Sequestration of Pd2+ by polyamino-polycarboxylic ligands

The increase of the worldwide demand of “Platinum group elements” (PGE) for application in several fields such as industry, medicine, jewellery and, especially, in catalyst converter production, caused a noticeable increasing of PGE concentration in the environment. Though palladium, among the anthropogenic PGE, is not the most abundant one, it is the most hazardous since it undergoes easily and quickly oxidation to palladium(II) when in contact with soils, with a consequent increase of its mobility in the environment. The presence of complexing agents, which form soluble complex species with palladium(II), favours the mobility of the ion with an increase of its availability to plants, anim…

Protonation Constants of Halloysite Clay Nanotubes

Halloysite is one of the most interesting nano-structured clay materials. It is similar to kaolin but has a hollow tubular structure that can be attributable to particular crystallization conditions. Typically, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are formed by 15 – 20 aluminosilicate layers, has a length of 1 ± 0.5 μm and inner and outer diameters of 1 - 30 and 30 - 50 nm, respectively [1,2]. In each layer the SiOH and the AlOH groups are disposed on the external and the internal surfaces, respectively. The particular structure of HNTs makes this kind of material very useful for different purposes in several fields. Among the various applications, worth of mention are: i) their use as additive for …

Sequestering ability of landfill leachate towards toxic metal ions

The great part of municipal solid wastes is worldwide stored in sanitary landfills. The interaction of organic and inorganic wastes with rainwater produces in the landfill a leachate of extremely variable composition. It depends on several variables such as the type of wastes, the age of landfill, the pH, the redox potential, etc [1-2]. Four are the recognized categories of pollutants in landfill leachate: inorganic macrocomponents, dissolved organic matter (DOM), heavy metals and xenobiotic organic compounds [3]. In particular, heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, etc.) are usually present at concentration of few ppb and up to some ppm. A variable but consistent fraction …

Complex formation of copper(II) and cadmium(II) with pectin and polygalacturonic acid in aqueous solution. An ISE-H + and ISE-Me 2+ electrochemical study

The acid-base properties of pectin and its ability to complex with copper(II) or cadmium(II) were quantitatively determined in order to define the ability of this natural polyelectrolyte to sequester metal ions. Potentiometric measurements carried out at different ionic strengths (0.1 - 0.7 mol L-1, in Na+ ionic medium) allowed us to define the acid-base properties of pectin together with the dependence of the protonation constants on ionic strength and to calculate the protonation constant at infinite dilution. The formation of complex species between pectin and copper(II) or cadmium(II) was investigated potentiometrically (using H+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ Ion Selective Electrodes, ISEs) in NaNO3 a…

Capacità sequestrante di leganti S-donatori nei confronti di CH3Hg+

L’interesse nei confronti della chimica di coordinazione del mercurio(II) deriva dalla sua tossicità intrinseca. Sebbene tutte le forme di mercurio siano tossiche, gli effetti sull’ambiente e sull’uomo sono in genere legati alle trasformazioni ambientali di Hg inorganico a metilmercurio. L’elevata tossicità del metilmercurio(II) per gli esseri umani deriva dall’affinità del mercurio(II) nei confronti di residui cisteinil solfuri. I tioli a basso peso molecolare costituiscono i vettori per il trasporto e la distribuzione di mercurio nell’organismo umano a causa del fenomeno del "mimetismo molecolare”. Uno studio della chimica in soluzione del metilmercurio(II) in presenza di tali leganti for…

Acid-base properties of halloysite clay nanotubes in NaCl medium

Modelling of protonation constants of halloysite clay nanotubes in various aqueous media, at different ionic strengths

In the last decade nanoparticles have assumed more and more importance because of their particular properties mainly due to the nanometer-scale dimensions that confer them a large surface/volume ratio. Among nanomaterials one of the most studied is the halloysite that, as well as the other natural clay minerals is safe for human and environmental friendly. Halloysite is abundant and cheap and is present in large deposits worldwide like those in New Zealand, France, Belgium and China [1,2]. It is similar to kaolin but has a hollow tubular structure that can be attributable to particular crystallization conditions. Typically, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are formed by 15 – 20 aluminosilicate l…

Interactions UO22+ - amines

Production of VEGF and b-FGF in drainage fluid from patients undergoing incisional hernia repair

Thermodynamic Study For The Protonation Of Halloysite

The Halloysite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4·2H2O) is an abundant and cheap clay and is considered one of the most promising nano structured and naturally occurring clay mineral. Large deposits of this material are present in France, Belgium, China, New Zealand and USA [1,2]. Among the spheroidal, tubular or platy morphologies, the tubular is the most common and abundant one. Typically, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are formed by 15 – 20 aluminosilicate layers, having a length of 1 ± 0.5 μm, and inner and outer diameters of 10 – 15 nm and 50 -70 nm, respectively [1]. In each layer, the SiOH and the AlOH groups are disposed on the external and the internal surfaces, respectively. As consequence, in each nano…

Interaction of Dioxouranium(VI) ion with aspartate and glutamate in NaClaq at different ionic strengths

The formation of complexes species of the dioxouranium(VI) ion with aspartic and glutamic acids was studied in the pH range of 3 to 6 at 25 °C by potentiometric measurements (H+-glass electrode). Results gave evidence for the formation of the following species: (UO2)A0, (UO2)AH+, and (UO2)2A(OH)2 0 (A2- ) a glutamic or aspartic ligand). Investigations were carried out in a NaCl ionic medium at I (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0) mol L-1. The dependence on ionic strength of the formation constants was analyzed by the specific ion interaction theory (SIT) model. The formation constants at infinite dilution, obtained using this model, are log â110 ) 8.53 ( 0.03, 8.37 ( 0.05; log â111 ) 13.60 ( 0.05, 1…