Proton transfer and the mobilities of the H+ and OH- ions from studies of a dissociating model for water

Hydrogen (H(+)) and hydroxide (OH(-)) ions in aqueous solution have anomalously large diffusion coefficients, and the mobility of the H(+) ion is nearly twice that of the OH(-) ion. We describe molecular dynamics simulations of a dissociating model for liquid water based on scaling the interatomic potential for water developed by Ojama?e-Shavitt-Singer from ab initio studies at the MP2 level. We use the scaled model to study proton transfer that occurs in the transport of hydrogen and hydroxide ions in acidic and basic solutions containing 215 water molecules. The model supports the Eigen-Zundel-Eigen mechanism of proton transfer in acidic solutions and the transient hyper-coordination of the hydroxide ion in weakly basic solutions at room temperature. The free energy barriers for proton transport are low indicating significant proton delocalization accompanying proton transfer in acidic and basic solutions. The reorientation dynamics of the hydroxide ion suggests changes in the proportions of hyper-coordinated species with temperature. The mobilities of the hydrogen and hydroxide ions and their temperature dependence between 0 and 50 °C are in excellent agreement with experiment and the reasons for the large difference in the mobilities of the two ions are discussed. The model and methods described provide a novel approach to studies of liquid water, proton transfer, and acid-base reactions in aqueous solutions, channels, and interfaces.     

Ion adsorption at the rutile-water interface: linking molecular and macroscopic properties

A comprehensive picture of the interface between aqueous solutions and the (110) surface of rutile (alpha-TiO2) is being developed by combining molecular-scale and macroscopic approaches, including experimental measurements, quantum calculations, molecular simulations, and Gouy-Chapman-Stern models. In situ X-ray reflectivity and X-ray standing-wave measurements are used to define the atomic arrangement of adsorbed ions, the coordination of interfacial water molecules, and substrate surface termination and structure. Ab initio calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, validated through direct comparison with the X-ray results, are used to predict ion distributions not measured experimentally. Potentiometric titration and ion adsorption results for rutile powders having predominant (110) surface expression provide macroscopic constraints of electrical double layer (EDL) properties (e.g., proton release) which are evaluated by comparison with a three-layer EDL model including surface oxygen proton affinities calculated using ab initio bond lengths and partial charges. These results allow a direct correlation of the three-dimensional, crystallographically controlled arrangements of various species (H2O, Na+, Rb+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Zn2+, Y3+, Nd3+) with macroscopic observables (H+ release, metal uptake, zeta potential) and thermodynamic/electrostatic constraints. All cations are found to be adsorbed as "inner sphere" species bonded directly to surface oxygen atoms, while the specific binding geometries and reaction stoichiometries are dependent on ionic radius. Ternary surface complexes of sorbed cations with electrolyte anions are not observed. Finally, surface oxygen proton affinities computed using the MUSIC model are improved by incorporation of ab initio bond lengths and hydrogen bonding information derived from MD simulations. This multitechnique and multiscale approach demonstrates the compatibility of bond-valence models of surface oxygen proton affinities and Stern-based models of the EDL structure, with the actual molecular interfacial distributions observed experimentally, revealing new insight into EDL properties including specific binding sites and hydration states of sorbed ions, interfacial solvent properties (structure, diffusivity, dielectric constant), surface protonation and hydrolysis, and the effect of solution ionic strength.     

Langmuir–Blodgett Monolayers and Films of Alkylated Tetraazacrowns Containing Metal Ions and Nanoparticles

The behavior of individual 1,7-dicetyltetraaza-12-crown-4 and its mixture with 1,4,7,10-tetracetyltetraaza-12-crown-4 in the Langmuir monolayers at the subphases containing Cu(II) ions or colloidal gold particles is studied. Based on the compression isotherms, the complexing ability of these amphiphilic cyclenes in a monolayer at the surface of aqueous dilute solutions of copper salt is established. It was shown that the fraction of complexes in a monolayer is proportional to the copper ion concentration in the subphase. Using surface balance, atomic force microscopy, and electron microscopy methods, it was revealed that the monolayer of dicetylcyclene at the surface of gold hydrosol binds nanoparticles from the subphase; the number of particles bound by the monolayer is proportional to their content in the hydrosol. The Langmuir–Blodgett films (LBF) of dicetylcyclene are prepared; their ability to bind copper ions from solution was disclosed by quartz crystal microbalance. The LBFs of dicetylcyclene containing gold nanoparticles in each layer are assembled.     

A first principles molecular dynamics study of the solvation structure and migration kinetics of an excess proton and a hydroxide ion in binary water-ammonia mixtures

We have investigated the solvation structure and migration kinetics of an excess proton and a hydroxide ion in water-ammonia mixed liquids of varying composition by means of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The excess proton is always found to be attached to an ammonia molecule to form the ammonium ion. Migration of the excess proton is found to occur very occasionally from one ammonia to the other but no proton transfer to a water molecule is observed during the entire simulations. Also, when the ammonium ion is solvated in water only, its hydrogen bond dynamics and rotation are found to occur at a faster rate than those in water-ammonia mixtures. For water-ammonia mixtures containing a proton less, the defect is found to stay like the hydroxide ion. For these systems, occasional proton transfer is found to occur only through the hydrogen bonded chains of water molecules in these water-ammonia mixtures. No proton transfer is found to take place from an ammonia molecule. The presence of ammonia molecules makes the realization of proper presolvated state of the hydroxide ion to accept a proton a more difficult process and, as a result, the rate of proton transfer and migration kinetics of the hydroxide ion in water-ammonia mixtures are found to be slower than that in liquid water and these rates are found to slow down further with increase of ammonia concentration.     

Characterization of ligand sites on natural sediment particles

Organic and inorganic ligand sites on sediment particles were alkalimetrically titrated using a glass electrode as indicating device. Data obtained for suspensions containing known masses of sediment were used to calculate the concentration of surface ligand sites and their stability constants for complex formation with proton and copper(II) ion. The relationship between the concentration of ligand sites and the concentrations of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) and of C, N, and S was used to try to discriminate between the contributions of organic and inorganic components to the total ligand capacity of the sediment. The reliability of the chemical model deduced from potentiometric data was checked by comparing calculated values for aqueous copper(II) as a function of pH with values experimentally determined via atomic absorption spectrometry. The procedure proposed might contribute to the modeling of sediment-contaminant interaction, providing information on the nature of the ligands involved.     

Preparation and transport properties of PPy/PVDF composite membrane

In this work, composite cation‐exchange membrane was prepared by chemical polymerization of pyrrole on the surface of the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane using ferric ions. The changes in the surface morphologies of non‐modified and polymer‐modified PVDF membrane were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The ion‐exchange capacity, water uptake, and fixed group concentration of the composite membrane were investigated. The polypyrrole/PVDF composite membrane was used for the removal of copper (II), chromium (III), iron (III), and aluminum (III) ions from aqueous solution with Donnan dialysis experiments. The flux values (J) and recovery factors (RF) of Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), and Al(III) were obtained. Because of the smaller ion charge and hydration volume, the transport of the Cu(II) ion is higher than that of the other metals. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Equilibrium study of selected divalent d-electron metals adsorption on A-type zeolite

The objective of the presented study was to investigate the adsorption of Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, Cd and Mn on A-type zeolite. The isotherms for adsorption of metals from their nitrates were registered. The following adsorption constants K of metals were found: 162,890, 124,260, 69,025, 16,035, 10,254, and 151 [M(-1)] for Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Ni, respectively, for the concentration range 10(-4)-10(-3) M. On the other hand, the investigation of pH influence on the distribution constants of metals showed that the adsorption of metals proceeds essentially through an ion-exchange process, surface hydrolysis, and surface complexation. The supplementary results from DRIFT, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods confirmed the presumption about the possible connection between the electronic structure of divalent ions and their adsorption behavior, showing that ions with d5 and d10 configurations such as Mn2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, with much weaker hydrolytic properties than Cu2+ and Ni2+, strongly interact with the zeolite framework and therefore their affinity to the zeolite phase is much stronger when compared with that of the Ni2+ ion, but at the same time not as strong as the affinity of the Cu2+ ion, the latter forming a new phase during the interaction with zeolite framework. For Zn2+, during inspection of the correlation between the proton concentration H/Al and zinc concentration Zn/Al on the zeolite surface, the formation of the surface complex [triple bond]S-OZn(OH) was proposed. A correlation between the heterogeneity of proton concentrations H/Al on Me-zeolite surfaces and the hydrolysis constants pKh of Me2+ ions was found.     

Correlation between the Cu/Al Value and Activity of Cu-ZSM-5 Catalysts and the Chemical Nature of the Starting Copper Salt

Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts for the selective reduction of NO with propane were obtained by ion exchange between H-ZSM-5 zeolite and an aqueous or aqueous ammonia solution of a copper salt (acetate or nitrate). Their Cu/Al values (%) defined as 2 × 100 (Cu : Al), where Cu : Al is the copper-to-aluminum atomic ratio, were determined as a function of ion exchange pH, which was varied by changing the copper salt and solution concentration. Cu/Al is primarily determined by the chemical nature of the starting copper salt. For a given salt, it is governed by the salt concentration in the solution. At a fixed salt concentration, Cu/Al is always larger for copper acetate than for copper nitrate. It can be raised to ≫100% by using an aqueous ammonia solution of a copper salt. Furthermore, it increases with increasing Si/Al in the starting zeolite if the other ion exchange conditions are equal. Irrespective of preparation conditions, the catalytic activity of Cu-ZSM-5 grows in proportion to Cu/Al. It peaks at Cu/Al ∼ 100% and then remains constant up to Cu/Al ∼ 400%. In order to achieve Cu/Al ∼ 100%, it is most appropriate to use a copper acetate solution.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2005, pp. 652–656.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Tsikoza, Matus, Ismagilov, Sazonov, Kuznetsov.     

Determination of Nickel,Manganese, Copper and Zinc in Blood Serum by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Deproteinization by Microwave Irradiation

ABSTRACT

Deproteinization of serum was performed by microwave irradiation combined with a small volume of diluted trichloracetic acid. The procedure reduced the protein level of the samples to less than 99% of the total with a small dilution factor (1+1) and allowed the determination of nickel and manganese by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and copper and zinc by flame atomic absorption spectrometry directly without modifiers or matrix interferences. As metallic ions are normally bonded to serum proteins they must be released during protein precipitation. Spiked serum samples were submitted, before the deproteinization, to an incubation treatment to bond the added ions to the proteins. To check the efficiency of the incubation time for each ion, serum samples were ultrafiltered at set time intervals and the metals determined in the ultrafiltrate. The proposed method was compared with the common deproteinization by acids for the separation of the proteins. The reduction of proteins allowed a small dilution of the sample and the use of faster temperature programmes for the determination of nickel and manganese by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and the aspiration of samples more similar to aqueous standards for copper and zinc determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Recoveries from spiked, incubated and deproteinized samples compared to only diluted samples show that the method can satisfactorily be used for atomic absorption spectrometric determination of these elements.     

A molecular dynamics investigation of the titration of a trivalent aqueous ion

We carried out a series of molecular dynamics simulations of the hydrolysis of a model trivalent metal ion in aqueous solution. We use a dissociative model for water and examine the spontaneous speciation of M³⁺ into M(OH) _n ^(3-n)+ (n =1,4) both in neutral solution and as a function of added protons and hydroxide ions. The species distributions in neutral solution correspond reasonably well with those expected for real trivalent metal ions at neutral pH. However, the change in the species distributions as a function of either added protons or hydroxide ions is much less than expected with very large concentrations of protons or hydroxide ions required to shift the species equilibria in either direction. The influence of added protons and hydroxide ions on the species distributions appears to be proportional to the average charge of the hydrolysis couples, being highest for the 3+/2+ couple and lowest for the 1+/0 and 0/1- couples. Proton exchange rates vary with proton/hydroxide ion concentration giving a minimum at intermediate values ([H+]≈ 0.166) with increasing rates at both lower and higher pH.     

A density functional theory based study of the microscopic structure and dynamics of aqueous HCl solutions

The aqueous solvation of hydrochloric acid is studied using density functional theory based molecular dynamics simulations at two concentrations. The large simulation boxes that we use allow us to investigate larger-scale structures such as the water-bridged chloride ion network. We find a strong concentration dependence for almost all structural and dynamical properties. Excess protons are mostly present both as Eigen and Zundel structures, either as a direct hydronium-chloride contact-ion pair or a solvent-separated ion pair. Increasing the concentration has a detrimental effect on the natural hydrogen bonded network of water molecules. This effect is visible in our studies as a decrease in the persistence time of the solvation shells around the chloride ions. Also the number of proton hops, determined by a new and well defined identification procedure, suffers from the breakdown of the natural hydrogen bond network.     

Complexation of Cu(II) Ions with the lowest generation poly(amido-amine)-OH dendrimers: a molecular simulation study

Classical molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations are performed to obtain insights about the attachment of the copper(II) ion to the lowest generation poly(amido-amine) dendrimer, G0-OH, in aqueous solutions. Various initial configurations of the ion relative to the dendrimer sites are tested and it is concluded that both the solvent as well as-in a lesser degree for low generation dendrimers-the folding of the dendrimer branch play an important role in copper(II) ion complexation. The presence of solvent and branch folding retain the ion close to the atomic binding sites consisting mainly of amide oxygen as well as hydroxyl oxygen but also tertiary amine nitrogen. A discussion of currently available experimental results in Cu(II) complexation in larger generation dendrimers is provided.     

Solvation structure of hydroxyl radical by Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics

Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations of a hydroxyl radical in liquid water have been performed. Structural and dynamical properties of the solvated structure have been studied in details. The partial atom-atom radial distribution functions for the hydrated hydroxyl do not show drastic differences with the radial distribution functions for liquid water. The OH is found to be a more active hydrogen bond donor and acceptor than the water molecule, but the accepted hydrogen bonds are much weaker than for the hydroxide OH- ion. The first solvation shell of the OH is less structured than the water's one and contains a considerable fraction of water molecules that are not hydrogen bonded to the hydroxyl. Part of them are found to come closer to the solvated radical than the hydrogen bonded molecules do. The lifetime of the hydrogen bonds accepted by the hydroxyl is found to be shorter than the hydrogen bond lifetime in water. A hydrogen transfer between a water molecule and the OH radical has been observed, though it is a much rarer event than a proton transfer between water and an OH- ion. The velocity autocorrelation power spectrum of the hydroxyl hydrogen shows the properties both of the OH radical in clusters and of the OH- ion in liquid.     

Electrophilic Copper(II) → Metal(II) Substitution in Gelatin-Immobilized Copper(II) Hexacyanoferrate(II) Matrix Implants

Contact of thin layers of gelatin-immobilized copper(II) hexacyanoferrate(II) matrices with aqueous solutions of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) chlorides results in partial substitution of these ions for Cu(II) to give (dd)-heterobinuclear hexacyanoferrates(II) of copper(II) and the corresponding double-charged ion.     

治疗铜中毒的新型高效络合剂对叔丁基硫杂杯[4]芳烃

以超分子化学基本原理为指导, 系统研究了对叔丁基硫杂杯[4]芳烃(简称TCA)作为受体对Cu²⁺(底物)的分子识别作用. 结果表明, TCA对Cu²⁺具有优异的识别能力, 且识别能力不受大量K⁺, Na⁺和Ca²⁺等共存离子的影响. TCA对Cu²⁺的识别作用优于驱铜药物2,3-二巯基丁二酸(DMSA). TCA对Cu²⁺的作用受竞争配体氨基酸的影响, 在血铜含量超标时, 人体正常浓度的氨基酸对TCA与Cu²⁺作用的影响很小; 而当Cu²⁺浓度降到正常血铜值时, 体内氨基酸的存在可使TCA的排铜效率降低, 避免发生铜的过多流失. TCA对Cu²⁺的作用优于对Zn²⁺的作用, 但共存离子Zn²⁺与Cu²⁺产生协同作用, 使TCA对Cu²⁺和Zn²⁺的萃取率均增加. 可通过降低萃取剂的浓度来减弱TCA与Zn²⁺的结合, 达到驱铜保锌的最佳效果. TCA有望发展为取代DMSA的更有效的驱铜药物.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of Cu(II) and the PHGGGWGQ octapeptide

The interaction between Cu2+ and the copper-binding octapeptide region in the human prion protein has been investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. In total four different nonbonded and bonded models were used in the study. Charge sets containing atomic partial charges were developed for these models. Out of the considered models, the bonded model performed physically in the most correct way. The simulations with the bonded model showed that the water molecules in the axial position are very labile. The tryptophan indole ring can remain in a stable position on top of the equatorial coordination plane of copper without water mediation. Strong aromatic interaction was observed between the imidazole and indole rings. The nonbonded models showed a tendency for water-mediated interaction between the copper ion and different carbonyl oxygen atoms. In the case of the bonded model, a carbonyl group could also interact directly with the copper ion in one of the apical position.     

Conditions for the formation of copper nanoparticles by reduction of copper(II) ions with hydrazine hydrate solutions

Optimal conditions were found for the preparation of copper nanoparticles in aqueous solution via reduction of copper(II) ions with hydrazine hydrate. The effects of ligand environment of copper(II) in the initial solution (hydrate, ammonia, citrate, and glycine complexes), concentration, pH, surfactants, temperature, and mode of heating were examined. The obtained colloidal systems were studied by optical spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. The examined colloids were found to contain generally spherical copper nanoparticles with a diameter of about 10 nm, which were coated with a copper(I) or copper(II) oxide and hydroxide film.     

火焰原子吸收光谱法测定粗铜中痕量铋、锑

粗铜样品经硝酸溶解,所得样品溶液中的铜离子在过量氨水中生成可溶性铜氨络离子,而铋、锑则以氢氧化铁和氢氧化镧作载体共沉淀,实现了富集铋、锑并与铜分离。基于此提出了原子吸收光谱法同时测定粗铜中的微量铋、锑。对浓盐酸的用量,硝酸铁和硝酸镧的加入量等试验条件进行了优化。铋的质量浓度在10 mg.L-1以内、锑的质量浓度在5 mg.L-1以内分别与其吸光度呈线性关系,检出限(3s)分别为0.06,0.04 mg.L-1,相对标准偏差(n=10)均小于2.0%。     

A new (limit) test for heavy metals

Summary A simple test for heavy metals in aqueous solutions has been developed, which yields a measure for the overall amount of heavy metals present as well as the identity of the contaminating ions. To evaluate the method, known concentrations of standard ion solutions were treated with diethyldithiocarbamic acid and the complexes extracted into ethyl acetate. In one part of the extract the complexed ions were replaced by Cu(II). The absorbance of the yellow Cu(II)-complex was measured at 430 nm and a calibration curve was determined for each investigated ion. In this way it was possible to detect down to 0.5–3 g ion, depending on the atomic mass and the valency of the ion. As this method gives only an unspecific measure for the total amount of the ions present, the other part of the extract was evaporated and the residue examined by TLC, which in most cases allowed to identify the ions either as such or by the use of a reference ion.     

Autoionization at the surface of neat water: is the top layer pH neutral, basic, or acidic?

Autoionization of water which gives rise to its pH is one of the key properties of aqueous systems. Surfaces of water and aqueous electrolyte solutions are traditionally viewed as devoid of inorganic ions; however, recent molecular simulations and spectroscopic experiments show the presence of certain ions including hydronium in the topmost layer. This raises the question of what is the pH (defined using proton concentration in the topmost layer) of the surface of neat water. Microscopic simulations and measurements with atomistic resolution show that the water surface is acidic due to a strong propensity of hydronium (but not of hydroxide) for the surface. In contrast, macroscopic experiments, such as zeta potential and titration measurements, indicate a negatively charged water surface interpreted in terms of preferential adsorption of OH(-). Here we review recent simulations and experiments characterizing autoionization at the surface of liquid water and ice crystals in an attempt to present and discuss in detail, if not fully resolve, this controversy.