Mechanism of atomization at constant temperature in capacitive discharge graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

At constant temperature (isothermal) maintained throughout in the capacitive discharge technique, the measured absorbance at any time t due to concentration of analyte atoms can be given by: absorbance = p[A]₀{k₁/(k₁?k₂)}[exp(?k₂t)-exp(?k₁t)], where p is a function of the oscillator strength (a constant) and the efficiency with which the analyte atoms are produced, [A]₀ is the initial concentration of the analyte atoms, k₁ and k₂ are first-order rate constants for formation and decay of analyte atoms, respectively. This technique yields k₁?k₂ and k₁t?k₂t; and so the above equation reduces to: absorbance ?p[A]₀, resulting in large enhancement in sensitivity. In the case of lead, the immediate precursor of the gaseous lead monomer is the gaseous lead dimer, which is partly lost by diffusion of the lead dimer with a first-order rate constant, k₃. The kinetic parameters k₁, k₂ and k₃ have been evaluated, and the values of k₁ at different temperatures used to draw the Arrhenius plots, from which activation energies of the rate-determining steps have been determined. The activation energies have been used to elucidate atomization mechanisms by extensive correlation of the experimental energy values with the literature values.     

Equilibrium and kinetic studies of the Fe(III) complex formation with glycinehydroxamic acid

Spectrophotometric methods were utilized for stability constant determinations of the Fe(III) interaction with glycinehydroxamic acid (GX) at I = 0.15 M NACl and T = 25°C. Program SQUAD II was used to assess the absorbance data in the wavelength range 300–520 nm. Four constants were determined for 1:1:1, 1:1:0, 2:1:1 or 3:1:3 and 2:1:0 complex species in the pH range 1.0–7.5. The kinetics of the interactions of Fe(III) with GX were also studied in the pH range 1.0–3.0 by the stopped flow method. The observed rate constant at a given pH was k_obs = _A + BT_GX. The parameters A and B are functions of pH in the range 1.7–3.0 and only A is a function of pH in the range 1.0–1.7. The mechanism of complex formation was discussed in the light of the experimental results and the equilibrium study. It has been concluded that FeOH²⁺ is the reactive species in the complex formation of FeGXH³⁺ species while Fe(OH)₂⁺ is the reactive species in the complex formation of FeGX²⁺ species.     

Simultaneous determination of iron and titanium in silicate rocks by using diantipyrinylmethane with dual-wavelength spectrophotometry

The simultaneous determination of iron(III) and titanium(IV) with diantipyrinylmethane (DAPM) based on dual-wavelength spectrophotometry is described. The absorbances at 388 nm, 470, and 514.9 (A₃₈₈, A₄₇₀, A_514.9, respectively) are measured and a ratio k (= A₃₈₈/A_514.9) of 3.64 is introduced to allow simultaneous determinations of iron and titanium. The apparent molar absorptivities obtained by using the differences in absorbance, A₃₈₈—A_514.9, for titanium and A₄₇₀ × k — A₃₈₈ for iron, are 1.41 × 10⁴ and 1.13 × 10⁴ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1, respectively. The calibration graphs are linear up to 20 mg 1^?1 iron(III) oxide and 5 mg 1^?1 titanium(IV) oxide. The proposed method was applied successfully to the determination of iron and titanium in silicate rocks. The protonation equilibria of DAPM were also studied; K_a1 and K_a2 are estimated as 10^1.10 and 10^0.75, respectively.     

364A - Multicomponent redox systems: analytical representation A(Uh)9 method of analysis and theoretical resolution limits

In order to analyse spectrometric and potentiometric data for a multicomponent system we have derived a relationship A(U_h) relating directly absorbance and redox potential changes. The advantages of such a representation A(U_h) are discussed with regard to the usual one [log(ox/red), U_h] and compared to other methods.The theoretical limits of the resolution of the midpoint potentials of two components are determined in the case of one and two-electron processes. These limits, which are function of the physical parameters and of the experimental precisions, can be less than 5 mV. The limit for the detection of a minor absorbing species is also discussed.The analysis technique was tested experimentally with mixtures of dyes. In the following paper of this issue the potentiometric-resolution of the c type cytochromes in yeast mitochondria is presented.     

The effects of errors in measurements of absorbance and time on the calculated value of a pseudo-first-order rate constant

When data on the variation with time of the absorbance of a reactant or product are used to evaluate the rate constant of a first- or pseudo-first-order reaction, the precision of the result depends on the precisions with which both the time and the absorbance are measured. The natures of the dependences, and the ways in which they are affected by both constant and linearly varying background absorbances, are examined. If the standard error σ_t of a measurement of time is below about 0.005 t_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}, the standard error of the rate constant is virtually identical for an experiment in which the concentration of the reactant is followed as for one in which the concentration of the product is followed, but for larger values of σ_t it is better to follow the concentration of the reactant. In any event, errors in the measurements of time are much more likely to be significant than they are usually assumed to be. Other sources of error in such experiments, including constant and time-dependent background absorbances, are examined more briefly, with emphasis on the requirements that should be satisfied in work of the highest quality.     

Theoretical computation of interaction parameters for the complexation of GSH with Pr(III) and Mg(II) in solution: Analysis of their reaction dynamics and thermodynamic characters

The current research focuses on the computation of absorption spectral parameters like energy interaction parameters viz. Slater-Condon factor (F_k), Racah (E^k), Lande spin-orbit interaction (ζ_4f), nephelauxetic ratio (β), bonding parameter (b^1/2), per cent covalency (δ), and the intensity parameters like oscillator strength (P) and Judd-Ofelt T_λ, (λ ​= ​2,4,6) parameters, of Pr³⁺ ion complexes with reduced Glutathione (GSH) in the presence and absence of Mg²⁺ in different aqueous solutions of CH₃OH, C₄H₈O₂, CH₃CN and DMF. The variations in the values of the energy interaction and intensity parameters clearly demonstrates the relative sensitivity of the 4f-4f transitions and its correlation with ligand structure and the nature of metal-ligand interaction. Further, the reaction dynamics and thermodynamic properties for the complexation of Pr³⁺ with glutathione and Mg²⁺ ligand have been investigated using different computed parameters like rate constant (k), activation energy (E_a), A (pre-exponential factor) and thermodynamic parameters, ΔH⁰, ΔG⁰ and ΔS⁰.     

Influence of environment on the radiative and radiationless transition rates of the pyrene excimer

From an analysis of the internal rate parameters of the pyrene excimer in solution in propylene glycol, isopropanol and other solvents it is concluded that (i) the radiative transition rate (k_FD)₀, normalized to a medium of n=1, is independent of the solvent, (ii) the temperature-independent radiationless transition rate k_ID⁰ is due to intersystem crossing, and (iii) the temperature-dependent radiationless transition rate k_ID^T is due to internal conversion, induced by thermally-activated molecular motion which is subject to viscous restraint by the solvent. For the crystal pyrene excimer the radiative transition rate = (k_FD)₀, k_ID⁰ = 0, and k_ID^T is due to intersystem crossing.     

A system-independent correlation between the enthalpy and the entropy of dilution for polymer solutions

The second osmotic virial coefficient (A₂) and its entropic and enthalpic parts (A_2,s and A_2,H) have been determined, by means of light-scattering measurements, for solutions of polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate and cellulose nitrate of different molecular weights in 19 solvents. A distinct qualitative correlation exists between A₂ and A_2,H and between A_2,s and A_2,H. The elimination of the “geometric” parameters of the polymer, by dividing these coefficients by suitably chosen reduction parameters, shows that the reduced coefficients obtained A₂⁰ and A_2,s⁰ are predominantly functions of the reduced enthalpy coefficient A_2,H⁰.     

Absorbance characteristics of a liquid-phase gas sensor based on gas-permeable liquid core waveguides

The absorbance characteristics and influential factors on these characteristics for a liquid-phase gas sensor, which is based on gas–permeable liquid core waveguides (LCWs), are studied from theoretical and experimental viewpoints in this paper. According to theory, it is predicted that absorbance is proportional to the analyte concentration, sampling time, analyte diffusion coefficient, and geometric factor of this device when the depletion layer of the analyte is ignored. The experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical hypothesis. According to the experimental results, absorbance is time-dependent and increasing linearly over time after the requisite response time with a linear correlation coefficient r² > 0.999. In the linear region, the rate of absorbance change (RAC) indicates improved linearity with sample concentration and a relative higher sensitivity than instantaneous absorbance does. By using a core liquid that is more affinitive to the analyte, reducing wall thickness and the inner diameter of the tubing, or increasing sample flow rate limitedly, the response time can be decreased and the sensitivity can be increased. However, increasing the LCW length can only enhance sensitivity and has no effect on response time. For liquid phase detection, there is a maximum flow rate, and the absorbance will decrease beyond the stated limit. Under experimental conditions, hexane as the LCW core solvent, a tubing wall thickness of 0.1 mm, a length of 10 cm, and a flow rate of 12 mL min⁻¹, the detection results for the aqueous benzene sample demonstrate a response time of 4 min. Additionally, the standard curve for the RAC versus concentration is RAC = 0.0267 c + 0.0351 (AU min⁻¹), with r² = 0.9922 within concentrations of 0.5–3.0 mg L⁻¹. The relative error for 0.5 mg L⁻¹ benzene (n = 6) is 7.4 ± 3.7%, and the LOD is 0.04 mg L⁻¹. This research can provide theoretical and practical guides for liquid–phase gas sensor design and development based on a gas-permeable Teflon AF 2400 LCW.     

Tip penetration through lipid bilayers in atomic force microscopy

In studies of solid supported lipid bilayers with atomic force microscopes (AFM) the force between tip and bilayer is routinely measured. During the approach of the AFM tip in aqueous electrolyte first a short-range repulsive force is observed. For many solid-like and some liquid-like lipid bilayers a subsequent break-through is observed. We observe such a break-through also for dioleoyloxypropyl-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTAP) which is expected to be liquid-like. Here we describe a model which assumes that the jump reflects the penetration of the AFM tip through the lipid bilayer. The model predicts a logarithmical dependence of the break-through force on the approaching velocity of the AFM tip. Two parameters are introduced: The ratio A/αV, α being a geometric factor, A being the area over which pressure is exerted on the bilayer, V the activation volume, and k₀, the rate of spontaneous formation of a hole in the lipid bilayer that is big enough to allow the break-through of the tip. Experiments with bilayers consisting of DOTAP and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) show that the break-through forces behave in the predicted way. For DOTAP we obtain ratios A/αV of about 58 nm⁻¹ and rates k₀ ranging from 1.9×10⁻⁸ to 2.5×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. For DOPS the corresponding values are 162 nm⁻¹ and 2.0 s⁻¹.     

The photophysics of trans-stilbene

The fluorescence lifetime of trans-stilbene in dilute methylcyclohexane/iso-hexane solution has been measured and the mean S₁ radiative (k_F), radiationless (k_I) and cis-isomerization (k_C) rate parameters have been determined from ?90 to 60°C. S_i consists of a fluorescent trans (¹B_u^*) state (k_F⁰ = 6.0 × 10⁸ s^?1) which undergoes reversible thermal-activated rotational internal conversion (ΔH = 1.75 kcal mole^?1, ΔS = 10.6 cal deg^?1 mole^?1) to a non-fluorescent perp (¹A_g^*) state. p(¹A_g^*) lies 610 cm^?1 above t (¹B_u^*) with an intermediate S₁ potential maximum. p(¹A_g^*) undergoes internal conversion(k_I.^∞ = 5.8 × 10⁸ s^?1) to p (¹A_g) leading to cis-isomerization. This is the main isomerization channel over the whole temperature range.     

Selective membrane alternative to the recovery of zinc from hot-dip galvanizing effluents

This work reports the study of the kinetics of zinc recovery from spent pickling solutions by means of emulsion pertraction technology (EPT) in order to reuse the metal in electrolytic processes. Tributyl phosphate (TBP) and service water were used as extraction (EX) and back-extraction (BEX) agents, respectively. Kinetic experiments were carried out in hollow fiber membrane contactors in order to analyse the influence of several operation variables on the rate of zinc recovery. A mathematical model that considers the mass transfer resistance shared between the organic liquid membrane and the organic phase boundary layer was developed; the mass transfer coefficients were estimated by means of the parameter estimation tool ASPEN CUSTOM MODELER (from ASPENTECH) to obtain the values k_m = 2.68 × 10⁻⁷ m/s and A_Vk_o = 0.0125 s⁻¹. Simulated results agreed satisfactorily well with experimental data. Consequently, the kinetic model and parameters were confirmed. Finally, a comparison between EPT and non-dispersive solvent extraction (NDSX) was carried out in order to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of both membrane configurations.     

Determination of the population,depopulation and the anisotropic spin lattice relaxation rates in the photoexcited triplet state of phenazine. A light modulation-EPR study

The photoexcited triplet state of phenazine in toluene glasses at 35 K is investigated by light modulation-EPR spectroscopy. From the transient EPR spectra and the kinetics in the three canonical orientations (p = x, y, z) the rate parameters are determined. Thus, the depopulation rate constants k_p, the anisotropic spin lattice relaxation rate constants W_p, and the ratios between the population constants A_p are calculated: k_x = (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10² s^?1, k_y = (0.21 ± 0.04) × 10² s^?1, k_z = (0.06 ± 0.03) × 10² s^?1, W_x = (8.6 ± 0.9) × 10³ s^?1, W_y = (11.0 ± 1.0) × 10³ s^?1, W_z = (14.0 ± 1.4) × 10³ s^?1, and A_x: _Ay:A_z ≈ 1:0.04:0.02. It is concluded therefore that the in-plane spin state |τ_x > is the active one.     

Features of the kinetics of the liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexanol

The kinetics of oxygen uptake in the cumyl peroxide-initiated oxidation of cyclohexanol (373 K, o-dichlorobenzene) is studied. The parameters of the oxidizability of k _p (2k _t )^?0.5 (which depend on [RH]) and the rate constants of the bi- and trimolecular reactions of chain initiation (k ₀ = 1.25 × 10^?8 L/(mol s) and k′₀ = 2.5 × 10^?9 L²/(mol² s), respectively) are determined by solving the inverse kinetic problem. It is demonstrated that the quadratic-law recombination of peroxyl radicals during cyclohexanol oxidation also occurs without chain termination. The recombination rates of peroxyl radicals with and without chain termination (k′/k _t ) are found to grow with increasing [RH], reaching their maxima at [RH] = 1.0 mol/L, and to diminish subsequently. We conclude that this can be attributed to changes in the ratio between the propagating peroxyl radicals (hydroperoxyl and 1-hydroxycyclohexylperoxyl) in the reaction medium.     

Fluorescence quenching of substituted anthracenes by tris(pentafluorophenyl)phosphine

Rate constants k_q for fluorescence quenching of eleven 9 and 9,10 substituted anthracences (A_i) by tris(pentafluorophenyl) phosphine (FP) are reported. Correlations of k_q with the electronic properties of A_i and FP reveal that A⁺ FP⁻ charge-transfer interactions are important in the quenching process for several of the A_i. No one quenching mechanism is able to explain all of the data. The quenching mechanism of anthracene, 9-methyl-anthracene and 9,10-dimethylanthracene in benzene appears to lack a pathway available to anthracenes whose substituents contain a lone pair of electrons.     

Fluorescence quenching of substituted anthracenes by tris(pentafluorophenyl)phosphine

Rate constants k_q for fluorescence quenching of eleven 9 and 9,10 substituted anthracenes (A_i) by tris(pentafluorophenyl)phosphine (FP) are reported. Correlations of k_q with the electronic properties of A_i and FP reveal that A⁺ FP⁻ charge-transfer interactions are important in the quenching process for several of the A_i. No one quenching mechanism is able to explain all of the data. The quenching mechanism of anthracene, 9-methyl-anthracene and 9,10-dimethylanthracene in benzene appears to lack a pathway available to anthracenes whose substituents contain a lone pair of electrons.     

Laser induced fluorescence of CH2 (ã1A1) produced in the photodissociation of ketene at 337 nm. The CH2 (ã1A1-X̃3B1)energy separation

The photodissociation of ketene, CH₂CO(X?¹A₁) → CH₂ (ã¹A₁) + CO(X ¹Σ⁺) has been observed at 337 nm, using a pulsed nitrogen laser. The CH₂ (ã ¹A₁) radical has been detected by laser induced fluorescence with a tunable dye laser. A laser excitation spectrum has been obtained from CH₂(ã ¹A₁) over the wavelength interval from 588.9 to 595.6 nm in the Σ ← Π vibronic subband of the CH₂ (ã ¹A₁); υ″ = 0, 0, 0?b? ¹B₁; υ′ = 0, 14, 0) transition. For the CH₂(ã ¹A₁ ; υ′= 0, 0, 0?X? ³B₁; υ′' = 0, 0, 0) energy separation an upper limit of (6.3 ^± 0.8) kcal/mole has been found. The radiative lifetime τ and the rate constant k for the removal of the 0₀₀ rotational level of the Σ(0, 14, 0) vibronic state have been measured directly. The values are τ = (4.2 ^± 0.2) μs and k = (7.4 ± 0.3) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively.     

Experimental k 0 and k 0-fission factors for the determination of the n(235U)/n(238U) enrichment levels and correction for 235U fission interferences in samples containing uranium

In 2010 we investigated the applicability of the current k ₀ and k ₀-fission factors for the determination of the n(²³⁵U)/n(²³⁸U) isotopic ratio in multi-elemental samples containing uranium. An overestimation 3–4 % was observed in our determinations when employing the recommended 2003 k ₀-literature. After a recalibration of all our laboratory instruments, a 3 % overestimation was still observed in this work when employing this nuclear data. Therefore we aimed at the experimental re-determination of these composite nuclear constants in order to enhance the reliability of the isotopic ratio determination method and the accuracy of our data-filtering algorithms. New k ₀-fission factors are given for 7 nuclides that are not currently present in the 2012 k ₀-database. Several additional k ₀ factors are introduced for some nuclides in this library. Our k ₀ results are also compared with those recently reported by Blaauw et al.     

Measurement of k 0 values for caesium and iridium

The OPAL research reactor in Australia has been used to determine k ₀ values for ^134mCs, ¹³⁴Cs, ¹⁹²Ir and ¹⁹⁴Ir. Values for ²⁴Na have also been measured for quality control. The neutron flux at the irradiation positions was very highly thermalised (f > 2,000), resulting in almost negligible activation by epithermal neutrons. As a consequence, the contribution to the total uncertainty of the k ₀ values from epithermal-related factors such as Q ₀ and $ \bar{E}_{\text{r}} $ was very small. The measured caesium k ₀ values have been compared with the library values as well as with recent measurements by St Pierre et al. and Farina Arboccò et al. While there are k ₀ values for ¹⁹⁴Ir in the library, no ¹⁹²Ir values have been measured previously. Despite ¹⁹²Ir having a higher sensitivity than ¹⁹⁴Ir, k ₀ values were not measured during the establishment of the k ₀-method because the nuclear data available at the time indicated that the activation cross-section of ¹⁹¹Ir deviated significantly from 1/v behaviour (g(T _n ) ≠ 1), which would result in unacceptable errors if k ₀ analysis were to be carried out using the Høgdahl convention. However later nuclear data compilations showed that ¹⁹¹Ir has better 1/v behaviour than previously reported, making it suitable for k ₀ analysis using the Høgdahl convention. For completeness, k ₀ values have been determined using both the Høgdahl and modified-Westcott conventions and these have been compared with library (¹⁹⁴Ir) and calculated values.     

Inner sphere oxidation of N,N′-ethylenebis(isonitrosoacetyleacetoneimine)copper(II) by N-bromosuccinimide in aqueous weakly acidic solutions

The kinetics of oxidation of N,N′-ethylenebis(isonitrosoacetyleacetoneimine)copper(II) complex, Cu^IIL, by N-bromosuccinimide (SBr) in weakly aqueous acidic solutions was studied under pseudo-first-order conditions. Plots of ln(A _∞  ? A _t ) versus time where A _t and A _∞ are absorbance values of the Cu(III) product at time t and infinity, respectively, showed marked deviations from linearity. The curves showed an acceleration of reaction rate consistent with an autocatalytic behavior. In the presence of Hg(II) ions, plots of ln(A _∞  ? A _t ) versus time are linear up to >85 % of reaction. The value of the observed rate constant, k _obs, increases with decreasing pH. At constant reaction conditions, the dependence of the observed rate constants, k _obs, is described by Eq. (1). 1 $$ k_{\text{obs}} = k_{\text{o}} + k_{1} \left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] $$ The dependence of both k _o and k ₁ on [SBr] is not linear. The mechanism of the title reaction is consistent with an inner sphere mechanism in which a pre-equilibrium step precedes the electron transfer step. The overall rate law is represented by Eq. (2) where [Cu^IIL]_t and K ₁ represent the total copper(II) complex concentration and the pre-equilibrium formation constant, respectively. 2 $$ d\left[ {{\text{Cu}}^{\text{III}} {\text{L}}^{ + } } \right]/dt = \left\{ {\left( {k_{\text{o}} + k_{1} \left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]} \right)\left[ {\text{SBr}} \right]\left[ {{\text{Cu}}^{\text{II}} {\text{L}}} \right]_{t} } \right\}/\left( {1 + K_{1} \left[ {\text{SBr}} \right]} \right) $$ .