Electrophoretic Mobilities of the Isotopes of Chloride and Bromide Ions in Aqueous Solution at 25 °C and Infinite Dilution

The electrophoretic mobilities of a few halide isotopes in aqueous solution have been evaluated at 25 °C and infinite dilution by analyzing a combination of data obtained by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and conductance data extracted from the literature. The effect of the temperature on the electrophoretic mobility has been thoroughly re-investigated to give the following temperature dependence for the chloride ion at 25 °C: 1.565%/ °C in 5×10⁻³ mol⋅L⁻¹ sodium chromate + 3×10⁻³ mol⋅L⁻¹ sodium borate buffer. The precise determination of the electrophoretic mobility of chloride and bromide ions, including the evaluation of their associated uncertainties, has been performed from conductance data spanning over 75 years. The electrophoretic mobilities are found to be −(79.124±0.020)×10⁻⁹ m²⋅V⁻¹⋅s⁻¹ for Cl⁻ and −(80.99±0.04)×10⁻⁹ m²⋅V⁻¹⋅s⁻¹ for Br⁻. Thanks to the precise determination of the temperature contribution and the re-evaluation of conductance data, the following values have been found for ³⁵Cl⁻, ³⁷Cl⁻, ⁷⁹Br⁻, and ⁸¹Br⁻ (in 10⁻⁹ m²⋅V⁻¹⋅s⁻¹): −(79.18±0.02), −(78.95±0.06), −(81.04±0.04), and −(80.94±0.04).     

A polymer electrolyte containing ionic liquid for possible applications in photoelectrochemical solar cells

Various iodide ion conducting polymer electrolytes have been studied as candidate materials for fabricating photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cells and energy storage devices. In this study, enhanced ionic conductivity values were obtained for the ionic liquid tetrahexylammonium iodide containing polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based plasticized electrolytes. The analysis of thermal properties revealed the existence of two phases in the electrolyte, and the conductivity measurements showed a marked conductivity enhancement during the melting of the plasticizer-rich phase of the electrolyte. Annealed electrolyte samples showed better conductivity than nonannealed samples, revealing the existence of hysteresis. The optimum conductivity was shown for the electrolytes with PEO:salt = 100:15 mass ratio, and this sample exhibited the minimum glass transition temperature of 72.2 °C. For this optimum PEO to salt ratio, the conductivity of nonannealed electrolyte was 4.4 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ and that of the annealed sample was 4.6 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 30 °C. An all solid PEC solar cell was fabricated using this annealed electrolyte. The short circuit current density (I _SC), the open circuit voltage (V _OC), and the power conversion efficiency of the cell are 0.63 mA cm⁻², 0.76 V, and 0.47% under the irradiation of 600 W m⁻² light.     

Enhanced electrochemical properties of polyethylene oxide-based composite solid polymer electrolytes with porous inorganic–organic hybrid polyphosphazene nanotubes as fillers

Solid composite polymer electrolytes consisting of polyethylene oxide (PEO), LiClO₄, and porous inorganic–organic hybrid poly (cyclotriphosphazene-co-4, 4′-sulfonyldiphenol) (PZS) nanotubes were prepared using the solvent casting method. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the characteristics of the composite polymer electrolytes. The ionic conductivity, lithium ion transference number, and electrochemical stability window can be enhanced after the addition of PZS nanotubes. The electrochemical impedance showed that the conductivity was improved significantly. Maximum ionic conductivity values of 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature and 7.8 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 80 °C were obtained with 10 wt.% content of PZS nanotubes, and the lithium ion transference number was 0.35. The good electrochemical properties of the solid-state composite polymer electrolytes suggested that the porous inorganic–organic hybrid polyphosphazene nanotubes had a promising use as fillers in SPEs and the PEO₁₀–LiClO₄–PZS nanotube solid composite polymer electrolyte might be used as a candidate material for lithium polymer batteries.     

Application of inorganic sorbents for removal of Cs, Sr, Pu and Am from contaminated solutions

A sorption ability of titanium silicates (TiSi) and iron oxides towards Cs, Sr, Pu and Am was tested using the laboratory batch method. The obtained results are expressed as distribution coefficients (K_d). TiSi synthesised using TiOSO₄ revealed better sorption ability towards all studied radionuclides in comparison with TiSi produced on the basis of TiCl₄. The K_d values ranged from 3.9 × 10² to 1.6 × 10⁵ mL g⁻¹ for Sr, from 6 to 4.1 × 10⁴ mL g⁻¹ for Cs, from 2.2 × 10² to 2.6 × 10⁵ mL g⁻¹ for Pu and from 50 to 1.6 × 10⁴ mL g⁻¹ for Am. The highest Pu K_d values (9 × 10³–6.2 × 10⁴ mL g⁻¹) and better kinetics were found for iron oxides.     

Thermal and dielectric properties of PEO/EC/Pr4N+I− polymer electrolytes for possible applications in photo-electro chemical solar cells

The anion-conducting polymer electrolyte polyethylene oxide (PEO)/ethylene carbonate (EC)/Pr₄N⁺I⁻/I₂ is a candidate material for fabricating photo-electrochemical (PEC) solar cells. Relatively high ionic conductivity values are obtained for the plasticized electrolytes; at room temperature, the conductivity increases from 7.6 × 10⁻⁹ to 9.5 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ when the amount of EC plasticizer increases from 0% to 50% by weight. An abrupt conductivity enhancement occurs at the melting of the polymer; above the melting temperature, the conductivity can reach values of the order of 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹. The melting temperature decreases from 66.1 to 45.1 °C when the EC mass fraction is increased from 0% to 50%, and there is a corresponding reduction in the glass transition temperature from −57.6 to −70.9 °C with the incorporation of the plasticizer. The static dielectric constant values, , increase with the mass fraction of plasticizer, from 3.3 for the unplasticized sample to 17.5 for the 50% EC sample. The dielectric results show only small traces of ion-pair relaxations, indicating that the amount of ion association is low. Thus, the iodide ion is well dissociated, and despite its large size and relatively low concentration in these samples, the iodide ion to ether oxygen ratio is 1:68, a relatively efficient charge carrier. A further enhancement of the ionic conductivity, especially at lower temperatures, is however desired for these applications.     

Conductivity of flowing polyaniline suspensions in electric field

The formation of chain structures by polarized polyaniline (PANI) particles suspended in silicone oil in the electric field has been monitored by recording suspension conductivity in the course of time. For that purpose, three types of PANI particles differing in the conductivity (3.1 × 10⁻³, 1.7 × 10⁻¹, and 2.0 × 10⁻¹ S cm⁻¹) have been chosen out of a series of nine samples prepared by controlled protonation of PANI base in orthophosphoric acid solutions. Relaxation times reflecting this process and characterizing the rate of the response to the electric field decreased with particle conductivity, indicating a higher polarizability of particles. At the same time, the maximum conductivity of suspension increased as a consequence of the electric and shear forces acting on the particles. In the shear fields, shorter relaxation times appeared than at rest. The simultaneous measurement of the shear stress confirmed that the conductivity investigation can reliably characterize the development of electrorheological structures.     

Simple sensor for simultaneous determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers

A simple sensor based on bare carbon ionic liquid electrode was fabricated for simultaneous determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.0). The oxidation peak potential of hydroquinone was about 0.136 V, catechol was about 0.240 V, and resorcinol 0.632 V by differential pulse voltammetric measurements, which indicated that the dihydroxybenzene isomers could be separated absolutely. The sensor showed wide linear behaviors in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁷–2.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ for hydroquinone and catechol, 3.5 × 10⁻⁶–1.535 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ for resorcinol, respectively. And the detection limits of the three dihydroxybenzene isomers were 5.0 × 10⁻⁸, 2.0 × 10⁻⁷, 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, respectively (S/N = 3). The proposed method could be applied to the determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers in artificial wastewater and the recovery was from 93.9% to 104.6%.     

The effect of sodium benzoate and sodium 4-(phenylamino)benzenesulfonate on the corrosion behavior of low carbon steel

Abstract  

The effect of sodium benzoate (SB) and sodium 4-(phenylamino)benzenesulfonate (SPABS) on the corrosion behavior of low carbon steel has been investigated using gravimetric method in the temperature range of 30–80 °C, velocity range of 1.44–2.02 m s⁻¹ and concentration range of 6.94 × 10⁻⁴ to 4.16 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SB and 3.69 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.06 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SPABS. Optimization of temperature, fluid velocity, and inhibitors concentration has been made. The obtained results indicate that the inhibition efficiency (w _IE %) at 1.56 m s⁻¹ is not in excess of 81.5% at 4.16 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SB and 84.4% at 2.06 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SPABS. The inhibitive performance of these compounds showed an improvement with increasing concentration up to critical values of SB and SPABS; beyond these concentrations no further effectiveness is observed. These inhibitors retard the anodic dissolution of low carbon steel by protective layer bonding on the metal surface. The adsorption of SB and SPABS on the low carbon steel surface was found to obey the Freundlich isotherm model. The FT-IR spectroscopy was used to analyze the surface adsorbed film.     

FAD-modified SiO2/ZrO2/C ceramic electrode for electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate

SiO₂/ZrO₂/C carbon ceramic material with composition (in wt%) SiO₂ = 50, ZrO₂ = 20, and C = 30 was prepared by the sol–gel-processing method. A high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image showed that ZrO₂ and the graphite particles are well dispersed inside the matrix. The electrical conductivity obtained for the pressed disks of the material was 18 S cm⁻¹, indicating that C particles are also well interconnected inside the solid. An electrode modified with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) prepared by immersing the solid SiO₂/ZrO₂/C, molded as a pressed disk, inside a FAD solution (1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹) was used to investigate the electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate. The reduction of both ions occurred at a peak potential of −0.41 V vs. the saturated calomel reference electrode. The linear response range (lrr) and detection limit (dl) were: BrO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵–1.23 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ and dl = 2.33 μmol L⁻¹; IO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵ up to 2.42 × 10⁻³ and dl = 1.46 μmol L⁻¹ for iodate.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> corrosion inhibition of X-70 pipeline steel by carboxyamido imidazoline

The corrosion inhibition of X-70 pipeline steel in saltwater saturated with CO₂ at 50 °C with carboxyamido imidazoline has been evaluated by using electrochemical techniques. Techniques included polarization curves, linear polarization resistance, electrochemical impedance, and electrochemical noise measurements. Inhibitor concentrations were 0, 1.6 × 10⁻⁵, 3.32 × 10⁻⁵, 8.1 × 10⁻⁵, 1.6 × 10⁻⁴, and 3.32 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹. All techniques showed that the best corrosion inhibition was obtained by adding 8.1 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ of carboxyamido imidazoline. For inhibitor concentrations higher than 8.1 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ a desorption process occurs, and an explanation has been given for this phenomenon.     

Behavior of cadmium(II) in irradiated aqueous solutions

Behavior of cadmium(II) in aqueous solutions irradiated by accelerated electrons was studied. A concentration of 8.8 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ of cadmium dissolved from Cd(NO₃)₂ requires dose of 15 kGy to be effectively removed from the system containing 1 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ of HCOOK as a scavenger of OH radicals. The positive effect of deaeration with N₂O or N₂ was observed in the range of lower doses. The addition of solid modifiers (bentonite, active carbon, zeolite, Cu₂O, NiO, TiO₂ and CuO) reduced the effectivity of radiation removal of cadmium. Product of irradiation is CdCO₃. On the contrary, in the system with cadmium dissolved from CdCl₂ radiation reduction takes place. Systems contained organic complexants (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid–EDTA, citric acid) were also studied. The solutions of Cd(NO₃)₂ containing initial concentration 2.37 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ of Cd^II were mixed with 3 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ EDTA. In this system the efficient degradation proceeds up to 90% at a dose of 45 kGy with addition of 5 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ carbonate (pH 10.5). The product of irradiation is CdCO₃. The presence of 1 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ of HCOOK in the solution is necessary for radiation removal of cadmium complexed with citric acid (1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹) at pH 8. With increasing concentration of HCOOK (up to 5 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹) decreases the pH value necessary for the radiation induced precipitation of cadmium. The best result was obtained in the system containing zeolite as a solid modifier.     

The effect of sodium benzoate and sodium 4-(phenylamino)benzenesulfonate on the corrosion behavior of low carbon steel

Abstract  The effect of sodium benzoate (SB) and sodium 4-(phenylamino)benzenesulfonate (SPABS) on the corrosion behavior of low carbon steel has been investigated using gravimetric method in the temperature range of 30–80 °C, velocity range of 1.44–2.02 m s⁻¹ and concentration range of 6.94 × 10⁻⁴ to 4.16 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SB and 3.69 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.06 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SPABS. Optimization of temperature, fluid velocity, and inhibitors concentration has been made. The obtained results indicate that the inhibition efficiency (w _IE %) at 1.56 m s⁻¹ is not in excess of 81.5% at 4.16 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SB and 84.4% at 2.06 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SPABS. The inhibitive performance of these compounds showed an improvement with increasing concentration up to critical values of SB and SPABS; beyond these concentrations no further effectiveness is observed. These inhibitors retard the anodic dissolution of low carbon steel by protective layer bonding on the metal surface. The adsorption of SB and SPABS on the low carbon steel surface was found to obey the Freundlich isotherm model. The FT-IR spectroscopy was used to analyze the surface adsorbed film. Graphical abstract  Low carbon steel corrosion in presence of sodium benzoate and sodium 4-(phenylamino)benzenesulfonate has been investigated. The adsorption mechanism obeyed Freundlich isotherm model. FT-IR was used to analyze the adsorbed film      

Determination of thiocyanate ions at nanolevel in real samples using coated graphite electrode based on synthesised macrocyclic Zn(II) complex

The electrode characteristics and selectivities of PVC-based thiocyanate selective polymeric membrane electrode (PME) incorporating the newly synthesized zinc complex of 6,7:14,15-Bzo₂-10,11-(4-methylbenzene)-[15]-6,8,12,14-tetraene-9,12-N₂-1,5-O₂ (I ₁ ) and zinc complex of 6,7:14,15-Bzo₂-10,11-(4-methylbenzene)-[15]-6,14-diene-9,12-dimethylacrylate-9,12-N₂-1,5-O₂ (I ₂ ) are reported here. The best response was observed with the membrane having a composition of I₂:PVC:o-NPOE:HTAB in the ratio of 6:33:59:2 (w/w; milligram). This electrode exhibited Nernstian slope for thiocyanate ions over working concentration range of 4.4 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with detection limit of 2.2 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The performance of this electrode was compared with coated graphite electrode (CGE), which showed better response characteristics w.r.t Nernstian slope 59.0 ± 0.2 mV decade⁻¹ activity, wide concentration range of 8.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ and detection limit of 6.7 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The response time for CGE and PME was found to be 8 and 10 s, respectively. The proposed electrode (CGE) was successfully applied to direct determination of thiocyanate in biological and environmental samples and also as indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of SCN⁻ ion.     

Rubidium-cationic conductance in the systems Rb2 ? 2xAl2 ? xAxO4 (A = P, V)

RbAlO₂-based solid solutions are synthesized in the systems Rb_{2 − x} Al_{2 − x} A _x O₄ (A = P, V). Temperature and concentration dependences of their conductance are studied; the rubidium-cationic character of the conductance is corroborated. The high ionic conductivity of the synthesized phases (∼5 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 300°C, ∼2 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 700°C) is caused by (a) formation of rubidium vacancies as a result of the replacing of Al³⁺ ions by fivefold-charged cations of phosphorus or vanadium and (b) disordered crystal structure of γ-KAlO₂ type. The obtained data are compared with the results of the studying of similar systems. Original Russian Text ? G.Sh. Shekhtman, E.I. Volegova, E.I. Burmakin, 2009, published in Elektrokhimiya, 2009, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 495–499.     

Application of the catalytic properties of N-methylthiourea to the determination of In(III) at low levels by square wave voltammetry

Abstract  

This article proposes a simple and fast method of In(III) determination in the presence of Cd(II) and Pb(II). The catalytic activity of N-methylthiourea was used in the In(III) electroreduction, which also had a slight effect on the electroreduction process of Cd(II) and Pb(II). By applying square wave voltammetry it was possible to determine 3 × 10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ In(III) in the presence of 5 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³ Cd(II) and 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ Pb(II) in 5 mol dm⁻³ NaClO₄ at pH 2. The calibration curve for In(III) was linear from 3 × 10⁻⁷ to 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³. The relative standard deviation for In(III) determination was about 3.0%.     

Electrochemical methods for simultaneous determination of trace amounts of dopamine and uric acid using a carbon paste electrode incorporated with multi-wall carbon nanotubes and modified with α-cyclodextrine

In this work, we investigate the electrochemical activity of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) using both a bare and a modified carbon paste electrode as the working electrode, with a platinum wire as the counter electrode and a silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) as the reference electrode. The modified carbon paste electrode consists of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (>95%) treated with α-cyclodextrine, resulting in an electrode that exhibits a significant catalytic effect toward the electro-chemical oxidation of DA in a 0.2-M Britton–Robinson buffer solution (pH 5.0). The peak current increases linearly with the DA concentration within the molar concentration ranges of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.9 × 10⁻⁴ M. The detection limit (signal to noise >3) for DA was found to be 1.34 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. In this work, voltammetric methods such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronocuolometry, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry, and linear sweep and hydrodynamic voltammetry were used. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the redox properties of the modified electrode at various scan rates. The diffusion coefficient (D, cm² s⁻¹ = 3.05 × 10⁻⁵) and the kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α = 0.51) and the rate constant (k, cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ = 1.8 × 10³) for DA were determined using electrochemical approaches. By using differential pulse voltammetry for simultaneous measurements, we obtained two peaks for DA and UA in the same solution, with the peak separation approximately 136 mV. The average recovery was measured at 102.45% for DA injection.     

Polyaniline-coated cellulose fibers decorated with silver nanoparticles

Cellulose fibers of 20 μm in diameter and aspect ratio of 2 or 10 were coated with protonated polyaniline (PANI) during the oxidation of aniline hydrochloride with ammonium peroxydisulfate in an aqueous medium. The presence of PANI has been proved by FTIR spectroscopy. The conductivity increased from 4.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ S cm⁻¹ to 0.41 S cm⁻¹ after coating the fibers with PANI. The percolation threshold in the mixture of original uncoated and PANI-coated fibers was reduced from 10 mass % PANI to 6 mass % PANI, as the aspect ratio changed from 2 to 10. The subsequent reaction with silver nitrate results in the decoration of PANI-coated cellulose fibers with silver nanoparticles of about 50 nm average size. The content of silver of up to 10.6 mass % was determined as a residue in thermogravimetric analysis. FTIR spectra suggest that the protonated emeraldine coating changed to the pernigraniline form during the latter process and, consequently, the conductivity of the composite was reduced to 4.1 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹, despite the presence of silver.     

A kinetic method for the determination of organosulfur compounds by inhibition: determination of cysteine, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol and thioglycolic acid

A kinetic method for the determination of organosulfur compounds by UV spectrophotometry is described. Organosulfur compounds have been shown to inhibit the Hg(II)-catalyzed substitution of cyanide in hexacyanoferrate(II) by 2-methylpyrazine (2-Mepz). The inhibitory effect is proportional to the concentration of inhibitor and can be used as the basis for the determination of trace amounts of organosulfur compounds such as cysteine, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (DMP) and thioglycolic acid (TGA). Both the influence of the reaction variables and interference of a variety of ions have been studied. A mechanism for the inhibition process is proposed. The determination range depends on the amount of Hg(II) added and stability of the Hg(II)–ligand complex. Kinetic parameters were determined from Lineweaver–Burk plots, obtained in the absence and presence of the inhibitor. Excellent linearity is observed for all analytes over their respective concentration ranges with correlation coefficient >0.9. The condition calibration curves were linear in the range of 5 × 10⁻⁶–15 × 10⁻⁶ M for cysteine, 1 × 10⁻⁷–7 × 10⁻⁷ M for DMP and 1 × 10⁻⁶–10 × 10⁻⁶ M for TGA. The detection limits were 1.18 × 10⁻⁷ M for cysteine, 4.16 × 10⁻⁸ M for DMP and 1.30 × 10⁻⁷ M for TGA. The effects of amino acids that can interfere in the determination of cysteine were studied.     

Antioxidant activities of phenols in different solvents using DPPH assay

Studies on the antioxidant activity of two model phenols containing either an electron withdrawing (p-nitrophenol) or electron donating (p-aminophenol) group and p-hydroxyacetophenone in different solvents are reported using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay by spectrophotometry and stopped-flow techniques. The second-order rate constants measured with p-nitrophenol were found to be (1.2–5.5) × 10⁻² dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ but the DPPH radical reacts much faster with p-aminophenol (k = 0.5–1.1 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). The normal kinetic solvent effect in H atom transfer was seen in the case of p-nitrophenol with the solvent independent rate constant k _o = 0.1 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The IC₅₀ values in p-nitrophenol are similar to those measured in p-hydroxyacetophenone. On the other hand, much lower IC₅₀ values of more than four orders of magnitude with p-aminophenol were observed. This work demonstrates that the phenol with the electron donating –NH₂ substituent is a better antioxidant.     

Photocatalytic efficiency of nanocrystalline zeolite TS-1 for the degradation of methyl orange

The photocatalytic properties of nanocrystalline TS-1 were confirmed via the degradation of an aqueous solution of the model compound methyl orange (MO). The light intensity and quantum yield were measured by ferrioxalate actinometry and the values are 1.7 × 10⁻⁵ einstein l⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 0.71, respectively. The experimental parameters such as catalyst loading, pH and initial concentration of MO were optimized at 1.5 g/L, 10 and 300 μM, in order. The results showed that the dye molecules are completely degraded to CO₂, H₂O and simple inorganic ions.