Zeolite synthesis from tetraalkylammonium silicate gels

Siliceous zeolite synthesis gels containing tetraalkylammonium (TAA⁺) and sodium cations were studied using X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, ion exchange, ²⁹Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The TAA⁺ cations are encapsulated in silicate cages, and silicalite is formed via the rearrangement of these cages by the breaking and reformation of siloxane bonds. Tetrabutylammonium (TBA⁺) cations promote silicalite growth, but not as effectively as tetrapropylammonium (TPA⁺) because the larger TBA⁺ cations do not conform as well to the silicalite lattice, thus forming an intergrowth of the silicalite-1 and silicalite-2 structures. The time to nucleate silicalite is not affected by the TBA⁺ content of the gel, but the rate of silicalite crystal growth increases with increasing TBA⁺ in the gel. The TBA⁺ occupies all the channel intersections of the silicalite formed. Tetraethylammonium (TEA⁺) cations are encapsulated in silicate cages, but not to the same extent as TPA⁺ and TBA⁺, because TEA⁺ is not as hydrophobic. No silicalite forms in the TEA⁺ silicate gel. The addition of tripropylamine (TriPA) to a TPA⁺ silicate gel has no effect on the kinetics of silicalite formation. TriPA does not incorporate into the gel because it is neutral and, therefore, does not experience a coulombic attraction to the negatively charged surface of the gel.     

A study of the sorption properties of natural calcium clinoptilolite by using radioactive indicators

The sorption of monovalent ions (cesium, silver, thallium, mercury), bivalent ions (strontium, barium, lead, copper, cobalt, zinc) and polyvalent ions (cerium) on calcium clinoptilolite under dynamic conditions has been studied. Both the dynamic exchange capacities in the different break-through of the ions and the degree of the exchanging ions in sorption of different metal cations have been determined. The good selectivity of calcium clinoptilolite in relation to cesium and strontium is displayed in the presence of sodium. The influence of various factors on the sorption the thermal and radiation treatment of the sorbent, the pH and concentration of solutions, equilibration time, presence of alkali and alkali earth ions deactivating agents—EDTA, citric acid tartaric acid, and boric acid in solution has been studied. The optimum conditions of sorption have been determined. Experiments for the desorption of cesium and strontium have been carried out. The possibility to use calcium clinoptilolite for the purpose of deactivation of radioactive wastes is shown. The better sorption properties of that sorbent, compared to calcium clinoptilolite, can be explained by the higher aluminium content, as well as by a prevalence of calcium and magnesium in its ion exchange complex.     

Layered hydrous manganese dioxide saturated with alkaline-earth cations: Synthesis and sorption properties

Layered compounds based on hydrous manganese dioxides (hereafter, Mn-phases) saturated with alkaline-earth cations were synthesized at 3–6°C. These phases are analogues of manganese minerals from oceanic iron-manganese sediments (vernadite, birnessite, buserite-I, an asbolan-like phase, and a hybrid phase). All the Mn-phases, as a rule, had poorly ordered structures. The sorption properties of these phases were studied with respect to alkali-metal cations (Na⁺, K⁺), an s-metal cation (Ba²⁺), a p-metal cation (Pb²⁺), and d-metal cations (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺). The exchange capacities of the Mn-phases were 0.45–1.06 mg-equiv/g for the alkali cations and 0.94–5.78 mg-equiv/g for the other cations. The phase composition of the Mn-phase did not affect the alkali cation sorption but affected the divalent cation sorption. The divalent cation exchange capacity increased from well-ordered birnessite to poorly ordered vernadite.     

Sorption studies on regenerated cellulosic fibers in salt–alkali mixtures

The degrees of salt sorption were determined in lyocell and viscose fibers immersed in aqueous solutions of salt–alkali mixtures with the aim of using salt sorption as an indirect measure of changes to fiber accessibility in presence of alkali. The salt–alkali mixtures used were combinations of NaOH with NaCl or NaBr, and of KOH with KCl or KBr. In general, salt sorption in fibers increased with increase in alkali concentration up to 2 mol/l, and did not change significantly thereafter. The accessibility of Br⁻ salts was greater than the Cl⁻ salts, but that of the Na⁺ salts was greater than the K⁺ salts. These trends in salt sorption indicate that salt accessibility in fibers is not influenced by the size of hydrated salt ions, but by the forces of electrostatic attraction and repulsion between the charged fiber surface and salt cations and anions.     

Role of tetrapropylammonium cations in gel-phase silicalite synthesis

Silicalite synthesis from tetrapropylammonium (TPA⁺) sodium silicate gels was studied by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, ion exchange, ²⁹Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Based on this information we confirm a hydrogel—solid transformation mechanism for silicalite crystallization. The initial synthesis gel is a highly articulated silicate network containing pockets of water with solvated Na⁺ and TPA⁺ cations. As the silica condenses and becomes more hydrophobic, water and solvated cations are expelled. The condensed silicate gel then encapsulates the hydrophobic TPA⁺ cations in cages resembling the channel intersections of silicalite before X-ray crystalline silicalite is observed. Crystallization occurs within the gel via rearrangement of the TPA⁺-occluded silicate cages by the breaking and reformation of siloxane bonds into the more stable silicalite structure. Rates of nucleation and crystallization both increase with increasing TPA⁺ gel content. The amount of silicalite which forms is limited by the amount of TPA⁺, which must be present in the ratio of one TPA⁺ per channel intersection.     

Physicochemical properties of alkali-metal exchanged type X zeolites

The changes in the physicochemical properties of a series of faujasite type X zeolites cation exchanged with K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ have been studied by XRD, IR, thermoanalytical methods and sorption measurements. As a consequence of the enhanced scattering of X-rays by larger alkali metal cations, the percent relative intensity of the XRD peaks of cation exchanged zeolites was found to have decreased considerably. The framework IR spectra also showed analogous changes. The alkali metal exchange was found to enhance the thermal stability of the parent zeolite. The available void volume and specific surface area (obtained by low temperature nitrogen sorption) also decreased with the increase in the degree of exchange and cationic size. Equilibrium sorption capacities (298 K andP/P ₀=0.5) for water,n-hexane, cyclohexane and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene also exhibited the same trend.NCL communication no. 6056.     

Desilication mechanism revisited: highly mesoporous all-silica zeolites enabled through pore-directing agents

The role of pore‐directing agents (PDAs) in the introduction of hierarchical porosity in silicalite‐1 in alkaline medium was investigated. By incorporation of various PDAs in aqueous NaOH, homogenously distributed mesopores were introduced in 2.5 μm silicalite‐1 crystals. It was proven for the first time that framework aluminum is not a prerequisite for the introduction of intracrystalline mesoporosity by desilication. The pore‐directing role is not directly exerted by framework trivalent cations metals, but by species on the external surface of the zeolite. The inclusion of metal complexes (Al(OH)₄^?, Ga(OH)₄^?) and tetraalkyl ammonium cations (tetramethyl ammonium (TMA⁺), tetrapropyl ammonium (TPA⁺)) in the alkaline solution led to distinct mesopore surface areas (up to 286 m² g^?1) and pore sizes centered in the range of 5–20 nm. In the case alkaline treatment was performed in the presence of Al(OH)₄^?, all aluminum partially integrated in the zeolite giving rise to both Lewis and Brønsted acidity. Apart from the concentration and location, the affinity of the PDA to the zeolite surface plays a crucial role in the pore formation process. If the PDA is attracted too strongly (e.g., TMA⁺), the dissolution is reduced dramatically. When the pore‐directing agent is not attracted to the zeolite’s external surface, excessive dissolution occurs (standard alkaline treatment). TPA⁺ proved to be the most effective PDA as its presence led to high mesopore surface areas (>200 m² g^?1) over a broad range of PDA concentrations (0.003–0.1 M ). Importantly, our results enable to extend the suitability of desilication for controlled mesopore formation to all‐silica zeolites.     

Investigation of HEU-type zeolite crystals after interaction with Sr2+ cations in aqueous solution using nuclear and surface analytical techniques

Pure HEU-type zeolite (heulandite) crystals were allowed to interact with Sr²⁺ cations in aqueous solution. The powdered solid experimental products obtained from batch-type sorption experiments, using solutions of Sr²⁺-concentrations between 10 and 1000 mg/l, were investigated using INAA, RI-XRF and SEM-EDS. The Sr uptake by the mineral which can adequately be described with a Freundlich-type isotherm, varies from 3.14 to 6.22 mg/g. The distribution coefficients increase progressively by decreasing the solutions concentration reaching a value of 1800 ml/g. The investigated zeolite interacts with Sr²⁺ cations through ion exchange reactions and initial exchangeable Ca²⁺ cations are replaced into the structural micropores. However, in the best case, only ca. 43% of the theoretical CEC can be covered because of the limited availability of the extra framework Ca²⁺ cations that can be removed from the lattice under ambient treatment conditions. The XPS investigation of Sr-loaded single crystals indicated that adsorption of Sr²⁺ cations on the outer surface also occurs while surface precipitation phenomena must be excluded. Similar surface analyses by means of¹²C-RBS showed that the Sr depth-distribution at near-surface layers is quite homogenous in contrast to a previous relevant study revealing an intense surface Sr-accumulation on a natural Ca-zeolite of different structural characteristics (scolecite).     

Mesopores in USY Zeolites II

Microporous zeolites Na‐Y and K‐Y were converted into the NaNH₄‐Y and KNH₄‐Y modifications by ion exchange being active in dealumination. Removal of framework aluminium and silicon is accompanied by formation of secondary mesopores. Internal mesopores are formed in the centre of zeolite crystals and external pores at their surface. Formation of mesopores changes the sorption behaviour.Residual alkali metal cations as Na⁺ or K⁺ stabilise, however, the framework ≡Si‐O‐Al≡ bonds. Because of inhomogeneous distribution of sodium ions, in NaNH₄‐Y less internal but more external mesopores are formed. Potassium ions of KNH₄‐Y are more homogeneous distributed over the framework why a more balanced formation of secondary pores takes place.     

Effect of structural variations of dibenzocrown ether resins and their acyclic analogues upon ion-pair sorption of alkali metal salts from aqueous and aqueous methanol solutions

Abstract

Ion-pair sorption of alkali metal salts from aqueous and aqueous methanol solutions by acyclic and cyclic dibenzopolyether resins possessing different side arm groups such as hydroxy, methoxy and carboxy has been investigated. The results reveal that both sorption selectivity and efficiency are influenced by: (1) the methanol content of the aqueous sample solution; (2) the acyclic or cyclic nature of the polyether unit; (3) the conformational positioning of the side arm group with respect to the crown ether cavity; and (4) the identity of the counteranion species of the alkali metal salt. For sym-(C₃H₇)(R′)dibenzo-16-crown-5 resins, the sorption selectivity and efficiency increased as the R′ group was varied: -OCH₃ < -OH < -OCH₂CO₂H. The highest sorption efficiency and Na⁺ selectivity was obtained for sym-(propyl)dibenzo-16-crown-5-oxyacetic acid resin (7) in which the pendent carboxylic acid group is oriented over the crown ether cavity. The use of a less hydrated anion in the alkali metal salt species enhances the ion-pair efficiency: SO₄ ^2- < NO₃ ^?, Cl^?, Br^? < I^? < SCN^?. Monovalent metal selective sorption was noted for competitive ion-pair sorption of NaCl, KCl, MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ by resin 7.     

Use of Cyclic Voltammetry to Evaluate Sorption Properties of Cork Residues Towards Mn(II) in Waters

Cyclic voltammetry is proposed for evaluating the ability of cork wastes to remove Mn(II) ions by sorption from waters to be used for public supply. As the first stage, the concentration of several naturally occurring cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺) were analyzed in the acid washings that were performed to remove them from the cork. The obtained results were then related to the total concentrations of cations released, as measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy of solutions made by dissolving ashed samples. Cyclic voltammetry is proposed to measure the manganese concentration in the uptake solutions because it allows the metal oxidation state to be controlled, and was determined to be suitable for use with standard addition methods. Contact time and particle size effects on Mn(II) sorption were evaluated.     

Separation of acetic acid-water mixtures by pervaporation through silicalite membrane

Polycrystalline silicalite membranes were prepared on two kinds of porous supports by hydrothermal synthesis. The pervaporation performance of the silicalite membrane obtained was investigated using an acetic acid-water mixture as a feed. The silicalite membrane on the sintered stainless steel support selectively permeates acetic acid in the concentration of the feed acetic acid in the region of 5 to 40 vol%. However, the membrane on the porous alumina support showed no separation for the aqueous acetic acid solution. From the fact that the top layer of the membrane on the alumina support was not composed of pure silicalite but ZSM-5 zeolite crystals, which contained Brønsted acidic sites (Si(OH)Al) in the framework, it was suggested that the acidic sites associated with the framework aluminums play an important role in the separation of the acetic acid-water mixture. A long-term test of the pervaporation was also carried out to clarify the stability of the membrane.     

Sorption and catalytic effects upon the dehydration of methanol on perfluorinated copolymer-containing sulfo groups

The peculiarities of methanol transformation on the surface of perfluorinated copolymer, fluoroplastic, containing sulfo groups were studied. At temperatures of 70–120°C, the polymer was established to have high initial activity during the conversion of methanol into dimethyl ether; this reaction was, however, accompanied by strong water sorption that leads to a rapid drop in the activity. The sorption/desorption processes were characterized by temperature effects such as heating during sorption and cooling during desorption. The structure of the polymer in the salt (sodium cations) and acid (hydrolyzed polymer) forms was studied by IR spectroscopy. H₃O⁺SO₃⁻ ionic pairs were found to be present in the acid form.     

Polyurethane foam extraction of platinum-tin halide complexes

The sorptive capacity of the polyether-based foam was determined to be between 0.85 and 0.92 moles/kg for the platinum-tin(II) chloride complex. At hydrochloric and hydrobromic acid concentrations up to 3.0M, the platinum-tin(II) bromide complex had higher extraction efficiencies than the platinum-tin(II) chloride complex. Sorptions were optimized at 5.0M hydrochloric acid and 3.0M hydrobromic acid and distribution ratios as high as 2.0 x 10(5) 1./kg were observed at high foam:platinum ratios. The percent of platinum extracted increased when the alkali metal cations are added in the order K(+) < Na(+) < Li(+) for polyether foam, and decreased in the order K(+) > Na(+) > Li(+) for polyester foam. Also, the sorption efficiencies increased as the proportion of poly(ethylene oxide) of the foam was increased. A Scatchard plot analysis shows that there is a 2:1 ratio of loosely bound platinum to tightly bound platinum with the polyether foam, however, the experimental results are consistent with a weak-base anion exchange mechanism as the prominent method of sorption. For polyester foam, results are consistent with a solvent-like ion-pair sorption mechanism.     

Synthesis and sorption properties of layered hydrous manganese dioxide saturated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>-, <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis>-metal cations

Layered compounds based on hydrous manganese dioxide (hereafter, Mn-phases) saturated with s-metal (Ba²⁺), p-metal (Pb²⁺), and d-metal (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺) cations, analogues of manganese minerals of oceanic ferromanganese formations (vernadite, birnessite, buserite-I, and asbolan), were prepared at 4–6°C. All Mn-phases have poorly ordered structures. The sorption properties of phase compounds were studied in relation to alkali-metal (Na⁺ and K⁺) and other s-, p-, and d-metal cations. The exchange capacities of Mn-phases for alkali cations are very low, within 0.02–0.10 mg-equiv/g; for the other cations, the exchange capacities are 0.13–4.20 mg-equiv/g. The sorption of divalent metal cations depends on the phase and chemical composition of the Mn-phase.     

Effect of some environmental ligands on the sorption of radionuclidesby peat humin

Summary In a previous paper we studied the interaction of the radionuclides ^110mAg, ⁶⁰Co and ⁶⁵Zn with peat humin. These nuclides are among the fission or corrosion products in nuclear reactors. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of certain ligands, which are present in the environment, such as humic acid, fulvic acid, EDTA and urea, on the sorption of these radionuclides by humin. The obtained results indicated that urea has no effect on the sorption of Co and Zn by humin, and only a little in case of Ag. However, the presence of the other ligands (humic acid, fulvic acid or EDTA) leads to different decreases in the sorption of the three nuclides by humin. The results are interpreted in the light of the complex formation between ligands and the metal cations and of the strength of binding of these cations to the humin sorbent. The release of Ag⁺in the presence of different ligands was found to follow the order: humic acid>EDTA>fulvic acid>urea. In the case of both Co²⁺and Zn²⁺, the sequence is changed to be: EDTA>humic acid>fulvic acid>urea, with a higher release in the case of Zn²⁺. The results showed that cobalt is bound more strongly to humin than silver and zinc. The sulphur content of the humic fractions plays a significant role in the competition for silver and zinc.     

Sorption behavior of Co(II) on γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the presence of humic acid

The fate and transport of toxic metal ions and radionuclides in the environment is generally controlled by sorption reactions. The extent of sorption of divalent metal cations is controlled by a number of factors including cosorbing or complexing. In this work, the effects of pH, humic acid HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, concentration of HA, and foreign cations on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA were investigated. The sorption isotherms of Co(II) on γ-Al₂O₃ in the absence and presence HA were also studied and described by using S-type sorption model. The experimental results showed that the Co(II) sorption is strongly dependent on the pH values, concentration of HA, but independent of HA/Co(II) addition orders, ionic strength, and foreign cations in the presence of HA under our experimental conditions. The results also indicated that HA enhanced the Co(II) sorption at low pH, but reduced the Co(II) sorption at high pH. It was hypothesized that the significantly positive influence of HA at low pH on the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ was attributed to strong surface binding of HA on γ-Al₂O₃ and subsequently the formation of ternary surface complexes such as ≡S-OOC-R-(COO⁻) _x Co^2−x . Chemi-complexation may be the main mechanism of the Co(II) sorption on γ-Al₂O₃ in the presence of HA.     

Anionenstrukturen in Alkalisilicatschmelzen

Silicate Anions in Alkali Silicate Melts Melts of alkali silicates with molar ratios of alkali (Li, Na, K, Cs) to silicon between R = 4.0 and ca. 2.0 were prepared, quenched and worked up to the trimethylsilyl silicic acid esters. These were identified by comparison to the GC and silicon-29 NMR data of trimethylsilyl silicic acid esters from other sources. It was found that with cations of Li and Na mostly linear silicates were formed. But with the cations of K and Cs a considerable amount of the cyclic species Si₆O₉^6? was present. Branched silicates were of minor importance only. Besides the alkali silicon ratio, the temperature of the melt before quenching influences the composition of the silicate mixture.     

Sorption of phenol and radioactive cesium onto surfactant modified insolubilized humic acid

In this study, the sorption behavior of two important contaminants, phenol and radioactive cesium (¹³⁷Cs), onto surfactant modified insolubilized humic acid (SMIA) were investigated as a function of time, sorbate concentration utilizing the radiotracer method and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Phenol sorption process was well described by both Freundlich and Tempkin type isotherms, and cesium sorption was described by Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. It was found that SMIA adsorbs both cations and phenolic substances. Kinetic studies indicated that adsorption behavior of phenol obey the pseudo second order rate law. FTIR spectroscopic technique was used to understand the structural changes during modification process with surfactants.     

Determination of binding constants of various alkali metal cations with p-sulfonatocalix[8]arene by using inclusion equilibrium with thionine dye

The binding constants of various alkali metal cations with water-soluble p-sulfonatocalix[8]arene (Calix-S8) were determined spectrophotometrically by using the inclusion equilibrium of thionine (Th) dye as a chemical indicator. Depending on the kind of alkali metal cations, the inclusion constants of Calix-S8 for Th decrease steeply with an increase in salt concentrations. Alkali metal cations compete with the organic guest Th in the Calix-S8 inclusion. Based on a competitive binding experiment, the binding constants of alkali metal cations with Calix-S8 were evaluated to be 17, 60, and 11 dm⁶ mol^?2 for Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺, respectively. We have demonstrated an absorption-based method of evaluating the binding constants of spectroscopically inert metal cations with Calix-S8 and shown the effects of salts on the molecular recognition of Calix-S8.