Determination of239,240Pu and241Am in environmental samples

An accurate and reliable method has been developed and routinely carried out for the sequential determination of^239,240Pu and²⁴¹Am in environmental samples. After suitable pretreatment.^239,240Pu and²⁴¹Am are separated from other elements by means of the anion exchange resin method. Americium-241 is purified by coprecipitation with calcium oxalate and then ion exchanged in mixed media of the mineral acid-methanol. In the analysis,²⁴²Pu (or²³⁶Pu) and²⁴⁴Cm are used as chemical yield monitors. The recoveries of the yield monitors in the analyses of some kinds of environmental samples were 7080% for plutonium and 7686% for curium. The concentration of^239,240Pu in the coastal sea water were 7.022 Bq/l and that of²⁴¹Am was 1.26.3 Bq/l. The mean concentrations of^239,240Pu in the edible parts of the marine products ranged from 0.22 to 7.4 mBq/kg · fresh and those of²⁴¹Am ranged from 0.11 to 2.6 mBq/kg · fresh.     

An improved method for low-level222Rn determination in environmental waters by liquid scintillation counting with pulse shape analysis

A method in which²²²Rn is extracted from 0.5 1 water samples to 20 ml toluene is described. 10 ml toluene solution with extracted²²²Rn is directly added to a glass scintillation vial containing 10 ml of liquid naphthalene based scintillation cocktail. Apart from diluting by toluene, the final counting solution still has excellent properties in terms of: / separation by pulse shape analysis, detection efficiency and background in the -region. The detection limit of²²²Rn for 0.5 1 water samples was 1.5 mBq l^–1 (for 12,000 s count time). The concentration of²²²Rn in different environmental samples such as rain, tap and mineral waters as well as deep well waters were determined.     

Comparative study on γ-radiolysis and energy transfer reaction induced by γ-irradiated NaCl in Methyl Orange and Methyl Red

A comparative study on -radiolysis and energy transfer reaction induced by -irradiated sodium chloride in azo-dye indicators, viz. Methyl Orange and Methyl Red are undertaken. These indicators undergo degradation following first order kinetics, the determined rate constants being 1.05·10^–8 rad^–1 for Methyl Orange and 5.00·10^–7 rad^–1 for Methyl Red, respectively. TheG-values are also determined and are found to be lower for Methyl Orange (8.60·10^–6) and higher for Methyl Red (4.05·10^–3), suggesting that the former is more resistent to radiation degradation as compared to the latter.     

Rapid determination of selenium in various marine species by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine selenium concentrations in several marine organisms including two certified reference materials /NRCC lobster hepatopancreas, NBS oyster tissue/ and one uncertified material /IAEA fish homogenate/. The⁷⁶Se/n, /^77mSe/T=17.4 s/ reaction was successfully employed to achieve an overall precision between 3–10% and detection limits between 0.3–0.6 g/g. The accuracy of the results, as compared to the certified values, was in excellent agreement with the NBS material and only slightly lower /9%/ for the NRCC material.     

Simultaneous determination of lead-210, gross beta and gross alpha activities of air filters by pulse shape discrimination liquid scintillation counting

A chemical procedure for transferring deposited solid matter from a cellulose filter into the liquid scintillation cocktail has been described. The influence of chemical and color quenching on alpha and beta detection efficiency, as well as on misclassification of beta and alpha pulses was corrected by an external standard method. Under the chosen pulse shape discrimination level (PSD), the alpha and beta detection efficiencies were above 85% and spillovers of alpha and beta pulses were below 10% and 2% respectively. Determination limits for samples containing up to 200 mg of mineral matter were 0.015 mBq m^–3 for alpha, 0.055 mBq.m^–3 for²¹⁰Pb and 0.055 mBq.m^–3 for beta activity (counting time 12000 s and volume of filtered air 1000 m³). The method has been applied for routine monitoring of²¹⁰Pb as well as for gross alpha and beta activities of longer-living radionuclides (T_1/2.>11 hrs) in suspended air matter.     

Conductivity of Aqueous Solutions of Low-Molecular Chitosan

Solutions of chitosan with molecular weight (MW) of 20000, 9600, and 3700 Da are studied conductimetrically and viscosimetrically. The dependence of solution conductivity on the chitosan concentration begins to deviate from linearity simultaneously with an abrupt increase in the solution viscosity starting from concentrations of 20–30 g l^–1. The fraction of free counterions (Cl^–, CH₃COO^–) in the 0.1 g-equiv l^–1 chitosan solutions significantly depends on the sample's MW. The charge is transferred in solutions predominantly by chloride and acetate ions, with the high-MW cation barely contributing to conduction.     

The composition of volatile and particulate hydrocarbons in urban air

Summary The hydrocarbon composition of the particle and gas phases in the urban atmosphere has been studied by filtration and parallel adsorption on active charcoal and polyurethane foam (PUF). Gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been used for the analysis of the organic matter extracts obtained with each system. In the case of the particle and PUF samples these extracts were fractionated into aliphatic and aromatic compounds. This approach has allowed to identify up to 247 hydrocarbon molecules showing that C0–C5 alkylbenzenes are the major compounds in the charcoal extracts whereas C14–C23 n-alkanes, C0–C4 alkylnaphthalenes, C0–C4 alkylbiphenyls and C3–C5 alkylbenzenes are those predominantly found in the PUF materials. The particles essentially contain C17–C38 n-alkanes and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These qualitative differences are paralleled by a progressive concentration decrease from the more to the less volatile hydrocarbons. Thus, the total charcoal extracts average 80 g/m³, the PUF compounds represent 4 /m³ and the particle hydrocarbons 0.7 g/m³. These latter airborne materials are essentially composed of petrogenic residues 0.6 g/m³ (aliphatic fraction) whereas the pyrolytic PAH only involve 0.08 g/m³.     

Insertion of 3d- and 4f-Elements into Silver Iodide

The interaction of manganese and some 4f-metals (M) with silver iodide is studied. The samples are obtained by sputtering M onto the surface of polycrystalline AgI films (0.2 m, 300 K) in a vacuum. Optical absorption in the samples is interpreted as the insertion of M ions into AgI with the formation of dopants AgI:M. A new phase with an optical bandgap of 3.7 eV emerges in the samples with elevated concentrations of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, or Dy (n _M/n _Ag 0.1). X-ray diffraction patterns for such samples with Sm correspond to structures with large interfacial distances, for example, 0.99, 0.87, 0.76, and 0.67 nm. In air, AgI forms in the samples with a new phase; this process is hindered by the sputtered protective coatings. According to optical absorption data, X-ray diffraction, and local microanalysis the Mn insertion into AgI is followed by the formation of a new phase (2Ag:Mn:4I), which may belong with solid electrolytes Ag₂MI₄, where nonmagnetic M are known (Zn, Cd, Sn, Hg, Pb).     

Radionuclide content in some building materials and their radon exhalation

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in sands, gravels, cements and in different kinds of concretes were measured by -spectrometric methods. The²²²Rn exhalation rate from concretes was measured by closed chamber method and the emanation coefficient was calculated. Both used methods are described in detail and obtained results are discussed from point of view of allowed hygienic limits.     

Terpenes in organic synthesis

A seven-step synthesis ofS-(+)-hydroprene (S-1) in 20 % overall yield starting fromS-(+)-3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene (2) of 55+-10 % optical purity is described. The introduction of an optical enhancement step in the synthetic sequence at the stage ofS-(–)-3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol (9) raises the optical purity ofS-1 from 50 % to 80 %.For part 13, see. ref.¹ Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 342–348, February, 1993.     

On-stream measurement of heavy water concentration by intermediate neutron moderation

A method of measuring heavy water concentration is described based on intermediate neutron moderation. With a 1.6 g²⁵²Cf neutron source and a BF₃ proportional counter, for 500 ml samples, accuracies of the measurements are within ±0.02 mol% in the concentration range of 0100 mol% with 210 minute counting. To evaluate the practical effectiveness of the method, a model apparatus was built for routine use in laboratory and on-stream measurements. It was successfully applied to observe the substitution process between light water and heavy water in an ion exchange resin tower at a nuclear power station.     

Methods for the preparation of mercury and osmium samples suitable for ion microprobe measurements

Using radiotracer solutions of Hg (²⁰³Hg) and Os (¹⁸⁵Os), techniques have been developed for sampling these elements presumably suitable for ion probe measurements. Mercury has been electrodeposited on the cross-sectional area (5 mm²) of an electrochemically pure Cu wire giving a recovery 25 to 30% at the tip. Similar efficiency is found for Hg distillate solutions. Osmium has been collected in a Ni–NiS bead after loading its thiourea complex solution on filter paper. The recovery in the bead is 80–90%. These methods should be of help for isotopic study of these elements by ion microprobe. The suitability of these samples for measurements remains unconfirmed.     

Vacuum-Annealed Undoped Polycrystalline Diamond: a New Electrode Material

Electrochemical behavior of undoped polycrystalline diamond films annealed in a vacuum at 1775 to 1915 K is studied. The annealing at temperatures over 1825 K imparts conductance to initially insulating films, which permits using them as electrode material. With further increase in the annealing temperature to above 1915 K, the effective resistivity decreases from initial value of 10¹¹ to 10¹² cm down to less than 0.1 cm, the differential capacitance increases from 10^–3 to 50 F per cm² of geometrical surface, the transfer coefficients for electrochemical reactions in the Fe(CN)₆ ^3–/4– redox solution increase from 0.2 to 0.5, and the degree of reversibility of the electrochemical reaction increases. The observed changes in the electrode properties are caused by the formation, upon the annealing, of a nondiamond phase at the intercrystallite boundaries and defect areas in the crystallites; the outcroppings of the conducting phase play the role of active sites at the electrode surface. With increasing annealing temperature, both the amount of this phase and its conductivity increase.     

Sol-Gel Derived Nanocomposites and Nanoporous Oxide Powders and Related Coatings for the Reversible Chemisorption of Hydrogen Sulfide

Two types of nanocomposites and nanoporous powders and related coatings were prepared by the sol-gel route. These silica-based materials contain dispersed reactive oxides, ZnO and ZnCr₂O₄, respectively. Experiments evidenced their ability of reversible chemisorption of H₂S as ZnS. Their attractive porous characteristics (small pore size 2–2.5 nm, high specific surface area 900–1100 m²· g^–1, high porosity 50–60%) are not significantly modified during the successive treatments of H₂S chemisorption and oxide regeneration. These preliminary results encourage to pursue this study which aims at the preparation of nanofilters for the desulfurization of gas mixtures.     

Critical evaluation and experimental determination of the nuclear activation and decay parameters for the reactions:6 4Zn(n, γ)6 5Zn,1 1 2Sn(n, γ)1 1 3 (m)Sn (E. C.)1 1 3mIn,1 7 4Yb(n, γ)1 7 5(m)Yb

A best choice from literature was made of the isotopic abundance values for⁶⁴zn,¹¹²Sn and¹⁷⁴Yb, and of the absolute gamma-intensities for⁶⁵Zn,^113mIn and¹⁷⁵Yb. From these data and from activation method experiments, the following 2200 m·s^–1 cross sections were determined:⁶⁵Zn(n, )⁶⁵Zn; ₀=(0.726±0.0007) barn [cf. literature 0.76–0.78 barn];¹¹²Sn(n,)¹¹³(m)Sn; ₀(0.91 m⁺g)=(0.539±0.011) barn [cf. literature 1 barn];¹⁷⁴Yb(n,)¹⁷⁵(m)Yb; ₀(m⁺g)=(130+4) barn [cf. literature 65 barn].     

The determination of tin in explosive materials by thermal neutron activation analysis

A method, based on the measurement of the -photopeak at 332 keV arising from a¹²⁴Sn(n, )^125mSn reaction, has been developed for the rapid measurement of Sn at concentrations of 20 g g^–1, present as the cross-linking agent, in explosive charges. The method is comparative, and has a limit of detection of 0.6 g g^–1 and a precision of 5% RSD. The method requires no sample preparation and is economical in effort.     

The influence of ionic surfactants on the acid-base properties and tautomeric equilibrium of 2-dimethylaminomethylphenol

Shifts in the acid-base and tautomeric equilibria have been observed in aqueous solutions of 2-dimethylaminomethylphenol (DAMP) containing surfactants. Cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide increase the dissociation constants of DAMP (pK₁ 0.3, pK₂ 0.5), and anionic micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate reduce them (pK₁ 1.5, pK₂ 0.3). The constant of tautomeric equilibrium decreases when ionic surfactants are added. This is connected with the better solubilization of the neutral form by micelles.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1215–1218, July, 1994.     

Effect of oxygen deficit on the state of iron atoms and57Fe Mössbauer spectral parameters in YBa2(Cu1−xFex)3O6.0 by the results ofX α -DV calculations

The electronic structure of the clusters [Fe^mO_n]^m–2n, which model local structure defects arising in doping the tetragonal phase of yttrium-barium ceramics with iron atoms, has been calculated using the X-discrete variation (DV) method. According to the results of calculations of the hyperfine magnetic field and the quadrupole splitting of⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra in YBa₂(Cu_1-xFe_x)₃O_6.0, the gamma resonance (GR) doublet with quadrupole splitting ||2 mm/s is most likely attributable to the Fe atoms localized in the Cu(1) position and having the valence 2+ and a dumbbell configuration of the nearest environment cluster.Institute of Solid State Chemistry, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 71–76, July–August, 1993.Translated by A. Sergeeva     

Trigonale kristallfelder in oxidischen spinellverbindungen

Zusammenfassung Die Spektren der Spinellmischkristalle Ni_2-x Mg_xGeO₄ (0,0 x 1,2₅) und Co_2-x Mg_xGeO₄ (0,0 x 1,0) im Kristallfeldgebiet zeigen starke Unregelmäßigkeiten, die durch die kristallographisch begründete Annahme gedeutet werden können, daß Ni²⁺ und Co²⁺ sich in entlang der trigonalen Achse gestauchten Koordinationsoktaedem befinden. Es wird ein Kristallfeldformalismus entwickelt, der eine quantitative Behandlung dieser Spektren gestattet. Weiter zeigt sich, daß nicht immer, wenn eine trigonale Kristallfeldkomponente zugegen ist, Aufspaltungen der Oktaederbanden zu beobachten sind.

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The spectra of the spinel type phases Ni_2-x Mg_xGeO₄ (0,0 x 1,2₅) and Co_2-x Mg_xGeO₄ (0,0 x 1,0) in the crystal field region show remarkable band splitting effects. They can be explained by the crystallographically plausible assumption, that the coordination octahedra of Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ are compressed along their trigonal axes. A crystal field formalism is developed which allows a quantitative treatment of the spectra. Finally examples are given showing that band splittings are not always observed in the presence of a trigonal component.

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Résumé Le spectre des phases de type spinelle Ni_2-x Mg_xGeO₄ (0,0 x 1,2₅) et Co_2-x Mg_xGeO₄ (0,0 x 1,0) dans la région du champ cristallin montre des effets remarquables de séparation de bandes. Ils peuvent être expliqués par l'hypothèse cristallographiquement plausible selon laquelle l'octaèdre de coordination de N²⁺ et de Co²⁺ est comprimé selon l'axe trigonal. Un formalisme de champ cristallin développé ici permet un traitement quantitatif des spectres. Enfin on donne des exemples qui montrent que les séparations de bandes ne sont pas toujours observées en présence d'une composante trigonale.

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Aus der Habilitationsschrift D. Reinen, Bonn 1965.

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Herrn Dr. H. H. Schmidtke habe ich für die kritische Durchsicht des Manuskripts und der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft für die Bereitstellung von Sachbeihilfen zu danken.     

The Compressibilities of Liquid Phase Host-Guest Systems

The compressibilities of seven liquidphase, macrocyclic host-guest systems were determinedat approximately 25 °C and 3.4 × 10⁷ Pa.Each two-component system consisted of a cyclodextrin,a calixarene, or a crown ether as host and anappropriate solvent as guest. In each case studied,the host-guest system was found to be lesscompressible than the pure solvent, with thedifferences ranging from 2 to 18% of the magnitudesof the pure solvent compressibilities. These findingshave enabled us to better understand how strong,ambient pressure, intermolecular host–guestinteractions influence the compressibility ofsolutions. Both inclusion and solvationcontribute.