Determination of the plasticizer N-butylbenzenesulfonamide and the pharmaceutical Ibuprofen in wastewater using solid phase microextraction (SPME)

A rapid, inexpensive and solvent-free method for the simultaneous determination of the polyamide plasticizer N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (NBBS) and the widely used pharmaceutical Ibuprofen by solid phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MSD) in wastewater samples was developed. Besides the optimized analytical conditions, results of investigations with varying analytical parameters are reported. Problems, which may occur during the analytical procedure (e.g. salt deposits, adsorption phenomena, carry-over), are discussed. For the determination of Ibuprofen, it is important to carry out the extraction under acidic conditions with sufficiently buffered samples; the GC/MSD system must be very clean and well maintained. SPME allows an extraction of Ibuprofen without derivatization of its carboxylic group. For quantification in complex matrices, the standard addition technique is necessary. Limit of detection and limit of determination are 0.1 μg/L for both analytes. NBBS and Ibuprofen were detected in several raw and treated wastewater samples from municipal wastewater treatment plants in the range from < 0.1 to 3.5 μg/L.     

Obtaining Kinetic Parameters by Modulated Thermogravimetry

A new technique, called modulated thermogravimetry, is introduced as a tool for obtaining continuous kinetic information for decomposition and volatilization reactions. The approach makes use of an oscillatory temperature program to obtain kinetic parameters during a mass loss. MTGA™ may be used under quasi-isothermal conditions to observe a single mass loss or may be combined with linear heating rate or Hi-Res™ controlled rate thermogravimetry to scan from one mass loss region to another. Results obtained are in agreement with those obtained by other kinetic methods. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hydroxylamido(1-)-O,N-Komplexe des Molybdäns(VI) mit terminalen Oxo-, Sulfido- und Selenido-Liganden Die Kristallstrukturen von [MoO2(C5H10NO)2] und von [MoS2(C5H10NO)2]

Hydroxylamido(1-)-O,N Complexes of Molybdenum(VI) Containing Terminal Oxo, Sulfido, and Selenido Ligands. Crystal Structures of [MoO₂(C₅H₁₀NO)₂] and of [MoS₂(C₅H₁₀NO)₂] Molecular complexes of cis-dioxo-bis(hydroxylamido(1-)-O,N)molybdenum(VI) containing O,N-coordinated, N,N-substituted hydroxylamine ligands react with H₂S in toluene substituting one or both terminal oxo groups yielding cis-oxosulfido- and cis-disulfido-bis (hydroxylamido(1-)-O,N) molybdenum complexes, respectively. With H₂Se the corresponding cis-oxoselenido complexes are formed. The crystal structures of the two title compounds containing piperidine-N-oxide as ligands are described: The cis-disulfido complex crystallizes tetragonal in the space group D—I 4 2 m with four formula units per unit cell; the corresponding cis-dioxo complex crystallizes orthorhombic (D—P 2₁2₁2₁; Z = 4). The ¹H—nmr spectra and the UV-visible absorption spectra are reported.     

Transient behavior of a nonequilibrium plasma formed by merged beams

A low density, low temperature plasma formed by two merged beams of electrons and ions at near zero relative velocity is studied by solving a set of time-dependent rate equations. In particular, we investigate the role played by the radiative recombination (RR) and three-body recombination (TBR) on the population of excited states during the initial stage of plasma rearrangement and relaxation. It is found in the case of hydrogenic plasmas that low-lying states are filled predominantly by RR, while high Rydberg states are populated mainly by TBR. As the plasma further relaxes, the collisional excitation and de-excitation, and radiative decays become important, filling the median excited states. The dependence of the TBR and RR rates on ionic chargeZ is discussed to extend the result to plasmas of highZ ions.     

Electron microscopic phase analysis of BN-thin films

A series of BN films was deposited by means of r.f. magnetron sputtering of a h-BN target onto Si(1OO) surfaces. Hereby, the substrate bias voltage was varied. Special interest is focussed to the influence of the deposition parameters on the orientation of the growing hexagonal BN film with respect to the substrate. For structural investigation, cross section samples were prepared. In addition to HRTEM and diffraction investigations, especially electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) was applied successfully for phase identification. For negative bias voltages of U _B =–300 V and U _B =–350V, we found a phase system consisting of a first-grown 25 nm thick layer of hexagonal structure with the c axis parallel to the substrate surface followed by the cubic phase.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday