Conductivity, calorimetry and phase diagram of the NaHSO4–KHSO4 system

Physico-chemical properties of the binary system NaHSO₄–KHSO₄ were studied by calorimetry and conductivity. The enthalpy of mixing has been measured at 505 K in the full composition range and the phase diagram calculated. The phase diagram has also been constructed from phase transition temperatures obtained by conductivity for 10 different compositions and by differential thermal analysis. The phase diagram is of the simple eutectic type, where the eutectic is found to have the composition X(KHSO₄) = 0.44 (melting point ≈ 406 K). The conductivities in the liquid region have been fitted to polynomials of the form κ(X) = A(X) + B(X)(T − T_m) + C(X)(T − T_m)², where T_m is the intermediate temperature of the measured temperature range and X, the mole fraction of KHSO₄. The possible role of this binary system as a catalyst solvent is also discussed.     

A monolayer study on three binary mixed systems of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline with cholesterol, cholestanol and stigmasterol

The monolayer behavior of three mixed systems of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) with sterols; cholesterol (Ch), stigmasterol (Stig), and cholestanol (Chsta) formed at the interface of air/water (phosphate buffer solution at 7.4 with addition of NaCl) was investigated in terms of surface pressure (π) and molecular occupation surface area (A) relation. A series of π–A curves at every 0.1 mol fraction of each sterol for the three combinations of mixed systems were obtained at 25.0 °C.

On the basis of the π–A curves, the additivity rule in regard to A versus sterol mole fraction (X_st) was examined at discrete surface pressures such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 mN m⁻¹, and then from the obtained A–X_st curves the partial molecular areas (PMA) were determined. The A–X_st relation exhibited a marked negative deviation from ideal mixing in the pressure range below 10 mN m⁻¹, i.e. in the expanded liquid film region (below the transition pressure of DPPC).

The PMA of Ch at π=5 mN m⁻¹, for example, was found to be conspicuously negative in the range of X_Ch=0–0.2 (about −0.4 nm² per molecule) and slightly positive (ca. 0.1 nm² per molecule) in the range X_Ch=0.2 to 0.4. Above X_Ch=0.5, Ch’s PMA was almost the same as the surface area of pure Ch, while DPPC’s PMA was reduced to 60% of that of the pure system.

Excess Gibbs energy (ΔG_(ex)) as a function of X_st was estimated at different pressures. Applying the regular solution theory to thermodynamic analysis of ΔG_(ex), the activity coefficients (f₁ and f₂) of DPPC and the respective sterols as well as the interaction parameter (I_p) in the mixed film phase were evaluated; the results showed a marked dependence on X_st.

Compressibility C_s and elasticity C_s⁻¹ were also examined. These physical parameters directly reflected the mechanical strength of formed monolayer film.

Phase diagrams plotting the collapse pressure (π_c) against X_st were constructed, and the π_c versus X_st curves were examined for the respective mixed systems in comparison with the simulated curves of ideal mixing based on the Joos equation.

Comparing the monolayer behavior of the three mixed systems, little remarkable difference was found in regard to various aspects. In common among the three combinations, the mole fraction dependence in monolayer properties was classified into three ranges: 0<X_st<0.2, 0.2<X_st<0.4 and 0.5<X_st<1. How the difference in the chemical structure of the sterols influenced the properties was examined in detail.     

On the conformational stability and dimerization of phosphotransferase enzyme I from Escherichia coli

The activity of enzyme I (EI), the first protein in the bacterial PEP:sugar phosphotransferase system, is regulated by a monomer–dimer equilibrium where a Mg²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation by PEP requires the homodimer. Using inactive EI(H189A), in which alanine is substituted for the active-site His189, substrate binding effects can be separated from those of phosphorylation. Whereas 1 mM PEP (with 2 mM Mg²⁺) strongly promotes dimerization of EI(H189A) at pH 7.5 and 20 °C, 5 mM pyruvate (with 2 mM Mg²⁺) has the opposite effect. A correlation between the coupling of N- and C-terminal domain unfolding, measured by differential scanning calorimetry, and the dimerization constant for EI, determined by sedimentation equilibrium, is observed. That is, when the coupling between N- and C-terminal domain unfolding produced by 0.2 or 1.0 mM PEP and 2 mM Mg²⁺ is inhibited by 5 mM pyruvate, the dimerization constant for EI(H189A) decreases from >10⁸ to <5 × 10⁵ or 3 × 10⁷ M⁻¹, respectively. With 2 mM Mg²⁺ at 15–25 °C and pH 7.5, PEP has been found to bind to one site/monomer of EI(H189A) with K_A′10⁶ M⁻¹ (ΔG′=−33.7±0.2 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔH=+16.3 kJ mol⁻¹ at 20 °C with ΔC_p=−1.4 kJ K⁻¹ mol⁻¹). The binding of PEP to EI(H189A) is synergistic with that of Mg²⁺. Thus, physiological concentrations of PEP and Mg²⁺ increase, whereas pyruvate and Mg²⁺ decrease the amount of dimeric, active, dephospho-enzyme I.     

Sul-containing fluorinated polyimides for optical waveguide device

Novel sul-containing fluorinated polyimides have been synthesized by the reaction of 2,2′-bis-(trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfide (TFDAS) with 1,4-bis-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene dianhydride (HQDPA), 2,2′-bis-(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA), 4,4′-oxydiphthalicanhydride (ODPA) or 3,4,3′,4′-biphenyl-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (s-BPDA). The fluorinated polyimides, prepared by a one-step polycondensation procedure, have good solubility in many solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cyclohexanone, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and m-cresol. The molecular weights (M_n's) and polydispersities (M_n/M_w's) of polyimides were in the range of 1.24 × 10⁵ to 3.21 × 10⁵ and 1.59–2.20, respectively. The polymers exhibit excellent thermal stabilities, with glass-transition temperatures (T_g) at 221–275 °C and the 5% weight-loss temperature are above 531 °C. After crosslinking, these polymers show higher thermal stability. The films of polymers have high optical transparency. The novel sul-containing fluorinated polyimides also have low absorption at both 1310 and 1550 nm wavelength windows. Rib-type optical waveguide device was fabricated using the fluorinated polyimides and the near-field mode pattern of the waveguide was demonstrated.     

Heat capacity, enthalpy and entropy of strontium bismuth niobate and strontium bismuth tantalate

The heat capacities and enthalpy increments of strontium bismuth niobate SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ (SBN) and strontium bismuth tantalate SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (SBT) were measured by the relaxation method (2–150 K), Calvet-type heat-conduction calorimetry (305–570 K) and drop calorimetry (773–1373 K). The temperature dependences of non-transition heat capacities in the form C_pm = 324.47 + 0.06371T − 5.0755 × 10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ (298–1400 K) and C_pm = 320.22 + 0.06451T − 4.7001 × 10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ (298–1400 K) were derived for SBN and SBT, respectively, by the least-squares method from the experimental data. Furthermore, the standard molar entropies at 298.15 K S_m°(SBN)=327.15±0.80 and S_m°(SBT)=339.23±0.72 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ were evaluated from the low-temperature heat capacity measurements.     

On the thermodynamic equilibrium between ice and electrolyte solutions in the conditions of confined geometry

For a small volume (of about 10⁻⁶ cm³) of NaCl and other electrolyte solutions (C = 0.1 and 1 M) in thin (r = 5/10 μm) single quartz capillaries, dependencies of the column length l of frozen solutions on the temperature t were measured using comparator IZA-2 in a thermostated chamber. At temperatures range t > −4 °C (for C = 0.1 M) and t > −8 °C (for C = 1 M) the l(t) dependencies are reversible and therefore correspond to establishment of an equilibrium between ice-1 and the solution.

From the constants mass condition of the dissolved salt in a frozen column, the l(t) expression was derived, which includes thermodynamic relation between solution concentration in an equilibrium with ice, C_s, and the temperature t for bulk systems. Deviations from the data known for bulk solutions were observed in thin capillaries when temperature t decreased to −3 °C (for 0.1 M NaCl) and to −6 °C for 1 M NaCl solution.

This effect may be a result of strong adhesion of the ice column to capillary walls. In this case, some internal stresses arise in frozen solution resulting in a deviation from thermodynamic equilibrium conditions for bulk systems. When approaching the temperature of ice melting, adhesion forces decrease due to formation of a thin non-freezing water interlayer on the capillary wall. In this temperature range the experimental data are in agreement with the predictions for bulk systems. It was supposed that the observed deviation in thin capillaries may be caused by formation of an amorphous ice phase with higher density as compared with the ice-1 during rapid freezing, or by an effect of ice microlenses formation. Both effects will result in a deviation from the phase diagram corresponding to a bulk solution.     

The electrolyte NRTL model and speciation approach as applied to multicomponent aqueous solutions of H2SO4, Fe2(SO4)3, MgSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 at 230–270 °C

This work presents chemical modeling of solubilities of metal sulfates in aqueous solutions of sulfuric acid at high temperatures. Calculations were compared with experimental solubility measurements of hematite (Fe₂O₃) in aqueous ternary and quaternary systems of H₂SO₄, MgSO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ at high temperatures. A hybrid model of ion-association and electrolyte non-random two liquid (ENRTL) theory was employed to fit solubility data in three ternary systems H₂SO₄–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 235–270 °C and H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 150–270 °C. Employing the Aspen Plus™ property program, the electrolyte NRTL local composition model was used for calculating activity coefficients of the ions Al³⁺, Mg²⁺ Fe³⁺ and SO₄²⁻, HSO₄⁻, OH⁻, H₃O⁺, respectively, as well as molecular species. The solid phases were hydronium alunite (H₃O)Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆, hematite Fe₂O₃ and magnesium sulfate monohydrate (MgSO₄)·H₂O which were employed as constraint precipitation solids in calculating the metal sulfate solubilities. A correlation for the equilibrium constants of the association reactions of complex species versus temperature was implemented. Based on the maximum-likelihood principle, the binary interaction energy parameters for the ionic species as well as the coefficients for equilibrium constants of the reactions were obtained simultaneously using the solubility data of the ternary systems. Following that, the solubilities of metal sulfates in the quaternary systems H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O, H₂SO₄–Fe₂(SO₄)₃–Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂O at 250 °C and H₂SO₄–Al₂(SO₄)₃–MgSO₄–H₂O at 230–270 °C were predicted. The calculated results were in excellent agreement with the experimental data.     

Structures of 3,3′-dicarbometoxy-2,2′-bipyridine complexes with silver(I) and copper(II) cations

The structures of 3,3′-dicarbometoxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dcmbpy) complexes with copper(II) and silver(I) cations have been determined using single crystal X-ray-diffraction. The crystals of Cu(dcmbpy)Cl₂ are monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.966(3), b = 18.373(3), c = 13.154(2) Å, β = 126.543(3)°. The crystals of Ag(dcmbpy)NO₃ · H₂O are also monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.7547(13), b = 11.0922(9), c = 18.7789(18) Å, β = 100.228(7)°. The results have been compared with the literature data on the complexes of dcmbpy and its precursors: 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 3,3′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dcbpy). Two types of complexes of 3,3′-carboxy derivatives of bpy are distinguished: (1) with metal atom bonded to two N atoms of the same molecule and (2) with metal atom bonded to two N atoms of two different molecules. The Cu(dcmbpy)Cl₂ complex belongs to the first type, whereas Ag(dcmbpy)NO₃ · H₂O belongs to the second type.     

Heat capacities of NaNO3 and KNO3 from 350 to 800 K

The heat capacities of NaNO₃ and KNO₃ were determined from 350 to 800 K by differential scanning calorimetry. Solid-solid transitions and melting were observed at 550 and 583 K for NaNO₃ and 406 and 612 K for KNO₃, respectively. The entropies associated with the solid-solid transitions were measured to be (8.43± 0.25) J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for NaNO₃ and (13.8±0.4) J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for KNO₃. At 298.15 K the values of C⁰_P S⁰_P, {H⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T and -{G⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T, respectively, are 91.94, 116.3, 57.73, and 58.55 J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for NaNO₃ and 95.39, 133.0, 62.93, and 70.02 J K⁻¹ mole⁻¹ for KNO₃. Values for S⁰_T, {H⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T, and -{G⁰(T)-H⁰(0)}/T were calculated and tabulated from 15 to 800 K for NaNO₃ and KNO₃.     

Three-phase extraction study of cyanex 923-n-heptane/H(2)SO(4) system

Phase behavior of the extraction system, Cyanex 923–heptane/H₂SO₄–H₂O has been studied. The third phase appeared at different aqueous H₂SO₄ concentration with varying initial Cyanex 923 concentration and temperature affects its appearance. Almost all of H₂SO₄ and H₂O are extracted into the middle phase. The H₂SO₄ concentration in the third phase increases with the increasing aqueous acid concentration (C_H2SO4,b) while the water content first increases and then reaches a constant value at C_H2SO4,b=11.3 mol l⁻¹. In the region of C_H2SO4,b higher than 5.2 mol l⁻¹, the composition of the middle phase is only related to the equilibrium concentration of H₂SO₄ in the bottom phase. H₂SO₄ and H₂O are transferred into the middle phase mainly by their coordination with Cyanex 923 when C_H2SO4,b is less than 11.3 mol l⁻¹. When C_H2SO4,b is higher than 11.3 mol l⁻¹, excess H₂SO₄ is solubilized into the polar layer of the aggregates. In the region considered, the extracted complex changes from C923 · H₂SO₄ to C923 · H₂SO₄ · H₂O and then to C923 · (H₂SO₄)₂ · H₂O.     

Identification of a new progression of the Cl2 molecule with Σu symmetry

Synchrotron radiation is used to excite selectively the chlorine molecule in a Ne buffer gas. Due to the fast relaxation induced by the buffer gas, in the excitation spectrum of the D′→A′ emission at 258 nm, a new progression is observed. It is attributed to the 3 ¹Σ_u⁺ state which is the result of an avoided crossing between the Rydberg state π_g→5pπ and the valence state (1441) (σ_g→σ_u). It is characterized by T_e=83251 cm⁻¹, ω_e=783 cm⁻¹, ω_ex_e=29.6 cm⁻¹ and r_e=1.844 Å.     

Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) based proton conductive membranes

Sulfonated poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PSAN–SO₃H) membranes were obtained by sulfonation of the original styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer, in different molar ratios, and characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analyses (TGA and DSC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The thermal stability of the sulfonated polymers exhibited a dependence on the sulfonation degree and reached 261 °C for samples up to 1:4 (sulfonating agent to styrene unit). FTIR spectra showed the covalent incorporation of sulfonic groups at the styrene units, confirming the PSAN–SO₃H formation. Vibrational spectra also indicated the presence of hydronium ions and dissociated sulfonic groups, indicating the existence of mobile protons for ion conduction. DSC analyses evidenced two glass transition temperatures (T_g), one associated with an ion-water domain and other with the chain backbone glass transition. The maximum conductivity of PSAN–SO₃H membranes at ambient temperature was about 10⁻³ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, achieving 10⁻² Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 80 °C. The conductivity dependency on the temperature was found to be linear, similarly to other sulfonic acid polymers described on the literature, and the water uptake reaches 45.7% of the polymer mass, against 18.9% of the original copolymer.     

Far infrared spectra, conformational equilibria, vibrational assignments, ab initio calculations and structural parameters for 2-bromoethanol

The far infrared spectrum from 370 to 50 cm⁻¹ of gaseous 2-bromoethanol, BrCH₂CH₂OH, was recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm⁻¹. The fundamental O–H torsion of the more stable gauche (Gg′) conformer, where the capital G refers to internal rotation around the C–C bond and the lower case g to the internal rotation around the C–O bond, was observed as a series of Q-branch transitions beginning at 340 cm⁻¹. The corresponding O–H torsional modes were observed for two of the other high energy conformers, Tg (285 cm⁻¹) and Tt (234 cm⁻¹). The heavy atom asymmetric torsion (rotation around C–C bond) for the Gg′ conformer has been observed at 140 cm⁻¹. Variable temperature (−63 to −100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (4000–400 cm⁻¹) of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. From these data the enthalpy differences have been determined to be 411±40 cm⁻¹ (4.92±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tt and 315±40 cm⁻¹ (3.76±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tg, with the Gg′ conformer the most stable form. Additionally, the infrared spectrum of the gas, and Raman spectrum of the liquid phase are reported. The structural parameters, conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation and fundamental frequencies have been obtained from ab initio calculations utilizing different basis sets at the restricted Hartree–Fock or with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order. The theoretical results are compared to the experimental results when appropriate. Combining the ab initio calculations with the microwave rotational constants, r₀ adjusted parameters have been obtained for the three 2-haloethanols (F, Cl and Br) for the Gg′ conformers.     

Survey of the quasi-ternary system La0.8Sr0.2MnO3–La0.8Sr0.2CoO3–La0.8Sr0.2FeO3

An overview on the variation of the thermal expansion, the electrical conductivity as well as non-stoichiometry of the oxide content as a function of composition within the quasi-ternary system La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3−δ–La_0.8Sr_0.2CoO_3−δ–La_0.8Sr_0.2FeO_3−δ in air is presented. The various powders were synthesized under identical conditions. The DC electrical conductivity values of the compositions at 800 °C in air vary in a wide range from 15 to 1338 S cm⁻¹. The magnitude of electrical conductivity of the perovskites is mainly determined by the percentage of cobalt in the compositions. A similar behaviour was observed for the measured thermal expansion coefficients between room temperature and 1000 °C in air, increasing from 10.9 to 19.4 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ as a function of cobalt content. Changes in the oxygen stoichiometry of the materials were characterized by temperature-programmed oxidation measurements.     

Synthesis, structure and oxygen nonstoichiometry of La0.4Sr0.6Co1−yFeyO3−δ

The samples of La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_1−yFe_yO_3−δ (y = 0.2 and 0.4) were prepared using both conventional ceramic technique and nitrate–citrate precursors technique. The phase identification was made by X-ray diffraction method. The refinement of structural parameters from the XRD and neutron diffraction measurements was performed by full profile Rietveld analysis. Neutron diffraction showed that both samples possess distorted perovskite-type structure. Oxygen nonstoichiometry was measured by chemical analysis and thermogravimetry (TG) analysis in the range 20 ≤ T/°C ≤ 900 and 2E-5 ≤ pO₂/atm ≤ 4E-1. TG-experiments indicate a relatively fast and reversible oxygen exchange at pO₂ > 1E-2 atm. Mass saturation occurs at T < 300 °C upon cooling. The absolute value of oxygen nonstoichiometry was determined by iodometric titration measurements. It was found that both samples have practically stoichiometric composition at 300 °C in air and δ increases with increasing temperature and decreasing oxygen partial pressure.     

The pseudogap in LSCO-type high-temperature superconductors as seen by neutron crystal-field spectroscopy

We studied the isotope, pressure and doping effects on the pseudogap temperature T^* by neutron spectroscopic experiments of the relaxation rate of crystal-field excitations in La_1.96−xSr_xHo_0.04CuO₄ (x = 0.11, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) on the high-resolution time-of-flight spectrometer FOCUS at SINQ, PSI. We found clear evidence for the opening of a pseudogap in the underdoped regime at T^*(x = 0.11) = (82.2 ± 1.2) K as well as in the overdoped and the heavily overdoped compounds at T^*(x = 0.2) = (49.2 ± 0.7) K and at T^*(x = 0.25) = (46.5 ± 0.5) K, respectively. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of oxygen isotope substitution on the pseudogap, the experiments revealed ΔT^*(x = 0.11) = (21.3 ± 5.2) K and ΔT^*(x = 0.2) = (4.5 ± 1.3) K. The application of hydrostatic pressure (0.8 and 1.2 GPa) on the optimally doped compound (x = 0.15) results in a downward shift of dT^*/dp = (−5.9 ± 1.6) K/GPa.     

Kinetics study of the gas-phase reactions of C2F5OC(O)H and n-C3F7OC(O)H with OH radicals at 253–328 K

The rate constants, k₁ and k₂ for the reactions of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with OH radicals were measured using an FT-IR technique at 253–328 K. k₁ and k₂ were determined as (9.24 ± 1.33) × 10⁻¹³ exp[−(1230 ± 40)/T] and (1.41 ± 0.26) × 10⁻¹² exp[−(1260 ± 50)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The random errors reported are ±2 σ, and potential systematic errors of 10% could add to the k₁ and k₂. The atmospheric lifetimes of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with respect to reaction with OH radicals were estimated at 3.6 and 2.6 years, respectively.     

Structure analysis and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of a coordination polymer [Co(TO)2Cl2]n (TO = 1,2,4-triazole-5-one)

A coordination polymer was synthesized by the reaction of CoCl₂ with 1,2,4-triazole-5-one (TO) and charaterized by means of IR and TG–DTG. Single-crystal structure analysis showed that the complex crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c: a = 23.105(9) Å, b = 3.5683(2) Å, c = 13.589(6) Å,  = 90°, β = 124.038(4)°, γ = 90°, V = 928.4(7) Å³, Z = 4. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the complex was determined to be (−1034.28 ± 0.95) kJ mol⁻¹.     

1,3,6,8-Tetraethynylpyrene and 1,3,6,8-tetrakis (trimethylsilylethynyl) pyrene: Photophysical properties in homogeneous media

The photophysical properties of two new tetra substituted derivatives of pyrene: 1,3,6,8-tetraethynylpyrene (TEP) and 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(trimethylsilylethynyl)pyrene (TEP-TMS) have been studied. Studies were done with respect to mirror image symmetry in the absorption and emission spectra and permissive or forbidden nature of S₀–S₁ transition, solvent sensitivity of the first and third vibronic bands and fluorescence anisotropy. Both the derivatives exhibited a strongly allowed S₀–S₁ transition, high fluorescence quantum yield, shorter fluorescence lifetime compared to pyrene and invariance of the vibronic band intensity ratio to solvent polarity. The behavior of the two pyrene derivatives validates the hypothesis “solvent polarity mediates vibronic coupling and therefore the emission band intensities, for forbidden S₀–S₁ transitions”. The trimethylsilyl derivative (TEP-TMS) was characterized by a strong fluorescence in solid state. The tetraethynyl derivative (TEP) showed high fluorescence anisotropy comparable to the well-known anisotropy probe DPH in glycerol at 0 °C. The fluorescence intensities of TEP and TEP-TMS did not show any significant change in the temperature ranger 0–40 °C for a low viscous solvent like ethanol and in the range 0–60 °C in glycerol. Unlike pyrene, no excimer emission was observed even up to 10⁻³ M for TEP and TEP-TMS.     

The efficacy of nitrosonaphthol functionalized XAD-16 resin for the preconcentration/sorption of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions

Amberlite XAD-16 resin has been functionalized using nitrosonaphthol as a ligand and characterized employing elemental, thermogravimetric analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The sorption of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions onto this functionalized resin is investigated and optimized with respect to the sorptive medium (pH), shaking speed and equilibration time between liquid and solid phases. The monitoring of the influence of diverse ions on the sorption of metal ions has revealed that phosphate, bicarbonate and citrate reduce the sorption up to 10–14%. The sorption data followed Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherms. The Freundlich parameters computed are 1/n = 0.56 ± 0.03 and 0.49 ± 0.05, A = 9.54 ± 1.5 and 6.0 ± 0.5 mmol g⁻¹ for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. D–R isotherm yields the values of X_m = 0.87 ± 0.07 and 0.35 ± 0.05 mmol g⁻¹ and of E = 9.5 ± 0.23 and 12.3 ± 0.6 kJ mol⁻¹ for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. Langmuir characteristic constants estimated are Q = 0.082 ± 0.005 and 0.063 ± 0.003 mmol g⁻¹, b = (4.7 ± 0.2) × 10⁴ and (7.31 ± 0.11) × 10⁴ l mol⁻¹ for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. The variation of sorption with temperature gives thermodynamic quantities of ΔH = −58.9 ± 0.12 and −40.38 ± 0.11 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS = −183 ± 10 and −130 ± 8 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and ΔG = −4.4 ± 0.09 and −2.06 ± 0.08 kJ mol⁻¹ at 298 K for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. Using kinetic equations, values of intraparticle transport and of first order rate constant have been computed for both the metal ions. The sorption procedure is utilized to preconcentrate these ions prior to their determination in tea, vegetable oil, hydrogenated oil (ghee) and palm oil by atomic absorption spectrometry using direct and standard addition methods.