The evolution of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC)

For a technology little over a decade old, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) has quickly reached the status of one of the most powerful analytical tools for volatile organic compounds. At the heart of any GC x GC system is an interface, which physically connects the primary and the secondary columns and acts to preserve the separation obtained in the first dimension (first column) while allowing additional separation in the second dimension. The paper presents a review of the technology, including fundamental principles of the technique, data processing and interpretation and a timeline of inventive contributions to interface design. In addition, applications of the technique are presented, with a more detailed discussion of selected examples.     

Neutron spectroscopic study of hydrogen bonding dynamics in L-serine

Inelastic incoherent neutron scattering (IINS) spectra were obtained at 10 K for normal and deuterated L-serine. The geometry of L-serine molecule was optimized for the zwitterion form using ab initio HF, MP2 and DFT (B3LYP) levels with 6-31G* and 6-311 + +G4** basis sets. The theoretical frequencies of normal and d4-L-serine were compared with IINS spectra. Normal coordinate analysis and band assignments based on ab initio calculations and experimental data were presented. IINS frequencies due to the out-of-plane gamma(N-H...O) hydrogen bond motions were observed and identified.     

Interactions of silver halide sols with hydrolyzed hafnium species

Summary Coagulation and reversal of charge effects of freshly prepared and heated solutions of hafnium tetrachloride have been studied as a function of the p_H using aged silver halide sols and solsin statu nascendi. It was shown that the critical coagulation concentration and the critical stabilization concentration (due to charge reversal) increased with increasing p_H. These observations have been related to the hydrolysis of the hafnium ion. At p_H values above 4 essentially the entire amount of hafnium is present in the form of the neutral soluble, species Hf(OH)₄. This accounts for the inability of the hafnium solutions to reverse the charge of the sols at higher p_H values. The adsorption measurements carried out with the aid of the radioactive isotope¹⁸¹Hf showed that the neutral hydrolyzed species are strongly adsorbed on negatively charged silver iodide particles. The adsorbed amounts of hafnium on a AgI sol are considerably larger than in the case of charged hydrolyzed ions (such as hydrolyzed thorium ions) on a similar sol. This is explained by the ability of the neutral hafnium species, Hf(OH)₄. to form a close-packed adsorbed layer. The results confirm previous findings that the enhanced adsorption of hydrolyzed ions is caused by the presence of the hydroxyl group, whereas the ionic charge plays a negligible role in this case.

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Zusammenfassung Die Koagulations- und Umladungserscheinungen von frisch dargestellten und durch Erwärmung gealterten Lösungen von Hafniumchlorid wurden an Silberhalogenid-Solen in der Abhängigkeit vom p_H untersucht. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die kritische Koagulationskonzentration und die kritische Stabilisationskonzentration (die Umladungsgrenze) mit steigendem p_H höher werden. Diese Beobachtungen wurden durch die Hydrolyse des Hafnium-Ions erklärt. Wenn p_H>4 ist, bestcht nahezu die ganze Menge von Hafnium als neutrale, gelöste Hf(OH)₄ Moleküle. Damit wird es erklärt, daß die Silberhalogenid-Teilchen bei höheren p_H-Werten durch Hafniumsalze nicht umgeladen werden können. Die mittels des radioaktiven Isotopen¹⁸¹Hf durchgeführten Messungen zeigten, daß die neutralen Hf(OH)₄ — Moleküle stark an den negativ geladenen Silberjodid-Teilchen adsorbiert sind. Die adsorbierte Menge per Mol von AgI ist beträchtlich größer als die Menge der geladenen, hydrolysierten Ionen (wie z. B. ThOH³⁺), die an dem gleichen Sol bestimmt wurde. Dieser Effekt ist leicht erklärt, da man mit den neutralen adsorbierten Molekülen eine fest gepackte Adsorptionsschicht bilden kann. Diese Resultate bestätigen die früheren Befindungen, daß die höhere Adsorptionsfähigkeit der hydrolysierten Ionen durch die Hydroxylgruppe verursacht wird, während die Ionenladung eine zu vernachlässigende Rolle spielt.

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Supported by the U.S. Army Research Office (Durham), Grant No. DA-ARO (D)-31-124-G 656.

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Part of a PhD Thesis byL. J. Stryker, supported by a NASA Traineeship.     

Stability of nanodispersions: a model for kinetics of aggregation of nanoparticles

In the course of aggregation of very small colloid particles (nanoparticles) the overlap of the diffuse layers is practically complete, so that one cannot apply the common DLVO theory. Since nanopoarticles are small compared to the extent of the diffuse layer, the process is considered in the same way as for two interacting ions. Therefore, the Br?nsted concept based on the Transition State Theory was applied. The charge of interacting nanoparticles was calculated by means of the Surface Complexation Model and decrease of effective charge of particles was also taken into account. Numerical simulations were performed using the parameters for hematite and rutile colloid systems. The effect of pH and electrolyte concentration on the stability coefficient of nanosystems was found to be more pronounced but similar to that for regular colloidal systems. The effect markedly depends on the nature of the solid which is characterized by equilibrium constants of surface reactions responsible for surface charge, i.e., by the point of zero charge, while the specificity of counterions is described by their association affinity, i.e., by surface association equilibrium constants. The most pronounced is the particle size effect. It was shown that extremely small particles cannot be stabilized by an electrostatic repulsion barrier. Additionally, at the same mass concentration, nanoparticles aggregate more rapidly than ordinary colloidal particles due to thier higher number concentration.     

Detailed characterization of (3 x 3) iodine adlayer on Pt(111) by unequal-sphere packing model

A simple unequal-sphere packing model is applied to study the iodine (3x3) adlayer on the Pt(111) surface. By using a newly introduced parameter, defined as the average adsorbate height, three characteristic adlattices, (3x3)-sym, (3x3)-asym, and (3x3)-lin, have been selected and characterized in great detail, including the exact adatom registry. The (3x3)-sym iodine adlattice, observed in many experimental studies, appears to be, on average, the closest one to the substrate surface. A special contour plot of average adsorbate height vs X and Y positions of the (3x3) iodine unit cell indicates the existence of two local minima, which are related to preferential formation of (3x3)-sym and (3x3)-asym iodine adlattices. Our model gives good agreement with experimental findings, and explains the mechanism of preferential appearance of (3x3)-sym and (3x3)-asym structures.     

Ar n HF van der Waals clusters revisited. I. New low-energy isomeric structures for n=6-13

New low-lying isomeric structures of Ar(n)HF clusters are reported for n=6-13. They were determined using simulated annealing and evolutionary programming, for pairwise additive intermolecular potential energy surfaces. New global minima were found for the clusters with n=7, 10, 11. The new lowest-energy structure of Ar(7)HF and several new local minima for n=6, 7 clusters have the HF bound on a threefold surface site, consistent with the recent spectroscopic data for Ar(n)HF clusters in helium nanodroplets. A new type of low-energy local minima were determined for n=9-13 clusters.     

Neutron flux variability at the TRIGA MARK II reactor,Ljubljana, as a parameter with applying the ko-method of NAA

Neutron-flux behaviour during irradiation should be known when applying the k_o-method of neutron activation analysis /NAA/. During two 100-hour operating periods of the TRIGA MARK II reactor, Ljubljana, the flux was measured by means of a¹⁹⁷Au/n,/¹⁹⁸Au monitor /E=411.8 keV/. Cadmium-covered irradiations were also performed to obtain the epithermal flux and thermal-to-epithermal flux ratio variations. Consistency was found between these results and the reactor operators' logbook record.     

Coulometric generation of protons by oxidation of hydrogen dissolved in palladium, in non-aqueous media

Coulometric generation of H(+) ions by the oxidation of hydrogen dissolved in palladium, in media such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acetic anhydride and acetic acid-acetic anhydride mixture, for use in titration of bases, has been investigated. The hydrogen is oxidized at potentials which are much more negative than those of the bases and other components present in the solution. Titrations of numerous bases have established that the oxidation is quantitative and proceeds with 100% current efficiency.