Comparative study of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous solution

Electrochemical, complexation, and electronic properties of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous Na2CO3 solution have been investigated to define the appropriate conditions for preparing pure uranyl(V) samples and to understand the difference in coordination character between UO22+ and UO2+. Cyclic voltammetry using three different working electrodes of platinum, gold, and glassy carbon has suggested that the electrochemical reaction of uranyl(VI) carbonate species proceeds quasi-reversibly. Electrolysis of UO22+ has been performed in Na2CO3 solutions of more than 0.8 M with a limited pH range of 11.7 < pH < 12.0 using a platinum mesh electrode. It produces a high purity of the uranyl(V) carbonate solution, which has been confirmed to be stable for at least 2 weeks in a sealed glass cuvette. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements revealed the structural arrangement of uranyl(VI) and -(V) tricarbonato complexes, [UO2(CO3)3]n- [n = 4 for uranyl(VI), 5 for uranyl(V)]. The bond distances of U-Oax, U-Oeq, U-C, and U-Odist are determined to be 1.81, 2.44, 2.92, and 4.17 A for the uranyl(VI) complex and 1.91, 2.50, 2.93, and 4.23 A for the uranyl(V) complex, respectively. The validity of the structural parameters obtained from EXAFS has been supported by quantum chemical calculations for the uranyl(VI) complex. The uranium LI- and LIII-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra have been interpreted in terms of electron transitions and multiple-scattering features.     

Adsorption of phenanthrene on organoclays from distilled and saline water

Isotherms of phenanthrene adsorption on different organoclay complexes were obtained using the HPLC technique to understand the adsorption behavior and to characterize the effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the adsorption. The adsorbed amounts of phenanthrene on montmorillonite exchanged by organic cations such as tetraheptylammonium, benzyltrimethylammonium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium, or tetraphenylphosphonium were several times higher than those obtained using montmorillonite clay without surface modification. At the same equilibrium concentration, the adsorbed amount of phenanthrene is higher on clay modified with benzyltrimethylammonium than on clay modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium or other cations. Adsorption of phenanthrene on clay modified with benzyltrimethylammonium increased dramatically as the concentration of NaCl increased up to 150 g/l in the aqueous solution. The shape of the curves obtained can be classified as S-type. The adsorption data obtained from salinity experiments support a mathematical model that links the Langmuir constant with the salinity constant. This model may be useful to predict the equilibrium concentration of a contaminant in saline solution. FTIR studies showed strong interactions between the aromatic rings of phenanthrene and the preadsorbed benzyltrimethylammonium on clay surfaces.     

Investigation of ligand exchange reactions in aqueous uranyl carbonate complexes using computational approaches

Carbonate anion exchange reactions with water in the uranyl-carbonate and calcium-uranyl-carbonate aqueous systems have been investigated using computational methods. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with the umbrella sampling technique were employed to determine potentials of mean force for the exchange reactions of water and carbonate. The presence of calcium counter-ions is predicted to increase the stability of the uranyl-carbonate species in accordance with previous experimental observations. However, the free energy barrier to carbonate exchange with water is found to be comparable both in the presence and absence of calcium cations. Possible implications of these results for uranyl adsorption on mineral surfaces are discussed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also used to confirm the trends observed in classical molecular dynamics simulations and to corroborate the validity of the potential parameters employed in the MD scheme.     

铀酰离子在羟基化α-石英(101)表面的吸附

采用周期性密度泛函理论研究羟基化α-石英(101)面的铀酰离子吸附行为.通过对铀酰离子的水合作用考虑水溶剂对结构的短程溶剂化效应,并通过类导体屏蔽模型(COSMO)考虑水溶剂对结构的远程溶剂化效应.吸附能计算结果和电子结构数据均表明水合铀酰离子吸附构型比氢氧化铀酰吸附构型稳定,并且在液相中两种类型的稳定吸附位均为dia-Os1Os2位.两种形式在电子结构上有很大的差异,主要是由于铀与表面作用后成键强弱程度不同,使5f轨道宽化和略微红移存在差异.在铀酰离子吸附的基础上利用卤素离子改变铀酰离子配位环境可调整体系的带隙.     

铀酰离子在羟基化α-石英(101)表面的吸附

采用周期性密度泛函理论研究羟基化α-石英（101）面的铀酰离子吸附行为. 通过对铀酰离子的水合作用考虑水溶剂对结构的短程溶剂化效应,并通过类导体屏蔽模型（COSMO）考虑水溶剂对结构的远程溶剂化效应. 吸附能计算结果和电子结构数据均表明水合铀酰离子吸附构型比氢氧化铀酰吸附构型稳定,并且在液相中两种类型的稳定吸附位均为dia-O_s1O_s2位. 两种形式在电子结构上有很大的差异,主要是由于铀与表面作用后成键强弱程度不同,使5f 轨道宽化和略微红移存在差异. 在铀酰离子吸附的基础上利用卤素离子改变铀酰离子配位环境可调整体系的带隙.     

分子动力学方法模拟不同温度下铀酰在叶腊石上的吸附和扩散行为

采用分子动力学方法研究了铀酰在叶腊石表面的吸附和扩散。在碳酸根离子存在的情况下,探究了温度对铀酰吸附和扩散的影响。碳酸根离子与铀酰存在较强的作用力,不同数目的碳酸根离子与铀酰结合会形成多种铀酰种态。在不同温度的模拟中,得到了UO_2~(2+)、UO_2CO_3、UO_2(CO_3)_2~(2-)、UO_2(CO_3)_3~(4-)四种铀酰种态和铀酰聚合物。通过原子密度图,观察了粒子在溶液中的分布情况。发现UO_2~(2+)+和UO_2CO_3容易吸附在叶腊石上,而UO_2(CO_3)_2~(2-)和UO_2(CO_3)_3~(4-)主要存在于扩散层中。随着时间的推移,越来越多的碳酸根离子与铀酰配位,使得铀酰在叶腊石上的吸附逐渐减少。本文计算了不同温度下,各铀酰种态的扩散系数。在扩散层中,各种态的扩散系数随温度的变化较为一致,而在吸附层中,UO_2~(2+)和UO_2CO_3的扩散速率随温度的变化较UO_2(CO_3)_2~(2-)和UO_2(CO_3)_3~(4-)慢。但是在同一温度下,同一个吸附层或扩散层中,铀酰种态的扩散系数大小顺序始终保持不变:UO_2~(2+)UO_2CO_3UO_2(CO_3)_2~(2-)UO_2(CO_3)_3~(4-)。说明在碳酸根存在的情况下,UO_2~(2+)可能是主要的扩散形式。     

Effect of surface charge on adsorption of bovine serum albumin 2. Interaction of protein molecules with an anionic monolayer,as studied by ellipsometry,radiotracer and surface tension measurements

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto an anionic monolayer of sodium docosylsulfate (SDocS) spread at the air/water interface was studied by ellipsometry. The adsorption behavior of BSA was estimated from the observed changes in phase differences and in the ratio of reflection coefficients. The dynamic process of BSA adsorption was measured after the injection of BSA solution into the aqueous substrate of SDocS monolayer. The gentle stirring of the substrate solution for 10 min was found to be enough to make the solution homogeneous without damaging the monolayer. The adsorption characteristics of BSA onto a negatively charged surface was compared with that onto a positively charged surface previously reported.The amount of adsorption depended on time and showed a maximum with an initial rapid rise, followed by gradual decrease toward the ultimate equilibrium value. The amount and time of the maximum adsorption depended on the concentration of BSA added to the aqueous substrate.Separate radiotracer measurement, using³⁵S-labeled SDocS monolayer, which is insoluble by itself, revealed that SDocS is solubilized into the bulk solution when BSA is added to the aqueous substrate.     

Surface tension and adsorption of electrolytes at the aqueous solution-gas interface

The surface tension of aqueous solutions of hydrogen, sodium, and potassium chlorides was measured. The excess adsorption isotherms for electrolyte adsorption at the liquid-gas interface were obtained. The dependence of the surface tension on the solute concentration exhibits an extremal character, with the onset surface-inactivity of electrolytes being observed at concentrations above 0.3 M. The composition of the surface layer was demonstrated to be governed by the energy of solvation, while the extrema in the surface tension and excess adsorption isotherms are associated with the behavior of individual ions in the adsorption layer of the interphase interface.     

Aspects on the interaction between sodium carboxymethylcellulose and calcium carbonate and the relationship to specific site adsorption

The mechanisms of adsorption and association for sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) in calcium carbonate suspensions have been determined from isothermal calorimetry and adsorption measurements. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms were determined by two different methods of separation; a depletion method and a serum exchange method. The enthalpy of dilution for NaCMC was determined on supernatants obtained from the calcium carbonate suspensions in order to investigate the interaction between NaCMC and dissolved species from the mineral. For comparison, NaCMC was injected into CaCl(2) solutions in order to determine the role of calcium ions in the adsorption process. The initial part of the adsorption isotherm showed a quasi-infinite slope indicating a high affinity for the NaCMC to the calcium carbonate surface, which was significantly reduced when anionic sodium polyacrylate was preadsorbed onto the calcium carbonate implying competitive adsorption. An endothermic enthalpy change was observed between the NaCMC and the calcium carbonate surface, suggesting attachment of the carboxylic acid groups onto the hydrated calcium sites. A similar endothermic enthalpy was observed when NaCMC was injected into CaCl(2) solutions or supernatants obtained from the calcium carbonate suspensions, indicating a complexation of carboxylic acid groups and hydrated calcium ions. It was concluded that the mechanisms of interaction of NaCMC in calcium carbonate suspensions are primarily an association between NaCMC and Lewis acid sites on the calcium carbonate surface and the formation of NaCMC-Ca(2+) complexes in the bulk solution, both of which will be affected by the amount of anionic sodium polyacrylate present.     

Dye affinity hollow fibers for albumin purification

Reactive Green HE 4BD was immobilized on polyamide (PA) hollow fibers for human serum albumin (HSA) adsorption from both aqueous solutions and human plasma. Different amounts of Reactive Green HE 4BD were incorporated on the PA hollow fibers by changing the dye attachment conditions, i.e. the initial dye concentration and the addition of sodium carbonate and sodium chloride. The maximum amount of dye attachment was obtained as 39.4 micromol x g(-1) when the hollow fibers were treated with 3 M HCl for 30 min before performing the dye attachment. HSA adsorption onto unmodified and dye-attached hollow fibers was investigated batchwise. The non-specific adsorption of HSA was low (6.0 mg/g hollow fiber). Dye attachment onto the hollow fibers significantly increased the HSA adsorption (86.7 mg/g). The maximum HSA adsorption was observed at pH 5.0. Higher HSA adsorption was observed from human plasma (198 mg HSA/g). The desorptions were performed by adding 0.1 M Tris/HCl buffer containing 0.5 M NaSCN or 1.0 M NaCl to the HSA solutions in which adsorption equilibria had been reached. The desorption results demonstrated that the adsorption of HSA to the adsorbent was reversible. Chemical structure of Reactive Green HE-4BD.     

Kinetics of triscarbonato uranyl reduction by aqueous ferrous iron: a theoretical study

Uranium is a pollutant whose mobility is strongly dependent on its oxidation state. While U(VI) in the form of the uranyl cation is readily reduced by a range of natural reductants, by contrast complexation of uranyl by carbonate greatly reduces its reduction potential and imposes increased electron transfer (ET) distances. Very little is known about the elementary processes involved in uranium reduction from U(VI) to U(V) to U(IV) in general. In this study, we examine the theoretical kinetics of ET from ferrous iron to triscarbonato uranyl in aqueous solution. A combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure calculations is employed to compute the parameters that enter into Marcus' ET model, including the thermodynamic driving forces, reorganization energies, and electronic coupling matrix elements. MD simulations predict that two ferrous iron atoms will bind in an inner-sphere fashion to the three-membered carbonate ring of triscarbonato uranyl, forming the charge-neutral ternary Fe(2)UO(2)(CO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(8) complex. Through a sequential proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism (PCET), the first ET step converting U(VI) to U(V) is predicted by DFT to occur with an electronic barrier that corresponds to a rate on the order of approximately 1 s(-1). The second ET step converting U(V) to U(IV) is predicted to be significantly endergonic. Therefore, U(V) is a stabilized end product in this ET system, in agreement with experiment.     

Sorption of uranium(VI) compounds on fibrous anion exchanger surface from aqueous solutions

The effect of sorbent consumption and the kinetics and mechanism of sorption of uranium(VI) compounds on the surface of FIBAN A-6 fibrous anion exchanger from aqueous uranyl acetate solutions have been studied in the presence of sulfuric acid or sodium hydrocarbonate. The degree of sorption of uranium(VI) compounds by FIBAN A-6 anion exchanger has been found to be as high 97.0–99.5% at an interfacial contact time of 3–7 min and a sorbent consumption of 2–5 g/dm³. Diffusion and chemical kinetics models have been employed to show that the sorption kinetics of uranyl sulfate and carbonate complexes corresponds to the mixed diffusion mechanism and is described by a pseudo-second-order equation. The sorption isotherms of uranium(VI) compounds have the pattern of L-type isotherms according to the Giles classification and are satisfactorily described by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich equations. It has been found that, within 40 min, the sorbent may be regenerated by 65–82% with a 1 M NaHCO₃ solution.     

Removal of boron from aqueous solution by clays and modified clays

In order to increase the adsorption capacities of bentonite, sepiolite, and illite for the removal of boron form aqueous solution, the clay samples were modified by nonylammonium chloride. Specific surface areas of the samples were determined as a result of N2 adsorption-desorption at 77 K using the BET method. X-ray powder diffraction analysis of the clays and modified clays was used to determine the effects of modifying agents on the layer structure of the clays. The surface characterization of clays and modified clay samples was conducted using the FTIR technique before and after the boron adsorption. For the optimization of the adsorption of boron on clays and modified clays, the effect of pH and ionic strength was examined. The results indicate that adsorption of boron can be achieved by regulating pH values in the range of 8-10 and high ionic strength. In order to find the adsorption characteristics, Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherms were applied to the adsorption data. The data were well described by Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherms while the fit of Langmuir equation to adsorption data was poor. It was reached that modification of bentonite and illite with nonylammonium chloride increased the adsorption capacity for boron sorption from aqueous solution.     

Pendant cyclic carbonate‐polymer/Na‐smectite nanocomposites via in situ intercalative polymerization and solution intercalation

Nanocomposites of sodium smectite with polyether‐ and polystyrene‐containing pendant cyclic carbonates offer a novel approach to improving hydraulic barrier properties of Na‐smectite liners to saline leachates. The cyclic carbonate polyethers were prepared by cationic ring opening polymerization of a cyclic carbonate‐containing epoxide, whilst polystyrene polymers having pendant cyclic carbonate groups were obtained from radical photopolymerization of styrene. Na‐smectite nanocomposites of these polymers were formed via clay in situ polymerization and solution intercalation methods. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and FT‐IR analysis confirmed that the polyether can be intercalated within the layers of smectite via in situ as well as solution intercalation of the pre‐formed polymer. The cyclic carbonate polyether nanocomposite was more resistant to leaching in 3M aqueous sodium chloride than its respective cyclic carbonate. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2421–2429     

Mixed adsorption of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate on kaolinite

The mixed adsorption of the nonionic polymer poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) on kaolinite has been studied. Both components adsorb from their mixture onto the clay mineral. The overall adsorption process is sensitive to the pH, the electrolyte concentration, and the amounts of polymer and surfactant. Interpretation of the experimental data addresses also the patchwise heterogeneous nature of the clay surface. In the absence of PVP, SDBS adsorbs on kaolinite by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. However, when PVP is present, surfactant adsorption at 10(-2) M NaCl is mainly driven by charge compensation of the edges. The adsorption of PVP from the mixture shows similar behavior under different conditions. Three regions can be distinguished based on the changing charge of polymer-surfactant complexes in solutions with increasing SDBS concentration. At low surfactant content, PVP adsorbs by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, whereas electrostatic interactions dominate at higher surfactant concentrations. Over the entire surfactant concentration range, polymer-surfactant aggregates are present at the edges. The composition of these surface complexes differs from that in solution and is controlled by the surface charge.     

Polyvinyl alcohol fibers with functional phosphonic acid group: synthesis and adsorption of uranyl (VI) ions in aqueous solutions

PVA functionalized with vinylphosphonic acid was prepared as a new adsorbent for uranyl (VI) adsorption from aqueous solutions. The vinylphosphonic acid was cografted onto PVA fibers by preirradiation grafting technique. The adsorbent were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorbent was observed to possess a fibrous structure and was bonded with phosphonic acid groups successfully. The adsorbent was used for the adsorption of low levels uranyl (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The influence of analytical parameters including pH, adsorption time, amount of adsorbent, metal ion concentration, and temperature were investigated on the recovery of uranyl (VI) ion in aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity (32.1 mg g^?1) and fast equilibrium time (30 min) were achieved at pH of 4.5 at room temperature. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° = 2.695 kJ mol^?1; ΔS° = 31.15 J mol^?1 K^?1; ΔG° = ?6.748 kJ mol^?1) show the adsorption of an exothermic process and spontaneous nature, respectively. The possible coordination mechanism was illustrated. Adsorption and desorption coexist in aqueous solutions and then the system becomes equilibrium.     

Enhanced swelling and adsorption properties of AAm‐AMPSNa/clay hydrogel nanocomposites for heavy metal ion removal

Novel type hydrogel‐clay nanocomposites based on the acrylamide (AAm)‐ 2‐acrylamido‐ 2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) sodium salt and clay were synthesized via in situ copolymerization in aqueous solution. Samples were characterized by determining total basic group (TGB) content and swelling degree, XRD analysis, and FTIR spectroscopy. Effects of monomer ratio and clay amount on the swelling properties of the samples were investigated. It was found that the hydrogel/clay nanocomposites exhibited improved swelling capacity compared with the hydrogels. Samples were used to remove heavy metal ions (Cu (II), Cd (II), and Pb (II)) from aqueous solution in competitive and non‐competitive conditions for the first time. The effects of time and pH of the initial metal ion solution on the adsorption capacity were investigated and selectivity properties of the samples were evaluated. It was found that incorporation of a low amount of clay (10% (wt)) into the polymer structure increased the heavy metal ion adsorption capacity of the sample. It was concluded that the AAm‐AMPS/clay nanocomposites could be used as novel type, fast‐responsive, and high capacity sorbent materials in heavy metal removing processes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同Ca/P比碳羟基磷灰石对Cu2+的吸附特性研究

利用废弃蛋壳为原料、尿素为添加剂,合成不同Ca/P比的碳羟基磷灰石(CHAP)用于吸附水中Cu2+,利用红外光谱、扫描电镜、能谱对CHAP样品表面化学进行了表征,考察了环境因子pH值、温度对CHAP吸附Cu2+的影响。结果表明：通过改变尿素用量可以增加CHAP的Ca/P,提高其比表面积,Ca/P越高的CHAP,吸附能力越强。在pH为7、温度40℃、反应时间为60min时, Ca/P为1.80的CHAP,其对Cu2+吸附量高达到37.66mg/g。随着CHAP的Ca/P比增大,CHAP对Cu2+吸附的固相-水分配系数也增大,对吸附量增大很有利。     

An in situ FTIR-ATR study of polyacrylate adsorbed onto hematite at high pH and high ionic strength

FTIR-ATR was used to examine in situ the interaction of polyacrylate and hematite at pH 13. Static light scattering and mobility measurements were used to assess solution polyacrylate dimensions and hematite surface charge, respectively. Polyacrylate adsorption occurred only with the addition of electrolyte (e.g., NaCl), and it was found that excess cations, up to approximately 1 M, facilitated adsorption, above which the effect was found to plateau. At pH 13 and at low ionic strength, adsorption of polyacrylate onto hematite is facilitated by cations in solution shielding both the negative acrylate functionality of the polymer and the negative hematite surface. The shielding of the hematite surface continues to increase with increasing salt concentration up to a measured 3 M. Similarly, the shielding of the polymer increased with electrolyte concentration up to approximately 1 M salt, beyond which no further increase in shielding was observed. At this concentration the polymer assumes a finite minimum size in solution that ultimately limits the amount adsorbed. The dimension of the polymer in solution was found to be independent of monovalent cation type. Thus, at high pH and high ionic strength adsorption is determined by the degree of hematite surface charge reduction. The cation-hematite surface interaction was found to be specific, with lithium leading to greater polyacrylate adsorption than sodium, which was followed by cesium. The stronger affinity of lithium for the hematite surface over sodium and cesium is indicative of the inverse lyotropic adsorption series and has been rationalized in the past by the "structure-making-structure-breaking" model. These results provide a useful insight into the likely adsorption mechanism for polyacrylate flocculants at high pH and ionic strength onto residues in the Bayer processing of bauxite.     

pH dependence of uranyl retention in a quartz/solution system: an XPS study

We have investigated the pH dependence of U(VI) retention in quartz/10(-4) M uranyl solution systems, under conditions favoring formation of polynuclear aqueous species and of colloids of amorphous schoepite as U(VI) solubility-limiting phases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to gain insights into the coordination environments of sorbed/precipitated uranyl ions in the centrifuged quartz samples. The U4f XPS spectra made it possible to identify unambiguously the presence of two uranyl components. A high binding energy component, whose relative proportion increases with pH, exhibits the U4f lines characteristic of a reference synthetic metaschoepite. Such a high binding energy component is interpreted as a component having a U(VI) oxide hydrate character, either as polynuclear surface oligomers and/or as amorphous schoepite-like (surface) precipitates. Its pH dependence suggests that a binding of polynuclear species at quartz surfaces and/or a formation of amorphous schoepite-like (surface) precipitates is favored when the proportion of aqueous polynuclear species increases. A second surface component exhibits binding energies for the U4f core levels at values significantly lower (DeltaE(b)=1.2 eV) than for metaschoepite, evidencing uranyl ions in a distinct coordination environment. Such a low binding energy component may be attributed to monomeric uranyl surface complexes on the basis of published EXAFS data. Such a hypothesis is supported by a major contribution of the low binding energy component to the U4f XPS spectra of reference samples for uranyl sorbed on quartz from very acidic 10(-3) M uranyl solutions where UO(2)(2+) ions predominate.