Spectrophotometric determination of trace amount of uranium (VI) in different aqueous and organic streams of nuclear fuel processing using 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo-5-diethylaminophenol)

Orthogonal signal correction assisted multivariate regression approach for the estimation of uranium and acidity in PUREX process streams

A direct UV-Visible absorbance spectrophotometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of uranium and nitric acid concentration in the PUREX process samples. The simulated system consisted of uranium and nitric acid in concentration range corresponding to reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel discharged from nuclear reactor was prepared. The absorbance of these samples was measured in the range of 400-470 nm at a scan speed of 100 nm/s and resultant spectra were recorded. The changes in wavelength maxima of U(VI) absorption spectrum at different nitric acid concentration was utilized to determine the concentration of uranium and nitric acid in the sample by orthogonal signal correction assisted principal component regression. After the principle component regression the RMSEP for test data (Uranium: 3-21 g/L and acidity: 2-12 M) were 0.7 g/L and 0.4 M respectively. This method is superior to conventional method being followed for routine analysis of plant control samples in view of minimizing the generation of radioactive analytical waste consisting other corrosive reagents and reducing radiation exposure to operators during analysis. This method is amenable for online monitoring also.

Effects of Detoxifying Substances on Uranium Removal by Bacteria Isolated from Mine Soils: Performance, Mechanisms, and Bacterial Communities

In this study, we investigated the effect of detoxifying substances on U(VI) removal by bacteria isolated from mine soil. The results demonstrated that the highest U(VI) removal efficiency (85.6%) was achieved at pH 6.0 and a temperature of 35 °C, with an initial U(VI) concentration of 10 mg/L. For detoxifying substances, signaling molecules acyl homoserine lactone (AHLs, 0.1 µmol/L), anthraquinone-2, 6-disulfonic acid (AQDS, 1 mmol/L), reduced glutathione (GSH, 0.1 mmol/L), selenium (Se, 1 mg/L), montmorillonite (MT, 1 g/L), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, 0.1 mmol/L) substantially enhanced the bacterial U(VI) removal by 34.9%, 37.4%, 54.5%, 35.1%, 32.8%, and 47.8% after 12 h, respectively. This was due to the alleviation of U(VI) toxicity in bacteria through detoxifying substances, as evidenced by lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities for bacteria exposed to U(VI) and detoxifying substances, compared to those exposed to U(VI) alone. FTIR results showed that hydroxyl, carboxyl, phosphorus, and amide groups participated in the U(VI) removal. After exposure to U(VI), the relative abundances of Chryseobacterium and Stenotrophomonas increased by 48.5% and 12.5%, respectively, suggesting their tolerance ability to U(VI). Gene function prediction further demonstrated that the detoxifying substances AHLs alleviate U(VI) toxicity by influencing bacterial metabolism. This study suggests the potential application of detoxifying substances in the U(VI)-containing wastewater treatment through bioremediation.

Role of Redox-Inactive Metal Ions in Modulating the Reduction Potential of Uranyl Schiff Base Complexes: Detailed Experimental and Theoretical Studies

A mononuclear uranyl complex, [UO₂L] (1), has been synthesized with the ligand N,N'-bis(3-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,6-diamino-3-azahexane (H₂L). The complex showed a reversible U(VI)/U(V) redox couple in cyclic voltammetric measurements. The reduction potential of this couple showed a positive shift upon the addition of redox-inactive alkali- and alkaline-earth Lewis acidic metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺) to an acetonitrile solution of complex 1. The positive shift of the reduction potential has been explained on the basis of the Lewis acidity and internal electric-field effect of the respective metal ions. The bimetallic complexes [UO₂LLi(NO₃)] (2), [UO₂LNa(BF₄)]₂ (3), [UO₂LK(PF₆)]₂ (4), [(UO₂L)₂Ca]·(ClO₄)₂·CH₃CN (5), [(UO₂L)₂Sr(H₂O)₂]·(ClO₄)₂·CH₃CN (6), and [(UO₂L)₂Ba(ClO₄)]·(ClO₄) (7) have also been isolated in the solid state by reacting complex 1 with the corresponding metal ions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Density functional theory calculations of the optimized [UO₂LM]ⁿ⁺ complexes have been used to rationalize the experimental reduction and electric-field potentials imposed by the non-redox-active cations.

A novel CPE procedure by oil-in-water microemulsion for preconcentrating and analyzing thorium and uranium

A novel cloud point extraction (CPE) procedure was developed to preenrich Th4+ and UO2 2+ by oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion. Coupling CPE to ICP-MS, the separation and analysis were achieved at a trace level, in which the low detection limits were 0.019 and 0.042 ng mL−1 for Th(IV) and U(VI), respectively. N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-ditolyl-2,9-diamide-1,10-phenanthroline (Et-Tol-DAPhen), as an extremely hydrophobic extractant, was failed to dissolve in single or mixed micelles, but was successfully solubilized to CPE system owing to O/W microemulsion. The extraction efficiency and selectivity for Th4+ and UO2 2+ were excellent under acidic condition of 1.0 mol L−1 HNO3, and the recovery of ultra-trace Th4+ and UO2 2+ was almost 100% even at the presence of large amounts of lanthanides, exhibiting high tolerance limits for lanthanides. The solubilization, extraction and coordination behaviours were studied systematically via DLS, UV–vis, 1H NMR and FT-IR. Moreover, the solubilization of N,N′-dioctyl-N,N′-dioctyl-2,9-diamide-1,10-phenanthroline (Oct-Oct-DAPhen) and efficient extraction for UO2 2+ were also realized by O/W microemulsion, which further proved the feasibility of the method.

Reaction of Cu(II) Chelates with Uranyl Nitrate to Form a Coordination Complex or H-Bonded Adduct: Experimental Observations and Rationalization by Theoretical Calculations

Four new heterometallic Cu(II)-U(VI) species, [{(CuL¹)(CH₃CN)}UO₂(NO₃)₂] (1), [{(CuL²)(CH₃CN)}UO₂(NO₃)₂] (2), [{(CuL³)(H₂O)}UO₂(NO₃)₂] (3), and [UO₂(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂]·2[CuL⁴]·H₂O (4), were synthesized using four different metalloligands ([CuL¹], [CuL²], [CuL³], and [CuL⁴], respectively) derived from four unsymmetrically dicondensed N,O-donor Schiff bases. Single-crystal structural analyses revealed that complexes 1, 2, and 3 have a discrete dinuclear [Cu-UO₂] core in which one metalloligand, [CuL], is connected to the uranyl moiety via a double phenoxido bridge. Two chelating nitrate ions complete the octa-coordination around uranium. Species 4 is a cocrystal, where a uranyl nitrate dihydrate is sandwiched between two metalloligands [CuL⁴] by the formation of strong hydrogen bonds between the H atoms of the coordinated water molecules to U(VI) and the O atoms of [CuL⁴]. Spectrophotometric titrations of these four metalloligands with uranyl nitrate dihydrate in acetonitrile showed a well-anchored isosbestic point between 300 and 500 nm in all cases, conforming with the coordination of [CuL¹], [CuL²], [CuL³], and the H-bonding interaction of [CuL⁴] with UO₂(NO₃)₂. This behavior of [CuL⁴] was utilized to selectively bind metal ions (e.g., Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, and La³⁺) in the presence of UO₂(NO₃)₂·2H₂O in acetonitrile. The formation of these Cu(II)-U(VI) species in solution was also evaluated by steady-state fluorescence quenching experiments. The difference in the coordination behavior of these metalloligands toward [UO₂(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂] was studied by density functional theory calculations. The lower flexibility of the ethylenediamine ring and a large negative binding energy obtained from the evaluation of H bonds and supramolecular interactions between [CuL⁴] and [UO₂(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂] corroborate the formation of cocrystal 4. A very good linear correlation (r² = 0.9949) was observed between the experimental U═O stretching frequencies and the strength of the equatorial bonds that connect the U atom to the metalloligand.

The recovery of strontium from acidic medium using novel strontium selective extractant: An experimental and DFT study

In view of the limited solvent system known for the Sr²⁺ extraction from acidic media, extraction and recovery of ⁹⁰Sr from acidic medium using novel Octabenzyloxyoctakis[[[(N,N-diethylamino)carbonyl)]methyl]oxy]calix[8]arene (BOC8A) extractant in nitro alkane medium are presented in this paper. BOC8A and nitro alkanes have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR and GC-MS techniques. Solvent composition of 0.01 M BOC8A in nitro octane (NO) has been optimized for substantial amount of extraction of strontium from feed acidity of 3.5-4 M nitric acid, (D_{3.5-4 M HNO3} = 7.1-7.8). Poor extraction of Pu⁴⁺, Ba²⁺, Na⁺ and UO₂²⁺ and negligible extraction of Am³⁺, Cs⁺, Ru³⁺, Nd³⁺, Zr²⁺ and trivalent lanthanides are observed. Ion dissociation mechanism was found to be operative involving an extractable complex having Sr²⁺, BOC8A and HNO₃ in a ratio of 1:1:2. About 99 % of Sr²⁺ from the loaded solvent was recovered with 0.01 M HNO₃. DFT calculations were used to predict the structures of free, protonated BOC8A and its complex with Sr²⁺. DFT result showed reorientation in conformation of BOC8A due to protonation resulting in the Sr²⁺ extraction from acidic medium with significantly high interaction energy between Sr²⁺ and diprotonated form of BOC8A.

Khattab T. Recent Advances in Cellulose-Based Biosensors for Medical Diagnosis

Cellulose has attracted much interest, particularly in medical applications such as advanced biosensing devices. Cellulose could provide biosensors with enhanced biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity, which could be useful for biosensors. Thus, they play a significant role in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostic tools, forensic science, and foodstuff processing safety applications. This review summarizes the recent developments in cellulose-based biosensors targeting the molecular design principles toward medical detection purposes. The recognition/detection mechanisms of cellulose-based biosensors demonstrate two major classes of measurable signal generation, including optical and electrochemical cellulosic biosensors. As a result of their simplicity, high sensitivity, and low cost, cellulose-based optical biosensors are particularly of great interest for including label-free and label-driven (fluorescent and colorimetric) biosensors. There have been numerous types of cellulose substrates employed in biosensors, including several cellulose derivatives, nano-cellulose, bacterial cellulose, paper, gauzes, and hydrogels. These kinds of cellulose-based biosensors were discussed according to their preparation procedures and detection principle. Cellulose and its derivatives with their distinctive chemical structure have demonstrated to be versatile materials, affording a high-quality platform for accomplishing the immobilization process of biologically active molecules into biosensors. Cellulose-based biosensors exhibit a variety of desirable characteristics, such as sensitivity, accuracy, convenience, quick response, and low-cost. For instance, cellulose paper-based biosensors are characterized as being low-cost and easy to operate, while nano-cellulose biosensors are characterized as having a good dispersion, high absorbance capacity, and large surface area. Cellulose and its derivatives have been promising materials in biosensors which could be employed to monitor various bio-molecules, such as urea, glucose, cell, amino acid, protein, lactate, hydroquinone, gene, and cholesterol. The future interest will focus on the design and construction of multifunctional, miniaturized, low-cost, environmentally friendly, and integrated biosensors. Thus, the production of cellulose-based biosensors is very important.

Analysis of uranium removal capacity of anaerobic granular sludge bacterial communities under different initial pH conditions

The bacterial community of an anaerobic granular sludge associated with uranium depletion was investigated following its exposure to uranium under different initial pH conditions (pH 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5). The highest uranium removal efficiency (98.1%) was obtained for the sample with an initial pH of 6.5, which also supported the highest bacterial community richness and diversity. Venn diagrams visualized the decrease in the number of genera present in both the inoculum and the uranium-exposed biomass as the initial pH decreased from 6.5 to 4.5. Compared with the inoculum, a significant increase in the abundances of the phyla Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria was observed following uranium exposure. At initial pH conditions of 6.5 to 4.5, the proportions of the taxa Anaerolineaceae, Chryseobacterium, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Sulfurovum increased significantly, likely contributing to the observed uranium removal. Uranium exposure induced a greater level of dynamic diversification of bacterial abundances than did the initial pH difference.

A new optical sensor for spectrophotometric determination of uranium (VI) and thorium (IV) in acidic medium

A spectrophotometric method was developed for U(VI) and Th(IV) determination in acidic medium by using proposed optical sensor. This sensor is base on the complexation reaction of the ionophore midodrine hydrochloride (L) with U(VI)/Th(IV) in plasticized (o-NPOE) high molecular weight (PVC). Several parameters such as effect of acidic medium, response time and sensor compositions were studied. The determination of the complexes stoichiometry was also studied using Job’s method. The complexes stoichiometry were measured at the absorbance spectra 302 nm and the results were found to be 1:1 for both complexes U(VI)-L and Th(IV)-L. The complexation reaction was extremely rapid at room temperature; it takes 5, 10 min to complete the complexation reaction in U(VI) and Th(IV), respectively. Under the optimum conditions the calibration curves of U(VI)/Th(IV) determination, have good linearity at different acidic medium nitric, sulfuric, and phosphoric acids with low detection and quantification limits. The accuracy and precision studies proved that the proposed optical sensor is valid and qualified for U(VI)/Th(IV) spectrophotometric determination in different acidic medium. The selectivity of the proposed optical sensor was studied. The proposed optical sensor was applied successfully for U(VI)/Th(IV) determination in research and development (R&D) nuclear waste samples with satisfactory results. A comparative study of the proposed optical sensor with other previous spectrophotometric sensors for U(VI)/Th(IV) determination, proved the high efficiency of the proposed optical sensor, that it presents wide linear range and low detection limit. The proposed optical sensor could be applied for a quantitative determination of U(VI)/Th(IV) in acidic waste samples.

Br-PADAP embedded in cellulose acetate electrospun nanofibers: Colorimetric sensor strips for visual uranyl recognition

In this work, a new visual colorimetric strip based on cellulose acetate nanofiber mats modified by 2-(5-Bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(diethylamino) phenol was successfully prepared via electrospinning technology. The prepared colorimetric strip showed high sensitivity towards UO₂²⁺ with the yellow-to-purple color change signal. Upon the optimal conditions of solution pH at 6.0 and response time for 80min, the detection limit for UO₂²⁺ can reach 50 ppb. Moreover, the strip also exhibited excellent anti-interference ability in the presence of other metal ions. In order to achieve the quantitative detection for UO₂²⁺, a color-differentiation map was established, which was prepared from converted H values. Finally, the strip was also used to detect UO₂²⁺ in the seawater and showed high sensitivity.

Selective colorimetric and fluorescent quenching determination of uranyl ion via its complexation with curcumin

Under pH4.0 HAc-NaAc buffer medium, curcumin alone possesses extraordinary weak fluorescence emission. Nevertheless, the introduction of Triton X-100 micelles can largely enhance the fluorescence intensity of curcumin. Uranyl ions can complex with micelles-capped curcumin, along with the slight red shift of curcumin fluorescence (about 1-7 nm), a clear decrement of absorbance (424 nm) and fluorescence (507 nm) intensities, and a distinct color change from bright yellow to orange. The fluorescence decrements (ΔF, 507 nm) are positively correlated to the amount of uranyl ions in the concentration range of 3.7×10(-6)-1.4×10(-5) mol L(-1). The detection limit of this fluorescence quenching methods is 3.7×10(-6) mol L(-1), which is nearly 9000 times lower than the maximum allowable level in drinking water proposed by World Health Organization. Good selectivity is achieved because of a majority of co-existing substances (such as Ce(4+), La(3+), and Th(4+)) do not affect the detection. The content of uranyl ions in tap water samples was determined by the proposed method with satisfactory results.

Improvement of the cloud point extraction of uranyl ions by the addition of ionic liquids

The cloud point extraction (CPE) of uranyl ions by different kinds of extractants in Triton X-114 (TX-114) micellar solution was investigated upon the addition of ionic liquids (ILs) with various anions, i.e., bromide (Br(-)), tetrafluoroborate (BF4(-)), hexafluorophosphate (PF6(-)) and bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (NTf2(-)). A significant increase of the extraction efficiency was found on the addition of NTf2(-) based ILs when using neutral extractant tri-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO), and the extraction efficiency kept high at both nearly neutral and high acidity. However, the CPE with acidic extractants, e.g., bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) which are only effective at nearly neutral condition, was not improved by ILs. The results of zeta potential and (19)F NMR measurements indicated that the anion NTf2(-) penetrated into the TX-114 micelles and was enriched in the surfactant-rich phase during the CPE process. Meanwhile, NTf2(-) may act as a counterion in the CPE of UO2(2+) by TOPO. Furthermore, the addition of IL increased the separation factor of UO2(2+) and La(3+), which implied that in the micelle TOPO, NTf2(-) and NO3(-) established a soft template for UO2(2+). Therefore, the combination of CPE and IL provided a supramolecular recognition to concentrate UO2(2+) efficiently and selectively.

Development of an extractive spectrophotometric method for estimation of uranium in ore leach solutions using 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) and tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) mixture as extractant and 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylozo)-5-diethyl aminophenol (Br-PADAP) as chromophore

An extractive spectrophotometric analytical method has been developed for the determination of uranium in ore leach solution. This technique is based on the selective extraction of uranium from multielement system using a synergistic mixture of 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid-mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) and tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) in cyclohexane and color development from the organic phase aliquot using 2-(5-Bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethyl aminophenol (Br-PADAP) as chromogenic reagent. The absorption maximum (λ(max)) for UO(2)(2+)-Br-PADAP complex in organic phase samples, in 64% (v/v) ethanol containing buffer solution (pH 7.8) and 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid (CyDTA) complexing agent, has been found to be at 576 nm (molar extinction coefficient, ɛ: 36,750 ± 240 L mol(-1)cm(-1)). Effects of various parameters like stability of complex, ethanol volume, ore matrix, interfering ions etc. on the determination of uranium have also been evaluated. Absorbance measurements as a function of time showed that colored complex is stable up to > 24h. Presence of increased amount of ethanol in colored solution suppresses the absorption of a standard UO(2)(2+)-Br-PADAP solution. Analyses of synthetic standard as well as ore leach a solution show that for 10 determination relative standard deviation (RSD) is < 2%. The accuracy of the developed method has been checked by determining uranium using standard addition method and was found to be accurate with a 98-105% recovery rate. The developed method has been applied for the analysis of a number of uranium samples generated from uranium ore leach solutions and results were compared with standard methods like inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICPAES). The determined values of uranium concentrations by these methods are within ± 2%. This method can be used to determine 2.5-250 μg mL(-1) uranium in ore leach solutions with high accuracy and precision.

Advanced Measuring (Instrumentation) Methods for Nuclear Installations: A Review

The nuclear technology has been widely used in the world. The research of measurement in nuclear installations involves many aspects, such as nuclear reactors, nuclear fuel cycle, safety and security, nuclear accident, after action, analysis, and environmental applications. In last decades, many advanced measuring devices and techniques have been widely applied in nuclear installations. This paper mainly introduces the development of the measuring (instrumentation) methods for nuclear installations and the applications of these instruments and methods.