Determination of inorganic beryllium species in the particulate matter of emissions and working areas

A sequential extraction procedure for separating and determining Be(0), soluble Be(II) inorganic compounds, BeO and beryllium silicates in samples such as particulate matter of emissions and working areas, has been developed. The proposed procedure has been tested on synthetic samples prepared with the inorganic beryllium compounds, in the presence of atmospherical particulate matter sampled in a laboratory of the Department, previously checked for the absence of beryllium. The speciation was then repeated on a sample of fly ash deriving from a solid waste incinerator and on a reference material (Coal Fly ash SRM 1633a, by NIST), followed by an evaluation of matrix spiking and recovery analyses. Performing multiple analyses of the spiked samples assessed the repeatability of the procedure. Quantitative determinations have been made by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The possible interferences of the most common ions have been investigated. The selective sequential extractions allow one to separate and to determine different inorganic beryllium species, to which a different toxicity and therefore, a different risk are related: it is the case for example of metallic beryllium and beryllium oxide.     

Sequential extraction procedure for speciation of inorganic cadmium in emissions and working areas

A sequential extraction procedure for separating and concentrating soluble Cd(II) salts, CdO, Cd(0), CdS, CdSe and cadmium-aluminosilicates, has been developed for the cadmium speciation in samples such as particulate matter in emissions and working areas. The proposed procedure has been tested first on synthetic samples prepared in a laboratory with the different cadmium salts, then also in the presence of atmospherical particulate matter sampled in a laboratory of the Department of Analytical Chemistry, previously checked for the absence of cadmium. Finally the speciation was tested on particulate matter collected near the emission of a power plant fed by coal, after emission's treatment by electrostatic precipitator: matrix spiking and recovery analyses have been evaluated and the repeatability of the cadmium speciation was assessed by performing multiple analyses of the spiked samples. Quantitative determinations have been made by FAAS and GFAAS through the standard additions method.     

Sequential extraction procedure for speciation of inorganic selenium in emissions and working areas

A sequential extraction procedure for separating inorganic species of selenium in particulate matter of emissions and working areas, has been developed. The proposed procedure has been tested first on synthetic samples prepared in laboratory with the different selenium salts, then in the presence of atmospherical particulate matter sampled in a laboratory of the department of general chemistry, previously checked for the absence of selenium. Finally the speciation was tested on a reference material (urban particulate matter NIST SRM 1648), certified for the total selenium content. The sample was first treated with the proposed procedure, followed by an evaluation of matrix spiking and recovery analyses. The repeatability of the selenium speciation was assessed by performing multiple analyses of the spiked samples. Quantitative determinations have been made by AAS and voltammetry. The possible interferences of the most common ions have been investigated.     

Cathodic stripping voltammetry of nickel: sonoelectrochemical exploitation of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple

The exploitation of the Ni(III)/Ni(II) transition as a means of quantifying the concentration of nickel within industrial samples was assessed. The methodology relies upon the reagentless electrodeposition of Ni onto a glassy carbon electrode and the subsequent oxidative conversion of the metallic layer to Ni(III). The analytical signal is derived from a cathodic stripping protocol in which the reduction of the Ni(III) layer to Ni(II) is monitored through the use of square wave voltammetry. The procedure was refined through the introduction of an ultrasonic source which served to both enhance the deposition of nickel and to remove the nickel hydroxide layer that results from the measurement process. A well-defined stripping peak was observed at +0.7 V (vs. AgAgCl) with the response found to be linear over the range 50 nM to 1 μM (based on a 30 s deposition time). Other metal ions such as Cu(II), Mn(II), Cr(III), Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Fe(III) and Co(II) did not interfere with the response when present in hundred fold excess. The viability of the technique was evaluated through the determination of nickel within a commercial copper nickel alloy and validated through an independent comparison with a standard ICP-AES protocol.     

Analysis of inorganic mercury species associated with airborne particulate matter/aerosols: method development

This paper describes a method for speciation of Hg associated with airborne particulate matter. This method uses a mini-sampler for sample collection and analysis, thermal desorption for separating Hg species, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) for identification and quantification of Hg. Coal fly ash spiked with different Hg compounds (e.g. Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS) was used for qualitative calibration. A standard reference material with a certified value for Hg concentration was used to evaluate the method. When the temperature of the furnace was programmed at a linear rate of increase of 50° min^–1, different Hg compounds could clearly be separated. Three airborne particulate matter samples were collected in parallel in Toronto, ON, Canada and analyzed using this method. Reproducible results were obtained and Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS species from these samples were detected.     

Preconcentration of cadmium and nickel using the bioadsorbent Geobacillus thermoleovorans subsp. stromboliensis immobilized on Amberlite XAD-4

Cadmium and nickel ions have been preconcentrated on Geobacillus thermoleovorans subsp. stromboliensis, immobilized on Amberlite XAD-4, and were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Parameters such as pH, amount of adsorbent, eluent type and volume, flow rate of solution and the matrix interference effect on retention have been studied, and extraction conditions were optimized. Elution of Cd(II) and Ni(II) from minicolumns was carried out with 1.0 M hydrochloric acid or nitric acid with recoveries from 97 to 100%. The sorption capacity is 0.0373 and 0.0557 mmol g^?1 for Cd(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The detection limits were 0.24 μg L^?1 for cadmium and 0.3 μg L^?1 for nickel. The relative standard deviations of the procedure were below 10%. The procedure was validated by analyzing certified reference materials and applied to the determination of Cd(II) and Ni(II) in natural water and food samples.     

Optimization of a microwave-assisted derivatization-extraction procedure for the determination of chlorophenols in ash samples

A procedure for the determination of 17 chlorophenolic compounds in ash samples obtained from the incineration of waste materials is described. Analytes were simultaneously derivatized with acetic anhydride in presence of triethylamine (TEA), and extracted from the sample in a mixture of n-hexane acetone using a microwave system equipped with closed extraction vessels. Influence of five experimental parameters (volume of TEA and acetic anhydride, extraction time and temperature, as well as the volume of n-hexane acetone) on the yield of the derivatization-extraction procedure was systematically studied using a uniform experimental design at four levels, followed by a conventional factorial design at two levels. Under optimal extraction conditions, recoveries from 72 to 94% were obtained for a spiked ash sample with a carbon content of 8.7%. Quantification limits of the proposed procedure ranged from 2 to 5 ng/g using GC-MS as detection technique. The proposed method was applied to the determination of chlorophenols in three ash samples obtained from different incineration plants. Total chlorophenol contents of 423 and 135 ng/g were found in two of these samples.     

Selective sequential dissolution for the determination of inorganic indium compounds in the particulate matter of emissions and workplace air.

A speciation method was developed for the determination of inorganic indium compounds in the particulate matter of emissions and from the workplace, based on selective sequential extractions. The main inorganic indium compounds that are expected to be present in the atmospheric particulate matter involving the industrial production of indium and in the manufacture of indium compounds were separated and determined. The procedure has been tested on standard reference materials. The indium recovery was in the range 93 - 105%.     

Chromotropic acid-functionalized polyurethane foam: A new sorbent for on-line preconcentration and determination of cobalt and nickel in lettuce samples

A chromotropic acid-functionalized polyurethane foam has been developed for use in an on-line preconcentration system for cobalt and nickel determination. The packing material was prepared by covalent coupling of chromotropic acid with the polyurethane foam through an azo group. Co and Ni ions were sorbed in the mini-column, from which they could be eluted directly to the nebulizer-burner system of a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Elution of cobalt and nickel from the mini-column can be accomplished with 0.50 and 0.75 M HCl solutions, respectively. The enrichment factors obtained were 22 (Co) and 27 (Ni), for 60 s preconcentration time, and 57 (Co) and 59 (Ni), if a preconcentration time of 180 s was used. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed procedure allowed the determination of metals with detection limits of 0.43 (cobalt) and 0.52 microg/L (nickel), respectively, on using preconcentration periods of 180 s. The accuracy of the developed procedure was evaluated by analysis of the certified reference materials NIST 1515 Apple Leaves and NIST 1570a Spinach Leaves. The method was applied to the analysis of lettuce samples. The contents of cobalt in the samples analyzed varied from 0.75 to 0.98 microg/g. Nickel was not detected in the lettuce samples.     

Synthesis of nickel metal nanoparticles via a chemical reduction of nickel ammine and alkylamine complexes by hydrazine

Nickel nanoparticles were prepared from their coordination compounds, such as [Ni(NH₃)₆]Cl₂, [Ni(N₂H₄)₂Cl₂], [Ni(HNEt₂)₆]Cl₂, and [Ni(H₂NBu)₆]Cl₂ in aqueous solution by chemical reduction. The reaction of nickel ammine and alkylamine complexes with hydrazine monohydrate as a reducing agent was carried out at 90 °C and pH = 10–12. Depending on the influencing parameters such as oxidizing agent, pH, and temperature, the hydrazine reaction can be carried out in different pathways. The chemical reduction method is a simple procedure and also is the best one in the controlling of composition, size, and shape of Ni powder. The reduction of nickel complexes into the metallic Ni powder occurs via the dissociation of complexes and reduction by hydrazine in alkaline solution. Therefore, complexing agents have the most effect on the reduction reaction. The results show that, when the ligands in complexes were changed from ammine to diethylamine and butylamine, respectively, the crystalline size and morphology of nickel metal nanoparticles are changed. The chemical reduction of nickel complexes into metallic nickel can be accompanied with a change in the crystalline system. The pure nickel crystalline has a face-centered cubic structure. The nickel nanoparticles were characterized using IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer analyses.     

Ni2P/SBA-15催化剂的结构及加氢脱硫性能

以硝酸镍为镍源, 磷酸氢二铵为磷源, 介孔分子筛SBA-15为载体, 用共浸渍法制备了含磷化镍前驱体的样品, 然后在氢气流中采用程序升温还原法, 制备了Ni2P质量分数为5%-40%的Ni2P/SBA-15催化剂. 用X射线衍射(XRD)、N2吸附脱附、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)等分析测试技术对催化剂的结构进行了表征, 以噻吩和二苯并噻吩(DBT)为模型化合物, 在微型固定床反应器上对催化剂的加氢脱硫(HDS)性能进行了评价. 结果表明, Ni2P/SBA-15催化剂中SBA-15 的介孔结构依然存在, 活性组分Ni2P具有良好的分散性, 但随Ni2P含量的增加, 催化剂的比表面积、孔容和孔径均有明显减小. 当反应温度为320 ℃时, Ni2P含量为15%-25%(w)的催化剂就具有很好的加氢脱硫催化性能; 反应温度在360 ℃以上时, 所有催化剂都具有优异的深度脱硫催化性能. Ni2P/SBA-15催化剂对二苯并噻吩的加氢脱硫(HDS)主要以直接脱硫机理(DDS)进行.     

Trace metal analysis of coal fly ash collected plain and on a quartz fibre filter

A simple, uniform procedure has been developed for microwave-based digestion of fly ash samples collected from the hoppers of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP), or collected from flue gases on a heat-resistant quartz fibre filter and for subsequent atomic absorption spectrometric analysis of trace metals (Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn). HNO(3), HCl, HF and mixtures have been tested as digestion acids. The combination of HNO(3) and HF has been found to be efficient for the digestion of fly ash samples with and without quartz fibre filter material. In spite of the complicated matrix, results with satisfactory accuracy and precision (relative standard deviation below 10% for most of the elements) have been obtained. In the case of analysis of fly ash together with a quartz fibre filter, the calibration curve has to be determined by standard addition to a blank solution containing a dissolved blank quartz fibre filter.     

Reactive matrix clean-up of naturally occurring perylene in young lignite

Young lignite from two locations in Sendai City, Japan, were analyzed for polynuclear aromatic compounds (PACs). Lignite samples were extracted with toluene and PACs were isolated by a compound-class-selective, reactive matrix clean-up. This clean-up separates all compounds of polynuclear aromatic structure, for example hydrocarbons and ketones and their primary metabolites, from interfering organic compounds. The result of this isolation procedure is, therefore, a group of a large number of polycyclic compounds with different functional groups. Further analysis is done by glass capillary gas chromatography. Perylene was identified as the only compound obtained by the reactive matrix clean-up of lignite samples from both locations. Concentrations were in the range of 1–10 mg kg⁻¹. Conversely, PACs resulting from particulate emissions from fossil fuel combustion always contain isomeric PAHs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) with some polycyclic aromatic ketones and thousands of primary and secondary metabolites at very low concentrations. This was demonstrated for a sample of urban air particulate matter, which is the source of PAC contamination of surface soil. The absence of accompanying PAHs and polynuclear aromatic ketones in the lignite samples confirms that perylene did not originate from a combustion process. It is assumed that the high concentrations of perylene are the result of a reduction of perylene quinone. Thus, the high perylene content of the lignite samples investigated is of biogenic origin.     

Multielemental speciation of trace elements in estuarine waters with automated on-site UV photolysis and resin chelation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An integrated approach for the accurate determination of total, labile and organically bound dissolved trace metal concentration in the field is presented. Two independent automated platforms consisting of an ultraviolet (UV) on-line unit and a chelation/preconcentration/matrix elimination module were specifically developed to process samples on-site to avoid sample storage prior to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis. The speciation scheme allowed simultaneous discrimination between labile and organic stable dissolved species of seven trace elements including Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn, using only 5 ml of sample with detection limits ranging between 0.6 ng l⁻¹ for Cd and 33 ng l⁻¹ for Ni. The influence of UV photolysis on organic matter and its associated metal complexes was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and validated against natural samples spiked with humic substances standards. The chelation/preconcentration/matrix elimination procedure was validated against an artificial seawater spiked sample and two certified reference materials (SLRS-4 and CASS-4) to ensure homogenous performance across freshwater, estuarine and seawater samples. The speciation scheme was applied to two natural freshwater and seawater samples collected in the Adour Estuary (Southwestern, France) and processed in the field. The results indicated that the organic complexation levels were high and unchanged for Cu in both samples, whereas different signatures were observed for Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn, suggesting organic ligands of different origin and/or their transformation/alteration along estuarine water mixing.     

石墨烯负载镍催化CO_2加氢甲烷化

采用改进的Hummers法制备了氧化石墨烯(GO),经水合肼还原得到石墨烯(RGO),通过浸渍法制备了石墨烯负载的镍基催化剂(Ni/RGO);对其催化二氧化碳甲烷化反应的性能进行了研究,并与以碳纳米管(CNTs)和活性炭(AC)为载体负载的Ni基催化剂进行了比较.由于催化剂的载体分别为RGO,CNTs和AC,所以Ni将会表现出不同的形态.利用红外光谱(FTIR)、比表面积(BET)测试、程序升温还原(H2-TPR)、X射线衍射(XRD)分析和透射电子显微镜(TEM)等表征手段对其结构及物理性质进行了表征.结果表明,Ni/RGO具有相对较大的比表面积(316 m~2/g),Ni在Ni/RGO上的颗粒尺寸(5.3 nm)小于其在Ni/CNTs(8.9 nm)和Ni/AC(11.6 nm)上的颗粒尺寸;该催化剂在二氧化碳甲烷化反应中具有更高的催化活性和选择性,而且具有良好的使用寿命.     

Trace metal analysis of coal fly ash collected plain and on a quartz fibre filter

A simple, uniform procedure has been developed for microwave-based digestion of fly ash samples collected from the hoppers of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP), or collected from flue gases on a heat-resistant quartz fibre filter and for subsequent atomic absorption spectrometric analysis of trace metals (Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn). HNO₃, HCl, HF and mixtures have been tested as digestion acids. The combination of HNO₃ and HF has been found to be efficient for the digestion of fly ash samples with and without quartz fibre filter material. In spite of the complicated matrix, results with satisfactory accuracy and precision (relative standard deviation below 10% for most of the elements) have been obtained. In the case of analysis of fly ash together with a quartz fibre filter, the calibration curve has to be determined by standard addition to a blank solution containing a dissolved blank quartz fibre filter.     

Identification of sulfur interferences during organotin determination in harbour sediment samples by sodium tetraethyl borate ethylation and gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection

Because of the high toxicity of organotin compounds and the current regulation about their applications, analytical method usable in routine analysis is required. A speciation procedure based on NaBEt4 ethylation and GC-PFPD analysis has shown to be suitable for the organotin determination. Unfortunately, some matrix effects were observed during the analysis of harbour sediments from Chile. These effects were identified as the alkylation of elemental sulfur and the coelution between the organotin compounds and some dialkylsulfides. The re-optimization of GC parameters and application of solid phase microextraction (SPME) were proposed to solve these analytical problems. Certified reference materials and different harbour sediment samples were analysed in order to evaluate the suitability of the methods for organotin control in complex environment samples.     

Subspeciation of sulfidic nickel in particulates. Determination of Ni3S2, NiS2, and NiS in reference and fly ash samples by carbon paste electrode voltammetry

Nickel speciation of fly ash by sequential extraction lacks specific identification of the chemical forms in the sulfidic nickel phase. A new voltammetric analysis of Ni₃S₂, NiS, and NiS₂ in a carbon paste electrode is reported. Characteristic peaks were observed in acetate (pH 5) as the electrolyte; the anodic peak for Ni₃S₂ gave a linear dose response with microgram sensitivity. Reference compounds included heazlewoodite, millerite, commercial Ni₃S₂, NiS₂, and NiS, but the latter was shown to be mainly the subsulfide. No Ni₃S₂ was found in two types of laboratory generated ash: an oil ash containing mainly soluble nickel and a high sulfur petroleum coke ash enriched with nickel.     

Determination of volatile and non-volatile nickel and vanadium compounds in crude oil using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after oil fractionation into saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes

In recent work, it has been shown that electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) can be used to differentiate between volatile and non-volatile nickel and vanadium compounds in crude oil. In the present work, the distribution of these two groups of compounds over different fractions of crude oil was investigated. For this purpose two crude oil samples were separated in two steps: firstly, the asphaltenes were precipitated with n-heptane, and secondly, the maltenes were loaded on a silica column and eluted with solvents of increasing polarity. The four fractions of maltenes eluted from silica column were: F1, saturated and light aromatics; F2, polyaromatics; F3, resins; and F4, polar compounds. Fractions F1 and F2 were further investigated using gas chromatography, and all fractions were characterized by CHN analysis, confirming the increase of aromatics in the fractions 2, 3, 4 and asphaltenes. For the determination of Ni and V by ET AAS, oil-in-water emulsions were prepared. The speciation analysis was carried out measuring without chemical modifier (stable compounds) and with 20 μg palladium (total Ni and V) and the volatile fraction was calculated by difference. The limits of detection were 0.02 μg g⁻¹ and 0.06 μg g⁻¹, for Ni and V, respectively, based on an emulsion of 2 g of oil in 10 mL. The volatile species of Ni and V were associated with fractions F3 and F4, while only thermally stable Ni and V was precipitated in part together with the asphaltenes.     

Chemical speciation of trace metals in fine airborne particles: advances in operational performance of a new sequential extraction scheme

A speciation method of inorganic metal compounds in airborne particulate matter based on selective sequential extractions is described. The sequential leaching procedure was perfected for improvement of performance at different stages of scheme. The loss of fine particles during the leaching procedure was the main source of error that was assessed and corrected. Loss of sample volume due to the heating steps and due to the absorption on filter material was also a difficulty to solve. New experimental conditions were optimized for the operational scheme to remove the different sources of loss. Microwave assistance with an optimum programme as a heating system, filtration of extractable solutions, and the use of internal standards were the main contributions.