Adsorptive removal of tannin from aqueous solutions by cationic surfactant-modified bentonite clay

The removal of tannin from aqueous media by cationic surfactant-modified bentonite clay was studied in a batch system. The surfactant used was hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride. Adsorbent characterizations were investigated using X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, surface area analysis, and potentiometric titration. The effects of pH, contact time, initial solute concentration, adsorbent dose, ionic strength, and temperature on the adsorption of tannin onto modified clay were investigated. The adsorbent exhibited higher tannin removal efficiency (>99.0%) from an initial concentration of 10.0 micromol/L at pH 3.0. Adsorption capacity decreased from 90.1 to 51.8% with an increase in temperature from 10 to 40 degrees C at an initial concentration of 25.0 micromol/L. The adsorption process was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. Film diffusion was found to be the rate-limiting step. Tannin adsorption was found to decrease with increase in ionic strength. The tannin equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, the former being found to provide the best fit of the experimental data. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity for tannin was 69.80 micromol/g at 30 degrees C. Comparison of adsorption capacity of the modified clay with reported adsorbents in the literature was also presented. Adsorbed tannin on modified clay can be recovered by treatment with 0.1 M NaOH solution. Regeneration experiments were tried for four cycles and results indicate a capacity loss of <10.0%. From the results it can be concluded that the surfactant-modified clay could be a good adsorbent for treating tannin-contaminated waters.     

Determination of fluoride with thorium nitrate by catalytic titration

Amperometry, constant-current potentiometry and spectrophotometry were used to follow the course of catalytic titrations of fluoride and silicofluoride with thorium nitrate. The hydrogen peroxide-iodide system was used as the indicator reaction. Titrations were performed in 50% ethanolic acetate buffer, pH 3.6. Amounts of 3.70-6.85 mg of ammonium fluoride, 5.53-10.79 mg of potassium fluoride and 4.34-8.41 mg of sodium silicofluoride were determined with a maximum average deviation of 0.9%. The results obtained are in good agreement with those of comparable methods.     

The determination of quartz in clay materials

The quartz contents (maximum, 4 wt.%) of four clay materials and a tourmaline were determined by differential thermal analysis, by X-ray diffraction and by chemical analysis. The results are used to make a critical comparison of these three methods. DTA gives a better precision than X-ray diffraction analysis. The chemical method is judged unreliable in that feldspar and mica, present as minor components, are recorded in part as quartz.

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Zusammenfassung Der Quarzgehalt (max. 4%) von vier Tonmineralien und von Turmalin wurde durch Differentialthermoanalyse, Röntgendiffraktion und chemische Analyse bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse ermöglichten einen kritischen Vergleich der drei Methoden. Die DTA ist genauer als die Röntgendiffraktion. Die Chemische Analyse ist unzuverläßlich, da kleinere Mengen an Feldspat und Glimmer ebenfalls teilweise als Quarz erfaßt werden.

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Résumé On a déterminé la teneur en quartz (4% en poids au maximum) de quatre argiles et d'une tourmaline en se servant de l'analyse thermique différentielle, de la diffraction de rayons X et de l'analyse chimique. On a utilisé les résultats pour faire une étude critique des trois méthodes. L'ATD donne une meilleure précision que l'analyse par diffraction X. L'analyse chimique présente peu de sûreté car le feldspath et le mica, présents à l'état de constituants mineurs, interviennent en partie comme le quartz.

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The authors express their thanks to the Directors of English Clays Lovering Pochin & Co. Ltd. for permission to publish this paper.     

The determination of quartz in clay materials

The quartz contents (maximum, 4 wt.%) of four clay materials and a tourmaline were determined by differential thermal analysis, by X-ray diffraction and by chemical analysis. The results are used to make a critical comparison of these three methods. DTA gives a better precision than X-ray diffraction analysis. The chemical method is judged unreliable in that feldspar and mica, present as minor components, are recorded in part as quartz.     

New route to hybrid materials: Rhodium complex and fluoride ion catalysed hydrolysis of hydrogenosilanes

An alternative route to organosilsesquioxanes by hydrolytic condensation of the Si-H bonds of trihydrosilanes is described. This method avoids the formation of alcohols or acids since the leaving group is removed as hydrogen gas. The influence of the catalyst, ClRh(PPh₃)₃ or fluoride anion, on the properties of the resulting materials is discussed.     

Fabrication of zirconium(IV) cross-linked alginate/kaolin hybrid beads for nitrate and phosphate retention

The extreme nitrate (NO₃⁻) species in drinking water leads to methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) disease in new born toddlers whereas the excess phosphate (PO₄³⁻) and NO₃⁻ contents lead to the eutrophication (algae growth) problem of water sources. Upto date, the environmental researchers have developing the suitable adsorbent materials for providing NO₃⁻ and PO₄³⁻ free water system. In present study, a low-cost alginate (Alg) assisted kaolin (KN) (AlgKN) composite beads were prepared and utilized for the removal of NO₃⁻ and PO₄³⁻. To improve the sorption capacity (SC) and stability, Zr⁴⁺ ions were coated onto AlgKN to get Zr@AlgKN composite beads which were prepared via., hydrothermal (Hydro) and in situ precipitation (In situ) methods. The hydro assisted Zr@AlgKN composite beads possess an enhanced SC than the in situ assisted adsorbents. In batch scale, the parameters responsible for the adsorption process such as contact time, co-ions, adsorbent dosage, pH, initial ions concentration and temperature were optimized. The adsorbents were characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET, EDAX and SEM analysis. The adsorption experimental data was fitted with isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamic parameters. The regeneration and field applicability study of the Zr@AlgKN composite beads were also investigated.     

Investigation of CO2 capture mechanisms of liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials via structural characterization

Nanoparticle organic hybrid materials (NOHMs) have been recently developed that comprise an oligomeric or polymeric canopy tethered to surface-modified nanoparticles via ionic or covalent bonds. It has already been shown that the tunable nature of the grafted polymeric canopy allows for enhanced CO(2) capture capacity and selectivity via the enthalpic intermolecular interactions between CO(2) and the task-specific functional groups, such as amines. Interestingly, for the same amount of CO(2) loading NOHMs have also exhibited significantly different swelling behavior compared to that of the corresponding polymers, indicating a potential structural effect during CO(2) capture. If the frustrated canopy species favor spontaneous ordering due to steric and/or entropic effects, the inorganic cores of NOHMs could be organized into unusual structural arrangements. Likewise, the introduction of small gaseous molecules such as CO(2) could reduce the free energy of the frustrated canopy. This entropic effect, the result of unique structural nature, could allow NOHMs to capture CO(2) more effectively. In order to isolate the entropic effect, NOHMs were synthesized without the task-specific functional groups. The relationship between their structural conformation and the underlying mechanisms for the CO(2) absorption behavior were investigated by employing NMR and ATR FT-IR spectroscopies. The results provide fundamental information needed for evaluating and developing novel liquid-like CO(2) capture materials and give useful insights for designing and synthesizing NOHMs for more effective CO(2) capture.     

Synthesis of clay nanocomposite materials by light-induced crosslinking polymerization

Different types of nanocomposite materials have been synthetized within seconds at ambient temperature, by photoinitiated crosslinking polymerization of epoxy, vinyl ether and acrylate-based resins containing a small amount (3 wt%) of an organoclay filler. The curing process was followed quantitatively by infrared spectroscopy through the decrease upon UV exposure of the IR bands characteristic of the functional groups. The silicate nanoparticles were found to have no effect on the polymerization kinetics. The UV-cured nanocomposites proved to be more flexible and impact resistant than the corresponding microcomposites. This method of synthesis of nanocomposites presents the advantages associated with the UV-curing technology, namely a solvent-free resin transformed rapidly at ambient temperature into a chemically resistant material, with a minimum consumption of energy.     

Determination of nitroaromatic, nitramine, and nitrate ester explosives in soil by gas chromatography and an electron capture detector

Hazardous waste site characterization, forensic investigations, and land mine detection are scenarios where soils may be collected and analyzed for traces of nitroaromatic, nitramine, and nitrate ester explosives. These thermally labile analytes are traditionally determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); however, commercially available deactivated injection port liners and wide-bore capillary columns have made routine analysis by gas chromatography (GC) possible. The electron-withdrawing nitro group common to each of these explosives makes the electron capture detector (ECD) suitable for determination of low concentrations of explosives in soil, water, and air. GC-ECD and HPLC-UV concentration estimates of explosives residues in field-contaminated soils from hazardous waste sites were compared, and correlation (r>0.97) was excellent between the two methods of analysis for each of the compounds most frequently detected: 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB), 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). The analytes were extracted from soils with acetonitrile by 18 h of sonication in a cooled ultrasonic bath. Two soil-to-solvent ratios were evaluated: 2.00 g:10.00 ml and 25.0 g:50.0 ml. GC-ECD method detection limits were similar for the two soil-to-solvent ratios and were about 1 mug kg(-1) for the di- and trinitroaromatics, about 10 mug kg(-1) for the mono-nitroaromatics, 3 mug kg(-1) for RDX, 25 mug kg(-1) for HMX, and between 10 and 40 mug kg(-1) for the nitrate esters (nitroglycerine [NG] and pentaerythritol tetranitrate [PETN]). Spike recovery studies revealed artifacts introduced by the spiking procedure. Recoveries were low in some soils if the amount of soil spiked was large (25.0 g) compared to the volume of spike solution added (1.00 ml). Recoveries were close to 100% when 2.00-g soil samples were spiked with 1.00 ml of solution. Analytes most frequently found in soils collected near buried land mines were the microbial transformation products of TNT (2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene [2-Am-DNT] and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene [4-Am-DNT]), manufacturing impurities of TNT (2,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, and 1,3-DNB), and TNT. The microbial reduction products of the isomers of DNT and of 1,3-DNB were also detected, but the ECD response to these compounds is poor.     

The vesicular cleavage of activated phosphate esters by hydroxide and fluoride ions — artifactual endovesicular reactions

Previously reported endovesicular reactions in the cleavage of $\text{p}$-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate by hydroxide (or fluoride) ions in vesicles of dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide appear to be artifacts.     

Microdetermination of fluoride in the presence of phosphate by potentiometric titration

Summary A method for the microdetermination of fluoride in the presence of phosphate is described. Up to a 10-fold excess of phosphorus (as phosphate) can be tolerated. Phosphate is adsorbed on zinc oxide which is added in excess and need not be removed prior to titration of fluoride. Fluoride is determined potentiometrically with 0.02M lanthanum(III) at p_H 5 to 7. A fluoride ion specific electrode is used with an expanded-scale p_H meter to monitor the emf.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Mikrobestimmung von Fluorid in Gegenwart von Phosphat wurde beschrieben. Phosphat stört bis zu einer zehnfachen Phosphormenge nicht. Es wird an Zinkoxid adsorbiert, das man im Überschuß zusetzt und das vor der Fluoridtitration nicht entfernt werden muß. Fluorid wird potentiometrisch mit 0,02-m Lanthan(III) bei p_H 5 bis 7 bestimmt. Eine für Fluorid spezifische Elektrode mit einem p_H-Meter mit gedehnter Skala wird zur Messung verwendet.

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Work performed under the auspices of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.     

Preparation of oriented titanium phosphate and tin phosphate/polyaniline hybrid films by electrochemical deposition

The preparation of hybrid films of metal (Ti and Sn) phosphate nanosheets and polyaniline by simultaneous electrophoretic and electrolytic deposition was performed in an acetonitrile solvent. Emeraldine polyaniline was intercalated between the phosphate nanosheets with a monolayer arrangement. The obtained hybrid films were several tens of micrometers in thickness. The ratio of incorporated polyaniline to metal phosphate in the hybrid films reaches to around 0.45 and 0.30 at suitable concentrations of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH). These amounts correspond with occupancy of polyaniline in the interlayer gallery of several tens percent. Fractions of voids in a horizontal direction were around 22 and 1% in titanium phosphate/polyaniline and tin phosphate/polyaniline hybrid films, respectively. Thus, anodic electrodeposition makes it possible to form thick films of intercalation compounds of alpha-titanium and tin phosphates with polyaniline. These hybrid films were examined for redox activity. The cyclic voltammetry results of these films confirmed that the hybrid films have redox activity by polyaniline. For these voltammograms, the maximum current was observed in the tin phosphate/polyaniline hybrid deposited for 15 min. The redox activity of these hybrids possibly depends on the mesoscopic texture of the film, especially on the amount of voids in a horizontal direction.     

Influence of microwave heating on fluoride, chloride, nitrate and sulfate concentrations in water

This paper describes a study about the influence of microwave radiation using closed vessels on fluoride, chloride, nitrate and sulfate concentrations in aqueous media. The experiments were processed by heating water using PFA vessels and a microwave cavity oven, determining the anions by ion chromatography. The influence of the exposure time, the atmospheric composition, the kind of heating (water bath or microwave radiation) and the possible formation of hydrogen peroxide were investigated. The limits of quantification for fluoride, chloride, nitrate and sulfate were respectively of 0.17, 0.15, 0.55 and 0.57 μg L⁻¹, and precision, expressed as RSD, was <4% for all considered anions. The hydrogen peroxide was quantified by spectrophotometry, and the limit of quantification and precision were 24 μg L⁻¹ and <5% (n = 10), respectively. The results demonstrate a significant increase in the anion concentration levels (between 63 and 89%) when microwave heating was used in comparison with heating by water bath. In addition, these changes observed can be mainly attributed to the species transfers, either between gaseous (atmospheric gases) and liquid (water) phases for nitrate, or between vessels walls and water for fluoride, chloride and sulfate. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide concentration higher than 45 μg L⁻¹ was determined when water was exposed to microwave radiation.     

The supramolecular chemistry of organic-inorganic hybrid materials

The combination of nanomaterials as solid supports and supramolecular concepts has led to the development of hybrid materials with improved functionalities. These "hetero-supramolecular" ideas provide a means of bridging the gap between molecular chemistry, materials sciences, and nanotechnology. In recent years, relevant examples have been reported on functional aspects, such as enhanced recognition and sensing by using molecules on preorganized surfaces, the reversible building of nanometer-sized networks and 3D architectures, as well as biomimetic and gated chemistry in hybrid nanomaterials for the development of advanced functional protocols in three-dimensional frameworks. This approach allows the fine-tuning of the properties of nanomaterials and offers new perspectives for the application of supramolecular concepts.     

Ternary and tetrahedral symmetry in hybrid fluorides, fluoride carbonates and carbonates

Tren amine cations and carbonate anions adopt a ternary symmetry while tetra amine cations are tetrahedral. The symmetry of these constitutive ions influences strongly the nature of the solids which crystallise from solutions. Large fluorinated aluminate polyanions with tetrahedral symmetry appear in the presence of tren amine, while infinite chains of AlF₆ octahedra are observed with tetra amine and that noncentrosymmetric structures are frequently encountered in rare earth fluoride carbonates.     

Extraction of antimony and tantalum from aqueous fluoride solutions by n-octanol and tributyl phosphate

¹⁹F and ²¹Sb NMR spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to study the composition and structure of fluoride complexes of antimony(V) and tantalum(V) in organic and aqueous phases in extraction by tributyl phosphate (TBP) and n-octanol. It is found that extraction from solutions containing a single element or both elements occurs via the hydrate-solvate mechanism. The possibility of separating tantalum(V) and antimony(V) by extraction from fluoride solutions is shown. The efficiency of tantalum(V) and antimony(V) separation by extraction from fluoride solutions is enhanced at a transition from TBP to n-octanol.     

Elaboration of hybrid nanocluster materials by solution chemistry

The [(M₆L₁₂ⁱ)L₆^a]ⁿ⁻ and [(M₆L₈ⁱ)L₆^a] units (a = apical, i = inner) constitute the basic building blocks in the octahedral cluster chemistry. Nano-sized metallic clusters are easily obtained by solid state synthesis with transition elements associated with halogen or chalcogen. The intrinsic properties of M₆ cluster units—one or two electron reversible redox process, magnetism and luminescence—depend on the nature of the metal and ligands. The solubilisation of M₆ solid state compounds provides [(M₆L₁₂ⁱ)L₆^a]ⁿ⁻ or [(M₆L₈ⁱ)L₆^a]ⁿ⁻ building blocks with individual properties that can be further used for the design of hybrid organic/inorganic materials. Several examples of solid state precursors are presented as well as substitution reactions of apical ligands in solution. Indeed, hexacyano M₆ clusters are obtained by direct reaction of solid state precursors in aqueous KCN solutions. Low dimensional frameworks are subsequently obtained by recrystallisation of hexacyano M₆ clusters with transition elements. The functionalisation of cluster proceeds in two steps. The first one consists in the replacement of apical halogens of cluster unit precursors by labile groups as CF₃SO₃ (triflate) or solvent molecules after solution reaction. The second one consists in the substitution of the labile groups by functionalised phenolate or pyridine ligands.     

Synthesis,characterization and adsorption properties of nanostructured hybrid materials modified by boron and zirconium

The adsorption properties of two new nanostructured hybrid materials containing B₂O₃ and ZrO₂ were studied. The new organic-inorganic materials were synthesized via a sol-gel method. As a modifying agent, a quantity of 10 wt.% Zr(OPr)₄ or B(OCH₃)₃ was added. The structure of the hybrid materials was investigated by means of (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Based on the obtained data, the most probable cross-linking mechanism for the derived gels was proposed. The characterization of texture parameters of both materials was carried out with the use of low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen. Adsorption of Cu(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions on both materials was investigated using multi-component solutions with different concentrations and acidity by means of the batch method. Kinetics of adsorption was also investigated. Pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models were used to analyze kinetic data. The adsorption was significantly affected by the pH value. Equilibrium data were fitted to linear Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models and maximum adsorption capacities were calculated.      

Synthesis and properties of polyimide–clay hybrid

A polyimide hybrid with montmorillonite clay mineral has been synthesized from a dimethylacetamide (DMAC) solution of poly(amic acid) and a DMAC dispersion of montmorillonite intercalated with an ammonium salt of dodecylamine. Montmorillonite consists of stacked silicate sheets about 2000 Å in length, 10 Å in thickness. In this hybrid, montmorillonite is dispersed homogeneously into the polyimide matrix and oriented parallel to the film surface. Thanks to this special structure, this hybrid showed excellent gas barrier properties. Only 2 wt % addition of montmorillonite brought permeability coefficients of various gases to values less than half of those of ordinary polyimide. Furthermore, this hybrid had low thermal expansion coefficient. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.