Research Highlights
How Water and Ions Interact with Graphene Oxide Films
Membranes are useful for separating materials from solutions, and graphene oxide (GO) membranes might prove superior to those made from polymers because of their greater durability and mechanical strength, especially in applications such as removing radioactive elements from contaminated groundwater. Read more…
Scientist Gain Insight into Recycling Processes for Nuclear and Electronic Waste
The Hawaii and Alaska of chemistry, lanthanides and actinides are the elements that are always shown separately from the main block on the periodic table. Although they are split up from the more mainstream elements, they are important metals for applications such as nuclear power and magnets used in wind turbines and electric cars. Read more…
The Element of Surprise
Chemical elements on the periodic table also have family resemblances that could provide predictive insight into the way elements interact, leading scientists to not-yet-imagined applications.
In the case of one element, protactinium, chemical similarities produced by the configuration of its outermost electrons link two families of elements: the stable and well-known transition metals and the more exotic actinides. Read more…
Unique Interface and Unexpected Behavior Help Explain How Heavy Metals Act
Refining platinum, plutonium, or certain other metals often depends on how the metal behaves at liquid interfaces. The challenge? Scientists have limited ways to analyze the details of liquid interfaces. Now, researchers described in significant detail how water molecules surround a platinum-based ion. Their description includes an unexpectedly complex structure that forms on the liquid’s surface. Read more…
