An EPMA Study on KNbO3 and NaNbO3 Single Crystals – Potential Reference Materials for Quantitative Microanalysis

Single crystals of KNbO₃ and NaNbO₃ were selected from the limited number of suitable alkali compounds that are available and evaluated as possible reference materials for the electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA) of alkaline niobates with a composition described by the general formula K_1–XNa_XNbO₃. The EPMA study verified that KNbO₃ and NaNbO₃ single crystals are stable under the electron beam and compositionally homogeneous. A quantitative microanalysis confirmed the composition of pure KNbO₃, while the NaNbO₃ crystal contained 0.3 mass fraction % of Ca. A significant improvement in the accuracy of the quantitative EPMA of polycrystalline potassium–sodium niobates was achieved using these single crystals as standards. The crystals can also be useful as reference materials for the analysis of sodium and potassium in other materials.     

Quantitative electron probe microanalysis of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting materials

The high temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x has been studied by quantitative electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). After investigation of appropriate standards and choice between three different matrix correction methods this technique provides very accurate analytical results including those for oxygen. The quantitative results even allow the determination of the stoichiometry with deviations less than 2% relative. The application of computercontrolled EPMA is demonstrated by the characterization of the microstructure of a ceramic Y-Ba-Cu-O sample. Finally the properties of copperL ₂ andL ₃ valence band spectra are presented for compounds with copper in different valence state.Dedicated to Professor Günther Tölg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Nucleation of Titania Nanocrystals in Silica Titania Waveguides

SiO_{2(1 – x)}-TiO_2(x) monomode waveguides at 632.8 nm, with x in the range 0.07–0.2 and thickness of about 0.4 m, were deposited on silica substrates by a dip-coating technique. Nucleation of TiO₂ nanocrystals and the growth of their size by thermal annealing up to 1300°C were studied by waveguided Raman scattering in the SiO_2(0.8)-TiO_2(0.2) composition. In the low frequency region (5–50 cm^–1) of the VV and HV polarized Raman spectra the symmetric and quadrupolar acoustic vibrations are observed. The mean size of the titania particles are obtained from the frequencies of the Raman peaks. The results are compared with those obtained from the measure of the linewidths in the X-ray diffraction spectra. Nanocrystals with a mean size in the range 4–20 nm are obtained by thermal annealing in a corresponding range of 700–1300°C.     

Electrophoretic deposition of hydroxyapatite–CaSiO3–chitosan composite coatings

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method has been developed for the fabrication of hydroxyapatite (HA)–CaSiO₃ (CS)–chitosan composite coatings for biomedical applications. The use of chitosan enabled the co-deposition of HA and CS particles and offered the advantage of room temperature processing of composite materials. The coating composition was varied by the variation of HA and CS concentrations in the chitosan solutions. Cathodic deposits were obtained as HA–CS–chitosan monolayers, HA–chitosan/chitosan multilayers or functionally graded materials (FGM) containing HA–chitosan and CS–chitosan layers of different composition. The thickness of the individual layers was varied in the range of 0.1–20 μm. The deposition yield was studied at different experimental conditions and compared with the results of modeling. It was shown that the moving boundary model for the two component system can explain the non-linear increase in the deposition yield with increasing HA concentration in chitosan solutions. The obtained coatings were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies showed that these coatings provided corrosion protection of stainless steel substrates in Ringer's physiological solution. The deposition mechanism and kinetics of deposition have been discussed.     

Fabrication of an ion-selective electrode for determination of propylhexedrine

Electrodes of both conventional and micro-sizes were based on the use of propylhexedrine-reineckate as the ion-exchanger in a plastic membrane. The electrodes exhibited Nernstian response towards propylhexedrine (PX) over the concentration range 10^–6–10^–2 M and had life spans of up to 2 days continuous work. The working pH range was 2.3–8. Investigation of diverseions reveals good selectivity for propylhexedrine over several inorganic cations, amines, aminoacids, sugars and some pharmaceutical compounds. The electrode was applied for determination of the drug in urine with 99.1% recovery and 0.15–0.31% relative standard deviation.     

The determination of platinum-group elements (PGE) by nickel sulfide fire-assay: Coexisting PGE-phases in the nickel sulfide button

The chemical composition of phases in buttons obtained by nickel sulfide fire-assay during the determination of platinum-group elements (PGE) has been investigated by electron microprobe analysis. Different PGE-containing phases, due to varying flux constituents and species of added PGE, have been detected. By using sodium tetraborate as flux constituent and adding PGE as chlorides, in a cryptocrystalline Ni₃S₂ matrix with low PGE (mainly Rh and Ru) contents, Rh- and Ru-bearing nickel sulfides ((Ni_7.68–7.80Ru_0.84–0.90Rh_0.35–0.43)₉S₈) and Ir alloys ((Ir,Pt,Os)_0.56–0.62(Ru,Rh)_0.25–0.28Ni_0.12–0.19) are found. Treatment with lithium tetraborate leads to a Ni₃S₂ matrix exhibiting slightly higher Rh and Ru contents, with inclusions of nickel-rhodium sulfides (Ni₈Rh₄S₉) and platinumnickel alloys (Pt_0.45Ni_0.36–0.39Ru_0.11–0.14Rh_0.05). Finely dispersed metallic colloidals from an automobile catalyst, with platinum and rhodium as main components, have given only platinum-nickel alloys (Pt_1–xNi_x). Considerable losses of PGE during analytical steps following the fire assay are expected when their contents in sulfidic phases, which are more likely to be dissolved, are high.     

The phase diagram and supercooling conditions for the Ca(NO3)2−CaCl2−H2O system

The liquidus temperature and induction periods were measured for crystallization in a system of calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, and water over a concentration range of 5–20 mole% Ca(II), i.e., R=4–18 [R=moles H₂O/moles Ca(II)] and y_cl=0–1 [y_cl=moles Cl^–/moles (NO ₃ ^– +Cl^–)]. A ternary phase diagram was constructed, and qualitative dependences of the supercooling at which the solution began to crystallize on the system composition were found. A wide range of stability toward crystallization was found for solutions withR=4–10 and y_cl=0–0.7 The relationships between the system stability toward crystallization and the viscosity, glass-transition temperature, and the liquidus temperature are discussed.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of geochemical and cosmochemical samples: A fast and reliable method for small sample analysis

We have developed a fast and reliable procedure to routinely measure the abundances of up to about 35 elements even in small (<1 mg) samples. Depending on the type of samples, they are either irradiated for about 8 hours at a flux of about 2·10¹²n·cm^–2·s^–1, or up to 100 hours at a flux of about 6·10¹³n·cm^–2·s^–1. As standards, high-purity synthetic multielement standards and well-characterized geological reference materials are used. Synthetic standards are used as primary standards because they have several advantages over secondary (geological) standards. Three to four counts are done one each sample, starting 1–3 days after the end of the irradiation. We use high-purity germanium (HpGe) detectors with high efficiencies and very good energy resolution (1.6–1.8 keV at 1332 keV). To allow high throughput rates we use fast preamplifiers and gated integrator spectroscopy amplifiers with fast fixed conversion time ADCs. The signals are fed into an acquisition interface module (AIM) and via Ethernet into a Micro VAX. To allow better peak deconvolution, 8k spectra are taken where possible. A specially designed annular NaI(TI) guard detector allows Compton suppression spectrometry. The system uses standard software and was tested with sets of geological standards and has given reliable results for a wide variety of samples, e.g., cosmic spherules in the 30–200 g weight range.     

Development of a PVC-membrane ion-selective bulk optode,for UO<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>2+</Superscript></Stack> ion,based on tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octylphosphine oxide and dibenzoylmethane

A novel uranyl ion-selective bulk optode membrane, incorporating tri-n-octylphosphine oxide for cation recognition and a lipophilic chromoionophore dibenzoylmethane, has been prepared. The PVC membrane composition was optimized to result in the widest working concentration range. The response range of the proposed optode is 4.1×10^–6 to 2.0×10^–4 mol L^–1 UO₂²⁺. The probe works at pH 4.0. Ion interference is low and selectivity, reproducibility, and stability are good.     

A kinetic study of methane conversion by a dinitrogen microwave plasma

Conversion of CH₄ with a N₂ microwave plasma (2.45 GHz) is studied. The experiments cover the absorbed microwave power range 300–700 W with 17–62% of methane in the gas mixture, with pressures of 10–40 mbar and flow rates of 140–650 ml· min^–1. The yields of C₂ hydrocarbons and dihydrogen are analyzed by gas chromatography. The distance of methane addition downstream of the plasma plays an important role on the composition and the concentration of the products obtained. This distance mainly determines the energy concentrated in the active species of the plasma when they react with methane. Different behaviors for acetylene formation, on the one hand, and for ethane and ethene formation, on the other hand, have been observed, and this finding allows us to propose a kinetic mechanism for the decay of methane and for the formation of C₂ hydrocarbons.     

Mechanosynthesis of nanopowders of the proton-conducting electrolyte material Ba(Zr, Y)O3−δ

The formation of perovskite nanopowders of the common proton-conducting, electrolyte material Ba(Zr_1−xY_x)O_3−δ is demonstrated by room temperature mechanosynthesis for the compositional range x=0, 0.058 and 0.148. This is achieved with a planetary ball mill at 650 rpm in zirconia vials, starting from BaO₂ with ZrO₂, (ZrO₂)_0.97(Y₂O₃)_0.03 or (ZrO₂)_0.92(Y₂O₃)_0.08 precursors, respectively. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the formation of the perovskite phase in the early stages of milling with phase purity being achieved after milling times of 240 min for composition x=0.058 whereas 420 min is necessary for composition x=0.148. In contrast, traces of ZrO₂ are apparent in composition x=0 even after milling times of 420 min. The use of BaCO₃ as precursor does not allow the formation of the perovskite phase for any composition. The perovskite crystallites are spherical in shape with an average size determined from XRD of ca. 30 nm in agreement with transmission electron microscopy observations. FTIR spectra demonstrate that contamination levels of BaCO₃ in the mechanosynthesized powders are very low. The spherical shape and nanoscale of the crystallites allow densification levels that are highly competitive when compared to BaZrO₃-based materials formed by alternative synthesis techniques documented in the literature.     

Ionization Constants of o-Phthalic Acid and Standard pH Values of Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate Buffer Solutions in Glycerol + Water Solvent Mixtures at Normal and Subzero Temperatures

Determination of primary standards for pH measurements in glycerol + water solventmixtures has been carried out based on reversible emf measurements of the cellPt|H₂|KHPh (m _PS) + KCl (m _Cl)|AgCl|Ag|Ptwhere KHPh denotes the potassium hydrogen phthalate buffer solution of molalitym _PS = 0.05 mol-kg^–1, at glycerol mass fractions w _G = 0.2 and 0.4, within thetemperature range –10 to 40°C. A multilinear regression procedure as a functionof electrolyte molality, glycerol mass fraction w _G, and temperature T has beenapplied for the data processing leading to the values of primary standards pH_PS.These can be represented by the following regression equationpH_PS = (4.007037±0.001113) + (3.55844±0.01776)x _G+(0.39622±0.01410)z + (4.3084±0.3377)z ²– (50.66±10.53)x _G z ² + (457.10±78.48)x _G ² z ²where z = (T – 298.15)/298.15. Parallel values of the first ionization constantof o-phthalic acid (H₂Ph; benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, the parent acid of KHPh),which are essential for the above calculations, have been determined fromreversible emf measurements of the cellPt|H₂|H₂Ph (m ₁) + KHPh (m ₂) + KCl (m ₃)|AgCl|Ag|Ptover the range of solvent composition and temperatures mentioned above.     

A Study of the Effect of Sintering Conditions of Mg0.95Ni0.05Ti3 on Its Physical and Dielectric Properties

Mg_0.95Ni_0.05TiO₃ ceramics were prepared by traditional solid-state route using sintering temperatures between 1300 and 1425 °C and holding time of 2–8 h. The sintered samples were characterized for their phase composition, micro-crystalline structure, unit–cell constant, and dielectric properties. A two-phase combination region was identified over the entire compositional range. The effect of sintering conditions was analyzed for various properties. Both permittivity (ε_r) and Q factor (Q_f) were sensitive to sintering temperatures and holding times, and the optimum performance was found at 1350 °C withholding time of 4 h. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) in a range from −45.2 to −52 (ppm/°C) and unit–cell constant were not sensitive to both the sintering temperature and holding time. An optimized Q factor of 192,000 (GHz) related with a permittivity (ε_r) of 17.35 and a temperature coefficient (τ_f) of −47 (ppm/°C) was realized for the specimen sintered at 1350 °C withholding time of 4 h. For applications of 5G communication device (filter, antennas, etc.), Mg_0.95Ni_0.05TiO₃ is considered to be a suitable candidate for substrate materials.     

Neue Eichmethode zur Nitrat- und Nitrit-Spurenbestimmung in Lebensmittelproben

Zusammenfassung Ein neues Verfahren zur Nitrat- und Nitritspurenbestimmung in verschiedenartigen Lebensmittelproben wird beschrieben. Dazu wird die massenspektrometrische Isotopenverdünnungsanalyse unter Verwendung eines ¹⁵NO ₃ ^– - und ¹⁵NO ₂ ^– -Indicators sowie die Messung negativer NO ₂ ^– -Thermionen im Massenspektrometer eingesetzt. Als definitive Methode liefert dieses Verfahren vergleichsweise richtige Analysenergebnisse, weshalb es sich vor allem auch als Eichverfahren eignet. Es werden Nitratgehalte in verschiedenen Milchpulver- und Schinkenproben im Bereich 3–170 ppm sowie getrocknete Proben von Pflanzenmaterialien im Bereich 0,1–2 Gew.-% analysiert. Dabei kann die Bestimmung letztgenannter Proben auch als Mikroanalyse erfolgen. Soweit es sich bei den Lebensmitteln um homogenisierte Proben handelt, liegen bei Konzentrationen >100 ppm die relativen Standardabweichungen des Verfahrens im Bereich 0,2–1%, bei Gehalten von 10–100 ppm im Bereich 1,5–3%. Die entsprechende Reproduzierbarkeit für parallel zum Nitrat bestimmtes Nitrit liegt bei 2–6% für Gehalte im Bereich 1–50 ppm. Die Nachweisgrenze für Nitrat und Nitrit ist etwa 0,2 ppm.

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New calibration method for the nitrate and nitrite trace determination in food samples

Summary A new analytical procedure for the determination of nitrate and nitrite traces in different food samples is described. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry is applied using a ¹⁵NO ₃ ^– and a ¹⁵NO ₂ ^– spike for the dilution technique and measuring negative NO ₂ ^– thermal ions in the mass spectrometer. This definitive method provides relatively accurate analysis results. Therefore, it is especially suitable as a calibration method. Nitrate contents in different milk powder samples and ham samples in the range of 3–170 ppm as well as dried samples of different plant materials in the range of 0.1–2% (by weight) are analysed. The determination of the plant material can also be carried out as micro analysis. So far as the food samples are homogeneous, the relative standard deviation of this method is in the range of 0.2–1% for nitrate contents of > 100 ppm and in the range of 1.5–3% for those of 10–100 ppm. The corresponding values for nitrite analysed in parallel to nitrate are 2–6% in the range of 1–50 ppm. The nitrate and nitrite detection limit is about 0.2 ppm.

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Vortrag anläßlich des Symposiums Anorganische Anionenanalytik, Regensburg, 19.–21. 9. 1984

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Der Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft und dem Fonds der Chemischen Industrie danken wir für die finanzielle Unterstützung.     

Determination of nanogram amounts of boron in some antimony compounds

Summary A method has been developed for determining boron in antimony compounds in the range 10^–7–10^–6%. The method comprises the isolation of the boron by distillation as methyl borate and its determination fluorimetrically with dibenzoylmethane. For the three materials analysed, SbCl₃, Sb₂O₃, and SbCl₅, individual procedures of dissolution as well as distillation were developed. The results obtained are reproducible, the mean deviation being about 12% at boron concentrations of 10^–7–10^–6%.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von 10^–7 bis 10^–6% Bor in Antimon-verbindungen wurde ausgearbeitet. Es umfaßt die Abtrennung des Bors durch Destillation als Methylborat und dessen fluorimetrische Messung mit Dibenzoylmethan. Für SbCl₃, Sb₂O₃ und SbCl₅ wurden jeweils eigene Arbeitsweisen der Auflösung und Destillation angegeben. Die Analysenergebnisse sind reproduzierbar; die mittlere Abweichung beträgt etwa 12% für Borkonzentrationen von 10^–7 bis 10^–6%.

     

Polyvinyl alcohol–ionic liquid composition for promoting the direct electron transfer and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin

The direct electron transfer and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin (Hb) entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–room temperature ionic liquid (i.e., 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [OMIM]PF₆) composition has been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry. It is found that the composition can promote the direct electron transfer of Hb and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) of immobilized Hb is enhanced to 19.9 s⁻¹. The immobilized Hb also shows high electro-catalytic activity towards the redox of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and nitrite. The Michaelis constants (K_m) decrease to 1.2 × 10⁻⁴ M (for hydrogen peroxide) and 9.4 × 10⁻³ M (for nitrite). The surface concentration of electroactive Hb is estimated and it is ca. 1.4 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻², meaning that several layers of immobilized Hb take part in the electrochemical reaction. When gold nanoparticles (GNP) is introduced into the composition, the resulting PVA–GNP–[OMIM]PF₆ composition presents better performance. The electrochemical characteristic of immobilized Hb is improved further. Thus PVA–GNP–[OMIM]PF₆ composition is more suitable for the immobilization of Hb. Therefore, it is a good strategy to prepare novel composition for protein immobilization by using several materials with different function.     

Use of CF3,Br/Al,discharges for reactive ion etching of III-V semiconductors

The reactive ion etching of GaAs, InP, InGaAs, and InAlAs in CF₃Br/Ar discharges was investigated as a function of both plasma power density (0.56-1.3 W - cm^–2) and total pressure (10-40 mTorr) The etch rate of GaAs in 19CF₃Br:1Ar discharges at 10 m Torr increases linearly with power density, from 600 Å min^–1 at 0.56 W · cm^–2, to 1550 Å · min at 1.3 W · cm^–2. The in-based materials show linear increases in etch rates only for power densities above – 1.0 W · cm^–2. These etch rates are comparable to those obtained with CCI₂F₂:O₂ mixtures under the same conditions. Smooth surface morphologies and vertical sidewalls are obtained over a wide range of plasma parameters. Reductions in the near-surface carrier concentration in n-type GaAs are evident for etching with power densities of >0.8 W cm^–2, due to the introduction of deep level trapping centers. At 1.3 W· cm^–2, the Schottky barrier height of TiPtAu contacts on GaAs is reduced from 0.74 to 0.53 eV as a result of this damage, and the photoluminescent intensity from the material is degraded. Alter RIE, we detect the presence of both F and Br on the surface of all of the semiconductors. This contamination is worse than with CCl₂F₂-based mixtures. High-power etching with CF₃Br/Ar together with Al-containing electrodes can lead to the presence of a substantial layer of aluminum oxide on the samples if the moisture content in the reactor is appreciable.     

Determination of Nickel after Online Sorbent Preconcentration by FI-FAAS Using Dimethylglyoxime as a Complexing Agent

Dimethylglyoxime (DMG) has been tested as a complexing agent for the determination of nickel after online preconcentration on RP-C₁₈ in a microcolumn using flow injection coupled with a flame atomic absorption spectrometry system (FI-FAAS). The Ni–DMG complexes formed online can be adsorbed on the C₁₈ sorbent. Various parameters affecting the online Ni–DMG complex formation and its subsequent adsorption in the microcolumn as well as its elution into the nebulizer of the FAAS were optimized. A 10⁻³ mol/L solution of DMG in 4% ethanol was mixed online with an aqueous sample solution acidified to 0.1% (v/v) nitric acid and flowed for 30 s through the microcolumn. The adsorbed Ni–DMG complex in the microcolumn was eluted with ethanol containing 1% HNO₃ into the nebulizer of the FAAS in 10 s. A good precision (RSD = 1.7%, n = 14), high enrichment factor (21), and high sample throughput (90 h⁻¹) with detection limit (3ς) 3 μg/L were obtained. The method was applied to standard reference materials, i.e., NBS-362, NBS-364 (special low-alloy steel), and mussel (GBW 08571), for the determination of nickel and the results were in good agreement with certified values. Nickel recovery from seawater and high-purity magnesium oxide in the range 98–100% can be obtained by this method.     

Dynamic calibration system for trace analysis in ion chromatography

Summary A dynamic method for the preparation of diluted standards in trace analysis by Ion Chromatography is described. The proposed system uses a diffusion cell that through a capillary tube of known dimension, continuously provides large volumes of highly diluted standard.The diffusion cell setting-up and its working conditions are described, and the advantages and difficulties of the dynamic method are pointed out. Loading the cell with concentrated standard solutions (200–10000 ppm), it was possible to produce diluted Na₂SO₄ standards in the 0.1–10 ppb concentration range. The cell is able to work for nearly a month before the source amount decreased by 1%.The linearity of the calibration device is good and the method is free of systematic errors. Under strictly controlled experimental condition, the diffusion cell provides primary standards because it allows to obtain concentrations only depending on its geometry.     

Determination of Hydrogen and Oxygen in Chalcogenide Glasses Using a Tandem Laser Mass Reflectron

A procedure was developed for determining hydrogen and oxygen in As–Se and Se–S systems by laser mass spectrometry on a tandem laser mass reflectron. The procedure involves special (both preliminary and in the course of analysis) cleaning of the sample surface with a Q-switched laser. The performance characteristics of the proposed procedure were studied on certified standard reference materials of aluminum alloys, oxygen-doped As₂Se₃, and As₂S₃ with the known absorption at lines of hydrogen-containing impurities. The dependence of the analytical signal on the concentration of gas-forming impurities was linear in the concentration range 10^–5 to 10^–2 mass %. The relative random error of measurements was not worse than 0.21. The detection limit was 8 × 10^–6 mass %.