Liquid-liquid microextraction without phase separation in a multicommuted flow system for diltiazem determination in pharmaceuticals

Liquid-liquid microextraction without phase segmentation was implemented in a multicommuted flow system for determination of the anti-hypertensive diltiazem. The procedure was based on ion pair formation between the drug and the dye bromothymol blue at pH 3.5. The detection was performed without phase separation in a glass tube coupled to a fiber-optics spectrophotometer. The total volume of chloroform was reduced to 50 μL in comparison with 10 mL consumed in batch. A linear response was observed between 9 and 120 μmol L(-1), with a detection limit of 0.9 μmol L(-1) (99.7% confidence level). The coefficient of variation (n=10), sampling rate and extraction efficiency were estimated as 0.6%, 78 determinations per hour and 61%, respectively. About 30 μg of bromothymol blue was consumed and the waste volume was 380 μL per determination. The results for pharmaceutical samples agreed with those obtained by the reference procedure at the 95% confidence level.     

Coupling of flow injection wetting-film extraction without segmentation and phase separation to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of trace copper in water samples

A flow injection wetting-film extraction system without segmentor and phase separator has been coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of trace copper. Isobutyl methyl ketone (MIBK) was selected as coating solvent and 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) as the chelating reagent. By switching of a 8-channel valve and alternative initiation of two peristaltic pumps, MIBK, sample solution containing copper chelate of oxine, and air-segment sandwiched eluting solution (1.0 mol l⁻¹ nitric acid) were sequentially aspirated into an extraction coil made of PTFE tubing of 360 cm length and 0.5 mm i.d. The formation of organic film in the wall of the extraction coil, extraction of the copper chelate into the organic film and back-extraction of the analyte into the eluting solution occurred consecutively when these zones aspirated into the extraction coil were propelled down the extraction coil by a carrier solution at a flow rate of 2 ml min⁻¹. After leaving the extraction coil, the concentrated zone was transported to the nebulizer at its free uptake rate for atomization. Under the optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 43 and a detection limit of 0.2 μg l⁻¹ copper were achieved at a sample throughput rate of 30 h⁻¹. Eleven determinations of a standard copper solution of 60 μg l⁻¹ gave a relative standard deviation of 1.5%. Foreign ions possibly present in tap water and natural water did not interfere with the copper determination. The developed method has been successfully used to the determination of copper content of tap water and river water.     

Direct automatic determination of polyphenols in olive oils in the aqueous phase of a flow-injection liquid-liquid extraction system without phase separation

A method for the determination of polyphenols in olive in which the analytes are extracted into the aqueous phase by a liquid-liquid extraction system based on the use of a flow-injection configuration with iterative change of the flow direction is proposed. None of the typical units for this continuous separation technique are required by the proposed configuration. The analytes can be determined in the range over which polyphenols normally occur in these samples (100–900 μg ml^?1) with better precision (2.8–4.0% vs. 6%) and sampling frequency (28 h^?1 vs. 0.5 h^?1) and sample (< 1 g vs. 30 g) and reagent consumption than by the conventional method.     

Determination of octanol/water partition coefficients by flow injection analysis

Determination of octanol/water partition coefficients by batch-extraction methods is currently the only acceptable procedure for application to structure/activity relationships. Work on the development of flow-injection systems to determine these partition coefficients is reported. It is shown that it is not necessary to know the concentration of the analytic in either phase; the partition coefficient should be equal to the differences in the octanol and water peak widths divided. by the system residence time. For a limited number of compounds, this is shown to be valid. Several systems were developed, including a flow-through dialyzer which was 5 times more efficient than the best commercial unit.     

The determination of p-cresol in chloroform with an enzyme electrode used in the organic phase

An enzyme electrode that operates in chloroform is described. Polyphenol oxidase (tyrosinase; EC.1.14.18.1) is used to detect p-cresol via electrochemical reduction of the product, 4-methyl- 1,2-benzoquinone, at a graphite foil electode. The response is linear for p-cresol concentrations of 0–0.10 mM, with a limit of detection of 1 μM. After an initial rise from 1.9 μA to 4.0 μA in the first three assays, the response of the electrode to 0.10 mM p-cresol remained stable for twelve consecutive assays ($\text{x}$=4.6, SD=0.49). After intermittent usage for 204 days with appropriate storage, the enzyme electrode remained active. The electrode is sensitive to a broad range of phenols. The feasibility of detecting p-cresol contamination of water is demonstrated.     

Determination of distribution coefficients of volatile sulfur-containing compounds among aqueous solutions and gas phase by continuous gas extraction

The method of continuous gas extraction at 10–40°C was used to measure the distribution coefficients of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide between the gas phase and buffer aqueous solutions with a constant pH value.     

Application of liquid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of chloroform in drinking water.

In this paper, a novel method for the determination of chloroform in drinking water has been described. It is based on liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Extraction conditions such as solvent selection, organic solvent dropsize, stirring rate, content of NaCl and extraction time were found to have significant influence on extraction efficiency. The optimized conditions were 1.5 microl xylene, 20 min extraction time at 400 rpm stirring rate without NaCl addition. The linear range was 1.0 - 100 microg l(-1) for chloroform. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.0 microg l(-1); and relative standard deviation (RSD) at the 30 microg l(-1) level was 2.9%. Tap water samples from a laboratory were successfully analyzed using the proposed method. The relative recovery of spiked water samples was 104%.     

Continuous flow determination of nitrite with membrane separation/chemiluminescence detection

A method for the determination of nitrite in water utilizing a membrane separation process and a chemiluminescence detector, with the addition of air-stripping and air-carrier, is proposed. The microporous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) tube was used as separator to transfer nitric oxide (reduced by iodine in acidic media) into a gas phase. Air-stripping was used to enhance the separation. Chemiluminescence signals produced from the reaction of nitric oxide with ozone were linearly proportional to the concentration of nitrite from 10 ppb (micrograms as N/L) to 5 ppm (mg N/L). The relative standard deviation (n = 5) was 0.7% at 0.1 ppm. The time elapse from starting the sample flow until the signal reached a stable level was 1.5 min.     

Optimization of the separation of chlorophenols with stepwise gradient elution in reversed phase liquid chromatography

An optimization technique based on gradient elution was used to separate eleven chlorophenols by reversed phase liquid chromatography. The separation was based on gradient elution with a stepwise variation pattern of the volume fraction of organic modifier, phi, in the mobile phase. Initially, two-, three-, and four-parameter equations which describe the dependence of ln k' upon phi, were examined for their ability to fit the experimental data. It was found that, among these equations, the four-parameter equation gave the best fit of the experimental data. In addition to separation optimization, a non-linear least squares program with a grid search for initial estimates was used to determine the best variation pattern. The best variation pattern was obtained with phi(1)= 0.27, phi(2)= 0.39, phi(3)= 0.62, t(1) = 33 min, and t(2) = 11 min. This pattern allowed the chromatographic separation of the chlorophenols with a good resolution and a total analysis time of 51 min. Good agreement was observed between predicted and experimental values of the retention times under optimal condition.     

Layered double hydroxide/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) coated solid phase microextraction Arrow for the determination of volatile organic compounds in water

Today, wide variety of adsorbents have been developed for sample pretreatment to concentrate and separate harmful substances. However, only a few solid phase microextraction Arrow adsorbents are commercially available. In this study, we developed a new solid phase microextraction Arrow coating, in which nanosheets layered double hydroxides and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) were utilized as the extraction phase and poly(vinyl chloride) as the adhesive. This new coating entailed higher extraction capacity for several volatile organic compounds (allyl methyl sulfide, methyl propyl sulfide, 3‐pentanone, 2‐butanone, and methyl isobutyl ketone) compared to the commercial Carboxen 1000/polydimethylsiloxane coating. Fabrication parameters for the coating were optimized and extraction and desorption conditions were investigated. The validation of the new solid phase microextraction Arrow coating was accomplished using water sample spiked with volatile organic compounds. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of quantification for the five volatile organic compounds by the new solid phase microextraction Arrow coating and developed gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method were in the range of 0.2‐4.6 ng/mL. The proposed method was briefly applied for enrichment of volatile organic compounds in sludge.     

The influence of distribution coefficients on the separation factor of lithium isotopes

The influence of distribution coefficients on the separation factor of lithium isotopes was studied with Dowex 50W-X8, 200–400 mesh, ammonium form, strongly acidic cation exchanger by changing the pH and EDTA concentration of the eluent. It was found that the larger the EDTA concentration in the buffer solution, the smaller the distribution coefficients were. The separation factor was increased with decreasing EDTA concentration. The separation factor of lithium isotopes linearly increased up to a distribution coefficient value of 30, and gradually increased above 30. The optimum value of distribution coefficient of lithium to separate litihium isotopes was about 30. The distribution coefficient was increased with increasing pH, but the separation factor of lithium isotopes has no relation with pH.⁶Li concentrated on the resin phase, and⁷Li in the solution phase.     

简单剪切对聚合物溶液PS/DINP相分离行为的影响

通过剪切-光学显微装置在线研究了聚合物溶液聚苯乙烯(PS)/邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(DINP)体系在静态和简单剪切场下的浊点变化及其相结构的实时演变过程,结果发现在单向剪切场下,当PS/DINP体系中PS含量在15%以下时该体系的剪切浊点基本不随剪切速率的变化而变化;当PS含量在15%以上时该体系的剪切浊点随剪切速率的增大而先增大后减小,并且不同配比下都出现一个最高相界移动,该最高相界移动随着PS含量的增加移向更高的剪切速率。此外,还发现PS/DINP近临界组成的静态相分离过程是典型的粘弹相分离。低剪切速率下的相分离过程与静态下有些相似,初期形成网络结构,并且该结构沿流动方向变形取向,但是网络结构直至实验结束也没有发生破裂,可见低剪切速率对网络结构具有一定的稳定作用。     

Hidden minima of the gibbs free energy revealed in a phase separation in polymer/surfactant/water mixture

We observed a very unusual kinetic pathway in a separating C(12)E(6)/PEG/H(2)O ternary mixture. We let the mixture separate above the spinodal temperature (cloud point temperature) for some time and next cool it into a metastable region of a phase diagram, characterized by two minima of the Gibbs potential, one corresponding to the homogeneous mixture and one to the fully separated PEG-rich and C(12)E(6)-rich phases. Despite the fact that in the metastable region the thermodynamic equilibrium corresponds to the separated phases (global minimum of the Gibbs free energy), we observe perfect mixing of the initially separated phase. The homogeneous state, obtained in this way, does not separate, if left undisturbed. However, many cooling-heating cycles or full separation with visible meniscus above the cloud point temperature induce the phase separation in the metastable region. The metastable region can exist tens of degrees below the cloud point temperature. This effect is not observed in the binary mixture of C(12)E(6)/H(2)O.     

Application of different analytical methods for determination of volatile chlorination by-products in drinking water

Four analytical methods have been applied for the determination of volatile chlorination by-products in drinking water, based on the following techniques: liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography-electron capture detection (LLE-GC-ECD); liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LLE-GC-MS); purge and trap-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (purge and trap-GC-MS); and headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (headspace-GC-MS). The compounds studied were trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, haloketones, chloral hydrate and chloropicrin. LLE-GC-ECD method proved to be the most sensitive for determination of all compounds studied, followed by LLE-GC-MS. Purge and trap-GC-MS method gave good results in the case of trihalomethanes, but had high detection limits for the other volatile chlorination by-products. Headspace-GC-MS method had acceptable recoveries for trihalomethanes, but the detection limits were higher.     

Review of separation methods for the determination of ammonium/ammonia in natural water

Ammonium (NH₄⁺) and ammonia (NH₃) in aquatic ecosystems are of great interest to environmental scientists because they can be used to study the nitrogen cycle and as water quality indicators. Analytical separation methods developed in recent decades have been used widely to determine NH₄⁺ and NH₃ in aqueous solutions. This review presents an overview of state-of-the-art separation methods and analytical techniques for determining NH₃/NH₄⁺ in natural water, including chromatographic methods, electrophoretic methods, extraction methods, membrane-based gas diffusion methods, membraneless gas diffusion methods, passive sampling methods, and paper-based analytical methods. Common detection techniques that can be used in conjunction with particular separation methods are described, phase-transfer strategies (liquid-liquid, liquid-solid, liquid-membrane-liquid, and liquid-gas-liquid methods) are highlighted, and the strengths and weaknesses of the separation methods are discussed. The outlook, challenges, and expected future developments in the field of separation methods for determining NH₄⁺ and NH₃ in natural water are presented.     

Durable multifunctional superhydrophobic sponge for oil/water separation and adsorption of volatile organic compounds

Inspired by the strong adhesion of mussels, a super-hydrophobic sponge was designed and prepared by a simple and inexpensive one-pot solution immersion method. The prepared superhydrophobic sponge can not only efficiently separate the oil–water mixture, more importantly, but also remove volatile organic compounds in the atmospheric environment. Polydopamine (PDA) enables polydivinylbenzene (PDVB) particles to be firmly and tightly attached to the melamine sponge skeleton, thereby making the hydrophilic sponge superhydrophobic and providing adsorption sites for volatile organic compounds in the air. The synergy enables the sponge/PDA/PDVB to quickly adsorb oils and organic substances, and it has high stability and capacity even after 20 cycles. In addition, superhydrophobic sponges can still perform outstanding adsorption performance even under highly acidic and alkaline environments. Meanwhile, the static adsorption capacity of the sponge/PDA/PDVB for gaseous toluene is 5.7 times that of activated carbon. Compared with pure PDVB, the super-hydrophobic sponge in the dynamic experiment has a penetration time increased from 6 to 390 min, which is 65 times longer than that of the PDVB, and the adsorption performance has been greatly improved. Therefore, our strategy may achieve a new effect, which can quickly and easily separate oil–water mixtures and remove volatile gaseous pollutants, and it can provide potential options for practical applications

     

Lateral phase separation gives multiple lamellar phases in a "binary" surfactant/water system: the phase behavior of sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate/water mixtures

We have examined the structure of the lamellar phase (Lalpha) that coexists with a micellar solution (L1) for a commercial sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) mixed with water. The surfactant is a mixture containing C10-C13 alkyl chains, having all positional isomers of the benzene sulfonate group present except the 1-isomer. Unusually for ionic surfactants, the difference in compositions between the coexisting L1 and Lalpha phases is large (L1 = approximately 20 wt % LAS; Lalpha = approximately 65 wt %). The main technique employed was X-ray diffraction, supplemented by optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). At ambient temperatures, the lamellar phase gives a single diffraction pattern with the main reflection (d) at approximately 32.5 A, whatever the composition. However, above 40 degrees C, the diffraction peak becomes broader and moves to higher d values. At higher temperatures still, several distinct and different diffraction peaks are observed, differing in detail according to composition. The largest d values (approximately 42-4 A) are observed for the lowest LAS concentrations, while the largest number of separate reflections (five) occurs for samples with approximately 44-50% LAS, both at the highest temperatures. Although there are some differences in the data between heating and cooling cycles, the d values return to the original value at low temperature. There are no observable transitions in DSC, nor is there any heterogeneity in the lamellar phase observable by microscopy. The data clearly indicate that there is some lateral separation of the different LAS isomers within the bilayers, which results in the formation of local lamellar regions having different surfactant compositions. This lateral phase separation may arise from the presence of an (electrostatic) attractive interaction, which gives rise to an upper consolute loop within the lamellar phase region of a pure LAS isomer. Similar mechanisms may occur in biological membranes and could be responsible for the occurrence of membrane lipid patches.     

用介观动力学模拟Pluronic L64/水/p-Xylene体系的相分离

用介观动力学在介观层次上对不同组分的PluronicL64/水/p-xylene三元体系的相分离进行了研究,得到了和实验相吻合的结果。计算表明对于纯p-xylene溶剂和有含少量水的p-xylene溶剂,体系没有发生相分离,随着水的含量增加,体系发生了明显的相分离,产生了不同形态的胶团。本研究还通过对比不同溶剂组分下的体系介观形貌,讨论了水在体系相分离中的作用。同时通过分析模拟了1000步后体系中水的分布,证实在胶团核中存在自由水(freewater)的猜想。     

Fe3O4/polyethylene glycol nanocomposite as a solid‐phase microextraction fiber coating for the determination of some volatile organic compounds in water

A high‐performance metal oxide polymer magnetite/polyethylene glycol nanocomposite was prepared and coated in situ on the surface of the optical fiber by sol–gel technology. The magnetite nanoparticles as nanofillers were synthesized by a coprecipitation method and bonded with polyethylene glycol as a polymer. The chemically bonded coating was evaluated for the headspace solid–phase microextraction of some environmentally important volatile organic compounds from aqueous samples in combination with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The prepared fiber was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The mass ratio of nanofiller and polymer on the coating extraction efficiency, morphology, and stability were investigated. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including the extraction time and temperature, the ionic strength, desorption temperature, and time were optimized. The sol–gelized fiber showed excellent chemical stability and longer lifespan. It also exhibited high extraction efficiency compared to the two types of commercial fibers. For volatile organic compounds analysis, the new fiber showed low detection limits (0.008–0.063 ng/L) and wide linearity (0.001–450 × 10⁴ ng/L) under the optimized conditions. The repeatability (interday and intraday) and reproducibility were 4.13–10.08 and 5.98–11.61%, and 7.35–14.79%, respectively (n = 5). For real sample analysis, three types of water samples (ground, surface, and tap water) were studied.