Novel disposable bismuth-sputtered electrodes for the determination of trace metals by stripping voltammetry

This work describes a novel type of bismuth electrode for stripping voltammetry based on coating a silicon substrate with a thin bismuth film by means of sputtering. The bismuth-based sensors were characterized by optical methods (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)) and as well as by linear sweep voltammetry. Subsequently, the electrodes were tested for the detection of low concentrations of trace metals (Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II)) by stripping voltammetry. Well-formed stripping peaks were observed for trace concentrations of the target analytes demonstrating “proof-of-principle” for these sensors. This type of electrochemical device, utilizing thin-film technology for the formation of the bismuth film, holds promise for future applications in trace metal analysis.     

Determination of total phosphorus and nitrogen in turbid waters by oxidation with alkaline potassium peroxodisulfate and low pressure microwave digestion, autoclave heating or the use of closed vessels in a hot water bath: comparison with Kjeldahl digestion

The evaluation of the use of alkaline peroxodisulfate digestion with low pressure microwave, autoclave or hot water bath heating for the determination of total phosphorus and nitrogen in turbid lake and river waters is described. The efficiency of these digestion procedures were compared to a Kjeldahl digestion procedure with sulphuric acid-potassium sulfate and copper sulfate. The final solution before digestion was 0.045 M in potassium peroxodisulfate and 0.04 M in sodium hydroxide. Procedures were evaluated by the analysis of suspensions of two reference materials, National Institute of Environmental Science, Japan, no. 3 Chlorella and no. 2 pond sediment and natural turbid waters. Best recoveries of phosphorus and nitrogen by microwave heating were obtained when solutions were digested at 95 °C for 40 min. Quantitative recoveries of phosphorus from Chlorella suspensions up to 1000 mg/l were obtained by all three heating procedures, but incomplete recoveries of nitrogen occurred above 20 mg N/l in the digested sample. Good recoveries of phosphorus and nitrogen from suspended sediment suspensions were obtained only from solutions containing <150 mg/l of suspended sediments. Recoveries of phosphorus from phosphorus compounds containing COP and CP bonds added to distilled water were quantitative (94-113%) except for polyphosphates (microwave, 34±8; autoclave, 114±6; water bath, 96±4) and aluminium phosphate (8-23%). Recoveries of nitrogen compounds containing CN bonds added to distilled water were quantitative (94-96%). The analysis of a range of natural turbid water samples by alkaline peroxodisulfate and microwave, autoclave and water bath heating gave similar total phosphorus and nitrogen results. All procedures using alkaline peroxodisulfate underestimate phosphorus concentrations at high suspended sediment concentrations (>150 mg/l) and are only suitable for the analysis of very turbid samples when the turbidity is due to organic matter (algal cells, plant detritus). Underestimation of nitrogen occurs when samples contain more than 20 mg N/l.     

X射线荧光光谱法在稀土元素分析中的应用

本文研究了Ｘ射线荧光光谱在混合稀土氧化物和高纯稀土氧化物分析中的应用，并探讨了在常量分析中影响分析准确度和精密度的主要因素；样品及标样制备，基体效应校正方法在痕量分析中降低检测限的方法，选择最佳测量条件，降低背景，与分离富集手段相结合，取得满意的结果。     

Rh(III), Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Au(III) complexes of 2-thiopyrimidine derivatives

Some news thiopyrimidine derivatives and complexes [4-amino-5-nitroso-6-oxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2-thio-pyrimidine (TANH), its 2-methylthio derivative (MTH), the ammonium salt ofTANH (sTANH) and six new complexes of formulas: Rh(MT)₂Cl · 2H₂O, Pd(MTH)₂Cl₂, Pt(MTH)₂Cl₄, Au(MTH)Cl₃ Pd(TANH)₂Cl₂ and Au(TAN ^–)Cl] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and¹H-NMR spectroscopy techniques. The thermal behaviour of all compounds has also been studied.

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Rh(III), Pd(II), Pt(IV) und Au(III) Komplexe von 2-Thiopyrimidin Derivaten

Zusammenfassung Es wurden einige neue Thiopyrimidinderivate und deren Komplexe synthetisiert und mittels Elementaranalyse, IR und¹H-NMR charakterisiert: 4-Amino-5-nitroso-6-oxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2-thio-pyrimidin (TANH), dessen 2-Methylthio-Derivat (MTH), das Ammoniumsalz vonTANH (sTANH) und sechs neue Komplexe der Formeln Rh(MT)₂Cl · 2H₂O, Pd(MTH)₂Cl₂, Pt(MTH)₂Cl₄, Au(MTH)Cl₃, Pd(TANH)₂Cl₂ und Au(TAN ^–)Cl. Das thermische Verhalten der Verbindungen wurde ebenfalls untersucht.

     

A new stereoselective synthesis of 2-amino-4,5-dihydrothiophene-3-carbonitrile derivatives

A new stereoselective method for the synthesis of trans-isomers of 2-amino-4-aryl-5-benzoyl-4,5-dihydrothiophene-3-carbonitriles was proposed. The method involves base-catalyzed reactions of phenacyl thiocyanate with 3-(het)aryl-2-cyanoprop-2-enethioamides. (4R,5S/4S,5R)-2-Amino-5-benzoyl-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-4,5-ihydrothiophene-3-carbonitrile was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1379–1383, July, 2007.     

Thermal behaviour and slow molecular mobility in two isomers of biphenylmethanol

This research was aimed to investigate the role of clay on the combustion and kinetic behavior of crude oils in limestone matrix. For this purpose, simultaneous TG (thermogravimetry) and DTA (differential thermal analysis) experiments were performed at three different heating rates as 10–15 and 20°C min^–1, respectively. A uniform trend of decreasing activation energies was observed with the addition of clay. It was concluded that clays surface area affects the values of Arrhenius constant, while it is the catalytic properties of clay, which lower the activation energies of all the reactions, involved in the combustion process.     

Differential thermal analysis of the Al+20% (Fe-50%B) system

In the present study, aluminium and mechanically alloyed (36 h) Fe/B (50 wt%) are mixed. Al+20 (wt%) Fe/B mixture has been studied by differential thermal analysis to determine the aluminium quantity that is supposed to melt and afterwards does not solidify as it reacts with Fe/B powder. The different areas between endothermic reaction (melting peak) and exothermic reaction (solidification peak) allow in knowing the quantity of aluminium that reacts with Fe/B and the amount of intermetallic phases formed at high temperature. In order to follow the process, compacts were sintered at different temperatures (700, 800, 900, 1000 and 1200 °C), in N₂/10H₂/0.1CH₄ atmosphere. Microstructure was evaluated by image analysis and the results obtained by both techniques are compared.     

梅州农村饮用水重金属元素监测与分析

对梅州农村饮用水中的重金属元素进行了监测和分析，选择Fe，Mn，Zn，Cu，Ag，Pb，Cd七种元素为检测指标。从实验结果来看，Cu，Ag，Cd含量低，未超标；Fe，Mn，Zn，Pb有超标现象：按其危害程度，Pb，Mn的超标是急需解决的问题。     

Current mass spectrometry strategies for selenium speciation in dietary sources of high-selenium

This document reviews the most relevant mass spectrometry approaches to selenium (Se) speciation in high-Se food supplements in terms of qualitative and quantitative Se speciation and Se-containing species identification, with special reference to high-Se yeast, garlic, onions and Brazil nuts. Important topics such as complexity of Se speciation in these materials and the importance of combining Se-specific detection and molecule-specific determination of the particular species of this element in parallel with chromatography, to understand their nutritional role and cancer preventive properties are critically discussed throughout. The versatility and potential of mass spectrometric detection in this field are clearly demonstrated. Although great advances have been achieved, further developments are required, especially if speciatedcertified reference materials (CRMs) are to be produced for validation of measurements of target Se-containing species in Se-food supplements.     

Chemometric data analysis of pollutants in wastewater—a case study

In this study, chemometric techniques such as cluster analysis (CA), discriminant analysis (DA), principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) were used to analyse the wastewater dataset to identify the factors which affect the composition of sewage of domestic origin, spatial and temporal variations, similarity/dissimilarity among the wastewater characteristics of cis- and trans-drains and discriminating variables. Samples collected from 24 wastewater drains in Lucknow city and from three sites on Gomti river in the month of January/February, May, August and November during the period of 5 years (1994-1999) were characterized for 32 parameters. The multivariate techniques successfully described the similarities/dissimilarities among the sewage drains on the basis of their wastewater characteristics and sources signifying the effect of routine domestic/commercial activities in respective drainage areas. Spatial and seasonal variations in wastewater composition were also determined successfully. CA generated six groups of drains on the basis of similar wastewater characteristic. PCA provided information on seasonal influence and compositional differences in sewage generated by domestic and industrial waste dominated drains and showed that drains influenced by mixed industrial effluents have high organic pollution load. DA rendered six variables (TDS, alkalinity, F, TKN, Cd and Cr) discriminating between cis- and trans-drains. PLS-DA showed dominance of Cd, Cr, NO₃, PO₄ and F in cis-drains wastewater. The results suggest that biological-process based STPs could treat wastewater both from the cis- as well as trans-drains, however, prior removal of toxic metals will be required from the cis-drains sewage. Further, seasonal variations in wastewater composition and pollution load could be the guiding factor for determining the STPs design parameters. The information generated would be useful in selection of process type and in designing of the proposed sewage treatment plants (STPs) for safe disposal of wastewater.