Cloud point extraction-preconcentration and flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of low levels of zinc in water and blood serum samples

A simple, sensitive and selective flotation method is described for the preconcentration and atomic absorption spectrometric determination of zinc ion in water and blood samples. At a solution pH of 5.2, 4-(2-pyridylazo-resorcinol) and Triton X-114 were used as hydrophobic ligand and non-ionic surfactant, respectively. The chemical variables affecting the preconcentration process were optimized. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the selective preconcentration and determination of as low zinc concentration as 6.5 μg L⁻¹ can be made. The proposed method was successfully applied to the preconcentration and low-level determination of zinc in different water and blood serum samples.      

Voltammetric and potentiometric studies of some sulpha drug-Schiff base compounds and their metal complexes

The electrochemical behavior of some sulpha drug-Schiff bases at a mercury electrode was examined in the Britton-Robinson universal buffer of various pH values (2.5–11.7) containing 20% v/v) of ethanol using DC-polarography, cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis. The DC-polarograms and cyclic voltammograms of the examined compounds exhibited a single, 2-electron, irreversible, diffusion-controlled cathodic step within the entire pH range which is attributed to the reduction of the azomethine group-CH=N- to -CH₂-NH-. The symmetry transfer coefficient (α) of the electrode reaction and the diffusion coefficient (D ₀) of the reactant species were determined. The electrode reaction pathway of the compounds at the mercury electrode was suggested to follow the sequence: H⁺, e⁻, e⁻, H⁺. The dissociation constant of the sulpha drug-Schiff bases, the stability constant and stoichiometry of their complexes with various divalent transition metal ions (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) were determined potentiometrically at room temperature.      

ICP slurry introduction for simple and rapid determination of Pb, Mg and Ca in plant roots

Pb, Mg and Ca were simultaneously determined in plant roots by slurry introduction into inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (SS-ICP-OES). Slurries were prepared in 0.5% or 5% (v/v) HNO₃ with 0.5, or 5% (v/v) Triton X-100. Omission of the Triton X-100 improved results. Compared with wet ashing of the root sample followed by ICP-OES, ICP-MS and FAAS, the method offers: comparable results, simplification of sample preparation, less sample contamination, and reduction in the use of dangerous and corrosive reagents. The precisions varied: 1.7% for Mg, 2.8% for Ca and 4.3% for Pb, and were not significantly different (95% confidence level) from those of conventional analysis.      

Combination of cloud point extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometry for preconcentration and determination of trace iron in environmental and biological samples

In the presented work, the conditions for cloud point extraction of iron from aqueous solutions using 7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinolin-5-sulphonic acid (Ferron) was investigated and optimized. The procedure is based on the separation of its ferron complex into the micellar media by adding the surfactant Triton X-114. After phase separation, the surfactant-rich phase was dissolved with 1.0 M HNO3 in methanol. Iron was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Optimization of the pH, ligand and surfactant quantities, incubation time, temperature, viscosity, sample volume, and interfering ions were investigated. The effects of the matrix ions were also examined. The detection limits for three times the standard deviations of the blank for iron was 0.4 ng m L-1, enrichment factor of 19.6 and preconcentration factor of 30 could be achieved. The validity of cloud point extraction was checked by employing real samples including soil, blood, spinach, milk, meat, liver and orange juice samples using the standard addition method, which gave satisfactory results.In the presented work, the conditions for cloud point extraction of iron from aqueous solutions using 7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinolin-5-sulphonic acid (Ferron) was investigated and optimized. The procedure is based on the separation of its ferron complex into the micellar media by adding the surfactant Triton X-114. After phase separation, the surfactant-rich phase was dissolved with 1.0 M HNO₃ in methanol. Iron was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Optimization of the pH, ligand and surfactant quantities, incubation time, temperature, viscosity, sample volume, and interfering ions were investigated. The effects of the matrix ions were also examined. The detection limits for three times the standard deviations of the blank for iron was 0.4 ng m L⁻¹, enrichment factor of 19.6 and preconcentration factor of 30 could be achieved. The validity of cloud point extraction was checked by employing real samples including soil, blood, spinach, milk, meat, liver and orange juice samples using the standard addition method, which gave satisfactory results.      

Application of Cloud Point Extraction for Copper,Nickel, Zinc and Iron Ions in Environmental Samples

A cloud point extraction procedure was presented for the preconcentration of copper, nickel, zinc and iron ions in various samples. After complexation by 2‐(6‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]Imidazole (BIYPYBI), analyte ions are quantitatively extracted in Triton X‐114 following centrifugation. 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ nitric acid in methanol was added to the surfactant‐rich phase prior to its analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The adopted concentrations for BIYPYBI, Triton X‐114 and HNO₃ and bath temperature, centrifuge rate and time were optimized. Detection limits for Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions was 1.4, 2.2, 1.0 and 1.9 ng mL^?1, respectively. The preconcentration factors for all ions was 30, while the enrichment factor of Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions was 35, 25, 39 and 30, respectively. The proposed procedure was applied to the analysis of real samples.     

Determination of europium by using the chemical oscillating system of Ce(IV)-KBrO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-acetone-oxalic acid-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

A sensitive and convenient method for the determination of trace europium ions using an oscillating chemical reaction involving Ce(IV) - KBrO₃ - acetone - oxalic acid - H₂SO₄ was proposed. The results indicated that the changes in oscillating period (T) was linearly proportional to the negative logarithmic concentration of Eu³⁺ (-log C) in the range of 1.41 × 10⁻⁸ ˜ 1.41 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (r = 0.9982) with a detection limit of 1.04 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. The recoveries were limited to the range of 99.5% to 100.8%. Under the same conditions, other rare earth ions did not interfere with the determination of Eu³⁺. In addition, a perturbation mechanism was also discussed briefly.      

Immobilization of quaternary ammonium salts on silica gel for perchlorate ions removal

Silica surface was modified with quaternary ammonium salts to give three matrices of different chain length. The synthesized supports were characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy and semi-empirical parametric method 5. Their exchange capacities for ClO₄ ⁻, F⁻, NO₃ ⁻ and CH₃COO⁻ ions were investigated by conductometric titration. The amount of exchanged chloride ions from the matrix was studied for different initial anions concentration. The functionalized silica gel showed very good ability of perchlorate ions exchange from the water solution in room temperature. The anion-exchange properties were also studied in comparison to different number of reactive sites in the matrices. The increased number of chloride at the silica surface took effect on increased ability of ClO₄ ⁻ anion exchange      

Ceramic materials made of CdTe and Cd-Zn-Te nanocrystalline powders

In the present study newly produced semiconductor ceramic nanopowder materials made of CdTe and Cd_1−xZn_xTe (CZT) are considered. Common features and differences in microstructures, phase transformations, grain growth and properties of the ceramic materials of the binary and ternary compositions are studied.      

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of hydrazine

A kinetic spectrophotometric method for hydrazine determination in the range of 9.36×10⁻⁷ to 4.37×10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³, based on the inhibitory effect of hydrazine on the oxidation of Victoria Blue 4- R by KBrO₃, was developed and validated. Kinetic parameters are reported for both the indicating and the inhibiting reaction. The detection limit was established as 9.98×10⁻⁸ mol dm⁻³. The selectivity of the proposed method was tested considering the influence of different ions that may be present in real samples. The method was successfully applied for hydrazine determination in various samples (very pure water from the water-steam system of a power plant and Isoniazid tablets, a pharmaceutical product).      

Solar-driven electrochemically assisted semiconductor-catalyzed iodide ion oxidation. Enhanced efficiency by oxide mixtures

Oxidation of iodide ion from an air-saturated solution under natural sunlight (900±50 W m⁻²) on the surfaces of TiO₂, ZnO, Fe₂O₃, MoO₃ and CeO₂ enhances by 6 to 12-fold on application of a cathodic bias of −0.2 to −0.3 V (vs NHE) to the semiconductors; light, the semiconductor and dissolved oxygen are essential for iodine generation. The semiconductors under an anodic bias of +0.2 to +0.3 V (vs NHE) fail to oxidize iodide ion from air-saturated solution under sunlight. Under cathodic bias, semiconductor mixtures like TiO₂-ZnO, TiO₂-Fe₂O₃ and ZnO-Fe₂O₃ show enhanced photocatalytic activity, indicating improved charge separation in oxide mixtures. The mechanism of photocatalysis under cathodic bias is discussed.      

Cobalt(II) ion-selective electrode with solid contact

A new all plastic sensor for Co²⁺ ions based on 2-amino-5 (hydroxynaphtyloazo-1′)-1,3,4 thiadiazole (ATIDAN) as ionophore was prepared. The electrode exhibits a low detection limit of 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and almost theoretical Nernstian slope in the activity range 4.0 × 10⁻⁶–1 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ of cobalt ions. The response time of the sensor is less than 10 s and it can be used over a period of 6 months without any measurable divergence in potential. The proposed sensor shows a fairly good selectivity for Co(II) over other metal ions. The electrode was successfully applied for determination of Co²⁺ in real samples and as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Co²⁺ ions with EDTA.      

Acid-base behaviour of sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine

Acid-base and optical properties of sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine were studied in the presence of HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄, CAPSO and acetic acid (HAc) of different concentrations and their mixtures. The equilibrium constants pK_R+ of the transition reaction between an iminium cation Q⁺ of sanguinarine and its uncharged QOH (pseudo-base, 6-hydroxy-dihydroderivative) form were calculated. A numerical interpretation of the A-pH curves by a SQUAD-G computer program was used. Remarkable shifts of formation parts of absorbance-pH (A-pH) curves to alkaline medium were observed. The shifts depend on the type and concentration of inert electrolyte (the most remarkable for HNO₃ and HCl). The corresponding pK_R+ values ranged from 7.21 to 8.16 in the same manner (ΔpK_R+ = 0.81 and 0.73 for HNO₃ and HCl, respectively). The priority effect of ionic species and ionic strength was confirmed in the presence of NaCl and KCl. The strength of interaction of SA with bioactive compounds (i.e. receptors, transport proteins, nucleic acids etc.) may be affected because of the observed influence of both cations and anions of the inert electrolytes.      

Ionic liquid promoted Diels-Alder Reaction between anthrone and maleimides

Ionic liquids (IL) are gaining importance as green solvents. Imidazolium ionic liquid [bmim]⁺[Cl]⁻, an environmentally benign solvent, was found to promote the Diels-Alder reaction between anthrone and maleimides at room temperature with excellent yields. The ionic liquid played a dual role as solvent and catalyst.      

Low temperature synthesis and characterization of Mn3O4 nanoparticles

Heating hydrous manganese (II) hydroxide gel at 85 °C for 12 hours produces Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles. They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The particle size estimated from the SEM and X-ray peak broadening is approximately 32 nm, showing them to be nanocrystalline. EPR measurements confirm a typical Mn²⁺signal with a highly resolved hyperfine structure.      

The effect of calcium substitution on the afterglow of Eu2+/Dy3+ doped Sr4Al14O25

The effect of calcium substitution on the afterglow of tetrastrontium aluminate phosphors (Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺) was investigated. A series of (Sr₁-_xCa_x)O⊎nAl₂O₃:Eu²⁺(1%), Dy³⁺(0.5%), with variation of calcium content (x = 0 − 1), were synthesized by a high temperature solid state reaction in a reducing atmosphere. The photoluminescence, persistent luminescence (afterglow), and lumen equivalents of these materials were studied and compared. It turned out that the afterglow properties of the phosphors were strongly dependent on the Sr/Ca ratio. As the Ca content increased, a phase transition and blue shift in emission spectra were observed.      

Investigation on the catalytic activity of doped low-percentage oxide catalysts Mn/ZnO obtained from oxalate precursor

The precursors with a low manganese content ≤ 0.07% Mn were synthesized by spontaneous crystallization from Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺ and C₂O₄ ²⁻-containing solutions. The initial ratio Zn²⁺:C₂O₄ ²⁻ = 1:1 and 1:2 influences the morphology and prevailing orientations of the crystallites in the oxalate samples. The presence of such small Mn content in the samples does not change the morphology or size of the crystals. The ZnO and Mn/ZnO oxides with manganese content from 0.51×10⁻² to 15.1×10⁻² Wt % are obtained after thermal decomposition of the oxalates. The oxides preserved the morphology of the precursors. The catalytic tests show that the pure ZnO has a poor activity for CO oxidation reaction. Its doping with Mn promotes the catalytic activity (up from twice to five times) in spite of the very low contents of the dopants. The observed increase of the activity depends on both dopant concentration and Zn²⁺:C₂O₄ ²⁻ ratio, probably due to the different mechanism of the manganese inclusion and different morphology of the oxides. The catalysts of the 1:2 series are more active in CO oxidation reaction.      

Kinetics of base hydrolysis of α-amino acid esters catalyzed by palladium(II) piperazine complex

The kinetics of base hydrolysis of glycine, histidine, and methionine methyl esters in the presence of [Pd(pip)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ complex, where pip is piperazine, is studied in aqueous solutions, at T = 25°C, and I = 0.1 mol dm⁻³. The rate of ester hydrolysis for glycine methyl ester is studied at different temperature and dioxane/water solutions of different compositions. The kinetic data are fit under the assumption that the hydrolysis proceeds in one step. The activation parameters for the base hydrolysis of the complexes are evaluated      

Solid phase selective separation and green preconcentration of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in drinking water by using novel functionalized resin

A new solid — phase extraction sorbent was developed based on stepwise anchoring of two ligand molecules for the determination of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in drinking water by flame AAS. Amberlite XAD-2 functionalized with 4′-(2-hydroxyphenylazo)-3′-methyl-1′-phenyl-2′-pyrazolin-5′-one (HPAPyr) was utilized for preconcentration/separation of these elements. The sorbent was prepared by two successive azo coupling reactions. First, 2-aminophenol was anchored to the amino groups in the resin resulted from nitration followed by reduction. Then, the resulted 2-aminophenol functionalized resin was further diazotized and coupled to the pyrazolone compound and the final product HPAPyr-XAD-2 was characterized by IR and elemental analysis. The optimum pH range for sorption, shaking time, exchange capacity, sample flow rate, preconcentration factor and interference from co-existing ions were investigated. All metal ions were quantitatively desorbed from the resin by 4.5 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid solution. The sorbent provides limit of detection within the range 0.9–3.3 μg L⁻¹ and concentration factor up to 250. The procedure was validated by analysis of certified material NIST-SRM 1577b. Application to drinking water showed satisfactory results with relative standard deviation RSD ≤ 8.5%.      

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and liquid chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol in water

A simple and sensitive dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method for extraction and preconcentration of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in water samples is presented. After adjusting the sample pH to 3, extraction was performed in the presence of 1% W/V sodium chloride by injecting 1 mL acetone as disperser solvent containing 15 μL tetrachloroethylene as extraction solvent. The proposed DLLME method was followed by HPLC-DAD for determination of PCP. It has good linearity (0.994) with wide linear dynamic range (0.1–1000 μg L⁻¹) and low detection limit (0.03 μg L⁻¹), which makes it suitable for determination of PCP in water samples.      

Removal of uranyl ions from UO2(NO3)2 solution by means of Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella salina algae

This paper deals with a study of the biosorption of UO₂ ²⁺ ions on two green algae: Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella salina. By investigating the retention degree versus contact time from Langmuir and Freundlich biosorption isotherms, kinetic investigations and FTIR spectra it was found that the biosorption process was greater for Chlorella vulgaris than for Dunaliella salina. A new kinetics method is proposed to establish the reaction order concerning the biosorption process of uranyl ions on these biomasses.