Using the Extraction–Pyrolysis Method in Synthesis of Bioactive Glass

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - The paper focuses on synthesis of bioactive glass with tailored properties achieved by doping it with oxides of different elements. The bioglass...     

Synthesis of High-Density Pellets of Uranium Dioxide by Spark Plasma Sintering in Dies of Different Types

A procedure for electric pulse consolidation of commercial UO₂ powders of various ceramic grades into high-density fuel pellets using dies of various types was studied. The influence of the parameters of spark plasma sintering (SPS) on the chemical composition of the initial powders and quality of ready UO₂ pellets was examined. The main advantages and drawbacks of the SPS process for consolidation of UO₂ powder in standard graphite dies were revealed. A novel alternative procedure for SPS of UO₂-based fuel pellets in Mo-based dies was suggested. High quality of the pellets (density 97.5–98.4% of theoretical, no C impurity, mean grain size no more than 3 μm) and mild sintering conditions (1100°С, 141.5 MPa, 25 min) make the process highly promising. The results obtained are of interest for the development and possible implementation of an industrial SPS process for production of ceramic nuclear fuel.     

Synthetic nanostructured wollastonite: Composition,structure and “in vitro” biocompatibility investigation

This article describes an original sol-gel (template) method for the synthesis of a dispersed form of nanostructured wollastonite (CaSiO₃), its gold nanoparticles (40–60 nm) functionalized form CaSiO₃/Au-NPs, and its composite in the composition with 20 mass% of hydroxyapatite CaSiO₃/HAp and synthetic hydroxyapatite, that are widely used in medicine for the reconstruction and regeneration of bone defects. The method provides the formation of porous silica carcass in samples with an average pore size of 100–160 nm due to the application of polymer siloxane-acrylate as a pore-forming template. The authors studied the processes of template destruction and phase formation in the composition of samples using TGA/DTA/DSC (thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis/differential scanning calorimetry), and XRD (X-ray diffraction analysis). The methods of SEM (scanning electron microscopy), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and mercury porosimetry were used to identify the morphology and study the structural characteristics (S_spec and V_por, pore size distribution) for dispersed nanostructured samples based on wollastonite and hydroxyapatite. An “in vitro” model was used to study the functional activity (metabolism and cytokine production) of innate immune cells (neutrophils and macrophages) in contact with the obtained samples and to evaluate the viability of cells, the activity of ATPase activity, the number of cationic proteins, and apoptosis of cells. The study is novel for these systems and contributes to the existing knowledge on the biocompatibility for “in vivo” model, which provides a complex evaluation of the quality of wollastonite biomaterials used as grafts.     

Processes for treatment of liquid radioactive waste containing seawater

The main sources of formation of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) containing seawater are determined, and the main problems arising in management of such waste are analyzed. Sorption methods for removing long-lived Cs and Sr radionuclides from highly mineralized (>1 g L^–1) LRW are determined. The main physicochemical and sorption characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks of candidate sorbents for removing Cs and Sr radionuclides are described. Examples of using SRM and VS-5 chemical reaction sorption materials developed for removing Sr from LRW with the mineralization of up to 60 g L^–1 are given. The results of studying composite materials based on BaSiO₃ and resorcinol–formaldehyde resins, intended for removing Cs and Sr radionuclides from seawater, are analyzed. Composite sorbents of such type efficiently remove Cs and Sr radionuclides from seawater. Processes developed by the authors and brought into practice at various plants of the Far East for treatment of multicomponent LRW formed in the course of operation, repair, and decommissioning of nuclear-powered surface ships and submarines are described.     

Organic waste utilization by means of thermal cracking

A processing technology of oil slime, tires, and polyethylene terephthalate has been investigated and suggested for use. In addition, the paths of its utilization have been found. It has been proven that the cracking of mixtures of wastes is more efficient, since it is possible to increase the key product output and to extract some specific products. Namely, the cracking of oil slime together with tires results in an increase of the output of liquid products and the content of aroma compounds by two times. By means of the cracking of polyethylene terephthalate, a profitable commercial product is extracted.     

Nanostructured Magnetic Sorbents for Selective Recovery of Uranium(VI) from Aqueous Solutions

Direct sol-gel, novel template, and additional high-temperature reduction procedures for preparing iron oxides and their composites, showing promise for selective sorption of dissolved U(VI) from aqueous media of various acidities, are described. The sorption activity of the materials was studied, the kinetic curves of the sorption were obtained, and the efficiency of the selective recovery of U(VI) from aqueous solutions with different pH values using the new sorbents was compared. The probable mechanism of the U(VI) sorption onto the sorbents studied was suggested on the basis of SEM, XPS, emf, and BET data. The quantitative sorption of U(VI) is determined to a greater extent by the composition of the sorbent solid phase, rather then by the specific surface area of the sorbents, which ranges from 0.1 to 47.3 m² g^?1 depending on the synthesis procedure. The crystalline Fe⁰ phase in the sorbents prepared using additional high-temperature reduction plays the key role in the U(VI) sorption by the reducing deposition mechanism. The saturation magnetization for this type of sorbents can reach 133–140 emu g^?1, which is an additional advantage allowing magnetic separation of the spent sorbents from the treated solutions.

     

Spark Plasma Sintering of Aluminosilicate Ceramic Matrices for Immobilization of Cesium Radionuclides

Radiochemistry - The possibility of using spark plasma sintering (SPS) for preparing high-density ceramic matrices suitable for firm long-term immobilization of Cs radionuclides was examined. The...