Treatment of low level radioactive liquid wastes using composite ion-exchange resins based on polyurethane foam

Composite ion-exchange resins were prepared by coating copper-ferrocyanide (CFC) and hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) powders on polyurethane (PU) foam. Polyvinyl acetate/Acetone was used as a binder. The foam was loaded with about five times its weight with CFC and HMO powders. The distribution coefficients of CFC-PU foam and HMO-PU foam for cesium and strontium respectively were estimated. Under similar conditions the HMO-PU foam showed higher capacity as well as better kinetics for removal of strontium than CFC-PU foam for Cs. The pilot plant scale studies were conducted using a mixed composite ion-exchange resin bed. About 1000 bed volumes could be passed before attaining a DF of 10 from an initial value of 60–80. The spent resin was digested in alkaline KMnO₄ and the digested liquid was fixed in cement matrix. The matrices were characterized with respect to compressive strength and leach resistance.     

Synthesis and characterization of nano-composite ion-exchanger; its adsorption behavior

A novel organic-inorganic nanocomposite cation-exchanger has been synthesized via sol-gel method. It was characterized on the basis of FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM and Raman studies. The structural studies reveal semi-crystalline nature of the material with the particle size ranging from 1-5 nm. Physiochemical properties such as ion-exchange capacity, chemical and thermal stability of composite material have also been determined. Bifunctional behavior of the material has been indicated by its pH titrations curves. The nanocomposite material exhibits improved thermal stability, higher ion-exchange capacity and better selectivity for toxic heavy metals. The ion-exchange material shows an ion-exchange capacity of 1.8 meq g(-1) for Na(+) ions. Sorption behavior of metal ions on the material was studied in different solvents. The cation exchanger was found to be selective for Pb(II), Hg(II) and Zr(IV) ions. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for Pb(II) ion was found to be 0.85 and 2.85 μg L(-1). Analytically important separations of heavy metal ions in synthetic mixtures as well as industrial effluents and natural water were achieved with the exchanger. The practical utility of polyanilineZr(IV)sulphosalicylate cation exchanger has been established for the analysis and recovery of heavy metal ions in environmental samples.     

Preconcentration and separation of iron, zinc, cadmium and mercury, from waste water using Nile blue a grafted polyurethane foam

The present work describes a novel method for the incorporation of Nile blue A into polyurethane foam matrix. This foam material was found to be very suitable for the extraction of metal ions from aqueous solutions. The characterization of Nile blue A grafted foam and the effect of halide concentration, pH, shaking time, extraction isotherm and capacity have been investigated. This foam material was found to be suitable for the separation and preconcentration of iron (III), zinc (II), cadmium (II) and mercury (II) from waste water. The extraction was accomplished in (15-20) minutes. Iron was separated from acid medium (2-4 M HCl), zinc from (3-5 M HCl), cadmium from (4-6 M HCl) as thiocyanate complexes and mercury was separated from (1-2 M HCl) as chloride.     

Preparation and characterisation of anion-exchange latex-coated silica monoliths for capillary electrochromatography

Silica monoliths coated with functionalised latex particles have been prepared for use in monolithic ion-exchange capillary electrochromatography (IE-CEC) for the separation of inorganic anions. The ion-exchange monoliths were prepared using 70 nm quaternary ammonium, anion-exchange latex particles, which were bound electrostatically to a monolithic silica skeleton synthesised in a fused silica capillary. The resulting stationary phases were characterised in terms of their chromatographic performance and capacity. The capacity of a 50 microm diameter 25 cm latex-coated silica monolith was found to be 0.342 nanoequivalents and 80,000 theoretical plates per column were typically achieved for weakly retained anions, with lower efficiency being observed for analytes exhibiting strong ion-exchange interaction with the stationary phase. The electroosmotic flow (EOF) was reversed after the latex-coating was applied (-25.96 m2 V(-1) s(-1), relative standard deviation (RSD) 2.8%) and resulted in anions being separated in the co-EOF mode. Ion-exchange interactions between the analytes and the stationary phase were manipulated by varying the ion-exchange selectivity coefficient and the concentration of a competing ion (phosphate or perchlorate) present in the electrolyte. Large concentrations of competing ion (greater than 1M phosphate or 200 mM perchlorate) were required to completely suppress ion-exchange interactions, which highlighted the significant retention effects that could be achieved using monolithic columns compared to open tubular columns, without the problems associated with particle-packed columns. The latex-coated silica monoliths were easily produced in bulk quantities and performed reproducibly in acidic electrolytes. The high permeability and beneficial phase ratio makes these columns ideal for micro-LC and preconcentration applications.     

Synthesis, characterization and ion-exchange properties of a new and novel ‘organic-inorganic’ hybrid cation-exchanger: Nylon-6,6, Zr(IV) phosphate

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials enable the integration of useful organic and inorganic characteristics within a single molecular-scale composite. Unique ion-exchange properties of these types of materials have been observed, and many others can be envisioned for this promising class of materials. In this paper, we describe the ion-exchange and physico-chemical properties of one family of self-assembling organic-inorganic hybrid based on nylon-6,6, framework with Zr(IV) phosphate an inorganic ion-exchanger. The physico-chemical properties of this hybrid material were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), CHN elemental analysis, ICP-MS, UV-vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, TGA-DTA and scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies. Ion-exchange capacity (IEC), thermal stability and distribution behavior, etc. were also carried out to understand the cation-exchange behavior of the material. On the basis of distribution studies, the material was found to be highly selective for Hg(II), a highly toxic environmental pollutant. Its selectivity was examined by achieving some important binary separations like Hg(II)-Mg(II), Hg(II)-Zn(II), Hg(II)-Fe(III), Hg(II)-Bi(III), etc. Thus, the relatively new field of “organic-inorganic” hybrids offers a variety of exciting technological opportunities to decrease the environmental pollution.     

Ion-exchange foam chromatography: Part I. Preparation of rigid and flexible ion-exchange foams

In order to be able to apply the principles of foam chromatography to ion-exchange processes, preparative methods for open-cell ion-exchange foams, were investigated. Homogeneous ion-exchange foams were prepared by introducing ion-exchange groups on previously prepared phenol-formaldehyde, polyurethane and polyethylene foams. The maximum capacity of the produced sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde cation-exchange foams was 1.85 meq g^-1; that of the styrene-polyurethane interpolymer anion-exchange foams was 2.2 meq g^-1. Weak carboxylic ion-exchange foams were prepared by radiation grafting of polyurethane and polyethylene foams; the maximum capacity of these foams was 4.02 meq g^-1. Heterogeneous ion-exchange foams were prepared by foaming a fine powder of a commercially available cation exchanger with the precursors of open-cell polyether-type polyurethane foam. The capacity of such a foam containing 26% ion-exchange powder was 1.0 meq g^-1. The kinetics of the cation-exchange process on the heterogeneous foams was measured with ⁸⁵Sr.     

Encapsulated zerovalent iron/nickel-fly ash zeolite foam for treating industrial wastewater contaminated by heavy metals

Pollution due to heavy metal discharge into water systems is a global issue that has attracted growing attention in recent years. Thus, we had synthesized encapsulated zerovalent iron/nickel-fly ash zeolite foam (SA-ZFN foam) by freeze-drying method for the simultaneous removal of various heavy metals from industrial wastewater. The resulting SA-ZFN foam’s structural characterization was performed using advanced instrumental techniques. In addition, factors influencing heavy metal removal were discussed including the pH, reaction time, temperature, initial metal concentration, and their competition with each other; and the adsorption mechanism was investigated. The Langmuir maximum capacity of as-prepared foam was 75.76, 49.78, 44.89, and 7.31 mg/g for Cu(II), As(V), Hg(II), and Cr(VI), respectively. Furthermore, isotherms and kinetic data revealed that the rate-limiting step is monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface.Furthermore, thermodynamic studies indicated that ΔG° decreases as temperature rises, i.e. the adsorption process becomes more favorable at higher temperatures. The results suggest the no significant decrease of adsorption capacity on each cycle was observed by re-sustaining over three times in the first two cycles. When applied to real industrial wastewater, the SA-ZFN foam reduced the residual heavy metals to acceptable levels. Continuous column experiment also suggested that the SA-ZFN foam could simultaneously remove the heavy metals from aqueous solutions. From these results, it is demonstrated that the SA-ZFN foam is a promising, efficient, and economical material for wastewater treatment.     

Plasmid purification using non-porous anion-exchange silica fibres

A new type of fibre-based anion-exchange material for plasmid purification was developed. The basic material consisted of non-porous silica fibres with a mean diameter of 1.5 microm and a surface area of 2.4m(2)g(-1). The fibre surface was provided with several types of ligands, either by adsorption of polymers (chitosan or poly(ethyleneimine)) or by polymerization of amine-containing acrylic monomers onto a propyl methacrylate-silanized surface. The resulting polymer layers contained primary, tertiary or quaternary amines as ion-exchange groups. The packing density could be varied considerably, 9-34% (v/v). The loose packing structure provided excellent flow properties suitable for high-speed operations. The best overall performance was shown by silica fibres provided with tertiary amine polymers, having a plasmid-binding capacity of 0.9 mg ml(-1) (pre-purified plasmid) and a plasmid recovery of 62% (performance data remained stable though several adsorption cycles). The high flow rates possible with the fibre material made it especially useful when large volumes of cleared lysate were processed. The columns could be operated with retention of their adsorption properties at speeds of up to 1800 cm h(-1), equivalent to 0.5 column volumes per minute. The binding capacity was found to be lower than anticipated from the design of the fibres. Fluorescence imaging showing individual plasmid molecules indicated the fibre population to be heterogeneous with respect to plasmid adsorption, some fibres displaying poor binding properties. Possible reasons for this heterogeneity are discussed.     

Hydrophobic,superabsorbing materials from reduced graphene oxide/MoS2 polyurethane foam as a promising sorbent for oil and organic solvents

This study illustrates the preparation of robust superhydrophobic and superoleophilic reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and MoS₂ nanoparticles incorporated polyurethane (PU) foam by in-situ polymerization via the one-shot method. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful formation of nanoparticles and also the development of the hybrid PU material. The sponges were evaluated based on hydrophobicity and oil absorbance capacities and the modified foam exhibits the water contact angle of 151°. The pore size of the foam analyzed using an optical microscope and the effect on the density and porosity were also analyzed. The oil absorption capacity of the foam was studied using standard sorption testing. The oil and organic solvent selectivity and recyclability of hybrid PU foam were performed to estimate whether the foams could be recycled and reused. The modified system shows very high selectivity (83–94%). The recyclability of the foam was about 35 cycles without much reduction in its own weight and after 55 cycles more than 80% of the oil absorption capacity was conserved. The resulting hybrid PU material is highly efficient, porous, ultralight, hydrophobic and reusable sorbent material and displays great potential for versatile environmental remediation.     

Pb (II) removal from aqueous media by EDTA-modified mesoporous silica SBA-15

An organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous silica material was synthesized by two-step post-grafting method of SBA-15 with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy-silane (APTES) and thionyl dichloride (SOCl(2)) activated ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in sequence and measured by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis (EA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen (N(2)) adsorption-desorption analysis and back titration. The material was found having the beneficial properties of mesoporous silica SBA-15 and EDTA. Adsorption potential of the material for Pb (II) removal from aqueous solution was investigated by varying experimental conditions such as pH, contact time and initial metal concentration. The removal efficiency of Pb(2+) was high under studied experimental conditions. The adsorption equilibrium could be reached within 20min and the kinetic data were fitted well by pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion model. The adsorbent exhibited a favorable performance and its maximum adsorption capacity calculated by the Langmuir model was 273.2mgg(-1). Recycling experiments showed the adsorbent could be regenerated by acid treatment without altering its properties. The chemical states of the elements involved in the adsorption were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results demonstrated that the adsorption mechanism of the material involved Na Pb ion-exchange and carboxyl group dominated surface complexation.     

New family of high-resolution ion exchangers for protein and nucleic acid purifications from laboratory to process scales

A new family of polymer-based ion exchangers was tested for the purification of acidic and basic proteins on both the analytical and preparative scales. Protein-Pak HR series packings are available as strong cation (SP) and weak anion (DEAE) exchangers, allowing the development of a purification method regardless of the isoelectric point of protein. Three particle sizes, 8, 15 and 40 microns, are offered in scalable Advanced Purification (AP) glass columns or as bulk packings. The lower back pressures of the 15- and 40-microns packings compared to that of the 8-microns material allow rapid throughput of large volumes without exceeding the pressure limitations of the resin or the column. The capacity of the AP1 (100 mm x 10 mm) glass columns, containing these ion-exchange packings, is comparable to other ion-exchange columns. The resolution of mouse serum, plasmids, and a standard protein mixture was demonstrated and compared with the results obtained with other resin-based ion exchangers of similar particle size. Proteins were purified without significant loss of biological activity or mass.     

Successive uranium and thorium adsorption from Egyptian monazite by solvent impregnated foam

The present work deals with uranium and thorium recovery from the Egyptian monazite sulfate leach liquor using the extraction chromatography technique (solvent impregnated material), where tributylamine (TBA) and di-n-octylamine (DOA) solvents were impregnated onto foam uranium and thorium separate recovery. The calculated theoretical capacities of the latter solvents were about 1.4 gU/g foam and 1.6 gTh/g foam, respectively. The attained uranium and thorium adsorption efficiencies (using ion-exchange columnar technique) were about 75 and 70% of its theoretical capacities, respectively. Using 1 M NaCl–0.1 M H₂SO₄ and 2 M H₂SO₄ as eluent solutions for uranium and thorium from the loaded solvents impregnated foam gave 95.8 and 98.7% elution efficiencies, respectively.     

The sorption behaviour and separation of some metal thiocyanate complexes on polyether-based polyurethane foam

The preliminary screening tests on the preconcentration of lanthanum(III), aluminium(III), molybdenum(VI), gallium(III) and tungsten(VI) thiocyanate complexes in aqueous media by unloaded foam indicated a reasonable percentage of metal ions were retained on the foam. The influence of various parameters affecting the retention of these complex species from the aqueous media by the foam were critically studied and the possible mechanisms of the sorption of the compounds were suggested. However, owing to the complex chemical nature of the polyether-polyurethane foam, several mechanisms may be involved simultaneously. Attempts for the quantitative retention and recovery of the tested complexes by the foam columns were also made and satisfactory results were obtained. The height equivalent to theoretical plates (HETP) of the foam columns were calculated from the chromatograms and break through capacity curve and were found in the range 1.8-2.3 mm at flow rates up to 15 cm(3)/min. The proposed foam column method has been successfully used for the separation of a series of complex mixtures of the tested metal thiocyanate complexes in aqueous media. The membrane properties of the foam sorbents offer unique advantages over conventional bulk type granular sorbents in rapid, versatile effective separations and preconcentrations of different complexes from fluid samples.     

Synthesis and characterisation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) Zr(IV) monothiophosphate composite cation exchanger: analytical application in the selective separation of lead metal ions

In this study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) zirconium(IV) monothiophosphate composite cation exchanger was prepared by sol–gel precipitation method. The presence of sulphur in the cation exchanger enhances affinity towards the heavy metal ions which can improve the selectivity of the material. The selectivity studies showed that the material is selective towards Pb(II) ions. To characterise the material, several physicochemical properties were also studied which includes X-ray, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies. The ion-exchange behaviour of this cation exchanger was studied by using some of the selected properties like ion-exhange capacity for various metal ions, elution, effect of eluent concentration, thermal effect on ion-exchange capacity (IEC). The results of IEC and physicochemical properties revealed that the material is nanocomposite, crystalline, chemically, mechanically and thermally stable. The analytical ability of this cation exchanger was demonstrated in binary separation of Pb(II) ions from a mixture of other metal ions. The recovery is qualitative and the separations are reproducible.     

Reversed-Phase,Ion-Pair Separation of L-Methionine and L-Methionine Dipeptides Complexed with Palladium (II)

Abstract

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described for separation of L-methionine and L- methionine dipeptides complexed with palladium (II). Under isocratic conditions, at room temperatures, with the appropriate selection of counter-ion (cetyltrimethylammonium or trioctylmethylammonium), it was possible by ion-pairing reversed phase chromatography to resolve the palladium (II) complexes studied. Stainless steel and polythylene columns were used. The chroma-tograms from both the two different materials made columns indicate about the same ratio of capacity factor of the palladium (II) complexes.     

Preparation and characterisation of dual-layer latex-coated columns for open-tubular capillary electrochromatographic preconcentration of cations combined in-line with their separation by capillary electrophoresis

A dual-layer ion-exchange latex-coated column was prepared and characterised for on-capillary preconcentration of cations using an open-tubular ion-exchange CEC format. After preconcentration, the analyte cations were eluted with a transient isotachophoretic gradient and separated by CE. The latex double layer was established by first coating the negatively charged wall of the capillary with a layer of cationic quaternary ammonium anion-exchange Dionex AS5A latex particles (60 nm diameter), and then coating a layer of anionic sulphonated cation-exchange Dionex CS3 latex particles (300 nm diameter) onto the underlying AS5A layer. The adhesion of layers is based on electrostatic attractions. Several dual-layer capillaries were characterised for their EOF and ion-exchange capacity and this showed that coatings could be prepared reproducibly by a simple flushing procedure. The dual-layer columns exhibited a moderate, pH-independent EOF (ca. 26 x 10(-9 )m2V(-1)s(-1)) and an ion-exchange capacity of 57 microequiv./g (or 2.69 nequiv./column). Using an 8 cm length of coated capillary combined with a 72 cm length of untreated capillary, a method for on-line preconcentration and separation of monovalent organic bases, alkali metal ions and alkaline earth metal ions by CE was developed. Recoveries for the preconcentration step were 48% for 4-methylbenzylammonium, 43% for benzylammonium, 30-32% for alkali metal ions and 71-75% for alkaline earth cations. In all cases, recoveries were reproducible with RSDs being less than 6.2%. The influences of the ion-exchange selectivity coefficient of the analyte and the sample-loading rate on analyte recovery were also examined. The proposed method was utilised for the determination of alkaline earth cations and low microM detection limits were obtained.     

Preconcentration of trace amounts of mercury(II) in water on picolinic acid amide-containing resin

A chelating polystyrene/divinylbenzene-based resin with picolinic acid amide as the functional group was synthesised and characterised by its water regain capacity (0.31 g g^?1), stability towards sulphuric acid and alkali, and metal ion-exchange capacities. Mercury(II) is absorbed maximally at about pH 5.4 and can be eluted with 2 M sulphuric acid with 96% efficiency. It can thus be separated from Na(I), K(I), Ca(Il), Mg(Il), Co(Il), Cd(Il), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cr (III) and Fe (III). The method is applied to determination of mercury (II) in synthetic mixtures and in river water.     

Iminodiacetic acid functionalised organopolymer monoliths: application to the separation of metal cations by capillary high-performance chelation ion chromatography

Lauryl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate monoliths were polymerised within fused silica capillaries and subsequently photo-grafted with varying amounts of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The grafted monoliths were then further modified with iminodiacetic acid (IDA), resulting in a range of chelating ion-exchange monoliths of increasing capacity. The IDA functional groups were attached via ring opening of the epoxy group on the poly(GMA) structure. Increasing the amount of attached poly(GMA), via photo-grafting with increasing concentrations of GMA, from 15 to 35 %, resulted in a proportional and controlled increase in the complexation capacity of the chelating monoliths. Scanning capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (sC⁴D) was used to characterise and verify homogenous distribution of the chelating ligand along the length of the capillaries non-invasively. Chelation ion chromatographic separations of selected transition and heavy metals were carried out, with retention factor data proportional to the concentration of grafted poly(GMA). Average peak efficiencies of close to 5,000 N/m were achieved, with the isocratic separation of Na, Mg(II), Mn(II), Co(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) possible on a 250-mm-long monolith. Multiple monolithic columns produced to the same recipes gave RSD data for retention factors of <15 % (averaged for several metal ions). The monolithic chelating ion-exchanger was applied to the separation of alkaline earth and transition metal ions spiked in natural and potable waters.     

羧甲基纤维素钠修饰的聚氨酯泡沫制备磁性吸油材料

采用聚氨酯泡沫为模板,依次修饰羧甲基纤维素钠(CMC)、Fe~(3+),在惰性气氛中高温热处理反应,制备多孔结构的磁性吸油材料.用光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、红外吸收光谱、X-射线衍射、接触角等技术对材料进行表征.详细考察了加热反应温度、CMC浓度和Fe~(3+)浓度对材料吸油性能和磁性的影响规律.实验表明,当加热反应温度选择230°C,CMC浓度为0.3 wt%,FeCl_3浓度为0.1 mol/L时,材料吸油性能最佳,对正己烷、二甲苯、环己烷、甲苯、乙酸乙酯、氯仿、机油、原油等有机溶剂和油类分子的吸附容量为10倍左右.磁性多孔材料具有明显的亲油、疏水特性,水的接触角达115.9°,同时材料密度只有0.036g/cm~3,能够漂浮于水面,实现对水面有机溶剂的快速吸附.吸附后的材料在外界磁场控制下,能够通过磁分离方式从水面快速分离.该材料具有良好的循环利用性能,可重复使用20次以上,吸油性能仍然保持良好.     

Improvement of the efficiency of ion-exchange cellulose columns and their application.

Packing procedures and operating conditions for microparticulate ion-exchange cellulose columns were investigated. The efficiencies of ion-exchange cellulose and mixed-bed ion-exchange cellulose columns were compared. The mixed-bed columns contained ion-exchange cellulose and diatomite, and those with a 5:1 volume ratio of ion-exchange cellulose (average particle size 7 micronm) and diatomite were found to be superior in almost every respect. Medical, pharmaceutical, biochemical and environmental applications of this type of column are shown.