Resonance Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool for the Detection and Identification of Pollutants in Water

The use of resonance Raman spectroscopy in water pollution is reviewed. After a short introduction to the technique, the results obtained with this method are illustrated with examples of coloured compounds (such as fabric dyes and food dyes) and non-coloured compounds (such as phenolic compounds and nitrobenzene pesticides). Attention is given to detection limits in distilled and natural water, to identification capabilities and to quantitative determinations. The major advantages are indicated and the problem of interferences due to fluorescence and its reduction are shortly discussed.     

Analyses of the surfaces of concrete by Raman and FT‐IR spectroscopies: comparative study of hardened samples after demoulding and after organic post‐treatment

Concrete surfaces were studied by two spectroscopic techniques, FT‐IR (in ATR mode) and Raman, to establish a nondestructive method to analyze the distribution of hydrated and organic phases. The surface composition of ordinary clinker, polished concrete, concrete after demoulding, and coated concrete as used in building construction was studied. The clinker's mineral phases and the polished concrete were first analyzed by Raman spectroscopy to determine a spectrum database of the specific phases located on the surface of the concrete. Then, both spectroscopic techniques were used to analyze, directly, the surface of hardened concrete after demoulding. No impact of roughness or porosity was highlighted using Raman spectroscopy; many cementitious, or hydrated phases (alite, belite, tricalcium aluminate, ferrite, portlandite and ettringite) were clearly identified. FT‐IR in ATR mode only identified some hydrated phases: portlandite and CaO? SiO₂? H₂O (C? S? H), but organic residues from the demoulding oil were characterized by this technique. Furthermore, the convenience of using these techniques together was tested by analyzing the composition of concrete surfaces coated by different organic post‐treatments. FT‐IR spectroscopy was useful to identify the main organic groups at the concrete surface, whereas Raman spectroscopy was especially able to characterize the mineral/hydrated phases under a thick post‐treatment layer (constituted of polyester varnish). Due to their own specificities, these complementary techniques should be used together to easily identify all the mineral phases and organic residues/coatings on concrete surfaces. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Degradation kinetics of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid block copolymer cast films in phosphate buffer solution as revealed by infrared and Raman spectroscopies

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) is an important copolymer used in drug delivery platforms where controlled release is required. In this work we investigated the in vitro degradation of four PLGA copolymers with L/G molar compositions of 50/50, 65/35, 75/25 and 95/5. ATR-IR and Raman spectroscopies were used to differentiate and quantify the degradation rates of glycolic and lactic units. Both techniques were used to determine the polymer composition as a function of degradation time and the degradation rate constants for the hydrolysis of glycolic and lactic units were calculated using a 1st order kinetics approach. Our results revealed a two stage process for the degradation of PLGA cast films in PBS in agreement with our previous work. The degradation rate constant for glycolic unit was found to be 1.3 times higher than for lactic units. In addition the degradation rate constants for L and G units were shown to decrease proportionally with increasing initial lactic content of the copolymer used to prepare the films.     

Impact of molecular structure of smectogenic chiral esters (3FmX1X2r) on vibrational dynamics as seen by IR and Raman spectroscopy

Smectogenic chiral esters with three-ring rigid core were examined by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. These compounds differ in the type of chiral centre, length of non-chiral chain and substitution of phenyl ring by fluorine atoms. The influence of molecular structure on the type of handedness of helical structure, as well as the shift and split of absorption bands on IR and Raman spectra were determined. The change of the length of non-chiral terminal chain has the most significant influence on the type of helical twist sense. All considered structural elements of tested compounds have the biggest influence on the value of wavelength of vibrational bands related to the carbonyl group located in the rigid core.     

以DDAB为模板的银纳米粒子多层膜制备及其表面增强拉曼效应

通过离子交换和静电相互作用, 将银纳米粒子引入双十二烷基二甲基溴化铵(DDAB)模板中, 获得了有序的银纳米粒子多层膜. 用紫外-可见光谱(UV-Vis)、循环伏安(CV)和原子力显微镜(AFM)对其进行了表征, 并用小角X射线衍射(XRD)研究了DDAB模板和银纳米粒子多层膜的有序性结构. 以4-巯基吡啶(4-MPY)为探针分子研究了银纳米粒子多层膜在表面增强拉曼(SERS)方面的应用, 结果表明, 4-MPY吸附在银纳米粒子多层膜上呈现很强的SERS信号, 说明该多层膜可以用作高活性的SERS基底.     

The role of water in structural changes of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) studied by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

Temperature-induced phase transition in water solutions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) have been studied by ATR FTIR and Raman spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations. The presence or absence of the α-methyl group has a strong effect on the physical structure of water solutions. Although the hydrophobic interactions for PNIPMAM and PNIPAM are very similar, PNIPMAM with additional methyl group exhibits significantly weaker intermolecular interactions between the amide groups. That effect is the cause of the higher transition temperature T_t by about 8 °C for PNIPMAM compared to PNIPAM due to the formation of larger compact structures. The presence of the methyl group is significant for the reversibility of the temperature transition during the backward cooling as the dissolution of more stable compact PNIPMAM requires overcoming of a higher energy barrier and shows a strong hysteresis.     

Raman and UV-Vis Spectroscopy Applied to the Analysis of Liver Tissues from Rats with Myocardial Ischemia Induced by Isoproterenol

The application of the laser Raman spectroscopic(LRS) technique for the analysis of liver tissues from rats with myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol(ISO) was described.Animal model of myocardial ischemia was established for rats induced by ISO.Rats were randomly divided into four groups as normal group and myocardial ischemia groups.We observed the successful myocardial ischemia model via serum enzymes levels and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining,and detected the liver tissue of the rats from normal g...     

The Association of Tetraalkylammonium Ions with Poly(vinyl methyl ether) in Water and its Effect on Phase‐Separation Behavior as Studied by Micro‐Raman Spectroscopy

Summary: The thermosensitive phase‐separation of poly(vinyl methyl ether) in water has been investigated by micro‐Raman spectroscopy in the presence of tetraalkylammonium bromides. The equilibrium distribution of both polymer and salts to the polymer‐rich and solvent‐rich phases was determined as a function of temperature. Tetraalkylammonium ions with longer alkyl chains associate more strongly with PVME and raise the phase‐transition temperature due to an increase in hydrophilicity.