The crystal field splittings in the 5f complexes

The crystal field splittings of some (5f)¹ and (5f)² complexes are investigated. Octahedral coordination leads to crystal field splittings of the same order of magnitude as the spin-orbit coupling parameter. In contrast to this, tetrahedral coordination produces rather small splittings of the atomic levels. The values of the crystal field parameters and are found to be extremely sensitive to small variations is and render any straight-forward least squares analysis of band positions somewhat dubious. The amount of splitting of the ₈ transition provides some insight into the regularity of coordination in (5f)¹ compounds. The orders of magnitude for the crystalline field parameters in (5f)² compounds can distinguish octahedral from tetrahedral coordinations.

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Zusammenfassung Die Kristallfeld-Aufspaltung einiger (5f)¹ und (5f)²-Komplexe wird untersucht. Oktaedrische Koordination führt zu einer Aufspaltung von etwa der Größenordnung der Spin-Bahn-Kopplungs-Konstanten, während tetraedrische Koordination nur kleine Aufspaltungen der Atomniveaus zur Folge hat. Die Kristallfeldparameter und sind sehr stark von abhängig, weswegen die Adjustierung der drei Parameter an das experimentelle Spektrum recht unsicher wird. Die Aufspaltung des ₈-Übergangs trägt zum Verständnis der Koordination in 5f ¹-Komplexen bei. Auf Grund der Größenordnung der Kristallfeldparameter von 5f ²-Komplexen kann man zwischen tetra- und hexa-Koordination unterscheiden.

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Résumé Etüde des séparations de champ cristallin de certains complexes (5f)¹ et (5f)². Une coordinence octaédrique provoque des séparations de champ cristallin du même ordre de grandeur que le paramètre de couplage spin-orbite. Au contraire, la coordinence tétraédrique produit des séparations de niveaux atomiques plutôt faibles. Les valeurs des paramètres et du champ cristallin sont extrêmement sensibles à de petites variations de, ce qui rend douteux toute analyse directe des positions de bande par la méthode des moindres carrés. L'importance de la séparation de la transition ₈, fournit certains aperçus sur la régularité de la coordinence dans les composés (5f)¹. Les ordres de grandeur des paramètres du champ cristallin dans les composés (5f)² permet de distinguer les coordinences octaédriques et tétraédrique entre elles.

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Dedicated to the memory of Professor K. H. Hansen.     

Flocculation of cellular suspensions by polyelectrolytes

The regularities, kinetics and mechanisms of flocculation of Escherichia coli and B. thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) cellular suspensions by water-soluble polymers-and first of all cationic polyelectrolytes of different charge density and stiffness of the macromolecule chain have been investigated. The effect of the focculant dose and nature, its charge density, the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance in macromolecule, the suspension concentration, the mode of adding the reagent, the pH and the medium composition on the degree of aggregation of cells both in perikinetic regime and in a flowing system is considered. It has been shown that the main laws of microorganism's suspension flocculation are the same as the laws of flocculation of inorganic dispersions but at the same time the first process is much more complicated because the cell-flocculant interactions are strongly affected by products of cell metabolism, components of the culture liquor, pH value, electrolyte content as well as by the changing structure of the cell surface. On the basis of complex measurements of polymer adsorption and its effect on the electrokinetic potential and degree of aggregation of cells, a conclusion is made that the aggregation of E. coli cells by flexible polyelectrolytes like polydiethylaminoethylmetacrylate and its copolymers with acrylic acid, acrylamide and vinylpyrrolidone is due to charge neutralization, while the flocculation in the presence of rigid-chain chitosan and its derivatives is caused mainly by "bridging" between cells via adsorbed macromolecules. Extraction of cells from suspension can be enhanced by combination of electroflotation and flocculation by cationic polyelectrolytes. It has been shown that dilute suspensions of Bti bacteria can be effectively flocculated and concentrated using different cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes that is necessary for its formulation and use as anti-mosquito agent.     

Transient adsorption of a tri(ethyleneglycol) polyacrylate on a plasmapheresis membrane

We study the adsorption of polyacrylate of tri(ethyleneglycol) in water on a plasmapheresis membrane, whose main constituent is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and methylmethacrylate. The amount of adsorbed polymer has a strong dependence on pH. Adsorbance is high at low pH and very low at high pH, while in the intermediate range the interfacial concentration is not a monotonic function of the solution concentrationC. Viscosimetry andUV adsorbance measurements in solution suggest the existence of plurimolecular structures, aggregates, or micelles. We propose a kinetic model, where these latter objects act as detergents at highC and, therefore, contribute to decreasing the interfacial concentration when increasingC.     

Rheological behavior of silica suspensions in aqueous solutions of associating polymer

Associating polymers are hydrophilic long-chain molecules containing a small amount of hydrophobic groups. The aqueous solutions show viscoelastic responses above some critical concentrations because a three-dimensional structure is formed by association of hydrophobic groups. When the associating polymers are added to silica suspensions at low concentrations, the flocculation is induced by bridging mechanisms, and the flow of suspensions become shear-thinning. For suspensions prepared with polymer solutions in which the associating network is developed, the viscosity decreases, shows a minimum, and then increases with increasing particle concentration. The viscosity decrease may arise from the breakdown of associating network due to adsorption of polymer chains onto the silica surfaces. As the particle concentration is increased, the polymer concentration in solution is decreased, and finally, all polymer chains are adsorbed on the surfaces. Beyond this point, the partial coverage of particle surfaces takes place and strong interactions are generated between particles by polymer bridging. Since the stable suspensions are converted to highly flocculated systems, the viscosity is increased and the flow becomes shear-thinning. The concentration effect of silica particles on the viscosity behavior of suspensions can be explained by a combination of viscosity decrease in solution due to polymer adsorption and viscosity increase due to flocculation.     

Viscosity behavior of silica suspensions flocculated by associating polymers

Associating polymers are hydrophilic long-chain molecules containing a small number of hydrophobic groups, and act as flocculants in aqueous suspensions. The effects of associating and nonassociating polymers on viscosity behavior are studied for silica suspensions. Since flocculation is induced by polymer bridging, the viscosity behavior is converted from Newtonian to shear-thinning profiles. The additions of surfactant cause an increase in viscosity for suspensions prepared with associating polymer, whereas the flow behavior of suspensions with nonassociating polymer is not significantly influenced. In adsorption of associating polymers onto silica particles, the chain may adopt a conformation with a water-soluble backbone attached to the particle surfaces. The hydrophobic groups extending from the chains adsorbed onto different particles can form a micelle by association with surfactant. Therefore, the bridging flocculation is enhanced by surfactant. The cooperative micellar formation between associating polymer and surfactant is responsible for viscosity increase in suspensions.     

Adsorption Isotherm Accounting for the Electrode Elasticity: Special Solutions

The single-phase adsorption on a solid electrode out of a dilute solution is investigated. As a continuation of the previous paper, on the basis of the complete electrocapillarity equation, an adsorption isotherm equation is derived and supplemented by equations of compatibility of the physical quantities. The equations contain a new parameter, , which is a derivative of the dimensionless surface adsorbate concentration by the relative variation of the electrode surface area. Their solution is obtained in relation to the dimensionless charge density of the electrode surface q for the case of = (). As a result of employing a linear model for q by , the problem of determination of the unknown model functions is reduced to common differential equations that use the capacitance or estance curves as the boundary conditions. In the first case, we suggest to calculate the unknown integration parameter by the method of mathematical optimization, employing coulometric data.     

The use of dielectric spectroscopy for the characterization of polymer-induced flocculation of polystyrene particles

The flocculation of colloidal suspensions is an important unit operation in many industries, as it greatly improves the performance of solid separation processes. The number of available techniques for evaluating flocculation processes on line is limited, and most of these are only functional in dilute suspensions. Thus, techniques usable for flocculation characterization in high-solids suspensions are desirable. This study investigates the use of dielectric spectroscopy to monitor the flocculation of polystyrene particles with a cationic polymer. The frequency-dependent permittivity is modeled and the model parameters are used to describe the particle aggregation. The results show a peak in the modeled time constants of the dielectric relaxation at the onset of flocculation. Further, the adsorption of polymeric flocculant onto the particle surface results in a reduction in particle charge, evident as a decrease in the magnitude of the dielectric dispersion. The use of dielectric spectroscopy is found to be valuable for assessing flocculation processes in high-solids suspensions, as changes in parameters such as floc size and charge can be detected.     

Kinetics and mechanism of flocculation of bentonite and kaolin suspensions with polyelectrolytes and the strength of floccs

The effects of cationic (Zetag 7589, Zetag 8660, and SNF 528) and anionic (Magnafloc 1011) polyelectrolytes, as well as the regimes and intensity of suspension stirring, on the kinetics of formation, disruption, and subsequent regrowth of aggregates of bentonite and kaolin particles, are studied in a flow system. The optimum polymer doses and the stirring conditions providing the formation of largest and strongest floccules are found. Under comparable conditions, the effect of the adsorption of the above polymers on the electrokinetic potential and the degree of aggregation of particles is studied. It is shown that intense flocculation takes place long before the isoelectric point of particles is reached. This allows one to conclude that the formation of polymer bridges plays a significant role in the flocculation of the examined suspensions with polyelectrolytes. Different dependencies of flocculation on the dose of added polyelectrolytes have been found for diluted and concentrated suspensions. This is explained by different extents to which flocculants adsorbed on the particle surface approach the equilibrium state at different concentrations of dispersed phases.     

The role of polymer adsorption kinetics in flocculation

The adsorption of polymeric flocculants on the surfaces of suspended solid particles is a non-equilibrium process. It is postulated that the process is controlled by an irreversible attachment between polymer molecules and solid particles. The frequency of such collisions determines the kinetics of adsorption and the distribution of adsorbed polymer on individual particle surfaces. A simplified model is presented in which polymer–particle collision frequencies determine the distribution of adsorbed polymer, and therefore, the adhesion efficiency of the particle–particle collisions that lead to flocculation. The implications of the model with regard to the effects of process variables, such as polymer molecular weight, particle size distribution, solids concentration and mixing conditions, are discussed at length. The critical importance of initial dispersion stability on polymer dosage requirements and overall process performance is demonstrated. The model provides considerable insight into the mechanisms involved in the use of progressive polymer addition to control adsorption and enhance flocculation efficiency.     

Photorefractive Composites Based on Nanocrystalline Carbocyanine Dye J-Aggregates with a Fast Response Time

The use of carbocyanine dye J-aggregates as sensitizers of photoelectric sensitivity and chromophores with the third-order nonlinear optical polarizability made it possible, by the action of two intersecting He–Ne laser (633 nm) beams and an applied electric field, to obtain photorefractive spatial modulation of the refractive index in a nonplasticized polymer layer having the glass transition temperature of about 230°C with a short (20 ms) time of response to this action. A fairly high two-beam-coupling gain coefficient was obtained, which reached a value of = 218 cm^–1 at an applied field of E ₀ = 50 V/m. The net internal gain (difference between the beam-coupling gain coefficient and the absorption coefficient ) was – = 143 cm^–1 under these conditions.     

Interparticle interactions in concentrated suspensions and their bulk (rheological) properties

The interparticle interactions in concentrated suspensions are described. Four main types of interactions can be distinguished: (i) "Hard-sphere" interactions whereby repulsive and attractive forces are screened. (ii) "Soft" or electrostatic interactions determined by double layer repulsion. (iii) Steric repulsion produced by interaction between adsorbed or grafted surfactant and polymer layers. (iv)and van der Waals attraction mainly due to London dispersion forces. Combination of these interaction energies results in three main energy-distance curves: (i) A DLVO type energy-distance curves produced by combination of double layer repulsion and van der Waals attraction. For a stable suspension the energy-distance curve shows a "barrier" (energy maximum) whose height must exceed 25kT (where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the absolute temperature). (ii) An energy-distance curve characterized by a shallow attractive minimum at twice the adsorbed layer thickness 2δ and when the interparticle-distance h becomes smaller than 2δ the energy shows a sharp increase with further decrease of h and this is the origin of steric stabilization. (iii) an energy-distance curve characterized by a shallow attractive minimum, an energy maximum of the DLVO type and a sharp increase in energy with further decrease of h due to steric repulsion. This is referred to as electrosteric repulsion. The flocculation of electrostatically and sterically stabilized suspensions is briefly described. A section is devoted to charge neutralization by polyelectrolytes and bridging flocculation by polymers. A distinction could be made between "dilute", "concentrated" and "solid suspensions" in terms of the balance between the Brownian motion and interparticle interaction. The states of suspension on standing are described in terms of interaction forces and the effect of gravity. The bulk properties (rheology) of concentrated suspensions are described starting with the case of very dilute suspensions (the Einstein limit with volume fraction Φ≤0.01), moderately concentrated suspensions (0.2>Φ≥0.1) taking into account the hydrodynamic interaction and concentrated suspensions (Φ>0.2) where semi-empirical theories are available. The rheological behavior of the above four main types of interactions is described starting with "hard-sphere" systems where the relative viscosity-volume fraction relationship could be described. The rheology of electrostatically stabilized suspensions was described with particular reference to the effect of electrolyte that controls the double layer extension. The rheology of sterically stabilized systems is described using model polystyrene suspensions with grafter poly(ethylene oxide) layers. Finally the rheology of flocculated suspensions was described and a distinction could be made between weakly and strongly flocculated systems.     

Effect of cationic polyacrylamide adsorption kinetics and ionic strength on precipitated calcium carbonate flocculation

The effect of polymer adsorption kinetics and ionic strength on the dynamics of particle flocculation was quantified using a model system consisting of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) at a low shear rate. All early flocculations detectable by a photodispersion analyzer (PDA) happened in nonequilibrium polymer adsorption regimes. We observed discrepancies in flocculation rates with the surface coverage theory, which is based on a simple monolayer adsorption model, in both early and late flocculation stages. For instance, the same amount of adsorbed CPAM reached at different polymer doses demonstrated different flocculating capabilities. This highlighted the importance of polymer adsorption kinetics upon flocculation. The transient conformation of the adsorbed CPAM during the kinetic process sometimes even superceded the adsorbed amount in the determination of PCC flocculation. Both antagonistic and synergetic effects of increased ionic strength on the CPAM-induced PCC aggregation were observed during early flocculation. However, late-stage PCC flocculation shared some similarities, irrespective of polymer dose and ionic strength. Despite the decreased amount of adsorbed polymer from the increased ionic strength, the combination of CPAM and salt, at certain concentrations, demonstrated a synergy to promote PCC aggregation more efficiently than the same amount of the respective components.     

Adsorption kinetics of nonionic surfactants using the drop volume method

The kinetic results obtained for the nonionic surfactantsn-octyl,n-decyl, andn-dodecyl dimethyl andn-octyl, andn-decyl diethyl phosphine oxide show purely diffusion controlled adsorption. The drop volume technique applied in a static and dynamic version proves to be useful to measure the adsorption kinetics in the form of surface tensions in function of time. Comparisons of the results obtained from both the static and the dynamic measuring procedure confirm the validity of a theory applied to interpret the kinetic data.Nomenclature a Langmuir parameter - c ₀ surfactant bulk concentration - D diffusion coefficient - surface concentration - ₀ equilibrium surface concentration - ¯ (t)/ ₀ reduced surface concentration - maximum value of - R gas law constant - surface tension - ₀ surface tension of pure water - t time - T absolute temperature     

Flocculation mechanism induced by cationic polymers investigated by light scattering

Three cationic polymers with molecular weights and charge densities of 3.0 x 10(5) g/mol and 10%, 1.1 x 10(5) g/mol and 40%, and 1.2 x 10(5) g/mol and 100% were chosen as flocculants to aggregate silica particles (90 nm), under various conditions, including change in polymer dosage, particle concentration, background electrolyte concentration, and shear rate. The size and structure of flocs produced were determined using the static light scattering technique. On the basis of measurements of polymer adsorption and its effect on the zeta potential and floc properties, it has been found that the polymer charge density plays an important role in determining the flocculation mechanism. Polymers with a 10% charge density facilitate bridging, 40% charged polymers bring about either a combination of charge neutralization and bridging or bridging, depending on the polymer dosage, and polymers with the charge density of 100% induce electrostatic patch flocculation mechanism at the optimum polymer dosage and below but bring about bridging mechanism at the polymer dosage approaching the adsorption plateau value. Bridging aggregation can readily be affected by the particle concentration, and an increase in particle concentration results in the formation of larger but looser aggregates, whereas electrostatic patch aggregation is independent of particle concentration. The addition of a background electrolyte aids in bridging aggregation while it is detrimental to electrostatic patch aggregation. It has also been found that the effect of shear rate on the mass fractal dimension depends on polymer charge density.     

Coagulation and flocculation measurements by photon correlation spectroscopy — colloidal SiO2 bare and covered by polyethylene oxide

With photon correlation spectrometry (PCS) the diffusion coefficients, average diameters and polydispersities of colloidal particles can be determined in dilute aqueous suspensions. In this study PCS is used to follow the coagulation and flocculation of silica particles. Electrolyte solution added to suspensions of bare particles and of particles covered with adsorbed polyethylene oxide layers induces aggregation. The rate constants of aggregation are evaluated by the second-order Smoluchowski theory with the assumptions of spherical aggregated particles and volume proportional light-scattering amplitude. Adsorbed PEO layers of molar mass lower thanM _w=160000 decrease the critical flocculation concentration and the flocculation states and rate constants for bare and covered particles are the same at high electrolyte concentrations. Polymer layers of high molar mass (M _w=325000, 900000) reducved at full coverage the rate constants and stabilize the suspensions even at high electrolyte concentrations. At low coverage adsorption of high molar mass polymers results in the same values as of low molar mass PEO. The correlation between rate constants and hydrodynamic PEO layer thicknesses demonstrates the steric influence of the tails of the adsorbed macromolecules on stability and flocculation.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Joachim Klein on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Adsorption kinetics measurements of some nonionic surfactants

Dynamic surface tension values of aqueous surfactant solutions were measured by using the ring and plate method. The mean diffusion coefficients calculated on the basis of the purely diffusion controlled adsorption model vary between 2 · 10^–6 to 7 · 10^–6 cm²/s for all surfactants studied:n-alkanols,n-alkanoic acids, dimethyl and diethyln-alkyl phosphine oxides. That means the surfactants investigated adsorb with a purely diffusion controlled adsorption mechanism and no barriers excist to hinder sorption processes.Nomenclature c ₀ surfactant bulk concentration - D diffusion coefficient - surface concentration - ₀ equilibrium surface concentration - ¯ (t)/ ₀ reduced surface concentration - maximum surface concentration - K ₀/c₀ - surface tension - t time - Dt/K ² reduced time - a _L coefficient of the Langmuir isotherm     

Polymer adsorption and its effect on the stability of hydrophobic colloids

Summary As a first step in a study on the interaction between polymers and hydrophobic colloids we investigated in detail the adsorption of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on aqueous silver iodide sols. The adsorption is irreversible. Adsorption isotherms are of the highaffinity type. The amount adsorbed increases with molecular weight and with the fraction of acetate groups in the PVA chain. The effective thickness of the adsorbed layer was determined viscosimetrically and independently checked by an electrophoretic method. Double layer studies enabled the determination of the occupancy of the first layer on the surface by polymer segments. It was found that even at maximal coverage with polymer this layer is still about 30% void. The combination of these data enabled the assessment of the polymer segment distribution. It was found that with not too low coverages the distribution isHoeve- like. The distribution, thus obtained reflects itself in the flocculation of AgI sols by PVA.Presented at the 25th Colloid-Meeting in Munich, October 13–15, 1971     

Flocculation of aqueous silica suspensions using cationic polyelectrolytes

Flocculation of model silica suspensions by cationic polyelectrolytes was studied using optical and microelectrophoretic techniques. Polymer charge density effects were determined by varying the degree of quaternization or by changing pH, depending on the nature of the amine group present.Charge neutralization appears to be the principal flocculation mechanism, although polymer bridging may play a role once the particle surface charge is significantly reduced. Silica retains a net negative ζ-potential (−25 ± 5 mV) under optimal flocculation conditions. This finding is discussed semi-quantitatively in terms of an “electrostatic patch” adsorption model for flocculation.     

Thermodynamics of Adsorption of L-Amino Acids at Oil–Water Interfaces

Lowering of the interfacial tension of heptane–water, benzene–water, and nitrobenzene–water interfaces due to addition of 20 different amino acids to the aqueous phase has been measured. From the plot of surface pressure against molar concentration of amino acids, the initial slope and the surface excess ₂ ¹ for different amino acids have been calculated using the Gibbs adsorption equation. ₂ ¹ for most amino acids at benzene–water and heptane–water interfaces was found to be positive, with only a few being negative. At the nitrobenzene–water interface, both positive and negative ₂ ¹ values were observed. The area per adsorbed molecule at surface saturation A _m was found to vary widely, indicating different orientations of amino acid molecules at the interfaces. Using the integrated form of the Gibbs adsorption equation, the standard Gibbs energy change G ^o in kJ-m² of the adsorbed surface have been calculated for various interfaces. G ^o was found to vary linearly with the ₂ ¹ of different amino acids and the slope of the line, designated as –G _B ⁰ was found to be 22 kJ-mol^–1 for heptane–water, 23.2 kJ-mol^–1 for benzene–water, and 19.3 kJ-mol^–1 for nitrobenzene–water interfaces, irrespective of the nature of the amino acid. The origin of the linear scale of the Gibbs energy for heptane–water, benzene–water and nitrobenzene–water interfaces has been discussed in terms of hydrophobic and other interactions.