Carboxylic multi-walled carbon nanotubes as immobilized stationary phase in capillary electrochromatography

Carboxylic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWNT) have been immobilized into a fused-silica capillary for capillary electrochromatography. The c-MWNT were successfully incorporated after the silanization and coupling with glutaraldehyde on the inner surface of the capillary. The electrochromatographic features of the c-MWNT immobilized stationary phase have been evaluated for the analysis of different compounds of pharmaceutical interest. The results indicated high electrochromatographic resolution, good capillary efficiency and retention factors. In addition, highly reproducible results between runs, days and capillaries were obtained.     

Carbon nanotube based separation columns for high electrical field strengths in microchip electrochromatography

Electrically insulated carbon nanotube (CNT) based separation columns have been fabricated that can withstand an electrical field strength of more than 2.0 kV cm(-1) without bubble formation from electrolysis. The carbon nanotubes were grown in a pillar array defined by photolithographic patterning of the catalyst layer used for synthesis of the nanotubes. Multiwall carbon nanotubes are inherently electrically conductive and cannot be used as a continuous layer in the microfluidic channels, without short circuiting the electrical field in the separation column, when the field strength is more than a couple of 100 V cm(-1). Here, the carbon nanotubes are grown in an array of hexagonal pillars, where the nanotubes in the individual pillars are not in direct electrical contact with the nanotubes of the adjacent pillars. This makes it possible to increase the electrical field strength from around 100 V cm(-1) to more than 2.0 kV cm(-1) and thereby to use the CNT columns for electrokinetic separations with the high electrical field strengths that are typically used in this application. An electrochromatographic separation of two Coumarin dyes was demonstrated on the CNT column with an acetonitrile content of 90%.     

Carbon nanotubes as solid-phase extraction sorbents prior to atomic spectrometric determination of metal species: A review

New materials have significant impact on the development of new methods and instrumentation for chemical analysis. From the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991, single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes – due to their high adsorption and desorption capacities – have been employed as sorption substrates in solid-phase extraction for the preconcentration of metal species from diverse matrices. Looking for successive improvements in sensitivity and selectivity, in the past few years, carbon nanotubes have been utilized as sorbents for solid phase extraction in three different ways: like as-grown, oxidized and functionalized nanotubes. In the present paper, an overview of the recent trends in the use of carbon nanotubes for solid phase extraction of metal species in environmental, biological and food samples is presented. The determination procedures involved the adsorption of metals on the nanotube surface, their quantitative desorption and subsequent measurement by means of atomic spectrometric techniques such as flame atomic absorption spectrometry, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry/mass spectrometry, among others. Synthesis, purification and types of carbon nanotubes, as well as the diverse chemical and physical strategies for their functionalization are described. Based on 140 references, the performance and general properties of the applications of solid phase extraction based on carbon nanotubes for metal species atomic spectrometric determination are discussed.     

Surfactant-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes as a novel pseudostationary phase in capillary EKC

The analytical potential of the use of surfactant-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SC-SWNTs) as pseudostationary phase in CE is described. The pseudostationary phase shows an efficient alternative in enhancing electrochromatographic resolution of compounds which are capable of interacting with a nanotube surface, such as aromatic compounds. In general, the resolution is enhanced by increasing nanotube concentration in the buffer but the maximum amount of SWNTs that can be added to background electrolyte was found limited by compatibility with the UV/visible detection. As an alternative, a low-extension partial filling was used, consisting of the introduction into the capillary of concentrated SC-SWNT, just before the sample, with a plug length similar to the sample one. This has been showed as a reliable procedure in increasing resolution and sensitivity by sweeping phenomena. Finally, the potential of SC-SWNTs to perform chiral separations is discussed.     

Gram-scale CCVD synthesis of double-walled carbon nanotubes

Synthesis of clean double-walled carbon nanotubes by a catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) method is reported; the catalyst is a Mg(1 - x)Co(x)O solid solution containing additions of Mo oxide; this MgO-based catalyst can be easily removed, leading to gram-scale amounts of clean carbon nanotubes, 77% of which are double-walled carbon nanotubes.     

A Carbon Nanotube Confinement Strategy to Implement Homogeneous Asymmetric Catalysis in the Solid Phase

A readily recyclable asymmetric catalyst has been developed based on the self‐assembly of a homogeneous catalyst in a fibrous network of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Dimerization of an amide‐based chiral ligand with a suitable spacer allows for the efficient formation of a heterogeneous catalyst by self‐assembly on addition of Er(OiPr)₃. The self‐assembly proceeds in the MWNT fibrous network and small clusters of assembled catalyst are confined in the MWNTs, producing an easily handled solid‐phase catalyst. The resulting MWNT‐confined catalyst exhibits a good catalytic performance in a catalytic asymmetric Mannich‐type reaction, which can be conducted in a repeated batch system and in a continuous‐flow platform.     

A stable solid acid material: Sulfated ZrO2 dispersed on alumina nanotubes

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - A tubular solid acid catalyst was designed by loading sulfated zirconia into γ-Al2O3 nanotubes using the method of stepwise deposition. The XRD, N2...     

Separation,detection and quantitation of peptides by liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography

This review discusses different liquid chromatographic and capillary electrochromatographic approaches to the separation and quantitation of peptides using silica-based and polymeric-based columns with emphasis on liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometry detection and quantitation of peptides using labeled and label-free procedures, will also be discussed, as well as the effect of amino acids’ properties on the solubility of peptides, an important parameter that influences the selection of the mobile phase. A discussion of different column packing materials, reversed-phase, cyclodextrins, macrocyclic antibiotics, porous graphitic carbon, mixed-phases, and normal-phase will be included, as well as a short discussion of multi-dimensional approaches for the separation of complex peptide mixtures.     

微波辅助合成法快速制备替考拉宁开管毛细管电色谱柱

采用微波辅助合成技术,快速制备了以替考拉宁为固定相的开管毛细管电色谱柱。在pH 4.0~7.0的范围内比较了空管与替考拉宁修饰柱的电渗情况,表明替考拉宁开管毛细管电色谱柱有效地降低了电渗。用该色谱柱分离了多种手性对映体,均达到基线分离,体现了替考拉宁开管毛细管电色谱柱良好的分离性能。以DL-色氨酸考察了柱子的稳定性和重现性,结果显示采用微波辅助合成技术制得的替考拉宁开管毛细管电色谱柱具有良好的稳定性和重现性。     

改性多壁碳纳米管固相萃取测定农产品中苯氧羧酸类除草剂残留

通过对多壁碳纳米管(MWNTs)的表面酸氧化、表面共价接枝功能化,制备了改性MWNTs,将改性MWNTs作为一种新型的固相萃取吸附剂自制了固相萃取(SPE)柱,建立了以改性MWNTs作为SPE吸附剂测定农产品中痕量2甲4氯(MCPA)和2,4-滴(2,4-D)2种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的SPE/HPLC联用分析方法.考察了氧化处理、共价接枝、SPE柱操作和色谱条件等对实验结果的影响,并优化了实验条件.在优化实验条件下,2种除草剂在较宽质量浓度范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9984～0.9995,检出限为0.020mg/L;对样品分别进行0.20、5.0、50 mg/L 3种水平的加标回收率实验,2种除草剂的加标回收率为81％～105％,RSD为3.2％～8.3％.该方法用于大豆、大米和茶叶等样品的净化,效果良好,测定结果准确、灵敏度高,符合农产品中低浓度农药残留的分析要求.     

Capillary electrochromatographic separation of illicit drugs employing a cyano stationary phase

In this study, we present a capillary electrochromatographic method for separation of basic compounds of interest in forensic science (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, cocaine, codeine, heroin, morphine, and 6-monoacethylmorphine). Several analytical conditions were taken into account to completely separate in the same run the 10 drugs of abuse analyzed. Chromatographic retention, selectivity and efficiency were evaluated in dependence of the type of stationary phase (CN and RP-C₁₈ derivatized silica particles), mobile phase composition, buffer type and pH, sample injection. The optimum separation parameters were set up using a mixture of aqueous sodium phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)/acetonitrile (80/20, v/v) as the mobile phase, 10 kV and 20 °C as applied voltage and capillary temperature, respectively. Under these conditions all the studied analytes were baseline resolved within 20 min. The method performance was investigated in terms of precision, linearity, sensitivity and accuracy to demonstrate the applicability of the developed capillary electrochromatographic system to forensic analysis. Calibration curves provided a good linearity over a working range of 100–1200 ng/mL for all analytes. Limits of detection and quantification were in the range 5–12 ng/mL and 10–30 ng/mL, respectively. Then the method was applied to the analysis of a human urine sample spiked with a basic compounds’ mixture. Urine samples’ pre-treatment was carried out through a solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure on strong cation exchange (SCX) cartridges.     

Nanotube-grafted polyacrylamide hydrogels for electrophoretic protein separation

Multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified polyacrylamide gels have been employed for the electrophoretic separation of proteins. Two approaches are compared in this investigation, one using nanotubes only as fillers inside the gel matrix and the other using nanotubes as catalyst for polymerization of acrylamide. In both the cases, polymerization of acryl-amide/bisacrylamide has been carried out in situ in the presence of nanotubes dispersed in the gel buffer containing monomer and cross-linker. In the former case, initiator and catalyst have been added after ultrasonication of nanotubes in the gel buffer mixture where the nanotubes play the role of filler. On the other hand, the second approach precludes use of catalyst and involves addition of initiator alone during ultrasonication of nanotubes in the gel buffer containing monomer and cross-linker, which leads to the formation of nanotube-grafted gel after 25 min. When nanotubes are used as a catalyst instead of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, pore size distribution of the gel matrix and linearity of molecular weight calibration plots are found to be improved. In addition, other issues associated with the use of an external catalyst like handling the moisture-sensitive and corrosive reagent and associated irreproducibility are addressed in this approach.     

Electrochromatographic separation on a poly(dimethylsiloxane)/glass chip by integration of a capillary containing an acrylate monolithic stationary phase

In this paper, we present an approach to perform electrochromatographic separations on poly(dimethylsiloxane) chips: a fused-silica capillary containing a stationary phase was introduced directly into the chip. This approach would offer great flexibility since capillary modification methods are well known, and thus, with this kind of chip, different microfluidic devices having various functions could be prepared. Electrophoretic separations were first achieved by integrating an empty capillary into the chip to evaluate the analytical performances of this system. They were compared to those obtained with a classical chip. Finally, an electrochromatographic separation involving a capillary containing a hexyl acrylate-based monolith was performed. These preliminary results show this approach to be promising.     

多壁碳纳米管固相萃取技术同时测定蜂蜜中多类兽药残留

采用多壁碳纳米管固相萃取-超高效液相色谱-串联质谱技术同时测定蜂蜜中的磺胺类、喹诺酮类、硝基咪唑类和四环素类等52种兽药残留. 样品用Na₂EDTA-Mcllvaine提取,经改性的多壁碳纳米管固相萃取小柱净化,通过Waters C₁₈色谱柱分离,以乙腈和0.1%（体积分数）的甲酸水溶液为流动相进行梯度洗脱,采用电喷雾-正离子多反应监测的质谱模式,以基质外标法进行定量分析. 实验结果表明,52种兽药在相应的浓度范围内线性相关系数均大于0.99,该方法的定量限为1.5 ~7.5 μg/kg. 在7.5,25和50 μg/kg 3个浓度添加水平下,各种兽药的回收率为67.3% ~117.8%,相对标准偏差为1.9% ~17.4%. 结果表明,多壁碳纳米管固相萃取材料具有较好的净化效果,适用于蜂蜜中多类兽药残留的同时检测.     

Fabrication of silica nanotubes using silica coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as the template

Silica nanotubes were synthesized using the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the template material. First, we prepared silica coated MWCNT composites by surface oxidation of MWCNTs using KMnO(4) in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst and followed by grafting of 2-aminoethyl 3-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane, AEAPS. The amine groups in grafted AEAPS on MWCNTs could activate the silica shell formation by acid-base interaction. The synthesized silica was formed a uniform layer on MWCNTs with a controllable thickness and possessed sturdy 3-dimensional stability. After calcinations at 800 degrees C, the inner MWCNTs of the composite were completely decomposed and the outer silica shell layer maintained without distortion of its original shape. Finally, we could obtain the silica nanotubes having 13.0 nm of average layer thickness.     

Low-temperature growth of carbon nanotubes from the catalytic decomposition of carbon tetrachloride

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized via the decomposition of CCl4 in supercritical CO2 at 175 degrees C and 27.6 MPa using an iron-encapsulated dendrimer as a growth catalyst. The average diameter of resultant nanotubes was 20-25 nm, obtained after a 24-h reaction time. Our conditions represent the first application for CX4 precursors, as well as the lowest-reported temperature regime for carbon nanotube growth, allowing the use of other temperature-sensitive catalytic substrates.     

Surface Polymers on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Selective Extraction and Electrochemical Determination of Rhodamine B in Food Samples

In this study, we combine magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE), with the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified by a molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) for sensitive and selective extraction and electrochemical determination of Rhodamine B in food samples. A magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) was carried out using magnetic poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (PS-DVB) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) synthetized on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). An MIP was prepared on the surface of MWCNTs in the presence of titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) modifying the SPCE for the rapid electrochemical detection of Rhodamine B. The MIPs synthesis was optimized by varying the activated titanium oxide (TiO₂) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) amounts. The MSPE and electrochemical detection conditions were optimized as well. The present method exhibited good selectivity, high sensitivity, and good reproducibility towards the determination of Rhodamine B, making it a suitable method for the determination of Rhodamine B in food samples.     

一维/二维复合碳载体组成对Pd催化剂甲醇氧化性能的影响

采用固相-液相两步混合法制备了由碳纳米管（CNTs）和石墨烯纳米片（GNPs）组成的CNTs-GNPs复合载体。以乙二醇还原法将Pd纳米粒子沉积于复合碳载体上,制得Pd/CNTs-GNPs催化剂。以透射电子显微镜、X射线衍射及X射线光电子能谱表征催化剂的形貌、组成和结构;以电化学方法考察催化剂的甲醇电氧化性能。结果表明,Pd/CNTs-GNPs（1/4）（GNPs质量分数为1/4）催化剂具有较大的电化学表面积和较高的甲醇电氧化活性,其甲醇氧化峰电流密度可达Pd/CNTs催化剂的1.97倍。催化剂的高活性得益于CNTs-GNPs载体的一维/二维复合结构使Pd纳米粒子具有良好的分散性能。计时电流实验表明,与单一载体负载Pd催化剂相比,复合载体负载Pd催化剂具有较强的抗中毒能力。     

Melting behavior of water in cylindrical pores: carbon nanotubes and silica glasses

We report a study of the effects of confinement in multi-walled carbon nanotubes and mesoporous silica glasses (SBA-15) on the solid structure and melting of both H(2)O and D(2)O ice, using differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, and neutron diffraction. Multi-walled nanotubes of 2.4, 3.9 and 10 nm are studied, and the SBA-15 studied has pores of mean diameter 3.9 nm; temperatures ranging from approximately 110 to 290 K were studied. We find that the melting point is depressed relative to the bulk water for all systems studied, with the depression being greater in the case of the silica mesopores. These results are shown to be consistent with molecular simulation studies of freezing in silica and carbon materials. The neutron diffraction data show that the cubic phase of ice is stabilized by the confinement in carbon nanotubes, as well as in silica mesopores, and persists up to temperatures of about 240 K, above which there is a transition to the hexagonal ice structure.     

碳微线圈的气-液-固-固生长机理

碳微线圈具有类似DNA的双螺旋结构, 通常以镍为催化剂, 噻吩为助剂采用CVD法制备, 但是对于它的生长机理人们仍不十分清楚. 本文发现构成碳微线圈的碳纤维由三条亚纤维组成, 提出了碳微线圈的气-液-固-固生长机理, 并以此对实验事实做出合理解释.