Selectivity for Cs and Sr in Nb-substituted titanosilicate with sitinakite topology

The 25% niobium substituted crystalline titanosilicate with the composition Na_1.5Nb_0.5Ti_1.5O₃SiO₄·2H₂O (Nb-TS) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Its selectivity for radioactive ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁹Sr was compared with the TS, Na₂Ti₂O₃SiO₄·2H₂O, having sitinakite topology. The Nb-TS shows significantly higher uptake value for ¹³⁷Cs but lower for ⁸⁹Sr than the TS. To investigate the origin of selectivity, the ion exchanged Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ forms with the composition, Cs_xNaH_yNb_0.5Ti_1.5O₃SiO₄·zH₂O (x=0.1, 0.2 and 0.3, x+y=0.5 and z=1-2) and Sr_0.2Na_0.6H_0.5Nb_0.5Ti_1.5O₃SiO₄·H₂O, respectively, were structurally characterized from the X-ray powder diffraction data using the Rietveld refinement technique. Simultaneously the kinetics of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁹Sr uptake was investigated for the Nb^V free and doped samples. While the Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ exchanged form of Nb-TS and the Cs⁺ exchanged form of TS retain the symmetry of the parent compound, the Sr²⁺ exchanged form of TS undergoes a symmetry change. The differences in the uptake of Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ result from the different coordination environments of cesium and strontium in the eight-ring channel, that result from various hydration sites in the tunnel. The origin of selectivity appears to arise from the higher coordination number of cesium or strontium. Other effects due to Nb^V substitution are reflected in the increase of both, the a- and c-dimensions and thus the unit cell volume, and the population of water vs. Na⁺ in the channel to charge-balance the Nb⁵⁺↔Ti⁴⁺ substitution.     

TiO_2/CuPc/NiFe-LDH photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

Photoelectrochemical(PEC) water splitting is a promising approach for renewable hydrogen production.However,the practical PEC solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency is still low owing to poor light absorption and rapid recombination of charge carriers in photoelectrode.In this work,we report a ternary photoanode with simultaneously enhancement of light absorption and water oxidation efficiency by introducing copper phthalocyanine(CuPc) and nickel iron-laye red double hydroxide(NiFe-LDH) on TiO_2(denoted as TiO_2/CuPc/NiFe-LDH).An experimental study reveals that CuPc loading on TiO_2 bring strong visible light absorption;NiFe-LDH as an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst efficiently accelerates the surface water oxidation reaction.This synergistic effect of CuPc and NiFe-LDH gives enhanced photocurrent density(2.10 mA/cm2 at 0.6 V vs.SCE) and excellent stability in the ternary TiO_2/CuPc/NiFeLDH photoanode.     

Binary Zinc Azides

Pure, solvent‐free Zn(N₃)₂ was prepared by reaction of diethyl zinc and hydrazoic acid in aprotic solvents. The single‐crystal structure determination, along with the comprehensive characterization of α‐Zn(N₃)₂ and two metastable polymorphs, could be achieved for the first time. Since these data disagree in large parts with the known, previously reported values, all previous syntheses of Zn(N₃)₂, and for comparison Zn(N₃)₂?2.5 H₂O and Zn(OH)N₃ were reinvestigated, indicating that some of the earlier work has to be revised.     

Estimation of the solubility product of hydrocalumite–hydroxide,a layered double hydroxide with the formula of [Ca2Al(OH)6]OH·nH2O

From aqueous NaOH/Ca(OH)₂/NaAl(OH)₄ mixtures, after allowing short reaction times we observed the precipitation of Ca(OH)₂(s) at lower, and a mixture of Ca(OH)₂(s) and a layered double hydroxide, hydrocalumite (HC) at higher aluminate concentrations. From the maximum aluminate concentration, at which the equilibrium solid phase is still portlandite (i.e., further increase in the aluminate concentration results in HC appearing in the precipitate beside the portlandite), the concentration based solubility products of two polymorphs of HC with the formula of [Ca₂Al(OH)₆]OH·nH₂O (differing in n) has been estimated and was found to be log L_HC=−11.4 at 25 °C and −12.1 at 75 °C, respectively (where L_HC=[Ca²⁺]²[Al(OH)₄⁻][OH⁻]³) and at constant ionic strength (I=1 M NaCl). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published estimate for the solubility product of hydrocalumite. Additionally, from the composition obtained for NaOH/Ca(OH)₂/NaAl(OH)₄ mother liquors in equilibrium with Ca(OH)₂(s), attempts were made to extract the formation constant of the ion pair CaAl(OH)₄⁺. It was found, that the effects caused by the supposed formation of this solution species are too small to be reliably determined, which allowed an upper estimate for its formation constant, K, to be suggested in the temperature range of 25–75 °C (K<200 and 40 M⁻¹ at 25 and 75 °C, respectively).     

Biohybrid based on layered terbium hydroxide and applications as drug carrier and biological fluorescence probe

Aspirin (abbr. ASA) is intercalated into the layered terbium hydroxide (LTbH) by anion exchange method. Structure, chemical compositions, thermostability, morphology, luminescence property, cytotoxic effects and controlled‐release behaviors have been investigated. The ASA molecules may embed between layers with monolayered vertical arrangement, and the thermal stability of organics was enhanced after intercalation. The Tb³⁺ luminescence in ASA‐LTbH composites was enhanced compared with LTbH precusor and the luminescence intensity increased with the deprotonation degree. The cytotoxic effect of LTbH was observed with a sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay, which revealed that the LTbH showed low cytotoxic effects. In addition, the ASA‐LTbH composites exhibited a sustained release of ASA in Na₂HPO₄‐NaH₂PO₄ buffer solution at pH 6.86 and 37°C. Construction of LRHs composites with drug molecules provided a beneficial pathway for preparing biohybrid based on LRHs, which may have potential applications in drug delivery carrier and biological fluorescence probe.     

Der Einsatz von Sorbentien räumlich-globulrer Struktur zur Abtrennung radioaktiver Verunreinigungen aus Wasser

Abstract

Possibilities of using a new generation of sorbents have been investigated. Polymers of spatial-globular (spherulitic) structure (RGS polymers) have been tested to separate Cs, Sr and rare earth elements – which can also be radioactive contaminants – from different waters.

RGS polymers are both, solids and highly-disperse systems being extremely permeable to fluids and gases with low pressure decline. They were currently used to clean industrial waste-water.

It is shown that these polymers can be used successfully to separate radionuclides. Polymers RGS-81 and RGS-112 have high distribution coefficients for CS, Sr, Sc, the lanthanide series and Hf in weakly acid solutions. In HF solutions, Sc and Hf can be separated from Cs, Sr and the lanthanides.     

Bis(β-Difunctional) Compounds: Versatile Starting Materials for Novel Bis(Heterocycles)

New bis(β-difunctional) compounds could be prepared in good yields. Their utility as intermediates in the synthesis of novel bis(heterocycles) were also investigated.     

CsF/[bmim][BF4]: An efficient and reusable system for Henry reaction

Cesium fluorides in ionic liquid [bmim][BF₄] have been used to promote the Henry reaction effectively. These reactions proceed smoothly and afford an excellent yield of the products.     

Correlation between Boron Isotope of Coral Acropora and pH Value of Seawater Surface

A water circulation system with the almost same element composition and socket type was adopted in coral Acropora culture under different seawater pH value conditions and the data of the relationship between boron isotopic compositions of coral and seawater pH value by thermoelectric ionization mass spectrometer were obtained. According to the correlations between α_carb-3 of coral and the pH value of cultured seawater, α_carb-3 was not a constant but related to pH value, indicating that B(OH)₃ also incorporated carbonate. Therefore, the theoretical formula could not be used to calculate the seawater pH value from the δ¹¹B_carb value of the measured marine biological carbonate. The empirical equations obtained experimentally would be an alternative method to calculate the seawater pH value. In addition, the mixed precipitation of CaCO₃ and Mg(OH)₂ was found in aquaculture tanks with high pH value, and the δ¹¹B of the solid was significantly higher than that of cultured seawater. The result indicated that the presence of Mg(OH)₂ had a significant effect on the boron isotope fractionation, which deserved our attention.     

Synthesis of ionic liquid intercalated layered double hydroxides of magnesium and aluminum: A greener catalyst of Knoevenagel condensation

Due to their structural merits that arise from their stability and high surface area, the layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials have caused strong attention. These characteristics provided intriguing possibilities with improved efficiency for catalytic applications. In this work, the preparation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide ([BMIM]⁺OH⁻) intercalated by a facile approach in a layered double hydroxide (LDH) matrix is reported and its implementation as a greener catalyst is shown. Different physico-chemical techniques such as XRD, FTIR, TGA, and N₂-physisorption, HRTEM, and CO₂ adsorption are implemented to characterize the structure of the fabricated catalysts. The [BMIM]⁺OH⁻/LDH exhibit outstanding catalytic performance in Knoevenagel condensation, resulting from the high LDH surface area and synergistic effects between both the intercalated ionic liquid and LDHs matrix. Knoevenagel’s fabricated catalysts can be exploited to catalyze different condensations and can be reused well. This work therefore generates good opportunities in the field of catalysis for the preparing and implementation of LDH-based catalysts.