A TG/DTA/MS study of the oxidation of nickel sulphide

The oxidative behaviour of synthetic millerite (Ni_0.994S) has been studied by TG and DTA in a dynamic oxygen atmosphere (0.2 l min^–1) over the temperature range 20–1000° (heating rate 10° min^–1). EGA was carried out by a coupled mass spectrometer. The reaction products at various intermediate temperatures were characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry. A reaction sequence has been deduced, in which in the temperature range 550–700° complete oxidation of Ni_0.994S had occurred with the formation of NiSO₄, Ni₃S₂, NiO and possibly-Ni₇S₆. Between 700–800°, NiSO₄ continued to be formed, whilst Ni₃S₂ and-Ni₇S₆ were oxidised. Above 800°, NiSO₄ decomposed to NiO, the latter being the only species evident above 800°.

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Zusammenfassung Das oxidative Verhalten von synthetischem Millerit (Ni_0.994S) wurde mittels TG und DTA in einer dynamischen Sauerstoffatmosphäre (0.2 l min^–1) im Temperaturbereich von 20 bis 1000° (Aufheizgeschwindigkeit 10° min^–1) untersucht. EGA wurde mit einem gekoppelten Massenspektrometer durchgeführt. Die Reaktionsprodukte bei verschiedenen Zwischentemperaturen wurden mittels Röntgen-Pulver-Diffraktometrie charakterisiert. Eine Reaktionssequenz wurde abgeleitet, nach welcher im Temperaturbereich von 550 bis 700° die vollständige Oxidierung von Ni_0.994S unter Bildung von NiSO₄, Ni₃S₂, NiO und wahrscheinlich-Ni₇S₆ vor sich geht. Zwischen 700 und 800° wird NiSO₄ auch weiterhin gebildet, während Ni₇S₂ und-Ni₇S₆ oxidiert wurden. Oberhalb von 800° wurde NiSO₄ zu NiO zersetzt, das einzig nachweisbare Produkt oberhalb von 800°.

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Résumé On a étudié l'oxydation de la millérite synthétique (Ni_0.994S) par TG et ATD en atmosphère dynamique d'oxygène (0,2 1· min^–1) et dans l'intervalle de températures allant de 20 à 1000° (vitesse de chauffage 10°· min^–1). L'analyse des gaz émis s'est effectuée avec un spectromètre de masse couplé. Les produits de réaction ont été caractérisés à diverses températures intermédiaires par diffractométrie de poudre aux rayons X. On a déduit une séquence de réactions, selon laquelle, dans l'intervalle compris entre 550 et 700°, l'oxydation complète de Ni_0.994S a lieu avec formation de NiSO₄, Ni₃S₂, NiO et probablement-Ni₇S₆. Entre 700 et 800°, la formation de NiSO₄ se poursuit tandis que Ni₃S₂ et-Ni₇S₆ sont oxydés. Au-dessus de 800°, NiSO₄ se décompose en NiO qui constitue l'unique composé qui puisse être décelé au-dessus de 800°.

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(Ni_0.994S) (0,2 . ^–1) 20–1000° 10° ^–1. - . . 550–700° Ni_0.994S NiSO₄, Ni₃S₂, NiO -Ni₇S₆. 700–800° , Ni₃S₂ -Ni₇S₆ . 800° NiO, 800°.

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We wish to thank Dr. T. Kennedy for useful discussions and Messrs. B. Sturman, I. Twaddle, K. Oliver and W. Thomas for technical assistance.     

Proteomic analysis of the endoplasmic reticulum from developing and germinating seed of castor (Ricinus communis)

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been prepared and analysed from germinating and developing castor bean endosperm. A combination of one- and two-dimensional (1-D and 2-D) gel electrophoresis was used to study the complexity of sample and protein differences between the two stages. The ER of the developing oilseed is central to the synthesis, sorting and storage of protein and lipid reserves while the germinating seed is concerned with their degradation. Sample complexity has been reduced by separation of ER proteins into lumenal, peripheral membrane and integral membrane subfractions. Membrane proteins pose specific problems in aggregation and binding to passive surfaces. We have overcome this by collection of membranes at density gradient interfaces and by silanization of plastic ware. Several major components have been identified from 1-D gels by N-terminal sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) peptide mass fingerprints. These include protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), calreticulin and developing-ER-specific oleate-12-hydroxylase involved in the biosynthesis of ricinoleic acid. In excess of 300 spots are detectable in each developmental fraction by high sensitivity 2-D gels. This is the first 2-D electrophoretic analysis of plant ER. These gels reveal significant differences between germinating and developing ER. Preparative loading 2-D gels of germinating ER have been run and 14 selected spots characterized by quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS/MS). Ten of these proteins were assigned function on the basis of identity with existing castor database entries, or by homology with other species. Two proteins, aspartate proteinase precursor and N-carbamyl-L-aminohydrolase-like protein, appear to be absent from developing profiles. Most of the proteins identified are concerned with roles in protein processing and storage, and lipid metabolism which occur in the ER. Data from three of the assigned spots included unidentified peptides indicating the presence of more than one protein in these spots following 2-D electrophoresis. More extensive analysis will have to await developments in genomics but the basic separation technologies to simplify sample identity for a plant ER preparation have been established.     

MALDI-MS of drugs: Profiling,imaging, and steps towards quantitative analysis

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is a soft ionization technique which can be used in mass spectrometry to produce ions from biomolecules without inducing the fragmentation associated with traditional methods of ionization. When used with small molecules, the lack of fragmentation allows identification of specific molecules against a background of alternative signals; thus, for example, the presence of drug molecules and metabolites can be distinguished from a range of alternative biomolecules present within a tissue sample. Using highly collimated lasers in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) allows imaging of a tissue sample whereby the laser is rastered across the sample and individual mass spectra are collected in a serial manner. Thus, the distribution of the molecules within the tissue sample can be presented in the form of a 2D image. While the detection of specific drug molecules and metabolites within biological samples has its uses, quantification of those same molecules would be of greater benefit in a clinical setting. However, accurate quantification presents additional challenges. We present an overview of the MALDI-MS technique followed by recent progress in profiling drugs and their metabolites through imaging drug distributions within tissues and finish with recent developments in the quantification of drugs in tissues by MALDI-MSI.     

Fluorogel Elastomers with Tunable Transparency,Elasticity, Shape‐Memory,and Antifouling Properties

Omniphobic fluorogel elastomers were prepared by photocuring perfluorinated acrylates and a perfluoropolyether crosslinker. By tuning either the chemical composition or the temperature that control the crystallinity of the resulting polymer chains, a broad range of optical and mechanical properties of the fluorogel can be achieved. After infusing with fluorinated lubricants, the fluorogels showed excellent resistance to wetting by various liquids and anti‐biofouling behavior, while maintaining cytocompatiblity.     

Mass spectrometry imaging as a tool for surgical decision‐making

Despite significant advances in image‐guided therapy, surgeons are still too often left with uncertainty when deciding to remove tissue. This binary decision between removing and leaving tissue during surgery implies that the surgeon should be able to distinguish tumor from healthy tissue. In neurosurgery, current image‐guidance approaches such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with neuronavigation offer a map as to where the tumor should be, but the only definitive method to characterize the tissue at stake is histopathology. Although extremely valuable information is derived from this gold standard approach, it is limited to very few samples during surgery and is not practically used for the delineation of tumor margins. The development and implementation of faster, comprehensive, and complementary approaches for tissue characterization are required to support surgical decision‐making – an incremental and iterative process with tumor removed in multiple and often minute biopsies. The development of atmospheric pressure ionization sources makes it possible to analyze tissue specimens with little to no sample preparation. Here, we highlight the value of desorption electrospray ionization as one of many available approaches for the analysis of surgical tissue. Twelve surgical samples resected from a patient during surgery were analyzed and diagnosed as glioblastoma tumor or necrotic tissue by standard histopathology, and mass spectrometry results were further correlated to histopathology for critical validation of the approach. The use of a robust statistical approach reiterated results from the qualitative detection of potential biomarkers of these tissue types. The correlation of the mass spectrometry and histopathology results to MRI brings significant insight into tumor presentation that could not only serve to guide tumor resection, but that is also worthy of more detailed studies on our understanding of tumor presentation on MRI. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Placement and characterization of pairs of luminescent molecules in spatially separated regions of nanostructured thin films

Methods of making mesostructured sol-gel silicate thin films containing two different molecules deliberately placed in two different spatially separated regions in a one-step, one-pot preparation are developed and demonstrated. When the structure-directing agent is the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, the structure is 2-D hexagonal with lattice spacings between 31.6 and 42.1 angstroms depending on the dopant molecules and their concentrations. The three general strategies that are used to place the molecules are philicity (like dissolves like), bonding, and bifunctionality. These strategies take advantage of the different chemical and physical properties of the regions of the films. These regions are the inorganic silicate framework, the hydrophobic organic interior of the micelles, and the ionic interface between them. Luminescent molecules that possess the physical and chemical properties appropriate for the desired strategies are chosen. Lanthanide and ruthenium complexes with condensable trialkoxysilane groups are incorporated into the silicate framework. 1,4-Naphthoquinone, pyrene, rhodamine 6G and coumarin 540A, and lanthanides with no condensable trialkoxysilanes occupy the hydrophobic core of micelles by virtue of their hydrophobicity. The locations of the molecules are determined by luminescence spectroscopy and by luminescence lifetime measurements. In all cases, the long-range order templated into the thin film is verified by X-ray diffraction. The simultaneous placement of two molecules in the structured film and the maintenance of long-range order require a delicate balance among film preparation methodology, design of the molecules to be incorporated in specific regions, and concentrations of all of the species.     

Demonstration of transient gain x-ray lasers near 20nm for nickellike yttrium, zirconium, niobium, and molybdenum

We demonstrate strong lasing on the Ni-like 4d(1)S(0)?4p(1)P(1) transition at 18.9, 20.3, 22.0, and 24.0 nm for Mo, Nb, Zr, and Y ions, respectively, using the transient collisional excitation scheme. Approximately 5 J of laser energy in a combination of a 600-ps pulse and a 1-ps pulse from the Compact Multipulse Terawatt (COMET) tabletop laser system is used to irradiate slab targets of these materials. Small-signal gains of 17-26cm (-1) are determined on the 4d?4p transition, with overall gain-length products gL of 11-12. Lasing is observed and gain is measured on the 4f(1)P(1)?4d(1)P(1) transition, which is pumped by collisional excitation combined with self-photopumping, for what is to our knowledge the first time.     

Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled KTiOPO(4) and its application to spectroscopy

We report a continuous-wave, doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on the nonlinear material periodically poled KTiOPO(4) and its application to spectroscopy. The OPO, which is pumped by a diode-pumped frequency-doubled Nd:YLF laser at 523 nm, has a low pump-power threshold of 25 mW and can deliver 10 mW of single-frequency output at 1.65 mum for a pump power of 200 mW. The idler wavelength can be temperature tuned at a rate of 0.73 nm/( degrees )C , and smooth tuning of the output frequency over ~3 GHz is achieved by smooth tuning of the pump laser. We demonstrate the practicality of the OPO by recording the absorption spectrum of methane near 1649 nm.     

Speed measurements in the developing region of an electrohydrodynamic spray using laser diagnostics

Experiments were conducted to assess the ability of a particle-counter-sizer velocimeter (PCSV) to measure droplet speeds in the developing region of an electrohydrodynamic spray. The working fluid, ethanol, was pumped through a stainless steel capillary tube at a constant mass flow rate. The capillary tube was held at various positive potential voltages with respect to an externally grounded funnel located below the tube. Data were acquired at two axial stations, directly under the capillary tip, in the developing region of the subject spray. The results indicated that the PCSV, with an experimental modification to the speed reduction process, performed well in this region. Speeds were measured at the near station within an average uncertainty of 2.2% and a corresponding maximum uncertainty of 3.0%; speeds at the far station were measured within an average uncertainty of 4.6% and a corresponding maximum uncertainty of 6.0%.     

The computed force constants and vibrational spectra of cubane

The geometry, complete harmonic force field, and dipole moment derivatives of cubane, C₈H₈, have been calculated at the Hartree-Fock level using a 4–21 Gaussian basis set. The infrared and Raman spectra of cubane and four deuterated derivatives were calculated and compared with previously observed spectra. A set of five scale factors for the calculated force constants was then derived by least-squares fitting of the fundamental vibrational frequencies calculated from the scaled force field to the frequencies obtained by direct experimental measurement. The resulting scaled quantum-mechanical (SQM) force field, containing 73 unique elements, is believed to give an accurate representation of the harmonic vibrational potential of cubane. In most cases, the spectral assignments previously made from purely empirical considerations were confirmed, but a few corrections are proposed. The only major alteration is for an A_2u mode revised to appear at 1030 cm^?1 in the undeuterated molecule. Coriolis constants and approximate infrared intensities are also calculated.