Non-isothermal crystallization of NaX nanocrystals/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This paper reports the successful synthesis of NaX nanocrystals using an organic, additive-free hydrothermal approach. Then, solution casting was used...     

Zero Tension Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Equation in (d + 1)–Dimensions

The joint probability distribution function (PDF) of the height and its gradients is derived for a zero tension d + 1-dimensional Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation. It is proved that the height's PDF of zero tension KPZ equation shows lack of positivity after a finite time t _c . The properties of zero tension KPZ equation and its differences with the case that it possess an infinitesimal surface tension is discussed. Also potential relation between the time scale t _c and the singularity time scale t _c.v→0 of the KPZ equation with an infinitesimal surface tension is investigated.     

Study of trace elements in milk by nuclear analytical techniques

This work is part of a project with the IAEA, in a coordinated program on Trace Elements in Human and Bio-Environmental Systems to evaluate their nutritional requirements, interrelations and the role of trace elements in health, metabolism, etc. Cow's milk being regarded as one of the most important and nutritious foodstuffs consumed by people. Hence as a first step, an elemental analysis for milk was carried out for this purpose; a few samples of pasteurized milk and local sample were investigated for essential and toxic trace elements. The secondary aim of this project was the assessment of various analytical techniques involved. However, in the present work, the methods involved were AAS, PIXE and NAA. The latter method was applied both instrumentally and radiochemically. Although the results pertaining to the various methods employed are not in good agreement. there is, however, some justification to clarify this internal inconsistency. The precision of NAA and AAS allows a greater degree of acceptance. Although PIXE is very fast and rather routine, the technique for trace element analysis needs certain adaptations and development.     

Renewable sol-gel carbon ceramic electrodes modified with a Ru-complex for the amperometric detection of l-cysteine and glutathione

A renewable three-dimensional chemically modified carbon ceramic electrode containing Ru [(tpy)(bpy)Cl] PF₆ was constructed by sol-gel technique. It exhibits an excellent electro-catalytic activity for oxidation of l-cysteine and glutathione at pH range 2-8. Cyclic voltammetry was employed to characterize the electrochemical behavior of the chemically modified electrode. The electrocatalytic behavior is further exploited as a sensitive detection scheme for l-cysteine and glutathione by hydrodynamic amperometry. Optimum pH value for detection is 2 for both l-cysteine and glutathione. The catalytic rate constants for l-cysteine and glutathione were determined, which were about 2.1×10³ and 2.5×10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. Under the optimized condition the calibration curves are linear in the concentration range 5-685 and 5-700 μM for l-cysteine and glutathione determination, respectively. The detection limit (S/N=3) and sensitivity is 1 μM, 5 nA/μM for l-cysteine and 1 μM, 7.8 nA/μM for glutathione. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for the amperogram's currents with five injections of l-cysteine or glutathione at concentration range of linear calibration is <1.5%. The advantages of this amperometric detector are: high sensitivity, good catalytic effect, short response time (t<3 s), remarkable long-term stability, simplicity of preparation and reproducibility of surface fouling (RSD for six successive polishing is 3.31%). This sensor can be used as a chromatographic detector for analysis of l-cysteine and glutathione.     

Sonoelectroanalysis: investigation of bismuth-film-modified glassy carbon electrodes

Bismuth-modified glassy carbon electrodes have been investigated for their suitability in sonoelectroanalysis. The stability of the bismuth film to the application of ultrasound was assessed via voltammetric and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies which revealed little ablation at powers up to an intensity of 130 W cm^–2 delivered from a 25-kHz sonic horn. Furthermore, bismuth-film-modified glassy carbon electrodes were evaluated for the sonoelectroanalytical quantification of zinc and cadmium. Detection limits of 2×10^–7 M and 6×10^–9 M respectively were found after a 60-s deposition time via an acoustically assisted deposition protocol.     

Renewable-surface sol-gel derived carbon ceramic electrode fabricated by [Ru(bpy)(tpy)Cl]PF6 and its application as an amperometric sensor for sulfide and sulfur oxoanions

A highly sensitive and fast responding sensor for the determination of thiosulfate, sulfite, sulfide and dithionite is described. It consists of a chemically modified carbon ceramic composite electrode (CCE) containing [Ru(bpy)(tpy)Cl]PF6 complex that was constructed by the sol-gel technique. A reversible redox couple of Ru(II)/Ru(III) was observed as a solute in acetonitrile solution and as a component of carbon based conducting composite electrode. Electrochemical behavior and stability of modified CCE were investigated by cyclic voltametry, the apparent electron transfer rate constant (kappa(S)) and transfer coefficient (a) were determined by cyclic voltametry which were about 28 s(-1) and 0.43 respectively. Electrocatalytic oxidation of S(2-), SO3(2-), S2O4(2-) and S2O3(2-) were effective at the modified electrode at significantly reduced overpotentials and in the pH range 1-11. Optimum pH values for amperometric detection of thiosulfate, dithionite, sulfide and sulfite are 7, 9, 2 and 2. Under the optimized conditions the calibration curves are linear in the concentration ranges 1-500, 3-80, 2-90 and 1-100 microM for S2O3(2-), SO3(2-), S2- and S2O4(2-) determination. The detection limit (signal to noise is 3) and sensitivity are 0.5 and 12, 2.8 and 6, 1.6 and 8, and 0.65 microM and 80 nA microM(-1) for thiosulfate, sulfite, sulfide and dithionite detection. The modified carbon ceramic electrode doped with Ru-complex shows good reproducibility, a short response time (t < 2 s), remarkable long term stability (> 6 month) and especially good surface renewability by simple mechanical polishing (RSD for eight successive polishing is 2%). The advantages of this sulfur compound amperometric detector based on ruthenium doped CCE are high sensitivity, inherent stability at a broader pH range, excellent catalytic activity, less expense and simplicity of preparation in comparison with recently published papers. This sensor can be used as a chromatographic detector for analysis of sulfur derivatives.     

A tetra-coordinate nickel(II) complex as neutral carrier for nitrate-selective PVC membrane electrode

The potentiometric response properties and applications of a tetra-coordinate nickel(II) complex with relatively high selectivity toward nitrate ion are described. The nickel(II) complex of 5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,6,11,13-tetraene was used as a neutral carrier into plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane. The influence of several variables was investigated in order to optimize the potentiometric response and selectivity of the electrode. The resulting membrane electrode incorporating 31.0% PVC, 61.0% dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as plasticizer, 3% methyltrioctylammonium chloride (MTOAC) as a cationic additive and 5% carrier (all w/w) demonstrates a Nernstian response slope of −59.6 mV per decade over the concentration range of 5×10⁻⁶-1×10⁻¹ M NO₃⁻. The electrode exhibits a fast response time (≤10 s), a detection limit of 2.5×10⁻⁶ M, and can be used over a wide pH range of 4-12. The electrode shows improved selectivity in comparison to most of the previously reported nitrate-selective electrodes. It was successfully applied to the determination of nitrate ion in natural water samples.     

Syntheses of 1-substituted 1,2,4-triazoles,imidazoles and benzimidazoles

Substituted 2-phenethyl-1,2,4-triazoles, 1-phenethylimidazoles 3 and 1-phenethylbenzimidazoles 5 were synthesized from the reaction of compound 8 with tri-n-butyltin hydride in good yield. The reaction of substituted-2-phenethyl halide with 1H-1,2,4-triazoles, imidazoles and benzimidazoles gave a low yield. The yield was increased by the use of substituted-2-phenethyl p-toluensulfonate.     

Modification of carbon ceramic electrode prepared with sol-gel technique by a thin film of chlorogenic acid: application to amperometric detection of NADH

The carbon ceramic electrode prepared with sol-gel technique is modified by a thin film of chlorogenic acid (CGA). By immersing the carbon ceramic electrode in aqueous solution of chlorogenic acid at less than 2 s a thin film of chlorogenic acid adsorbed strongly and irreversibly on the surface of electrode. The cyclic voltammetry of the resulting modified CCE prepared at optimum conditions shows a well-defined stable reversible redox couple due to hydroquinone/quinone system in both acidic and basic solutions. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward NADH oxidation and it also showed a high analytical performance for amperometric detection of NADH. The catalytic rate constant of the modified carbon ceramic electrode for the oxidation of NADH is determined by cyclic voltammetry measurement. Under the optimised conditions the calibration curve is linear in the concentration range 1-120 μm. The detection limit (S/N = 3) and sensitivity are 0.2 μM and 25 nA μM⁻¹.The results of six successive measurement-regeneration cycles show relative standard deviations of 2.5% for electrolyte solution containing 1 mM NADH, indicating that the electrode renewal gives a good reproducible and antifouling surface. The advantages of this amperometric detector are: high sensitivity, excellent catalytic activity, short response time t < 2 s, remarkable long-term stability, simplicity of preparation at short time and good reproducibility.     

Determination of lead and atmospheric particulates by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

Flameless atomic absorption techniques were used to determine the lead and other atmospheric particulate in the city of Tehran. 640 samples were collected in 20 different stations around the city during four seasons in 1992. The radioactivity of the air samples was also measured by -ray spectrometry using high purity Ge/Li detectors, and a multichannel analyzer. The results were compared with previous measurements in the city of Tehran.