Improvement in Uranium Adsorption Properties of Amidoxime-Based Adsorbent Through Cografting of Amine Group

Amidoxime (AO)/amine co-functionalized polypropylene fiber adsorbents were prepared. The all-polymeric structures were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscope, contact angle meter and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis methods, confirming the grafting, modification, and amidoximation stages gravimetrically, spectroscopically, and visually. The properties for the removal of uranyl(VI) from aqueous solutions were investigated. For amidoxime (AO) fiber, high adsorption rate was observed within the first 30 minutes and the plateau value of 40.6% uranium loading (0.0812 mg/g) was reached at around 30 minutes. The adsorption equilibrium for AO/amine fiber was attained within 20 minutes, resulting in the adsorption of 92.6% uranium loading (0.185 mg/g). The percentage of adsorption increases with increasing pH value (2–6), reaches a maximum at pH 6.0 and then remains almost constant for AO/amine fiber, whereas reduces slightly for AO fiber.     

Determination of Trace Elements in Tea and Coffee by Neutron Activation Analysis

Thermal neutron activation analysis, a high-resolution Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectrometer, and an IBM 360/67 digital computer were used to determine the concentration of Na, K, Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sb, Cs, and Hg in ground coffee and tea. This nondestructive multielement technique requires neither pre- nor postirradiation chemistry and eliminates problems of reagent contamination. The method is simple, precise and sensitive to 15 elements. Interferences from fast neutron (n, p) and (n, α) reactions are small and, if necessary, corrections may be applied easily. This technique can be applied to percolated tea and coffee.     

Osteopontin: A Uranium Phosphorylated Binding‐Site Characterization

Herein, we describe the structural investigation of one possible uranyl binding site inside a nonstructured protein. This approach couples spectroscopy, thermodynamics, and theoretical calculations (DFT) and studies the interaction of uranyl ions with a phosphopeptide, thus mimicking a possible osteopontin (OPN) hydroxyapatite growth‐inhibition site. Although thermodynamical aspects were investigated by using time‐resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), structural characterization was performed by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) at the U L_III‐edge combined with attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. From the vibrational and fluorescence spectra, several structural models of a UO₂²⁺/peptide complex were developed and subsequently refined by using theoretical calculations to fit the experimental EXAFS obtained. The structural effect of the pH value was also considered under acidic to moderately acidic conditions (pH 1.5–5.5). Most importantly, the uranyl/peptide coordination environment was similar to that of the native protein.     

Solvent extraction of U(VI) by trioctylphosphine oxide using a room-temperature ionic liquid

The unique physical and chemical properties of room-temperature ionic liquids(RTILs) have recently received increasing attention as solvent alternatives for possible application in the field of nuclear industry, particularly in liquid-liquid separations of radioactive nuclides. We investigated solvent extraction of U(VI) from aqueous solutions into a commonly used ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide([C4mim][NTf2]) using trioctylphosphine oxide(TOPO) as an extractant. The effects of contact time, TOPO concentration, acidity, and nitrate ions on the U(VI) extraction are discussed in detail. The extraction mechanism was proposed based on slope analysis and UV-Vis measurement. The results clearly show that TOPO/[C4mim][NTf2] provides a highly efficient extraction of U(VI) from aqueous solution under near-neutral conditions. When the TOPO concentration was 10 mmol/L, the extraction of 1 mmol/L U(VI) was almost complete( 97%). Both the extraction efficiency and distribution coefficient were much larger than in conventional organic solvents such as dichloromethane. Slope analysis confirmed that three TOPO molecules in [C4mim][NTf2] bound with one U(VI) ion and one nitrate ion was also involved in the complexation and formed the final extracted species of [UO2(NO3)(TOPO)3]+. Such a complex suggests that extraction occurs by a cation-exchange mode, which was subsequently evidenced by the fact that the concentration of C4mim+ in the aqueous phase increased linearly with the extraction percent of U(VI) recorded by UV-Vis measurement.     

Engineering Short Peptide Sequences for Uranyl Binding

Peptides are interesting tools to rationalize uranyl–protein interactions, which are relevant to uranium toxicity in vivo. Structured cyclic peptide scaffolds were chosen as promising candidates to coordinate uranyl thanks to four amino acid side chains pre‐oriented towards the dioxo cation equatorial plane. The binding of uranyl by a series of decapeptides has been investigated with complementary analytical and spectroscopic methods to determine the key parameters for the formation of stable uranyl–peptide complexes. The molar ellipticity of the uranyl complex at 195 nm is directly correlated to its stability, which demonstrates that the β‐sheet structure is optimal for high stability in the peptide series. Cyclodecapeptides with four glutamate residues exhibit the highest affinities for uranyl with log K_C=8.0–8.4 and, therefore, appear as good starting points for the design of high‐affinity uranyl‐chelating peptides.     

The Ketimide Ligand is Not Just an Inert Spectator: Heteroallene Insertion Reactivity of an Actinide–Ketimide Linkage in a Thorium Carbene Amide Ketimide Complex

The ketimide anion R₂C?N^? is an important class of chemically robust ligand that binds strongly to metal ions and is considered ideal for supporting reactive metal fragments due to its inert spectator nature; this contrasts with R₂N^? amides that exhibit a wide range of reactivities. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a rare example of an actinide ketimide complex [Th(BIPM^TMS){N(SiMe₃)₂}(N?CPh₂)] [ 2 , BIPM^TMS=C(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂]. Complex 2 contains Th?C_carbene, Th? N_amide and Th? N_ketimide linkages, thereby presenting the opportunity to probe the preferential reactivity of these linkages. Importantly, reactivity studies of 2 with unsaturated substrates shows that insertion reactions occur preferentially at the Th? N_ketimide bond rather than at the Th?C_carbene or Th? N_amide bonds. This overturns the established view that metal‐ketimide linkages are purely inert spectators.     

磷酸三丁酯从硝酸介质中萃取铀（Ⅵ）的动力学研究

用上升单液滴法和恒界面池法研究了磷酸三丁酯-环己烷从硝酸介质中萃取铀(Ⅵ)的动力学。萃取过程为扩散控制,得到了在扩散控制下影响萃取速率的一些规律。     

离子交换树脂在湿法冶金中的应用

本文简要综述了离子交换树脂在贵金属、稀有金属、稀土金属、铀及其它放射性核素等金属的湿法提取分离与纯化中的应用。     

解密铀元素

简介了铀元素的发现历史、基本核性质、独特的电子结构以及相关的配位化学性质;同时,还介绍了铀元素在核燃料、分子催化、单分子磁体、超导等方面的应用。