Investigations on growth, thermal, electrical, and etching studies of KCl-doped triglycine sulfate single crystals

Single crystals of pure triglycine sulfate (TGS) and potassium chloride (KCl)-doped TGS with different concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 1?mol%) were grown from aqueous solutions by natural evaporation process at room temperature. Thermal stability of the grown crystals was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric (TG) studies. DTA curve shows a lower decomposition temperature for KCl-doped TGS crystal than that of pure TGS crystal. The dielectric properties of pure TGS and KCl-doped TGS crystals were performed in the frequency range of 1?C500?kHz at 30?°C and this study showed that the dielectric constant was increased due to KCl concentration. DC electrical conductivity measurements were made in the temperature range from 35 to 100?°C and showed that the DC conductivity was increased with the increase of temperature as well as doping concentrations of KCl. The etching feature of the surface of the grown crystals was studied in water etchant.     

N,N,N',N'-Tetrabutyladipicamide as a new extractant in toluene of nitric acid and uranium (VI)

N,N,N',N'-Tetrabutyladipicamide (TBAA) was used for the extraction of nitric acid and uranyl(II) ion from nitric acid media into toluene. The effects of nitric acid, uranyl(II) ion, and extractant concentration, temperature and back extraction on the distribution coefficient of uranyl(II) ion have been studied. The main adduct of TBAA and HNO₃ is TBAA·HNO₃ in 1.0 mol/l nitric acid solution. The 1:2:2 complex of uranyl(II) ion, nitrate ion and TBAA as extracted species is further confirmed by IR spectra of the extraction of uranyl(II) ion with TBAA. The values of the thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated.     

N-dodecanoylpyrrolidine as a new extractant for uranyl(II) and nitric acid in toluene

N-dodecanoylpyrrolidine (DOPOD) was synthesized and used for the extraction of nitric acid and uranyl(VI) ions from nitric media in toluene. The effects of nitric acid concentration, extractant concentration, temperature, salting-out agent (LiNO₃) have been studied. The main adduct of DOPOD and HNO₃ is HNO₃·DOPOD. The complex formation of uranyl(VI) ion, nitrate ion and DOPOD (UO₂(NO₃)₂·2DOPOD) as extracted species are further confirmed by IR spectra and the values of thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated.     

Study on Properties of TBP-HNO3 Complex Used for Direct Dissolution of Lanthanide and Actinide Oxides in Supercritical Fluid CO2

The tri-n-butyl phosphate-nitric acid （TBP-HNO3） complex prepared by contacting the pure TBP with the concentrated HNO3 can be used for direct dissolution of lanthanide and actinide oxides in the supercritical fluid carbon dioxide （SCF-CO2）. Properties of the TBP-HNO3 complex have been studied. Experimental results showed that when the initial HNO3/TBP volume ratio was varied from 1 ： 7 to 5 ： 1, the concentration of HNO3 in the TBP-HNO3 complex changed from 1.95 to 5.89 mol/L, the [HNO3]/[TBP] ratio of the TBP-HNO3 complex changed from 0.61 to 2.22, and the content of H20 in the TBP-HNO3 complex changed from 2.02% to 4.19%. All of the density, viscosity and surface tension of the TBP-HNO3 complex changed with the concentration of HNO3 in the complex, and were higher than those of the pure TBE The protons of HNO3 and H2O in the complex underwent rapid exchange to exhibit a singlet resonance peak in nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. When the TBP-HNO3 complex was dissolved in a low dielectric constant solvent, small droplets of HNO3 were formed that can be detected by NMR.     

Radiation-induced decomposition of the tributyl phosphate-nitric acid system: Role of nitric acid

Radiation-induced decomposition of tributyl phosphate-nitric acid as a two-component system has been studied. Degradation products, dibutylphosphoric acid (DBP) and monobutylphosphoric acid (MBP), were determined by separation-extraction method. 0.59, 0.78 and 1.38 are the G (DBP) values and 0.15, 0.17 and 0.13 are the G (MBP) values obtained for pure TBP, TBP-3M HNO₃ extract and TBP-5M HNO₃ extract, respectively. G (–HNO₃) values are 5.19 and 6.15 for 3M HNO₃ and 5M HNO₃ extracts. It is shown that nitric acid plays a significant role in enhancing the decomposition of TBP.     

Single crystal circular and linear dichroism spectra and absolute configuration of M(en)3(NO3)2 (M = Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Ru(II)

The isomorphous single crystals of M(ethylenediamine)₃(NO₃)₂, where M is Zn(II), Ni(II) and Co(II), exhibit macroscopic optical activity as predicted by their acentric space group. Axial circular dichroism measurements on these pure crystals show conclusively that spontaneous resolution has occurred. The axial circular dichroism and orthoaxial linear dichroism spectra of these pure crystals, and of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Ru(II) doped into the Zn(en)₃(NO₃)₂ crystal have been measured at ambient and cryogenic temperatures in the range from 7 to 35 kK. The first NO₃^? transition at 32.5 kK is assigned as ¹A ← ¹A based on its linear polarization and sign of rotational strength. The d-d transitions are assigned in the context of D₃ symmetry and reveal a small negative crystal field parameter k, consistent with theoretical prediction. A positive R for all d-d transitions is found to be associated with the Λ configuration for all of the complex ions, by correlation with the crystal and solution circular dichroism of Ru(en)₃²⁺.     

Studies on the sorption of Pu(IV) on alumina microspheres from nitric acid-oxalic acid solutions

Sorption of Pu(IV) on alumina microspheres prepared by the sol-gel procedure has been investigated for the recovery of plutonium from nitric acid-oxalic acid solutions. Distribution ratio for Pu(IV) between alumina microspheres and nitric acid-oxalic acid have been determined. The influence of the mode of preparation and heat treatment of these microspheres, on the sorption of Pu(IV) have been investigated. Pu(IV) breakthrough capacities have been determined using a 5 ml bed of alumina with solutions of Pu(IV) in 1M HNO₃+0.05M H₂C₂O₄ and 0.5M HNO₃+0.05M H₂C₂O₄. The elution behavior of Pu(IV) loaded on these microspheres were studied using nitric acid solutions containing different oxidising and reducing agents. Investigations were also carried out to fix the activity in the alumina matrix by heat treatment.     

Growth and thermal kinetics of pure and cadmium doped barium phosphate single crystal

Non-isothermal kinetic parameter of pure and cadmium-doped barium phosphate single crystal grown by room temperature solution technique have been investigated. Single crystal X-ray diffraction establishes grown crystal to be orthorhombic in nature. Scanning electron microscopy supplemented with energy dispersive X-ray analysis was used to study the surface features and to find the exact stoichiometric composition of the grown crystal. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirm the presence of various functional groups. The effect of cadmium doping on pure barium phosphate single crystal was studied using thermogravimetry analysis. Thermogravimetry studies shows that the pure crystal was stable up to a temperature of 330 °C whereas doped crystal was stable up to a temperature of 240 °C, i.e., pure crystals were more stable than doped ones. Various solid-state reaction kinetics, i.e., activation energy (E _a), frequency factor (Z), and entropy (ΔS*) was calculated out to find the mechanism of thermal decomposition at different stages for pure and cadmium doped barium phosphate.     

Synthesis,crystal growth,structural, spectral,optical, thermal and dielectric studies of a new nonlinear optical material: 4-Hydroxy-l-proline-l-tartaric acid (1:1)

Single crystals of a new organic material, 4-hydroxy-l-proline-l-tartaric acid (HPTA) adduct, were grown by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution containing equimolar concentrations of 4-hydroxy-l-proline and l-tartaric acid at room temperature. Formation of new crystal has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The single crystal XRD analysis shows that a molecule of 4-hydroxy-l-proline and a molecule of free l-tartaric acid both of which are interlinked to each other by two types of H-bonding interactions, namely O(6)–H(6)⋯O(2) and N(1)–H(1B)⋯O(10). The title compound (HPTA) crystallizes in monoclinic crystal system with non-centrosymmetric space group P2₁. The suitability of the crystal for optical applications was studied by UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral analysis was used to confirm the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystals. The thermal stability of the compound was investigated by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the crystal were studied as a function of frequency and temperature. The fluorescence spectral analysis of the title crystal shows an indigo emission. The second order nonlinear optical (NLO) property of the crystal was confirmed by the modified Kurtz–Perry powder second harmonic generation (SHG) test.     

Radiolytic degradation of TBP-HNO3 system: Gas chromatographic determination of radiation chemical yields of n-Butanol and nitrobutane

Radiolytic degradation of the TBP-HNO₃ system has been studied for the radiation dose range of 19.8 to 262 kGy by the gas chromatographic method. n-Butanol and nitrobutane formed due to irradiation have been identified and estimated in pure TBP, TBP-3M HNO₃ extract and TBP-5M HNO₃ extract. The G-values (radiation chemical yields) of n-butanol are determined to be 0.28, 0.77 and 0.47 for a pure TBP, TBP-3M HNO₃ extract and TBP-5M HNO₃ extract, respectively. The G-values of nitrobutane (1-nitrobutane) are 0.55 and 1.09 for TBP-3M HNO₃ extract and TBP-5M HNO₃ extract. It is found than G(n-butanol) is less for TBP-5M HNO₃ extract than for TBP-3M HNO₃ extract, while G(nitrobutane) is grater for TBP-5M HNO₃ extract than for TBP-3M HNO₃ extract. This is explained on the basis of the formation of TBP.HNO₃ species and the role played by nitric acid in the TBP phase.     

Extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) from nitric acid solution by N-alkylcaprolactam

Extraction of uranium(VI), thorium(IV) from nitric acid has been studied with N-octylcaprolactam and N-(2-ethyl)hexylcaprolactam. Distribution coefficients of U(VI), Th(IV) and HNO₃ as a function of aqueous NHO₃ concentration, extractant concentration and temperature have been studied. The compositions of extracted species, thermodynamic parameters of extraction have been evaluated. Third phase formation in extraction of U(VI) has been studied. Back extraction behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) from the organic phase has also been tested. The results obtained are compared with those obtained by using TBP under the same experimental conditions.     

New extractants for reprocessing of spent Th-U fuel

A study on solvent extraction of U(VI), Th(IV) and HNO₃ from nitric acid media by DEHSO is described. Extraction coefficients of U(VI), Th(IV) and HNO₃ as a function of aqueous HNO₃ concentration, extractant concentration and temperature have been studied. From the data the compositions of extracted species, equilibrium constants and enthalpies of extraction reaction have been evaluated. Back-extraction of U(VI) and Th(IV) from the organic phase by dilute nitric acid has also been tested. All studies on DEHSO are compared with TBP.     

Effect of sunset yellow dye on morphological,optical, dielectric,thermal and mechanical properties of KDP crystal

Herein, we describe the growth and morphology of well-defined dyed crystals of KH₂PO₄ (potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate; KDP) containing organic azo (sunset yellow; SSY) dye in the {1 0 1} & {0 0 1} pyramidal growth sectors. An understanding on selective dye inclusion in various growth sector of host crystal is proposed, which will help in designing novel tailor-made dyed photonic crystals. The structural analysis and the identification of various functional groups present in as grown KDP crystals were carried out using powder XRD, FTIR and Raman studies. Solid state transmittance spectra for dyed KDP crystals displayed three absorption peaks at 230 nm, 311 nm and 477 nm, which were blue shifted for SSY dye in KDP crystal relative to neutral aqueous solution of SSY dye. These blue shifts in the absorption maxima confirm the successful incorporation of sunset yellow dye into the pyramidal growth sectors of dyed KDP crystals. The band around 409 nm in the photoluminescence emission spectrum indicates a violet emission. SSY dye doped KDP crystals showed enhanced dielectric properties and thermal stability as compared to pure KDP crystal. The mechanical strength of the KDP crystals estimated using Vickers microhardness test was found to decrease with the increase in SSY dye doping.     

Thermal analysis,effect of dopants,spectral characterisation and growth aspects of KAP crystals

Potassium acid phthalate (KAP) which is also known as potassium hydrogen phthalate (KC₈H₅O₄), a semi-organic compound was grown from its aqueous solution only by slow evaporation method at room temperature. The effect of metallic salts HgCl₂ and PbCl₂ as dopants in the growth aspects, thermal properties and SHG efficiency of KAP were determined using UV-VIS, FTIR spectral studies, thermal (TG and DTA) analysis and NLO test. There is only one significant mass loss step on TG curve of pure and doped KAP crystal. DTA curve exhibit a higher peak temperature in case of doped KAP crystal compared to those of pure KAP crystals.     

Electrochemical reduction of uranium(VI) in nitric acid-hydrazine solution on glassy carbon electrode

Electrochemical reduction of U(VI) in nitric acid-hydrazine solution is greatly influenced by the concentration of nitric acid. In low acidity nitric acid solution such as 0.1M (M=mol/dm³) HNO₃, U(VI) was firstly reduced to U(V) and then partially reduced to U(IV). In high acidity nitric acid solution, e.g., 3-6M HNO₃, an electrode process of two-electron transfer was involved in the reduction of U(VI). A higher U(IV) yield could be achieved in nitric acid solution with higher concentration. Hydrazine was very effective in suppressing the reduction of concentrated nitric acid, and the optimal concentration of hydrazine added was 0.075 to 0.15M in 6M HNO₃ This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electromigration of Bk(IV) and some other tetravalent cations in nitric acid solutions

Electromigration of Bk(IV) and Ce(IV) in mixed HNO₃−HClO₄ solutions at constant total acid concentration of 6M has been investigated. Comparative electromigration of Bk(IV), Pu(IV), Th(IV) and Ce(IV) has been studied in nitric acid solutions at concentrations from 2M to 16M. Comparison of the obtained values of mobility shows that the ability to form negatively charged hexanitrato complexes in nitric acid solutions decreases with a decrease in ionic radius of the cations: Ce(IV), Th(IV), Pu(IV), Bk(IV). The mobility corresponding to negatively charged ions in the case of Bk(IV) appears only at HNO₃ concentrations higher than 10M. This fact allowed to explain the specific features of ion-exchange and solvent extraction behaviour of Bk(IV).     

Growth, spectral studies, thermal and dielectric aspects of l-lysine doped triglycine sulpho phosphate (TGSP) crystals

Single crystals of ferroelectric material triglycine sulpho phosphate (TGSP) have been grown by slow evaporation method. The effect of l-lysine addition on the growth of TGSP crystal has been studied for various concentrations (5, 10 and 20 mol%). Unit cell parameters were determined from powder XRD analysis. Functional groups present in the grown crystal were confirmed from the vibrational frequencies of recorded FTIR and FT-Raman spectrum. The l-lysine doping into the crystal lattice has been qualitatively confirmed by spectral analysis. Thermogravimetric studies confirm that the lysine is incorporated into TGSP crystals. Dielectric studies reveal that the incorporation of lysine into TGSP enhances its dielectric strength.     

Plutonium(III) oxidation under α-irradiation in nitric acid solutions

Plutonium(III) oxidation under high energy α-irradiation in nitric acid solutions has been studied relative to concentrations of both nitric acid (0.12–2.9 mol/l) and plutonium (1.4–10 mmol/l) using spectrophotometric techniques. Curium-244 has been used as the basic alpha-irradiation source. It has been stated that in solutions with nitric acid concentrations lower than 0.5 mol/l plutonium(III) does not oxidize completely. In the course of the process the formation of a plutonium(IV) peroxide complex is observed. Increase in the nitric acid concentration results in that in both the rate and degree of plutonium(III) oxidation. When c_{HNO 3} is higher than 0.5 mol/l the peroxide complex does not form and the process assumes an autocatalytic character. It has also been shown that plutonium(III) oxidation kinetics is significantly affected by nitrous acid, one of the nitrate ion radiolysis products. To describe plutonium chemical transformations under irradiation in nitric acid solutions, a kinetic scheme is proposed. The calculations have been carried out on a BESM-6 computer; a satisfactory agreement between the calculated and experimental data has been obtained.     

Multielement characterization of soil samples with ICP-MS for environmental studies

The recovery of trace elements of ecotoxic importance has been studied on certified soil and sediment reference samples after pressurized digestions with HNO₃, HNO₃+HF and HNO₃+HCl+HF mixtures, respectively. The acid digests have been analyzed by ICP-MS. The results indicate that digestion with nitric acid alone is satisfactory for the recovery of As, Cd, Co, Cu and Zn. Cr and Pb showed lower recoveries with HNO₃ alone but addition of HF improved their extraction. With appropriate corrections, ICP-MS can be used for the routine analysis of soils and sediments. These digestion procedures, evaluated based on reference samples, have been used for the trace element characterization of soil samples from the German Environmental Specimen Bank.     

Optical,piezoelectric and mechanical properties of xylenol orange doped ADP single crystals for NLO applications

Single crystals of pure and xylenol orange (XO; C₃₁H₃₂N₂O₁₃S) dye doped (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mol%) ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP; NH₄H₂PO₄) were grown by slow evaporation method with the vision to improve the properties of pure ammonium dihydrogen phosphate crystal. The theoretical morphology of the grown crystals was drawn using Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker (BFDH) law. The selective nature of xylenol orange dye to selectively stain the particular growth sectors of ADP crystal was studied. The structural analysis of as grown crystals was carried out using powder XRD study. The identification of the functional groups present in the ADP material was done using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The linear optical study on pure and dye doped crystals was carried out using UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy. The optical band gap, extinction coefficient, refractive index and optical conductivity were calculated using the transmittance spectra for all the samples. In photoluminescence studies, the blue emission intensity got quenched and an orange emission at 597 nm was seen as a result of XO doping. The thermal stability and decomposition temperature of ADP crystal were found to decrease as an effect of dye doping. The piezoelectric charge coefficient, SHG conversion efficiency, mechanical strength and wettability were also enhanced as a result of XO dye doping.