-exponential model presents best fit compared with pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The double-exponential model indicates a diffusion-controlled and a two-step mechanism.     

Impact of environmental conditions on the sorption behavior of radionuclide <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co(II) on MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The fate and transport of toxic metal ions and radionuclides in the environment is generally controlled by sorption reactions. The removal of ⁶⁰Co(II) from wastewaters by MnO₂ was studied as a function of various environmental parameters such as shaking time, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, and humic substances under ambient conditions. The results indicated that the sorption of ⁶⁰Co(II) on MnO₂ was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. At low pH, the sorption of ⁶⁰Co(II) was dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation and ion exchange with Na⁺/H⁺ on MnO₂ surfaces, whereas inner-sphere surface complexation was the main sorption mechanism at high pH. The presence of HA/FA enhances ⁶⁰Co(II) sorption at low pH values, whereas reduces ⁶⁰Co(II) sorption at high pH values. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to simulate the sorption isotherms of ⁶⁰Co(II) at three different temperatures of 298.15, 318.15 and 338.15 K. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH ⁰, ΔS ⁰ and ΔG ⁰) calculated from the temperature dependent sorption isotherms indicated that the sorption process of ⁶⁰Co(II) on MnO₂ was endothermic and spontaneous.     

Sorption behavior of Co(II) on γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the presence of humic acid

The fate and transport of toxic metal ions and radionuclides in the environment is generally controlled by sorption reactions. The extent of sorption of divalent metal cations is controlled by a number of factors including cosorbing or complexing. In this work, the effects of pH, humic acid HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, concentration of HA, and foreign cations on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA were investigated. The sorption isotherms of Co(II) on γ-Al₂O₃ in the absence and presence HA were also studied and described by using S-type sorption model. The experimental results showed that the Co(II) sorption is strongly dependent on the pH values, concentration of HA, but independent of HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, and foreign cations in the presence of HA under our experimental conditions. The results also indicated that HA enhanced the Co(II) sorption at low pH, but reduced the Co(II) sorption at high pH. It was hypothesized that the significantly positive influence of HA at low pH on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ was attributed to strong surface binding of HA on γ-Al₂O₃ and subsequently the formation of ternary surface complexes such as ≡S-OOC-R-(COO⁻) _x Co^2−x . Chemi-complexation may be the main mechanism of the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA.     

Effect of temperature on the sorption behavior of sodium potassium fluorophlogopite with respect to the heavy metal ions Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, and Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

The effect of temperature on the sorption behavior of a synthesized gel structurally close to the fluorine mica mineral, sodium potassium fluorophologopite, was studied for the heavy metal ions Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺. The synthesized gel was characterized by X-ray powder pattern, energy dispersive spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis and was found to have the composition Na_0.5K_0.5Mg(AlSi₃O₁₀)F₂·6H₂O. The effect of temperature on sorption was studied with respect to varying concentrations of metal ions. The overall sorption capacity of the synthesized gel was found to depend on the number of ion active groups per unit weight of the material. The data were expressed in terms of distribution coefficients (K _d). Sorption data followed Freundlich adsorption isotherms. Studies showed that sorption decreased as the concentration of metal ions increased and increased as the temperature grew, which was evidence that the process was endothermic. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Solubility of Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and sorption of Eu(III) onto TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the presence of Se(IV)

Metal ions sorption can be significantly affected by the presence of other sorbates, especially of complexing ligands. In this study, the effect of Se(IV) on Eu(III) sorption onto TiO₂ at different pH and Eu(III) concentration was investigated. Se(IV) was found to enhance Eu(III) sorption as a function of Se(IV) concentration. Constant capacitance model was successfully used to interpret the sorption experimental data. The solubility product of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ at ambient temperature was investigated to highlight the sorption mechanism of ternary sorption system. The pK _sp value of Eu₂(SeO₃)₃ was found to be 31.51 ± 0.95.     

Effect of organic acids on sorption of uranyl ions in solution onto ZrP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Hydration of zirconium diphosphate (ZrP₂O₇) conduced to formation of active sites in solid/liquid interface. In ZrP₂O₇/NaClO₄ 0.5 M suspensions, active sites and their acidity constants are quite determined but the presence of some impurities is now studied. This work was conducted to determine the surface properties changes produced by oxalic and citric acid during the hydration process. Moreover the presence of organic acids with ZrP₂O₇ modified reveals an increase in uranium sorption constants. The zirconium diphosphate has been characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Particle induced X-ray emission and Neutron (PIXE). Furthermore, the specific surface area, measured by the BET method, was 3.5 m²/g. The pH corresponding to the isoelectric point, determined by Zeta Potential measurements and mass titration was 3.6. The sites density calculated using titration curves was around of 5.37 s/nm² for NaClO₄ 0.5 M_, 13.71 s/nm² for NaClO₄ 0.5 M/citric acid 0.1 M and 7.33 s/nm² NaClO₄ 0.5 M/oxalic acid 0.1 M. The surface acidity constants and species distribution in surface were calculated by means of simulation of the titration curves with the FITEQL code (constant capacitance model), for ZrO and PO amphoteric sites of ZrP₂O_7. The uranyl sorption edge was determined for NaClO₄ 0.5 M. It spreads between pH 3 and 4.5 for complete sorption according to the previously published results. In the ZrP₂O₇–citrate modified surface, the uranyl sorption edge begin at pH 2 and was almost complete at pH 3.2 while ZrP₂O₇–oxalate modified surface edge started at 50% of sorption at pH of 1.5 and was complete at pH 3.     

Biomimetic synthesis of the arachidic acid/Ag<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cd<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>S nanocomposite films

Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles were obtained in arachidic acid (AA) monolayer containing Ag⁺ and Cd²⁺ under H₂S flow. The AA/Ag _x Cd _y S monolayers were deposited onto solid substrate to prepare LB films. The UV-vis spectrum showed that the LB film exhibited notable quantum-size effect. The small-angle X-ray diffraction revealed periodic structure of the LB films. The molar ratio of Ag to Cd in AA/Ag _x Cd _y S film was ca. 1 : 5 as measured by the XPS. TEM and FTIR spectroscopy showed that the head-groups of arachidic acid molecules controlled formation of Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles in the monolayer.     

Impact of environmental conditions on the sorption behavior of radiocobalt in TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/eggshell suspensions

A novel adsorbent, TiO₂/eggshell composite, was synthesized by sol–gel method, and characterized by XRD and FTIR. The removal of ⁶⁰Co(II) from aqueous solution by TiO₂/eggshell was studied as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, humic substances and temperature. The results indicated that the sorption of ⁶⁰Co(II) on TiO₂/eggshell was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The Langmuir, Freundlich and D-R models were applied to simulate the sorption of ⁶⁰Co(II) at temperatures of 303.15, 323.15 and 343.15 K. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH ⁰, ΔS ⁰, ΔG ⁰) calculated from the temperature dependent sorption isotherms indicated that the sorption process of ⁶⁰Co(II) on TiO₂/eggshell was endothermic and spontaneous. At low pH, the sorption of ⁶⁰Co(II) was dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation or ion exchange, whereas inner-sphere surface complexation was the main sorption mechanism at high pH. TiO₂/eggshell composites have good potentialities for cost-effective disposal of ⁶⁰Co(II) bearing wastewaters.     

New phase in the system FeVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Cd<Subscript>4</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript>

A new phase Cd₄Fe_7+xV_9+xO_37+4x, where −0.5<x<1.5, has been obtained in the solid-state in the FeVO₄−Cd₄V₂O₉ system. The temperature of incongruent melting and the unit cell volume of this phase decrease with decreasing the content of cadmium. The IR spectrum and SEM image of the new phase are presented.     

Two color up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol-gel method

Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method using the aluminum isopropoxide as precursor, acetylacetone as a chelating agent, nitric acid as a catalyzer, and hydrated erbium nitrate as a dopant under isopropanol environment. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al, Er)₂O₃ phases, α, γ, θ, and an Er–Al–O stoichiometric compound phase, Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄, was observed for the 0.01–0.5 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the sintering temperature of 1,000 °C. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. With increasing Er³⁺ doping concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions increased with a decrease of the intensity ratio of the green to red emission. When the Er³⁺ doping concentration rose to 5 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions decreased with an increase of their intensity ratio. The maximum intensity of both the green and red emissions with the minimum of intensity ratio was obtained, respectively, for the 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders composed of a single α-(Al,Er)₂O₃ phase. The intensity ratio of the green emission at 523 and 545 nm increased monotonously for all Er³⁺ doping concentrations. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders.     

Study of Fe-doped V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst for an enhanced NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SCR in diesel exhaust aftertreatment

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia has been considered as the most promising technology, as its effect deals with the NO_X. Novel Fe-doped V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts were prepared by sol–gel and impregnation methods. The effects of iron content and reaction temperature on the catalyst SCR reaction activity were explored by a test device, the results of which revealed that catalysts could exhibit the best catalytic activity when the iron mass ratio was 0.05%. It further proved that the VTiFe (0.05%) catalyst performed the best in denitration and its NO_X conversion reached 99.5% at 270 °C. The outcome of experimental procedures: Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction and adsorption (H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD) techniques showed that the iron existed in the form of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ and the superior catalytic performance was attributed to the highly dispersed active species, lots of surface acid sites and absorbed oxygen. The modified Fe-doped catalysts do not only have terrific SCR activities, but also a rather broad range of active temperature which also enhances the resistance to SO₂ and H₂O.     

Pyridyl derivatives provide new pathways for labeling protein with fac-[<Superscript>188</Superscript>Re(CO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>+</Superscript>

The purpose of this work was to indirect label IgG with fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ and to check the radiochemical behavior of the labeled product. The compound of (bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino)-acetic acid (L²H) was synthesized and labeled with fac-[¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺. The labeling yield of ¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃–L²H was more than 90%. The effects of protein concentration, reaction time, pH and reaction temperature of labeling of IgG with ¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃–L²H were investigated. The conjugation conditions were optimized. The labeled product was analyzed by size exclusion HPLC and TLC. The stability of ¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃–L²H–IgG in vitro was high. The results of this study may be useful for [¹⁸⁸Re(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ labeling of protein for radioimmunotherapy.     

Sorption of Cs<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript> by ion exchanger based on titanium phosphate

Sorption capacity of a composite ion exchanger based on titanium phosphate for Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ cations was studied. The effect of pH and concentration of salts and, in particular, sodium chloride in solution on the sorption efficiency and distribution coefficient was analyzed. The diffusion coefficients were calculated for the Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ cations and the time of half-exchange of the Na⁺ cation for the Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ cations was found.     

Calculation of chemical equilibria in CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-heparin-sodium adenosinetriphosphate and MgCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-heparin-sodium adenosinetriphosphate systems in physiological salines

Chemical equilibria in aqueous solutions of disodium adenosinetriphosphate (Na₂H₂ATP), high-molecular-weight heparin (H₄Hep) and Na₂H₂ATP and in MCl₂-H₄Hep-Na₂H₂ATP-H₂O-NaCl (M = Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺) solutions in the 0.15 M NaCl background were studied using computer simulation and pH titration at 2.3 ≤ pH ≤ 10.5. Formation constants were determined for two protonated ATP species, three protonated complex species of heparin with ATP of equimolar stoichiometry, and mixed-ligand calcium and magnesium complexes with heparin and adenosinetriphosphate. The formation constants for mixed-ligand calcium(II) complexes with heparin are more than two times those of homoligand calcium complexes with heparin. As a result, the Ca²⁺ ion concentration at 6.8 ≤ pH ≤ 7.4 (the pH range of blood plasma stability) decreases from 40 to 100 wt % depending on the ratio of the initial concentrations of CaCl₂, H₄Hep, and Na₂H₂ATP.     

Synthesis and characterization of Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanophosphor using a solution-combustion method

Fine Eu³⁺-doped lutetium oxide (Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺) nanophosphor were synthesized using a low-temperature solution-combustion method in a methyl-alcohol solution. The characteristics of the nanophosphors synthesized at various sintering temperatures with different Eu³⁺ concentrations were analyzed to determine the optimum synthesis conditions. Thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis showed that Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ crystallizes completely when the dry powder is sintered at 500 °C. The Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ crystals had a cubic structure and monoclinic phase. The peak position of the luminescence spectrum did not differ with the concentration of Eu or the sintering temperature or atmosphere, whereas the luminescence intensity was strongly dependent on the concentration and sintering conditions.     

Adsorption behavior of <Superscript>99</Superscript>Tc on Fe,Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Summary The adsorption of ⁹⁹Tc on the adsorbers Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ was studied by batch experiments under aerobic and anoxic conditions. The effects of pH and CO₃^2- concentration of the simulated ground water on the adsorption ratios were also investigated, and the valences of Tc in solution after the adsorption equilibrium were studied by solvent extraction. The adsorption isotherms of TcO₄- on the adsorbers Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ were determined. Experimental results have shown that the adsorption ratio of Tc on Fe decreases with the increase of pH in the range of 5-12 and increases with the decrease of the CO₃^2- concentration in the range of 10^-8M-10^-2M. Under aerobic conditions, the adsorption ratios of ⁹⁹Tc on Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ were not influenced by pH and CO₃^2-concentration. When Fe was used as adsorbent, Tc existed mainly in the form of Tc(IV) after equilibrium and in the form of Tc(VII) when the adsorbent was Fe₂O₃ or Fe₃O₄ under aerobic conditions. The adsorption ratios of Tc on Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ decreased with the increase of pH in the range of 5-12 and increased with the decrease of the CO₃^2- concentration in the range of 10^-8M-10^-2M under anoxic conditions. Tc existed mainly in the form of Tc(IV) after equilibrium when Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ was the adsorbent under anoxic conditions. The adsorption isotherms of TcO_4- on the adsorbers Fe, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ are fairly in agreement with the Freundlich’s equation under both aerobic and anoxic conditions.     

Sorption of Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> with the product formed by alkali treatment of boron production wastes

Experiments on sorption of Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous CdCl₂ solutions with calcium hydrosilicate prepared from borogypsum (boron production waste) showed that this cheap sorbent can be used for effi cient sorption of Cd²⁺ ions in a wide range of solid: liquid ratios.