TETRA-BUTYL-MALONAMIDE AND TETRA-ISOBUTYL MALONAMIDE AS EXTRACTANTS FOR URANIUM(VI) AND PLUTONIUM(IV)

ABSTRACT

Two new symmetrical diamides, namely straight-chain alkyl substituted neutral tetra-butyl-malonamide(TBMA) and sterlcally hindered branched-chain alkyl substituted tetra-isobutyl malonamide(TIBMA) were synthesised, characterised and used for the extraction of U(VI) and Pu(IV) from nitric acid media into n-dodecane. Both the cations were found to be extracted as their disolvates. Interestingly TBMA extracted more efficiently than TIBMA but afforded poor selectivity for Pu/U separation. The thermodynamic parameters involved in the extraction, determined by the temperature variation method, indicated the reactions in all cases to be enthalpy favoured. Entropy was found to be counteracting the extraction of U(VI) and favouring the extraction of Pu(IV). The recovery of diamides from the loaded actinides could be easily accomplished by using dilute oxalic acid or dilute U(IV) as the strippant for Pu(IV) and using dilute Na₂C0₃ as that for U(VI).     

Correlating Photoluminescence and Photocatalytic Activity of Mixed-phase Nanocrystalline Titania

Mixed-phase nanocrystalline titania with varying rutile-content has been synthesized via solvent mixing and calcination treatment of sol–gel derived nanocrystalline anatase and rutile precursors. The mixed-phase nanocrystalline titania has been characterized using different analytical techniques for analyzing their phase contents, nanocrystallite size distribution, band-gap, and photoluminescence. The photocatalytic activity of mixed-phase nanocrystalline titania has been studied by monitoring the degradation of methylene blue dye in an aqueous solution under ultraviolet-radiation exposure. A strong correlation between photoluminescence and photocatalytic activity has been demonstrated for the mixed-phase nanocrystalline titania.     

AN IMPROVED PENG-ROBINSON EQUATION OF STATE WITH A NEW TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT ATTRACTIVE TERM

An improved form of the Peng-Robinson cubic equation of state has been proposed. The temperature dependence of the attractive term has been modified so as to accurately represent vapor pressures of several fluids with large acentric factors from triple point to close to the critical point. The prediction of saturated liquid volume is also improved by introducing volume translation term in the equation of state. Comparisons of theoretical results with experimental data are made for the vapor/liquid phase equilibria of 44 pure fluids including nonpolar, polar and associating fluids. Our results show that the modified Peng-Robinson equation of state can represent accurately saturated vapor pressures of the fluids investigated in this paper, and it is more accurate than the Peng-Robinson equation of state and its earlier modifications due to Stryjek and Vera (1986) and Twu et al. (1995rpar;. Incorporation of the volume translation term in the equation of state has been found to improve the accuracy of saturated liquid volume significantly.     

Photoelectrochemical study of passive films on aluminum

Photocurrent spectroscopy and Photoelectrochemical Laser Imaging (PECLI) were performed on passive films on aluminum. Cathodic photocurrents were measured between 2.7 and 6.9 eV. Photoelectrochemical laser images of the oxide covered aluminum surface were recorded in the presence of non-corroding (no Cl⁻) and corroding (Cl⁻) electrolyte.     

Electron microscopic demonstration of an adenovirus in the hepatocytes of birds experimentally infected with hydropericardium syndrome

The final part of this series attempts to evaluate the relevance of Nazi medicine for doctors today. Euthanasia, informed consent, the conflict of interests of the individual versus those of society and racism were as prominent themes of Nazi medicine as they are today. It would be foolish not to learn from experiences of the past. Nazi medicine can therefore never be an irrelevant subject of the days gone by.     

Effect of Moisture Content on Compression Properties of Directly Compressible High Beta-Content Anhydrous Lactose

Moisture sorption characteristics and the role of moisture on the compression properties of direct compression anhydrous lactose was investigated. Anhydrous lactose sorbed little moisture even when exposed to very high relative humidities. The equilibrium moisture content of the diluent was less than 1% at 55% relative humidity, 1.66% at 80% relative humidity and 2.03% at 92% relative humidity. An increase in moisture content of lactose resulted in a reduction in hardness of the tablets and increased pressure requirements to achieve specified hardness values. Heckel plots obtained from the compression data of the diluent were linear for all moisture contents. Yield pressures calculated from the Heckel plots increased at moisture contents greater than that of the original diluent. Differential scanning calorimetry performed on the diluent with 5.13% moisture showed that the added water was bound as the crystalline hydrate.     

Experimental Studies on Damage Growth in Composites under Dynamic Loads

Experimental investigations have been carried out to study the dynamic damage growth in glass/polyester composites. Detonation of two PETN explosive charges on a modified single edge notch (MSEN) specimen provides the dynamic load in the form of a planar tensile wave. High speed photography is used to record the dynamic damage events. The results show that damage grows perpendicular to the loading direction, similar to the static growth; the damage zone splits analogous to the crack branching in unreinforced polyester. The damage propagation velocity in a composite is higher than the crack propagation velocity in polyester resin. The damage area grows at an average rate of 4.3 m²/sec. Static experiments show that about 4 percent of the total energy is spent on the fiber-matrix interface debonding. The damage zone under dynamic loads is much higher than under static loads.