Aluminum phosphate dispersed on a cellulose acetate fiber surface: Preparation, characterization and application for Li, Na and K separation

Cellulose acetate fibers with supported highly dispersed aluminum phosphate were prepared by reacting aluminum-containing cellulose acetate (Al₂O₃=3.5 wt.%; 1.1 mmol g⁻¹ aluminum atom per gram of the material) with phosphoric acid. Solid-state NMR spectra (CPMAS ³¹P NMR) data indicated that HPO₄²⁻ is the species present on the fiber surface. The specific concentration of acidic centers, determined by ammonia gas adsorption, is 0.50 mmol g⁻¹. The ion exchange capacities for Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ ions were determined from ion exchange isotherms at 298 K and showed the following values (in mmol g⁻¹): Li⁺=0.03, Na⁺=0.44 and K⁺=0.50. The H⁺/Li⁺ exchange corresponds to the model of the ideal ion exchange with a small value of the corresponding equilibrium constant K=1.1×10⁻². Due to the strong cooperative effect, the H⁺/Na⁺ and H⁺/K⁺ ion exchange is non-ideal. These ion exchange equilibria were treated with the use of models of fixed bi- or tridentate centers, which consider the surface of the sorbent as an assemblage of polyfunctional sorption centers. Both the observed ion exchange capacities with respect to the alkaline metal ions and the equilibrium constants were discussed by taking into consideration the sequence of the ionic hydration radii for Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺. The matrix affinity order for the ions decreases as the hydration radii of the cations increase, i.e. Li⁺>Na⁺>K⁺. The high values of the separation factors S_Na⁺/Li⁺ and S_K⁺/Li⁺ (up to several hundred) provide quantitative separation of Na⁺ and K⁺ from Li⁺ from a mixture containing these three ions.     

Determination of 36 elements in plant reference materials with different Si contents by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: comparison of microwave digestions assisted by three types of digestion mixtures

Closed-vessel microwave digestion of nine standard reference plant materials (NIST, BCR, IAEA) and a laboratory standard of plant material with different Si contents assisted by HNO₃ + H₂O₂ (procedure A), HNO₃ + H₂O₂ + HF + H₃BO₃ (procedure B) and HNO₃ + H₂O₂ + HBF₄ (procedure C) were used to determine the recovery of 36 elements by ICP-MS: Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, In, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn. Additions of HF + H₃BO₃ and HBF₄ in procedures B and C exceeded by 10% (B1, C1) and 100% (B2, C2) the equivalent concentrations of Si in the samples determined by ICP-OES. Most recoveries of certified elements (e.g., Al^*, Cu, Mo^*, Rb^*, Sb^*, Th) decreased significantly (^*p ≤ 0.05) with increasing Si content in plant reference materials digested by procedure A, while the recoveries from procedures B and C decreased insignificantly only for Mo and Sb. Digestions B and C gave significantly higher recoveries of Al, Sb, W and REEs, which were tighter to the reference values of these elements. A similar effect was found for Cu, Fe, Li, Ni, Sn, Th, Tl, V, Zn, Ba, Rb and Sr recoveries in samples with Si contents exceeding 2000 μg g⁻¹. If the Si content in plant samples is less than 10 mg g⁻¹, digestion of 0.5 g of plant samples through 0.05 mL of HF and 0.5 mL of 4% H₃BO₃ or 0.1 mL of HBF₄ is recommended to get satisfactory results for most of the elements. For materials with Si content exceeding 10 mg g⁻¹ the weight of the sample for digestion should be reduced to 0.25 g. However, the operation of potential interferences should be taken into account and eliminated through correction equations and adequate dilution of the samples.     

Adduct formation in LC-ESI-MS of nonylphenol ethoxylates: mass spectrometrical, theoretical and quantitative analytical aspects

The analysis of nonylphenol ethoxylate (A₉PEO_n) surfactants with LC-ESI-MS was investigated in a detailed study of the formation of different types of adducts. Part of the observations was explained by calculating their relative stabilities using molecular dynamics techniques.Strong differences in adduct formation behaviour were found for different oligomers.Beside the common sodium adducts, surfactant dimer adducts [2 × A₉PEO_1,2 + Na]⁺, adducts including a solvent molecule [A₉PEO_1,2 + MeOH + Na]⁺ and doubly charged adducts [A₉PEO_>11 + 2 × Na]²⁺ were found.Molecular dynamics calculations showed that the A₉PEO_n molecule wraps itself around the complexing sodium ion in a way that negative electronic charges on oxygen have optimum electrostatic interaction with this ion. van der Waals interactions between alkyl chains are of less importance for the stability of these adducts. Both [2 × A₉PEO_2,5 + Na]⁺ dimer and [A₉PEO_2,5 + Na]⁺ monomer adducts turned out to be stable from an energetic point of view with adducts of A₉PEO₅ being more stable than adducts of A₉PEO₂. Only for the monomer adduct the latter is in accordance with experimental observations.Consequences of the formation of several adducts per A₉PEO_n oligomer for the quantitative analysis of environmental samples were evaluated. In clean samples, it was found that the presence of short-chain A₉PEO_1,2 can cause an overestimation of long-chain A₉PEO_>2. In real environmental extracts, other processes like matrix effects have a stronger influence on the quantitative result, and therefore no significant influence of adduct formation processes could be observed. However, inclusion of [A₉PEO_1,2 + MeOH + Na]⁺ adduct signals does improve the detection limits of the two short-chain oligomers.Correct quantitative results are obtained when A₉PEO₁ and A₉PEO₂ are quantified separately, and longer oligomers with a molar calibration followed by correction of the average molar weight of the A₉PEO_>2 in the sample.     

EPR spectroscopic studies in (30 − x) Li2O-xK2O-10CdO-59B2O3-1MnO2 multi-component glass system

EPR studies were carried out in (30 - x) Li₂O-xK₂O-10CdO-59B₂O₃-1MnO₂ multi-component glass system to understand the effect of the variation in the alkali ratios on the EPR parameters. The observed EPR spectra of Mn²⁺ ion exhibits resonances at g = 2.0, 3.3 and 4.3. The resonance at g = 2.0 is due to Mn²⁺ ions in an environment close to the octahedral symmetry, where as the resonances at g = 3.3 & 4.3 are due to the rhombic surroundings of Mn²⁺ ions. Hyperfine splitting constant values at g = 2.0 and number of paramagnetic centers & paramagnetic susceptibility at different observed resonances were evaluated. These parameters show non linear variation with progressive substitution of Li⁺ ion with K⁺ ions may be due to the changes in cation field strengths and local structural variation due to the variation in mixed alkali ion ratios.     

Synthesis,properties and effect of ionizing radiation on sorption behavior of iron silico-antimonate

Incorporation of iron oxide into silico-antimonate of different Si/Sb molar ratios introduced a class of dual salts ion exchangers with advanced ion exchange properties. Physicochemical and equilibrium studies have been carried out to understand the ion exchange properties of these materials. Apparent investigation indicated that iron incorporation into silico-antimonate yields materials having excellent mechanical properties. On the basis of distribution studies, the materials were found to be highly selective for Sr²⁺ or Ce³⁺ depending on their Si/Sb molar ratios. Diffractogram, thermogram, IR spectra and sorption performance of crystalline FeSiSb (114) indicated that no detectable structural changes after an exposure up to 100 kGy of γ-rays. Effect of reaction temperature on the exchange process was investigated and the respective thermodynamic parameters were calculated.     

Selective extraction, separation and speciation of iron in different samples using 4-acetyl-5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid

A method for speciation, preconcentration and separation of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in different matrices was developed using solvent extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry. 4-Acetyl-5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (AMPC) was used as a new complexing reagent for Fe(III). The Fe(III)-AMPC complex was extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) phase in the pH range 1.0-2.5, and Fe(II) ion remained in aqueous phase at all pH. The chemical composition of the Fe(III)-AMPC complex was determined by the Job's method. The optimum conditions for quantitative recovery of Fe(III) were determined as pH 1.5, shaking time of 2 min, 1.64 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ AMPC reagent and 10 mL of MIBK. Furthermore, the influences of diverse metal ions were investigated. The level of Fe(II) was calculated by difference of total iron and Fe(III) concentrations. The detection limit based on the 3σ criterion was found to be 0.24 μg L⁻¹ for Fe(III). The recoveries were higher than 95% and relative standard deviation was less than 2.1% (N = 8). The validation of the procedure was performed by the analysis of two certified standard reference materials. The presented method was applied to the determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in tap water, lake water, river water, sea water, fruit juice, cola, and molasses samples with satisfactory results.     

Thermodynamic study of heptane + secondary, tertiary and cyclic amines mixtures. Part IV. Excess and solvation enthalpies at 298.15 K

Partial molar enthalpies and excess enthalpies H^E of binary mixtures of heptane + secondary and tertiary n-alkyl, primary cycloalkyl, and secondary (hetero)cyclic amines have been determined at 298.15 K by isothermal titration calorimetry in the whole composition range. All mixtures showed positive H^E values which decrease with increasing amine size in each category, and decrease in the order cyclic primary > cyclic secondary > linear primary [1] > secondary > tertiary when comparing amines of similar size in different categories. From partial molar enthalpies at infinite dilution and known enthalpies of vaporization, the solvation enthalpies have been calculated either for heptane in amines and for amines in heptane. These quantities, together with their cavitational and interactional terms obtained applying the scaled particle theory, are discussed to get insight into the types and relative strength of solute-solvent interactions and into their effects on molecular structure features such as branching and cyclization.     

Study on solid–liquid phase equilibria in ionic liquid: 1. The solubility of alkali chloride (MCl) in ionic liquid EMISE

This paper reports the solubility of alkali chloride MCl (M is Li, Na and K) in IL EMISE was measured in the temperature range of 293.15 K to 343.15 K. The relationship between solubility, m and temperature T may be expressed in an empiric formula: ln(m/m⁰) = A₁ + A₂T₀/T + A₃T/T⁰, where m⁰ is 1 mol/kg, T⁰ is 1 K. The observed sequence of solubility is LiCl > NaCl > KCl. The fact implies that the less the radius of alkali ion, the greater is its solubility because little ion is easy to get into the interstices of IL EMISE.     

The detection of iron protoporphyrin (heme b) in phytoplankton and marine particulate material by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry – comparison with diode array detection

A mass spectrometric (MS) method for the identification of iron protoporphyrin (IX) (FePTP, heme b) in marine particulate material and phytoplankton is described. Electrospray ionisation of FePTP produced the molecular Fe(III)PTP⁺ ion (m/z = 616) or the pseudomolecular [Fe(II)PTP + H]⁺ ion (m/z = 617), depending on the oxidation state of the central iron ion. Collision induced dissociation (CID) in the ion trap mass spectrometer resulted in a single detected product ion (m/z = 557) indicative of loss of ethanoic acid from a carboxylic acid side chain. Widening the isolation width to 616 ± 3 resulted in production of a mass spectrum demonstrating the distinctive isotopic ratio of the iron containing fragment, further increasing the specificity of the analysis. Selective reactant monitoring (SRM) of the fragment ion (m/z = 557) was applied to the detection of FePTP after chromatography of ammoniacal OGP extracts of marine samples. The detection limit for FePTP analysed by SRM after chromatography was 1.2 ± 0.5 fmol. For phytoplankton samples, reasonably good agreement was achieved between results obtained with SRM and those obtained by monitoring absorbance at λ = 400 nm using a diode array detector (DAD). Use of SRM for analysis of particulate material obtained from the high latitude North Atlantic allowed for the analysis of FePTP in the presence of a co-eluting compound that interfered with detection by DAD. Simultaneous collection of mass spectra from m/z = 300 to 1500 resulted in identification of the pseudomolecular ion for the interfering compound. The CID fragmentation pattern and UV–visible mass spectra indicated that the interfering compound was a previously unidentified chlorin type compound. Comparison of FePTP determined by SRM and DAD on samples where this compound could not be detected showed that results collected using the two methods correlated. The use of both MS and DAD results in a powerful tool for quantifying this important biogenic component of the particulate iron pool.     

Evaluation of V, Ir, Ru, V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V as permanent chemical modifiers for the determination of cadmium, lead, and zinc in botanic and biological slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Permanent modifiers (V, Ir, Ru, V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V) thermally coated on to platforms of pyrolytic graphite tubes were employed for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Zn in botanic and biological slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Conventional Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ modifier mixture was also used for the determination of analytes in slurries and digested samples. Optimum masses and mass ratios of permanent modifiers for Cd, Pb, and Zn in slurry sample solutions were investigated. The 280 μg of V, 280 μg of V + 200 μg of Ir, 280 μg of V + 200 μg of Ru or 240 μg of W + 280 μg of V in 0.2% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.5% (v/v) HNO₃ mixture was found as efficient as 5 μg of Pd + 3 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ modifier mixture for obtaining thermal stabilization, and for obtaining best recoveries. Optimization conditions of analytes, such as pyrolysis and atomization temperature, characteristic masses and detection limits, and atomization and background peak profiles were studied with permanent and 5 μg of Pd + 3 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ conventional modifiers and compared with each other. The permanent V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V modifiers remained stable for approximately 250-300 firings when 20 μl of slurries and digested samples were delivered into the atomizer. In addition, the mixed permanent modifiers increase the tube lifetime by 50-95% when compared with untreated platforms. The characteristic masses and detection limits of analytes (dilution factor of 125 ml g⁻¹) obtained with V-Ir based on integrated absorbance as example for 0.8% (m/v) slurries were 1.0 pg and 3 ng g⁻¹ for Cd, 18 pg and 17 ng g⁻¹ for Pb, and 0.7 pg and 4 ng g⁻¹ for Zn, respectively. The results of analytes obtained by employing V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V permanent modifier mixtures in botanic and biological certified and standard reference materials were in agreement with the certified values of reference materials.     

A method to detect metal–drug complexes and their interactions with pathogenic bacteria via graphene nanosheet assist laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and biosensors

A new method was proposed to probe the interactions between transition metals of Fe(II), Fe(III), Cu(II) with a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), flufenamic acid (FF) using graphene as a matrix for Graphene assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (GALDI-MS). Metal–drug complexation was confirmed via UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, pH meter, and change in solution conductivity. The optimal molar ratios for these complexation interactions are stoichiometry 1:2 in both Cu(II) and Fe(II) complexes, and 1:3 in Fe(III) complexes at physiological pH (7.4). Metal complexation of the drug could enhance fluorescence for 20 fold which is due to the charge transfer reaction or increase rigidity of the drug. The main interaction between graphene and flufenamic acid is the П–П interaction which allows us to probe the metal–drug complexation. The GALDI-MS could sensitively detect the drug at m/z 281.0 Da (protonated molecule) with detection limit 2.5 pmol (1.0 μM) and complexation at m/z 661.0, 654.0 and 933.0 Da corresponding to [Cu(II)(FF)₂(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺, [Fe(II)(FF)₂(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺ and [Fe(III) (FF)₃(H₂O)₂ + H]⁺, respectively (with limit of detection (LOD) 2.0 pmol (10.0 μM). Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) spectra show change in the protein profile of intact pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus). The change in the ionization ability (mainly proton affinity) of pathogenic bacteria may be due to the interactions between the bacteria with the drug (or its complexes). Shielding carboxylic group by metals and increase the hydrophilicity could enhance the biocompatibility of complexes toward the pathogenic bacteria which can be used as biosensors with high sensitivity and lowest detectable concentrations are in the range of 3.3 × 10³–3.9 × 10⁴ cfu mL⁻¹ with large linear dynamic range.     

Determination of chromium, iron and selenium in foodstuffs of animal origin by collision cell technology, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), after closed vessel microwave digestion

The determination of chromium (⁵²Cr), iron (⁵⁶Fe) and selenium (⁸⁰Se) isotopes in foodstuffs of animal origin has been performed by collision cell technology (CCT) mode using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as detector after closed vessel microwave digestion. To significantly decrease the argon-based interferences at mass to charge ratios (m/z): 52 (⁴⁰Ar¹²C), 56 (⁴⁰Ar¹⁶O) and 80 (⁴⁰Ar⁴⁰Ar), the gas-flow rates of a helium and hydrogen mixture used in the hexapole collision cell were optimised to 1.5 ml min⁻¹ H₂ and 0.5 ml min⁻¹ He and the quadrupole bias was adjusted daily between −2 and −15 mV. Limits of quantification (LOQ) of 0.025, 0.086 and 0.041 mg kg⁻¹ for Cr, Fe and Se, respectively, in 6% HNO₃ were estimated under optimized CCT conditions. These LOQ were improved by a factor of approximately 10 for each element compared to standard mode.Precision under repeatability, intermediate precision reproducibility and trueness have been tested on nine different certified reference materials in foodstuffs of animal origin and on an external proficiency testing scheme. The results obtained for chromium, iron and selenium were in all cases in good agreement with the certified values and trueness was improved, compared to those obtained in standard mode.     

Synthesis and characterization of zirconium(IV) iodovanadate and its use as electron exchanger

Samples of zirconium(IV) iodovanadate have been synthesized under varying mixing ratios by adding a mixture of aqueous solution of 0.1 M potassium iodate and 0.1 M sodium metavanadate to aqueous solution of 0.1 M zirconium oxychloride at pH 1. The ion exchange capacity of the material for Na⁺ ion was found to be 2.20 meq g⁻¹ of dry exchanger. The material has been characterized on the basis of chemical composition, FTIR and TGA. The chemical stability of the product has been checked in neutral, acidic and basic media. The product has been used as electron exchanger. The oxidation of Fe(II), Sn(II), ascorbic acid and thioglycolic acid was achieved by batch-equilibrium technique successfully. The maximum redox capacity of the exchanger has been found to be 4.20 meq g⁻¹ of exchanger by column process.     

Molybdenum, Mo-Ir and Mo-Ru coatings as permanent chemical modifiers for the determination of cadmium and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Molybdenum, Ir, Ru, Mo-Ir, Mo-Ru thermally coated on to platforms inserted in pyrolytic graphite tubes as permanent modifiers and Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ conventional modifier mixture have been employed for the determination of cadmium and lead in dissolved sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Optimum masses and mass ratios of permanent modifiers for the analysis of Cd and Pb in sample solutions have been investigated. The 280 μg of Mo, 200 μg of Ir, 200 μg of Ru, 280 μg of Mo + 200 μg of Ir or 280 μg of Mo + 200 μg of Ru has been found as efficient as 5 μg of Pd + 3 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ for increasing thermal stabilization of analytes and for decreasing the most serious interferences. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background signal shapes, characteristic masses and detection limits of analytes in dissolved samples with or without permanent and conventional modifiers have been compared. The detection limits and characteristic masses obtained with Mo-Ir coated platform are 0.01 μg g⁻¹ and 1.1 pg for Cd and 0.09 μg g⁻¹ and 19 pg for Pb, respectively. Long-term stabilities for analytes in samples with Mo, Mo-Ir, Mo-Ru and Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ have been studied. Cadmium and lead contents have been determined in certified and standard reference materials by using optimum conditions investigated and the results obtained with Mo-Ir or Mo-Ru were in agreement with the values of certified reference materials.     

Protonation of carbonate in aqueous tetraalkylammonium salts at 25 degrees C

Protonation constants of carbonate were determined in tetramethylammonium chloride (Me₄NCl_aq 0.1 ≤ I/mol kg⁻¹ ≤ 4) and tetraethylammonium iodide (Et₄NI_aq 0.1 ≤ I/mol kg⁻¹ ≤ 1) by potentiometric ([H⁺]-glass electrode) measurements. Dependence of protonation constants on ionic strength was taken into account by modified specific ion interaction theory (SIT) and by Pitzer models. Literature data on the protonation of carbonate in NaCl_aq (0.1 ≤ I/mol kg⁻¹ ≤ 6) were also critically analysed. Both protonation constants of carbonate follow the trend Et₄NI > Me₄NCl > NaCl. An ion pair formation model designed to take into account the different protonation behaviours of carbonate in different supporting electrolytes was also evaluated.     

Optimizing Cs-exchange in titanosilicate with the mineral pharmacosiderite topology: framework substitution of Nb and Ge

Titanosilicates with complete or partial substitution of Ge or Nb in the framework and having the mineral pharmacosiderite topology were hydrothermally prepared and their ion-exchange properties towards Cs were studied for Ti/Ge/Si, Ti/Si, Nb/Ti/Si and pure Ge phases. The basis for the differences in the ion exchange properties measured as distribution coefficients (K_d) for these materials are detailed via structural characterization using the Rietveld refinement technique on the X-ray powder diffraction data. The differences in affinity towards Cs⁺ result either from the degree of hydration of the exchanger resulting in different coordination environments or the position of cesium ion in the eight-ring channel.     

Determination of Zn, B, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na and Si in anisette samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A comparative study of several digestion methods of anisette samples has been carried out. Two dry ashing (DA) treatments as well as four wet ashing (WA) procedures using different mixtures of acids were applied for the sample mineralisation before analysis. Once the anisette samples were mineralised, the contents of Zn, B, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na and Si were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Each method has been studied statistically and also attending to their feasibility. After performing the optimisation of the different treatments tested, it was concluded that one wet ashing method employing a HNO₃:H₂O₂ (10:1) mixture was the most suitable. This method was applied to the analysis of anisette samples. Na, Ca, Mg and Si were present in concentrations up to 215 mg l⁻¹ for Na, 11.6 for Mg, 6.2 for Ca and 5.1 for Si. Fe and B concentrations were not higher than 0.12 mg l⁻¹ and lower for Zn.     

Preparation, crystal structure and magnetic behavior of new double perovskites Sr2B′UO6 with B′=Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn

Sr₂B′UO₆ double perovskites with B′=Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn have been prepared in polycrystalline form by solid-state reaction, in air or reducing conditions. These new materials have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements. The room-temperature crystal structure is monoclinic (space group P2₁/n), and contains alternating B′O₆ and UO₆ octahedra sharing corners, tilted along the three pseudocubic axes according to the Glazer notation a⁻a⁻b⁺. The magnetic measurements show a spontaneous magnetic ordering below T_N=21 K for B′=Mn, Ni, and T_C=150 K for B′=Fe. From a Curie-Weiss fit, the effective paramagnetic moment for B′=Mn (5.74 μ_B/f.u.) and B′=Ni(3.51 μ_B/f.u.) are significantly different from the corresponding spin-only moments for the divalent cations, suggesting the possibility of a partial charge disproportionation B′²⁺+U⁶⁺⇔B′³⁺+U⁵⁺, also accounting for plausible ferrimagnetic interactions between B′ and U sublattices. The strong curvature of the reciprocal susceptibility for B′=Fe precludes a Curie-Weiss fit but also suggests the presence of ferrimagnetic interactions in this compound. This charge disproportionation effect is also supported by the observed B′O distances, which are closer to the expected values for high-spin, trivalent Mn, Fe and Ni cations.     

Good linear relationship between logarithms of Eigen’s water exchange constants for several divalent metal ions and activation energies of corresponding metal-catalyzed alkoxysilane hydrolysis in ethylene-propylene copolymer system

Catalytic efficiencies of seven divalent metal acetylacetonate complexes [M(acac)₂; M = Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II)] with respect to the water-crosslinking kinetics of vinyltrimethoxysilane-grafted ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPR-g-VTMS) were investigated to examine the effects of progressive changes in metal ion using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The hydrolysis activation energies of EPR-g-VTMS follows the order: No catalyst ≈ Ni(acac)₂ > Co(acac)₂ > Fe(acac)₂ ≈ Zn(acac)₂ > Cd(acac)₂ ≈ Cu(acac)₂ > Pb(acac)₂. Interestingly, the kinetics results revealed that the plots of hydrolysis activation energies of EPR-g-VTMS containing M(acac)₂ complexes and Eigen’s water exchange constants for corresponding metal ions showed a excellent linear relationship, suggesting that the reaction pathway for the silane water-crosslinking with hydrous M(acac)₂ complex in EPR-g-VTMS system may be similar to that for water exchange of the metal ion in an aqueous system. Based on the knowledge of traditional kinetics studies by Eigen and Wilkins and hybrid sol-gel chemistry, the plausible catalytic mechanism for M(acac)₂ complexes in EPR-g-VTMS system was proposed.