Magnetically separable FeO-SiO/Pt catalyst and its application for uranium reduction.

Magnetically separable FeO-SiO/Pt catalysts with ~ 2% Pt loading have been developed for the generation of U(IV) in HNO-NH medium, used in the nuclear spent fuel reprocessing. Pt was impregnated in the catalysts via reductive heat treatment. The catalysts were characterized by x-ray diffraction, magnetization measurement, field emission scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope studies.

Spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of phosphate in water and soil.

A simple spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of phosphate dissolved in soil and water. The method is based on the formation of phosphomolybdate with added ammonium molybdate followed by reduction with hydrazine in acidic medium. Orthophosphate and molybdate ions condense in acidic solution to give molybdophosphoric (phosphomolybdic) acid, which upon selective reduction (perhaps with hydrazinium sulphate) produces a blue colour, due to molybdenum blue of uncertain composition.