Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Pharmaceutical analysis using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

The potential utility in pharmaceutical analysis of a capillary electrokinetic separation technique that employs a micellar "pseudo-stationary phase" is discussed and illustrated. Chromatograms of separations of vitamin metabolites and derivatized amino acids are presented to illustrate the high efficiency of the technique and the ability to simultaneously separate the charged and neutral components of pharmaceutical samples. The analytical characteristics of the technique and the importance of optimizing experimental parameters, such as surfactant concentration and capillary column diameter, are discussed and demonstrated with the aid of chromatograms.     

Analysis of B6 vitamers by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with laser-excited fluorescence detection

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) involves the application of a high voltage (10 to 40 kV) across a capillary column (25 to 75 microns i.d.) that is filled with a solution containing micelles. The mobile phase in this work consists of sodium dodecyl sulfate in an aqueous phosphate/borate buffer system. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and five of its metabolites are separated, with efficiencies as high as 60,000 theoretical plates/meter. Pyridoxic acid, a metabolite of B6, is separated and quantitated in human urine using laser-excited fluorescence detection. Limits of detection are less than a picogram injected.     

Dynamically modified capillary columns for liquid chromatographic separations of biological compounds

Dynamically modified open tubular capillary columns were evaluated for separations of biological and clinical interest. Small diameter, dynamically modified columns were readily prepared by simple addition of cetyltrimethylammonium salts to the mobile phase. Separations similar to those obtained on conventional reversed-phase columns were observed for neutral solutes, and ion-pair reversed-phase separations were observed for charged solutes. Borosilicate and standard flint glasses were evaluated with respect to common etching procedures. A potential clinical application is presented in the separation of antitumor drugs.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

The effect of injection procedures on efficiency in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Summary Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) involves the application of a high voltage (10–30 KV) across a capillary column (75μm i.d.) which is filled with a solution containing micelles. The mobile phase in this work consisted of sodium dodecyl sulfate in an aqueous borate/phosphate buffer system. Injection parameters in MECC were investigated to minimize the contribution to band-broadening resulting from the injection process. Efficiencies as high as 240,000 theoretical plates/meter are reported.     

Determination of adriamycin and daunorubicin in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with laser fluorometric detection

A separation and detection scheme is presented for the determination of the antitumor drugs adriamycin and daunorubicin in human urine. Separation is accompished by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and the drugs are detected down to the low picograms level by laser excited fluoresence using a unique fiber optic based flow-cell. Excellent detector selectivity and linearity are reported, and some of the factors influencing the performance of the detector are discussed. Possible extension of the procedure to other biologically important determinations are mentioned.