Semiquantitative Analysis of Biological Materials by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry

Semiquantitative analysis with accuracy of ±30 to 50% is a valuable tool for rapid screening of samples prior to quantitative determination of trace metals. In this study semiquantitative analysis software available with commercial inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation is applied for rapid multielemental analysis, and the accuracy and precision of this semiquantitative analysis approach is evaluated with biological certified reference materials. Samples were prepared by high-pressure, high-temperature nitric acid vapor-phase digestion. For most elements the measured semiquantitative results are in the range of the certified values. With appropriate analyte solution dilution, the measured concentrations of the major elements (e.g., Ca) also agree with certified values. The accuracy is within ±10% for 28 element determinations that include 16 individual elements (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sr, Tl, and Zn) and ±20% for 54 element determinations that include three more elements (Mg, V, and U) in eight certified reference materials including water. The method precision is 11 ± 11% (relative standard deviation,n= 65).     

Nucleation and growth of copper on glassy carbon: Studies in extended overpotential interval

The nucleation and growth of copper crystals on a glassy carbon electrode are investigated at different constant overpotentials. Current transients are recorded and the number of copper nuclei is microscopically registered. The experimental data for the growth current are interpreted according to the theories of progressive and instantaneous nucleation and information is obtained on the stationary nucleation rate, the saturation nucleus number density and the exchange current density at the crystals–solution interface boundary.     

Output power enhancement of the 632.8 nm monomode He-Ne/I2-laser

For the He-Ne/I₂-laser, a stable monomode operation has been realized when the tube pressure exceeds a certain level. An output power of more than 1 mW has been obtained at the 632.8 nm laser transition. Within the monomode tuning range of the laser, the d, e, f, g, and h, i, j iodine hyperfine components of the R(127) line of the 11–5 band of the B ³ II ⁺ _0u–X ¹⁺ _0g electronic transition have been observed. The mode selection method used makes it possible to increase the contrast of the iodine hyperfine components.     

Narrow structure in the coherent population trapping resonance in rubidium

An investigation is reported of coherent resonance in the degenerate two-level system of the (Fg = 2 --> Fe = 1) transition of the 87Rb D1 line by means of a Hanle effect configuration. In a coherent population trapping experiment, a very narrow (approximately 1-kHz) resonance superimposed upon a broader resonance (approximately 100 kHz) was observed. The dependence of the width and the amplitude of the coherent resonance on the laser power density, on additional constant magnetic fields, on the laser frequency position along the fluorescence profile, and on Rb cells with different dimensions was investigated.     

Localized surface plasmon resonance of silicon compounds adsorbed on silver nanoparticles

A simple method to produce silver nanoparticles on a glass surface from silver nanolayer deposited by magnetron sputtering and thermal annealed is presented. Localized surface plasmon resonance of nanoparticles shows a red shift depending on the silver nanolayer thickness, the refractive index and the thickness of an ultra-thin silicon compound adsorbed on the surface. A highly enhanced Raman spectrum of the characteristic groups of a silicon compound adsorbed on the nanoparticles surface was obtained.     

Frequency tuning peculiarities of enhanced power monomode He−Ne lasers

Experimental results are presented concerning some peculiarities of frequency tuning of single-longitudinal-mode He–Ne lasers at 632.8 nm which single-mode selection is performed by increasing the homogeneous broadening of laser transition. These include the observation of an asymmetry of tuning regions with respect to the output power maximum; a jump of lasing frequency during which output power drops; and a strong dependence of frequency tuning on gas pressure and output power. In the case of a mixture of ²⁰Ne and ²²Ne isotopes, analytical expressions for the dependence on frequency of output power, unsaturated gain and saturated gain are obtained and computed at different neon isotope concentrations, gas pressures and cavity losses. Simultaneous consideration of these dependences is proposed and used for an explanation of experimentally observed peculiarities in frequency tuning. The obtained results could be used for realization of a frequency-stabilized He–Ne laser of a few milliwatts power for the purposes of multidimensional interferometric measurements.     

Application of tertiary amines for arsenic and selenium signal enhancement and polyatomic interference reduction in ICP-MS analysis of biological samples

Water soluble tertiary amines enhance signals and decrease polyatomic chloride interferences in the direct inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) determination of As and Se in biological samples. Preliminary experiments with amine concentrations and nebulizer flow rates produced element and interference signal intensity changes. Arsenic and Se ICP-MS determination parameters have been optimized by a simplex procedure with amines in an argon plasma or without amines but with addition of N₂ to the Ar. Variables include RF (radio frequency) power, nebulizer gas flow rate, intermediate gas flow rate, and amine concentration or nitrogen gas flow rate. Detection limit, minimization of polyatomic ion intensities, and reproducibility have been evaluated as reponse factors. The signal enhancement and element-to-molecular interference ratios differ to some extent with analyte intensity optimum operating conditions. The detection limits with addition of nitrogen (16 pg mL^–1 for As and 180 pg mL^–1 for Se) or of amines (8 pg mL^–1 for As and 120 pg mL^–1 for Se) and the extent of chloride interference minimization were compared. Amines addition was more beneficial. Biological standard reference materials and food and fecal samples were analyzed following different sample dissolution procedures.     

Kinetik und Mechanismus der Oxydation von 1,2,4,5-Tetramethylbenzol in essigsaurem Medium

The liquid phase oxidation of 1.2.4.5-tetramethylbenzene catalysed by cobaltous acetate and promoted by KBr in acetic acid was kinetically studied. In view of deriving the kinetic equation for the absorption of oxygen, a number of experiments were carried out. The values of the activation energy and of the preexponentA=10¹⁴ were determined as well. The resulting kinetic equation: $$ - \frac{{d\left[ {O_2 } \right]}}{{d\tau }} = 10^{14} \cdot \exp \left( { - \frac{{84,460 \times 10^3 }}{{RT}}} \right) \cdot C_{C_6 H_2 (CH_3 )_4 }^{0,5} \cdot C_{Co(OAc)_2 }^{0,5} \cdot C_{KBr}^{0,5} $$ is in accordance with the theoretically derived expression of this type.     

Spektrographische Bestimmung von Verunreinigungen in Mo(VI)-oxid mit Tetra?thylammoniumjodidpuffer

Zusammenfassung Eine direkte spektrographische Methode zur Bestimmung von As, Te, Sb, Pb, Sn, Bi, Cd, Ag, W, Ti, Fe, Cu und Zn in Mo(VI)-oxid durch Anwendung eines neuen thermochemischen Reagenses — Tetraäthylammoniumjodid (TEAI) — wurde entwickelt. Der TEAI-Puffer gewährleistet eine vollständigere Trennung der zu bestimmenden Elemente von der Matrix und eine höhere Empfindlichkeit im Vergleich zum bisher verwendeten Graphitpulver. Durch Anwendung eines inhomogenen Magnetfeldes bzw. durch Zufuhr von KJ oder ZnO wird eine weitere nachträgliche Erhöhung der Empfindlichkeit bei der Bestimmung der meisten Verunreinigungen erzielt. Das Verfahren zeichnet sich durch gute Reproduzierbarkeit und Genauigkeit aus.

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Direct spectrographic determination of impurities in Mo(VI) oxide using a tetraethylammonium iodide buffer

A direct spectrographic method for the determination of As, Te, Sb, Pb, Sn, Bi, Cd, Ag, W, Ti, Fe, Cu and Zn in Mo(VI) oxide has been developed by using a new thermochemical agent, tetraethylammonium iodide (TEAI). The TEAI-Buffer ensures a complete separation of the elements to be determined from the matrix and a higher sensitivity by comparison with the graphite powder commonly used in practice. A higher sensitivity for most impurities has further been achieved by using an inhomogeneous magnetic field or by adding KI or ZnO, respectively. Main advantage of the method is its good reproducibility and precision.

     

Application of tertiary amines for arsenic and selenium signal enhancement and polyatomic interference reduction in ICP-MS analysis of biological samples

Water soluble tertiary amines enhance signals and decrease polyatomic chloride interferences in the direct inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) determination of As and Se in biological samples. Preliminary experiments with amine concentrations and nebulizer flow rates produced element and interference signal intensity changes. Arsenic and Se ICP-MS determination parameters have been optimized by a simplex procedure with amines in an argon plasma or without amines but with addition of N₂ to the Ar. Variables include RF (radio frequency) power, nebulizer gas flow rate, intermediate gas flow rate, and amine concentration or nitrogen gas flow rate. Detection limit, minimization of polyatomic ion intensities, and reproducibility have been evaluated as reponse factors. The signal enhancement and element-to-molecular interference ratios differ to some extent with analyte intensity optimum operating conditions. The detection limits with addition of nitrogen (16 pg mL^–1 for As and 180 pg mL^–1 for Se) or of amines (8 pg mL^–1 for As and 120 pg mL^–1 for Se) and the extent of chloride interference minimization were compared. Amines addition was more beneficial. Biological standard reference materials and food and fecal samples were analyzed following different sample dissolution procedures.