Rapid Estimation of Thermodynamic Parameters and Vapor Pressures of Volatile Materials at Nanoscale

Non‐isothermal measurements of thermodynamic parameters and vapor pressures of low‐volatile materials are favored when time is a crucial factor to be considered, such as in the case of detection of hazardous materials. In this article, we demonstrate that optical absorbance spectroscopy can be used non‐isothermally to estimate the thermodynamic properties and vapor pressures of volatile materials with good accuracy. This is the first method to determine such parameters in nanoscale in just minutes. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is chosen because of its low melting temperature, which makes it impossible to determine its thermodynamic parameter by other rising‐temperature techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The well‐characterized vapor pressure of benzoic acid is used to calibrate the spectrometer in order to determine the vapor pressure of low‐volatile TNT. The estimated thermodynamic properties of both benzoic acid and TNT are in excellent agreement with the literature. The estimated vapor pressure of TNT is one order of magnitude larger than that determined isothermally using the same method. However, the values are still within the range reported in the literature. The data indicate the high potential for use of rising‐temperature absorbance spectroscopy in determining vapor pressures of materials at nanometer scale in minutes instead of hours or days.     

Thermogravimetric Study of Volatile Precursors For Chemical Thin Film Deposition. Estimation of vapor pressures and source temperatures

Normal pressure thermogravimetry (TG) measurements were used to study the sublimation behavior of several volatile metal compounds, used as metal precursors in thin film fabrication by chemical vapor phase methods, like atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The results indicated that dynamic TG measurements may be used to find correct source temperatures to be used in an ALD reactor: a good correlation between the source temperatures used in ALD and temperatures corresponding to mass losses of 10 and 50% in TG was verified. It was also found that isothermal TG measurements offer a simple way for the vapor pressure measurements which otherwise are not trivial for solids with only moderate volatility. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

CRTA for the thermoanalytical screening of volatile compounds

Quasi-equilibrium thermogravimetry (variant of CRTA) is utilized as a thermoanalytical screening method for volatile compounds, standard Q-derivatograph sample holders (platelike holder, open crucible, crucible with lid, and conical holder) were calibrated against the partial pressures of metal β-diketonate vapor (in sublimation and evaporation processes) in the range 0.0006–0.11 atm. The mathematical relationship between the vapor partial pressure, the holder construction, the vapor molecular mass, and the mutual diffusion coefficient of the gas was derived and considered. It is possible to obtain a roughp-T relationship for volatile compounds by using stabilized temperatures of sublimation (evaporation) processes in four pressure-calibrated sample holders.     

Thermal properties of hafnium(IV) and zirconium(IV) β-diketonates

Five volatile hafnium(IV) and zirconium(IV) β-diketonates: hafnium(IV) acetylacetonate, hafnium(IV) trifluoroacetylacetonate, hafnium(IV) pivaloyltrifluoroacetonate, hafnium(IV) 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dionate and zirconium(IV) 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dionate were obtained, purified and identified. Thermal behavior of solid compounds was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in helium atmosphere and in vacuum. DSC method was also used for definition of thermodynamic characteristics of melting processes. Using the static method with quartz membrane zero-manometer and the flow method the temperature dependencies of saturated vapor pressure for hafnium(IV) complexes was obtained. The standard thermodynamic characteristics ΔH _T⁰ and ΔS _T⁰ of sublimation and evaporation processes were calculated from the temperature dependences of saturated vapor pressure.     

Assessment of systematic errors in measurement of vapor pressures by thermogravimetric analysis

The present study explores the application of the diffusion limited evaporation theory to the estimation of vapor pressure from TG experimental data. A simplified method was developed to calculate the apparent values of the vapor pressure of pure substances from TG data, based on isothermal TG runs with crucibles having different surface areas available for evaporation. Antoine parameters are estimated through a numerical procedure based on a non-linear least square algorithm. The procedure also evaluates the substance diffusivity in nitrogen. The methodology developed might be used for a preliminary screening of the vapor pressure of pure compounds, due to the limited amounts of sample that are necessary and to the limited time frame required for the experimental runs. However, the estimation of diffusivity and vapor pressures values by the TG technique is possible with limited accuracy. Possible sources of error were thoroughly investigated and discussed.     

Measurement of vapor pressures and heats of sublimation of dicarboxylic acids using atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry

Vapor pressures of low volatility compounds are important parameters in several atmospheric processes, including the formation of new particles and the partitioning of compounds between the gas phase and particles. Understanding these processes is critical for elucidating the impacts of aerosols on climate, visibility, and human health. Dicarboxylic acids are an important class of compounds in the atmosphere for which reported vapor pressures often vary by more than an order of magnitude. In this study, atmospheric solids analysis probe mass spectrometry (ASAP-MS), a relatively new atmospheric pressure ionization technique, is applied for the first time to the measurement of vapor pressures and heats of sublimation of a series of dicarboxylic acids. Pyrene was also studied because its vapor pressures and heat of sublimation are relatively well-known. The heats of sublimation measured using ASAP-MS were in good agreement with published values. The vapor pressures, assuming an evaporation coefficient of unity, were typically within a factor of ～3 lower than published values made at similar temperatures for most of the acids. The underestimation may be due to diffusional constraints resulting from evaporation at atmospheric pressure. However, this study establishes that ASAP-MS is a promising new technique for such measurements.     

DSC by the TGA/SDTA851e Considering Mass Changes

DSC measurements in open pans are often disturbed by mass losses such as sublimation during melting or release of water during chemical reactions. By simultaneous DSC and TG measurements the DSC signal can be corrected. For this purpose, a temperature dependent calibration function has to be determined by which the SDTA signal from the TGA/SDTA851^e measuring cell can be converted into a heat flow curve (DSC). By this procedure, accurate heat of melting can be determined despite ongoing sublimation in open pans. This method is illustrated with reference of the melting of anthracene. Additionally, condensation reactions were investigated and analyzed by DSC/TG even under ambient pressure, knowing the heat of evaporation. Using phenol formaldehyde resins the influence of the presence or the release of volatile reaction products on the reaction rate and kinetic parameters were studied. In general, the method can be used to correct DSC curves for thermal effects related to mass change. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sublimation and Diffusion Kinetics of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Single Crystals by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

In this article, we report the in-situ nanoscale experimental measurement of sublimation rates, activation energy of sublimation, and diffusion coefficients of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) single crystals in air using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The crystals were prepared by slow evaporation at 5 °C using acetone-dissolved TNT. The mass loss was calculated by monitoring the shrinkage of the surface area of layered islands formed on the surface of the TNT crystals due to sublimation upon isothermal heating at temperatures below the melting point. The results suggest the sublimation process occurs via two-dimensional detachment of TNT molecules from the non-prominent facets on the crystal surface which imitates the nucleation and crystal growth process. Sublimation rates are one order of magnitude smaller than previously reported values. However, the calculated activation energy (112.15 ± 3.2 kJ/mol) and temperature-dependent sublimation rates agree well with the reported values for TNT thin films and microcrystals determined by UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microscopy (QCM) (90–141 kJ/mol). The average diffusion coefficient is (4.35 × 10^–6 m²/s) which is within the range of the reported theoretical values with an average of 5.59 × 10^–6 m²/s, and about 25% less than that determined using thermogravimetric analysis for powder TNT.     

Thermogravimetry as a screening tool for the estimation of the vapor pressures of pure compounds

A simplified approach was developed to estimate the vapor pressure of pure compounds from experimental data obtained by isothermal thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. A numerical procedure was developed to estimate the Antoine parameters of the substance by the analysis of isothermal TG data. The results of the experimental validations carried out evidenced that at least a preliminary estimation of vapour pressures of pure substances by the analysis of TG data is possible. The limited time and the reduced amounts of sample required for the experimental runs make the technique attractive with respect to the conventional and more accurate techniques for vapor pressure assessment.     

Vapor pressure, kinetics and enthalpy of sublimation of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)copper(II)

The kinetics of sublimation of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)copper(II), [Cu(tmhd)₂] was studied by non-isothermal and isothermal thermogravimetric (TG) methods. The non-isothermal sublimation activation energy values determined following the procedures of Friedman, Kissinger, and Flynn–Wall methods yielded 93 ± 5, 67 ± 2, and 73 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively and the isothermal sublimation activation energy was found to be 97 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹ over the temperature range of 375–435 K. The dynamic TG run proved the complex to be completely volatile and the equilibrium vapor pressure (p_e)_T of the complex over the temperature range of 375–435 K determined by a TG-based transpiration technique, yielded a value of 96 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ for its standard enthalpy of sublimation (Δ_subH°).     

Fate dynamics of environmentally exposed explosive traces

The chemical and physical fates of trace amounts (<50 μg) of explosives containing 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) were determined for the purpose of informing the capabilities of tactical trace explosive detection systems. From these measurements, it was found that the mass decreases and the chemical composition changes on a time scale of hours, with the loss mechanism due to a combination of sublimation and photodegradation. The rates for these processes were dependent on the explosive composition, as well as on both the ambient temperature and the size distribution of the explosive particulates. From these results, a persistence model was developed and applied to model the time dependence of both the mass and areal coverage of the fingerprints, resulting in a predictive capability for determining fingerprint fate. Chemical analysis confirmed that sublimation rates for TNT were depressed by UV (330-400 nm) exposure due to photochemically driven increases in the molecular weight, whereas the opposite was observed for RDX. No changes were observed for PETN upon exposure to UV radiation, and this was attributed to its low UV absorbance.     

Joint processing of experimental data on melting,evaporation, and sublimation processes

A technique and computational program for estimating thermodynamic parameters are developed for the joint processing of experimental data on the saturated vapor pressure in melting, evaporation, and sublimation processes. Computation is based on the equality of pressures over the solid and liquid phases at a melting temperature. The efficiency of the proposed technique is demonstrated by processing experimental data on the phase transitions of Sc(thd)₃.     

Electrical processes upon the evaporation and condensation of water and ice

A mathematical model of electrical processes that take place upon the evaporation of water and sublimation of ice, as well as the condensation growth of water and ice phases from vapor, is proposed. The transfer of the main charge carriers, such as (i) protons and hydroxide ions (in ice, water, and vapor and (ii) orientational defects (in ice and water) is taken into account. Upon the evaporation of water and the sublimation of ice, the first carriers are accumulated before the phase front and cause positive charges in the surface of the water and ice, while the second carriers are depleted (their concentration becomes lower than the thermodynamic value) and impart a negative charge to water and ice. The contribution of protons and hydroxide ions dominates at a low rate of evaporation. In the condensation of vapor and relevant growth of water and ice phases, the polarity of surface charge is opposite to that observed upon evaporation. The values of interfacial current and signs of phase charges upon sublimation, evaporation, and condensation that are predicted in the model comply with experimental data.     

Characterization of some essential oils and their key components: Thermoanalytical techniques

The present study was aimed at determining the kinetics of evaporation and establishing vapor pressure curves for both single and multi-component systems by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Essential oils (e.g. lavender oil, orange oil, clove oil and eucalyptus oil, etc.) are typically multi-component systems consisting of various volatile pure components (e.g. linalyl acetate, limonene, cinnamaldehyde, etc.) which resemble single component systems. In this study linalyl acetate was taken as the calibration compound for TG. The vapor pressure curves for the pure substances were plotted using TG and vapor pressure plots for clove oil and eucalyptus oil were constructed using DSC. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the pure compounds were compared to that of the multi-component systems to quantitatively and qualitatively measure the influence of different compounds on each other. The k-value from the vapor pressure data for linalyl acetate was calculated as 112006 Pa kg^0.5mol^0.5s^-1 m^-2 K^-0.5. The vapor pressure values were used to determine the Antoine constants using the SPSS 10.0 software.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

‘Aggregation-Induced Emission’ Active Mono-Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complex Mediated Efficient Vapor-Phase Detection of Dichloromethane

Selective vapor-phase detection of dichloromethane (DCM) is a challenge, it being a well-known hazardous volatile organic solvent in trace amounts. With this in mind, we have developed an ‘Aggregation-induced Emission’ (AIE) active mono-cyclometalated iridium(III)-based (M1) probe molecule, which detects DCM sensitively and selectively in vapor phase with a response time <30 s. It reveals a turn-on emission (non-emissive to intense yellow) on exposing DCM vapor directly to the solid M1. The recorded detection limit is 4.9 ppm for DCM vapor with pristine M1. The mechanism of DCM detection was explored. Moreover, the detection of DCM vapor by M1 was extended with a low-cost filter paper as the substrate. The DCM is weakly bound with the probe and can be removed with a mild treatment, so, notably, the probe can be reused.     

Vapor Pressure Determination by Pressure DSC

A new pressure DSC module (Mettler DSC27HP) and its abilities for vapor pressure determination in the range of subambient pressure to 7 MPa are presented. To compare the new to an established method, vapor pressures of caffeine, naphthalene and o-phenacetin have been determined both by pressure DSC and the Knudsen effusion cell method. These results, including the derived heats of evaporation and heats of sublimation, are compared to literature values. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Diffusion-controlled detection of trinitrotoluene: interior nanoporous structure and low highest occupied molecular orbital level of building blocks enhance selectivity and sensitivity

Development of simple, cost-effective, and sensitive fluorescence-based sensors for explosives implies broad applications in homeland security, military operations, and environmental and industrial safety control. However, the reported fluorescence sensory materials (e.g., polymers) usually respond to a class of analytes (e.g., nitroaromatics), rather than a single specific target. Hence, the selective detection of trace amounts of trinitrotoluene (TNT) still remains a big challenge for fluorescence-based sensors. Here we report the selective detection of TNT vapor using the nanoporous fibers fabricated by self-assembly of carbazole-based macrocyclic molecules. The nanoporosity allows for time-dependent diffusion of TNT molecules inside the material, resulting in further fluorescence quenching of the material after removal from the TNT vapor source. Under the same testing conditions, other common nitroaromatic explosives and oxidizing reagents did not demonstrate this postexposure fluorescence quenching; rather, a recovery of fluorescence was observed. The postexposure fluorescence quenching as well as the sensitivity is further enhanced by lowering the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of the nanofiber building blocks. This in turn reduces the affinity for oxygen, thus allocating more interaction sites for TNT. Our results present a simple and novel way to achieve detection selectivity for TNT by creating nanoporosity and tuning molecular electronic structure, which when combined may be applied to other fluorescence sensor materials for selective detection of vapor analytes.     

Studies on Energetic (Non) Compounds. Part 21: Preparation and thermal decomposition of ring substituted dimethyl anilinium bromides

Six isomeric dimethyl anilinium bromides (DMABr) have been prepared and characterized by elemental and spectroscopic studies. Thermal decomposition of these salts has been studied by TG and simultaneous TG-DTA techniques. Kinetic parameters have been evaluated from isothermal TG data using contracting area and contracting cube equations. The decomposition pathways have also been suggested which involves simultaneous sublimation (at lower temperature) and dissociative vaporization/decomposition (at higher temperature). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy of explosive 2,4-dinitroanisole using modified silver nanoparticles

2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN) is being used as a replacement for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) as a less-sensitive melt-cast medium explosive than TNT. In this paper, we studied the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis of DNAN using Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) modified by L-cysteine methyl ester hydrochloride. Due to the formation of a Meisenheimer complex between DNAN and the modifier, the modified AgNPs can detect 20 μg/L (0.2 ng) and 0.1 mg/L (1 ng) DNAN in deionized water and aged tap water, respectively. Three other chemicals (L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and L-cysteine ethyl ester hydrochloride) were used as AgNPs modifiers to study the mechanism of the SERS of DNAN. It was confirmed that the amino group of L-cysteine methyl ester hydrochloride was the active group and that the methyl ester group significantly contributed to the high SERS sensitivity of DNAN. In order to further test the mechanism of Meisenheimer complex formation, the effect of anions and cations present in natural water on the SERS of DNAN was studied. It was found that CO(3)(2-), Cl(-), and K(+) at 100 mg/L did not negatively affect the SERS of 10 mg/L DNAN, while SO(4)(2-), Na(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+) at 100 mg/L significantly quenched the SERS of 10 mg/L DNAN. The negative effect of the bivalent cations could be offset by SO(4)(2-).     

Sublimation measurements of pharmaceutical compounds by isothermal thermogravivletry

Procedures for measuring sublimation rates of pharmaceutical compounds by isothermal thermogravimetry are discussed. Experimental data was obtained using the Mettler TA4000 thermogravimetric system. The sublimation rate is measured directly from the mean weight loss per unit time in the linear region of the monitored TG profile at a set isothermal temperature. This data when fitted to the Arrhenius equation yields the sublimation enthalpy. For the benzoic acid reference, the enthalpy so calculated is 99% of the value obtained from direct vacuum TG measurements. Thermal degradation in the solid state or pre-melting can effect a departure from the characteristic linear mass loss-time sublimative profile. Data pertaining to several established Merck drugs is discussed. Examples where loss of residual solvent, onset of thermal degradation and pre-melting phenomena affect the measurement, are presented.