Determination of rare earth elements in Indian kimberlite using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS)

A method has been developed for the analysis of rare earth elements (REEs) in kimberlite samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The samples were dissolved using sodium peroxide fusion and after appropriate dilutions the solutions were analyzed using ICP-MS. The paper presents the concentration of rare-earth elements as determined by ICP-MS in eight kimberlite samples from Central India. The method was validated using certified reference materials STSD-1 and STSD-2 from Canadian Certified Reference Material Project. The method detection limit of various REEs varies from 0.12 to 1.54?mg?kg^?1. The total REE concentrations range from 418 to 726?mg?kg^?1 and fall within the interval of those reported in the literature for kimberlites. Despite the marked difference in the REE contents, all the analyzed samples show similar REE patterns that resemble those for kimberlites. In order to compare ICP-MS results, the samples were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis which is a reference method for determination of REEs in geological samples.     

Potentiometric Stripping of Arsenic(III) Using a Wall‐Jet Flow Cell and Gold(III) Solution as Chemical Reoxidant

In the proposed method As(III) is determined with a wall‐jet flow cell by means of potentiostatic co‐deposition of Au(III) and As(III) at a glassy‐carbon electrode and subsequent chemical stripping with Au(III). Factors affecting sensitivity and precision including acidity, Au(III) concentration, electrodeposition potential and flow rate were optimized. Optimum determination of As(III) in solutions containing 160 mg L^?1 and 1.2 M hydrochloric acid was accomplished with an electrolysis potential of ?0.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and a flow rate of 0.59 mL min^?1. Different linear concentration ranges were achieved under these conditions with good precision and relative standard deviations between 6–9%. The detection limit obtained after 120 s of electrolysis was 0.55 μg L^?1.     

Static and Hydrodynamic Monitoring of Citalopram Based on its Electro-oxidation Behavior at a Glassy-Carbon Surface

Abstract

The electrooxidative behavior of citalopram (CTL) in aqueous media was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV) at a glassy-carbon electrode. The electrochemical behaviour of CTL involves two electrons and two protons in the irreversible and diffusion controlled oxidation of the tertiary amine group. The maximum analytical signal was obtained in a phosphate buffer (pH = 8.2). For analytical purposes, an SWV method and a flow-injection analysis (FIA) system with amperometric detection were developed. The optimised SWV method showed a linear range between 1.10 × 10^?5–1.20 × 10^?4 mol L^?1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.5 × 10^?6 mol L^?1. Using the FIA method, a linear range between 2.00 × 10^?6–9.00 × 10^?5 mol L^?1 and an LOD of 1.9 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 were obtained. The validation of both methods revealed good performance characteristics confirming applicability for the quantification of CTL in several pharmaceutical products.     

Spectrophotometric determination of Chromium(VI) using cyclam as a reagent

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive method for spectrophotometric determination of chromium(VI), based on the absorbance of its complex with 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) is presented. The complex showed a molar absorbtivity of 1.5?×?10⁴?L?mol^?1?cm^?1 at 379?nm. Under optimum experimental conditions, a pH of 4.5 and 1.960?×?10³?mg?L^?1 cyclam were selected, and all measurements were performed 10?min after mixing. Major cations and anions did not show any interference; Beer's law was applicable in the concentration range 0.2–20?mg?L^?1 with a detection limit of 0.001?mg?L^?1. The standard deviation in the determination is ±0.5?mg?L^?1 for a 15.0?mg?L^?1 solution (n?=?7). The described method provides a simple and reliable means for determination of Cr(VI) in real samples.     

Rare earth element (REE) in surface mangrove sediment by instrumental neutron activation analysis

A study is carried out on the concentrations of rare earth element (REE) elements present in surface mangrove sediments from 10 locations throughout west coast Malaysia. In carrying out the analysis, the best and most convenient method being the instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Samples were obtained, dried, crushed to powdery form and samples prepared for INAA. All the samples for analysis were weighted approximately 150 mg for short irradiation and 200 mg for long irradiation time. As calibration and quality control procedures, blank samples, standard reference material SL-1 were then irradiated with thermal neutron flux of 4 × 10¹² cm^?2 s^?1 at the MINT TRIGA Mark II research reactor which operated at 750 kW by using a pneumatic transport facility. The REE elements of surface sediment samples in this study are Dy, Sm, Eu,Yb, Lu, Tb, La and Ce. It was found that the level of concentrations of all the REE elements varies in the range (0.35–117.4 mg/kg). The geochemical behavior of REEs in surface sediments and normalized pattern (chondrite and shale) has been studied. The degree of sediments contaminations were computed using an enrichment factor. The results showed that the enrichment factor varied in the range (0.75–6.75).     

Determination of trace amounts of chromium (VI) by flow injection analysis with chemiluminescence detection

A new sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) method combined with continuous flow injection analysis is described for the determination of Cr(VI). Strong CL signals were generated by Cr(VI)-catalysed oxidation of gallic acid in the presence of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide. Effects of reagent concentrations, temperature, pH, flow rates, mixing coil length and mixing flow sequences on the chemiluminescence intensity were studied. Under the optimised experimental conditions, the relationship between the logarithm of concentration (log?C) of Cr(VI) and the logarithm of intensity (log?I) is linear over the range of 2?×?10^?11 – 5?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1, with the detection limit (3σ) of 4?×?10^?12?mol?L^?1. Relative standard deviation of ten measurements of 1?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1 Cr(VI) is 1.7%. This flow injection analysis (FIA) system proved to be able to analyse up to 40 samples h^?1. Effects of various interferences possibly present in the water samples were investigated. Most cations and anions, as well as organic compounds, did not interfere with the determination of Cr(VI) in water samples. The experimental results obtained for chromium in reference materials were also in good agreement with the certified values.     

Flow‐Injection Pulsed‐Amperometric Determination of Free Glycerol in Biodiesel at a Gold Electrode

This work reports the highly‐sensitive amperometric determination of free glycerol in biodiesel at a gold electrode adapted in a flow‐injection analysis (FIA) cell. The amperometric method involved the continuous application of three sequential pulses to the working electrode (+250 mV, +700 mV, and ?200 mV, for 100 ms each). This sequence of potential pulses eliminated electrode passivation and dramatically increased the analytical signal. The proposed FIA‐amperometric method presented low relative standard deviation between injections (1.5 %, n=15), high analytical frequency (85 h^?1), satisfactory recovery values (93–118 %) for spiked samples, wide linear range (from 1 to 300 µmol L^?1), and low detection limit (0.5 µmol L^?1).     

Determination of three Tumor Biomarkers (Homovanillic Acid,Vanillylmandelic Acid,and 5‐Hydroxyindole‐3‐Acetic Acid) Using Flow Injection Analysis with Amperometric Detection

Flow injection analysis with amperometric detection (FIA‐AD) at screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) in optimum medium of Britton‐Robinson buffer (0.04 mol ? L^?1, pH 2.0) was used for the determination of three tumor biomarkers (homovanillic acid (HVA), vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), and 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid (5‐HIAA)). Dependences of the peak current on the concentration of biomarkers were linear in the whole tested concentration range from 0.05 to 100 μmol ? L^?1, with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.065 μmol ? L^?1 for HVA, 0.053 μmol ? L^?1 for VMA, and 0.033 μmol ? L^?1 for 5‐HIAA (calculated from peak heights), and 0.024 μmol ? L^?1 for HVA, 0.020 μmol ? L^?1 for VMA, and 0.012 μmol ? L^?1 for 5‐HIAA (calculated from peak areas), respectively.     

FIA Determination of Paracetamol in Pharmaceutical Drugs by Using Gold Electrodes Modified with a 3‐Mercaptopropionic Acid Monolayer

A flow injection analysis (FIA) method for the determination of paracetamol in pharmaceutical drugs using a gold electrode modified with a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of 3‐mercaptopropionic acid is described. At optimized experimental conditions the dynamic concentration range was 0.15 to 15.0 mg L^?1 with a detection limit of 0.2 μg mL^?1 (S/N=3). The repeatability of current responses for injections of 10 μmol L^?1 paracetamol was evaluated to be 3.2% (n=30) and the analytical frequency was 180 h^?1. The lifetime of the modified electrode was found to be 15 days. The results obtained by using the proposed amperometric method for paracetamol determination in four different drug samples compared well with those found by spectrophotometry.     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Copper(II) as the Azide Complexes,in the Presence of Iron(III) Cations

Abstract

A method for the spectrophotometrio determination of copper(II), in the presence of iron(III) cations (excess), was stablished. The masking of iron is made with sodium fluoride salt in 50 % (v/v) water/acetone medium. In the recommended conditions, absorbances for cupric complexes are measured at 435 nm where molar absorptivity is 6.00 × 10³ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1.

The stable ayetern obeys Beer's law and is suitable for the copper determination in concentration range from 2.0 to 9.0 mg 1^?l. The iron(III) ion interference (until ca. 600 mg 1^?l) can be completely suppressed. The influence of diverse ions and several others factore were studied.

The results show that copper(II) can be accurately determined by azide apectrophotometric method, if the samples were suitablely treated by the recommended procedure.     

Ruthenium Oxide Hexacyanoferrate Modified Electrode for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection

A sensor for H₂O₂ amperometric detection based on a Prussian blue (PB) analogue was developed. The electrocatalytic process allows the determination of hydrogen peroxide at 0.0 V with a limit of detection of 1.3 μmol L^?1 in a flow injection analysis (FIA) configuration. Studies on the optimization of the FIA parameters were performed and under optimal FIA operational conditions the linear response of the method was extended up to 500 μmol L^?1 hydrogen peroxide with good stability. The possibility of using the developed sensor in medium containing sodium ions and the increased operational stability constitute advantages in comparison with PB‐based amperometric sensors. The usefulness of the methodology was demonstrated by addition‐recovery experiments with rainwater samples and values were in the 98.8 to 103% range.     

Graphite-Polyurethane Composite Electrode as an Amperometric Flow Detector in the Determination of Atenolol

Abstract

A bare graphite-polyurethane composite was evaluated as an amperometric detector in the flow injection determination of atenolol in pharmaceutical formulations. Using a flow injection analysis (FIA) procedure, a linear analytical curve was observed in the 0.2–3.0 mmol L^?1 range with a minimum detectable net concentration limit of detection (LOD = 18.1 µmol L^?1 and 90 determinations h^?1. Interferences from propranolol and furosemide were observed but not from the other components of the tablet. Thus, it was possible to determine atenolol in tablets without interference and with results that agreed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure with a 95% confidence level in a fast and accurate procedure.     

Salicylate-Selective PVC Membrane Electrodes Based on Tribenzyltin(IV) Phenolates as Neutral Carriers

ABSTRACT

A series of tribenzyltin(IV) phenolates were synthesized and used as anion ionophores for PVC membrane electrodes; these novel electrodes exhibit a linear response towards salicylate and an anti-Hofmeister selectivity pattern with high specificity for salicylate over many common anions. The results show that the behavior of the electrodes is considerably influenced by the structures of the carriers and the experimental conditions. Electrodes based on tribenzyltin(IV) p-nitrophenolate possess the best potentiometnc response characteristics and show a linear log[Sal^?] vs. EMF response over the concentration range 0.1–3.98×10^?6 mol.L^?1 in phosphate buffer solutions of pH 5.38 with a detection limit of 2.51×10^?6 mol.L^?1 and a slope of -57.05 mV per decade. The response mechanism was also investigated by use of a.c. impedance and anion transport across liquid membranes. The electrodes were applied to the determination of salicylate in urine samples with satisfactory results.     

Development of sequential injection spectrophotometric method for determination of mercury (II) using pyrogallol red

A sequential injection analysis (SIA) spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amount of mercury (II) with pyrogallol red (PGR) was described. The method was based on the measurement of absorbance of the mercury (II)–PGR complex, yielding a light yellow-coloured product at pH 9.0 with absorption maximum at 370 nm. The SIA parameters affecting the signal response were optimised in order to obtain the better sensitivity and minimum reagent consumption. The linear range for determination of mercury (II) was over the range of 0.1–2.0 mg L^?1. The limit of detection and limit of quantification, calculated following IUPAC were 0.06 and 0.10 mg L^?1, respectively. The repeatability was 1.25% (n = 10) for 0.5 mg L^?1 of mercury (II). The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the mercury (II) in commercial cosmetics, local Thai traditional medicines and water samples with a sampling rate of 40 h^?1. Results obtained were in justifiable agreement with those obtained by the official ICP-MS method at the 95% confidence level.     

Development of an Amperometric Biosensor for β‐N‐Oxalyl‐L‐α,β‐Diaminopropionic Acid (β‐ODAP)

An amperometric method for the determination of the neurotoxic amino acid β‐N‐oxalyl‐L ‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (β‐ODAP) using a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) is reported. The electrode material was bulk‐modified with manganese dioxide and used as a detector in flow injection analysis (FIA). The enzyme glutamate oxidase (GlOx) was immobilized in a Nafion‐film on the electrode surface. The performance of the biosensor was optimized using glutamate as an analyte. Optimum parameters were found as: operational potential 440 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), flow rate 0.2 mL min^?1, and carrier composition 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 7.75). The same conditions were used for the determination of β‐ODAP. The signal was linear within the concentration range 53–855 μmol L^?1 glutamate and 195–1950 μmol L^?1 β‐ODAP. Detection limits (as 3σ value) for both analytes were 9.12 and 111.0 μmol L^?1, respectively, with corresponding relative standard deviations of 3.3 and 4.5%. The biosensor retained more than 73% of its activity after 40 days of on‐line use.     

Environmentally friendly method for determination of ammonia nitrogen in fertilisers and wastewaters based on flow injection-spectrophotometric detection using natural reagent from orchid flower

Crude aqueous extract from the orchid ‘Dendrobium Sonia earsakul’ was utilised as a natural product reagent in flow injection analysis (FIA) incorporating a gas diffusion unit (GD) for the determination of ammonia nitrogen. Sample solution was injected into a NaOH donor stream to generate ammonia gas (NH₃). In the GD unit, NH₃ diffused across a PTFE gas-permeable membrane into the acceptor stream of the orchid extract. As the result, the aqueous orchid reagent became more alkaline and its colour changed from purple to green. The change in the colour of orchid acceptor correlated with the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the sample and its absorbance monitored by a spectrophotometer at 600 nm. Ammonia nitrogen in chemical fertiliser samples and wastewater samples from agricultural fields were determined and reported as %N (w/w) and mg N L^?1, respectively. For chemical fertilisers which contained high content of ammonia nitrogen, a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1 and injection volume of 100 µL were used with a linear range of 5–40 mmol L^?1 and detection limit of 2.12 mmol L^?1. However, a higher sensitivity was required for wastewater samples having low ammonia nitrogen content. The flow rate was reduced to 0.3 mL min^?1 and the injection volume increased to 1000 µL. As a result, detection limit of 0.76 mmol L^?1 was achieved with linear range of 1–5 mmol L^?1. The results of our method agreed well with that using the OPA method employing fluorescence detection.     

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of dipyrone in pharmaceutical formulations using a solid-phase reactor with copper(II) phosphate

In this work, a flow-injection spectrophotometric method for dipyrone determination in pharmaceutical formulations was developed. Dipyrone sample solutions were injected into a carrier stream of deionized water and the reaction was carried out in a solid-phase reactor (12 cm, 2.0 mm i.d.) packed with Cu₃(PO₄)_2(s) entrapped in a matrix of polyester resin. The Cu(II) ions were released from the solid phase reactor by the formation of Cu(II)-(dipyrone)_n complex. When the complex is released, it reacts with 0.02% m/v alizarin red S in deionized water to produce a Cu(VABO₃)₃ complex whose absorbance was monitored at 540 nm. The calibration graph was linear over the range 5.0×10^?5–4.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 2.0×10^?5 mol L^?1 and relative standard deviation for 10 successive determinations of 1.5% (2.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 dipyrone solution). The calculated sample throughput was 60 h^?1. The column was stable for at least 8 h of continuous use (500 injections) at 25°C. Pharmaceutical formulations were analyzed and the results from an official procedure measurement were compared with those from the proposed FIA method in order to validate the latter method.      

Batch‐injection versus Flow‐injection Analysis Using Screen‐printed Electrodes: Determination of Ciprofloxacin in Pharmaceutical Formulations

This article highlights the potential use of multi‐walled carbon‐nanotube modified screen‐printed electrodes (SPEs) for the amperometric sensing of ciprofloxacin and compares the association of batch‐injection analysis (BIA) and flow‐injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection. Both analytical systems provided precise (RSD<5 %) and sensitive determination of ciprofloxacin (LOD<0.1 μmol L^?1) within wide linear range (up to 200 μmol L^?1). Accuracy of both methods was attested by recovery values (93–107 %) and comparison with capillary electrophoresis. The BIA system is completely portable (especially due to association with SPEs) and provided faster analyses (130 h^?1) and more sensitive detection than the FIA system due to the higher flow rates of injection.     

Determination of phosphate in freshwater samples by flow-injection with lucigenin chemiluminescence

Lucigenin chemiluminescence (CL) in conjunction with flow-injection analysis (FIA) is used for the determination of phosphate in freshwater samples. The procedure is based on the formation of molybdophosphoric heteropoly acid (MoP–HPA) by the reaction of phosphate and ammonium molybdate under acidic conditions. CL emission was observed as a result of oxidation of lucigenin in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in the presence of MoP–HPA. Calibration was linear up to 500?µg?L^?1 (r ^2?=?0.9998; n?=?8), with a detection limit (S/N?=?3) of 0.95?µg?L^?1. An injection throughput of 120 h^?1, and relative standard deviation (RSD; n?=?4) of 1.3–3.2% were achieved in the concentration range studied. An on-line chelating column was used to remove interfering cations. The method was applied to freshwater samples, and the results (51?±?1.0 – 107?±?2.0?µg?L^?1) did not differ significantly from results obtained using a spectrophotometric method (52.5?±?1.0 – 102?±?2.0?µg?L^?1) at 95% confidence level (t-test).     

Determination of arsenic(V) in freshwaters by flow injection with luminol chemiluminescence detection

A simple and rapid flow injection (FI) method is reported for the determination of arsenic(V) based on luminol chemiluminescence (CL) detection. The molybdoarsenic heteropoly acid formed by arsenic and ammonium molybdate in the presence of ammonium vanadate in acidic conditions generated chemiluminescence emission via the oxidation of luminol. The limit of detection was 0.15 μg L^?1, with a sample throughput 120 h^?1. A linear calibration graph was obtained over the range 0.15 to 7.5 μg L^?1 (r ² = 0.9989; n = 9) with relative standard deviation (n = 4) in the range 0.8 to 2.5%. Interfering cations were removed by passing the sample through an in-line iminodiacetate chelating column and phosphate (at 0.6 mg L^?1) was removed off-line by magnesium-induced coprecipitation (MAGIC) method. The method was applied to freshwater samples and the results obtained were in reasonable agreement with the results obtained using HGAAS as the reference method.