Micro-thermal field-flow fractionation: new high-performance method for particle size distribution analysis

Micro-thermal field-flow fractionation (mu-TFFF) was applied to the separation of polystyrene latices. This new high-resolution technique allows determination of the particle size distribution (PSD) if carried out under optimized experimental conditions. The optimum temperature of the accumulation wall, which influences the relaxation processes and, consequently, the zone broadening, was chosen on the basis of our prior work. The flow rate was chosen as a compromise between the theoretical optimum value, which is very low because the diffusion coefficients of the colloidal particles are very small, and a value allowing performance of the PSD analysis in a reasonable time. These experimental conditions can be manipulated easily due to the high versatility of mu-TFFF, which follows from a large decrease of the heat energy flux across the channel with its reduced dimensions in comparison with standard TFFF. The PSDs obtained from mu-TFFF data are compared with results from quasi-elastic laser light scattering (QELS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It has been found that a baseline resolution of a model mixture of two samples of close average particle diameters can be achieved by an appropriate choice of the temperature drop in mu-TFFF, whereas only a broad, unresolved PSD of the mixed sample was obtained from the QELS measurement. The TEM of the mixed sample revealed the presence of two particle size populations. However, the number of particles which are practically counted on a TEM picture is several orders of magnitude lower than the number of particles taken into account in mu-TFFF or QELS. Consequently, the PSD obtained from the TEM did not represent the whole sample. Comparison of mu-TFFF with modern hydrodynamic chromatography (HC) has shown that the methods exhibit roughly the same resolution and time of analysis. Nevertheless, mu-TFFF is a more universal technique because the separation of the colloidal particles or of the macromolecules within a broad range of molar masses is carried out on the same channel, as demonstrated previously.     

Insights into information contained in multiplicative scatter correction parameters and the potential for estimating particle size from these parameters

This paper investigates the nature of information contained in scatter correction parameters. The study had two objectives. The first objective was to examine the nature and extent of information contained in scatter correction parameters. The second objective is to examine whether this information can be effectively extracted by proposing a method to obtain particularly the mean particle diameter from the scatter correction parameters. By using a combination of experimental data and simulated data generated using fundamental light propagation theory, a deeper and more fundamental insight of what information is removed by the multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) method is obtained. It was found that the MSC parameters are strongly influenced not only by particle size but also by particle concentration as well as refractive index of the medium. The possibility of extracting particle size information in addition to particle concentration was considered by proposing a two-step method which was tested using a 2-component and 4-component data set. This method can in principle, be used in conjunction with any scatter correction technique provided that the scatter correction parameters exhibit a systematic dependence with respect to particle size and concentration. It was found that the approach which uses the MSC parameters gave a better estimate of the particle diameter compared to using partial least squares (PLS) regression for the 2-component data. For the 4 component data it was found that PLS regression gave better results but further examination indicated this was due to chance correlations of the particle diameter with the two of the absorbing species in the mixture.     

Performance study on particle size variables for nano multiple emulsions

Multiple emulsions are of growing interest as potential delivery vehicles for active constituents. The objective of this study was to encapsulate a water-soluble substance as a functional ingredient in the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) multiple emulsions with nano droplets, and the resultant characterizations have been determined. Emulsions have been generated using ultrasonic with different time, the prepared multiple emulsions have been characterized with microscopic analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, encapsulation efficiency, and rheology. Moreover, droplet size and conductivity analysis have been determined to measure stability. Results showed that multiple structures exist after ultrasonic. Furthermore, these nano multiple emulsions presented encapsulation efficiencies up to 60%, while oil droplets size was 320 nm. Rheology analysis showed dissimilar features of distinct particle size, while droplet size and conductivity analysis indicated a similar trend with the passage time. As a conclusion of this study, the results were encouraging towards development of a nano multiple emulsion encapsulate water-soluble active ingredient for cosmetics.     

A simple and rapid chemical method for the determination of cephalosporins

A simple and rapid chemical assay for cephalosporins is described. It is a simple modification of the colorimetric determination of penicillins in which the narrow spectrum beta-lactamase (penicillinase) is replaced by a broad spectrum beta-lactamase (cephalosporinase) produced by Enterobacter cloacae. The method can be used for assay of fermentation broths as well as for pure cephalosporins.     

Analytical applications of photon correlation spectroscopy for size distribution measurements of natural colloidal suspensions: capabilities and limitations

Particles are ubiquitous in all natural systems and play an important role in the control and fate of nutrients and pollutants. Currently, only limited information is available concerning particle number and size distributions, owing to the problems involved in their experimental determination. In the present paper, limitations and optimal conditions for particle size determinations of environmental samples using photon correlation spectroscopy are studied. The detection limit, the effects of polydispersity of the sample and the refractive index value are discussed based on results obtained with synthetic colloids. The photon correlation spectroscopic determination of particle size distributions in real aquatic systems is also presented in the second part of the paper.     

An expeditious method for determining particle size distribution by near infrared spectroscopy: Comparison of PLS2 and ANN models

The particle size distribution of a solid product can be crucial parameter considering its application to different kinds of processes. The influence of particle size on near infrared (NIR) spectra has been used to develop effective alternative methods to traditional ones in order to determine this parameter. In this work, we used the chemometrical techniques partial least squares 2 (PLS2) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to simultaneously predict several variables to the rapid construction of particle size distribution curves. The PLS2 algorithm relies on linear relations between variables, while the ANN technique can model non-linear systems.Samples were passed through sieves of different sieve opening in order to separate several size fractions that were used to construct two types of particle size distribution curves. The samples were recorded by NIR and their spectra were used with PLS2 and ANN to develop two calibration models for each. The correlation coefficients and relative standard errors of prediction (RSEP) have been used to assess the goodness of fit and accuracy of the results.The four calibration models studied provided statistically identical results based on RSEP values. Therefore, the combined use of NIR spectroscopy and PLS2 or ANN calibration models allows determining the particle size distributions accurately. The results obtained by ANN or PLS2 are statistically similar.     

Effect of synthesis method variables on particle size in the preparation of homogeneous doped nano ZnO material

Homogeneous doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesised by the Pechini method. A statistical experimental design was used to study the effects of the synthesis method variables on the particle size. The variables were the molar ratios of the reagents and the calcination temperature. The results indicated that the calcination temperature was the only factor that had a significant effect on the particle size. The particle size of ZnO varied between 16 and 76 nm with calcination temperatures of 400–800 °C. The homogeneity was studied by the ICP-MS technique, and the powders were found to be highly homogeneous.     

A particle size distribution analysis of stressed HPLC column packing material

Summary A particle size distribution analysis has been completed on three different HPLC column packing materials including silica gel (Si60) and two bonded phases (RP8 and RP18). The stationary phases were subjected to 18 hours stress with 1 N or 3 N KOH and found to have quantitatively different distribution patterns initially, at 13 hours and finally at 18 hours although the average particle diameters for the Si60 and RP8 were the same or higher at 18 hours as initially. Thirteen hoursstress with sodium octanesulfonate, tetrabutylammonium phosphate and ammonium acetate at exaggerated conditions also resulted in distributional changes with the Si60 and RP8 decreasing in average particle diameter when exposed to ammonium acetate and tetrabutylammonium stressing respectively.     

悬浮液进样原子吸收光谱分析中样品的粒径效应

研究了悬浮液进样 FAAS和悬浮液进样 GFAAS中样品粒径效应。实验表明 ,悬浮液颗粒粒径 <30 μm能满足石墨炉原子化测定需要 ,而火焰原子化要求在粒径≤ 5 μm的前提下 ,再根据待测元素的性质选择合适的火焰类型 ,方能达到较满意的测定效果。     

A high-performance and simple method for rapid and simultaneous determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers

A novel idea on the basis of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) film was developed to simulate the chromatographic separation, which was able to rapidly and simultaneously detect dihydroxybenzene isomers based on their different oxidation potentials and corresponding currents. The mechanism involved in the recognition and isolation of the dihydroxybenzene isomers was explored and confirmed by UV spectra and density functional theory. It was proven that the current method for simultaneously detecting and isolating dihydroxybenzene isomers was ascribed to the priority of porphyrin film to induce oxidation of the three kinds of isomers, and the priority depends to a large extent on the different tendencies of dihydroxybenzene to interact with the peripheral hydroxyl group and with the extended π-conjugated ring of porphyrin. Most important of all, porphyrin functionalized CNTs film allows for the formation of well-defined interface and provides an advantageous and high-performance platform for the simultaneous determination and isolation of dihydroxybenzene isomers.     

A simple miniaturised photometrical method for rapid determination of nitrate and nitrite in freshwater

A rapid, simple miniaturised photometrical method was developed for the determination of nitrate and/or nitrite in freshwater samples. All procedures, including sample buffering, reduction by copperised cadmium granules, colour development and absorbance determination, were completed in a 96-well microplate. The factors governing the nitrate reduction and its recovery were investigated in detail, and the optimised analysing conditions were established. Nitrate was quantitatively reduced by copperised cadmium granules with a high reduction efficiency (96.59 ± 0.96%). The proposed method gave a linear calibration ranging from 0.01 to 1.50 mg L⁻¹ for NO₂⁻-N and 0.02 to 1.50 mg L⁻¹ for NO₃⁻-N. The detection limits for nitrite and nitrate were 2 and 4 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The proposed method allowed at least 48 samples to be simultaneously analysed in duplicate, with good precision, within 90 min for nitrate and 30 min for nitrite, and was successfully applied to actual freshwater sample analysis with a recovery of 98.02 ± 1.04% for nitrite and 99.72 ± 1.39% for nitrate. This method produced accurate results comparable to standard methods, provided a much higher sample throughput than conventional methods and could be routinely used in actual freshwater sample monitoring.     

A simple and rapid method for determination of boron in fast breeder reactor components

The present paper describes a new analytical method developed for direct determination of boron in steels using radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometer. “Single parameter alternative method” technique has been used to optimize the various experimental conditions of glow discharge plasma such as forward power, gas pressure inside plasma chamber, pre-integration time, and integration time. Different emission lines for boron were studied and inter element interference effect is also discussed in the paper. A complete statistical analysis has been done to validate the developed method. A RSD of less than ±5% is achieved for boron in the range of 0.0010–0.020% in Steels using this method.     

A simple method for the spectrophotometric determination of atrazine using p-aminoacetophenone and its application in environmental and biological samples

A spectrophotometric method is described for the determination of the widely used herbicide, atrazine. Atrazine reacts with pyridine and forms a quaternary halide which adds a hydroxyl group in the presence of alkali to form a carbinol base. The heterocyclic ring of the resulting carbinol breaks forming a glutaconic dialdehyde which is subsequently coupled with p-aminoacetophenone (PMP) to form a yellow orange polymethine dye. Beer's law is obeyed in the range 0.16–1.6 ppm of atrazine at 470 nm. The method is sensitive and free from the interference of most of the foreign species. The analytical parameters have been optimised and the method has been successfully applied to the determination of atrazine in various environmental and biological samples.     

A simple,low-cost and rapid contrasting method for screening the particle size and monodispersity of silica microparticles by optical bright field microscopy

Silica gel microparticles can be contrasted for optical bright field microscopy by high quality china ink. This method allows the rapid screening of particle size and size distribution of Stöber silica particles. The theoretical resolution power achievable by optical microscopy can be practically reached for the first time for characterizing colorless microparticles. Costs and time for screening charges of synthesized silica particles could be reduced significantly by this method.     

A simple routine method for the rapid determination of organic and inorganic carbon in oil shale

A procedure for the rapid determination of organic and inorganic carbon in oil shale samples is proposed. Oil shale samples are decomposed in an oxygen stream at three different temperatures (450°C, 550°C, 900°C). The resulting CO₂ is determined after absorption in 0.02 M NaOH in a relative conductometric detection unit. Temperature. differentiated carbon analysis was used to establish the decomposition temperatures of the organic material (450°C) and the inorganic fractions (550°C and 900°C). The method was tested for samples weighing 2–4 mg. Oil shales with organic carbon contents of 8–20% were determined with good reproducibility (r.s.d. 0.4–1.3%). The accuracy was tested with a standard oil shale sample. One determination requires 8 min.     

A novel infrared spectrophotometric method for the rapid determination of petroleum hydrocarbons, and animal and vegetable oils in water

To determine the concentrations of total oils,petroleum hydrocarbons,and animal and vegetable oils in water,the conventional analytical methods involve two scans as well as a step of magnesium silicate adsorption to remove the animal and vegetable oils in water samples.In this study,a novel analytical method was developed to determine the above oils in wastewater samples through just one scan—the concentration of animal and vegetable oils,and that of total oils were determined by measuring the absorbance of the >C=O bond in the peak area between 1750 cm and 1735 cm^-1,and of the C-H bond at 2930 cm^-1,2960 cm,and 3030 cm^-1,respectively.The concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons was then calculated by subtracting the concentration of animal and vegetable oils from that of total oils.Compared with the well-known analytical method GB/T 16488-1996,the novel approach displayed similar accuracy in the quantitative determination of oils in wastewater samples,but significantly reduced material cost and operation time.     

Relationship between the particle size distribution of commercial fully porous and superficially porous high-performance liquid chromatography column packings and their chromatographic performance

The separation efficiency and kinetics of several commercial HPLC particle types (both fully porous and superficially porous) have been investigated using a pharmaceutical weakly basic N-containing compound as a test molecule. A strong trend between the particle size distribution (PSD) of the particles and the typically employed “goodness of packing”-parameters was observed. The relative standard deviation of the PSD of the tested particles ranged between 0.05 and 0.2, and in this range, a near linear relationship between the A-term constant, the h_min-value and the minimal separation impedance was found. The experimental findings hence confirm the recent observations regarding the relationship between the narrow PSD of the recently commercialized porous-shell particles and their superior efficiency and kinetic performance. The outcome also suggests that the performance of the current generation of fully porous particle columns could be significantly improved if the PSD of these particles could be reduced.     

A rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) in freshwater

A simple and rapid spectrophotometric method is proposed for the determination of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) in freshwater samples. In this method, TEP reacts with excess of alcian blue solution yielding a low solubility dye-TEP complex. After centrifugation, the concentration of the remaining dye in the supernatant was determined at 602 nm and its concentration was related to the concentration of TEP in freshwater. The effect of alcian blue concentration from 1.5×10⁻³ to 9.0×10⁻³% (m/v), solution pH from 2.5 to 6.9 and stirring time from 20 to 120 s on the analytical curve was investigated. Under the optimum conditions established, such as alcian blue concentration of 3.0×10⁻³% (m/v); pH of 4.0 (0.2 mol l⁻¹ acetate buffer solution) and stirring time of 1 min, the analytical curve was linear from 0.50 to 10 μg ml⁻¹ (A=0.34−0.037[GX]; r²=0.9999; where A is the absorbance and [GX] the gum xanthan concentration in μg ml⁻¹) with a detection limit of 0.10 μg ml⁻¹. The recovery of TEP (as gum xanthan) for two samples ranged from 95.3 to 108 and the relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) were lower than 0.8% for gum xanthan solutions at concentrations of 1.0 and 1.5 μg ml⁻¹ (n=8). The results obtained for TEP in freshwater samples using the proposed spectrophotometric method and those obtained using a literature method are in agreement at the 95% confidence level and within an acceptable range of error.     

A particle size distribution analysis of used HPLC column packing material

Summary Particle size distribution analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out on eight used HPLC columns containing either irregular silica based, spherical silica based or spherical polymer based packing material. Particle size distributions of the used irregular silica based columns were at least bimodat at the outlet ends and either biomodal or log-normal at the inlet ends with regular progressions between the two extremes through the column. A new ODS-3 column showed log-normal size distributions from the inlet to the outlet ends. Spherical silica based column particle size distributions showed distinct shoulders on large central distribution peaks in most column sections with various degrees of shoulder erosion. The spherical resin based column showed a broader inlet particle size distribution progressing to a very narrow outlet distribution. SEMs of both irregular and spherical silica based columns revealed a larger number of undersized particles and debris at the outlet than inlet ends which could have resulted from stationary phase degradation, since this was not seen in the new ODS-3 column. While several SEMs of the spherical silica based columns revealed hollow spheres and twins, the spherical resin based column packing showed stress fractures or wrinkle lines resulting from use or dehydration.Presented in part as a poster at the HPLC '92, 16^th Symposium on CLC, Baltimore, MD, USA.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric method for rapid determination of trace formaldehyde in foods

A simple and sensitive kinetic-spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of ultra trace amount of formaldehyde in food samples. The method was based on the oxidation of rhodamine B (RhB) by potassium bromate in sulfuric acid medium (formaldehyde as catalyst). The reaction was monitored by measuring the decrease in absorbance of the dye at 515 nm after 6 min. The developed method allowed the determination of formaldehyde in the range of 10–100 μg L⁻¹ with good precision, accuracy and the detection limit was down to 2.90 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviations for the determination of 10 and 60 μg L⁻¹ of formaldehyde were 3.0% and 1.9% (n = 10), respectively. The method was found to be sensitive, selective and was applied to the determination of formaldehyde in foods with satisfactory results.