Incorporation of Barium Ions into Biomaterials: Dangerous Liaison or Potential Revolution?

In the present manuscript, a brief overview on barium, its possible utilization, and the aftermath of its behavior in organisms has been presented. As a bivalent cation, barium has the potential to be used in a myriad of biochemical reactions. A number of studies have exhibited both the unwanted outcome barium displayed and the advantages of barium laden compounds, tested in in vitro and in vivo settings. The plethora of prospective manipulations covered the area of hydrogels and calcium phosphates, with an end goal of examining barium’s future in the tissue engineering. However, majority of data revert to the research conducted in the 20th century, without investigating the mechanisms of action using current state-of-the-art technology. Having this in mind, set of questions that are needed for possible future research arose. Can barium be used as a substitute for other biologically relevant divalent cations? Will the incorporation of barium ions hamper the execution of the essential processes in the organism? Most importantly, can the benefits outweigh the harm?

Adsorption Evaluation for the Removal of Nickel, Mercury, and Barium Ions From Single-Component and Mixtures of Aqueous Solutions by Using an Optimized Biobased Chitosan Derivative

In this experimental study, the use of 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural (HMF) organic compound as a grafting agent to chitosan natural polymer (CS) was examined. One optimized chitosan derivative was synthesized, and then tested (CS-HMF), in order to uptake nickel, mercury, and barium metal ions from single- and triple-component (multi-component) aqueous solutions. The characterization of the material before and after the metal uptake was achieved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ability of the adsorption of CS-HMF was tested at pH = 6. The adjusting of temperature from 25 to 65 °C caused the increase in the adsorption capacity. The equilibrium data were fitted to the models of Langmuir and Freundlich, while the data from kinetic experiments were fitted to pseudo-1st and pseudo-2nd order models. The best fitting was achieved for the Langmuir model (higher R2). The adsorption capacity for nickel, mercury, and barium removal at 25 °C (single component) was 147, 107, and 64 (mg/g), respectively. However, the total adsorption capacity for the multi-component was 204 mg/g. A thermodynamic study was also done, and the values of ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 were evaluated.

Synthesis, structure and properties of solid solutions Ва1–хSn1+хF4 and (KyВа1–y)(1–х)Sn1+хF4–y(1–х)

We investigated the structure and electric conductivity of solid solutions of homovalent substitution Ва1–хSn1+хF4 (where х=0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.23) and heterovalent substitution (KyВа1–y)(1–х)Sn1+хF4–y(1–х) (where х=0.03, 0.05, 0.10 and у=0.03, 0.05, 0.10) with the structure of BaSnF4. It was been found that the substitution of 7 mol.% of Ba2+ cations by Sn2+ cations contributed to an increases in electrical conductivity. The solid solution Ba0.77Sn1.23F4 had the highest electrical conductivity (573=6.8010–3 S cm–1). The substitution of barium ions by potassium ions in the BaSnF4 crystal lattice allowed reducing the conductivity of solid solutions regardless of the substituent content. Only the phases containing more than 3 mol.% of K+ ions exhibited the conductivity which exceeded the value of the initial phase at the temperatures above 385 K. In fluoride-conducting phases (KyBa1–y)(1–x)Sn1+xF4–y(1–х), the following solid solutions showed the highest electrical conductivity: (K0.05Ba0.95)0.97Sn1.03F3.95 (573=6.7810–4 S сm–1), (K0.03Ba0.97)0.95Sn1.05F3.97 (573=1.0010–3 S сm–1) and (K0.10Ba0.90)0.90Sn1.10F3.91 (573=8.7010–3 S сm–1).

Ion Shuttling between Emulsion Droplets by Crown Ether Modified Gold Nanoparticles

Selective unidirectional transport of barium ions between droplets in a water-in-chloroform emulsion is demonstrated. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) modified with a thiolated crown ether act as barium ion complexing shuttles that...