Isotopic fractionation of helium during solution: A probe for the liquid state

The isotopic fractionation of ³ He/ ⁴ He has been determined in pure H ₂ O, D ₂ O, seawater and two alcohols. The measurements have revealed the temperature dependence of the isotopic fractionation in each liquid. Substitution of D ₂ O for H ₂ O decreases the fractionation by a small but measurable amount. The fractionation varies with salinity and an equation is given for equilibrium values in seawater. The effect in ethanol is approximately 25% less than in water. Interpretation of the experimental results in terms of a zero-point-energy argument suggests that gas molecules dissolved in the different liquids occupy cavities with different sizes. In pure water the cavity size seems to be independent of the solute and is approximately 6 Å.     

Deuterium exchange in the systems of H2O+/H2O and H3O+/H2O

The reactions of H₂O⁺, H₃O⁺, D₂O⁺, and D₃O⁺ with neutral H₂O and D₂O were studied by tandem mass spectrometry. The H₂O⁺ and D₂O⁺ ion reactions exhibited multiple channels, including charge transfer, proton transfer (or hydrogen atom abstraction), and isotopic exchange. The H₃O⁺ and D₃O⁺ ion reactions exhibited only isotope exchange. The variation in the abundances of all ions involved in the reactions was measured over a neutral pressure range from 0 to 2 × 10⁻⁵ Torr. A reaction scheme was chosen, which consisted of a sequence of charge transfer, proton transfer, and isotopic exchange reactions. Exact solutions to two groups of simultaneous differential equations were determined; one group started with the reaction of ionized water, and the other group started with the reactions of protonated water. A nonlinear least-squares regression technique was used to determine the rate coefficients of the individual reactions in the schemes from the ion abundance data. Branching ratios and relative rate coefficients were also determined in this manner.A delta chi-squared analysis of the results of the model fitted to the experimental data indicated that the kinetic information about the primary isotopic exchange processes is statistically the most significant. The errors in the derived values of the kinetic information of subsequent channels increased rapidly. Data from previously published selected ion flow tube (SIFT) study were analyzed in the same manner. Rigorous statistical analysis showed that the statistical isotope scrambling model was unable to explain either the SIFT or the tandem mass spectrometry data. This study shows that statistical analysis can be utilized to assess the validity of possible models in explaining experimentally observed kinetic behaviors.     

The Binomial Distribution of Hydrogen and Deuterium in Arsanes, Diarsanes, and Triarsanes Generated from As(Iii)/[BH n D4-n ]? and the Effect of Trace Amounts of Rh(Iii) Ions

Recent studies of the formation of arsane in the borohydride/arsenate reaction demonstrate the occurrence of condensation cascades whereby small quantities of di- and triarsanes are formed. In this study, the isotopic composition of these di- and triarsanes was examined using deuterium labelled borohydrides. A statistical model was employed to construct the mass spectra of all diarsane and triarsane isotopologues (As₂H _n D_4-n and As₃H _n D_5-n ) from the mass spectra of isotopically pure compounds (As₂H₄, As₂D₄, As₃H₅, and As₃D₅). Subsequent deconvolution of the experimental mixed spectra shows that incorporation of hydrogen closely follows the binomial distribution, in accord with arsane formation. The H/D distribution in arsane, diarsane, and triarsane isotopologues is binomial in the absence of any interference. However, this is significantly altered by the presence of some transition metals; presented here, for the first time, are the effects of Rh(iii). The presence of Rh(iii) in the As(iii)/[BD₄]^? system entails the incorporation of hydrogen into the arsanes arising from the solvent, altering the expected binomial H/D distribution.     

Semiclassical calculation of cross sections and rate constants for vibrational deactivation of HD (v = 1) colliding with 4He

A semiclassical collision model has been used to calculate the rate constant for vibrational relaxation in HD (v = 1, j = 0) colliding with ⁴He. The He + HD potential surface was obtained from an analytical He + H₂ surface previously used for similar calculations on He + H₂ and He + D₂. The theoretically calculated rate constant is about 50% below that experimentally determined in the temperature range 80–300 K.     

Isolation of137Cs from excreta by dicarbolide of cobalt

Extraction by polyhedral complex compound of the formula H⁺ [(π-(3)-1,2-B₉C₂H₁₁)₂Co⁻] further on referred to as dicarbolide-H⁺ and its chloro-derivate H⁺[B₁₈C₄H₁₅Cl₇Co⁻] further on referred to as Cl-dicarbolide-H⁺ in nitrobenzene was used for the analysis of¹³⁷Cs in urine and faeces after internal contamination. The dependence of distribution ratio on the acidity of analysed solutions was determined. The effect of urine dilution was assessed as well as the effect of various concentrations of the extraction agents on the distribution ratio of¹³⁷Cs. The effect of phase ratio at the different concentrations of isotopic carrier was assessed, as well as the effect of potassium ions on the decrease of the distribution ratio at the extraction of¹³⁷Cs by dicarbolide-H⁺ or its chloro-derivate. The possibility of isolation of¹³⁷Cs by extraction and the isolation of¹³⁷Cs by ion-exchange absorbents and by ammonium molybdophosphate was compared. The values of distribution coefficient were determined at various concentrations of nitric acid and the isotopic carrier. The dependence of coextraction of some activated radionuclides and fission products by dicarbolide-H⁺ on the nitric acid concentration in the solute was determined. The effect of mass of contaminated faeces on the value of the distribution ratio of¹³⁷Cs by the extraction was evaluated. As a result, a suggestion was given for the rutine isolation procedure of¹³⁷Cs extraction with dicarbolide-H⁺ from the excreta contaminated by a mixture of radionuclides.     

Non-equivalent water molecules in [Ni(H2O)6](ClO4)2 and in [Ni(D2O)6](ClO4)2 in the thermogravimetric investigations

The thermal decomposition of [Ni(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₂ and [Ni(D₂O)₆](ClO₄)₂ were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and simultaneous differential thermal analysis (SDTA) at a constant heating rate. The gaseous products of the decomposition were on-line identified by a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS). In both cases the process of decomposition starts at ca. 410 K and is connected with removal of water molecules in a stepwise way; at the beginning the first water molecule is lost, then the second and at higher temperature the third one. The rest of the water molecules are lost in the temperature region of ClO₄⁻ decomposition. The energy of activation of the process was calculated in both cases.     

Kinetics of Heterogeneous Isotopic Exchange Reaction in Finite Bath

A general method to find the rate constant and particle self-diffusion coefficient is suggested for a heterogeneous isotopic exchange reaction which is controlled by surface mass reaction or controlled by a combination of surface mass reaction and intraparticle diffusion. The values of the kinetic parameter, ξ₁ (ratio of the forward surface mass reaction rate to the intraparticle diffusion rate), particle self-diffusion coefficient D and rate constant k are obtained by the proposed method for the isotopic exchange reaction systems CaCO₃(s)/Ca²⁺(aq) and CaC₂O₄(s)/Ca²⁺(aq).     

Lifetime and collisional depopulation of the metastable 5D 3/2-state of Yb+

The lifetime and collisional depopulation rates of the metastable 5D _3/2 state of Yb⁺ have been determined in a radiofrequency ion trap by observation of the fluorescence count rate after ion excitation by a short laser pulse. From measurements using He, N₂ and H₂ as buffer gases between 10^?8 and 10^?6 mbar pressure and linear extrapolation to zero pressure we obtain a lifetime of τ=52.15±1.00 ms and rate constants ofR(H₂)=(1.02±0.10)×10^?9 cm³/s andR(N₂)=(1.78±0.19)×10^?10 cm³/s. The lifetime is in fair agreement with a calculated value of 74 ms.     

Isotopic effect in the radiolysis of water. Diffusion-kinetic modelling up to 300°C

Diffusion-kinetic calculations [1-3] have been analysed to determine the isotopic effect in the radiolysis of water with ionising radiation of linear energy transfer characteristics (LET) from 0.2 to 60 eV/nm and at temperatures up to 300°C. This analysis shows that, for low LET radiation, the spur decay of e^- _aq is slower in D₂O and results in a higher yield of e^- _aq, g(e^- _aq), at 10^-7 -10^-6s after the ionisation event. In low LET radiolysis, g(OD) ≈ g(OH) over the whole range of temperature but in high LET radiolysis g(OD) is clearly lower than g(OH). The isotopic effect on the yields of the radical products is enhanced by increasing LET but diminished by increasing temperature. The yields of the molecular products show the opposite isotopic effect to their radical precursors, namely g(D₂) is 10-20% lower than g(H₂) and g(D₂O₂) > g(H₂O₂). A particularly significant difference between g(D₂O₂) and g(H₂O₂) has been found at LET = 20 eV/nm. The isotopic dependence of the g-values estimated for fast neutron radiolysis is also presented.     

Cross sections and rate constants for the vibrational relaxation of D2 (υ = 1,j = 0) in collisions with 4He

Fully converged quantum cross sections for ⁴He—D² (υ = 1,j = 0) vibrational relaxation were determined using the coupled-states method and a modified version of the Gordon—Secrest surface. First-order forbidden rotational transitions play a significant role, comparable to that observed previously for the He—H₂ system. At 60 K the υ = 1,j = 0 level of D₂ is predicted to relax ≈4 times slower than the corresponding level of H₂. This difference decreases with increasing temperature.     

Low temperature vibrational relaxation of carbon monoxide by light mass species

The rates of deactivation of CO(v=1) by ⁴He and by ³He have been measured between 300 K and 80 K using a pulsed laser fluorescence technique. The results show the usual strong deviation from Landau—Teller behaviour and a marked isotope effect. Comparison is made with theoretical predictions including a one-dimensional treatment which takes account of attractive forces. The present results are compared also with earlier work on the deactivation of CO by H₂, HD and D₂. It has been found that at and below 300 K D₂ is less efficient than ⁴He in the (VT) deactivation of CO (v=1) and HD is anomalously efficient. The latter effect is attributed to the involvement of rotational transitions.     

D+D 2 Quasiclassical rate constant calculations on parallel computers

Summary The calculation of rate constant values of theH+H ₂ reaction for an extended range of excited vibrational states of the diatomic molecule and temperatures is relevant to the modeling ofH ^– sources. To investigate the effect of isotopic substitutions on the efficiency of vibrational deexcitation processes, we extended the calculations to theD+D ₂ system. These calculations were carried out using a program restructured to run on a shared memory vector and parallel computer. The dependence of the efficiency of vibrational deexcitation processes from both the initial vibrational state and temperature of reactants is reported. Restructuring strategies adopted for implementing the program on both shared and distributed memory computers as well as speedups achieved on both types of machines are also discussed.     

Isotopic Exchange in Porous and Dense Magnesium Borohydride

Magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH₄)₂) is one of the most promising complex hydrides presently studied for energy‐related applications. Many of its properties depend on the stability of the BH₄^? anion. The BH₄^? stability was investigated with respect to H→D exchange. In situ Raman measurements on high‐surface‐area porous Mg(BH₄)₂ in 0.3 MPa D₂ have shown that the isotopic exchange at appreciable rates occurs already at 373 K. This is the lowest exchange temperature observed in stable borohydrides. Gas–solid isotopic exchange follows the BH₄^?+D^.→BH₃D^?+H^. mechanism at least at the initial reaction steps. Ex situ deuteration of porous Mg(BH₄)₂ and its dense‐phase polymorph indicates that the intrinsic porosity of the hydride is the key behind the high isotopic exchange rates. It implies that the solid‐state H(D) diffusion is considerably slower than the gas–solid H→D exchange reaction at the surface and it is a rate‐limiting steps for hydrogen desorption and absorption in Mg(BH₄)_2.     

Addition-type polynorbornene with Si(CH3)3 side groups: Detailed study of gas permeation and thermodynamic properties

Polymerization of norbornene bearing Si(CH₃)₃ groups in the five position with the opening of double bonds was performed. By accurate selection of the ratios catalyst/co-catalyst and monomer/catalyst the samples with increased molecular mass (about 400,000) were obtained. Transport parameters of this, addition type poly(trimethylsilyl norbornene) (PTMSN) were measured using the gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods for different gases (H₂, He, O₂, N₂, CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈ and n-C₄H₁₀). Temperature dependence of the permeability coefficients (P) indicated that low activation energies of permeation (E_P) and diffusion (E_D) are characteristic for PTMSN. In some cases (CO₂, C₂H₆) negative E_P values were observed. Thermodynamics of vapor sorption in this polymer was studied using the inverse gas chromatography method. It was shown that PTMSN is characterized by very large solubility coefficients S similar to those of poly(trimethylsilyl propyne) (PTMSP). The comparison of the P, D, and S values of these highly permeable polymers showed that the greater permeability of PTMSP is determined by the larger D values. Application of different approaches for the determination of the size of microcavities in PTMSN indicated that this polymer is characterized by large size of microcavity (800–1200 ?³).     

Crystal field effects on the ground and lowest excited triplet states of benzene isotopes in a borazine host crystal

The phosphorescence spectra of the C₆H₆C₆H₅D₁p-C₆H₄D₂symp-C₆H₃D₃, C₆D₆ and ¹³CC₅D in a borazine host crystal are analyzed at high resolution. The spectral lines are sharp (～2 cm^?1 wide) indicating that the impurity molecules occupy a unique site in the borazine lattice which is probably substitutional. The phonon sidebands are weak,giving clean, well-resolved spectra much like those of isotopic mixed crystals. In contrast, however, the crystal field effects on the ground state vibrational levels are much smaller than those found for isotopic mixed crystals. The gas-to-crystal shifts are very small, the vibrational degeneracies are not removed and orientational splittings are only observable for a few select vibrational levels. For most vibrational levels and for the derivation of selection rules one can asume the effective crystal site symmetry to be D_3d. The data provide the first conclusive evidence that the splitting observed in the benzene phosphorescence spectrum results from a distortion of the molecule when excited to the zeroth vibrational level of the T₁ state. Furthermore, the data suggest that the distortion is intrinsic in nature (i.e.,is not caused by the crystal field).     

Identification of low molecular vaporizable components in silicone resins using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Silicone resins can be used as polymeric precursors in the production of ceramic materials. Cohydrolysis of mixtures of trimethylchlorosilane, methyldichlorosilane, vinylmethyldichlorosilane and phenyltrichlorosilane leads to the formation of especially suitable polysiloxanes, but also low-molar mass siloxanes are formed as undesired by-products. The structures of these by-products have been elucidated. Vaporizable components of the matrix have been isolated by distillation, separated using gas chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry in EI (electron impact ionization) and CI (chemical ionization with isobutane) mode. The EI mass spectra of the siloxane oligomers with different numbers of Si-H, Si-phenyl and Si-vinyl groups show characteristic fragments like Me₃Si⁺, ViMe₂Si⁺, Vi₂MeSi⁺, PhMe₂Si⁺, and Ph₂MeSi⁺, which give a first indication to the structure, but generally do not show molecular peaks. A reliable determination of the molar mass has been possible considering the CI-ions and CI-fragments [M+1]⁺, [M−1]⁺, [M−27]⁺ and [M−77]⁺, respectively. The compounds M₂D^Ph,OH and M₃T^Ph have been identified as main components of the investigated siloxane mixture. Besides, numerous linear compounds of the type M₂(D^H)n(D^Vi)_m and M₂T^Ph(D^H)_n(D^Vi)_m M as well as cyclic ones of the structure [MT^Ph(D^H)_n(D^Vi)_m] with n, m=0–3 have been indicated. Received: 3 March 1995/Revised: 25 March 1995/Accepted: 3 April 1995     

Distinguishing the formation of C2D+4 ions from C2D+6 (by D2 loss) and from C2D5H+ (by HD loss) in a Reflectron spectrometer

The D₂ loss from C₂D⁺₆ ions and the HD loss from C₂D₅H⁺ ions has been investigated in a photoelectron photoion coincidence experiment employing a reflecting ion time of a flight mass spectrometer (Reflectron). The experiment is able to distinguish the metastable formation of C₂D⁺₄ ions (m/z = 32) from C₂D⁺₆ ions by D₂ loss and from C₂D₅H⁺ ions by HD loss simultaneously in a mixture of deuterated ethanes. The breakdown curves of the title reactions are presented and compared to the H₂ loss from C₂H⁺₆ ions. The HD loss from C₂D₅H⁺ is shifted by 67 meV and the D₂ loss from C₂D⁺₆ is shifted by 108 meV with respect to the H₂ loss from C₂H⁺₆. This shift reflects a strong kinetic isotope effect which is most likely due to tunneling of H/D atoms through a barrier.     

Isotopic analysis of7LiOH samples by SSMS

A methodology for the isotopic determination of lithium in enriched⁷LiOH.2H₂O samples by SSMS is described. The photoplate emulsion calibration curve was not used. The accuracy of the results was checked against the analysis of LiOH.2H₂O with natural isotopic composition, and it was found that the result obtained was accurate within 5% with respect to the published natural value. The accuracy was improved using an enriched in⁷Li reference sample. The technique was applied to the analysis of batches of⁷LiOH.2H₂O to be used in a nuclear power reactor to control the pH in the water cooling system.SSMS: Spark Source Mass Spectrometry.     

Vibrational-state-selected ion—molecule reaction cross sections at thermal energies

A method designed to measure relative ion—molecule reaction rates at thermal collision energies for selected reactant ion vibrational states is described. Relative reaction rates are determined for the three endothermic reactions: H₂⁺ (υ)(He,H)HeH⁺, H₂⁺ (υ)(Ne,H)NeH⁺, D₂⁺(υ)(Ne, D)NeD⁺, and for the two exothermic reactions H₂⁺ (υ)(H₂, H)H₃⁺, D₂⁺(υ)(D₂, D)D₃⁺, whereby data are evaluated for υ = 0–8 for H₂⁺ and for υ = 0–12 in the case of D₂⁺. The results are analyzed in terms of a modified statistical model designed for reactions that go through a collision complex. It is found that all data can be satisfactorily described within this model.     

Determination of H2 and D2 content in metals and alloys using hot vacuum extraction

A hot vacuum extraction technique for the determination of hydrogen in metal and alloy samples has been standardised. After measuring the total pressure of the evolved gases, individual hydrogen and deuterium intensities are measured using an on-line quadrupole mass spectrometer. Synthetic mixtures of H₂ and D₂, in known concentrations, have been analysed by QMS and an analytical expression correlating the measured [D₂]/[HD] intensity ratio with the mole fraction of deuterium in the synthetic mixture has been arrived at. The precision and accuracy in the measurement of hydrogen is about 10% at 50 ppmw level.