Removal and enrichment of copper ions from aqueous solution by 1,8-diaminonapthalene polymer

Microparticles of poly(1,8-diaminonapthalene) (PDAN) were prepared by chemically oxidative polymerization by (NH₄)₂S₂O₈. The effect of pH on the sorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) on PDAN was examined by the batch procedure. PDAN showed good sorption capacity and high selectivity towards Cu(II) in comparison with the very popular chelating sorbent Chelex 100 containing iminodiacetic functional groups. The on-line preconcentration system containing the knotted reactor with the obtained polymer was examined for the sorption and desorption processes of copper ions. The applicability of this system was checked by analysis of Cu(II) content in standard reference material (NIST 1643e) and some natural water samples.     

Luminescence kinetics and association equilibria of lanthanide ions in aqueous solutions

Luminescence life time measurement can be used under certain conditions to determine the thermodynamic constants of complex formation between the luminescent (central ion) and ligand. The basic equations correlating the life time and the equilibria constants were derived for two cases: the time for establishing the thermodynamic equilibrium is much shorter than the life time of the excited state of the central ion; and the time for establishing the equilibrium and the life time are of the same order of magnitude.     

A novel (3,6)‐connected CdII coordination polymer based on an ether‐linked tricarboxylate ligand: synthesis,topology and luminescence sensing properties in aqueous solution

A novel three‐dimensional coordination polymer, namely, poly[[diaquabis(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine)bis{μ₃‐5‐[(2‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]isophthalato}tricadmium(III)] dimethylformamide monosolvate 2.5‐hydrate], {[Cd₃(C₁₆H₉O₇)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)₂]·2C₃H₇NO·5H₂O}_n, was obtained by the reaction of ether‐linked 5‐[(2‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]isophthalic acid (H₃L) with Cd^II salts in the presence of 4,4′‐bipyridine (bpy) under solvothermal conditions. In this complex, the Cd^II centres are connected by the carboxylate ligands to form two‐dimensional wave‐like layers, which are pillared by bpy ligands and extended into a rare three‐dimensional (3,6)‐connected sqc27 framework. The complex demonstrated good water stability and strong luminescence emissions. It not only possesses excellent luminescence sensing activities toward Fe³⁺ and Cr₂O₇^2? in aqueous solution, but can also distinguish between Cr₂O₇^2? and CrO₄^2? by luminescence. Furthermore, it could be simply and quickly regenerated at least five times. A study of the sensing mechanism indicated that luminescence quenching may be related to the energy competition between the complex and sensing analytes.     

A self-penetrating and chemically stable zinc (ii)-organic framework as multi-responsive chemo-sensor to detect pesticide and antibiotics in water

Guided by the self-penetrating features can improve the stability of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), an unprecedented 3D self-penetrated framework, {[Zn (tptc)_0.5(bimb)]·H₂O}_n ( NUC-6 , here NUC corresponding to North University of China), with 3D (4,4)-c {8⁶} net, was designed. Benefit from the high chemical stability and excellent luminescent property, NUC-6 can be act as an efficient multi-response chemo-sensor in detecting dichloronitroaniline pesticide and nitrofuran antibiotics in water with the detection limits are 116 ppb for DCN pesticide, 16 ppb for NFT antibiotic, and 12 ppb for NTZ antibiotic. Besides, the mechanisms of luminescence quenching were revealed from the viewpoint of internal filter effect (IFE) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET), implied by the optical spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculation. This work provides a promising strategy to design stable MOFs by improving the self-penetrating features and to expand their practical applications in the detection of organic pollutants in aqueous medium.     

Selective detection of Fe(III) ions in aqueous solution with a 1,8-diacridylnaphthalene-derived fluorosensor

The syn-isomer of 1,8-bis(4,4′-diisopropyl-9,9′-diacridyl)naphthalene, 1, has been prepared by two consecutive Pd(PPh₃)₄-catalyzed Stille cross-coupling steps. This highly congested sensor undergoes Fe(III)-selective fluorescence quenching in water/acetonitrile even in the presence of excess of other metal ions.     

Electrochemical,spectroscopic, and thermal studies on interactions of linear poly(acrylic acid) with uranyl ions in aqueous solutions

The formation of complexes between linear poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and uranyl ions in aqueous solutions was studied with conductometry, potentiometry, thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and luminescence spectroscopy methods. The stoichiometry of the PAA/UO complex on repeating units of a PAA basis was determined to be 2:1. IR spectroscopy studies made on solid complexes showed that the carbonyl stretching absorption band of PAA was shifted to a higher wave number, and a new band at 1749 cm^?1 in the polycomplex spectrum was observed, confirming the existence of specific interactions between the carboxylate groups of PAA and metal ions. Luminescence spectroscopy studies showed an increase in the intensity of the uranyl‐ion emission spectra and new band formation at 483 nm, further confirming the interaction of UO ions with PAA in aqueous solutions. The thermal behavior of PAA/UO complexes further proved strong interactions in the complex structure. The thermal degradation of the polycomplexes included the main stages of destruction of both PAA and uranyl nitrate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1610–1618, 2004     

On-line preconcentration and simultaneous determination of heavy metal ions by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

A flow injection analysis system for on-line preconcentration and simultaneous determination of Bi³⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in aqueous samples by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectrometry with a charge coupled detector is described. The preconcentration of analytes is accomplished by retention of their chelates with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate in aqueous solution on a solid phase containing octadecyl silica in a minicolumn. Methanol, as eluent, is introduced into the conventional nebulizer of the ICP instrument. The effects of different parameters, including preconcentration flow rate (equal to sample flow rate (SR)), eluent flow rate (ER), weight of solid phase (W) and eluent loop volume (EV), were optimized by the super-modified simplex method. The optimum conditions were evaluated to be SR 7.2 ml min⁻¹, ER 3.5 ml min⁻¹, W of 100 mg and EV of 0.8 ml. An enrichment factor of 312.5 for each analyte was obtained. The detection limits of the proposed method for Bi³⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were evaluated as 1.3, 1.0, 0.8, 0.3, 14.7, 0.5, 5.5 and 0.1 ng l⁻¹, respectively. The effect of several metal ions on percent recovery was also studied. The method was applied to the recovery of these heavy metals from real matrices and to the simultaneous determination of these cations in different water samples.     

Development of a four-zone carousel process packed with metal ion-imprinted polymer for continuous separation of copper ions from manganese ions,cobalt ions,and the constituent metal ions of the buffer solution used as eluent

A three-zone carousel process, in which Cu(II)-imprinted polymer (Cu-MIP) and a buffer solution were employed as adsorbent and eluent respectively, has been developed previously for continuous separation of Cu²⁺ (product) from Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ (impurities). Although this process was reported to be successful in the aforementioned separation task, the way of using a buffer solution as eluent made it inevitable that the product stream included the buffer-related metal ions (i.e., the constituent metal ions of the buffer solution) as well as copper ions. For a more perfect recovery of copper ions, it would be necessary to improve the previous carousel process such that it can remove the buffer-related metal ions from copper ions while maintaining the previous function of separating copper ions from the other 2 impure heavy-metal ions. This improvement was made in this study by proposing a four-zone carousel process based on the following strategy: (1) the addition of one more zone for performing the two-step re-equilibration tasks and (2) the use of water as the eluent of the washing step in the separation zone. The operating conditions of such a proposed process were determined on the basis of the data from a series of single-column experiments. Under the determined operating conditions, 3 runs of carousel experiments were carried out. The results of these experiments revealed that the feed-loading time was a key parameter affecting the performance of the proposed process. Consequently, the continuous separation of copper ions from both the impure heavy-metal ions and the buffer-related metal ions could be achieved with a purity of 91.9% and a yield of 92.8% by using the proposed carousel process based on a properly chosen feed-loading time.     

A novel water-soluble AIE-based fluorescence probe with red emission for the sensitive detection of heparin in aqueous solution and human serum samples

Heparin is widely used to anticoagulation treatment in clinic, while the overdoses of heparin can cause potentially catastrophic complications. Thus, the selective and sensitive detection of heparin is of great importance. Herein, a novel water-soluble AIE-based fluorescent probe (TIBI) with red emission (650 nm) has been rationally developed to detect heparin by the electrostatic-interaction and ion replacing strategy. TIBI exhibited excellent selectivity and low detection limit (0.08 μM) for detection of heparin. Moreover, TIBI was successfully applied to detect heparin in complicated serum samples with satisfactory results. This study holds great promise for real time monitoring heparin in clinical application.     

Simultaneous and Selective Detection of Environment Hazardous Metals in Water Samples by Using Flower and Christmas Tree Like Cerium Hexacyanoferrate Modified Electrodes

We report facile, template‐free, surfactant‐less flower and Christmas tree‐like cerium hexacyanoferrate (CeHCF) modified electrodes for simultaneous measurement of environmentally hazardous metals. The hierarchical growth of CeHCF on electrode surface was controlled by electrodeposition time at constant potential. This CeHCF modified electrode exhibits a prominent electrocatalytic activity towards detection of heavy metal ions such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). The peaks are separated well at CeHCF modified electrode. Well separated peaks for the detection of these heavy metals in lake and tap water samples indicating CeHCF modified electrode as successful electrode for the reported sensor.     

Water exchange dynamics of manganese(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions in aqueous solution

The first row transition metal ions Mn(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+) have been studied by classical umbrella sampling molecular dynamics simulations. The water exchange mechanisms, estimates of reaction rates, as well as structural changes during the activation process are discussed. Mn(2+) was found to react via an I(A) mechanism, whereas Co(2+) and Ni(2+) both proceed via I(D). Reaction rate constants are generally higher than those obtained by experiment but the simply constructed metal(II) ion-water potential reproduces the relative order quite well.     

The effect of cation size on ion pairing of methyl orange dye with tetraalkylammonium and benzyltrialkylammonium ions in aqueous solution

Formation constants have been measured by a solvent distribution method for the ion pairing of an arene sulfonate, methyl orange dye, with two series of quaternary ammonium ions: R₄N⁺(R=Et,n-Pr,n-Bu, andn-Pent) and C₆H₅CH₂R₃N⁺ (R=Me, Et,n-Pr,n-Bu,n-Pent, andn-Hex). Ion pairing increases dramatically as the length of the R group increases beyond butyl. Using a hard-sphere model for contact ion pairs, it is estimated that coulombic attraction contributes about –kT to the binding free energy and decreases slightly with increasing size of R₄N⁺. Other factors related to solvation effects, of which cosphere overlap predominates, contribute from –2kT to –7kT of binding energy. Plots of logK for association as a function of cation size show an inflection with decreasing slope between R=propyl and R=butyl. Possible causes for the inflection are considered.     

Complex formation of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions with cryptands containing thiourea units as a part of macrocyclic framework in aqueous methanol

The stability constants (K_s) of the complexes of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions with new type of the cryptands containing one or two thiourea moieties in one of the bridges were determined by means of pH-metric measurements in 95% aqueous methanol at 25 °C. Cryptands studied do not show any regular alteration of complexes stability depending on the mutual relation of cryptand cavity and cation sizes. In all cases, they form the most stable complexes with K⁺ along the series of alkali metal ions and with cations of Ba²⁺ or Sr²⁺ in the series of alkaline earth ions independently of variations of their structure. The log K_s values for K⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ vary in limits 3.51-5.90, 2.29-7.05 and 2.35-7.51, respectively, depending on the cryptands structure. The complexes stability of the studied cryptands increases in the order Li⁺ < Na⁺ (Cs⁺) < Cs⁺ (Na⁺) < Rb⁺ < K⁺ and Mg²⁺ < Ca²⁺ < Sr²⁺ (Ba²⁺) < Ba²⁺ (Sr²⁺). However, cryptands containing at least one oxygen atom between the nitrogen bridgehead and group of thiourea form considerably more stable complexes with respect to cryptands in which thiourea group connected with nitrogen bridgeheads via ethylenic chain. The origins of the cryptands complexation behavior are discussed in terms of ligands and complexes structural features.     

A stable pillared metal–organic framework constructed by H4TCPP ligand as luminescent sensor for selective detection of TNP and Fe3+ ions

A novel luminescent metal–organic framework ( Zn‐TCPP/BPY ) with pillared structure based on 2,3,5,6‐tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)pyrazine (H₄TCPP) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (BPY) has been designed and synthesized through a solvothermal reaction. The [Zn₂(COO)₄] paddlewheel units are linked by TCPP^4? ligands to form two‐dimensional layers and further connected by BPY ligands as pillars to construct the twofold interpenetrating three‐dimensional framework. Interestingly, Zn‐TCPP/BPY possesses outstanding stability in organic solvents and water as well as maintains its structural rigidity in aqueous solutions of different pH values (3–12). After activation, Zn‐TCPP/BPY possesses permanent porosity with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 630 m² g^–1. Remarkably, Zn‐TCPP/BPY displays excellent fluorescent property in virtue of the aggregation‐induced emission effect of the H₄TCPP ligand, which can be highly active and quenched by small amounts of 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol (TNP) and Fe³⁺ ions. Furthermore, the detection effect of Zn‐TCPP/BPY remains basically the same even after five cycles. The excellent stability, high sensitivity, and recyclability of Zn‐TCPP/BPY make it an outstanding chemical sensor for detecting TNP and Fe³⁺ ions.     

Time-resolved luminescence of terbium complexes with poly(2- and 4-vinylpyridine N-oxide)s in aqueous solution

Terbium complexes with polymer ligands of poly(2- and 4-vinylpyridine N-oxide)s (P2VPNO, P4VPNO) in aqueous solution were prepared and characterized. Multi-exponential decays of the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ terbium transition at 545 nm of [P2VPNO-Tb³⁺] and [P4VPNO-Tb³⁺] complexes were measured. The non-linearity of semi-logarithmic plots of time-resolved luminescence was more pronounced in [P4VPNO-Tb³⁺] than in [P2VPNO-Tb³⁺], being reduced by addition of salts such as sodium formate or acetate. We assume that multi-exponential decays of Tb³⁺ in the complexes are caused by a back metal-to-ligand energy transfer via triplet state of N-oxide polymer ligand. By carrying out separate experiments in water and deuterium oxide, the number of coordinated water molecules in the [P4VPNO-Tb³⁺] complex was estimated as 4-5, assuming that the Tb³⁺ aqua complex contains nine water molecules.     

A new luminescent anionic metal–organic framework based on heterometallic zinc(II)–barium(II) for selective detection of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions in aqueous solution

Over the past two decades, the development of novel inorganic–organic hybrid porous crystalline materials or metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) using crystal engineering has provoked significant interest due to their potential applications as functional materials. In this context, luminescent MOFs as fluorescence sensors have recently received significant attention for the sensing of ionic species and small molecules. In this work, a new luminescent heterometallic zinc(II)–barium(II)‐based anionic metal–organic framework, namely poly[imidazolium [triaqua(μ₆‐benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylato)bariumtrizinc] tetrahydrate], {(C₃H₄N₂)[BaZn₃(C₉H₃O₆)₃(H₂O)₃]·4H₂O}_n ( 1 ), was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized. Compound 1 presents a three‐dimensional framework with an unprecedented (3,5)‐connected topology of the point symbol (3.9²).(3³.4².5.9³.10), and exhibits `turn‐off' luminescence responses for the Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous solution based on significantly different quenching mechanisms.     

Interactions of mercury(II), lead(II), calcium(II), aluminium(III) or ferric(III) nitrate with single and double chain linear alkylbenzenesulfonates in aqueous and sea-water media

The solubility products of mercury(II) and lead(II) dodecylbenzenesulfonates were calculated on the basis of light scattering measurements at 20°C to be (9.33 ± 0.90) × 10⁻¹³ and (1.03 ± 0.10) × 10⁻¹² respectively. The investigations of precipitation phenomena performed in diluted natural sea-water ([Cl⁻] = 10⁻¹² mol dm ⁻³), including tenside and added heavy metal ions, showed similar behaviour for all metal dodecylbenzenesulfonates investigated in this work, i.e. the synergistic effect of tenside, of added electrolyte, and of cations and anions from sea-water. A comparison made by a statistical test of significance, chosen to measure agreement between the estimates of the solubility constants obtained in aqueous solutions and in the above mentioned sea-water solution, showed a noticeable effect, evident particularly in the case of mercury(II). The precipitation of tenside and metal nitrates in natural sea-water ([Cl⁻] = 5 × 10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³) covers a wide concentration region of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (from high concentrations to 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³) and from high metal nitrate concentrations to very low. The microscopic textures of phases precipitated in the systems with sea-water obviously confirmed favouring formation of the liquid crystalline phase.     

Fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for rapid detection of mercury (II) ions in aqueous solution and blood from mice with toxicosis

The heavy metal mercury (Hg) is a threat to the health of people and wildlife in many environments. Among various chemical forms, Hg²⁺ salts are usually more toxic than their counterparts because of their greater solubility in water; thus, they are more readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into circulation. Therefore, new chemical receptors for detecting Hg²⁺ ions in circulation are needed. In this study, we developed a rhodamine-based turn-on fluorescence probe to monitor Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution and in blood of mice with toxicosis. The chemodosimeter responds to Hg²⁺ ions stoichiometrically, rapidly, and irreversibly at room temperature as a result of a chemical reaction that produces strongly fluorescent oxadiazole. The new fluorescent probe shows good fluorescence response, with high sensitivity and selectivity, toward Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solution and in blood from mice with toxicosis and facilitates the naked-eye detection of Hg²⁺ ions.     

Studies of the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with the oxalate ion in an acidic aqueous solution by pulse radiolysis

The reaction of the · OH radical with the oxalate ion in an acidic aqueous solution was studied by pulse radiolysis. The rate constant for the reaction of formation of the radical HOOC-COO·(λ_max = 250 nm, ɛ = 1800 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) is (5.0±0.5)·107 L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. In the reaction with the hydrogen ion (k = 1.1·10⁷ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹), the radical HOOC-COO· is transformed into a nonidentified radical designated arbitrarily as H⁺(HOOC-COO)· (λ_max = 260 nm, ɛ = 4000 L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1165–1167, June, 2008.     

Generation of an oscillating chemical reaction in a heterogeneous system by the oxidation of an alkaline solution of luminol with sodium(vi) ferrate in the presence of copper ions

Chemiluminescence accompanying the oxidation of 3-aminophthalhydrazide (luminol) with sodium ferrate (vi) in an alkaline solution is studied. The powerful initial light flash flaring up at the moment of mixing the reactants is followed by a continuous low-intensity luminescence in the heterogeneous system formed. The addition of Cu²⁺ ions during this period results in a new chemiluminescence flash with an oscillating character.