Ammonium Alum Research Articles

Low-temperature electrolytic coloration and spectral property of ammonium alum crystals

Ammonium alum crystals are colored electrolytically using a pointed cathode and a flat anode at low temperatures and under various voltages. SO3−, SO2− and O3− hole-trapped centers are produced in colored ammonium alum crystals. Characteristic absorption bands of SO3−, SO2− and O3− hole-trapped centers are observed in absorption spectra of colored ammonium alum crystals. Production and conversion of hole-trapped centers are explained. Current–time curves for electrolytic coloration of ammonium alum crystal and their relationship with electrolytic coloration process are given.

Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Ammonium Alum Hydrate Slurry Treated with Surfactants

Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Ammonium Alum Hydrate Slurry Treated with Surfactants

Effect of binder on the structure and mechanical properties of lightweight bubble alumina ceramic

The effect of binders such as ammonium aluminum sulphate, phosphoric acid and composite binder on the properties of lightweight bubble alumina ceramic was studied. The composite binder was composed of ammonium aluminum sulphate and phosphoric acid. Ammonium aluminum sulphate solution can improve compressive strength of alumina bubbles effectively but can not improve that of lightweight bubble alumina ceramic due to the fewer nano-alumina powders in situ decomposed of ammonium alumina sulphate. Trans-ball fractures occurred in thermal shock test. Phosphoric acid solution can improve compressive strength of alumina bubble ceramic because of promoting sintering properties of aluminum phosphate in situ produced by phosphoric acid and alumina component during sintering but decrease that of alumina bubbles. Along-ball fractures occurred in thermal shock test. The composite binder combined with the advantages of ammonium alumina sulphate and phosphoric acid and improved the compressive strength of both alumina bubbles and lightweight bubble alumina ceramic, and effectively reduce the amount of the binders and lower the product cost. At the sintering temperature of 1700 °C, with composite ammonium alumina sulphate and phosphoric acid as binder, the density of lightweight bubble alumina ceramic was between 1.20 and 1.60 g/cm 3, and the compressive strength was 18–42 MPa.

Effect of Composite Binder on the Property of Lightweight Bubble Alumina Ceramics

The effect of composite binder on the mechanical property of lightweight bubble alumina ceramics was studied. The ceramics were prepared using bubble alumina and α‐Al2O3 fines as raw materials, phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and aluminum ammonium sulfate (NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O) as binders. During sintering, most phosphoric acid react with aluminum ammonium sulfate and the rest react with bubble alumina and α‐Al2O3 fines, forming aluminum phosphate on the surface of the alumina particles, which effectively improves the sintering process. The mechanical property of the ceramic bonded by composite binder was greatly improved compared with that bonded by single binder

Evaluation of the reproductive and developmental toxicity of aluminium ammonium sulfate in a two-generation study in rats

Aluminium ammonium sulfate (AAS) was tested for reproductive/developmental toxicity in a two-generation study. Male and female rats were continuously given AAS in drinking water at 0, 50, 500 or 5000ppm. Water consumption was decreased in all AAS-treated groups, and the body weight of parental animals transiently decreased in the 5000ppm group. In either generation, no compound-related changes were found in estrous cyclicity, sperm parameters, copulation, fertility and gestation index, number of implantations and live birth pups, sex ratios of pups or viability during the preweaning period. Male and female F1 pups in the 5000ppm group showed a lower body weight on postnatal day 21, while there were no differences in the birth weight of F1 and F2 pups between the control and AAS-treated groups. Preweaning body weight gain in F2 males and females indicated a similar decreasing tendency at 5000ppm. In F1 and F2 weanlings, the weight of the liver, spleen and thymus decreased at 5000ppm, but no histopathological changes were found in these organs. In F1 females in the 5000ppm group, vaginal opening was delayed slightly. There were no compound-related changes in male preputial separation or in other developmental landmarks. In behavioral tests conducted for F1 animals at 4–6weeks of age, no compound-related changes were found in spontaneous locomotor activity and performance in a water-filled multiple T-maze. In conclusion, the NOAEL of AAS for two-generation reproductive/developmental toxicity was considered to be 500ppm in rats. Considering the aluminium content in the basal diet, the total ingested dose of aluminium from drinking water and food in this 500ppm group was calculated to be 5.35mgAl/kgbw/day.

Phenol Removal by Tyrosinase, Immobilized in Modified Poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone, with Inorganic Coagulants Application

Enzymatic removal of phenol from aqueous solution was undertaken by the combined use of partially purified mushroom tyrosinase, immobilized in modified poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone, and inorganic coagulants (potassium, ammonium and ferric ammonium alum). Under optimum conditions (pH=6.5, T=25 °C, time of transformation – 1h) immobilized tyrosinase catalyzed the complete oxidation of phenol in batch reactor during 8 cycles, and the total number of cycles with a high degree of phenol transformation reaches 15. Inorganic coagulants eliminate colored products of phenol oxidation in a broad range of initial pollutant concentrations (0.5-10 mmol/dm3). The removal rates in all cases exceeded 97%

Polarized Raman Spectra of NH4Al(SO4) 2·12H2O

The study by spectroscopie Raman relave to compound was interpreted and attributed one being based Theory of group and by comparison with others composed. The current studies of the polarised Raman spectra of give evidence that the disorder is indeed present in the ammonium alum. This is best manifested through the appearance of surplus bands in the spectral regions of vibrations of the sulphate anion.

Thermal characterization of ammonium alum

Thermal decomposition of ammonium alum was studied by simultaneous thermogravimetry (TG)-differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) attached to a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, so that each mass loss was related with the simultaneous endo- or exothermal behavior and to the FTIR absorption produced by the evolved gases. Apart from some clear dehydration and desulfation processes, other overlapping peaks were observed by DSC, TG, and FTIR. Optimal fitting to logistic mixture models was performed to separate the overlapping processes. Deconvolution of overlapping DTG peaks resulted in single constituent peaks, which were related to plots of some specific FTIR bands along time. Thus, a more accurate insight of the chemical processes taking place was obtained.

The use of repellents to reduce predation of tree seed by wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) and grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin)

The loss of tree seed through predation by granivores can be a major cause of regeneration failure in direct seeding systems. Five repellents that were of low toxicity or derived from foodstuffs were investigated for their ability to deter feeding by wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) and grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin). In experiments in controlled conditions, when given the option of feeding on unlimited amounts of untreated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), or wheat treated with aluminium ammonium sulphate, sulphonated fish oil, denatonium benzoate, ziram or capsaicin, all the repellents tested initially deterred feeding, although in one experiment mice showed some habituation to the repellents after 4 weeks. Capsaicin was the most effective treatment, and aluminium ammonium sulphate the least effective, possibly because it did not stick to the wheat grains. When ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) seed were treated with combinations of aluminium ammonium sulphate, sulphonated fish oil or denatonium benzoate, compared to the freely available untreated seed, mice were deterred by any treatment containing aluminium ammonium sulphate, with effectiveness again declining after 4 weeks. When a mixture of broadleaved tree species were sown on farmland, coating seed with aluminium ammonium sulphate or sulphonated fish oil had no effect on seedling emergence. Capsaicin derived from chilli peppers (Capsicum sp.) showed the greatest potential as a repellent in our work, but no repellent product containing this active ingredient is currently approved for plant protection uses in the United Kingdom. Given its relatively low cost, the use of aluminium ammonium sulphate, a non-toxic repellent based on an approved food additive, which is available formulated as a registered plant protection product in the United Kingdom, may be worth considering for direct sowings where predation pressure from mice is predicted to be particularly high, or where tree species with very palatable seed are being used, to complement other predation mitigation strategies.

ChemInform Abstract: Electrical Properties of Pure and Doped Ammonium Alum.

Pure ammonium alum, and Cr-doped and Fe-doped single crystals were prepared. The resistivity and pyrocurrent were measured as a function of temperature. The resistivity varies exponentially with temperature. The activation energy for all samples was calculated. At any temperature, the resistance increased with increase in Cr concentration and decreased with increase in Fe concentration.

Influence of sulfate ions on properties of co-precipitated Y 3Al 5O 12:Nd 3+ nanopowders

A new precursor of yttrium aluminum garnet with an approximate composition of NH 4AlY 0.6(CO 3) x (OH) y (SO 4) z · nH 2O has been synthesized via a reverse strike co-precipitation method with ammonium hydrogen carbonate as the precipitant and ammonium aluminum sulfate as the sulfate ions source. The evolution of phase, chemical composition and morphology of the precursor during calcination has been studied by means of XRD, XPS, DTA–TG, BET methods and FT-IR spectroscopy. The loosely agglomerated powders with narrow size distribution, spherical shapes and diameter of 50–60 nm have been obtained by calcination of the sulfate-containing precursor at 1100 °C for 2 h. The doping by sulfate ions enhances densification of Y 3Al 5O 12:Nd 3+ nanopowders compared to undoped ones. This leads to improved microstructure and optical transmittance of vacuum sintered ceramics prepared from sulfate-doped nanopowders.

Synthesis of three commercial products from Bayer electrofilter powders

Electrofilter powders, a by-product of the Bayer process for the production of alumina from bauxite, were leached with sulphuric acid to dissolve gibbsite and transition aluminas, thus obtaining a commercial aluminium sulphate solution and a solid residue. This residue is treated again under more drastic conditions with sulphuric acidic in a furnace at a higher temperature, is then leached with water and filtered, a small amount of solid remaining (α-alumina). The liquid is a highly acidic aluminium sulphate solution which does not fulfil commercial grade specifications; the liquor is accordingly treated with potassium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide to obtain potassium or ammonium alum. Experimental tests were conducted to investigate the synthesis of alum by crystallization. The effects on alum formation of various operating conditions, including the amount of potassium or ammonium hydroxide, temperature and seed alum dosage, were examined. The crystallization process was found to be quite effective in obtaining alum.

Seeded batch crystallization of ammonium aluminum sulfate from aqueous solution

Seed crystals of ammonium aluminum sulfate ((NH 4)Al(SO 4) 2··12H 2O) were grown in aqueous solution by cooling. The temperature of a crystallizer was lowered with no control by circulating cooling water through the jacket. It fell in an exponential manner. The effects of seed amount and size on the product crystal size distribution were examined. The product crystals obtained were of narrow and uni-modal size distribution with suppressed secondary nucleation if seed crystals were loaded more than a critical value. The critical value was determined and well compared with previously reported values for other material systems. This crystallization technique does not need any prior knowledge of the kinetics of crystal growth and nucleation. It is simple and robust, and can be easily applied to an existing crystallizer without installing any additional control systems.

Effects of urbanization on stream water quality in the city of Atlanta, Georgia, USA

AbstractA long‐term stream water quality monitoring network was established in the city of Atlanta, Georgia during 2003 to assess baseline water quality conditions and the effects of urbanization on stream water quality. Routine hydrologically based manual stream sampling, including several concurrent manual point and equal width increment sampling, was conducted ∼12 times annually at 21 stations, with drainage areas ranging from 3·7 to 232 km2. Eleven of the stations are real‐time (RT) stations having continuous measures of stream stage/discharge, pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, water temperature and turbidity, and automatic samplers for stormwater collection. Samples were analyzed for field parameters, and a broad suite of water quality and sediment‐related constituents. Field parameters and concentrations of major ions, metals, nutrient species and coliform bacteria among stations were evaluated and with respect to watershed characteristics and plausible sources from 2003 through September 2007. Most constituent concentrations are much higher than nearby reference streams. Concentrations are statistically different among stations for several constituents, despite high variability both within and among stations. Routine manual sampling, automatic sampling during stormflows and RT water quality monitoring provided sufficient information about urban stream water quality variability to evaluate causes of water quality differences among streams. Fecal coliform bacteria concentrations of most samples exceeded Georgia's water quality standard for any water‐usage class. High chloride concentrations occur at three stations and are hypothesized to be associated with discharges of chlorinated combined sewer overflows, drainage of swimming pool(s) and dissolution and transport during rainstorms of CaCl2, a deicing salt applied to roads during winter storms. One stream was affected by dissolution and transport of ammonium alum [NH4Al(SO4)2] from an alum‐manufacturing plant; streamwater has low pH (<5), low alkalinity and high metals concentrations. Several trace metals exceed acute and chronic water quality standards and high concentrations are attributed to washoff from impervious surfaces. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PANICHIITE, NATURAL AMMONIUM HEXACHLOROSTANNATE(IV), (NH4)2SnCl6, FROM LA FOSSA CRATER, VULCANO, AEOLIAN ISLANDS, ITALY

Panichiite, ammonium hexachlorostannate(IV), (NH 4 ) 2 SnCl 6 , is a new mineral species found in a medium-temperature intracrater fumarole (~250°C) at La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy. The mineral occurs as aggregates of minute colorless octahedra up to 0.2 mm in diameter on fragments of altered pyroclastic breccia, in association with alunite, anhydrite, bismuthinite, godovikovite, demicheleite-(Br) (BiSBr), BiSCl (IMA 2008–020) and two other new species, a sodium ammonium aluminum sulfate chloride (IMA 2008–057) and an ammonium bismuth chloride that is presently under study. Panichiite is cubic, space group Fm 3 m (no. 225), with Z = 4; the unit-cell parameter a is 10.064(1) A, and V is equal to 1019.4(2) A 3 . The X-ray powder-diffraction pattern is in excellent agreement with that of the synthetic compound; the strongest six reflections [ d obs in A( I )( hkl) ] are: 5.811(100)(111), 5.032(73)(200), 2.516(69)(400), 3.035(48)(311), 1.779(42)(440), and 2.250(39)(420). Chemical analyses obtained with an electron microprobe in energy-dispersion mode gave, on average, Cl 56.57, Sn 31.62, Br 1.53, K 1.05, total 90.77, with NH 4 + (by difference) 9.23, for a total of 100.00 wt.%, corresponding to the empirical formula [(NH 4 ) 1.90 K 0.10 ] ∑2.00 Sn 0.99 (Cl 5.94 Br 0.07 ) ∑6.01 . The calculated density for the compound with the above empirical formula is 2.423 g/cm 3 . The index of refraction n obtained using immersion methods is 1.68(1) (λ = 589 nm). The structure, including the positions of the hydrogen atoms of the ammonium ion, was refined from single-crystal diffraction data to a final R of 0.030 for 153 independent observed reflections [ I > 2σ( I )]. The six equivalent Sn–Cl distances in the octahedral SnCl 6 2− ion are 2.429(1) A, and the Cl...N distances are 3.559(1) A. The mineral (IMA 2008–005) is named in honor of Prof. Ugo Panichi, a pioneer in the study of minerals from Vulcano.

A new catalyst for glyoxal durable press finish of cotton fabrics

Aluminum ammonium sulfate was used as a new catalyst for glyoxal to minimize the decrease of physical properties of durable press cotton fabrics, and the optimum treatment conditions such as the concentration of glyoxal, molar ratio of catalyst to glyoxal, curing temperature and time were investigated. The retention of tensile strength and the whiteness of fabrics treated with glyoxal/aluminum ammonium sulfate was increased as much as to the degree of that obtained with glyoxal/aluminum sulfate while wrinkle recovery angles were as good as those of the latter. Some additives such as DEG, polyurethane and softener were used to improve the physical properties. When DEG or polyurethane was added to the glyoxal padding solution, wrinkle recovery angle (WRA) significantly increased while tensile strength and whiteness were not influenced. DEG added to the glyoxal padding solution increased the durability of DP finish. The softener added to the glyoxal padding solution increased the WRA of treated fabrics while it decreased the tensile strength slightly. The whiteness of fabrics treated with glyoxal alone increased while the WRA decreased slightly.

Evaluation of Pseudomonas syringae strain ESC-11 for biocontrol of crown rot and anthracnose of banana

Pseudomonas syringae strain ESC-11 and 250 μg/ml each of thiabendazole (TBZ) and imazalil reduced crown rot of banana caused by Fusarium aff. sacchari by 30–36% and 83–86%, respectively, in laboratory experiments. Four field trials performed in Costa Rica varied in treatment combinations. In field trials 1 and 2, 125 and 250 μg/ml each of TBZ and imazalil + 0.5% or 1% alum (aluminum ammonium sulfate) and ESC-11, and 250 μg/ml each of TBZ and imazalil + 1% alum reduced rot and mold. ESC-11 alone or with 0.5% alum significantly reduced rot and mold in field trial 2. In trial 3, 50 and 100 μg/ml of TBZ alone and with ESC-11 reduced mold. In trial 4, 125 μg/ml each of TBZ and imazalil and ESC-11, and 300 μg/ml each of TBZ and imazalil reduced rot, and 50 and 125 μg/ml each of TBZ and imazalil and ESC-11, and 300 μg/ml each of TBZ and imazalil reduced mold. In three field trials, there was no significant difference among treatments for latex staining. In field trial 2 only, combinations of TBZ, imazalil, and alum with or without ESC-11, reduced anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum musae. The complex of crown rot fungi, order of treatment application, effect of alum and fungicides on ESC-11, concentration of ESC-11, and level of disease may contribute to the variation in crown rot and anthracnose control by ESC-11. Though ESC-11 alone was not effective in reducing disease, further testing in combination with low rates of fungicide should be done.

The Role of Inorganic Metal Salts in Wastewater Clarification

An investigation into the ability of four inorganic coagulants namely; alum (Al2(SO4)3.18H2O), ammonium aluminum sulphate (NH4Al(SO4)2.12H2O), ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) and ammonium ferrous sulphate (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2.6H2O) in clarifying wastewater was examined. Results obtained from conventional standard ‘jar-test’ experiments indicated that alum was the most effective coagulant since it reduced turbidity of the wastewater to 0.64 NTU at a contact time of 300 min. Ferrous sulphate was the least effective coagulant, reducing turbidity of the wastewater to 3.45 NTU only at 240 min contact time, but when the contact time of the experiment was increased from 240 to 300 min, re-coloration of the solution was observed indicating re-stabilization of suspended particles. These findings tend to support the claim that alum is a choice coagulant for wastewater clarification.

Argon Plasma Coagulation with 1% Alum Irrigation Reduces Re-Bleeding Associated with Radiation Proctitis

Radiation proctitis is a known complication that occurs in about 20% of patients treated with radiation for pelvic malignancies. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) has been shown to be effective in radiation-induced proctitis, however, recurrence rates of bleeding are high necessitating repeat procedures. This is likely because all angioectatic areas cannot be treated in one session. Alum (aluminum ammonium or potassium sulfate) has been safely used in the urological practice for treatment of bleeding from the bladder in radiation cystitis.

Fabrication of alumina nanofibers by precipitation reaction combined with heterogeneous azeotropic distillation process

γ-Alumina nanofibers have been prepared from a precipitation reaction between aluminum ammonium sulfate and Baker's salt solutions followed by a heterogeneous azeotropic distillation process with N-butanol and calcination at 1173 K. Experimental results indicate that the terminal pH value of the reaction mixture should be kept at 7.00–8.00 in order to obtain γ-Al 2O 3 nanofibers. The resulting spherical aluminum hydrate precipitates are evolved into two-dimensional crystallized pseudoboehmite lamellae after the heterogeneous azeotropic distillation and then transformed into γ-Al 2O 3 nanofibers with ca. 3–5 nm thick and 50–150 nm long after further calcination at 1173 K. The formation of γ-Al 2O 3 nanofibers can attribute to the preferential growth along the longitudinal axis due to the inherent instability of the planar structure of the pseudoboehmite during the calcination process.