Gamma radiolysis of aqueous solution of acrylic and polyacrylic acid in the presence of Cu2+

The inhibitory action of cupric ions in the process of radiation polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in aqueous solution was investigated as well as the reaction of the products of gamma radiolysis of water with polyacrylic acid (PAA) in the presence of cupric ions. In the case of AA-CuSO₄ and PAA-CuSO₄ systems irradiated at 77 K an external protective effect caused by copper ions was observed. This effect was connected with the electron transfer between a radical and the Cu²⁺ ion. During radiolysis of copper arcylate (A₂Cu) and a system AA-A₂Cu in aqueous solutions a protective effect exerted by copper ions was observed which seemed to be connected with the dispersion of the absorbed radiation energy by the groups: copper-ligands.     

Stabilization of copper nanoparticles prepared by reduction from solutions of poly(acrylic acid) complexes with Cu2+ ions and poly(ethylene glycols)

Copper sols are prepared via the reduction of copper ions with hydrazine borane in dilute aqueous solutions of mixtures of the PAA-Cu²⁺ complex and poly(ethylene glycols) of various molecular masses at PEG: PAA = 0.25 base-mol/base-mol and PAA: Cu²⁺ = 10 base-mol/mol in the pH range 4.0–7.0. The stability of sols against oxidation (dissolution) or aggregation (enlargement) of metal nanoparticles is much higher than that of sols prepared in the absence of PEG. With an increase in the initial pH or a decrease in the molecular mass of PEG, the formed copper nanoparticles are much larger (no less than 20 nm in diameter) than copper nanoparticles occurring in the sol prepared in a solution of the PAA double complex with Cu²⁺ ions and high-molecular-mass PEG at a low initial pH (3–10 nm in diameter). Copper nanoparticles in sols prepared in solutions of complexes based on the high-molecular-mass PEG do not aggregate during exposure, thereby indicating the high stability of polymer screens on their surfaces.     

Effect of pH on complexation in mixed dilute aqueous solutions of poly(acrylic acid), poly(ethylene glycol), and Cu2+ ions

The phase states of mixed dilute solutions of PAA, PEG, and Cu²⁺ ions largely determines the mechanism governing the growth of metal nanoparticles during the subsequent reduction of copper ions. Mixtures with PAA: PEG > 1 base-mol/base-mol and PAA: Cu²⁺ ≥ 5 base-mol/mol are studied. It is shown that the simultaneous complexation of PAA with PEG and Cu²⁺ ions in these mixtures at pH values below the intrinsic pH of a solution is accompanied by phase separation related to insolubility of PAA-PEG interpolymer complexes. A decrease in the pH of the ternary mixture is caused by the release of a strong low-molecular-mass acid due to complexation with Cu²⁺ ions. The minimum pH value, above which the PAA-PEG-Cu²⁺ system becomes single-phase (a transparent solution), depends on the concentration ratio between PAA and PEG chains (the mean degree of polymerization). This value is either 6.8–7.0 (if all macromolecules are incorporated in the insoluble interpolymer complex with PEG) or 4.0 (if chains occur in excess). Methods of preparing single-phase systems in the pH range 4.0–7.0 via exchange reactions of the PAA-Cu²⁺ complex with PEG or the nonstoichiometric soluble interpolymer complex PAA-PEG are developed. Viscometry, electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering are used to investigate the compositions and structures of soluble complexes, in which either each chain (if the chain is long) may be linked with both PEG and Cu²⁺ ions or PAA chains are redistributed between two complexes (at comparable lengths of PAA and PEG chains).     

Heavy metal ions removal by nano-sized spherical polymer brushes

Nano-sized spherical polymer brushes(SPBs) consisting of both a polystyrene(PS) core and a brush shell of poly(acrylic acid)(PAA), poly(N-acrylcysteamine)(PSH), or poly(N-acrylcysteamine-co-acrylic acid)(P(SH-co-AA)), were prepared by photo-emulsion polymerization. The core-shell structure was observed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Due to the strengthened Donnan effect, the PAA brush can adsorb heavy metal ions. Effects of the contact time, thickness of PAA brush and pH value on the adsorption results were investigated. Due to the coordination between the mercapto groups and heavy metal ions as well as the electrostatic interactions, SPBs with mercapto groups are capable to remove heavy metal ions selectively from aqueous solutions. The order of adsorption capacity of the heavy metal ions by SPBs with mercapto groups is: Hg2+ ≈ Au3+ Pb2+ Cu2+ Ni2+. The adsorbed heavy metal ions can be eluted from SPB by aqueous HCl solution, and the SPBs can be recovered. After three regenerations the recovered SPBs still maintain their adsorption capacity.     

A Molecular Copper Catalyst for Electrochemical Water Reduction with a Large Hydrogen‐Generation Rate Constant in Aqueous Solution

The copper complex [(bztpen)Cu](BF₄)₂ (bztpen=N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine) displays high catalytic activity for electrochemical proton reduction in acidic aqueous solutions, with a calculated hydrogen‐generation rate constant (k_obs) of over 10000 s^?1. A turnover frequency (TOF) of 7000 h^?1 cm^?2 and a Faradaic efficiency of 96 % were obtained from a controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) experiment with [(bztpen)Cu]²⁺ in pH 2.5 buffer solution at ?0.90 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) over two hours using a glassy carbon electrode. A mechanism involving two proton‐coupled reduction steps was proposed for the dihydrogen generation reaction catalyzed by [(bztpen)Cu]²⁺.     

Zeolite ZSM-5 containing copper ions: The effect of the copper salt anion and NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>OH/Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ratio on the state of the copper ions and on the reactivity of the zeolite in DeNO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

Isotherms of copper cation sorption by H-ZSM-5 zeolite from aqueous and aqueous ammonia solutions of copper acetate, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate are considered in terms of Langmuir’s monomolecular adsorption model. Using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and temperatureprogrammed reduction with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, it has been demonstrated that the electronic state of the copper ions is determined by the ion exchange and heat treatment conditions. The state of the copper ions has an effect on the redox properties and reactivity of the Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with propane and in N₂O decomposition. The amount of Cu²⁺ that is sorbed by zeolite H-ZSM-5 from aqueous solution and is stabilized as isolated Cu²⁺ cations in cationexchange sites of the zeolite depends largely on the copper salt anion. The quantity of Cu(II) cations sorbed from aqueous solutions of copper salts of strong acids is smaller than the quantity of the same cations sorbed from the copper acetate solution. When copper chloride or sulfate is used, the zeolite is modified by the chloride or sulfate anion. Because of the presence of these anions, the redox properties and nitrogen oxides removal (DeNO _x ) efficiency of the Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts prepared using the copper salts of strong acids are worse than the same characteristics of the sample prepared using the copper acetate solution. The addition of ammonia to the aqueous solutions of copper salts diminishes the copper salt anion effect on the amount of Cu(II) sorbed from these solutions and hampers the nonspecific sorption of anions on the zeolite surface. As a consequence, the redox and DeNO _x properties of Cu-ZSM-5 depend considerably on the NH₄OH/Cu²⁺ ratio in the solution used in ion exchange. The aqueous ammonia solutions of the copper salts with NH₄OH/Cu²⁺ = 6–10 stabilize, in the Cu-ZSM-5 structure, Cu²⁺ ions bonded with extraframework oxygen, which are more active in DeNO _x than isolated Cu²⁺ ions (which form at NH4OH/Cu2+ = 30) or nanosized CuO particles (which form at NH₄OH/Cu²⁺ = 3).     

Complexes of polyacids with poly(vinylbenzocrown ether)s and polyvinylbenzoglymes in water

Insoluble complexes are formed in acidic aqueous media when poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly-(vinylbenzo-18-crown-6) (P18C6) or polyvinylbenzoglymes are mixed. Complex formation results from hydrogen bonding between carboxyl groups and crown ether- or glyme–oxygen atoms as well as from hydrophobic interactions. The precipitation is pH dependent and was determined as a function of the ratio PAA to P18C6 or to polyglyme at different HCl concentrations in 10^?4M solutions of polycrown or polyglyme. Precipitation is nearly quantitative in 0.01N HCl. The compositions of PAA/P18C6 precipitates were determined as a function of the initial PAA/P18C6 ratio in solution. The complexes with P18C6 can be solubilized in acidic media when crown-complexable cations (K⁺, Cs⁺, Ba²⁺) are added, but the charged P18C6 reprecipitates in basic solution as a polysalt complex with the PAA–polyanion. More stable PAA–P18C6 complexes in the form of fibers can be obtained by interfacial complex formation. Poly(methacrylic acid) is less effective as a complex former.     

Solution Characteristics for Adsorption of Copper Ion with Iron(III) Hydroxide from Aqueous Ammonia Solution

The distribution of copper ion species in aqueous ammonia solution is evaluated as a function of pH by a numerical approach. Adsorption of copper on colloidal iron(III) hydroxide in solutions of total ammonia (0.14-1.2 M) are performed at various values of pH. The maximum efficiency of adsorption occurs when the sum of the fractions of the species Cu(NH₃)²⁺, Cu(NH₃)₂²⁺ and Cu(NH₃)₃²⁺ in the solution reaches its maximum. With varied solution pH, the distribution of copper species is the determining factor for maximum adsorption, whereas the surface properties of the adsorbing particles show smaller effects under the test conditions.     

Preparation,swelling behaviors and application of polyacrylamide/attapulgite superabsorbent composites

A series of superabsorbent composites, polyacrylamide/attapulgite (PAMA), were prepared from acrylamide (AM) and attapulgite micropowder in aqueous solution, using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and then saponified with sodium hydroxide solution. This paper focuses on swelling behaviors of the PAMA superabsorbent composites in various saline solutions. The results indicate that saline solutions can weaken the swelling abilities of the PAMA compsites greatly. Water absorbency of the PAMA composites with 20 and 40 wt% attapulgite in aqueous chloride salt solutions has the following order: Li⁺ = Na⁺ = K⁺, Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ = Ba²⁺ all through the range of concentration investigated. However, swelling properties of the composites are complicated in CuCl_2(aq), AlCl_3(aq) and FeCl_3(aq) solutions and are related to saline solutions concentration. The deswelling behavior of PAMA composites is more obvious in univalent chloride salt solutions than in divalent and trivalent ones. The influence of kind and valence of anions on swelling ability of the composites is limited and almost the same. Moreover, reswelling capability, practical water retention ability in sand soil of the composites and the effect of pH on water absorbency of the PAMA composites were investigated. The PAMA composite shows good water retention and reswelling ability in sand soil, and may be used as a recyclable water‐managing material for the renewal of arid and desert environment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative Adsorption of Lead(II) on Flake and Bead‐Types of Chitosan

The adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions by chitosan flakes and beads was studied. The chitosan beads were prepared by casting an acidic chitosan solution into alkaline solution. Experiments were carried out as a function of pH, agitation period and initial concentration of Pb²⁺ ions. The uptake of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solution was determined from changes in concentration as measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The maximum uptake of Pb²⁺ ions on chitosan beads was greater than that on chitosan flakes. Adsorption isothermal data could be interpreted by the Langmuir equation. The experimental data of the adsorption equilibrium from Pb²⁺ ion solutions correlated well with the Langmuir isotherm equation. SEM analyses were also conducted for visual examination of the chitosan flakes and beads. Physical properties including surface area and average pore diameter were characterized by N₂ adsorption experiment.     

Thermodynamics of L-valine complex formation with Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions in an aqueous solution

Heat effects of mixing of aqueous solutions of Cu(NO₃)₂ and L-valine were measured by the calorimetric method at 298.15 K and a ionic strength of 0.5–1.5 (KNO₃). The standard heat effects of formation of the Cu(II) complexes with L-valine in an aqueous solution were obtained by the extrapolation to the zero ionic strength using the equation with one individual parameter. The standard thermodynamic characteristics of complex formation in the Cu²⁺-L-valine system were calculated.     

Properties of N,N-Dimethyl-N′-(2-Hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine as a Ligand to Copper(II)

The acid-basic and complexing properties of N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine (HL) in aqueous propan-2-ol were characterized by spectrophotometry, pH-metry, and mathematical simulation of equilibria in solutions (T = 25 ± 0.1°C, = 0.1 M KNO₃). Dimer H₂L₂ was found to predominate in solution at c _HL = 0.01 mol/l. Three protonated dimeric (H₃L₂ ⁺, H₄L₂ ²⁺, and H₅L₂ ³⁺), diprotonated monomeric (H₃L²⁺), and triprotonated tetrameric forms (H₇L₄ ³⁺) were detected in the system, depending on pH. At lower ligand concentrations (c _HL = 0.0015 mol/l), the solution contains both dimers and monomers of this compound. The higher dentate number of HL compared to 2-alkylaminomethylphenols allows it to form more number of both mono- and binuclear complexes ([Cu(HL)]²⁺, [Cu(HL)₂]²⁺, [CuL₂], [CuL₂OH]^–, [Cu₂(HL)₂]⁴⁺, and [Cu₂(HL)₂L₂]²⁺), making them more stable.     

Chiral Diaminodiamide Copper(II) Complexes for the Enantioselective Recognition of Amino Acids: Synthesis of the Ligands and Formation Constants

(S,S)-N,N′ -Bis(aminoacyl)ethane- and (S,S)-N,N′ -bis(aminoacyl)propanediamines (AA-NN-2 and AA-NN-3, respectively, AA = alanine, phenylalanine, valine) were synthesized as the dihydrochlorides, and their complexes with Cu(II) studied potentiometrically. Since these ligands in the presence of Cu(II) are able to perform chiral resolution of D ,L -dansylamino acids in HPLC (reversed phase), in a certain pH range (6.5–8.5), it is important to know the equilibria existing between ligands and copper in aqueous solution. For AA-NN-2, four species, CuLH³⁺, CuL²⁺, Cu₂L₂H, and CuLH_?2, were detected, whereas for AA-NN-3, only CuLH³⁺, CuL²⁺, and CuLH_?2 were found. The aim is to find out which complexes may be involved in the recognition process.     

Direct Synthesis in the Undergraduate Laboratory: Synthesis of Copper Complexes from Zero-Valent Metals as a Demonstration of Base-Catalyzed Direct Synthesis

Direct synthesis is an important and active research field for scientists and technologists involved with the use of elemental metals. An undergraduate laboratory demonstration is presented that exposes students to this important synthetic technique. The direct synthesis of [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺ and [Cu(en)₂]²⁺ complexes in aqueous solution from zero-valent Cu metal is employed as an experiment illustrating the oxidizing properties of alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions. The experiment also shows the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by the copper complexes. Finally, students can learn that the direct oxidation of metallic copper by alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution is an efficient and novel alternative approach to synthesize these and other copper complexes.     

Equilibria in Cu(CH3CO2)2-pyridine-water system. Spectrophotometric,conductometric, and EPR study of the Cu(CH3CO2)2-pyridine-water system

Electronic spectra (340–800 nm; 298.2 K), liquid (298.2 K) and frozen solution (77 K) EPR spectra and electrolytic conductivities (298.2 K) have been measured for Cu(CH₃CO₂)₂ over the whole range of compositions of the mixed pyridine-water solvent. The results have been interpreted in terms of the possible coordination equilibria in the solution. They support the strong tendency of the Cu^II ion to coordinate pyridine molecules in aqueous solutions, revealed by other Cu^II salts. Even small amounts of pyridine were found to withdraw the electrolytic dissociation of the aqueous Cu(CH₃CO₂)₂ solutions, probably, through the enhancement of the Cu^II ion interactions.     

Effect of the Conformation of Polymer Chain on the Reduction Rate of Polyacrylatopentaamminecobalt(III) by Polymer-Bound Ferrous Chelates and the Excited State of Tris(Bipyridine)Ruthenium(Ii)

Electron transfer reactions of Co(NH₃)₅PAA (PAA = polyacrylic acid) with either the polyanionic polymer-bound ferrous chelate, Fe¹¹P-SS (P-SS = vinylbenzylaminediacetate-co-styrenesulfonate) or the uncharged polymer-bound ferrous chelate, Fe¹¹P-VPRo (P-VPRo = vinylbenzylaminediacetate-co-vinylpyrrolidone), and the Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃ photosensitized reduction of Co(NH₃)₅PAA have been investigated in aqueous solutions at pH 5.4, I = 0.06 (I is ionic strength), and 25°C. For the ferrous chelate reductions, the second-order rate constants for Fe¹¹-PSS and Fe¹¹P-VPRo were almost equal to that for the corresponding nonpolymer-bound ferrous chelate, Fe¹¹BDA (BDA = benzylaminediacetate). The results indicate that there is no appreciable steric hindrance due to the polymer chains of the polymer-bound ferrous chelates and that the effect of columbic repulsion force between the polyanion chains can be ignored for the reaction of Co(NH₃)₅PAA with Fe¹¹P-SS. The results also suggest that there are two kinds of the pendant Co(III) species, “reactive” and “inert.” The inert Co(III) species are shielded by the polymer chains from attack of the Fe(II) chelates that are present in the bulk solutions. A similar reaction behavior was observed in the Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃ photosensitized reduction of Co(NH₃)₅PAA at pH 5.4. For the Co(III) complex having an extremely few Co(III) complex moieties on the polymer chain, almost all of the Co(III) groups were hardly reduced by the excited state of Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃, and reverse quenching occurred due to binding of the Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃ to the polyacrylic acid chain of the polymer complex. On the other hand, for Co(NH₃)₅PAA with a relatively large number of the Co(III) moieties on the polymer chain, lifetime measurements at a higher concentration of the Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃ showed a double-exponential fit, which suggests that there are two parallel decay processes. The fast and slow components mainly correspond to the decays: Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃ quenched by Co(III) and reverse quenching due to binding of Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃ into the compact polymer chains.     

Time-dependent Cu-induced gelation of poly(ethylene-alt-maleic acid) in aqueous solution

The complexation of Cu²⁺ ions with an alternating copolymer of maleic acid (MAc) and ethylene in aqueous solution was followed through turbidimetry and absorption spectrophotometry as a function of the polymer concentration and the metal ion-to-polymer molar ratio, r. The introduction of Cu²⁺ ions was performed in aqueous solution through neutralization of the polyacid with Cu(OH)₂ powder. A gelation window between homogeneous and phase-separated solutions was observed in the phase diagram of the polymer/Cu²⁺ mixture and the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels were evaluated through rheology measurements. It is found that the stiffness of the hydrogels can be tuned by the polymer concentration and the mixing ratio r. Moreover, the stiffness of the hydrogels increases substantially with time. In fact, this time evolution may be as long as one month or longer if the composition of the aqueous solution is close to the gelation threshold. The gelation properties can be qualitatively explained from the possible formation of binuclear polymer/Cu²⁺ complexes in aqueous solutions, as indicated from the absorption spectroscopy results.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von Cu4[PhN3C6H4N3(H)Ph]4(μ2-O)2, einem vierkernigen Kupfer(II)-Komplex mit 1-Phenyltriazenido-2-phenyltriazenobenzol als Ligand

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Cu₄[PhN₃C₆H₄N₃(H)Ph]₄(μ₂-O)₂, a Tetranuclear Copper(II) Complex with 1-Phenyltriazenido-2-phenyltriazeno-benzene as Ligand Cu₄[PhN₃C₆H₄N₃(H)Ph]₄(μ-O)₂ ( 1 ) results from the reaction of an aqueous solution of [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺ with 1,2-bis(phenyltriazeno)benzene in ether. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pba2 with the lattice parameters a = 1661.5(5), b = 1914.7(7), c = 1269.2(5) pm; Z = 2. In the tetrameric complex with the symmetry C₂ the Cu²⁺ cations form a tetrahedron (Cu? Cu: 298.3(1)?337.1(1) pm). The μ₂-oxo ligands occupy the twofold axis and bridge two opposite edges of the Cu₄ tetrahedron (Cu? O: 190.0(3) and 192.5(4) pm). The 1-phenyltriazenido-2-phenyltriazeno benzene anions bridge two Cu²⁺ ions chelating one metal ion and coordinating monodentate the neighbouring one (Cu? N: 191.0(5)–204.1(4) pm).     

Uranium(VI) sequestration by polyacrylic and fulvic acids in aqueous solution

Stability data on the formation of dioxouranium(VI) species with polyacrylic (PAA) and fulvic acids (FA) are reported with the aim to define quantitatively the sequestering capacity of these high molecular weight synthetic and naturally occurring ligands toward uranium(VI), in aqueous solution. Investigations were carried out at t = 25 °C in NaCl medium at different ionic strengths and in absence of supporting electrolyte for uranyl–fulvate ( \textUO₂²⁺ {{\text{UO}}_{2}}^{2+} –FA) and uranyl–polyacrylate ( \textUO ₂ ²⁺ {{\text{UO}}_{ 2}}^{ 2+ } –PAA, PAA MW 2 kDa) systems, respectively. The experimental data are consistent with the following speciation models for the two systems investigated: (i) UO₂(FA₁), UO₂(FA₁)(FA₂), UO₂(FA₁)(FA₂)(H) for \textUO ₂ ²⁺ {{\text{UO}}_{ 2}}^{ 2+ } –fulvate (where FA₁ and FA₂ represent the carboxylic and phenolic fractions, respectively, both present in the structure of FA), and (ii) UO₂(PAA), UO₂(PAA)(OH), (UO₂)₂(PAA)(OH)₂ for \textUO ₂ ²⁺ {{\text{UO}}_{ 2}}^{ 2+ } –polyacrylate. By using the stability data obtained for all the complex species formed, the uranium(VI) sequestration by PAA and FA was expressed by the pL₅₀ parameter [i.e. the −log(total ligand concentration) necessary to bind 50% of uranyl ion] at different pH values. A comparison between pL₅₀ values of FA and PAA and some low molecular weight carboxylic ligands toward uranyl ion is also given.     

Studies of Copper(II) Thiosemicarbazide Complexes and their Reactivities. X-Ray Structure of Two Unusual Reaction Products, [Cu(bpy)(H2O)2SO4] and [(bpy)2Cu2(C2O4)Cl2]·H2O

A number of ternary complexes of Cu²⁺ with thiosemicarbazide (TSC) including [Cu(bpy)(TSC)₂]Cl₂, [Cu(o-phen)(TSC)₂]Cl₂ and [Cu(bpy)(TSC)₂][CuCl₄] [Cu(o-phen)(TSC)₂] [CuCl₄] have been synthesised and characterized. Their reactivities in aqueous and DMF solutions were studied. It was observed that while on coordination to Cu²⁺ thiosemicarbazide is converted to thiocyanate in aqueous solution, in DMF solution the thiocyanate is further aerially oxidised to sulfate. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, oxidation to sulfate is rapid and from the mother liquor we could isolate [(bpy)₂Cu₂(C₂O₄)Cl₂]·H₂O whose structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. X-ray crystal structure of [Cu(bpy)(H₂O)₂SO₄] is also discussed.*