Molecular iodine selective membrane for iodate determination in salt samples: chemical amplification and preconcentration

A molecular iodine selective membrane has been used for preconcentration of I₂ generated in situ by iodometric reaction of with excess I⁻ in acidic medium (pH 1–2). This iodometric reaction amplifies the iodine content six times resulting in enhancement of analytical response ranging from three times for molecular methods to six times for elemental methods. The chemical conditions of this iodometric reaction were optimized for quantitative generation and subsequent sorption of I₂ in the membrane samples (96 ± 3%). The homogeneous transparent membrane was prepared by immobilizing I₂-complexing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the plasticized cellulose triacetate matrix. Four different analytical methods were examined for quantitative determination of in iodized salt samples by preconcentrating it as I₂ in the membrane matrix. These methods were: (1) spectrophotometry of the PVP-I₂ complex formed in the membrane matrix, (2) a radiotracer method using I⁻ tagged with ¹³¹I radiotracer, (3) instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), and (4) energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis. The contents thus determined in the iodized salt samples by the membrane-based radiotracer method were compared with the total iodine determined in salt samples by epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis (EINAA). The membrane-based method for iodate determination in salt samples has advantages over conventional analytical methods, for example preconcentration and chemical amplification, and is free from interference from anions. Figure A molecular iodine selective membrane was used for the quantitative preconcentration of I₂ generated in situ by iodometric reaction of with excess I^aˆ’ in acidic medium, which amplifies iodine content six times     

A three-dimensional metal-organic framework with a distorted Kagome related layer showing canted antiferromagnetic behaviour

Three-dimensional [Mn(3){C(6)H(3)(COO)(3)}(2)] comprising two-dimensional -Mn-O-Mn- distorted Kagome layers, formed by two geometrically different hexa-coordinated Mn(2+) ions, show less frustration and spin canted long range ordering possibly due to antisymmetric exchange.     

Direct dissolution of UO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and in situ extraction by TBP–HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and TiAP–HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> organic solutions at atmospheric pressure

Supercritical CO₂ assisted dissolution of metals and metal-oxides and in situ extraction by TBP (or co-solvent) has been reported in literature. However, in this work, the dissolution and in situ extraction by nitric acid solvates of TBP and alternate solvent TiAP has been reported for g-level UO₂ (essentially PHWR fuel pellet fragments) feeds at atmospheric pressure without requiring supercritical fluids. Encouraging results were obtained.     

Recovery of plutonium from carbonate wash solutions

A novel method has been developed for recovery of plutonium and uranium from carbonate wash solutions generated during solvent wash process involved in the reprocessing of high burn up FBTR fuel. The proposed method involves a selective coprecipitation of Pu and U by adding ammonium hydroxide to the pre acidified carbonate wash solution. Substantial removal of DBP by successive steps of coprecipitation, completely eliminates the possibility of undesired solid formation which is mainly due to the presence of high content of DBP. By adopting this method, an excellent decontamination factor for DBP has been achieved without any crud/solid formation. Phosphate content in the final oxide product meets the product specifications. Flowsheet condition necessary for the recovery process for plutonium from the aqueous carbonate solution is formulated and adopted in the CORAL facility.     

Adsorption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydrocinnamoyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-phenylhydroxylamine on pure minerals

Equilibrium adsorption studies of N-hydrocinnamoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine (HCNPHA) on galena, sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz at pH 9 and 10 are reported. All adsorption isotherms followed Langmuir model, however, Freundlich type was observed for quartz. As HCNPHA is a strong chelating agent, formation of monolayers by chemisorption appeared to be the most probable mechanism of adsorption on the base-metal sulphide minerals. Specific adsorption of HCNPHA on iron containing minerals, namely, chalcopyrite and pyrite, was about three times that on galena and sphalerite, and specific adsorption on quartz was the lowest amongst the minerals studied. Specific adsorptions (in μmol/g) of HCNPHA on the minerals at pH 9 are: sphalerite: 30.5; galena: 26.9; chalcopyrite: 112.3; pyrite: 145.4; quartz: 2.9. Compared to pH 9, specific adsorption of HCNPHA on the minerals decreased at pH 10, indicating hydroxylation of mineral sites due to higher hydroxide ion concentration at pH 10. A spectral-colorimetric procedure was developed for the quantitative estimation of HCNPHA. Due to deprotonation of hydroxamic acids direct estimation using UV absorption was not possible. Hence, complexation of HCNPHA with Fe³⁺ was used to develop a purple coloured complex that absorbs in the visible region with λ _max=500 nm. Change in concentration of HCNPHA was measured from absorbance of the HCNPHA- Fe³⁺ complex at 500 nm.     

Synthesis of a layered zinc phosphate, [NH3(CH2)2NH2(CH2)3NH3][Zn2(PO4)(HPO4)2].H2O,and its transformation to a extra-large pore three-dimensional zinc phosphate, [NH3(CH2)2NH2(CH2)3NH3][Zn3(PO4)(HPO4)3

An unusual two-dimensional zinc phosphate with pendant phosphate groups, projecting into the inter-lamellar space between the layers, has been synthesized and is shown to transform into a three-dimensional structure with 16-membered bifurcated channels, giving evidence for the building up process in the formation of open-framework structures.     

Quantitative property-property relationship (QPPR) approach in predicting flotation efficiency of chelating agents as mineral collectors

The QPPR approach has been used to model cupferrons as mineral collectors. Separation efficiencies (Es) of these chelating agents have been correlated with property parameters namely, log P, log Koc, substituent-constant sigma, Mullikan and ESP derived charges using multiple regression analysis. Es of substituted-cupferrons in the flotation of a uranium ore could be predicted within experimental error either by log P or log Koc and an electronic parameter. However, when a halo, methoxy or phenyl substituent was in para to the chelating group, experimental Es was greater than the predicted values. Inclusion of a Boolean type indicative parameter improved significantly the predictability power. This approach has been extended to 2-aminothiophenols that were used to float a zinc ore and the correlations were found to be reasonably good.     

Light-induced geometric isomerization of 1,2-diphenylcyclopropanes included within Y zeolites: role of cation-guest binding

Through a systematic study of several diphenylcyclopropane derivatives, we have inferred that the cations present within a zeolite control the excited-state chemistry of these systems. In the parent 1,2-diphenylcylopropane, the cation binds to the two phenyl rings in a sandwich-type arrangement, and such a mode of binding prevents cis-to-trans isomerization. Once an ester or amide group is introduced into the system (derivatives of 2beta,3beta-diphenylcyclopropane-1alpha-carboxylic acid), the cation binds to the carbonyl group present in these chromophores and such a binding has no influence on the cis-trans isomerization process. Cation-reactant structures computed at density functional theory level have been very valuable in rationalizing the observed photochemical behavior of diphenylcyclopropane derivatives included in zeolites. While the parent system, 1,2-diphenylcylopropane, has been extensively investigated in the context of chiral induction in solution, owing to its failure to isomerize from cis to trans, the same could not be investigated in zeolites. However, esters of 2beta,3beta-diphenylcyclopropane-1alpha-carboxylic acid could be studied within zeolites in the context of chiral induction. Chiral induction as high 20% ee and 55% de has been obtained with selected systems. These numbers, although low, are much higher than what has been obtained in solution with the same system or with the parent system by other investigators (maximum approximately 10% ee).     

Polymerization of acrylamide and methacrylamide photoinitiated by azidopentamminecobalt(III) chloride

The kinetics of polymerization of acrylamide and methacrylamide, photoinitiated by azidopentamminecobalt(III) chloride in homogeneous aqueous acid medium was studied systematically. Monochromatic wavelengths 365, 405, and 435 mμ were employed for irradiation. Polymerization proceeded without any induction period, and the reaction was followed by measurements of rate of monomer disappearance (bromometrically), rate of complex disappearance (spectrophotometrically), and the chain lengths of the polymer formed (viscometrically). The dependences of the rate of polymerization on variables like light intensity, light absorption fraction by the complex, wavelength, monomer concentration, hydrogen ion concentration, nature of the acid used (HClO₄, HNO₃, and H₂SO₄), etc., were studied. The rate of polymerization of acrylamide depended on the unit power of monomer concentration and on the square root of light absorption fraction k_ε and light intensity I. The rate of methacrylamide polymerization was proportional to the unit power of monomer concentration and fractional powers of 0.25 and 0.30 of k_ε and I, respectively. A kinetic reaction scheme is proposed and discussed in the light of the experimental results, and it has been concluded that (1) the primary photochemical act is an electron transfer reaction from the azide ion to Co(III) in the complex, (2) initiation of polymerization is by azide radical, (3) termination is by mutual destruction of polymer radicals.     

Complementarity and the temporal Uncertainty principle. Insight into the dichotomous formulations of the Curtin-Hammett principle. A new formulation

By the temporal Uncertainty principle, chemical systems may be described in terms of ‘kinetic’ or ‘thermodynamic’ complementary formulations, based on rate or equilibrium constants, and free energy changes respectively. Thereby, the paradox of the dichotomous formulations of the Curtin-Hammett principle is resolved. A new formulation of the principle is suggested, and a fundamental conflict with transition state theory is indicated.