Molecularly imprinted adsorbents for preconcentration and isolation of progesterone and testosterone by solid phase extraction combined with HPLC

The use of a novel procedure of solid-phase extraction with molecularly imprinted polymers (MISPE) has been described. A MISPE procedure relying on tailor-made, artificial-mimic materials capable of selectively rebinding target analytes (steroids) based on a combination of recognition mechanisms, such as size, shape and functionality, was custom designed for progesterone and testosterone. The combination of MISPE with LC/DAD is a simple and an efficient method for the determination and quality control of progesterone and testosterone in human urine samples.     

Separation of Flavonoids from the Leaves of Oroxylum indicum by HSCCC

A high-speed counter-current chromatography system (HPCCC) capable of rapid processing has been employed to separate seven flavonoids from a methanolic extract of the leaves of Oroxylum indicum by a one-step isocratic elution using a chloroform–methanol–water (9.5:10:5) two-phase system. LC, MS and NMR have identified the components from the extract as chrysin, baicalein, baicalein-7-O-glucoside, baicalein-7-O-diglucoside, chrysin-7-O-glucuronide, baicalein-7-O-glucuronide, and a chrysin-diglucoside. Baicalein-7-O-glucuronide and chrysin-7-O-glucuronide have been separated from this plant by HSCCC for the first time. The present study also reports a new chrysin-diglucoside from the leaf extract. The results demonstrate that HSCCC is a powerful separation tool and can contribute to identifying and quantifying plant ingredients.     

Adsorption of lead(II) from aqueous solution onto several types of activated carbon fibers

In this work, the adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution was investigated on various types of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) manufactured from polyacrylonitrile and phenolic resin. The textural and physicochemical properties of the ACFs were determined by the N₂-BET method and acid-base titration. The experimental adsorption equilibrium data of Pb(II) on the ACFs were obtained in a batch adsorber, and the Langmuir isotherm model better fitted the experimental data. The effects of the type of ACF and precursor of ACF, solution pH and temperature upon the adsorption of Pb(II) on the ACFs were examined in detail. The adsorption capacity was highly dependent upon the precursor of ACF. The Pb(II) adsorption capacity of the ACFs augmented when the solution pH and temperature were increased from 2 to 4 and from 288 to 308 K, respectively. The effect of the pH was attributed to the interactions between the surface of the ACF and Pb²⁺ ions present in the water solution. The Pb(II) adsorption capacity of the ACFs was enhanced by oxidation with HNO₃ solution and the enhancement factor was between 1.1 and 1.4. The reversibility of the adsorption of Pb(II) was investigated by first adsorbing Pb(II) on an ACF and then desorbing the Pb(II). It was noticed that Pb(II) was substantially desorbed from ACF while reducing the solution pH to 2. It was concluded that the Pb(II) was mainly adsorbed on the ACFs by chemisorption, electrostatic interactions and ion exchange.     

In situ silica reinforcement of natural rubber by sol–gel process via rubber solution

The in situ silica filling of natural rubber (NR) was carried out via the sol–gel reaction using tetraethoxysilane. The effect of the in situ silica content on the curing, mechanical, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of the composite vulcanizate materials was investigated in comparison to that with a commercial silica preparation. The Mooney viscosity of the in situ silica filled NR vulcanizates showed a lower value compared with that of the commercial filled ones. The mechanical properties of the in situ silica composite materials, i.e., the moduli and compression set, were improved compared with the commercial silica filler NR vulcanizates. The reinforcement effect of in situ silica did not accord with the Smallwood equation but in contrast was in good agreement with the Guth and Gold equation using a shape factor (f) which itself was in close agreement with estimates derived from independent TEM analysis. The pseudo-network structure of the in situ silica was low, which resulted in a lower storage modulus at 25 °C. By filling NR with in situ silica, the thermal properties of the composite vulcanized material were also improved, and well dispersed in situ silica particles within the NR matrix were also observed.     

Enhanced removal of hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-surface-functionalized activated carbon

A commercial activated carbon was functionally modified by silylation with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The silylation led to the fixation of weakly basic functional groups, –NH₂, on the surface as indicated by pH titration, Boehm titration, N $_{2^{-}}$ BET analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis. Despite reducing the specific BET area and the pore volume, silylation improved the H₂S removal capacity so that APTES modified activated carbon (APTES-AC) was 3.55 times more effective than the original activated carbon. XPS results indicate that H₂S removal may be associated with the amino (–NH₂) group and the presence of sulfur in the four oxidation states S^2?, S⁰, S⁴⁺ and S⁶⁺. The effects of moisture, oxygen content and temperature on the performance of APTES-AC for H₂S removal were investigated. The presence of moisture in the gas stream was found to have an adverse effect on the H₂S removal, whilst the presence of oxygen favored the removal of H₂S by APTES-AC. The higher removal capacity of APTES-AC relative to the original activated carbon indicates that APTES-AC is a potential candidate for the removal of H₂S from gas streams. The H₂S removal efficiency of APTES-AC was proved be superior to that of Na₂CO₃-impregnated AC by the pilot-scale test of purification H₂S containing industrial waste gas, yellow phosphorus off-gas.     

Porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents from pitch–polymer compositions

The study results of porous structure and thermal properties of carbon adsorbents (AC) obtained from pitch–polymer compositions were presented. The compositions were carbonized and activated with steam, potassium hydroxide, and magnesium and potassium carbonates. For the obtained AC, the thermal analysis and the determination of adsorption value of iodine and porous structure by adsorption/desorption of nitrogen at 77 K were carried out. The possibility of obtained activated carbons from pitch–polymer compositions was demonstrated. The use of untypical feedstock, as an effect of combination of bituminous substance with polymeric waste and improvement of the methods of production, creates the potential possibility to produce carbon adsorbents of interesting properties and porous structure.     

Tailoring the electrochemical charge storage properties of carbonaceous support by redox properties of heteropoly acids: where does the synergy come from?

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The synergistic effects between two Keggin-type heteropoly acids (HPAs) and carbon surface were examined and elucidated. An improved high rate capability...     

A comparative adsorption study of β-naphthol on four polymeric adsorbents from aqueous solutions

Adsorptive removal of aromatic compounds from aqueous solutions by polymeric adsorbents has attracted many concerns in recent years. A comparative adsorption study including equilibria, kinetics and column dynamics of β-naphthol from aqueous solutions was carried out using two hypercrosslinked polymeric adsorbents (HJ-1 and TEPA) we developed and two commercial polymeric adsorbents (XAD-4 and XAD-7). The adsorption isotherms could be well described by the Freundlich equation, and the adsorption equilibrium capacities of β-naphthol followed an order of q(e)((TEPA))>q(e)((HJ-1))>q(e)((XAD-4))>q(e)((XAD-7)). The isosteric adsorption enthalpies on HJ-1 and TEPA decreased with increasing adsorption fractional loading, while a constant enthalpy was observed for XAD-4 and XAD-7, implying that HJ-1 and TEPA had a heterogeneous surface while XAD-4 and XAD-7 possessed a homogenous surface. The surface energetic heterogeneity of HJ-1 and TEPA could be well characterized by the Do's model. The adsorption kinetics were fitted by both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order rate equations, and the intra-particle diffusion was found to be the rate-limiting step. The adsorption breakthrough data were well correlated by the Thomas and Clark models, and the dynamic capacities for TEPA, HJ-1, XAD-4 and XAD-7 adsorbents were calculated to be 341.7, 321.6, 268.0 and 173.8 mg/g dry resin, which were within 90% of the corresponding equilibrium capacities obtained in the batch experiments.     

Measurement of Magnesium Stability Constants of Biologically Relevant Ligands by Simultaneous Use of pH and Ion-Selective Electrodes

Simultaneous measurements with magnesium ion-selective and pH glass electrodes have been used for determination of the stability constants of magnesium ions with various biologically relevant ligands by alkalimetric titration under physiological conditions (37^○C, I=0.15 mol⋅dm⁻³). New systems were investigated: magnesium with pyroglutamate, pyridoxine and HEPES, along with citrate, lactate, glycinate, aspartate and glutamate. For comparison, calcium stability constants with the same ligands were determined similarly, using calcium ion-selective and pH glass electrodes. Ligand protonation constants, necessary for the calculation of the metal complex formation constants, were also determined.     

Adsorption characteristics of nitric oxide on various adsorbents determined by gas—solid chromatography

The adsorption of nitric oxide on 13X and 5A molecular sieves, alumina (boehmite) and nickel—kieselguhr and copper oxide—zinc oxide catalysts was studied by using a chromatographic technique. Moment analysis was used for determining the adsorption equilibrium constant K_A.The nitric oxide is purely physically adsorbed on 13X molecular sieve and alumina in the ranges of temperature between 50 and 100 °C and between −8 and 50 °C respectively. The adsorption capacities of 13X molecular sieve and alumina are 0.5 cm³ g⁻¹ and 1.0 cm³ g⁻¹ respectively at 50 °C. The nitric oxide reacts with 5A molecular sieve and changes its adsorption capacity with time from 3.4 cm³ g⁻¹ for fresh adsorbent at 100 °C. For the nickel—kieselguhr catalyst the adsorption of nitric oxide at 50 °C and 110 °C takes place on two kinds of active sites with slow and fast reversible adsorption respectively. The total equilibrium constant, for fast and slow adsorption, is 0.90 cm³ g⁻¹ at 50 °C and 0.32 cm³ g⁻¹ at 110 °C. The nitric oxide reacts with the copper oxide—zinc oxide catalyst between 50 and 200 °C and changes the physical properties of the bed probably as a result of shrinkage of the particles. Therefore, quantitative data could not be obtained for this system.     

Determination of the Deuterium Abundances in Water from 156 to 10,000 ppm by SIFT-MS

In response to a need for the measurement of the deuterium (D) abundance in water and aqueous liquids exceeding those previously recommended when using flowing afterglow mass spectrometry (FA-MS) and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) (i.e. 1000 parts per million, ppm), we have developed the theory of equilibrium isotopic composition of the product ions on which these analytical methods are based to encompass much higher abundances of D in water up to 10,000 ppm (equivalent to 1%). This has involved an understanding of the number density distributions of the H, D, (16)O, (17)O and (18)O isotopes in the isotopologues of H(3)O(+)(H(2)O)(3) hydrated ions (i.e. H(9)O (4) (+) cluster ions) at mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) of 73, 74 and 75, the relative ion number densities of which represent the basis of FA-MS and SIFT-MS analyses of D abundance. Specifically, an extended theory has been developed that accounts for the inclusion of D atoms in the m/z 75 ions, which increasingly occurs as D abundance in the water is increased, and which is used as a reference signal for the m/z 74 ions in the measurement of D abundance. In order to investigate the efficacy of this theory, experimental measurements of deuterium abundance in standard mixtures were made by the SIFT-MS technique using two similar instruments and the results compared with the theory. It is demonstrated that the parameterization of experimental data can be used to formulate a simple calculation algorithm for real-time SIFT-MS measurements of D abundance to an accuracy of 1% below 1000 ppm and degrades to about 2% at 10,000 ppm.     

The isomeric ratio of fragment 135Xe from photofission of 233U induced by 23.5 MeV bremsstrahlung

The ratio of the probabilities of population of the isomeric and ground states, so called the isomeric ratio is closely connected to the angular momentum of the initial fission fragments that is dissipated at the later stages of gamma ray cascade. This ratio also provides important information on the nuclear level structure as well as the nuclear reaction mechanism involved. In this work, the isomeric ratio in fission fragment ¹³⁵Xe from photofission of ²³³U induced by 23.5 MeV bremsstrahlung has been determined by the method that uses inert gaseous flow. The results have been discussed and compared with that of other authors.     

The heat capacity of lead from 300 to 850°k: conversion of cp to cv for liquid lead

Abstract

Recent measurements of the heat capacity at constant pressure C_p for lead from 300 to 850°K have shown that C_p for liquid lead decreases continuously from the melting point to 850°K. Using data in the literature of density and velocity of sound, the dilation correction has been applied to C_p to obtain the heat capacity at constant volume C_v for liquid lead. Application of the dilation correction to solid lead gives a C_v curve which uncreases only about one joule/gm-atom-°K from 300 to 600°K, whereas the C_v curve for liquid lead decreases almost 5 joules/gm-atom-°K from 600 to 850°K. A careful assessment of the uncertainty in the quantities used in the dilation correction leads to an uncertainty in C_v of ± 2.5% (about one joule/gm-atom-°K), and thus the decrease in C_v for liquid lead is quite real.     

Mechanistic Investigation of the Oxidation of Lysine by Oxone

The kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of lysine, a basic α-amino acid, by oxone in an acetic acid/sodium acetate buffered medium (pH = 3.6–5.2) at 308 K has been investigated. The rate of disappearance of oxone at constant [lysine] and pH follows the equation:

Dynamics and Thermochemistry of Oxygen Uptake by a Mixed Ce–Pr Oxide

The dynamics of oxygen uptake by mixed Ce_0.55Pr_0.45O_2–x oxide is studied in a pulsed oxygen supply mode using in situ high-temperature heat flow differential scanning calorimetry. It is stated that the oxidation proceeds in two regimes: a fast one at the beginning of the oxidation process, and a slow one, which is controlled by the diffusion of oxygen through the bulk of the solid at the later stages of the process. Analysis of the shape of calorimetric profiles reveals some processes, accompanied by heat release, that occur in the sample in the absence of oxygen in the gas phase. These could be due to both the redistribution of consumed oxygen in the oxide lattice and the lattice relaxation associated with the transformation of phases with different arrangements of oxygen vacancies in them. The heat effect (which diminishes from ~60 to ~40 kJ/mol in the course of oxygen uptake) associated with the oxidation of the reduced form of mixed Ce–Pr oxide, corresponds to the oxidation of praseodymium ions from (3+) to (4+).     

Mass–yield distributions of fission products from photo-fission of natPb induced by 50–70 MeV bremsstrahlung

The mass–yield distributions of various fission products have been determined in the 50-, 60- and 70-MeV end point bremsstrahlung induced fission of ^natPb using off-line γ-ray spectrometric technique in the electron linac at Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Korea. The mass–yield distributions are symmetric with average mass of 102.34, 102.25 and 102.03 and FWHM of 21, 22 and 23 mass unit, respectively. From the present data and literature data in the 50–85 MeV bremsstrahlung induced fission of ²⁰⁹Bi the following observations were obtained: (i) The average masses of the yield distributions in the 50–85 MeV bremsstrahlung induced fission of ^natPb and ²⁰⁹Bi are around 102.25 ± 0.25 and 103 ± 0.5, respectively. (ii) The FWHM of the mass–yield distributions increases from about 21 mass units at 50 MeV to 23 mass units at 70–85 MeV, which is explained from the point of increase in multi-chance fission probability with increasing excitation energy. (iii) Within the bremsstrahlung energy range of 50–85 MeV, the role of nuclear structure effect in the mass–yield distribution was observed in the photo-fission of ²⁰⁹Bi, whereas it was not seen in case of ^natPb. This may be due to the presence of so many isotopes in ^natPb unlike mono-isotopic ²⁰⁹Bi.     

Preparation of carbon molecular sieves from palm shell: effect of benzene deposition conditions

Application of carbon molecular sieve (CMS) for gas separation has been found much attention recently. In this work, CMS was prepared from locally available palm shell through carbonization, steam activation and carbon vapour deposition (CVD) technique. After carbonization step, the char produced was subjected to steam activation at various activation times. The activated carbon obtained at 53.2% burn-off, which contain the highest amount of micropore volume was further used in CVD step by using benzene vapour at various deposition conditions. The performance of CMSs produced was examined by assessing the adsorption kinetics of O₂, N₂, CO₂ and CH₄ gases. All CMS samples showed a small N₂ and CH₄ uptake compared to the O₂ and CO₂. The suitable conditions for CVD were found at 800°C, 30 min and 30 vol% benzene of deposition temperature, time and benzene concentration, respectively. At this point the O₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ uptake ratios arrived 7.1 and 16.0, respectively.     

Ionic Liquid-Based Extraction of Fatty Acids from Blue-Green Algal Cells Enhanced by Direct Transesterification and Determination Using GC × GC-TOFMS

Blue-green algae commonly referred to as cyanobacteria are known to grow in freshwater bodies when they are provided with suitable growth conditions such as nutrients, temperature and light. Algae biomass is known to contain a large amount of lipids, such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. In this study, fatty acids from algal cells were extracted using a newly developed extraction protocol using ionic liquid enhanced by direct transesterification at an elevated temperature. The identification and quantification of fatty acids was performed using gas chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC × GC-TOFMS). The extracted fatty acids were dominated by those with carbon chain of C16 and C18; [i.e. 7-hexadecenoic acid (C16:1) and hexadecanoic acid (C16:0) for C16, whereas C18 includes γ-linolenic acid (γ-C18:3); linoleic acid (C18:2); linolenic acid (C18:3); 6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic acid (C18:4); oleic acid (C18:1) and octadecanoic acid (C18:0)]. The obtained fatty acid composition was then compared with that obtained by organic solvent extraction using a mixture of chloroform and methanol. Statistical evaluation was performed using one-way ANOVA and found that there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.908) between the two extraction methods, a finding which indicates the usefulness of ionic liquid as a solvent to replace volatile organic solvent to minimize environmental pollution.     

Synthesis and characterization of lead oxide nano-powders by sol–gel method

Our goal in this research was to obtain lead oxide nano-powders by sol–gel method. In this method, lead oxide nano-powders were synthesized through the reaction of citric acid (C₆H₇O₈·H₂O) solution and lead acetate [Pb(C₂H₃O₂)₂] solution as stabilizer and precursor, respectively. The effect of different parameters including calcination temperature, (molar ratio of citric acid to lead acetate) and drying conditions were investigated. The prepared lead oxide nano-powders were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared PbO samples consist of the particles in the range of 50–120 nm or the thick plate like structures with thickness of 53 nm depending on the drying conditions.