Photosensitization of nanocrystalline TiO2 by self-assembled layers of CdS quantum dots

CdS quantum dots can be self-assembled on high surface area nanocrystalline TiO2 electrodes; spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical studies indicate that the size, and hence the absorption edge, of the CdS particles can be controlled; efficient photosensitization of the TiO2 electrode by the Q-particles has been achieved.     

Sequential ortho effects: characterization of novel [M - 35]+ fragment ions in the mass spectra of 2-alkyl-4, 6-dinitrophenols

High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), hybrid tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) (EBqQ), and photoelectron-photoion coincidence (PEPICO) experiments were conducted to examine a possible ortho-ortho effect resulting in a novel [M - 35]⁺ fragment ion in 2-alkyl-4, 6-dinitrophenols. For compounds having ethyl or larger alkyl substituents, [M35]⁺ was observed only when [M - 18]⁺ ions were present, with the ortho nitro group being involved in the reaction to [M- 35]⁺. For [M - 18]⁺ and [M - 35]⁺, HRMS results were consistent with losses of H₂O and H₂O + OH, respectively, whereas MS/MS results indicated a sequential reaction due to metastable dissociations. The appearance energy determined by PEPICO for [M - 35]⁺ was found to be greater than the appearance energy for [M - 18]⁺, thus supporting a sequential reaction. 69–75).     

The determination of phytoplankton pigments by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple high-performance liquid Chromatographic method is described for the determination of chlorophylls, chlorophyll degradation products, and carotenoids in phyto-plankton cultures and marine particulate matter. Pigment extraction is carried out with acetone and methanol. After evaporation of the combined extracts under reduced pressure, the pigments are separated on a Partisil-10 stationary phase with a mobile phase consisting of light petroleum (b.p. 60–80°C), acetone, dimethyl sulphoxide and diethylamine(75: 23.25:1.5: 0.25 by volume). When chlorophyll c is present, a further development is performed with a similar, but more polar, solvent mixture. Detection is carried out spectrophotometrically at 440 nm. The method has a sensitivity for the chlorophylls of ca. 80 ng, and for carotene of ca. 5 ng. The coefficient of variation of the Chromatographic stage of the procedure lies in the range 0.6–1.8%.     

Relative effectiveness of pretreatments on performance of Rhizomucor miehei lipase in nonpolar reaction media

Enzymes can be used in nonpolar reaction media to modify waterinsoluble substrates. A variety of pretreatments, applied to the enzyme prior to introduction to the nonpolar media, can improve enzyme activity. However, the various pretreatments have not been studied using directly comparable conditions, nor have they been applied simultaneously to test for interactive effects. This work evaluates pretreatment of lipase with various classes of additives. The pretreated lipase is used to catalyze esterification between citronellol and acetic acid in a medium of n-hexane. The effectiveness of a particular pretreatment is presented in terms of relative performance (RP), which is equal to the number of times faster the pretreated lipase catalyzes the reaction relative to untreated lipase. The individual and interactive effects of the pretreatment factors were studied and compared. Buffer salts had a much stronger performance-enhancing effect than nonbuffer salts; pretreatment with 90% (w/w) sodium phosphate yielded lipase with an RP of approx 64. A strong interaction was found between the treatments with sodium phosphate and pH adjustment. These treatments may mitigate the inhibitory effect of acetic acid. Activating effects of phase interfaces and active-site protectants are shown to be complementary to other treatments, demonstrating that they likely act by distinct mechanisms.     

The spectrophotometric determination of nitrate in natural waters,with particular reference to sea-water

Nitrate can be reduced to nitrite in good yield by means of hydrazine in alkaline solution; the reaction is promoted by catalytic quantities of copper. The authors have established the optimum conditions for tlie reduction and applied the method to the determination of nitrate in fresh waters and in sea-waters. The nitrite formed is determined by Mellon and Rider's modification of the Griess-Ilosvay procedure. The reduction with hydrazine is carried out in the presence of 0.25 p.p.m. of copper at pH 9.6 in a solution buffered with sodium phenate. It is complete within 24 hours at room temperature. The method will detect ca. 0.3 μg NO₃$\text{N}\text{l}$ and gives a standard deviation of ca. 2% in the range 20-600 μg NO₃-$\text{N}\text{l}$. Up to 60 determinations can be made per 6 hour working period. The interference of nitrite has been investigated. Ammonium salts, urea, and amino acids do not interfere, at the concentrations at which they occur in sea-water.It is preferable to analyse samples immediately after collection, but if this is not possible, they should be filtered, sterilized with 2 p.p.m. of mercuric chloride and stored in glass containers.     

Determination of boron in glass by the nuclear track technique

Summary Determination of Boron in Glass by the Nuclear Track Technique The nuclear track technique using the¹⁰B(n)⁷Li reaction, has been applied to determine boron in concentration ranges (1.59 to 7.75%) ordinarily considered high for nuclear determinations. Factors limiting the overall precision of the method and restricting the linear dependence of track density on boron concentration are examined. Boron alpha track densities are used to construct planar profiles of boron distribution within the surface region of bulk glass and CVD films. Calibration curves for quantitative lateral profiling of surfaces are constructed and show the selective corrosion of borosilicate glass surface resulting in boron depletion.