Polyaniline pH Electrodes

Polyaniline-coated Pt, Pd, and graphite electrodes have been studied. Their potential relationship to pH follows the same principle as the pH glass electrode. They are solid state involving no redox reactions. The potential is derived from the surface charge density caused by protonation or deprotonation. They act as capacitors. The nonprotonated form of polyaniline was used for pH 6.8 to 1.2 and the protonated form of polyaniline was used for pH 6.8 to 13.0. Three regions of curves (acid, neutral, and alkaline) were obtained. The polyaniline-coated graphite electrode is recommended. It offers the advantage of sturdiness and may be used in microscale in HF solution, at high pressure. At pH 2.2, approximately 4,200 H⁺ions were adsorbed by polyaniline per nm². An insignificant number of H⁺ions were adsorbed by polyaniline at pH 6.2; this is close to its isoelectric point.     

Artificial neural network modeling of diuron and irgarol-based HPLC data and their levels from the seawaters in Izmir,Turkey

The LC determination of two well-known antifouling booster biocides, diuron and irgarol, was investigated from the seawaters in ?zmir, Turkey. The biocide levels were pre-concentrated through C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges and they were analyzed by the LC-UV method. An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to model the data obtained from LC optimization. Column temperature, percentage of acetonitrile, flow rate, wavelength, pH, and concentration of biocides were used as input parameters. The retention time was selected as output parameter. The best back-propagation algorithm in ANN modeling for diuron and irgarol was found to be the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The limits of detection for diuron and irgarol were calculated as 25.38 and 39.49 ng L^?1, respectively. The inter-day and intra-day precisions were obtained less than 13.5% for each biocide. The recovery rate for diuron was 96.9% and for irgarol it was 84.6%. The maximum diuron and irgarol levels were measured as 1779 ng L^?1 and 908 ng L^?1, respectively. In conclusion, ANN is a robust modeling method to predict the retention time in LC studies. Since diuron and irgarol have been detected in Turkish waters, it is therefore suggested that booster biocides with less impact on the environment should be used in antifouling paint formulas.     

Determination of Toluene and Ethanol in Urine by Headspace and Cryotrapping Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Toluene is the major volatile organic compound found in glue and is often used as a hallucinogenic for abusers. Use with alcohol increases the risk of adverse effects from toluene exposure. In this study, a headspace and cryotrapping gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of toluene and ethanol in urine. Experimental and instrumental variables were investigated to optimize the method for sensitivity. Excess sodium sulfate was used as the salting-out reagent before the headspace protocol. Linear least squares regression with a 1/x weighting factor was used to construct calibration curves from 0.002 to 0.4?µg?mL^?1 for toluene and 10 to 2000?µg?mL^?1 for ethanol. The correlation coefficients exceeded 0.9993. The limits of detection were 0.0005?µg?mL^?1 for toluene and 0.21?µg?mL^?1 for ethanol. Intraday and interday precisions were within 5.4 and 11.5%, while intraday and interday accuracies were between ?11.3 to ?4.0% and ?11.0 to 1.2%, respectively. The method validation results for selectivity and stability were satisfactory. The validation results were used to estimate the expanded uncertainty and the contribution of individual steps in the method for the quantification of toluene and ethanol. The relative expanded uncertainties were 14.1% for toluene and 4.6% for ethanol.     

Poly(alkylene-H-phosphonate)s obtained by direct esterification and oxidation of hypophosphorous acid with ethylene glycol

This paper presents for the first time the synthesis of poly(alkylene-H-phosphonate)s by one-pot tandem reaction of hypophosphorous acid and ethylene glycol. Zirconium oxychloride was used as esterification catalyst, Nickel vinylphosphonate, Nickel sulfate, Nickel chloride hexahydrate were used as transfer hydrogenation catalyst. Nickel vinylphosphonate was synthesized in our laboratory and used for the first time as catalyst in this process. The compounds were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy. Molar masses were determined by SEC-MALLS technique and depend on the catalyst used. The obtained poly(alkylene-H-phosphonate)s have molar masses between 1.50 and 11.85 kDa, higher than those obtained by other methods mentioned in the literature.     

Modification of Carbon Paste Electrode Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Electrochemical Determination of Diazinon in Biological and Environmental Samples

The wide use of pesticides can lead to environmental and human adverse effects. Diazinon, as an organophosphorous pesticide, is used in agriculture because of its low cost and high efficiency on insects. Due to the increasing application of pesticides, accurate analytical methods are necessary. The aim of this work was modification of carbon paste electrode composition and applying it as a sensor for determination of diazinon in biological and environmental samples. Multi‐walls carbon nanotubes and a molecularly imprinted polymer were used as modifiers in the sensor composition. A molecularly imprinted polymer and a non‐imprinted polymer were synthesized for applying in the electrode. After optimization of electrode composition, it was used to determine the analyte concentration. Instrumental parameters affecting the square wave voltammetric response were adjusted to obtain the highest current intensity. The modified electrode with MIP showed very high recognition ability compared to the electrode containing NIP. The obtained linear range was 5×10⁻¹⁰ to 1×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The detection limit of the sensor was 1.3×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation for analysis of target molecule by the proposed sensor was 2.87 %. This sensor was used to determine the diazinon in real samples (human urine, tap, and river water samples) without special sample preparation before analysis. The optimization of electrode composition containing mentioned modifiers improved its response considerably.     

Sodium meta-vanadate as volumetric reagent: Iodine monochloride method

In hydrochloric acid medium sodium meta-vanadate was used as a volumetric reagent for the determination of copper, zinc, cobalt, mercury, and lead. Cu⁺², Zn⁺² and Co⁺²were precipitated as complex mercurythiocyanates, Hg⁺² as mercuric zinc thiocyanate and Pb⁺² as Iodide. The thiocyanates were dissolved in concentrated hydrochloric acid and titrated against standard sodium meta-vanadate solution in the presence of iodine monochloride as a pie.oxidizer and catalyst. In titration of the iodide against the meta-vanadate. it was not necessary to add iodine monochloride to the titrant because it is formed during the titration. Chloroform was used as an indicator. It was pink owing to the liberation of iodine during the titration and became pale yellow at the end-point because of the formation of iodine monochlonde.     

Indirect Determination of Trace Tetraborate by Differential Pulse Polarography Using Its Copper Complex and Application to Waste and Drinking Water

A new differential pulse polarographic (DPP) method has been developed for the trace determination of boron. Its most stable copper complex is used in 0.5 M KNO₃ electrolyte since boron is not electroactive. By continuous addition of tetraborate to copper solution, the copper peak decreased first but then the peak became very small and nearly constant. This point was used for the boron determination. It was found that one mole of copper used two moles of tetraborate. Using this relationship, 1×10^?5 M tetraborate could be determined. The quantification limit was 2.5×10^?6 M and detection limit was 8×10^?7 M. In the presence of complex forming ions such as Pb, Zn, and Cd, the borate found in sample was somewhat smaller because of their reaction with borate. But since their complexes were not as strong as copper, only a few percent of borate were used. No interference was observed in the presence of calcium, chloride and sulfate. This method is applied for the determination of B in borax ore, waste water of borax industries and tap water of Ankara city.     

Study of sorption processes of strontium on the synthetic hydroxyapatite

The sorption of strontium on synthetic hydroxyapatite was investigated using batch method and radiotracer technique. The hydroxyapatite samples were prepared by a wet precipitation process followed by calcination of calcium phosphate that precipitated from aqueous solution. Also, commercial hydroxyapatites were used. The sorption of strontium on hydroxyapatite depended on the method of preparation and it was pH independent ranging from 4 to 9 as a result of buffering properties of hydroxyapatite. The distribution coefficient K _d was significantly decreased with increasing concentration of Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions in solution with concentration above 1 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³. The percentage strontium sorption for commercial and by wet method prepared hydroxyapatite was in the range of 83–96%, while calcined hydroxyapatite was ranging from 10 to 30%. The experimental data for sorption of strontium have been interpreted in the term of Langmuir isotherm. The sorption of Sr²⁺ ions was performed by ion-exchange with Ca²⁺ cations on the crystal surface of hydroxyapatite. Although calcined hydroxyapatite is successfully used as biomaterial for hard tissues repair, it is not used for the treatment of liquid wastes.     

Radiochemical measurement of <Superscript>237</Superscript>Np in a solution of mixed radionuclides: Experiences in chemical separation and alpha-spectrometry

A radiochemical procedure is described for the measurement of 0.1 Bq ²³⁷Np in a solution containing similar activity concentrations of Th, U, Pu and Am as well as activity concentrations of ⁶⁰Co, ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs one hundred times higher. A tracer of ²³⁹Np (milked from ²⁴³Am) was used as an isotopic spike for chemical yield determination. The relationship between gamma-counting geometries for ampoule (liquid) and NdF₃ (solid) ²³⁹Np sources was established so that Np chemical yields could be measured by a comparative method. Efficiencies of alpha-spectrometers for ²³⁷Np in NdF₃ sources were measured by a bootstrap technique. Two sets of experiments were designed and used to test out the procedure.     

Determination of the number of unpaired electrons in metal-complexes. A comparison between the Evans’ method and susceptometer results

1,4,8,11-Tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) is widely known as an ideal ligand for chelating heavy metal ions such as Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺. In this work, the consequences of chelation on the preference for high spin or low spin configuration were investigated for Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cr³⁺. Two methods were used to determine the number of unpaired electrons in the complex. First the dependence of magnetic susceptibility change of the crystalline powder as a function of temperature increase was measured. In the second case, the Evans’ method was used to obtain information about the number of unpaired electrons in the dissolved complexes. In some cases, such as Fe³⁺ and Ni²⁺, a discrepancy between the results obtained with the two methods was noticed. The results are influenced by the geometry of the complex, the aggregation state and the dimensions of the ions.     

Combined procedure using radiochemical separation of plutonium,americium and uranium radionuclides for alpha-spectrometry

Radiochemical separation of Pu, Am and U was tested from synthetic solutions and evaporator concentrate samples from nuclear power plants for isolation of each of them for alpha-spectrometry analysis. The separation was performed by anion-exchange chromatography, extraction chromatography, using TRU resin, and precipitation techniques. The aim of the study was to develop a sensitive analytical procedure for the sequential determination of ²⁴²Pu^{, 238}Pu, ^239+240Pu, ²⁴¹Am and ^{235, 238}U in radioactive wastes. ²³⁸Pu, ²⁴²Pu, ²⁴³Am and ²³²U were used as tracers. The measurements of α emitting radionuclides were performed by semiconductor detector that is used especially when spectrometric information is needed. For synthetic solutions the chemical recovery was based on associated iron concentration and was about 93%.     

Biomimetic electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer for dicloran pesticide determination in biological and environmental samples

Dicloran pesticide is used to inhibit the fungal spore germination for different crops. Because of the increasing application of pesticides, reliable and accurate analytical methods are necessary. The aim of this work is designing the highly selective sensor to determine the dicloran in biological and environmental samples. Multi-walls carbon nanotubes and a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) were used as modifiers in the sensor composition. A dicloran MIP and a nonimprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized and applied in the carbon paste electrode. After the optimization of electrode composition, it was used to determine the concentration of analyte. Parameters affecting the sensor response were optimized, such as sample pH, electrolyte concentration and its pH, and the instrumental parameters of square wave voltammetry. The MIP-CP electrode showed very high recognition ability in comparison with NIP-CP. The obtained linear range was 1 × 10^?6 to 1 × 10^?9 mol L^?1. The detection limit was 4.8 × 10^?10 mol L^?1. This sensor was used to determine the dicloran in real samples (human urine, tap and river water samples) without special sample preparation before analysis. All important parameters were optimized, improving the sensor response considerably.     

Development of an Amperometric Biosensor for β‐N‐Oxalyl‐L‐α,β‐Diaminopropionic Acid (β‐ODAP)

An amperometric method for the determination of the neurotoxic amino acid β‐N‐oxalyl‐L ‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (β‐ODAP) using a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) is reported. The electrode material was bulk‐modified with manganese dioxide and used as a detector in flow injection analysis (FIA). The enzyme glutamate oxidase (GlOx) was immobilized in a Nafion‐film on the electrode surface. The performance of the biosensor was optimized using glutamate as an analyte. Optimum parameters were found as: operational potential 440 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), flow rate 0.2 mL min^?1, and carrier composition 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 7.75). The same conditions were used for the determination of β‐ODAP. The signal was linear within the concentration range 53–855 μmol L^?1 glutamate and 195–1950 μmol L^?1 β‐ODAP. Detection limits (as 3σ value) for both analytes were 9.12 and 111.0 μmol L^?1, respectively, with corresponding relative standard deviations of 3.3 and 4.5%. The biosensor retained more than 73% of its activity after 40 days of on‐line use.     

Quantitative Determination of Fluconazole by Infrared Spectrophotometry

Abstract

The purpose of the study was the quantitative determination of fluconazole by IR spectrophotometry which was realized by the application of the KBr disc technique. In this study dehydrocholic acid was used as internal standard.

The absorption bands at 960 and 675 cm^?1 were chosen for fluconazole and 1705 cm^?1 for dehydrocholic acid. The concentration range between 0.4–1.6% w/w in KBr disc showed compliance with Beer's law.

Besides IR spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy and HPLC methods were also used In the quantitative determinations. In the UV spectroscopy method the absorbance value at 261 nm in MeOH was used for fluconazole. In quantitative determinations which were performed by using HPLC, ketoconazole was the internal standard. Different regression equations were applied for each method in order to complete the quantitative determination. In UV spectroscopy and HPLC methods, relative standards were found as 0.74, 1.04% and in IR spectroscopy (675, 960 cm^?1) relative standards were found as 1.1 and 1.51%, respectively.     

Extraction by Mixed Solvent and Spectrophotometric Determination of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate in Sea Water

Mixed solvent was used to extract ion pairs formed from suitable cationic dye and sodium dodecyl sulfate in sea water. The extracts were used for spectrophotometric determinations. The extraction of ion pairs of various combinations is discussed. Ethyl violet and a mixture (1:1) of p-xylene and toluene are the most useful combination as the cationic dye and the extraction solvent. The extracts were determined spectrophotometrically at 611.2 nm; the molar absorptivity is 1.27 × 10⁵ M^?1 cm^?1. The detection limit is 2.0 ppb in water based on three times the standard deviation of the blank. Extraction with this mixed solvent is as rapid and sensitive as with the best single solvent.     

Natural and fallout radionuclide concentrations in the environment of Islamabad

A study on the concentration of natural and fallout radionuclides in environmental samples collected from different localities of Islamabad was performed. For the determination of gamma-emitters such as ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs high purity germanium (HPGe) detector was used while for the analysis of ⁹⁰Sr, a beta-emitter, liquid scintillation counting system was used. The indoor absorbed dose rate was measured by a CaF₂ : Dy thermoluminescence detector. Other radiation parameters were also determined to evaluate the radiation hazard. All the results were well within the permissible limits showing that there is no radiation hazard in the environment of Islamabad.     

In vitro synthesis of (1→3)-β-D-glucan (callose) and cellulose by detergent extracts of membranes from cell suspension cultures of hybrid aspen

The aim of this work was to optimize the conditions for in vitro synthesis of (1→3)-β-D-glucan (callose) and cellulose, using detergent extracts of membranes from hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides) cells grown as suspension cultures. Callose was the only product synthesized when CHAPS extracts were used as a source of enzyme. The optimal reaction mixture for callose synthesis contained 100 mM Mops buffer pH 7.0, 1 mM UDP-glucose, 8 mM Ca²⁺, and 20 mM cellobiose. The use of digitonin to extract the membrane-bound proteins was required for cellulose synthesis. Yields as high as 50% of the total in vitro products were obtained when cells were harvested in the stationary phase of the growth curve, callose being the other product. The optimal mixture for cellulose synthesis consisted of 100 mM Mops buffer pH 7.0, 1 mM UDP-glucose, 1 mM Ca²⁺, 8 mM Mg²⁺, and 20 mM cellobiose. The in vitroβ-glucans were identified by hydrolysis of radioactive products, using specific enzymes. ¹³C-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were also used for callose characterization. The (1→3)-β-D-glucan systematically had a microfibrillar morphology, but the size and organization of the microfibrils were affected by the nature of the detergent used for enzyme extraction. The discussion of the results is included in a short review of the field that also compares the data obtained with those available in the literature. The results presented show that the hybrid aspen is a promising model for in vitro studies on callose and cellulose synthesis.     

Anion-exchange and solvent extraction studies on the separation of radioiodine with particular reference to the production of 123I via proton irradiation of 123Te metal target

The separation of radioiodine was investigated using two wet chemical procedures, namely anion-exchange and solvent extraction. Some factors affecting the separation, such as HCl, NaOH and tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) concentrations, used solvents ethyl acetate, benzene and carbon tetrachloride and different quaternary ammonium salts were studied. For each procedure the optimum conditions were deduced. The separation of ¹²³I was effected from proton-irradiated ¹²³Te target under the optimized conditions of the two procedures. The yield of ¹²³I obtained using the Dowex 21k anion-exchanger and tetrabutyl ammonium bromide solution as eluting agent was 88±3%; the radionuclidic purity was high and the time needed was 60 minutes. In solvent extraction process using TBAB in ethyl acetate as the extracting agent, the yield of ¹²³I was low (47±3%), the radionuclidic purity was not as good as in the anion-exchange method, and the time needed was 150 minutes. Therefore, the anionexchange method is preferable. A comparison of this wet chemical method of separation of ¹²³I with the commonly used dry distillation method is given. The wet method appears to be more suitable when a ¹²³Te metal target is used.     

Determination of bisphenol-a and related compounds in human saliva by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry

Summary A simple and sensitive method for the determination of trace amounts of bisphenol-A (BPA), bisphenol-A diglycidyl dimethacrylate (bis-GMA), bisphenol-A dimethacrylate (bis-DMA) and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) in human saliva is proposed. These materials are used in dental restorations, as composites and sealants, and are sometimes detected in human saliva after dental treatment. The proposed method involves protein precipitation using acetonitrile followed by acidification, evaporation of the solvent and dissolution with dichloromethane prior to injection into a GC-MS. Thermal derivatization in the injection system was used for the identification and quantification of bis-GMA. Clean-up is not necessary using SIM mode. Bisphenol-F (BPF) was used as internal standard. The linear range was 15 to 1000 μg·L⁻¹ for BPA, 50 to 10 000 μg·L⁻¹ for bis-GMA, 50 to 1000 μg·L⁻¹ for bis-DMA and 1 to 100 μg·L⁻¹ for TEGDMA. The detection limits were 3,15,10 and 0.3 μg·L⁻¹ for BPA, bis-GMA, bis-DMA and TEGD-MA, respectively. Validation of the proposed method was carried out by using the standard addition methodology. Samples of 10 mL of human saliva collected 1 h after dental treatment were analysed in order to assess the applicability of the method to detect and quantify such compounds originated from methacrylic resins used in odontological treatment.     

<Superscript>29</Superscript>Si NMR Spectroscopy Investigation of Alcoholic Phenyltrimethyl Ammonium Silicate Solutions

²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studies of the silicate species existing in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. In this report ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize species present in alkaline alcoholic silicate solutions. Phenyltrimethylammonium (PTMA) hydroxide was used as a base. The effects of polymerization/depolymerization of silicate anions in alcoholic alkaline solutions were investigated with different alcohols by ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The esterification of monomeric silicate, Si(OH)₄, in the presence of different alcohols was also studied. Esterification depends on the alkyl chain as well as number of hydroxyl groups in the alcohol.