Determination of sulfur-containing anions in alkaline solutions using arrays of DP-sensors based on hybrid perfluorinated membranes with proton-donor dopants

The influence of proton-donor properties and concentration of dopant nanoparticles introduced into Nafion and MF-4SС perfluorosulfonic cation-exchange membranes on the characteristics of cross-sensitive DP-sensors (sensors whose analytical signal is the Donnan potential) in alkaline solutions of sulfur-containing organic compounds were studied. The dopants were acid salts of heteropoly acids (HPAs) and hydrated silica SiO₂ and zirconia ZrO₂ surface-modified with sulfur-containing groups and an acid HPA salt. A correlation was revealed between the DP-sensor sensitivity to anions (and zwitter-ions) in alkaline solutions, size and proton-donor ability of the added particles, and diffusion permeability of hybrid membranes. Optimum compositions of membranes for arrays of cross-sensitive DP-sensors ensuring the simultaneous determination of cations and anions (and zwitter-ions) in the test solutions with an error of less than 18% were selected.     

Electrodialysis of Amino Acid Solutions with Bipolar Ion-Exchange Membranes

Bipolar membranes intended for the generation of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in order to convert bipolar ions of amino acid into cations or anions migrating through cation- or anion-exchange membranes under a gradient of electric potential applied to the electromembrane system are studied. The transport processes occurring in glycine and sucrose solutions under electrodialysis with bipolar and unipolar ion-exchange membranes are examined. The proposed method permits the separation of a mixture of amino acids and sugars.     

DP-sensors based on MF-4SC membrane and silica with hydrophobic surface for determination of phenylalanine,valine, and methionine cations

The influence of modification of MF-4SC membranes with silica (or surface-hydrophobized silica) nanoparticles on their ionic conductivity and diffusion permeability as well as the response stability and sensitivity of the membrane-based DP-sensors for cations of amino acids containing hydrophobic fragment has been studied. The membranes modified with surface-hydrophobized silica exhibited the 2–5 times reduced relative error of determination of the hydrophobic amino acids as compared to the initial membranes.     

Determination of glycine,alanine, and leucine at different solution ph with the aid of donnan potential sensors based on hybrid membranes

The cross sensitive sensors whose analytical signal is the Donnan potential (PD-sensors) were developed for the determination of the amino acids glycine, alanine, and leucine in acidic and alkaline solutions. Hybrid materials based on perfluorinated sulfo cation-exchange membranes Nafion and MF-4SC with incorporated zirconium dioxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles, including those with modified surfaces containing proton-acceptor groups, were used in the PD-sensors. The sensitivity of the PD-sensors to hydronium ions, which interfere with the determination of amino acids at pH < 7, was considerably decreased due to the use of the membranes obtained by an in situ method that contained silicon dioxide nanoparticles with amine-containing groups. The greatest sensitivity of the PD-sensors to the anions of amino acids at pH > 7 and the smallest sensitivity to the cations K⁺ were observed in hybrid membranes, which combined an increased rate of anion transfer and a low moisture capacity. The use of the PD-sensors based on hybrid membranes makes it possible to determine the cations, anions, and zwitterions of amino acids over a wide range of pH with a sufficiently high accuracy.     

Assisted Electromigration of Bipolar Ions through Ion-Selective Membranes in Glycine Solutions

At current densities above the limiting diffusion currents in electromembrane systems, bipolar ions of amino acids react with protons or hydroxyl ions that form during irreversible dissociation of water molecules at membrane–solution interfaces, convert into cations or anions, and then, after a gradient of electric potential is imposed on the system, migrate through cation-selective or anion-selective membranes (assisted electromigration). This phenomenon makes it possible to effectively separate solutions containing bipolar ions and nonelectrolyte molecules using electrodialysis with alternate cation-exchange and anion-exchange membranes.     

Hydrophobic ionic liquids in plasticized membranes of ion-selective eletctrodes

Ionic liquids with substituted imidazole, pyridine, and pyrrolidine cations and hydrophobic anions are studied as ionophores of PVC membranes of ion-selective electrodes plasticized with 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether. These membranes show a response to hydrophobic organic cations. In solutions of cationic surfactants, the slope of the electrode function is close to the theoretical one and the limit of detection does not exceed n × 10⁻⁶ M. Ion-selective electrodes for anions are developed using a trioctylmethylammonium salicylate ionic liquid. The electrode on its basis shows a stable potentiometric response to the salicylate anion in a wide range of concentrations and is characterized by good selectivity in the presence of foreign anions.     

Enhanced stability of the model mini‐protein in amino acid ionic liquids and their aqueous solutions

Using molecular dynamics simulations, the structure of model mini‐protein was thoroughly characterized in the imidazolium‐based amino acid ionic liquids and their aqueous solutions. Complete substitution of water by organic cations and anions further results in hindered conformational flexibility of the mini‐protein. This observation suggests that amino acid‐based ionic liquids are able to defend proteins from thermally induced denaturation. We show by means of radial distributions that the mini‐protein is efficiently solvated by both solvents due to a good mutual miscibility. Amino acid‐based anions prevail in the first coordination sphere of positively charged sites of the mini‐protein whereas water molecules prevail in the first coordination sphere of negatively charged sites of the mini‐protein. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Oxidimetric determination of methionine and its metal complexes with chloramine-B and dichloramine-B

Simple, rapid, and reproducible methods for the determination of methionine (HMt) and its metal complexes, [NiMt]ClO₄₊ and Na[AgMt₂], in aqueous solutions have been developed, based on their oxidation with chloramine-B and dichloramine-B at room temperature. The direct titration, with a visual or potentiometric endpoint, involves a two-electron change corresponding to the formation of methionine sulfoxide. Several amino acids and common anions and cations do not interfere under these conditions. In the back-titration procedure methionine and its complexes are oxidized by excess CAB in 0.1 N NaOH medium with a four-electron change corresponding to the formation of methionine sulfone. The amino acid and its complexes are, however, oxidized to the respective nitrile, with excess DCB with an eight-electron change.     

Simultaneous separation of inorganic anions and cations by using anion-exchange and cation-exchange columns connected in tandem in ion chromatography

Inorganic anions and cations in environmental waters were determined by ion chromatography. Stationary and mobile phases were examined for the simultaneous separation of both anions and cations. Cations detection by UV detection requires a mobile phase with a UV absorbing additive, which indirectly visualizes cations as negative peaks. Simultaneous separation of anions and cations were achieved when using an eluent that consists of inorganic acid with weak basic amino acid as additives. It was convenient to separate both anions and cations by coupling anion-exchange and cation-exchange columns in tandem. The order of the separation columns connected affected the elution profiles. When the eluent comprises of multiple anions and a single cation, the anion-exchange column should be connected in the upper stream, whereas when the eluent comprises multiple cations and a single anion, the cation-exchange column should be connected in the upper stream. Use of switching valves also allowed simultaneous separation of anions and cations in a single chromatographic run. In the present work, operating conditions were optimized for the simultaneous separation of anions and cations.     

Charge-selective recognition at fibroin-modified electrodes for analytical application

A novel fibroin-modified electrode with charge recognition is reported. The characteristics of silk fibroin membranes have been exploited for analytical applications. The membrane, with an isoelectric point of pH 4.5, was applied to graphite and carbon-fiber electrodes. The modified electrode was negatively charged in solutions of pH>4.5, and so rejected anions and attracted cations. In solutions of pH<4.5 the electrode was positively charged, and so rejected cations and attracted anions. The pH-responsive charge recognition of the modified electrode was investigated for some neurocompounds. A fibroin carbon-fiber electrode was used for in-vivo determination of the concentration of the cationic neurotransmitter dopamine (DA).This revised version replaces the article published online on April 2005.     

Electronic absorption spectra of the cations and anions formed from pyrrole analogs of the chalcones

The electronic absorption spectra of 29 pyrrole analogs of the chalcones have been studied in solutions of strong acids and alkalies, in which the corresponding cations and anions are formed. It has been shown by means of the IR spectra that the protonation of the pyrrole chalcones takes place at the carbonyl group. Considerations are given of the structure of the organic cations and anions studied and of the characteristic features in the change in their coloration as a function of their chemical structure. Satisfactory correlations have been found between the shift of the absorption frequency of the long-wave band which takes place at the transition from a neutral solution (molecules) to an acid solution (cations) or to an alkaline solution (anions) and Hammett's o constants. Three 3-(4-halophenyl)-1-(2-pyrryl)propenones not previously reported in the literature have been synthesized.     

Dications of l-histidine and l-ornithine in layers of copper(II) and cobalt(II) dipicolinato anions

Cobalt(II) and copper(II) dipicolinato complexes having l-histidine and l-ornithine dications are synthesized in water and are characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. X-ray studies reveal that the l-histidine dications are strongly hydrogen bonded and intercalated in the layered structures of dipicolinato complex anions with repeated unit in 1:1 ratio. Whereas l-ornithine dications form hydrogen bonded repeated units of cations and anions in 2:2 ratio. The cations are held in the layered structures formed by the association of the amino acid cations and metal dipicolinato anions supported by water through strong hydrogen-bond interactions. The complexes thus formed are optically active and exhibit specific rotation in the range of +4 to +12°.     

电解质溶液界面结构的分子动力学模拟研究

电解质溶液界面结构的研究不仅具有重要的理论意义, 而且具有一定的实用价值. 采用分子动力学模拟研究了LiCl, LiBr, LiI, NaI, KI, CsI水溶液中阴阳离子在1×105 Pa和300 K下的气液界面分布情况, 探讨离子水化与电解质溶液界面结构的关系, 并分析阳离子水化能力的强弱对共存阴离子在界面富集分布的影响. 通过对模拟结果的分析发现, 离子的水化能力越强, 就越能形成稳定的水化结构而处于本体相中, 水化能力越弱, 则越易在界面富集. 该机理合理地解释了离子在界面的分布现象, 阳离子水化能力一般较其共存阴离子强而处于本体相, 阴离子则趋向在界面处富集; 不同阴离子在界面的密度分布也与阴离子的水化能力相关, 阴离子水化能力越弱, 其在界面富集程度越高, 不同阴离子在界面的富集趋势为Cl－＜Br－＜I－; 阳离子水化能力的强弱也影响其共存阴离子在界面的富集程度, 阳离子的水化能力越弱, 其共存阴离子在界面的富集程度就越低.     

Effect of solution chemistry on the surface charge of polymeric reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes

A streaming potential analyzer has been used to investigate the effect of solution chemistry on the surface charge of four commercial reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes. Zeta potentials of these membranes were analyzed for aqueous solutions of various chemical compositions over a pH range of 2 to 9. In the presence of an indifferent electrolyte (NaCl), the isoelectric points of these membranes range from 3.0 to 5.2. The curves of zeta potential versus solution pH for all membranes display a shape characteristic of amphoteric surfaces with acidic and basic functional groups. Results with salts containing divalent ions (CaCl₂, Na₂SO₄, and MgSO₄) indicate that divalent cations more readily adsorb to the membrane surface than divalent anions, especially in the higher pH range. Three sources of humic acid, Suwannee River humic acid, peat humic acid, and Aldrich humic acid, were used to investigate the effect of dissolved natural organic matter on membrane surface charge. Other solution chemistries involved in this investigation include an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and a cationic surfactant (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide). Results show that humic substances and surfactants readily adsorb to the membrane surface and markedly influence the membrane surface charge.     

Electronic absorption spectra of the cations and anions formed from pyrrole analogs of the chalcones

The electronic absorption spectra of 29 pyrrole analogs of the chalcones have been studied in solutions of strong acids and alkalies, in which the corresponding cations and anions are formed. It has been shown by means of the IR spectra that the protonation of the pyrrole chalcones takes place at the carbonyl group. Considerations are given of the structure of the organic cations and anions studied and of the characteristic features in the change in their coloration as a function of their chemical structure. Satisfactory correlations have been found between the shift of the absorption frequency of the long-wave band which takes place at the transition from a neutral solution (molecules) to an acid solution (cations) or to an alkaline solution (anions) and Hammett's o constants. Three 3-(4-halophenyl)-1-(2-pyrryl)propenones not previously reported in the literature have been synthesized.     

Amino acid based ionic liquids: A green and sustainable perspective

Chiral and highly functionalized natural amino acids are readily available by renewable methods in high quantities. They can be easily converted into both anions and cations for the synthesis of ionic liquids. This mini review describes the synthesis of amino acid derived ionic liquids (AAILs) with a focus on the most recent developments. Some specialised applications for AAILs, namely in the fields of chiral solvents, acid catalysis and CO₂ absorption will be highlighted.     

Bipolar reverse osmosis membrane for separating mono-and divalent ions

Bipolar reverse osmosis membranes that have both negatively and positively charged layers have been prepared to enhance the selectivity towards mono- and divalent ions in respect of both cations and anions. Positively charged layers are formed on low pressure reverse osmosis membranes having negative charge (NTR-7410 and 7450) by an adsorption method using polyethyleneimine (PEI) or a quaternary ammonium polyelectrolyte (QAP). These layers attach to the membrane's dense layer, which is made of sulfonated polyether sulfone. The selectivity of mono- and divalent ions is proven by experimental results for single electrolytes (NaCl, Na₂SO₄ and MgCl₂). Although negatively charged membranes repulse divalent anions more strongly than cations and monovalent anions, bipolar reverse osmosis membranes reject both divalent cations and divalent anions better than monovalent ions. An optimal preparation method for bipolar membranes showing selectivity towards mono- and divalent ions were developed. The bipolar membranes showed good ion selectivity for artificial sea water.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the structure and transport properties of tetra-butylphosphonium amino acid ionic liquids

Systematic molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the structure, dynamics and transport properties of the ionic liquids composed of the tetra-butylphosphonium ([TBP](+), or [P(C(4)H(9))(4)](+)) cation with six amino acid ([AA](-)) anions. The structural features of these ionic liquids were characterized by calculating the partial site-site radial distribution functions, g(r), and computing the dihedral angle distribution of n-butyl side chains in the [TBP](+) cations. The dynamics of the ionic liquids are described by studying the velocity autocorrelation function (VACF) and the mean-square displacement (MSD) for the centers of mass of the ions at different temperatures. The ionic diffusion coefficients and the electrical conductivities were evaluated from both the Einstein and Green-Kubo methods. The cross-correlation terms in the electric-current autocorrelation functions, which are an indication of the ion pair correlations, are investigated. The cationic transference numbers were also estimated to study the contributions of the anions and cations to the transport of charge in these ionic liquids. We determined the role of the amino acid anion structures on the dynamical behavior and the transport coefficients of this family of ionic liquids. In general, the MSD and self-diffusion coefficients of the relatively heavier non-planar [TBP](+) cations are smaller than those of the lighter amino acid anions. Introducing polar functional groups (acid or amide) in the side chain of [AA](-) decreases the diffusion coefficient and electrical conductivity of AAILs. The major factors for determining the magnitude of the transport coefficients are the chemical functionality and the length of the alkyl side chain of the [AA](-) anion of these [TBP][AA] ionic liquids.     

Application of an external contactless conductivity detector for the analysis of beverages by microchip capillary electrophoresis

Quantitative total ionic analysis of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages was performed by microchip capillary electrophoresis with external contactless conductivity detection. An electrolyte solution consisting of 10.5 mM histidine, 50 mM acetic acid, and 2 mM 18-crown-6 at pH 4.1 was used for the determination of NH(4) (+), K(+), Ca(2+), Na(+), and Mg(2+). Fast analysis of Cl(-), NO(3) (-), and SO(4) (2-) was achieved in 20 mM 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid /histidine electrolyte solution at pH 6.0 and the simultaneous separation of up to 12 inorganic and organic anions was performed in a solution containing 10 mM His and 7 mM glutamic acid at pH 5.75. Limits of detection ranged from 90 to 250 mug/L for inorganic cations and anions, and from 200 to 2000 mug/L for organic anions and phosphate. Calibration curves showed linear dependencies over one to two orders of magnitude when the stacking effect was minimized by injecting standard solutions prepared in background electrolyte solutions. Total analysis times of 35 and 90 s were achieved for the determination of 5 inorganic cations and for the simultaneous determination of 12 inorganic and organic anions, respectively, which represents a considerable reduction of analysis time compared to conventional separation methods used in food analysis.     

On-line concentration of s-triazine herbicides in micellar electrokinetic chromatography using a cationic surfactant

A new method for the simultaneous determination of anions (sulfate, nitrate, and chloride) and cations (sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) in acid rain waters was investigated using high-performance ion-exclusion/cation-exchange chromatography with conductimetric detection on a separation column packed with a polymethacrylate-based weakly acidic cation-exchange resin in the hydrogen-form and an eluent comprising 1.5 mM sulfosalicylic acid–6 mM 18-crown-6 at pH 2.6, operated at 1.5 ml/min. Effective separation and highly sensitive conductimetric detection for the anions and the cations was achieved in about 14 min. Since the ionic balance (equivalents of anions/equivalents of cations) of acid rain waters of different pH (4.40–4.67) ranged from 0.97 to 0.94, evaluation of the water quality of acid rain was possible. This method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of the anions and the cations in acid rain transported from mainland China and North Korea to central Japan monitored by a meteorological satellite data analyzer.