Concentration with Selective Acid Removal from Americium Solutions Using Ion Exchange Membranes

Donnan dialysis and diffusion dialysis techniques are investigated for deacidification and possible concentration of actinide bearing acidic streams. Cation and anion exchange membranes are used in a two compartment dialysis cell to selectively remove acid from americium solutions. Acid concentrations, as high as 8.0M HNO₃ are used and the stability of membranes are ascertained. Possibility of simultaneous deacidification and concentration of acidic americium solutions are indicated by combining simple osmosis with diffusion dialysis. All the experiments are carried out under non stirring conditions at room temperature.     

Anode Phenomena in Triggered Vacuum Gaps

Arc voltage - current characteristics and threshold current densities occuring during the formation of anode spots in triggered vacuum gaps are reported. Single pulses of 1.65 ms arcing time, which correspond to switching surge currents, are used in the study with copper and aluminum anodes. The threshold values are 1.75 times the values reported earlier using the longer, 8 mis, arcing time. They are found to depend upon the duration of arcing time as well as upon electrode material, surface conditions, electrode size and contact separation. Lateral inhomogenity in the electrode geometry appears to reduce the threshold value by promoting early formation of anode spots.     

Extraction of plutonium(IV) from oxalic acid-nitric acid solutions by Aliquat-336

The extraction of Pu(IV) from oxalic acid-nitric acid mixtures has been investigated using a liquid anion exchanger, Aliquat-336, in xylene. The presence of oxalic acid is known to have adverse effects on the extraction of Pu(IV) by Aliquat-336. The use of cations, Al(III), Fe(III) or Zr(IV) was explored to overcome the effect of oxalic acid on Pu(IV) extraction. The data obtained reveal that Pu(IV) is quantitatively extracted by Aliquat-336, even in the presence of oxalic acid, when Al(III), Fe(III) or Zr(IV) is added. The extracted Pu(IV) can be back-extracted using aqueous ammonium carbonate.     

Spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) with 1-(2′-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol in the presence of Trition X-100

Uranium(VI) reacts with 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol to form a red-coloured chelate in the pH range 5.3–7.2, maintained by 0.04 M acetate buffer. Absorbance of the sparingly soluble complex, solubilized and stabilized by Triton X-100, is measured after 30 min and it is stable for at least 16 hours. The complex exhibits maximum absorbance at 575 and 625–630 nm, but absorbance at longer wavelengths is not stable. The 12 complex obeys Beer's law over the concentration range 0.4–6.4 g of uranium(VI) per cm³, has molar absorptivity 3.36·10⁴ dm³·mol^–1·cm^–1, Sandell sensitivity 7.0 ng·cm^–2, formation constant (log K) 9.32 and coefficient of variation ±0.77%. Effect of 60 ions has been studied and selectivity improved considerably in presence of CDTA. The method has been applied for determination of uranium content in a rock sample.     

Recovery of plutonium from phosphate containing aqueous analytical waste solutions using macroporous anion exchange resin

Distribution ratios of Pu(IV) between 7.5M HNO₃+0.75M H₃PO₄+0.3M H₂SO₄ media and a macroporous anion-exchange resin Amberlyst A-26 (MP) increased from 40 to 250 when 1M aluminium nitrate was added to the aqueous medium. When 1M ferric nitrate was used in place of aluminium nitrate the distribution ratio further increased to 850. The 10% Pu(IV) breakthrough capacities with a 5 ml bed resin column, using synthetic feed solutions containing 1M aluminium nitrate, were 1.4 g l^–1, 3.2 g l^–1 at flow rates of 30 ml per hour and 10 ml per hour, respectively. The corresponding 10% Pu(IV) breakthrough capacities in the presence of 1M ferric nitrate were 8.5 g l^–1 and 12.8 g l^–1. More than 97% of plutonium could be recovered from actual analytical phosphate waste solutions.     

Green synthesized AgNPs decorated on Ketjen black for enhanced catalytic dye degradation

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant-based materials as an alternative to chemical and physical routes provides economic and environmental benefits....     

Quantitative analysis of specific target DNA oligomers using a DNA-immobilized packed-column system

Although a DNA-immobilized packed-column (DNA-packed column), which relies on sequence-dependent interactions of target DNA or mRNA (in the mobile phase) with DNA probes (on the silica particle) in a continuous flow process, could be considered as an alternative platform for quantitative analysis of specific DNA to DNA chip methodology, the performance in practice has not been satisfactory. In this study, we set up a more efficient quantitative analysis system based on a DNA-packed column by employing a temperature-gradient strategy and DMSO-containing mobile phase. Using a temperature-gradient strategy based on T _m values of probe/target DNA hybridizations and DMSO (5%)-containing mobile phase, we succeeded in the quantitative analysis of a specific complementary target distinguishable from non-complementary DNA oligomers or other similar DNA samples. In addition, two different target DNA oligomers even with similar T _m values were separated and detected quantitatively by using a packed column carrying two different DNA probes.     

Base sequence- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>m</Subscript>-dependent DNA oligomer separation by open tubular capillary columns carrying complementary DNA oligomers as probes

DNA chips prepared on a flat glass surface have unavoidable drawbacks when used for quantitative analysis. In an attempt to overcome this problem, we constructed an HPLC-type system suitable for quantitative analysis that enables base sequence- and T _m-dependent DNA oligomer separation in a flow system. A small open tubular capillary column (300-mm × 100-μm I.D.) was used. The DNA oligomers used as probes had an amino group at the 5′-end and were immobilized on the inner silica surface of the capillary column which had been sequentially treated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, butyltrimethoxysilane, and disuccinimidylglutarate. Using the combination of probe-immobilized column placed in a column oven equipped with temperature gradient function, a nano-flow-controllable pump, a small sample-loading injector, and a capillary-fitted UV detector, we succeeded in separating complementary and non-complementary DNA oligomers in specific and quantitative modes. We also designed a temperature gradient strategy for efficient separation of target DNA oligomers in DNA mixture samples. Using a column carrying two different probes with similar T _m values, their complementary target DNA oligomers were also separated and detected. The developed DNA open tubular capillary column system investigated in the present study could be further improved as an alternative tool to DNA chips to be used for the quantitative analysis of DNA or mRNA samples. Kamakshaiah Charyulu Devarayapalli and Seung Pil Pack contributed equally to this paper.     

Studies on the dissolution of carbide fuels

The dissolution of carbide fuels was tried with the aid of various oxidants like H₂O₂, NaBiO₃, (NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆, (NH₄)₂S₂O₈, and AgO in nitric acid medium. During the dissolution, the carbon dioxide liberated has been measured. Among the oxidants studied, H₂O₂ and NaBiO₃ appeared to be more effective for dissolution of carbides. 200–300 mg of sintered uranium carbide sample dissolved within 15 minutes in the presence of oxidants H₂O₂ or NaBiO₃. Mixed carbide sample (70%) was dissolved within 30 min, whereas plutonium carbide required more than one hour. From the resulting solutions uranium and plutonium could be determined by conventional redox methods. More than 97% of plutonium could be recovered and purified from the resulting carbide solutions by conventionally used anion exchange method.     

An improved method for the potentiometric determination of plutonium using cerium/IV/ as an oxidant

An improved method for the determination of plutonium in an aliquot using cerium/IV/ as an oxidant is reported. Plutonium is oxidized quantitatively to plutonium/VI/ in nitric acid medium by cerium/IV/, the excess of which is chemically destroyed in a single step by hydrochloric acid. Plutonium/VI/ is then reduced to plutonium/IV/ with a known amount of Fe/II/, the excess of which is back titrated potentiometrically with standard dichromate. Results of analysis of 3–5 mg amounts of plutonium in aliquots containing standard plutonium nitrate solution are reliable within 0.2%. Effect of the presence of some relevant foreign ions has been studied. The application of the method for the analysis of mixtures containing various amounts of uranium and plutonium has been examined.