Determination of gold by neutron activation analysis in some selected precambrian rocks from Eastern India

Gold was determined in some selected rock samples by neutron activation analysis. The analysis was carried out both in destructive and non-destructive ways followed by γ-ray spectrometry. The amounts of gold that were determined in the respective rock samples varied in the range 10⁻⁴–10⁻⁶%. Besides gold, some other trace constituents such as As, Ag, Sb, W, Se, La, Sm, etc. were also detected and their approximate order of occurrence was determined.     

Extraction-back extraction preconcentration in the system based on p-alkylaniline and oil sulfides for determining platinum-group metals and gold by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A procedure is developed for determining all platinum-group metals (PGM) and gold (10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁴%). It includes the autoclave digestion of samples with the transfer of metals into a hydrochloric acid medium without losing osmium and ruthenium, group 10- to 20-fold extraction preconcentration of precious metals with the removal of matrix interfering elements to a factor of 10⁵–10⁶, and the analysis of the group back extract of PGM and gold by ICP AES. A method is proposed for the quantitative back extraction of all PGM and gold from a group extract in two steps of consecutively washing the extract with ammonia solutions and thiourea. The procedure is tested on seven GSO samples and technological objects. It is shown that ICP MS can be used for the analysis of group back extracts of PGM and gold.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of monomineral fractions of sulfide minerals and quartzes

A method has been worked out of multi-elemental instrumental neutron-activation analysis INAA of small weights some mg of monomineral fractions of sulfide minerals pyrites, galenites, chalcopyrites, arsenopyrites, bornites, chalcosines and quartzes. The samples were irradiated in a nuclear reactor under a flux of 1.3·10¹³ n·cm⁻²·s⁻¹. For measuring the gamma radiation of the exposed samples Ge(Li) gamma-spectrometers with semiconductor detectors were used. Determined in sulfide monofractions were the elements: Co, Sc, Ag, Se, Sb, Cr, Fe, Zr; rare-earth elements: Ce, Sm, Eu and others at content levels of 10⁻¹−10⁻⁴%. In quartzes they were: Mn, Na, Sb, Cr, Sc, Fe, Co at content levels of 10⁻⁵−10⁻⁷% and Au to n×10⁻⁹%. A special method has been worked out for the determination of In in sulfides with the irradiation of samples in a cadmium screen. An example is cited of using the method for studying some peculiar features of the genetics of copper pyrite deposits. The data on the distribution of admixture elements in sulfide monofractions produced in this work made it possible to conclude that the oreformation in the deposits has a stage-by-stage character.     

Determination of metals in alloys by neutron capture gamma-ray spectrometry

A collimated neutron beam capable of providing a thermal neutron flux of 4.75·10⁷ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ has been used to analyze alloy samples of 1–5 g during relatively short irradiation times of 30 min by the use of neutron capture gamma-ray spectrometry. The analyses were performed by using a mathematical treatment that relates the count ratio of every constituent present in the matrix with the concentration and thus it requires no standards. The technique was applied to the analysis of steel and gold alloy samples. Errors ranged from 0.8%–10%.     

The amperometric determination of indole-3-acetic acid based on CeCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>-DHP film modified gold electrode

An amperometric sensor for the determination of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) based on the CeCl₃-DHP film modified gold electrode was developed. CeCl₃ was dissolved into water in the presence of dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate (DHP). The IAA sensor was prepared via evaporating solvent of the CeCl₃-DHP dispersion on the gold electrode surface. The amperometric response of IAA on the CeCl₃-DHP film modified gold electrode was investigated. The experimental results indicate that the passivation of the electrode due to the adsorption of the oxidation product of IAA decreases significantly at the CeCl₃-DHP film modified gold electrode, in contrast to that at the bare and the DHP modified gold electrode. The experimental parameters were optimized and an electrochemical method for the determination of IAA was established. The oxidation peak current is linearly with the concentration of IAA from 1 × 10⁻⁷ to 2 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ and the detection limit is 3 × 10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹. The relative standard deviation of eight measurements is 3.2% for 5 × 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ IAA. The IAA in plant leaves were extracted and determined by the IAA sensor.     

Development and characterisation of disposable gold electrodes, and their use for lead(II) analysis

There is an increasing need to assess the harmful effects of heavy-metal-ion pollution on the environment. The ability to detect and measure toxic contaminants on site using simple, cost effective, and field-portable sensors is an important aspect of environmental protection and facilitating rapid decision making. A screen-printed gold sensor in a three-electrode configuration has been developed for analysis of lead(II) by square-wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). The working electrode was fabricated with gold ink deposited by use of thick-film technology. Conditions affecting the lead stripping response were characterised and optimized. Experimental data indicated that chloride ions are important in lead deposition and subsequent analysis with this type of sensor. A linear concentration range of 10–50 μg L⁻¹ and 25–300 μg L⁻¹ with detection limits of 2 μg L⁻¹ and 5.8 μg L⁻¹ were obtained for lead(II) for measurement times of four and two minutes, respectively. The electrodes can be reused up to 20 times after cleaning with 0.5 mol L⁻¹ sulfuric acid. Interference of other metals with the response to lead were also examined to optimize the sensor response for analysis of environmental samples. The analytical utility of the sensor was demonstrated by applying the system to a variety of wastewater and soil sample extracts from polluted sites. The results are sufficient evidence of the feasibility of using these screen-printed gold electrodes for the determination of lead(II) in wastewater and soil extracts. For comparison purposes a mercury-film electrode and ICP–MS were used for validation.     

Instrumental activation analysis for determining the composition of micro-ingots of multi-constituent alloys

A procedure for the instrumental neutron activation analysis of micro-ingots of alloys containing In, Sb, Au, Ga, Ni, Sn and Bi is proposed. The non-destructive analysis of the irradiated samples is performed by γ-spectrometry techniques including one-crystal scintillation detectors, dual-crystal sum-coincidence scintillation detectors and Ge(Li) semiconductor detectors. As a result, the cumbersome operations of radiochemical separation can be eliminated. The sensitivity of quantitative determinations using scintillation detectors in alloys of the above composition is 10⁻¹⁰ g for indium, gold, antimony and gallium and 10⁻⁶ g for nickel and tin. The use of semiconductor detectors yields sensitivities of 10⁻¹⁰ g for indium and gold and 10⁻⁹ g for gallium and antimony.     

Ion chromatographic and spectrometric determination of water-soluble compounds in airborne particulates, and their correlations in an industrial area in Attica, Greece

In the time period from June 2005 to May 2006 in 42 sampling campaigns 84 filter samples of airborne particulate matter, coarse (PM_10–2.5) and fine (PM_2.5), were collected using a Gent stacked filter unit in the coastal industrial area of Aspropyrgos in Attica, Greece. The average PM₁₀ (PM_10–2.5 + PM_2.5) concentration was found to be 66 μg · m⁻³, exceeding more than 1.6 times the annual limit of 40 μg · m⁻³. The samples were analysed for Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ using ion chromatography. The data were compared with results obtained with other spectrometric methods, such as inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and reflectometry. The determined average ionic content comprised about 44% of the PM₁₀ mass. The ionic composition, as well as the possible matrix compounds in both fractions were evaluated by dividing the sampling period into summer and winter season. In the PM_10–2.5/PM_2.5 fraction in summer time the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg₂₊ and NO₃ ⁻ were enriched in the coarse fraction. In winter time all species were enriched in the coarse fraction, especially Ca²⁺, Cl⁻ and NO₃ ⁻. NH₄ ⁺ was constantly higher in the fine fraction in summer as well as in winter time. Factor analysis was applied to obtain correlations between cations and anions leading to matrix compounds in both fractions. From the evaluation of the results obtained, some of the local air pollution sources could be identified. Correspondence: Klaus-Michael Ochsenkühn, Laboratory for Trace Element Studies, Institute of Physical Chemistry, NCSR “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi 15310, Athens, Greece     

A sensitive nicotine sensor based on molecularly imprinted electropolymer of o-aminophenol

A sensitive nicotine sensor based on a molecularly imprinted electropolymer of o-aminophenol is proposed and its configuration and performance are studied in detail. On the condition of weak acidity, the sensitive layer was prepared by electropolymerization of o-aminophenol on a gold electrode in the presence of the template (nicotine). The sensor exhibits good selectivity and sensitivity to nicotine. The determination limit is 2.0×10⁻⁷ mol/L and a linear relationship between the current and concentration is found in the range of 4.0×10⁻⁷ ∼ 3.3 ×10⁻⁵ mol/L. The sensor has also been applied to the analysis of nicotine in tobacco samples with recovery rates ranging from 99.0% to 102%. __________ Translated from Journal of Hunan university (Nature Science), 2005, 32(3) (in Chinese)     

Electrochemical behavior and determination of epinephrine at a mercaptoacetic acid self-assembled gold electrode

The electrochemical behavior of epinephrine (EP) at a mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode was studied. The MAA/Au electrode is demonstrated to promote the electrochemical response of epinephrine by cyclic voltammetry. The possible reaction mechanism is also discussed. The diffusion coefficient D of EP is 6.85 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹. In 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 7.20), a sensitive oxidation peak was observed at 0.177 V, and the peak current is proportional to the concentration of EP in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵–2.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The detection limit is 5 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The modified electrode is highly stable and can be applied to the determination of EP in practical injection samples. The method is simple, quick, sensitive and accurate.     

Determination of human serum albumin using aurothiomalate as electroactive label

A new electroactive label has been used to monitor immunoassays in the determination of human serum albumin (HSA) using glassy-carbon electrodes as supports for the immunological reactions. The label was a gold(I) complex, sodium aurothiomalate, which was bound to rabbit IgG anti-human serum albumin (anti-HSA-Au). The HSA was adsorbed on the electrode surface and the immunological reaction with gold-labelled anti-HSA was then performed for one hour by non-competitive or competitive procedures. The gold(I) bound to the anti-HSA was electrodeposited in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl at −1.00 V for 5 min then oxidised in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄ solution at +1.40 V for 1 min. Silver electrodeposition at −0.14 V for 1 min followed by anodic stripping voltammetry were then performed in aqueous 1.0 mol L⁻¹ NH₃–2.0×10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ AgNO₃. For both non-competitive and competitive formats, calibration plots in the ranges 5.0×10⁻¹⁰ to 1.0×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ and 1.0×10⁻¹⁰ to 1.0×10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ HSA, respectively, with estimated detection limits of 1.5×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (10 ng mL⁻¹) and 1.0×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (7 ng mL⁻¹), respectively, were obtained. Levels of HSA in two healthy volunteer urine samples were also evaluated, using both immunoassay formats.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold immunoassay for ochratoxin A: investigation of analytical conditions and sample matrix on assay performance

A polyclonal antibody against ochratoxin A (OTA) was produced from rabbits immunized with the OTA–BSA conjugate. A competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cdELISA) and a membrane-base colloidal gold immunoassay in flow-through format were developed for the rapid detection of OTA in various food matrices. In the cdELISA, the concentration causing 50% inhibition was 0.07 ng mL⁻¹, and the effects of different chemical conditions (ionic strength, pH value, and organic solvent) were studied. The sensitivity of the assay was higher than those previously reported. A simple, rapid, and efficient extraction method was developed and 74–110% recoveries of spiked samples were obtained. Fifty percent methanol extracts of some food samples such as barley, wheat, oat, corn, rice, and raisins could be analyzed directly by immunoassay after dilution in PBS; grape juice and beer samples could be analyzed directly after dilution with PBS; for coffee samples, a more complex method was used to remove the matrix effect effectively. Membrane-based colloidal gold immunoassays had a visual detection limit of 1.0 ng mL⁻¹ for OTA with a detection time of less than 10 min. For the validation of the cdELISA and membrane-based colloidal gold immunoassay, samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The correlation between data obtained using the microwell assay and HPLC was good (R ² = 0.984). The developed immunoassay methods are suitable for the rapid quantitative or qualitative determination of OTA in food samples.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold immunoassay for sulphamethazine residues in edible animal foods: investigation of the effects of the analytical conditions and the sample matrix on assay performance

To determine sulphamethazine (SMZ) residues in edible animal foods (pig muscle, chicken muscle, egg, fish, milk and liver), a competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a colloidal gold immunoassay were established. The limits of detection of the ELISA and the colloidal gold immunoassay were 0.02 and 0.5 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The specificity of the ELISA developed to the SMZ was high according to the results of cross-reactivity testing with 14 kinds of sulphonamides. To obtain a more sensitive immunoassay, buffer solution (30 mmol L⁻¹ phosphate-buffered saline with 0.05% Tween 20, pH 8.5) was optimized through the whole test procedure. A simple and efficient extraction method for the rapid detection of SMZ residues in foods was developed, with recoveries between 74 and 117.5%. Matrix effects can be avoided by 1:10 dilution of pig muscle, chicken muscle, egg, fish, milk and liver with optimal buffer. The detection limit of SMZ was 5 μg kg⁻¹ in liver and 2 μg kg⁻¹ in the other five samples. For the validation of the ELISA tests, sample extracts were analysed by ELISA and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results obtained by these two methods showed a good correlation (r ²) which was greater than 0.9. The colloidal gold immunoassay presented in this assay was successfully applied to determine SMZ in pig muscle, milk and fish below or equal to the maximum residue level (20 μg kg⁻¹).     

Electrochemical behavior of uric acid at a penicillamine self-assembled gold electrode

The fabrication and electrochemical characteristics of a penicillamine (PCA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode were investigated. The electrode can enhance the electrochemical response of uric acid (UA), and the electrochemical reaction of UA on the PCA electrode has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Some electrochemical parameters, such as diffusion coefficient, standard rate constant, electron transfer coefficient and proton transfer number have been determined for the electrochemical behavior on the PCA self-assembled monolayer electrode. The electrode reaction of UA is an irreversible process, which is controlled by the diffusion of UA with two electrons and two protons transfer at the PCA/Au electrode. In phosphate buffer (pH 5.0), the peak current is proportional to the concentration of UA in the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁵–7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and 2.0 × 10⁻⁵–7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ for the cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods with the detection limits of 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 3.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, respectively. The method can be applied to determine UA concentration in real samples.     

Enantioselective piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor for d-methamphetamine based on a molecularly imprinted polymer

A piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has been developed for enantioselective and quantitative analysis of d-(+)-methamphetamine (d(+)-MA). The sensor was produced by bulk polymerization and the resulting MIP was then coated on the gold electrode of an AT-cut quartz crystal. Conditions such as volume of polymer coating, curing time, type of PQC, baseline solvent, pH, and buffer type were found to affect the sensor response and were therefore optimized. The PQC-MIP gave a stable response to different concentrations of d(+)-MA standard solutions (response time = 10 to 100 s) with good repeatability (RSD = 0.03 to 3.09%; n = 3), good reproducibility (RSD = 3.55%; n = 5), and good reversibility (RSD = 0.36%; n = 3). The linear range of the sensor covered five orders of magnitude of analyte concentration, ranging from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹ μg mL⁻¹, and the limit of detection was calculated as 11.9 pg d(+)-MA mL⁻¹ . The sensor had a highly enantioselective response to d(+)-MA compared with its response to l(−)-MA, racemic MA, and phentermine. The developed sensor was validated by applying it to human urine samples from drug-free individuals spiked with standard d(+)-MA and from a confirmed MA user. Use of the standard addition method (SAM) and samples spiked with d(+)-MA at levels ranging from 1 × 10⁻³ to 1 × 10⁻² μg mL⁻¹ showed recovery was good (95.3 to 110.9%).     

Application of a trazodone-selective electrode to pharmaceutical quality control and urine analyses

A trazodone-selective electrode for application in pharmaceutical quality control and urine analysis was developed. The electrode is based on incorporation of a trazodone-tetraphenylborate ion exchanger in a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane. The electrode showed a fast, stable and Nernstian response over a wide trazodone concentration range (5 × 10⁻⁵−1 × 10⁻² M) with a mean slope of 59.3 ± 0.9 mV/dec of concentration, a mean detection limit of 1.8 × 10⁻⁵± 2.2 × 10⁻⁶ M, a wide working pH range (5–7.5) and a fast response time (less than 20 s). The electrode also showed good accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility and selectivity with respect to some inorganic and organic compounds, including the main trazodone metabolite. The electrode provided good analytical results in the determination of trazodone in pharmaceuticals and spiked urine samples; no extraction steps were necessary. Dissolution testing of trazodone tablets, in different conditions of pH and particle size, based on a direct potentiometric determination with the new selective electrode is presented as well.     

New adsorptive square wave method for trace determination of prilocain in the flow injection system by a fast fourier analysis

The determination of prilocain, used to manage tonic-clonic seizures, has been carried out at micro gold electrode (Au UME) using continuous fast Fourier transform square wave voltammetry. The Au UME electrode exhibited an effective response towards prilocaine adsorption. The peak current was also found to be significantly increased. The determination was carried out in phosphate containing electrolyte in the pH of 2.0 and a well-defined change on the peak current were noticed. The peak current was found to be linearly dependent on concentration of prilocain in the concentration range 5.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ M with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻¹² M. This paper describes development of a new analysis system to determine of prilocain by a novel square wave voltammetry method to perform a very sensitive method. The method used for determination of prilocain by measuring the changes in admittance voltammogram of a gold ultramicroelectrode (in 0.05 M H₃PO₄ solution) caused by adsorption of the prilocain on the electrode surface. Variation of admittance in the detection process is created by inhibition of oxidation reaction of the electrode surface, by adsorbed of prilocain. Furthermore, signal-to-noise ratio has significantly increased by application of discrete Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method, background subtraction and two-dimensional integration of the electrode response over a selected potential range and time window. Also in this work some parameters such as SW frequency, eluent pH, and accumulation time were optimized. The relative standard deviation at concentration 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M is 5.8% for 5 reported measurements.     

Capillary electrophoretic speciation of Cu(II) and Co(III) in the electroless copper plating baths

Summary A capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of Cu(II) and Co(III) chelates with ethylenediamine in electroless copper plating baths has been developed. The influence of carrier electrolyte parameters such as nature of counter-ion and pH were studied and discussed. The optimised separations were carried out in a fused silica capillary (57 cm × 75 μm I.D.) filled with an ethylenediamine sulfate electrolyte (20 mol L⁻¹ ethylendiamine, pH7.0 with H₂SO₄; applied voltage, +25 kV) using direct UV detection at 214 nm. The detection limits for a signalto-noise ratio of 3 and 10s hydrodynamic injection were 5×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for Cu(II) and 1×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for Co(III). The relative standard deviations of the peak areas for Cu(II) and Co(III) were found to be 1.5% and 2.4%, respectively, with five consecutive injections of standard solution containing 5×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ of each metal ion. Application of the method to the speciation of Cu(II) and Co(III) complexes in copper plating bath samples is also demonstrated.     

Acetylcholinesterase-based biosensors for quantification of carbofuran, carbaryl, methylparaoxon, and dichlorvos in 5% acetonitrile

Amperometric acetylcholinesterase biosensors have been developed for quantification of the pesticides carbofuran, carbaryl, methylparaoxon, and dichlorvos in phosphate buffer containing 5% acetonitrile. Three different biosensors were built using three different acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes—AChE from electric eel, and genetically engineered (B394) and wild-type (B1) AChE from Drosophila melanogaster. Enzymes were immobilized on cobalt(II) phthalocyanine-modified electrodes by entrapment in a photocrosslinkable polymer (PVA-AWP). Each biosensor was tested against the four pesticides. Good operational stability, immobilisation reproducibility, and storage stability were obtained for each biosensor. The best detection limits were obtained with the B394 enzyme for dichlorvos and methylparaoxon (9.6 × 10⁻¹¹ and 2.7 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹, respectively), the B1 enzyme for carbofuran (4.5 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹), and both the B1 enzyme and the AChE from electric eel for carbaryl (1.6 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹). Finally, the biosensors were used for the direct detection of the pesticides in spiked apple samples.     

A catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedure for trace determination of Cr(VI) in natural samples containing high concentrations of humic substances

A simple and fast catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedure for trace determination of Cr(VI) in natural samples containing high concentrations of humic substances has been developed. The procedure for chromium determination in the presence of DTPA and nitrates was employed as the initial method. In order to enhance the selectivity vs. Cr(III) the measurements were performed at 40°C. Interference from dissolved organic matter such as humic and fulvic acids was drastically decreased by adding Amberlite XAD-7 resin to the voltammetric cell before the deaeration step. The whole procedure was applied to a single cell, which allowed monitoring of the voltammetric scan. Optimum conditions for removing humic and fulvic acids due to their adsorption on XAD-7 resin were evaluated. The use of XAD-7 resin also minimize interferences from various cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants. The calibration graph for Cr(VI) for an accumulation time of 30 s was linear in the range 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 5 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation for determination of Cr(VI) at a concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ was 3.5% (n = 5). The detection limit estimated from 3 times the standard deviation for low Cr(VI) concentrations and an accumulation time of 30 s was about 1.3 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method was successfully applied to Cr(VI) determination at trace levels in soil samples.