Smart thorium and uranium determination exploiting renewable solid-phase extraction applied to environmental samples in a wide concentration range

A smart fully automated system is proposed for determination of thorium and uranium in a wide concentration range, reaching environmental levels. The hyphenation of lab-on-valve (LOV) and multisyringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA), coupled to a long path length liquid waveguide capillary cell, allows the spectrophotometric determination of thorium and uranium in different types of environmental sample matrices achieving high selectivity and sensitivity levels. Online separation and preconcentration of thorium and uranium is carried out by means of Uranium and TEtraValents Actinides resin. The potential of the LOV–MSFIA makes possible the full automation of the system by the in-line regeneration of the column and its combination with a smart methodology is a step forward in automation. After elution, thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) are spectrophotometrically detected after reaction with arsenazo-III. We propose a rapid, inexpensive, and fully automated method to determine thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) in a wide concentration range (0–1,200 and 0–2,000 μg L^-1 Th and U, respectively). Limits of detection reached are 5.9 ηg L^-1 of uranium and 60 ηg L^-1 of thorium. Different water sample matrices (seawater, well water, freshwater, tap water, and mineral water), and a channel sediment reference material which contained thorium and uranium were satisfactorily analyzed with the proposed method.     

Development of reliable analytical method for extraction and separation of thorium(IV) by Cyanex 272 in kerosene

A simple and selective spectrophotometric method has been developed for the extraction and separation of thorium(IV) from sodium salicylate media using Cyanex 272 in kerosene. Thorium(IV) was quantitatively extracted by 5 × 10⁻⁴ M Cyanex 272 in kerosene from 1 × 10⁻⁵M sodium salicylate medium. The extracted thorium(IV) was stripped out quantitatively from the organic phase with 4.0 M hydrochloric acid and determined spectrophotometrically with arsenazo(III) at 620 nm. The effect of concentrations of sodium salicylate, extractant, diluents, metal ion and strippants has been studied. Separation of thorium(IV) from other elements was achieved from binary as well as multicomponent mixtures such as uranium(VI), strontium(II), rubidium(I), cesium(I), potassium(I), Sodium(I), lithium(I), lead(II), barium(II), beryllium(II) etc. Using this method separation and determination of thorium(IV) in geological and real samples has been carried out. The method is simple, rapid and selective with good reproducibility (approximately ±2%).     

Separation of Thorium(IV) from Associated Elements Using Poly-(Dibenzo-18-Crown-6) and Column Chromatography from Picric Acid Medium

A simple column chromatographic method has been developed for the separation of thorium(IV) from associated elements using poly-(dibenzo-18-crown-6). The separations are carried out from picric acid medium. The adsorption of thorium(IV) was quantitative from 0.0005–0.05M picric acid. Amongst the various eluents tested, 2.0–8.0M HCl, HBr, 1.0–6.0M HClO₄ and 5.0M acetic acid were found to be particularly efficient for the quantitative elution of thorium(IV). The capacity of poly-(dibenzo-18-crown-6) for thorium(IV) was found to be 1.29±0.01 mmol/g of crown polymer. Thorium(IV) was separated from a number of cations in binary mixtures in which most of the cations showed a very high tolerance limit. It was possible to separate thorium(IV) from a number of cations such as lanthanum(III), yttrium(III), uranium(VI), beryllium(II) and barium(II) in multicomponent mixtures. The method was extended to the determination of thorium in monazite sand. It is possible to separate and determine 5 ppm of thorium(IV) by this method. The method is very simple, rapid, selective and has good reproducibility (approximately ±2%).     

Preconcentration and determination of ultra-trace amounts of U(VI) and Th(IV) using titan yellow-impregnated Amberlite XAD-7 resin

A simple and sensitive method for the determination of ultra trace amounts of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions by spectrophotometric method after solid-phase extraction on a new extractant-impregnated resin (EIR) has been reported. The new EIR was synthesised by impregnating a weakly polar polymeric adsorbent, Amberlite XAD-7, with titan yellow (TY) as extractant. The analytical method is based on the simultaneous adsorption of analyte ions in a mini-column packed with TY/XAD-7 and performing sequential elution with 0.5% (w/v) Na₂CO₃ for uranium and 2.0 M HCl for thorium. The influences of the analytical parameters including pH, salting out agent and sample volume were investigated. The interference effects of foreign ions on the retention of the analyte ions were also explored. The limits of detection for U(VI) and Th(IV) were as low as 50 and 25 ng L^?1, respectively. Relative standard deviations (n = 7) for U(VI) and Th(IV) were 3.1% and 2.9%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of ultra trace amounts of U(VI) and Th(IV) in different real matrices including industrial wastewater samples and environmental waters. The proposed method was validated using three certified reference materials and the results were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Novel Thorium Membrane Sensors with Anionic Response Based on Trioctylphosphine Oxide and Toluate Ionophores

Two novel potentiometric polymeric membrane sensors for rapid and accurate determination of thorium are described. These are based on the use of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and thorium toluate (Th‐TA) as ionophores dispersed in poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membranes plasticized with nitrophenyloctyl ether. In strong nitric acid medium, Th(IV) nitrate is converted into [Th(NO₃)₆]^2? complex and sensed as anionic divalent ion which exclude most cationic effect. Validation of the assay methods using the quality assurance standards (linearity range, accuracy, precision, within‐day variability, between‐day‐repeatability, lower detection limit and sensitivity) reveals excellent performance characteristics of both sensors. The sensors exhibit near‐Nernstian response for 1.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?1 M Th over the pH range 2.5–4.5. Calibration slopes of ?32.3±0.3 and ?27.2±0.2 mV/decade, precision of ±0.5 and ±0.8% and accuracy of 98.8±0.9 and 97.9±0.7% are obtained with TOPO and Th‐TA based sensors, respectively. Negligible interferences are caused by most interfering mono‐, di‐, tri‐, tetra‐, penta‐, and hexa‐valent elements commonly associated with thorium in naturally occurring minerals and ores. High concentrations of Cl^?, F^?, SO₄^2?, and NO₃^? ions have no diverse effect. Complete removal of the effect of the interferents in complex matrices is achieved by retention of [Th(NO₃)₆]^2? complex from 5 M nitric acid/methanol mixture (1 : 9 v/v) on a strong anion exchanger, washing out the cationic interferents followed by stripping off thorium anion complex and measurements. Both sensors are used for determining thorium in certified thorium ore samples (20–120 mg Th/kg) and some naturally occurring ores (200–600 mg Th/kg). The results obtained agree fairly well with the certified labeled values or the data obtained using X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry     

Complexometric determination of thorium in ThO2−PuO2

A method based on the complexometric titration of thorium using ethylene diaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) as complexant has been developed for the determination of thorium in thorium-plutonium solution without resorting to prior separation of plutonium. Plutonium in the form of Pu(VI) does not affect the thorium determination when present up to 10% in thorium—plutonium solution. For oxidation of plutonium to Pu(VI), HClO₄ or AgO was used. HClO₄ is preferred. The thorium values obtained without prior separation of plutonium are compared with those obtained after separating plutonium by anion exchange technique. A precision of ±0.5% has been obtained for 5–10 mg of thorium in the aliquot.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of uranium, thorium, and zirconium using the partial least squares method after their preconcentration by α-benzoin oxime modified Amberlite XAD-2000 resin

A new solid phase extraction method for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of uranium, thorium, and zirconium in water samples is proposed. The procedure is based on the adsorption of U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) ions on a column of Amberlite XAD-2000 resin loaded with α-benzoin oxime prior to their simultaneous spectrophotometric determination with Arsenazo III using orthogonal signal correction partial least squares method. The enrichment factor for preconcentration of uranium, thorium, and zirconium was found to be 100. The detection limits for U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) were 0.50, 0.54, and 0.48 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The precision of the method, evaluated as the relative standard deviation obtained by analyzing a series of 10 replicates, was below 4% for all elements. The practical applicability of the developed sorbent was examined using synthetic seawater, natural waters and ceramic samples.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of thorium (IV) with hexaacetato calix(6)arene

Thorium(IV) was quantitatively extracted at pH 7.5 with 0.0001M of hexaacetato calix(6)arene in toluene and after stripping with 0.05M nitric acid, it was determined spectrophotometrically at 545 nm with thoron. Thorium(IV) was separated from commonly associated elements in fission products like uranium(VI), cesium(I), lead(II), strontium(II) and cerium(IV) in varying proportions. The method is simple, rapid, selective and applicable for the microgram concentrations of thorium(IV).     

Extraction kinetics of lanthanum(III), uranyl(VI), and thorium(IV) nitrates from water-salt solutions using a composite based on a polymeric support and tri-n-butyl phosphate at various temperatures

The extraction kinetics of lanthanum(III), uranyl(VI), and thorium(IV) nitrates from water-salt solutions using a composite based on a polymeric support and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) were studied at 293.15–333.15 K. Interfacial diffusion (the film kinetics) is the rate-controlling stage of extraction. Mass transfer coefficients were determined, and their temperature dependence was used to estimate apparent activation energies E _a. The mass transfer coefficients increase in going from lanthanum(III), uranyl(VI), and thorium(IV) nitrate solutions to water-salt solutions containing 2 mol/L sodium nitrate or with rising temperature. E _a is independent of the metal ion and the supporting electrolyte concentration; E _a = 25 ± 1 kJ/mol. At a fixed temperature, the increasing order of the mass transfer coefficients is as follows: thorium(IV) < uranyl(VI) < lanthanum(III).     

Analytical complexation reactions of organic reagents with metal ions in a solidified gelatin gel

Solidified gelatin gel is an original medium for analytical complexation reactions between organic reagents and element ions. The chemical nature of this biopolymer enables the electrostatic immobilization of organic reagents bearing anionic groups, like Arsenazo III, by protonated amino groups of the macromolecule. It was shown that the exhaustive capacity of the matrix towards organic sulfonate reagents differing in the number of sulfonic groups and the geometrical size of molecules was related to the specific properties of matrices and the fractal properties of the gel surface. It was found that the conditions for the reactions of complex formation and decomposition of the reagents immobilized in the gel were identical to those for reactions in aqueous solutions. It was proved that the gel fixed on a transparent triacetylcellulose support could be used as a component of sensing elements of optical sensors and/or test systems. This was demonstrated by the examples of the determination of La(III), Th(IV), U(VI), Ca(II), and SO₄²⁻.     

Extractive separation of Th(IV), U(VI), Ti(IV), La(III) and Fe(III) from Zarigan ore

In this study, the effects of various extraction parameters such as extractant types (Cyanex302, Cyanex272, TBP), acid type (nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric) and their concentrations were studied on the thorium separation efficiency from uranium(VI), titanium(IV), lanthanum(III), iron(III) using Taguchi^??s method. Results showed that, all these variables had significant effects on the selective thorium separation. The optimum separations of thorium from uranium, titanium and iron were achieved by Cyanex302. The aqueous solutions of 0.01 and 1 M nitric acid were found as the best aqueous conditions for separating of thorium from titanium (or iron) and uranium, respectively. The combination of 0.01 M nitric acid and Cyanex272 were found that to be the optimum conditions for the selective separation of thorium from lanthanum. The results also showed that TBP could selectively extract all studied elements into organic phase leaving thorium behind in the aqueous phase. Detailed experiments showed that 0.5 M HNO₃ is the optimum acid concentration for separating of thorium from other elements with acidic extractants such as Cyanex272 and Cyanex302. The two-stage process containing TBP-Cyanex302 was proposed for separation thorium and uranium from Zarigan ore leachate.     

A novel multi-element coprecipitation technique for separation and enrichment of metal ions in environmental samples

A multi-element preconcentration-separation technique for heavy metal ions in environmental samples has been established. The procedure is based on coprecipitation of gold(III), bismuth(III), cobalt(II), chromium(III), iron(III), manganese(II), nickel(II), lead(II), thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) ions by the aid of Cu(II)-9-phenyl-3-fluorone precipitate. The Cu(II)-9-phenyl-3-fluorone precipitate was dissolved by the addition 1.0 mL of concentrated HNO₃ and then the solution was completed to 5 mL with distilled water. Iron, lead, cobalt, chromium, manganese and nickel levels in the final solution were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometer, while gold, bismuth, uranium and thorium were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The optimal conditions are pH 7, amounts of 9-phenyl-3-fluorone: 5 mg and amounts of Cu(II): 1 mg. The effects of concomitant ions as matrix were also examined. The preconcentration factor was 30. Gold(III), bismuth(III), chromium(III), iron(III), lead(II) and thorium(IV) were quantitatively recovered from the real samples. The detection limits for the analyte elements based on 3 sigma (n = 15) were in the range of 0.05-12.9 μg L⁻¹. The validation of the presented procedure was checked by the analysis of two certified reference materials (Montana I Soil (NIST-SRM 2710) and Lake Sediment (IAEA-SL-1)). The procedure was successfully applied to some environmental samples including water and sediments.     

Solid phase extraction and preconcentration of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) on Duolite XAD761 prior to their inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination

A simple and effective method is presented for the separation and preconcentration of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by solid phase extraction on Duolite XAD761 adsorption resin. Thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) 9-phenyl-3-fluorone chelates are formed and adsorbed onto the Duolite XAD761. Thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) are quantitatively eluted with 2 mol L⁻¹ HCl and determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The influences of analytical parameters including pH, amount of reagents, amount of Duolite XAD761 and sample volume, etc. were investigated on the recovery of analyte ions. The interference of a large number of anions and cations has been studied and the optimized conditions developed have been utilized for the trace determination of uranium and thorium. A preconcentration factor of 30 for uranium and thorium was achieved. The relative standard deviation (N = 10) was 2.3% for uranium and 4.5% for thorium ions for 10 replicate determinations in the solution containing 0.5 μg of uranium and thorium. The three sigma detection limits (N = 15) for thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) ions were found to be 4.5 and 6.3 ng L⁻¹, respectively. The developed solid phase extraction method was successively utilized for the determination of traces thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) in environmental samples by ICP-MS.     

Preconcentration techniques for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) prior to analytical determination-an overview

The need for the preconcentration of trace and ultratrace amounts of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) in conjunction with various detection techniques was clearly brought out in the introductory part. Subsequently, various off-line and on-line procedures developed for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) prior to their analytical determination since 1990 were critically reviewed in terms of enrichment factor, retention/sorption capacity, validation using certified reference materials and application to complex real samples. The relative merits and demerits of various preconcentration and/or separation of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) prior to quantitation by a plethora of analytical techniques are discussed in concluding part of the review article.     

Anion-exchange separations of metal ions in thiocyanate media

The analytical potential of a weak-base macroreticular anion-exchange resin for the quantitative separation of metal ions in thiocyanate media is investigated and demonstrated. Distribution data are given for the sorption of some 25 metal ions from aqueous mixtures of potassium thiocyanate (1.0M or less) and 0.5M hydrochloric acid. The magnitude of the distribution data suggests many possible separations, some of which were quantitatively performed by procedures which are fast, simple and require only mild conditions. Representative separations are removal of traces of iron(III) and copper(II) from water samples prior to the determination of water hardness (calcium and magnesium), separation of nickel(II) from vanadium(IV) and the separation of thorium(IV) from titanium(IV). Some multicomponent separations are the separation of rare earths(III) and thorium(IV) from scandium(III) and the separation of rare earths(III) from iron(III) and uranium(VI).     

Effect of complexants on the adsorption and color reactions of lanthanum(III), uranium(VI), thorium(IV), and zirconium(IV) with Arsenazo M in the solid phase of an ANKB-50 fibrous ion-exchanger

The effect of complexants—acetic, aminoacetic, tartaric, malonic, and oxalic acids; EDTA; and Na₂CO₃—on the adsorption and subsequent determination of thorium(IV), lanthanum(III), uranium(VI), and zirconium(IV) with Arsenazo M in the solid phase of polyacrylonitrile fiber filled with an ANKB-50 anion exchanger was studied. Complexing agents were introduced into the solution at the step of metal ion adsorption. It was shown that zirconium and uranium interacted with the iminodiacetate groups of the adsorbent in the course of adsorption; the adsorption of elements from 10^?3 to 10^?2 M complexant solutions (except for tartaric and oxalic acids and EDTA) under the optimum conditions was enhanced as compared to their adsorption from pure solutions; complexation with Arsenazo M in the solid phase proceeded at a higher acidity than in the solution. When the elements were present simultaneously, their total concentration and individual thorium could be determined from malonic acid solutions with Arsenazo M by varying the concentration of acid and the adsorption pH.     

Anion-exchange system in magnesium nitrate media. Application to chemical analysis of manganese nodules for thorium and uranium

Summary The adsorption behaviour of 26 metal ions on the strongly basic anion-exchange resin Bio Rad AG-1, X-8 has been examined in magnesium nitrate media. The salt concentration range from 0.50-3.0 M is covered in the presence of 0.1 M free nitric acid. The distribution coefficients of bismuth(III), thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) rise to the order of 1,000 in media of 0.1 M nitric acid with high salt strength, while most other elements are only weakly adsorbed as is also the case in pure nitric acid media. The system allows thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) to be concentrated simultaneously from 2.5 M nitrate media, so that it can be applied successfully to the determination of thorium and uranium in manganese nodules with consecutive Chromatographic elution from a single small resin column. The subsequent determination is carried out spectrophotometrically with Arsenazo III.

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Anionenaustausch in Magnesiumnitratlösung. Anwendung zur Thorium- und Uranbestimmung in Manganknollen

Zusammenfassung Das Adsorptionsverhalten von 26 Metallionen wurde aus Magnesiumnitratlösung an dem stark basischen Anionenaustauscher Bio-Rad AG-1, X-8, untersucht. Die Salzkonzentration reichte von 0,5-3,0 M bei Gegenwart von 0,1 M freier Salpetersäure. Die Verteilungskoeffizienten von Bismut(III), Thorium(IV) und Uran(VI) reichen bei hoher Salzkonzentration bis zur Größenordnung von 1000, wogegen die meisten anderen Elemente nur schwach adsorbiert werden, was auch in reiner salpetersaurer Lösung der Fall ist. Dadurch können Th(IV) und U(VI) gleichzeitig aus 2,5 M Nitratlösung angereichert und mit gutem Erfolg in Manganknollen bestimmt werden, wobei nur eine einzige Elution von einer kleinen Harzsäule erforderlich ist. Die anschließende Bestimmung erfolgt spektralphotometrisch mit Arsenazo III.

     

The thermal decomposition of the 2-methyl-8-quinolinol (8-hydroxyquinaldine) chelates of scandium,thorium, uranium (VI) and the rare earth elements

The thermal decomposition of the 2-methyl-8-quinolinol (8-hydroxyquinaldine) chelates of scandium, thorium, uranium(VI), yttrium and the rare earth elements was studied on the thermobalance. It was found that the scandium and uraniurn(VI) chelates can lose the extra molecule of solvation by thermal decomposition. The thorium chelate was found to be the most stable of all the chelates studied. The temperature limits for the chelates and the minimum oxide level temperatures are given.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of thorium and rare earth metals with pyrimidine azo dyes and cetylpyridinium chloride

Thorium and rare earth elements (REE) react with 5-(2',4'-dimethylphenylazo)6-hydroxypyrimidine-2,4-dione (I) and 5-(4'-nitro-2',6'-dichlorophenylazo)6-hydroxypyrimidine-2,4-dione (II) in the absence of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to form red complexes. The molar absorptivity and Sandell sensitivity were calculated in absence of CPC. In its presence, REE - complexes are not formed due to miceller masking, whereas Th(4+) has a sensitive reaction with the studied reagents I and II, with enhancement of the color intensity of the complex. Most of the foreign ions are tolerated in considerable amounts; 150-2400-fold amounts of rare earth do not interfere with the determination of thorium. The optimum experimental conditions of the complex formation reactions and the compositions of thorium complexes are described. A simple method is proposed for simultaneous determination of thorium and rare earth element without previous separation.     

Thermogravimetric investigation of manganese(ii), silver and thorium diliturates

Thermolysis curves for manganese(II), silver and thorium diliturates were obtained. Manganese diliturate precipitated as the octahydrate and dehydrated in two steps. Silver diliturate formed as a monohydrate from aqueous solutions. Thorium diliturate formed as a hydrate containing 20 moles of water and dehydrated in two steps.Methods for the thermogravimetric determination of manganese(II) and thorium by precipitation as the diliturates are suggested.