Research Abstracts

We present a density functional theory (DFT) based study on interaction of alkali metal cations (Li+ and Na+) with macrocyclic crown ethers of different ring sizes. The minimum energy structures, binding energies, and binding enthalpies of crown ether–cation complexes have been determined with a cor

Separation of Cs+ from acidic solution was investigated using ammonium molybdo- phosphate (AMP) based sorbents. Four sorbents including two AMP powders and two composites prepared by coating of AMP powder on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads were used in this study. Equilibrium sorption isotherms

Heavy metals, such as, cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc can be removed from water using sorbents. The rate and extent of removal may be enhanced by choice of appropriate sorbents. In this study heavy metal sorption was studied on indigenously synthesized carbon nanomaterials (CNMs). Two CNMs differing

Ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) is widely used as a decontaminating agent in nuclear industry. The presence of complexant interferes in treatment of radioactive effluent. It is therefore essential to degrade EDTA prior to chemical treatment for effective management of radioactive waste. Photoc

– The effect of COD/O3-N ratio on the biodegradation of complex phenolic mixture was studied in bench scale hybrid upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (HUASB) reactors. HUASB reactor is a combination of a UASB unit at the lower part and an anaerobic fixed film at the upper end. The aim of this study was

Application of the liquid emulsion membrane (LEM) technology to the industrial scale is hindered by the challenges imposed by stability of the emulsion during the transfer of the solute (pertraction). One of the important factors which leads to the instability is swelling. Emulsion undergoes swellin

Carrier-assisted transport through liquid membranes is one of the important applications of supramolecular chemistry. This work investigates the use of synthetic carrier (ionophore) for the separation of metal ions. We have tested the effect of structure of ionophore on the separation of metal ions.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of uranium and thorium from solid matrices was carried out employing CO2. Direct dissolution and extraction of oxides of uranium viz. UO2 and U3O8 was performed. UO2 and U3O8 powders (0.02–0.05 g) along with 2 ml of TBP–HNO3 complex were taken in extraction vesse

Separation of high purity rare earth elements from their mixed oxides, obtained from monazite or xenotime, requires multiple stages of separation by circuits incorporating one or more solvents. The separation factors being small, a large number of counter-current stages become necessary. Process dev

A solvent extraction process for the production of nuclear grade Dy2O3 for its applications in advance heavy water reactor (AHWR) from a crude concentrate of rare earths containing Y2O3 ~ 67%, Dy2O3 ~ 22%, etc. has been developed and tested by bench-scale counter-current operations. The challenging