Behavior of cadmium(II) in irradiated aqueous solutions

Behavior of cadmium(II) in aqueous solutions irradiated by accelerated electrons was studied. A concentration of 8.8 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ of cadmium dissolved from Cd(NO₃)₂ requires dose of 15 kGy to be effectively removed from the system containing 1 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ of HCOOK as a scavenger of OH radicals. The positive effect of deaeration with N₂O or N₂ was observed in the range of lower doses. The addition of solid modifiers (bentonite, active carbon, zeolite, Cu₂O, NiO, TiO₂ and CuO) reduced the effectivity of radiation removal of cadmium. Product of irradiation is CdCO₃. On the contrary, in the system with cadmium dissolved from CdCl₂ radiation reduction takes place. Systems contained organic complexants (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid–EDTA, citric acid) were also studied. The solutions of Cd(NO₃)₂ containing initial concentration 2.37 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ of Cd^II were mixed with 3 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ EDTA. In this system the efficient degradation proceeds up to 90% at a dose of 45 kGy with addition of 5 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ carbonate (pH 10.5). The product of irradiation is CdCO₃. The presence of 1 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ of HCOOK in the solution is necessary for radiation removal of cadmium complexed with citric acid (1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹) at pH 8. With increasing concentration of HCOOK (up to 5 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹) decreases the pH value necessary for the radiation induced precipitation of cadmium. The best result was obtained in the system containing zeolite as a solid modifier.     

Fluorescence properties of nanosized sulfides

The absorption spectra of nanosized sulfides and selenides (ZnS, CdS, CuS, Cu₂S, AgS, In₂S₃, SnS, PbS, Sb₂S₃, FeS, CoS, NiS, CdSe, and Ag₂Se) showed one absorption band with a maximum at wave-lengths shorter than 300 nm. The UV fluorescence spectra of all of these nanosized sulfides in a polyvinyl alcohol film contained maxima at 380–440 nm. Nanosized sulfides are thus characterized by a very large (up to 15000 cm⁻¹) Stokes shift of fluorescence. In a polyvinyl alcohol film, a decrease in the concentration of cadmium sulfide from 0.05 to 0.002 M led to a threefold increase in the fluorescence intensity. The dependence of the degree of fluorescence buildup on the sulfide concentration is nearly linear. An increase in sulfide concentration to more than 5 × 10⁻³ M in solution led to a complete coagulation of particles.     

Quartz Crystal Microbalance for Selenite Sensing Based on Growth of Cadmium Selenite Crystals Immobilized on a Monolayer of Phosphorylated 11-Mercapto-1-Undecanol

 A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor for selenite ions in aqueous solution was constructed based on crystal formation of cadmium selenite, immobilized with a self-assembly monolayer (SAM) of phosphorylated 11-mercapto-1-undecanol (MUD) on a QCM gold electrode surface. The mass change caused by the selective adsorption of selenite ions on the cadmium selenite crystals at the solid/solution interface was detected by the QCM. The response (−ΔF) of the modified QCM oscillator increased with increasing selenite ion concentrations in sample solutions, ranging from 9.7×10⁻⁵ to 9.0×10⁻⁴ M at pH 7.4. The synthetic process of anchoring cadmium selenite crystals on the phosphorylated MUD organic film was also followed by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The atomic concentrations measured by XPS confirmed the crystal growth of cadmium selenite on the phosphorylated MUD SAM at the QCM gold electrode surface. From the AFM images, changes in surface topographic features were followed: the MUD SAM and phosphorylated MUD on the QCM gold electrode had similar surface roughness; however the difference for the cadmium selenite film on the phosphorylated MUD SAM was clearly seen. The observed QCM frequency change of the modified QCM oscillator per unit time was found to be proportional to the square of the supersaturation of cadmium selenite, indicating the crystal growth of cadmium selenite at the solid/solution interface. The modified QCM oscillator exhibited selectively strong QCM response to SeO₃ ²⁻ ion. In contrast, the responses to tested interfering anions were almost negligible. The order of anion selectivities of the present modified QCM sensor was SeO₃ ²⁻≫CO₃ ²⁻>SeO²⁻ ₄, SO₄ ²⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO₃ ⁻. These selectivities were basically attributable to the differences in solubility products and solubilities for the salts of each anion with cadmium (II) ion. Received May 12, 1998. Revision December 29, 1998.     

Application of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles as oligonucleotide labels for the electrochemical detection of NOS terminator gene sequences

A mercaptoacetic acid (MAA)-modified cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticle was synthesized in aqueous solution and used as an oligonucleotide label for the electrochemical detection of nopaline synthase (NOS) terminator gene sequence. The carboxyl groups on the surface of the CdS nanoparticle can be easily covalently linked with NH₂-modified NOS oligonucleotide probe sequences. The target ssDNA sequence was fixed onto the electrode surface by covalently linking to a mercaptoethanol self-assembled gold electrode, and the DNA hybridization of target ssDNA with probe ssDNA was accomplished on the electrode surface. The CdS nanoparticles anchored on the hybrids were dissolved in the solution by the oxidation with HNO₃ and further detected by a sensitive differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric method. The detection results can be used for monitoring the hybridization, and the NOS target sequence was satisfactorily detected in the approximate range from 8.0 × 10⁻¹² to 4.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 2.75 × 10⁻¹² mol L⁻¹ (3σ). The established method extended the nanoparticle-labeled electrochemical DNA analysis to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) specific sequence samples with higher sensitivity and selectivity.     

Thiourea complexes in synthesis of Cd1 ? xZnxS solid solutions

Solid solutions of the CdS-ZnS system deposited as polycrystalline films by aerosol pyrolysis from aqueous solutions of cadmium and zinc thiourea complexes have been studied. The phase composition and solid-phase solubility are dictated by the nature of initial complexes. From solutions of [M(thio)₂(CH₃COO)₂] complexes, sphalerite sulfides are precipitated, which form a continuous solid solution s-Cd_1−x Zn _x S, whereas the use of the [M(thio)₂Cl₂] precursor leads to crystallization of the wurtzite w-Cd_1−x Zn _x S solid solution based on CdS (the homogeneity range 0–20 mol % ZnS) and the s-Cd_1−x Zn _x S solid solution based on zinc sulfide (50–100 mol % ZnS). The structure of the solid phase in the sulfide system is attributed to the specific features of the stereochemistry of complex precursors.     

Photo- and radiation-induced preparation of nanocrystalline copper and cuprous oxide catalysts

Spherical copper nanoparticles have been prepared by photo- or radiation-induced reduction of aqueous solutions containing 10⁻³ mol.dm⁻³ copper sulphate or formate, 1.3 mol.dm⁻³ propan-2-ol and polyvinyl alcohol as a stabilizer. Increase of initial copper concentration to 10⁻² mol.dm⁻³ resulted in formation of different reaction product—octahedral cuprous oxide nanoparticles. Solutions were irradiated by means of electron beam, ⁶⁰Co γ rays (dose rate 70 Gy.h⁻¹) or by 400 W medium-pressure mercury lamp and were characterised by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, X-Ray Powder Diffraction, TEM and SEM. Pink to violet colour of colloidal copper solutions corresponded to measured copper surface plasmon band at circa 580 nm and has been found to be very sensitive to oxygen, which causes dissolution of particles. Therefore, the influence of purging by nitrogen gas prior to irradiation was thoroughly examined and has been found to only hinder, not alter irradiation effects. Moreover, the evolution of absorption spectrum of colloidal copper solution in contact with air has been measured, revealing interesting non-monotonous dependence on the air exposure time, probably caused by formation of protective oxide layer. Catalytic activity of prepared cuprous oxide has been measured by catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and has been found to be higher or comparable to commercial cuprous oxide.     

Mixed-ligand complexation of calcium and magnesium ions with heparin and glycine

Chemical equilibria in dilute aqueous solutions containing high-molecular-weight heparin (Na₄hep) and Glycine (HGly), as well as in solutions of the MCl₂-Na₄hep-HGly-H₂O-NaCl system (M = Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) against the background of 0.15 M NaCl at 37°C, have been studied by mathematical modeling of chemical equilibria on the basis of pH-metric titration data. The model of equilibria of the Na₄hep-HGly-H₂O-NaCl system for the range 2.30 ≤ pH ≤ 10.50 at different ratios of initial heparin and glycine concentrations showed that, in the pH range of blood plasma stability (pH 6.80–7.40), the protonated H H₃hepGly₃⁴⁻ species prevailed. This was supported by UV absorption spectra of heparin and glycine solutions in the presence of 0.15 M NaCl and absorbance dynamics for solutions containing heparin and glycine. The results of modeling equilibria in the five-component MCl₂-Na₄hep-HGly-H₂O-NaCl systems (M = Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) showed that the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions form with heparin and glycine stable protonated mixed-ligand complexes M H₃hepGly₃²⁻. The formation constants of these species are one order of magnitude higher than the formation constants of the homoligand calcium and magnesium with heparin. In the pH range 6.80–7.40, the calcium content decreases depending on the ratio of the initial concentrations of Na₄hep, HGly, and CaCl₂: at the 1 : 3 : 1 ratio, it decreases by a factor of 5.7 owing to the formation of the predominant species CaH₃hepGly₃²⁻, and at equimolar amounts of the reagents (1 : 1 : 1), the calcium content decreases by a factor of 3.5 (the CaH₃hepGly₃²⁻ concentration is three time as low as the NaCahep⁻ concentration).     

Ion-specific swelling behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) gel prepared by γ-ray irradiation

Poly(vinyl alcohol) gel was prepared by γ-ray irradiation of an aqueous solution of the polymer and its swelling behavior in solutions of the alkali-metal and alkaline-earth-metal salts was investigated. The gel deswelled in solutions containing strongly hydrated anions and swelled in solutions containing strongly hydrated cations. The degree of swelling of the gel was in the following order: SO₄ ²⁻<Cl⁻<Br⁻ ≅ NO₃ ⁻<I⁻ for the anions and K⁺<Na⁺<Li⁺ and Sr²⁺<Ca²⁺<Mg²⁺ for the cations. These results were interpreted in terms of interactions between the polymer and the ions through the hydration layers. Received: 6 November 2000 Accepted: 24 May 2001     

Electrochemical synthesis of free-standing CdS nanoparticles in ethylene glycol

A novel one-step electrochemical method for the preparation of capping-free cadmium sulfide nanoparticles is described. With gold as the working electrode, capping-free CdS nanoparticles are synthesized very conveniently at 70°C in the ethylene glycol (EG) solution of elementary sulfur, cadmium salt, and supporting electrolyte at −0.1 V. By carefully selecting the reductive potential, elementary sulfur is reduced while the reduction of Cd²⁺ is blocked by the formation of a sulfur monolayer on the gold electrode surface. The produced S²⁻ reacts with cadmium cations in the solution to produce CdS. In this method, magnetic stirring can effectively prevent the deposition of CdS on the electrode surface. XRD analysis indicates that the product is pure cubic-phase CdS. The size and morphology of the particles are studied by TEM. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2006, Vol. 42, No. 9, pp. 1060–1064. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Speciation of phytate ion in aqueous solution. Cadmium(II) interactions in aqueous NaCl at different ionic strengths

Interactions between myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate) (phytic acid) and cadmium(II) were studied by using potentiometry (at 25 °C with the ISE-H⁺ glass electrode) in different metal to ligand (Phy) ratios (1:1≤Cd²⁺:Phy≤4:1) in NaCl_aq at different ionic strengths (0.1≤I/mol L⁻¹≤1). Nine Cd_iH_jPhy^{(12−2i−j)−} species are formed with i=1 and 2 and 4≤j≤7; and trinuclear Cd₃H₄Phy²⁻. Dependence of complex formation constants on ionic strength was modeled by using Specific ion Interaction Theory (SIT) equations. Phytate and cadmium speciation are also dependent on the metal to ligand ratio. Stability of Cd_iH_jPhy^{(12−2i−j)−} species was modeled as a function of both the ligand protonation step (j) and the number of metal cations bound to phytate (i), and relationships found were used for the prediction of species other than those experimentally determined (mainly di- and tri-protonated complexes), allowing the possibility of modeling Phy and Cd(II) behavior in natural waters and biological fluids. A critical evaluation of phytate sequestering ability toward cadmium(II) has been made under several experimental conditions, and the determination of an empirical parameter has been proposed for an objective “quantification” of this ability. A thorough analysis of literature data on phytate–cadmium(II) complexes has been performed. Previous contributions to this series: [1–8]     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of monomineral fractions of sulfide minerals and quartzes

A method has been worked out of multi-elemental instrumental neutron-activation analysis INAA of small weights some mg of monomineral fractions of sulfide minerals pyrites, galenites, chalcopyrites, arsenopyrites, bornites, chalcosines and quartzes. The samples were irradiated in a nuclear reactor under a flux of 1.3·10¹³ n·cm⁻²·s⁻¹. For measuring the gamma radiation of the exposed samples Ge(Li) gamma-spectrometers with semiconductor detectors were used. Determined in sulfide monofractions were the elements: Co, Sc, Ag, Se, Sb, Cr, Fe, Zr; rare-earth elements: Ce, Sm, Eu and others at content levels of 10⁻¹−10⁻⁴%. In quartzes they were: Mn, Na, Sb, Cr, Sc, Fe, Co at content levels of 10⁻⁵−10⁻⁷% and Au to n×10⁻⁹%. A special method has been worked out for the determination of In in sulfides with the irradiation of samples in a cadmium screen. An example is cited of using the method for studying some peculiar features of the genetics of copper pyrite deposits. The data on the distribution of admixture elements in sulfide monofractions produced in this work made it possible to conclude that the oreformation in the deposits has a stage-by-stage character.     

Hemoglobin-stabilized tetranitrosyl binuclear iron complex with pyridine-2-yl in aqueous solutions

The tetranitrosyl iron complex with pyridine-2-yl [Fe₂(SC₅H₄N)₂(NO)₄] (1) has higher NO-donating activity in 3% aqueous solutions of DMSO (pH 7.0, 25 °C) than the organic NO donor, viz., adduct of NO with diethylenetriamine (NO-adduct). The NO concentration was determined by the spectrophotometric method based on the formation of an NO complex with hemoglobin (Hb). The apparent first-order rate constants of the studied reactions are (6.15±0.6)·10⁻¹ s⁻¹ and (0.8±0.08)·10⁻¹ s⁻¹ for complex 1 and the NO-adduct, respectively, at an Hb concentration of 2·10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ and the ratio [NO donor]/[Hb] = 10. The effect of Hb and [NO donor]/[Hb] ratio on the rate of NO generation from a solution of complex 1 was studied. For a fourfold decrease in the concentration of complex 1 the reaction rate constant decreases to 0.5·10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, whereas the fourfold increase in the Hb concentration results in the stabilization of complex 1. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 732–736, April, 2007.     

Preparation of silver nanoparticles in aqueous solutions in the presence of carbonate ions as stabilizers

Silver nanoparticles are prepared by reducing Ag⁺ ions with sodium borohydride in aqueous solutions containing carbonate ions (5 × 10⁻⁵−1 × 10⁻² mol l⁻¹). It is established that carbonate ions represent an efficient stabilizer that provides nanoparticles with electrostatic protection via the formation of an electrical double layer. The maximum stability of a silver dispersion is observed at a carbonate ion concentration of 1 × 10⁻³ mol l⁻¹. The average size of silver nanoparticles is 10.0 ± 2.5 nm. The formation kinetics of silver nanoparticles is described by an equation for a first-order reaction with a rate constant of 2.3 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ (±20%).     

X-ray imaging of newly-developed gadolinium compound/silica core–shell particles

A preparation method for gadolinium compound (Gd) nanoparticles coated with silica (Gd/SiO₂) is proposed. Gd nanoparticles were prepared with a homogeneous precipitation method at 80 °C using 1.0 × 10⁻³ M Gd(NO₃)₃ and 0.5 M urea in the presence of 1.0 g/L stabilizer. Among stabilizers examined. Sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was suitable as the stabilizer for preparing small Gd nanoparticles, and consequently Gd nanoparticles with a size of 46.2 ± 12.4 nm were prepared using the SDS. Silica-coating of the Gd nanoparticles was performed by a St?ber method at room temperature using 0.013 M TEOS and 2.0 × 10⁻³ M NaOH in water/1-propanol solution in the presence of 1.0 × 10⁻³ M Gd nanoparticles, which resulted in production of Gd/SiO₂ particles with an average size of 64.2 ± 14.4 nm. The Gd/SiO₂ particles were surface-modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and succinic anhydride. It was confirmed by measurement of electrophretic light scattering that amino group or carboxyl group was introduced onto the Gd/SiO₂ particles. The gadolinium concentration of 1.0 × 10⁻³ M in the as-prepared colloid solution was increased up to a gadolinium concentration of 0.4 M by centrifugation. The core–shell structure of Gd/SiO₂ particles was undamaged, and the colloid solution was still colloidally stable, even after the concentrating process. The concentrated Gd/SiO₂ colloid solution showed an X-ray image with contrast as high as a commercial Gd complex contrast agent. Internal organs in a mouse could be imaged injecting the concentrated colloid solution into it.     

Fabrication of TiO2/Ti nanotube electrode and the photoelectrochemical behaviors in NaCl solutions

Titanium oxide nanotube electrodes were successfully prepared by anodic oxidation on pure Ti sheets in 0.5 wt.% NH₄F + 1 wt.% (NH₄)₂SO₄ + 90 wt.% glycerol mixed solutions. Nanotubes with diameter 40–60 nm and length 7.4 μm were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope. The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical characteristics of TiO₂ nanotube electrode were investigated using linear polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The open-circuit potential dropped markedly under irradiation and with the increase of Cl⁻ concentrations. A saturated photocurrent of approximately 1.3 mA cm⁻² was observed under 10-W low-mercury lamp irradiation in 0.1 M NaCl solution, which was much higher than film electrode. Meanwhile, the highest photocurrent in NaCl solution implied that the photogenerated holes preferred to combine with Cl⁻. Thus, a significant synergetic effect on active chlorine production was observed in photoelectrocatalytic processes. Furthermore, the generation efficiency for active chlorine was about two times that using TiO₂/Ti film electrode by sol–gel method. Finally, the effects of initial pH and Cl⁻ concentration were also discussed.     

Sensitive fluorescent probes for determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose based on enzyme-immobilized magnetite/silica nanoparticles

Sensitive fluorescent probes for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose were developed by immobilizing enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ magnetic core–shell nanoparticles in the presence of glutaraldehyde. Besides its excellent catalytic activity, the immobilized enzyme could be easily and completely recovered by a magnetic separation, and the recovered HRP-immobilized Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles were able to be used repeatedly as catalysts without deactivation. The HRP-immobilized nanoparticles were able to activate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which oxidized non-fluorescent 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid to a fluorescent product with an emission maximum at 409 nm. Under optimized conditions, a linear calibration curve was obtained over the H₂O₂ concentrations ranging from 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 2.1 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. By simultaneously using glucose oxidase and HRP-immobilized Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles, a sensitive and selective analytical method for the glucose detection was established. The fluorescence intensity of the product responded well linearly to glucose concentration in the range from 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of glucose in human serum sample.     

Nitrite formation in aerated aqueous azide solutions: A radiation chemical study

Gamma radiolysis of oxygenated 1–10 mM azide solutions was carried out at various pH values. In oxygenated 10 mM azide solutions, H₂O₂ and NO ₂ ⁻ were observed as radiolytic products while NH3 was not. The concentration of H₂O₂ reached its maximum level at a dose of 1 kGy, whereas NO ₂ ⁻ yield increased non-linearly beyond 2 kGy in this system. Both in aerated and oxygenated systems, G(NO ₂ ⁻ ) and G(H₂O₂) were found to vary with N ₃ ⁻ concentration. The yield of NO ₂ ⁻ was found to be dependent on both dose rate and pH. On pulse radiolysis, NO ₂ ⁻ was found as a radiolytic product in aerated 1 mM azide solution at pH 6.8. In this system the intermediate generated exhibits absorbance around 250 nm. The overall results obtained during the present study reveal that in presence of both reducing radical (mainly e _aq ⁻ ) and oxygen, N ₃ ⁻ produced an intermediate possibly NH₂O ₂ ^• radical, which is the prime source for NO ₂ ⁻ generation.     

Biosorption of Cadmium,Lead, and Uranium by Powder of Poplar Leaves and Branches

The removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions by biosorption plays an important role in water pollution control. In this study, dried leaves and branches of poplar trees were studied for removing some toxic elements (cadmium, lead, and uranium) from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium experiments were systematically carried out in a batch process, covering various process parameters that include agitation time, adsorbent size and dosage, initial cadmium, lead and uranium concentration, and pH of the aqueous solution. Adsorption behavior was found to follow Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The results have shown that both dried leaves and branches can be effectively used for removing uranium, while only branches were found to remove lead and cadmium completely from the aqueous solution. The maximum biosorption capacity of leaves for uranium was found to be 2.3 mg g⁻¹ and 1.7 mg g⁻¹ and 2.1 mg g⁻¹ for lead and cadmium on branches, respectively. In addition, the studied biomass materials were used in removing lead and cadmium from contaminated water and the method was found to be effective.     

Inorganic particulates in removal of toxic heavy metal ions

Adsorption behavior of zinc, cadmium and mercury ions on hydrous titanium oxide in aqueous solution has been studied as a function of concentration of the metal ion (10⁻²−10⁻⁷M), temperature (303–333 K) and pH 3–10 by applying radiotracer technique. The kinetics of adsorption follows the first order rate law and agrees well with the classical Freundlich isotherm. The removal was found to increase with increasing pH but was suppressed in the presence of EDTA. The overall process is endothermic and irreversible in nature. Part VII. Efficient removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions by hydrous manganese oxideS. P. Mishra, D. Tiwary, Radiochim. Acta, 80 (1998) 213.     

Determination of the chemical forms of iodine with IC-ICP-MS and its application to environmental samples

An online analytical system using ion chromatography (IC) followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was developed for the separate determination of I⁻ and IO₃⁻ in aqueous solutions with a detection limit 0.1–1 μg 1/1. The total iodine concentration was also directly determined by ICP-MS. Iodine in several environmental samples (i.e., rain, river water, brine, and soil solution) was successfully determined with information on its chemical form. The release of I⁻ into soil solution with decreasing Eh was observed in an incubation experiment with flooded soil. An iodine form other than I⁻ and IO₃⁻ was observed in several environmental samples.