Sequential determination of platinum, ruthenium, and molybdenum in carbon-supported Pt, PtRu, and PtMo catalysts by atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple accurate and precise analytical method for the determination of platinum, ruthenium, and molybdenum in Pt, PtRu, and PtMo nanoparticles catalysts deposited on high-surface area carbon by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) is described. The complete digestion of samples (0.010-0.020 g), which contain noble metals (NMs) in the range between 0 and 30% in combination among them or with other non-NMs, is obtained under mild conditions using both concentrated HCl and HCl+HNO₃ (1+1 (v/v)) mixture to boiling for 30 min in an open vessel. Carbon is separated from the solution by filtering it. Under optimized conditions of the flame, the poor sensitivity of platinum is enhanced 50-fold in presence of 1% (m V⁻¹) ascorbic acid, whereas the analytical signal of ruthenium increased by the presence of co-existing platinum. Any kind of interference is observed on the analytical signal of molybdenum. Recovery test obtained by analyzing commercial powder catalysts ranged from 99 to 101%. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation of five measurements, is better than 1%. Electrode catalysts, made by using the carbon-supported platinum-based powder catalysts, have been analyzed for the metal loadings onto the electrode by GFAAS after dissolution under the same conditions used for the powder catalysts. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation of three measurements, is better than 2%.     

Determination of vitamins A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol) in foods by liquid chromatography: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted for the determination of vitamins A and E. Existing AOAC liquid chromatographic (LC) methods are suited for specific vitamins A and E analytical applications. This method differs from existing methods in that it can be used to assay samples in all 9 sectors of the food matrix. Standards and test samples are saponified in basic ethanol-water solution, neutralized, and diluted, converting fats to fatty acids and retinol esters and tocopherol esters to retinol and tocopherol, respectively. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol are quantitated on separate LC systems, using UV detection at 313 or 328 nm for retinol, and fluorescence detection (excitation 290 nm, emission 330 nm) for alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin concentrations are calculated by comparison of the peak heights or peak areas of vitamins in test samples with those of standards.     

The equation of state of solid molecular hydrogen and deuterium

Isochores of solid H₂ and D₂ have been measured to 2 kbar. Our results lead to reevaluation of the 4.2 K isotherm of Anderson and Swenson to 25 kbar. The equation of state has been determined, including ortho-para dependence. The pre-melting phase transition cited in recent russian literature has not been detected.     

Determination of stoichiometry of Li1+yCoO2 materials by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and automated potentiometric titration

A rapid, accurate and precise analytical method to determine the stoichiometry of pure, excess lithium and magnesium-doped Li_1+yCoO₂ materials is described. The method is based on the determination of lithium, cobalt and magnesium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after dissolution of samples in dilute hydrochloric acid. Five-point calibration curves using aqueous standard solutions have been constructed for all the analytes. Relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of five repeated measurements are better than 0.3% for all metals when the absorbance signal of analytes is set near the middle of the regression lines.The total oxygen content is indirectly determined by potentiometric titration of average oxidation state of cobalt. The Co³⁺ present in the oxide powders is reduced to Co²⁺ at room temperature with a known excess of 0.1 M Fe²⁺ solution in 6 M sulphuric and phosphoric acid mixture. The samples completely dissolved in a few minutes developing a pink coloured and clear solution. The excess of Fe²⁺ ions is back titrated with potassium dichromate standard solution using automated potentiometric end-point detection. The difference between the total cobalt content (found by AAS) and Co³⁺ (found by potentiometric titration) gives the amount of Co²⁺ present in the materials. The S.D. of the determined Co³⁺ value has been estimated to be below 0.03 mg for samples of 10-20 mg. By the proposed method the LiCoO₂ is well characterised and can be applied as a standard reference material for use in lithium batteries technology.     

Electron emission in superfluid and low temperature vapor phase helium

Tungsten filaments used as sources of electrons in a low-temperature liquid or gaseous helium environment have remarkable properties of operating at thousands of degrees kelvin in surroundings at temperatures of order 1 K. We provide an explanation of this performance in terms of important changes in the thermal transport mechanisms. The behavior can be cast as a first-order phase transition.