Extraction of californium/III/ from aqueous pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate solutions with D2EHPA

Extraction of californium/III/ with di-/–2-ethylhexyl/ phosphoric acid /D2EHPA/ in heptane from pyrophosphate media is almost quantitative between pH 4 and 5. From tripolyphosphate media, however, two to three extractions are needed in the pH range of 3–5 to isolate Cf³⁺ completely. Reextraction experiments show that 1M H₂SO₄ can back-extract Cf³⁺ completely while two to three reextractions with 5M HNO₃ can only separate californium/III/. Reverse phase partition chromatography experiments were performed to recover 300 g of californium/III/. From slope analysis of the extraction data the composition of the extracted species has been found to be Cf/H₂P₂O₇/A.HA and Cf/H₄P₃O₁₀/.A₂.2HA from pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate solutions, respectively, where D2EHPA is abbreviated as /HA/₂.     

New data on the thermal analysis of diphasic mullite gel

A diphasic mullite gel has been synthesized by using Ludox and Al(NO₃)₃-9H₂O in ammoniacal solution. Both DTA and DDTA studies have been performed with a sensitive differential thermal analyzer system. Besides usual exotherm due to mullite formation, a pronounced exotherm between 800–1300°C has been noted. Considering previous XRD data, it is explained as due to formation of Si-Al spinel phase, which is subsequently transformed exothermally at 1320°C to mullite.     

Non-isothermal thermoanalytical studies on the salt roasting of chalcopyrite using KCl

In an earlier study [1], the isothermal kinetics of salt roasting of chalcopyrite under an oxidizing atmosphere using KCl was studied in the temperature range 523–773 K. The salt roasting reaction was found to be chemically controlled at temperatures below 600 K both under static air and oxygen atmosphere. At higher temperatures, the process was not thermally activated because of a change in the chemistry of the process. In the present study, the salt roasting of chalcopyrite using KCl under oxygen and static air atmosphere was studied by non-isothermal thermoanalytical studies up to 723 K. The effect of salt content, heating rate and particle size on the salt roasting behavior was studied using TG/DTA techniques at a programmed linear heating rate. The TG and DTA studies reveal two distinct chemical processes, one operative up to 620 K and the other from 620 to 723 K. The integral method of Coats and Redfern was used for the treatment of non-isothermal kinetic data. The non-isothermal analysis confirmed the chemical control mechanism at temperatures below 620 K. However, the activation energy for the process derived from non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis is almost twice as that deduced from isothermal measurements. In the temperature range 620–723 K, the kinetic data still obeys the interfacial reaction control model although the activation energy in this temperature range is very low.     

Antagonism in the extraction of uranium(VI) by the binary mixture of PC88A and benzimidazole

Extraction studies of uranium(VI) by the binary mixture of PC88A and benzimidazole show an antagonistic behavior in the concentration range 10⁻⁵–10⁻⁶M of PC88A and 0.005M of benzimidazole. Antagonism is observed due to the deprotonation of PC88A by benzimidazole forming an adduct resulting in the virtual removal of PC88A from the system.     

Tetrameric zirconium(IV) compounds derived from oxozirconium(IV) chloride and heterocyclic aldimines and ketimines

Summary Interaction of ZrOCl₂:8H₂O, [Zr₄(OH)₈(H₂O)₁₆]Cl₈ 12H₂O, with the heterocyclic, aldimines (PyAlA) and heterocyclic ketimines (AcPyA) in Me₂CO in the presence of HC(OEt)₃ yields white amorphous compounds of the type [Zr₄(OH)₁₂(H₂O)₈(PyAlA)₂]Cl₄ and [Zr₄(OH)₁₂(H₂O)₁₀(AcPyA)]Cl₄. Presumably these compounds have a tetrameric dodecahedral structure, derived from the parent. The analytical data, i.r., electrical conductance and t.g. measurements all favour the tetrameric formulation. The t.g. studies also indicate the intermediacy of complex species, which lose water and the Schiff base ligands, with increase in temperature.     

Protamine‐Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Biologically Triggered Drug Release

The fabrication of a mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)?protamine hybrid system (MSN?PRM) is reported that selectively releases drugs in the presence of specific enzyme triggers present in the proximity of cancer cells. The enzyme trigger involved is a protease called trypsin, which is overexpressed in certain specific pathological conditions, such as inflammation and cancer. Overexpression of trypsin is known to be associated with invasion, metastasis, and growth in several cancers, such as leukemia, colon cancer, and colorectal cancer. The current system (MSN–PRM) consists of an MSN support in which mesopores are capped with an FDA‐approved peptide drug protamine, which effectively blocks the outward diffusion of the drug molecules from the mesopores of the MSNs. On exposure to the enzyme trigger, the protamine cap disintegrates, opening up the molecular gates and releasing the entrapped drug molecules. The system exhibits minimal premature release in the absence of the trigger and selectively releases the encapsulated drugs in the presence of the proteases secreted by colorectal cancer cells. The ability of the MSN–PRM particles to deliver anticancer drugs to colorectal cancer cells has also been demonstrated. The hydrophobic drug is released into cancer cells subsequent to disintegration of the protamine cap, resulting in cell death. Drug‐induced cell death in colorectal cancer cells is significantly enhanced when the hydrophobic drug that is known to degrade in aqueous environments is encapsulated in the MSN–PRM system in comparison to the free drug (P < 0.05). The system, which shows good biocompatibility and selective drug release, is a promising platform for cancer specific drug delivery.     

Schiff base complexes of zirconium(IV) derived from Zr(acac)4

Summary Zr(acac)₄ undergoes ligand exchanges with various tri- and tetradentate Schiff base ligands, forming compounds of the Zr(L)₂ type (H₂L=tetradentate H₂Sal₂en, H₂Sal₂pn, H₂Sal₂ o-phen and the tridentate H₂SAP) and Zr(acac)₂L (H₂L=H₂SAN. H₂SAE). Upon reaction with a combination of tri- and tetradentate ligands, Zr(acac)₄ yields Zr(L)(L) complexes (H₂L=H₂Sal₂en or H₂Sal₂ o-phen; H₂L=H₂SAN, H₂SAE, or H₂SAP), which have been characterised by analytical data, m.ps, electrical conductivities, i.r. and n.m.r (¹H and¹³C) spectra, they have a coordination number of 6, 7 or 8.     

Organophosphinic,phosphonic acids and their binary mixtures as extractants for molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) from aqueous HCl media

Extraction studies of uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI) with organophosphoric, phosphinic acid and its thiosubstituted derivatives have been carried out from 0.1–1.0M HCl solutions. The extracted species are proposed to be UO₂R₂ and MoO₂ CIR on the basis of slope analysis for uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI), respectively. The extraction efficiencies of PC-88A, Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 in the extraction of molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) are compared. Synergistic effects have been studied with binary mixtures of extractants. Separation of molybdenum(VI) from uranium(VI) is feasible by Cyanex 301 from 1M HCl, the separation factor log being 2.3.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of ferromanganese oxide encrustations of Indian Ocean by the k0 NAA method

Hot electron injection into aqueous electrolyte solution was studied with electrochemiluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods. Both methods provide further indirect support for the previously proposed hot electron emission mechanisms from thin insulating film-coated electrodes to aqueous electrolyte solution. The results do not rule out the possibility of hydrated electron being as a cathodic intermediate in the reduction reactions at cathodically pulse-polarized thin insulating film-coated electrodes. However, no direct evidence for electrochemical generation of hydrated electrons could be obtained with EPR, only spin-trapping experiments could give information about the primary cathodic steps.     

Solvent extraction of uranium(VI) and molybdenium(VI) by Alamine 310 and its mixtures from aqueous H3PO4 solution

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium (VI) from aqueous phosphoric acid solution by triisodecylamine (Alamine 310), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), di-n-pentyl sulfoxide (DPSO) and their mixtures in benzene in the range 1–10M aqueous H₃PO₄ shows that extraction is maximum (80%) in the higher acidity range 6–8 M. Extraction of this metal ion by bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinicacid (Cyanex 301) and its mixtures studied in the range 0.2–1.0M aqueous H₃PO₄ is far from being quantitative. Antagonism in extraction by mixtures of extractants is observed in most of the cases. Extraction of molybdenum(VI) under identical conditions shows that it is quantitative in the lower acidity range upto 2M H₃PO₄. Separation of uranium(VI) from molybdenum(VI) is feasible by Alamine 310, TBP and DPSO, the order of efficiency being TBP>DPSO>Alamine 310.