Neutron activation analysis of rare earth impurities in metallic uranium

A method with a sensitivity of 2·10⁻⁷ to 1·10⁻¹⁰% has been developed for determining Yb, Ho, Dy, Gd, Eu, Sm and La impurities in metallic uranium by means of neutron activation. The method is based on a preliminary chromatographic separation of the total amount of rare earth elements from uranium by passing the solution in sulphuric acid through KU-2 cation exchange resin and eluting the traces of uranium retained by the resin with a solution of ascorbic acid. The rare earth impurities are then eluted from the resin with 4–5N HCl, evaporated, and irradiated for 20 hours with a neutron flux of 1.2·10¹³ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹. Subsequently the traces of the rare earth elements are co-precipitated with Fe(OH)₃, dissolved in concentrated HCl and separated from the iron and other impurities by passing the solution through Dowex 1X8 anion exchange resin in the chloride form. The individual rare earth elements are then separated from each other using KU-2 cation exchange resin and a solution of ammonium α-hydroxyisobutyrate as the eluant.     

Interference by neutron induced second order nuclear reaction in activation analysis of rare earths

In determining the trace impurities existing in high-purity rare earth samples by the neutron activation analysis, there are much interference due to nuclides induced from neutron induced second order nuclear reaction. This paper presents the degree of interference calculated over the ranges of irradiation time from 10⁵ to 10⁷ sec and of thermal-neutron flux from 1·10¹² to 1·10¹⁵ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹. According to the results of these calculations, degree of interference under the neutron irradiation condition for 288 hrs in the thermal-neutron flux of 3·10¹³n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ is concluded to be 6.4·10⁶ ppm Gd in Eu, 2.2·10⁴ ppm Sm in Eu, 1.9·10⁴ ppm Ho in Dy, 1.1·10³ ppm Eu in Sm, 1.1·10² ppm Ce in La and 1.1·10 ppm Tb in Gd, respectively. Especially, the Gd determination in the Eu target is extremely affected by¹⁵³Gd formed from the¹⁵¹Eu (n, γ) reaction. On the contrary, this reaction is effective in producing¹⁵³Gd activity.     

Separating Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a Gd matrix using 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester extraction chromatography for ICP-AES analysis

The separation procedure for Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu and Sm as impurities in Gd matrix using ICP-AES technique with an extraction chromatographic column has been developed. The spectral interference of the Gd matrix on the elements was eliminated using a chromatography technique with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC-88A) as the mobile phase and XAD-16 resin as the stationary phase. Ag⁺, B₄O₇²⁻, and Cd²⁺ were eluted with 0.1 M HNO₃, while rare earth ions were not. The best eluent for separating Eu and Sm in the Gd matrix was 0.3 M HNO₃. The limit of quantitation for these elements was 0.6-3.0 ng mL⁻¹. The recovery of Ag, B, and Cd was 90-104% using 0.1 M HNO₃ as the eluent, while that of Eu, Gd, and Sm ranged from 100 to 102% with 0.3 M HNO₃. Dy was recovered quantitatively with 4 M HNO₃. The relative standard deviation of the methods for a set of three replicates was between 1.0 and 15.4% for the synthetic and standard Gd solutions. The proposed separation procedure was used to measure Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a standard Gd solution.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal Decomposition of Double Rare Earth Monomethylammonium Selenates

 Double rare earth monomethylammonium selenates of the general formula CH₃NH₃ Ln (SeO₄)₂·5H₂O (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Y) were synthesized and characterized using X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The thermal decomposition of the compounds were investigated using TG, DTG, and DTA techniques.     

Multi-element analysis of biological samples after intense neutron irradiation an fast chemical separation

For the simultaneous determination of many elements in small biological samples, a multi-element analysis has been developed using neutron activation. After a 24-hr irradiation in a neutron flux of 2.5·10¹⁴ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ and after immediate chemical separation without cooling, it was possible to analyse 24 elements in bovine liver (NBS-SRM 1577). The separation apparatus, set up in a shielded cell can work four samples simultaneously, and its operation is fast enough to allow the detection of radioisotopes with a half-life of about 2 hrs (¹⁶⁵Dy,^57mSr,⁵⁶Mn). Amounts lower than 10⁻³ μg of Dy, Eu, Pr, Sm and Yb were determined.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal Decomposition of Double Rare Earth Monomethylammonium Selenates

Summary.  Double rare earth monomethylammonium selenates of the general formula CH₃NH₃ Ln (SeO₄)₂·5H₂O (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Y) were synthesized and characterized using X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The thermal decomposition of the compounds were investigated using TG, DTG, and DTA techniques. Corresponding author. E-mail: vrajgaonkar@yahoo.com, vrajgaonkar@mail.mu.ac.in Received November 5, 2001. Accepted (revised) March 6, 2002     

Vibrational spectra of hydrated rare earth orthophosphates

Weinschenkite-type LnPO₄·2H₂O (Ln is Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Tm or Yb) and rhabdophane-type, LnPO₄·H₂O (Ln is La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb or Dy) have been investigated by IR absorption spectroscopy (4000–400 cm⁻¹) and Raman scanning spectroscopy (1400–100 cm⁻¹).The IR spectra of weinschenkite-type LnPO₄·2H₂O (Ln is Gd→Yb) are characterized by a band at 750±6 cm⁻¹ and the occurrence of a doublet in the region of the HOH bending vibrations, the low-frequency component exceeding the first high-frequency component in intensity. This rather peculiar pattern has already been observed in other compounds of similar chemical composition and is interpreted as arising from the presence of water molecules coordinated to the same metal cation. The Raman and IR spectra of these compounds have been interpreted in a manner based on the known structure of CaSO₄·2H₂O, which is isostructural with the weinschenkite-type compounds.The Raman and IR spectra of rhabdophane-type LnPO₄·H₂O is analyzed on the basis of the knowledge of the space group of rare earth orthophosphates rhabdophane-type. Its relation with the spectra of rare earth orthophosphates weinschenkite-type is discussed.     

Verbindungen der Seltenerdelemente mit α-Benzoinoxim, 1. Mitt.

Zusammenfassung Substanzen der ZusammensetzungLnCl₃·3H₂ Box ^* (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y) und LaBr₃·3 H₂ Box wurden isoliert und durch Thermoanalyse, IR-Absorptionsspektren und Röntgenstreuung charakterisiert.

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Compounds of the rare earth elements with -benzoin oxime

Compounds of compositionLnCl₃·3 H₂ Box ^* (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y) and LaBr₃·3H₂ Box were isolated and characterized by thermoanalysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

     

Rare earth elements determination and distribution patterns in surface marine sediments of the South China Sea by INAA,Malaysia

Results obtained from the analysis of sediments surface samples taken from rivers mouth and polluted marine environment were analyzed for REE contents to determine the concentrations of La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Lu and Yb using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Thirty surface samples were collected from ten sites in the coastal marine sediments of the South China Sea along 957 km stretch of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The samples prepared in the powdered form before irradiating them in a neutron flux of ~4 × 10¹² n cm⁻² s⁻¹ at 750 kW power using the TRIGA Mark II research reactor at Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology (MINT). Results of the total concentration are used to establish baseline data in environmental pollution assessment and to develop the correlations between the Ce/Ce* anomalies and the distribution patterns of some the light rare earth elements (LREEs) and the heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). The Chondrite-normalized REE pattern from each site examined and used to explain the sedimentation patterns by anthropogenic activities and by natural processes such as shoreline erosion, weathering deposits. Shale-normalized (NASC) patterns suggest enrichment of LREEs relative to the HREEs with a positive Ce/Ce* anomaly. Validation of the used method was done using a Soil-7 SRM.     

Application of rotate-bomb calorimeter for determining the standard molar enthalpy of formation of Ln(Pdc)3(Phen)

Thirteen solid ternary complexes Ln(Pdc)₃(Phen) (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu;) have been synthesized in absolute ethanol by rare-earth element chloride low hydrate reacting with the mixed ligands of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APdc) and 1,10-phenanthroline · H₂O (o-Phen · H₂O) in the ordinary laboratory atmosphere without any cautions against moisture or air sensitivity. IR spectra of the complexes showed that the Ln³⁺ ion was coordinated with six sulfur atoms of three Pdc⁻ and two nitrogen atoms of o-Phen · H₂O. It was assumed that the coordination number of Ln³⁺ is eight. The constant-volume combustion energies of the complexes, Δ_c U, were determined by a precise rotate-bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K. Their standard molar enthalpies of combustion, Δ_c H _m ^o , and standard molar enthalpies of formation, Δ_f H _m ^o were calculated. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Synthesis and characterization of rare earth complexes with Phthalaldehyde-lysine Schiff base

Ten new rare earth complexes with Schiff base (HL) derived from phthalaldehyde with two-CHO groups and lysine, which has unsymmetrical α-and ε--NH₂ groups, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, TG-DTA analysis, UV-Vis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectra. They were confirmed to be as LnL₂(NO₃)·4H₂O (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Y) and LnL₂(NO₃)·3H₂O (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb), respectively. Furthermore, their coordination mechanism, spectral properties and probable molecular structures were also discussed. __________ Translated from Journal of Zhejiang University (Science Edition), 2005, 32 (5) (in Chinese)     

Solid electrolytes based on CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for medium-temperature electrochemical devices

CeO₂-based solid solutions with a fluorite structure are promising materials as electrolytes of medium-temperature electrochemical devices: electrolytic cells, oxygen sensors, and solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, studies are presented of the effect of the dopant cation radius and its concentration on the physico-chemical properties of the Ce_{1 − x} Ln _x O_{2 − δ} solid solutions (x = 0–0.20; Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) and also of multicomponent solid solutions of Ce_{1 − x} Ln _x/2Ln′ _x/2O_{2 − δ} (x = 0–0.20; Ln = Sm, La, Gd and Ln′ = Dy, Nd, Y) and Ce_{1 − x − y} Sm _x M _y O_{2 − δ} (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) obtained using the solid-phase synthesis technique. Electric properties of the samples were studied in the temperature range of 623–1173 K and in the oxygen partial pressure range of 0.01–10⁻²² MPa. The values of oxygen critical pressure ( p_O2 ^* )\left( {p_{O_2 }^* } \right) are presented, at which the ionic and electron conductivity values are equal. The values were calculated on the basis of experimental dependences at 1023 K at the assumption that the ionic conductivity value is determined only by the dopant concentration and its effective ionic radius and is independent of the oxygen partial pressure.     

The Simultaneous Determination of Trace Dy,Eu, Gd and Sm in Nuclear Grade Uranium Oxide by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)

A method for the simultaneous determination of trace Dy, Eu, Gd and Sm in nuclear grade uranium oxide by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry has been developed. The process of uranium extraction and ICP/AES optimization are investigated. The detection limits of Dy, Eu, Gd and Sm are 0.003, 0.002, 0.006 and 0.010 μg/ml respectively, and more than 90% recovery can be obtained.     

Comparison of thermal properties of lanthanide trimellitates prepared by different methods

By diffusion in gel medium new complexes of formulae: Nd(btc)⋅6H₂O, Gd(btc)⋅4.5H₂O and Er(btc)·5H2O (where btc=(C₆H₃(COO)₃ ³⁻) were obtained. Isomorphous compounds were crystallized in the form of globules. During heating in air atmosphere they lose stepwise water molecules and then anhydrous complexes decompose to oxides. Hydrothermally synthesized polycrystalline lanthanide trimellitates form two groups of isomorphous compounds. The light lanthanides form very stable compounds of the formula Ln(btc)⋅nH₂O (where Ln=Ce−Gd and n=0 for Ce; n=1 for Gd; n=1.5 for La, Pr, Nd; n=2 for Eu, Sm). They dehydrate above 250°C and then immediately decomposition process occurs. Heavy lanthanides form complexes of formula Ln(btc)⋅nH₂O (_Ln=Dy−Lu). For mostly complexes, dehydration occurs in one step forming stable in wide range temperature compounds. As the final products of thermal decomposition lanthanide oxides are formed.     

单N-乙酸取代O2N2大环配体及其稀土配合物的合成与表征

Aseries of new rare earth complexes LnL(NO₃)₂·2H₂O(Ln=La,Pr,Nd,Sm,Eu,Gd,Dy,Yb;L=1,2-diaza-3,4: 9,10-dibenzo-5,8-dioxyacyclopentadecane-N-acetic ion) were prepared. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, ICPmethod, IRspectra, 1H NMRand Molar conductance. It was found that the ether oxygen, carboxy oxygen and nitrogen atoms of the ligand are coordinated to the metal ion, as well as a free nitrate and coordianted nitrate ion in the complex.     

Composés d'addition des chlorures de terres rares avec le méthanol,l'éthanol et le propanol-2. Préparations,solubilités et réactions de transsolvatation

By reaction of hydrated rare earths chlorides (M = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, Y) with orthoformates, the following adducts have been prepared: MCl₃· 4MeOH, MCl₃ ·3EtOH (M = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb), MCl₄ · 4 EtOH (M = Dy, Er, Y); adducts MCl₃ · 3iso-PrOH have been prepared by successive action of methyl orthoformate and of 2-propanol. The solubilities of these adducts in the corresponding alcohols at 25° (for the lanthanum adducts equally at 0 and 50°) are given. Two examples of the transsolvatation of these compounds, yielding adducts with weakligands, are described.     

Enhanced fluorescence of 3-tryptimino-1-phenyl-butan-1-one–Tb with 1,10-phenanthroline ternary system, and its analytical application

A new Schiff base ligand, 3-tryptimino-1-phenyl-butan-1-one (TPB), was synthesized. The fluorescence intensity of its terbium(III) complex was greatly enhanced by addition of 1,10-phenanthroline to an acetonitrile solution. Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace amounts of Tb³⁺ was performed based on this effect. The excitation and emission wavelengths are 293 and 546 nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensities varied linearly with the concentration of Tb³⁺ in the range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁶ M with a detection limit of 2.4 × 10⁻⁹ M. Interference by some rare earth ions is described. This method was applied to the determination of trace amounts of terbium(III) in a high purity Y₂O₃ matrix. The mechanism of fluorescence enhancement was also studied.     

On the potentially excellent reducing ability of a series of low-valent rare earths induced by photoirradiation

Mixed systems of a series of rare earth metals such as La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Yb and their low-valent rare earth diiodides exhibit excellent reducing ability toward the reductive deiodation from 1-iodododecane as a model compound compared with their single systems. More importantly, under photoirradiation conditions, the C-I bond reduction using ‘Ln/LnI₂’ takes place efficiently in refluxing THF, even in the cases of heavy rare earths such as Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm.     

Derivatives of the 21-tungsto-9-antimonate heteropolyanion. Part 1. Inclusion of lanthanide cations

Nine new heteropolytungstates, (NH₄)₁₆[LnSb₉W₂₁O₈₆]-xH₂O, (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy or Yb) have been prepared from [NaSb₉W₂₁O₈₆]¹⁸⁻, and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r., u.v., emission spectra, magnetic susceptibility, and electrochemistry. Based on¹⁸³W-n.m.r. spectroscopy of the lanthanum complex, the lanthanide cations occupy the central site in the structure previously demonstrated for the sodium derivative.     

Thermal and spectroscopic properties of light lanthanides (III) and sodium complexes of 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid

Pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, known as isocinchomeric acid is one of six isomers containing two carboxylic groups. Light lanthanide (III) complexes with pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid with general formula Ln₂L₃·nH₂O, where n = 8, 9, were obtained. Their thermal and spectroscopic properties were studied. Sodium salt was obtained as Na₂L·H₂O. Hydrated complexes of La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III) and Gd(III) are stable to 313–333 K, whereas Na₂L·H₂O is stable to about 333 K. Dehydration process for all compounds runs in one stage, next they decompose into appropriate lanthanide oxalates, oxocarbonates carbonates and finally to metal oxides. Bands of νCOOH vibrations at 1736 and 1728 cm⁻¹ disappear on complex spectra and ν_as and ν_s of COO⁻ groups appear thus indicating that complexation process took place.