Can a Procedure for the Growth of Single-layer Graphene on Copper be used in Different Chemical Vapor Deposition Reactors?

In the last decade, catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been intensively explored for the growth of single-layer graphene (SLG). Despite the scattering of guidelines and procedures, variables such as the surface texture/chemistry of catalyst metal foils, carbon feedstock, and growth process parameters have been well-scrutinized. Still, questions remain on how best to standardize the growth procedure. The possible correlation of procedures between different CVD setups is an example. Here, two thermal CVD reactors were explored to grow graphene on Cu foil. The design of these setups was entirely distinct, one being a “showerhead” cold-wall type, whereas the other represented the popular “tubular” hot-wall type. Upon standardizing the Cu foil surface, it was possible to develop a procedure for cm²-scale SLG growth that differed only by the carrier gas flow rate used in the two reactors.     

Standardization of Methods for Characterizing the Surface Geometry of Solids

Since a comprehensive survey published in 1999 [1] much work was done in standardizing measuring methods to characterize the surface geometry of dispersed and/or porous solids and to certify reference materials. The present paper is an extension of a short communication [2]. It gives a survey on existing standards and reports on new drafts and proposals.     

Solid sampling Fourier transform infrared determination of Mancozeb in pesticide formulations

A series of approaches have been assayed for FTIR determination of Mancozeb in several solid commercial fungicides using different calibration strategies. The simplest procedure was based on the use of the ratio between the absorbance of a characteristic band of Mancozeb and that of a KSCN internal standard measured in the FTIR spectra obtained from KBr pellets. It was employed the quotient between peak height absorbance values at 1525 cm⁻¹ for Mancozeb and 2070 cm⁻¹ for KSCN. In these conditions a precision as relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.6% and a relative accuracy error of 0.8% (w/w) were found. For complex formulations, containing other compounds with characteristic absorption bands at different wavenumbers than Mancozeb, one of them was used as internal reference being employed the standard addition approach. In this case, the Mancozeb bands at 1525 cm⁻¹ or at 1289 cm⁻¹ were employed, being used the ferrocyanide band at 2075 cm⁻¹ as internal reference. RSD values between 0.7-1.4% and a relative accuracy error of 3% (w/w) were found. A third strategy was based on the use of partial least squares (PLS) calibration. A reference set was prepared mixing Mancozeb, Kaolin, Cymoxanil and KBr, being predicted the Mancozeb concentration in pesticide formulations by using the quotient between absorbance bands of Mancozeb and those of Cymoxanil. In these conditions a relative accuracy error of 0.6% (w/w) and a relative standard deviation of 1.3% were found.     

Use of the internal standardization for difficult sampling by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

This work shows the potentiality of As as internal standard to compensate errors from sampling of sparkling drinking water samples in the determination of selenium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The mixture Pd(NO₃)₂/Mg(NO₃)₂ was used as chemical modifier. All samples and reference solutions were automatically spiked with 500 μg l⁻¹ As and 0.2% (v/v) HNO₃ by the autosampler, eliminating the need for manual dilutions. For 10 μl dispensed sample into the graphite tube, a good correlation (r=0.9996) was obtained between the ratio of analyte absorbance by the internal standard absorbance and the analyte concentrations. The relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) of measurements varied from 0.05 to 2% and from 1.9 to 5% (n=12) with and without internal standardization, respectively. The limit of detection (LD) based on integrated absorbance was 3.0 μg l⁻¹ Se. Recoveries in the 94-109% range for Se spiked samples were obtained. Internal standardization (IS) improved the repeatability of measurements and increased the lifetime of the graphite tube in ca. 15%.     

The characterization of the capability of a balance

A survey is given on important standardized definitions by which the capability of balances may be characterized. Some modifications are proposed with regard to the use of mass sensors for the continuous determination of mass variations. An important supplement is the relative resolution introduced by Jenemann. Optimum values are presented.I am indepted to H. R. Jenemann for his critical remarks.     

吡咯烷二硫代氨基甲酸铵-Ni(Ⅱ)快速共沉淀分离富集和原子吸收光谱法测定痕量铜、铅和镉

研究了用吡咯烷二硫代氨基甲酸铵(APDC)为沉淀剂,以Ni(Ⅱ)为载体离子的共沉淀体系快速共沉淀分离富集铜、铅和镉,并用火焰原子吸收光谱(FAAS)测定的方法。通常情况下,内标元素和载体离子选择不同的元素,本文尝试将Ni既作为载体又作为内标元素。实验证明,该体系在pH=3.0的条件下,能够定量共沉淀试样中的铜、铅和镉。当试液为100 mL时,铜、铅、镉的检出限分别为9.7×10-3、3.3×10-2,1.01×10-3μg.mL-1,加标回收率为95.8%~101.8%,取得了较为满意的结果。本法只需快速收集部分沉淀,与传统的共沉淀方法比较,具有快速、简便、重现性好的优点。     

Industrial standardization of thermal analysis in Japan

To satisfy the needs for industrial standards for thermal analysis in the Japanese polymer industry, round-robin tests of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and thermodilatometry (TD) have been carried out recently. The results are discussed in this short review. The DSC applications tested were not only for determination of transition temperature but also for measurements of the transition heat and heat capacity. The TG task group did not aim at longterm thermal endurance studies, but relative thermal stability in molding and estimation of filler content, residual solvent content, etc. TMA was found to be a useful tool for measuring softening temperature and heat distortion temperature, especially for high-temperature engineering plastics, instead of the Vicat test which has temperature limitations. For temperature calibration of DSC and TG, ICTA-NIST certified reference materials were used together with other potential temperature standards; some inorganic substances and alloys were not found to be preferable to pure metals. For TMA and TD metal plates were found to be very useful for temperature calibration. Analysis of the round-robin test results also clarified present status of practical applications of thermal analysis, such as reproducibility and causes of errors. Plenary lecture     

食品药品检验机构仪器设备计量信息的标准化管理

建立食品药品检验机构仪器设备计量的信息化规范管理方法。总结了传统人工计量管理的弊端,提出计量信息化管理的流程,将计量信息化管理分为计量计划申报、计量应急申报、计量信息登记、计量结果确认4个步骤,详细介绍了4个步骤中信息管理的主要内容及注意事项。建立食品药品检验机构仪器设备计量信息化管理的标准化规程,可以为仪器设备计量信息的动态监管提供支持。     

A Robust Near-Infrared Calibration Model for the Determination of Chlorophyll Concentration in Tree Leaves with a Calibration Transfer Method

A method based on piecewise direct standardization was developed to directly predict leaf chlorophyll concentrations by correction of near-infrared spectra to construct a robust calibration model. Chinar, camphor, and gingko leaves collected from two growth intervals were evaluated. Spectral pretreatment methods and wavelength selection were investigated. The first derivative combined with stability competitive adaptive reweighted sampling before piecewise direct standardization provided the best performance. Under the optimized parameters, the root mean square error of prediction was significantly reduced by using piecewise direct standardization. This study demonstrates that the calibration model may be used to rapidly characterize chlorophyll concentrations across species and growth intervals.     

Minimizing Activity and Liquid Junction Errors In Direct Potentiometry By Using the Optimal Standard Solution

Abstract

In quantitative analysis by direct potentioroetry. e.g. when using ion-selective electrodes, situations arise where corrections appear necessary to account Tor activity coefficient and liquid junction potential effects. It is shown here that one can select an optimal composition for the standard or reference solution and thereby achieve two goals simultaneously: to reduce the error terms to a minimum and to eliminate the necessity of any corrective calculations.