Preparation and characterization of a new organic-inorganic nano-composite poly-o-toluidine Th(IV) phosphate: Its analytical applications as cation-exchanger and in making ion-selective electrode

An organic-inorganic hybrid poly-o-toluidine Th(IV) phosphate was chemically synthesized by mixing ortho-tolidine into the gel of Th(IV) phosphate in different mixing volume ratios, concentration of inorganic reactant with a fixed mixing volume ratios of organic polymer. The physico-chemical characterization was carried out by elemental analysis, TEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR and simultaneous TGA-DTA studies. The ion-exchange capacity, chemical stability, effect of eluant concentration, elution behavior and pH titration studies were also carried out to understand the ion-exchange capabilities. The distribution studies revealed that the cation-exchange material is highly selective for Hg²⁺, which is an important environmental pollutant. Due to selective nature of the cation-exchanger ion-selective membrane electrode was fabricated for the determination of Hg(II) ions in solutions. The analytical utility of this electrode was established by employing it as an indicator electrode in electrometric titrations.     

New and novel organic-inorganic type crystalline ‘polypyrrolel/polyantimonic acid’ composite system: preparation, characterization and analytical applications as a cation-exchange material and Hg(II) ion-selective membrane electrode

A new phase of ‘organic-inorganic’ composite system, polypyrrole polyantimonic acid, prepared by mixing the inorganic precipitate of hydrated antimony oxide with organic conducting polymer i.e., polypyrrole, providing a novel granular form hybrid cation-exchanger suitable for column operation with better chemical and thermal stability, good ion-exchange capacity, reproducibility and selectivity for heavy metals. The physicochemical properties of this material were studied using elemental analyses, AAS, SEM, XRD, FTIR and simultaneous TGA-DTA studies. Ion-exchange capacity, pH-titrations, elution and distribution behavior were also carried out to characterize the material. Distribution studies revealed the cation-exchange material to be highly selective for Hg(II) and its selectivity was performed by achieving some important binary separations like Hg²⁺-Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺-Ni²⁺, Hg²⁺-Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺-Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺-Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺-Mg²⁺ etc. on its column. Using this electroactive composite material, a new heterogeneous precipitate based selective ion-sensitive membrane electrode was fabricated for the determination of Hg(II) ions in solutions. The membrane electrode is mechanically stable, with a quick response time, and can be operated within a wide pH range. The selectivity coefficients for different cations determined by mixed solution method were found to be less than unity The electrode was also found to be satisfactory in electrometric titrations.     

Synthesis and characterization of nano-composite ion-exchanger; its adsorption behavior

A novel organic-inorganic nanocomposite cation-exchanger has been synthesized via sol-gel method. It was characterized on the basis of FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM and Raman studies. The structural studies reveal semi-crystalline nature of the material with the particle size ranging from 1-5 nm. Physiochemical properties such as ion-exchange capacity, chemical and thermal stability of composite material have also been determined. Bifunctional behavior of the material has been indicated by its pH titrations curves. The nanocomposite material exhibits improved thermal stability, higher ion-exchange capacity and better selectivity for toxic heavy metals. The ion-exchange material shows an ion-exchange capacity of 1.8 meq g(-1) for Na(+) ions. Sorption behavior of metal ions on the material was studied in different solvents. The cation exchanger was found to be selective for Pb(II), Hg(II) and Zr(IV) ions. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for Pb(II) ion was found to be 0.85 and 2.85 μg L(-1). Analytically important separations of heavy metal ions in synthetic mixtures as well as industrial effluents and natural water were achieved with the exchanger. The practical utility of polyanilineZr(IV)sulphosalicylate cation exchanger has been established for the analysis and recovery of heavy metal ions in environmental samples.     

Anion-exchange behavior of various metals in hydrazoic acid media

The adsorption characteristics for 43 metals on a strongly basic ion-exchange resin Bio-Rad AG1 were examined in 0.5 M hydrazoic acid solution. The distribution coefficients for V(IV), Fe(III), Cu(II), Zn, Se(IV), Mo(VI), Pd(II), Cd, In(III), Rc(VII), Hg(II) and U(VI), which showed very strong adsorption except for Cd, were measured as a function of hydrazoic acid concentration over the range 0.05–0.5 M. Favorable differences in the distribution coefficients allow useful two- and three-component separations such as Co(II)-Fe(III), As(III)-V(IV), Cd-Zn, Cd- Hg(II), Te(IV)-Se(IV), Th-U(VI), Mn(II)-Mo(VI)-Re(VII), to be achieved on a small column.     

A two‐dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite‐type semiconductor: poly[(2‐azaniumylethyl)trimethylphosphanium [tetra‐μ‐bromido‐plumbate(II)]]

Recently, with the prevalence of `perovskite fever', organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OHPs) have attracted intense attention due to their remarkable structural variability and highly tunable properties. In particular, the optical and electrical properties of organic–inorganic hybrid lead halides are typical of the OHP family. Besides, although three‐dimensional hybrid perovskites, such as [CH₃NH₃]PbX₃ (X = Cl, Br or I), have been reported, the development of new organic–inorganic hybrid semiconductors is still an area in urgent need of exploration. Here, an organic–inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskite is reported, namely poly[(2‐azaniumylethyl)trimethylphosphanium [tetra‐μ‐bromido‐plumbate(II)]], {(C₅H₁₆NP)[PbBr₄]}_n, in which an organic cation is embedded in inorganic two‐dimensional (2D) mesh layers to produce a sandwich structure. This unique sandwich 2D hybrid perovskite material shows an indirect band gap of ～2.700 eV. The properties of this compound as a semiconductor are demonstrated by a series of optical characterizations and indicate potential applications for optical devices.     

Virus and bacterial removal ability of TiO2 nanowire-based self-supported hybrid membranes

Development and application of hybrid membranes containing multi-component materials are increasing day by day in the fields of environmental protection and water treatment. In this research, the efficiency of titania nanowire (TiO₂ NW)-based self-supported hybrid membranes was investigated in the removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria and MS2 bacteriophages from contaminated water mimicking the microorganism suspension. Furthermore, toxicology tests on the as-prepared membranes were also performed. TiO₂ NWs were coated with iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃) and copper(II) oxide (CuO) nanoparticles, respectively, and cellulose was used as reinforcement material. It was found that, the functionalisation strongly affected the MS2 removal ability of as-prepared membranes, which can be due to the electrostatic interactions between the surface of hybrid membrane and the bacteriophages. The most efficient removal (greater than or equal to 99.99%) was obtained with the TiO₂ NW-CuO-cellulose membrane at pH 7.0. The fabricated hybrid membranes were characterized by micro computed tomography (μCT), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), contact angle measurement and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) techniques. This study shows a simple route of the usage of novel and effective inorganic nanowire-based hybrid membranes for bacteria and virus removal, providing new pathways in the field of water filtration technologies.     

Preparation, characterization, and application of a new thiol-functionalized ionic liquid for highly selective extraction of Cd(II)

A highly selective thiol-functionalized ionic liquid (thiol-FIL) was synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and ESI mass spectroscopy. The capability of thiol-FIL to extract Cd(II), Ni(II), Cr(III) and Pb(II) was evaluated. It is found that thiol-FIL possesses high selectivity for Cd(II), and this has led to a method for determination of Cd(II) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry that is free of interferences by up to a 1,000-fold excess of Na(I), Mg(II), Ca(II), Mn(II), Fe(III), Al(III), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Cr(III), Co(II), As(III), Pb(II), and Hg(II). With extraction equilibrium time of 1 min, a good linearity (r = 0.9998) and a detection limit of 0.39 μg?L^?1 were obtained. The precision (RSD) for 11 replicate measurements of 10 μg?L^?1 Cd was 1.6%. The method was validated using certified reference materials. The recoveries of cadmium in spiked real samples ranged from 97% to 102%.     

A Novel Thin‐Film Copper Array Based on an Organic/Inorganic Sensor Hybrid: Microfabrication,Potentiometric Characterization,and Flow‐Injection Analysis Application

A first step towards the microfabrication of a thin‐film array based on an organic/inorganic sensor hybrid has been realized. The inorganic microsensor part incorporates a sensor membrane based on a chalcogenide glass material (Cu‐Ag‐As‐Se) prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique (PLD) combined with an PVC organic membrane‐based organic microsensor part that includes an o‐xylyene bis(N,N‐diisobutyl‐dithiocarbamate) ionophore. Both types of materials have been electrochemically evaluated as sensing materials for copper(II) ions. The integrated hybrid sensor array based on these sensing materials provides a linear Nernstian response covering the range 1×10^?6–1×10^?1 mol L^?1 of copper(II) ion concentration with a fast, reliable and reproducible response. The merit offered by the new type of thin‐film hybrid array includes the high selectivity feature of the organic membrane‐based thin‐film microsensor part in addition to the high stability of the inorganic thin‐film microsensor part. Moreover, the thin‐film sensor hybrid has been successfully applied in flow‐injection analysis (FIA) for the determination of copper(II) ions using a miniaturized home‐made flow‐through cell. Realization of the organic/inorganic thin‐film sensor hybrid array facilitates the development of a promising sophisticated electronic tongue for recognition and classification of various liquid media.     

A chelating polymer resin: synthesis,characterization, adsorption and desorption performance for removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solution

A chloromethylated polystyrene-N-methyl thiourea chelating resin (DMTUR) was successfully prepared by the reaction of chloromethylated polystyrene beads (PS-Cl) with N-methyl thiourea (DMTU). The DMTUR exhibited a high selective adsorption toward Hg(II) in the mixture of different metal ions containing Cu(II), Hg(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Cr(III) and Ni(II), and the adsorption capacity of Hg(II) approached a maximum with a value of 347 mg/g at pH = 4.0. Moreover, the batch kinetic study showed that the adsorption behavior of Hg(II) presented as a pseudo-second-order manner. And the adsorption isotherms fitted well with Langmuir model, and the maximum uptake of Hg(II) could reach to be 476 mg g^?1 at 35 °C. The thermodynamics study ensured the adsorption process essentially as favorable and endothermic. Finally, an eluent of 4 M HNO₃ solution could completely remove the adsorbed Hg(II) and the adsorption capacity allowed a high level at least five cycles. As aforementioned appealing properties, the DMTUR with simple technology, high adsorption capacity, significant selectivity and good regenerability may have a potential application in industrial scale as a treatment of enriched Hg(II) in wastewater.     

Liquid-state mercury(II) ion-selective electrode based on N-(O,O-diisopropylthiophosphoryl)thiobenzamide

A liquid ion-exchange electrode containing a complex of mercury(II) with N-(O,O-diisopropylthiophosphoryl)thiobenzamide in carbon tetrachloride is described. The electrode shows excellent sensitivity and good selectivity. The slope of the calibration graph is 29.0 mV/pHg²⁺ in the pHg²⁺ in the pHg²⁺ range 2–15.2 in mercury(II) ion buffers. The electrode can be used for determination of 5 × 10^?5–10^?2 M Hg(II) in the presence of 10^?2 M Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), Bi(III) or Al(III) ions and in the presence of 10^?3 M Ag(I) ions. It can bealso used for end-point detection in titrations with EDTA of 10^?3–10^?4 M mercury(II) at pH 2.     

Simultaneous determination of hydride forming elements (As, Sb, Se, Sn) and Hg in sonicate slurries of biological and environmental reference materials by hydride generation microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (SS-HG-MIP-OES)

A slurry sampling hydride generation (SS-HG) method for the simultaneous determination of hydride forming elements (As, Sb, Se, Sn) and Hg, without total sample digestion, has been developed using batch mode generation system coupled with microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES) from certified biological and environmental reference materials. Slurry concentration up to 3.6% m/v (particles < 80 μm) prepared in 10% HCl containing 100 μl of decanol, by the application of ultrasonic agitation, was used with calibration by the standard addition technique. Harsh conditions were used in the slurry preparation in order to reduce the hydride forming elements to their lower oxidation states, As(III), Sb(III), Se(IV) and Sn(II) and Hg, being reduced to mercury vapor, before reacting with sodium tetrahydroborate. An ultrasonic probe was used to homogenize the slurry in the quartz cup just before its introduction into the reaction vessel. For 10 ml of slurry sample, detection limits (LOD, 3σ_blank, peak area) of 0.06, 0.08, 0.15, 0.12 and 0.10 μg g^− 1 were obtained for As, Sb, Se, Sn and Hg, respectively. The method offers relatively good precision (RSD ranged from 9 to 12%) for slurry analysis. To test the accuracy, three certified reference materials were analyzed with the analyte concentrations mostly in the μg g^− 1 level. Measured concentrations are in satisfactory agreement with certified values for the biological reference materials: NRCC LUTS-1 (lobster hepatopancreas), NRCC DOLT-2 (Dogfish Liver) and environmental reference material: NRCC PACS-1 (Marine Sediment), all adequate for slurry sampling. The method requires small amounts of reagents and reduces contamination and losses.     

Transition metal complexes enslaved in the supercages of zeolite-Y: DFT investigation and catalytic significance

A series of zeolite-Y encapsulated hybrid catalysts, [M(STCH)·xH₂O]-Y have been prepared by encapsulating Schiff base complexes [where M?=?Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II); (x?=?3) and Cu(II); (x?=?1); H₂STCH?=?salicylaldehyde thiophene-2-carboxylic hydrazone] in zeolite-Y matrix by flexible ligand method. These hybrid materials have been characterized by various physico-chemical techniques such as ICP-OES, elemental analyses, (FT-IR and electronic) spectral studies, BET, scanning electron micrographs, thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction patterns. X-ray powder diffraction analysis reveals that the structural integrity of the mother zeolite in the hybrid material remained intact upon immobilization of the complex. Density functional theory is employed to calculate the relaxed structure, bond angle, bond distance, dihedral angle, difference of highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies gap and electronic density of states of ligand and their neat transition metal complexes. The hybrid materials are active catalysts for the hydroxylation of phenol using hydrogen peroxide (30% H₂O₂) as an oxidant in order to selectively synthesize catechol or hydroquinone, amongst them [Cu(STCH)·H₂O]-Y shown the highest % of selectivity towards catechol (81.3%).     

Advances in organic–inorganic hybrid sorbents for the extraction of organic and inorganic pollutants in different types of food and environmental samples

The efficiency of the extraction and removal of pollutants from food and the environment has been an important issue in analytical science. By incorporating inorganic species into an organic matrix, a new material known as an organic–inorganic hybrid material is formed. As it possesses high selectivity, permeability, and mechanical and chemical stabilities, organic–inorganic hybrid materials constitute an emerging research field and have become popular to serve as sorbents in various separaton science methods. Here, we review recent significant advances in analytical solid‐phase extraction employing organic–inorganic composite/nanocomposite sorbents for the extraction of organic and inorganic pollutants from various types of food and environmental matrices. The physicochemical characteristics, extraction properties, and analytical performances of sorbents are discussed; including morphology and surface characteristics, types of functional groups, interaction mechanism, selectivity and sensitivity, accuracy, and regeneration abilities. Organic–inorganic hybrid sorbents combined with extraction techniques are highly promising for sample preparation of various food and environmental matrixes with analytes at trace levels.     

Chromium(III, VI) speciation analysis with preconcentration on a maleic acid-functionalized XAD sorbent

Chromium may exist in environmental waters as Cr(III) and Cr(IV), the latter being the toxic and carcinogenic form. Since atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry can only yield information on total Cr concentration, a polymer resin bearing O,O-donor chelating groups such as the maleic acid-functionalized XAD(CO)CHCHCOOH resin was synthesized to selectively retain Cr(III) at pH 4.0-5.5. The dynamic breakthrough capacity of the resin for Cr(III) at pH 5.0 was 7.52 mg g⁻¹, and the preconcentration factor extended to 250-300. Chromium(III) in the presence of 250-fold Cr(VI)—which was not retained—could be effectively preconcentrated on the NH₄⁺-form of the resin and determined by AAS or diphenylcarbazide (DPC) spectrophotometry. When Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) with Na₂SO₃ solution brought to pH 1 by the addition of 1 M H₂SO₄, and preconcentrated on the resin, total Cr could be determined. The developed method was validated with a blended coal sample CRM-1632. Since the adsorption behavior as a function of pH of possible interferent metal ions, e.g. Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Fe(III), was similar to that of Cr(III), selective elution of Cr(III) from the resin was realized using a mixture of 1 wt.% H₂O₂+1 M NH₃. The eluate containing Cr as chromate could be directly analyzed by diphenyl carbazide spectrophotometry without any adverse effect from the common interferents of this method, i.e. Fe(III), Cu(II) Hg(II), VO₃⁻, MoO₄²⁻ and WO₄²⁻. Various synthetic waste solutions typical of electroplating bath effluents containing Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Na, Ca, cyanide (and chemical oxidation demand (COD), achieved by glucose addition) were subjected to pretreatment procedures such as hypochlorite oxidation (of cyanide) and catalytic oxidation (of COD) with peroxodisulfate. Chromium determination gave satisfactory results. The combined column preconcentration—selective elution—diphenylcarbazide spectrophotometric determination was also successfully applied to the determination of Cr in artificial and real seawater.     

Recent Advances in Crystalline Oxidopolyborate Complexes of d-Block or p-Block Metals: Structural Aspects,Syntheses, and Physical Properties

Crystalline materials containing hybrid inorganic–organic metal borates (complexes with oxidoborate ligands) display a variety of novel framework building blocks. The structural aspects of these hybrid metallaoxidoborates containing Cd^(II), Co^(II), Cu^(II), Ga^(III), In^(III), Mn^(II), Ni^(II) or Zn^(II) metal centers are discussed in this review. The review describes synthetic approaches to these hybrid materials, their physical properties, their spectroscopic properties and their potential applications.     

Synthesis,characterization and adsorption behaviour of TX-100 based Sn(IV) phosphate,a new hybrid ion exchanger

A new hybrid ion exchanger, Triton X-100 based tin(IV) phosphate (TX-100SnP) has been synthesized and characterized by ion exchange and physico-chemical methods such as ion exchange capacity, elution and concentration behaviour, IR, X-ray, TG/DTA and elemental analysis. Its adsorption behaviour has also been studied for some alkaline earths and heavy metal ions in different acidic media. It has been found generally more selective for metal ions as compared to tin(IV) phosphate prepared earlier. For Pb(II), Hg(II) and Fe(III) its selectivity has been found to be exceptionally good. On this basis, some binary separations have been performed involving these metal ions. Thermal studies show a high thermal stability of the material. It retains 54.54% of its i.e.c. at 200°C and 27.27% at 300°C.     

Preparation and properties of a new chelating resin containing 2-nitroso-1-naphthol

A new chelating ion-exchange resin based on a macroreticular polystyrene—divinyl benzene copolymer and containing 2-nitroso-1-naphthol as the functional species has been synthesized. It is highly stable in acidic and alkaline solutions. Its sorption characteristics for V(V), Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Hg(II), Pd(II) and U(VI) have been investigated over the pH range 1.0–7.0 and the exchange-capacities have been found to be generally higher than those of a similar resin containing 1-nitroso-2-naphthol.     

One pot synthesis of ordered mesoporous organosilica particles bearing propyl-, octyl- and hexadecyl-chains

New hybrid organic–inorganic materials exhibiting ordered mesoporous structures have been synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane and various alkyltrimethoxysilanes with increasing length of the hydrocarbon chain (propyl, octyl, hexadecyl), in water–ethanol solution containing ammonia, in the presence of a cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) as templating agent. The obtained hybrid materials were characterized by using several physico-chemical techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption, ²⁹Si MAS NMR, SEM and elemental analysis. It was shown that the direct synthesis procedure allows obtaining ordered hybrid mesoporous silica with various contents of organic functions, from 5 to 20 %. Moreover, increasing the chain length of the organic group, from propyl to octyl and hexadecyl leads to a change of the pore structure from hexagonal p6mm MCM-41 type architecture to cubic Ia3d MCM-48 type mesostructure.     

Synthesis of Mesoporous Lanthanum Phosphate and Its Use as a Novel Sorbent

Mesoporous lanthanum phosphate was synthesized by supramolecular self-assembly of cetyltrimethylammo-nium bromide and lanthanum nitrate following digestion in phosphoric acid.TGA-DTA,XRD and SEM were em-ployed to study the uncalcined and calcined materials.Sorption behavior of Cr(Ⅲ),Mn(Ⅱ),Fe(Ⅲ),Co(Ⅱ),Ni(Ⅱ),Cu(Ⅱ),Zn(Ⅱ),Cd(Ⅱ),Ba(Ⅱ),Hg(Ⅱ)and Pb(Ⅱ)cations was studied on such materials in water,3 mol·L~(-1)ammonia,0.01 mol.L~(-1)potassium ferrocyanide and 0.01 mol·L~(-1)potassium ferricyanide solutions.     

Synthesis and characterization of UV‐curable phosphorus containing hybrid materials prepared by sol–gel technique

In this study, a series of ultraviolet (UV)‐curable organic–inorganic hybrid coating materials containing phosphorus were prepared by sol–gel approach from acrylate end‐capped urethane resin, acrylated phenyl phosphine oxide oligomer (APPO), and inorganic precursors. TEOS and MAPTMS were used to obtain the silica network and Ti:acac complex was employed for the formation of the titania network in the hybrid coating systems. Coating performance of the hybrid coating materials applied on aluminum substrates was determined by the analysis techniques, such as hardness, gloss, impact strength, cross‐cut adhesion, taber abrasion resistance, which were accepted by international organization. Also, stress–strain test of the hybrids was carried out on the free films. These measurements showed that all the properties of the hybrids were enhanced effectively by gradual increase in sol–gel precursors and APPO oligomer content. The thermal behavior of the hybrid coatings was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis. The flame retardancy of the hybrid materials was examined by the limiting oxygen index (LOI); the LOI values of pure organic coating (BF) increased from 31 to 44 for the hybrid materials containing phosphorus (BF‐P:40/Si:10). The data from thermal analysis and LOI showed that the hybrid coating materials containing phosphorus have higher thermal stability and flame resistance properties than the organic polymer. Besides that, it was found that the double bond conversion values for the hybrid mixtures were adequate in order to form an organic matrix. The polycondensation reactions of TEOS and MAPTMS compounds were also investigated by ²⁹Si‐NMR spectroscopy. SEM studies of the hybrid coatings showed that silica/titania particles were homogenously dispersed through the organic matrix. In addition, it was determined that the hybrid material containing phosphorus and silica showed fibrillar structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.