Effects of La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on outward potassium channels in Vicia guard cells

Effects of La³⁺ and Eu³⁺ on outward potassium channels (K_out⁺) in Vicia guard cells have been studied by patch clamping technique. Extracellular La³⁺ inhibited K_out⁺ currents with a half-inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of 81 μmol·L⁻¹. Interestingly, intracellular La³⁺ activated K_out⁺ currents at a free concentration of 1.13 × 10⁻¹⁴ mol·L⁻¹, and inhibited K_out⁺ currents at a free concentration of 5.86 × 10⁻¹⁴ mol·L⁻¹. Extracellular Eu³⁺ also activated K_out⁺ currents at concentrations of 10 μmol·L⁻¹ and 50 μmol·L⁻¹, and inhibited K_out⁺ currents at concentrations of more than 1 mmol·L⁻¹. The effects of La³⁺ and Eu³⁺ on K_out⁺ currents may contribute to regulation of the plant water status, which may be one of the mechanisms of the biological effect of rare earth elements.     

Effects of La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on inward K<Superscript>+</Superscript> channels at plasma membrane in guard cells

The effects of La³⁺ on inward K⁺ channels at plasma membrane in vicia guard cells are investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp recording mode. It is shown that La³⁺ on both sides of plasma membrane blocks inward K⁺ currents in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that La³⁺ binding sites may exist on both sides of plasma membrane in guard cells in vicia. The dose response is fitted by the Michaelis-Menten relation characterized by an inhibitor constant K _i of 2.56±0.25 μmol · L⁻¹ (outside membrane) and (1.18±0.11)×10⁻¹⁵ mol · L⁻¹ (inside membrane). Intracellular La³⁺ has much stronger inhibitory effect on inward K⁺ currents than extracellular La³⁺ does, suggesting there may exist stronger binding sites inside membrane than outside membrane. Since ion channel activities of guard cells directly affect plant stomatal movement and water status, our results imply that rare earth elements might have potential practical values in regulating plant water status and strengthening plant drought endurance.     

Thermodynamics of Complex Formation of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ions with Glycylglycine in Aqueous Solution

Enthalpy of the complex formation between diglycine (HL^±) and Ce³⁺ or La³⁺ at 308.15 K and ionic strength of 0.5 mol/L (KNO₃) has been determined by means of calorimetry. Thermodynamic parameters of the diglycine complexes formation with Ce³⁺ and La³⁺ at different metal to ligand molar ratios have been determined.     

Photoacoustic and photoluminescence studies on ThO<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Sm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

Nanocrystalline ThO₂:Sm³⁺ was synthesized using wet-chemical route and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoacoustic (PA) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. PA absorptions of Sm³⁺ doped samples are found to be quite weak as compared to Nd³⁺, while PL of Sm³⁺ was intense. As the energy gap between lowest luminescent levels and highest non-luminescent level in samarium ion is around 7000 cm^?1; it is highly fluorescing compared to Nd³⁺ which has close by levels. Through photoacoustic data it was pointed out that large covalent character exists in ThO₂:Nd³⁺ compared to ThO₂:Sm³⁺.     

Standard thermodynamic functions and constants of complex formation of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> with L-asparagine in aqueous solutions at 298 K

The enthalpies of complex formation of L-asparagine (HAsn^±) with Nd³⁺ and La³⁺ ions are determined calorimetrically at 298.15 K and an ionic strength of 0.5 (KNO₃). The thermodynamic characteristics of the formation of the NdAsn²⁺, NdAsn²⁺, LaAsn₂⁺, and LaAsn₂⁺ complexes are calculated.     

Effect of the Electrode Material on the Reduction of La<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Fluoride-Conducting Solid Electrolytes

The reduction of immobile cations La³⁺ and Ce³⁺ in fluoride-conducting solid electrolytes (FSE) LaF₃ (Eu²⁺ 0.8 mol %), LaF₃ (Sr²⁺ 5 mol %), and CeF₃ (Sr²⁺ 5 mol %) in contact with Ag, Bi, Si, La, Ce, and Sm working electrodes is studied by chronoamperometry and voltammetry with linear potential scan. Discovered is linear dependence of initial segments of potentiostatic transients of cathodic current on t ^1/2 at FSE interfaces with Ag, Bi, La, Ce, and Sm. The dependence is due to diffusion-controlled instantaneous nucleation of Ln and Ce. The La³⁺ and Ce³⁺ reduction at the FSE/Ag interface is reversible in a narrow region. The reduction and oxidation of La³⁺ and Ce³⁺ (cations of the FSE rigid lattice) at the FSE/Me (Me = La, Ce and Sm, Bi, Si) interface is irreversible and involves a chemical reaction.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 662–672.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Turaeva, Kot, Urchukova, Murin.     

Synthesis of Y-type zeolites with high degree of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> cation exchange for La<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

Effect of parameters of the ion exchange of Na⁺ cations for La³⁺ in Y zeolites with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratios of 5.1 and 6.0 on the degree of exchange and physicochemical properties of the resulting LaNaY samples was studied. The conditions in which deeply substituted La-forms of a Y zeolite with high degree of crystallinity can be obtained were determined.     

Study of Complex Formation between Kryptofix 21 with La<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Y<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Cations in Some Binary Mixed Non-Aqueous Solvents Using the Conductometric Method

The complexation reactions between La³⁺, Y³⁺ and Ce³⁺ cations with the macrocyclic ligand, kryptofix 21, were studied in methanol-acetonitrile (MeOH-AN) and methanol-methylacetate (MeOHMeOAc) binary mixed solvent solutions at different temperatures using the conductometric method. The conductance data show that in most solvent systems, the kryptofix 21 forms a 1: 1 [M: L] complex with La³⁺, Y³⁺ and Ce³⁺ metal cations, but in the case of Y³⁺ cation in pure methylacetate, in addition of formation of a 1: 1 [ML] complex, 1: 2 [ML₂] and 1: 3 [ML₃] complexes are formed in solution. In the case of Ce³⁺cation, a 1: 1 [ML] and also a 1: 2 [ML₂] complexes are formed in this solvent system at all studied temperatures. The electrical conductance data in acetonitrile, show that a 1: 1 [ML] and also a 1: 2 [ML₂] complexes are formed between the ligand and La³⁺ and Ce³⁺ metal cations at different temperatures. The stability constants of the 1: 1 [ML] complexes were determined using the conductometric data and a computer program, GENPLOT. A non-monotonic relationship was observed between log_{K f} of the 1: 1 complexes with the composition of the binary solvent solutions which was discussed in term of solvent-solvent interactions and also preferential solvation of the metal cations and the ligand in solutions. The selectivity order of the ligand for the metal cations in MeOH–AN and MeOH–MeOAc binary solvent solutions, at 25°C was found to be: Y³⁺ > La³⁺ > Ce³⁺ and La³⁺ > Y³⁺ > Ce³⁺, respectively. The values of the standard thermodynamic quantities (ΔH _c ^° and ΔS _c ^° ) for formation of the 1: 1 complexes were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constans of the complexes and the results show that the thermodynamics of the complexation reactions between kryptofix 21 and La³⁺, Y³⁺ and Ce³⁺ cations, is affected by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents systems.     

Synthesis,characterization, and photocatalytic properties of La<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped BiPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> photocatalysts

La³⁺-doped BiPO₄ photocatalysts were prepared via a hydrothermal process. Their morphologies, structures, and light absorption properties were evaluated. A small amount of La-doping (optimized at 2 mol %) could significantly improve the activity of BiPO₄ in the degradation of methylene blue under ultraviolet irradiation. After five recycles, the La³⁺-doped BiPO₄ did not exhibit any apparent loss in activity, confirming its stability despite recycling.     

Photoluminescence in Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped silica-titania inverse opal structures

Er³⁺ photoluminescence (PL) and Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ energy transfer (ET) phenomena in the near infrared (NIR) have been studied in three-dimensional (3-D) inverse opal (IO) structures synthesized by a colloidal/sol–gel route, starting with the deposition of polystyrene microsphere (235 nm and 460 nm diameter) direct opal templates by convective self-assembly, followed by infiltration of the interstices with Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-doped silica, titania and silica-titania sols and heat-removal of the polymeric template material. The crystalline quality of the IOs has been optimized through suitable substrate treatments, plus the control of temperature and humidity during deposition of the templates. The structural and optical properties of the 3-D opal and IO structures have been studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy and visible-NIR reflection spectroscopy, in order to assess the relationship between microstructure and the photonic properties obtained. Photonic bandgaps have been evidenced by the corresponding stop bands in the reflection spectra. The shape and the intensity of the Er^{3+ 4}I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition at ~1.5 μm were modified in most IOs relatively to similar matrix deposits without a photonic crystal structure, particularly in the case of pure silica and titania IOs, where the PL peak narrowed and intensified. It was not possible at this stage to detect Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ ET phenomena in the IOs structures.     

Selective extraction of Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions from Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> mixture with phosphate sorbents

The absorption of Fe³⁺ ions from Fe³⁺-Zn²⁺ mixture with zinc and calcium phosphates was studied.     

Synthesis and properties of potassium salts of per-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-carboxymethyl-calix[4]pyrogallols and their complexes with Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, and La<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

Synthesis of water-soluble potassium salts of carboxymethyl derivatives of calix[4]pyrogallols and dodeca(carboxylatomethyl)tetramethylcalix[4]pyrogallol (L) complexes with transition metal ions (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, La³⁺) is described. Their structures in the solid state and in solution were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, ESR, and IR spectroscopy. Calix[4]pyrogallol dodecacarboxylates exist in the rccc-configuration. Calix[4]pyrogallol with methyl substituents at the lower rim in a wide range concentrations exists in water predominantly in the dimeric form. The obtained polynuclear transition metal complexes possess less symmetric structure than potassium salt of calix[4]pyrogallol (K₁₂L). All studied complexes contain water molecules bound by rather strong hydrogen bonds. At room temperature the Fe₄L complex is characterized by the environment of the Fe³⁺ ions close to octahedral. The absence of signals in the ESR spectrum of the Cu₆L complex indicates the strong antiferromagnetic interaction Cu²⁺-Cu²⁺.     

Effect of Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, and Al<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ions on the Deposition of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide from Chloride Solutions

The effect of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺ ions on the deposition of electrolytic manganese dioxide from chloride solutions was studied.__________Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Khimii, Vol. 78, No. 5, 2005, pp. 751–754.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kolosnitsyn, Minnikhanova, Karaseva, Dmitriev, Muratov.     

Thermodynamics of citrate complexation with Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

Isothermal titration calorimetry has been used to determine the stoichiometry, formation constants and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG ^o, ΔH, ΔS) for the formation of the citrate complexes with the Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The measurements were run in Cacodylate, Pipes and Mes buffer solutions with a pH of 6, at 298.15 K. A constant ionic strength of 100 mM was maintained with NaClO₄. The influence of a metal ion on its interaction energy with the citrate ions and the stability of the resulting complexes have been discussed.     

Detection of up-conversion in nano-structure BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> co-doped with Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions

Nano-structure pure barium titanate BaTiO₃ (BT) and (BT) co-doped with constant concentration of Er³⁺ ions and different concentrations of Yb³⁺ ions were prepared using sol–gel method. XRD results confirmed that the pure sample was found to crystallize in tetragonal phase by sintering at 750 °C for 1 h. All major peaks corresponding to perovskite BT phase appeared. Efficient infrared-to-visible up-conversion is reported in the doped samples. The conversion process and results in the generation of visible emissions are discussed. Up-conversion efficiency for red emission predominates in doped samples. Results illustrate the large potential of this class of materials for photonic applications in optoelectronics devices.     

Extraction of metal ions (Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>) using immobilized-polysiloxane iminobis(n-2-aminophenylacetamide) ligand system

A new insoluble solid functionalized ligand system bearing chelating ligand group of the general formula P-(CH₂)₃-N[CH₂CONH(C₆H₄)NH₂]₂, where P represents [Si–O] _n polysiloxane network, was prepared by the reaction of the immobilized diethyliminodiacetate polysiloxane ligand system, P-(CH₂)₃N(CH₂CO₂Et)₂ with 1,2-diaminobenzene in toluene. ¹³C CP-MAS NMR, XPS and FTIR results showed that most ethylacetate groups (–COOEt) were converted into the amide groups (–N–C=O). The new functionalized ligand system exhibits high capacity for extraction and removal of the metal ions (Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) with efficiency of 95–97% after recovery from its primary metal complexes. This functionalized ligand system formed 1:1 metal to ligand complexes.     

The New Fluorescence Enhancement System Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-ARADE-HMTM-Al<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and its Analytical Application

A new bis-Schiff base ligand, N,N-bis-(4-N-aminothiourea-2-amylidene)-4,4-diaminodiphenyl ether (ARADE), was synthesized. Its complex with Eu³⁺ in DMF emits the intrinsic fluorescence of Eu³⁺. The fluorescence intensity of the Eu³⁺-ARADE system was enhanced about 60-fold by the addition of hexamethylene tetramine (HMTM) and potash alum. This is a new fluorescence enhancement phenomenon. The excitation and emission wavelengths are 375nm and 615nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensities vary linearly with the concentration of Eu³⁺ in the range of 7.8×10^–9–1.75×10^–5mol·L^–1 with a detection limit of 5.2×10^–9mol·L^–1, or with the concentration of Al³⁺ in the range of 3.1×10^–7–9.7×10^–5mol·L^–1 with a detection limit of 2.7×10^–7mol·L^–1. The interferences of some rare earth metals and other inorganic ions were described. This method was applied to the determination of Eu³⁺ in high purity yttrium oxide and the analysis of Al³⁺ in alloy steel standard samples. The mechanism of fluorescence enhancement was also studied.     

Thermodynamic Study on the Protonation and Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-Complexation of a Biodegradable Chelant (HEIDA) at Different Ionic Strengths and Temperatures

A potentiometric method has been used for the determination of the protonation constants of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (HEIDA or L) at various temperatures 283.15?≤?T/K?≤?383.15 and different ionic strengths of NaCl_(aq), 0.12?≤?I/mol·kg^?1?≤?4.84. Ionic strength dependence parameters were calculated using a Debye–Hückel type equation, Specific Ion Interaction Theory and Pitzer equations. Protonation constants at infinite dilution calculated by the SIT model are \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{1}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 8.998 \pm 0.008 \) (amino group), \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{2}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 2.515 \pm 0.009 \) and \( \log_{10} \left( {{}^{T}K_{3}^{\text{H}} } \right) = 1.06 \pm 0.002 \) (carboxylic groups). The formation constants of HEIDA complexes with sodium, calcium and magnesium were determined. In the first case, the formation of a weak complex species, NaL, was found and the stability constant value at infinite dilution is log₁₀K_NaL?=?0.78?±?0.23. For Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, the CaL, CaHL, CaL₂ and MgL species were found, respectively. The calculated stability constants for the calcium complexes at T?=?298.15 K and I?=?0.150 mol·dm^?3 are: log₁₀β_CaL?=?4.92?±?0.01, log₁₀β_CaHL?=?11.11?±?0.02 and \( \log_{10} \beta_{\text{Ca{L}}_{2}} \)?=?7.84?±?0.03, while for the magnesium complex (at I?=?0.176 mol·dm^?3): log₁₀β_MgL?=?2.928?±?0.006. Protonation thermodynamic functions have also been calculated and interpreted.     

Scalar-relativistic 5f-in-core pseudopotentials and core-polarization potentials for trivalent actinides: calibration calculations for Ac<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Cm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Lr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> complexes

The performance of recently proposed 5f-in-core pseudopotentials for the trivalent actinides was investigated in calculations for model complexes An³⁺L ⁿ⁻ for three selected actinides (An³⁺ = Ac³⁺, Cm³⁺, Lr³⁺) and eight simple ligands with atoms from the first three periods of the table of elements (L ⁿ⁻ = F⁻, Cl⁻, OH⁻, SH⁻, CO, NH₂⁻, H₂O, H₂S, NH₃). Results of Hartree-Fock and Coupled Cluster with singles, doubles and perturbative triples calculations using basis sets of quadruple-zeta quality are compared to corresponding reference data obtained with scalar-relativistic energy-adjusted 5f-in-valence small-core pseudopotentials. The inclusion of core-polarization potentials in the 5f-in-core pseudopotential calculations and corrections of the basis set superposition error by the counterpoise correction leads to very good agreement between the 5f-in-valence and 5f-in-core pseudopotential results for bond lengths, bond angles and binding energies. Results from 5f-in-core pseudopotential calculations using different density functionals also show reasonable agreement with the more rigorous Coupled Cluster results. It is argued that the An 5f rather than the An f population is a useful criterion for the applicability of a specific An 5f-in-core pseudopotential.     

Incorporation of Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Ba<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> into aragonite and comparison with calcite

We have investigated the presence of foreign ions into the bulk structure and the external surfaces of aragonite using periodic ab-initio methods. Four cations isovalent to Ca²⁺ were studied: Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The calculations were performed at structures (bulk, surface) that contain four and eight CaCO₃ units. Our results, at the Hartree-Fock level, show that the incorporation of those ions into aragonite depends strongly on their size. Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺, due to their smaller size, can substitute Ca²⁺ ions in the crystal lattice while the incorporation of Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ into aragonite is energetically less favoured. Examination of the [011], [110] and [001] surfaces of aragonite revealed that the surface incorporation reduces the energetic cost for the larger ions. These systems provide challenging examples for most shape analysis methods applied in Mathematical Chemistry.