Flow-injection spectrofluorimetric determination of ethylenethiourea

A flow-injection configuration is proposed for the fluorimetric determination of ethylenethiourea. The procedure is based on the inhibitory effect of ethylenethiourea on the oxidation of thiamine to thiochrome by mercury(II). A linear calibration graph was obtained between 0.1 and 2.0 μg mL^–1, with a sampling rate of 40 samples per hour and a relative standard deviation of about 1.11%. The usefulness of the method was tested for the determination of ethylenethiourea residues in water, milk, potatoes, pear, grape and apple. Received: 26 January 1998 / Revised: 6 April 1998 / Accepted: 9 April 1998     

Flow-injection spectrofluorimetric determination of ethylenethiourea

A flow-injection configuration is proposed for the fluorimetric determination of ethylenethiourea. The procedure is based on the inhibitory effect of ethylenethiourea on the oxidation of thiamine to thiochrome by mercury(II). A linear calibration graph was obtained between 0.1 and 2.0 μg mL^–1, with a sampling rate of 40 samples per hour and a relative standard deviation of about 1.11%. The usefulness of the method was tested for the determination of ethylenethiourea residues in water, milk, potatoes, pear, grape and apple. Received: 26 January 1998 / Revised: 6 April 1998 / Accepted: 9 April 1998     

Potentiometric back-titration of sulfate ion using a tetraphenylborate derivative as a titrant and a titrant-sensitive plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode

A potentiometric back-titration method for the determination of sulfate ions using a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode without added ion-exchanger is described. A solution of a derivative of tetraphenylborate is used as titrant. The method is based on the ion association between an excess of 2-aminoperimidinium added to the sulfate containing sample and the tetraphenylborate derivative in the titrant. The titration end-point is detected as a sharp potential change due to an increase in the concentration of the free tetraphenylborate derivative at the equivalence point. The sharpness of the titration curve at the end-point is compared for two tetraphenylborate derivatives. Good results are obtained with a solution of sodium tetrakis (4-fluorophenyl) borate. Received: 9 March 1998 / Revised: 21 April 1998 / Accepted: 25 April 1998     

Preconcentration of some metals using metalfix chelamine resin prior to ICP-AES analysis

Preconcentration and separation of Ni, Pb and Cd have been investigated using the metalfix chelamine resin prior to inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) under various experimental conditions. The recoveries of the analytes obtained with 95% confidence level were 92 ± 1% for Ni, 100 ± 4% for Pb and 93 ± 3% for Cd. Received: 5 February 1998 / Revised: 30 April 1998 / Accepted: 12 June 1998     

Quantitative surface analysis by Auger and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Recent developments in quantitative surface analysis by Auger (AES) and x-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies are reviewed and problems relating to a more accurate quantitative interpretation of AES/XPS experimental data are discussed. Special attention is paid to consideration of elementary physical processes involved and influence of multiple scattering effects on signal line intensities. In particular, the major features of core-shell ionization by electron impact, Auger transitions and photoionization are considered qualitatively and rigorous approaches used to calculate the respective transition probabilities are analysed. It is shown that, in amorphous and polycrystalline targets, incoherent scattering of primary and signal Auger and photoelectrons can be described by solving analytically a kinetic equation with appropriate boundary conditions. The analytical results for the angular and energy distribution, the mean escape depth, and the escape probability as a function of depth of origin of signal electrons as well as that for the backscattering factor in AES are in good agreement with the corresponding Mote Carlo simulation data. Methods for inelastic background subtraction, surface composition determination and depth-profile reconstructions by angle-resolved AES/XPS are discussed. Examples of novel techniques based on x-ray induced photoemission are considered.     

Calculation of the polychlorinated terphenyl congener distribution and gas chromatographic retention behavior of selected single standards on four stationary liquid phases

The distribution of the 8557 theoretically possible structures of polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) over the different degrees of chlorination and basic terphenyl backbones has been calculated and is presented in detail. As congeners missing chlorine atoms in an ortho position are suspected to be as noxious to organisms as dioxins, the number of these congeners is specified as well. The gas chromatographic retention behavior of 14 PCT single standards is studied on four stationary liquid phases for capillary columns (HP-Ultra 1, HP-5MS, RSL-300 and Polycarbonate) relative to 2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′-heptachlorobiphenyl and shows no consequent separation of PCT in terms of the degree of chlorination. Individual congeners have been assessed for their suitability as internal standards in PCT analysis. Received: 16 January 1998 / Revised: 3 April 1998 / Accepted: 7 April 1998     

Photoelectron imaging of helium droplets doped with Xe and Kr atoms

Helium droplets doped with Xe and Kr atoms were photoionized by using VUV synchrotron radiation from the Advanced Light Source and the resulting photoelectron images were measured. A wide range of He droplet sizes, photon energies, and dopant pick-up conditions was investigated. Significant ionization of dopants was observed at 21.6 eV, the absorption maximum of 2p (1)P1 electronic excited state of He droplets, indicating an indirect ionization mechanism via excitation transfer. The photoelectron images and spectra reveal multiple photoionization mechanisms and pathways for the photoelectrons to escape the droplet. Specifically, they show sets of sharp peaks assigned to two mechanisms for Penning ionization of the dopant by He* in which the photoelectrons leave the droplet with no detectable energy loss, a broad, intense feature representing electrons that undergo significant energy loss, and a small amount of ultraslow electrons that may result from electron trapping at the droplet surface. The droplet-size dependence of the broad, intense feature suggests the development of the conduction band edge in the largest droplets seen here ((N) approximately 250,000).     

Enhanced stability of RIfS-sensors for the determination of hydrocarbons in water by covalent immobilisation

This paper presents two different methods to enhance the stability of the bonding between thin polymer layers and glass substrates. With these stabilised polymer layers the detection of hydrocarbons in waste waters using Reflectometric Interference Spectrometry (RIfS) is possible. The sensors could be used between 30 and 60 days in continuous measurements. In calibration measurements with regular fuel dissolved in deionised water, all sensors showed a linear correlation between the signal and the concentration in the examined range from 0 to 50 mg/L. A detection limit of 1.95 mg/L regular gasoline in water (for RTV 3140 layers) could be found. River water as matrix for regular fuel caused no changes in the response behaviour of the sensors, only an off-set value occurred. Even raw aqueous phases from industrial interceptors could be investigated without any pre-treatment. Received: 13 February 1998 / Revised: 14 April 1998 / Accepted: 18 April 1998     

The influence of molecular gases and analytes on excitation mechanisms in atmospheric microwave sustained argon plasmas

The effect of introducing molecular compounds into argon plasmas has been studied using an expanding microwave induced plasma at atmospheric pressure. Besides the use of optical emission spectroscopy (OES), also the time dependent behavior of line intensities during power interruptions has been studied. From the measurements it is found that even an injection of small amounts of molecular compounds (> 0.5%) leads to important changes in excitation mechanisms in the plasma. It is also found that in the recombination zone downstream in the plasma an excitation mechanism which is independent of the electron density, e.g. excitation transfer from metastables or Penning ionization, must be responsible for the excitation of analytes. Received: 12 February 1998 / Revised: 14 April 1998 / Accepted: 17 April 1998     

The influence of molecular gases and analytes on excitation mechanisms in atmospheric microwave sustained argon plasmas

The effect of introducing molecular compounds into argon plasmas has been studied using an expanding microwave induced plasma at atmospheric pressure. Besides the use of optical emission spectroscopy (OES), also the time dependent behavior of line intensities during power interruptions has been studied. From the measurements it is found that even an injection of small amounts of molecular compounds (> 0.5%) leads to important changes in excitation mechanisms in the plasma. It is also found that in the recombination zone downstream in the plasma an excitation mechanism which is independent of the electron density, e.g. excitation transfer from metastables or Penning ionization, must be responsible for the excitation of analytes. Received: 12 February 1998 / Revised: 14 April 1998 / Accepted: 17 April 1998     

Fluorescence immunoassay of α-1-fetoprotein with hemin as a mimetic enzyme labelling reagent

A novel mimetic enzyme immunoassay to determine α-1-fetoprotein (AFP) in solution was developed. Hemin, a horseradish peroxidase substitute, was used as a labelling reagent to catalyze the reaction of p-hydroxyphenylacetic (HPA) and hydrogen peroxide in alkaline media. In the competitive immunoassay, monoclonal anti-AFP antibody was coated on a 96-well plate (polystyrene) and a constant amount of hemin-labelled AFP and a known volume of test solution were added. Non-labelled and hemin-labelled AFP compete for binding to the plate-bound antibody. After the immunoreaction, the immunochemically adsorbed hemin-AFP conjugate moiety was determined by measuring the fluorescence produced in a solution containing HPA and hydrogen peroxide. The calibration graph for AFP was linear over the range 0 ∼ 380 ng/ well with a detection limit of 1.0 ng/well. The method has been applied to determine the AFP in human blood serum with satisfactory results. Received: 21 January 1998 / Revised: 1 April 1998 / Accepted: 4 April 1998     

Low-energy (⩽ 2 eV) electron escape depths of tetracene films

It has been shown that the real escape depth L of low-energy (? 2 eV) electrons determined in homogeneous tetracene films (obtained by vacuum evaporation on cooled substrate at 120 K) does not exceed 6–10 A. For such small L values photoemission should be considered as essentially a surface phenomenon since the energy distribution of emitted photoelectrons substantially depends on energetic and structural peculiarities of the near-surface molecules of the crystal.     

Ultra-trace analysis of nitrite in food samples by flow injection with spectrophotometric detection

A flow injection system with spectrophotometric detection is proposed for the determination of low levels of nitrite based on its catalytic effect on the oxidation of gallocyanine by bromate in acidic media. Various analytical parameters such as acidity, reagent concentration, flow rate, sample size, time, temperature, and interfering species were studied. The calibration graph was linear for 0.020–0.500 μg/mL of nitrite. The method is successfully applied to food samples. Up to 30 ± 5 samples can be analyzed per hour. Received: 8 April 1998 / Revised: 3 June 1998 / Accepted: 31 July 1998     

Ultra-trace analysis of nitrite in food samples by flow injection with spectrophotometric detection

A flow injection system with spectrophotometric detection is proposed for the determination of low levels of nitrite based on its catalytic effect on the oxidation of gallocyanine by bromate in acidic media. Various analytical parameters such as acidity, reagent concentration, flow rate, sample size, time, temperature, and interfering species were studied. The calibration graph was linear for 0.020–0.500 μg/mL of nitrite. The method is successfully applied to food samples. Up to 30 ± 5 samples can be analyzed per hour. Received: 8 April 1998 / Revised: 3 June 1998 / Accepted: 31 July 1998     

Interference with ammonium determination by the indophenol-type reaction of salicylate and dichloroisocyanurate

Two widely accepted indophenol-type reactions with ammonium, which use phenol/hypochlorite and salicylate/dichloroisocyanurate as reagents, were compared for possible interferences with other naturally occurring nitrogen-containing compounds. Unlike the first method, the second showed strong interference from all amino acids and peptides tested. As much as 57 mole % of threonine and 49 mole % of serine were degraded to ammonium. Pyrimidines, purines, nucleosides and urea were negative in both reactions. The wide distribution and importance of free and combined amino acids in naturally occurring waters favours the application of the classical phenol/ hypochlorite reaction with ammonium rather than the modified salicylate/dichloroisocyanurate reaction. Received: 20 April 1998 / Revised: 28 May 1998 / Accepted: 5 Juni 1998     

Analysis of chlorine and other halogens by activation with photons and neutrons

The analysis of halogens in various matrices is described. Activation analysis with mainly high energy bremsstrahlung (PAA) and pile neutrons (NAA) was applied. In the case of chlorine, fast procedures were worked out requiring not more than 100 min for one determination. The particular problems of fluorine analysis are discussed. The described techniques were applied for the following cases: Determination of total chlorine resp. bromine in oil samples; determination of chlorine in wood, glasses and TiN powders; determination of iodine in ZnSe single crystals using instrumental photoactivation.The limits of detection are: (interference-free in μg/g) F: 0.03/–; Cl: 0.1/0.05; Br: 0.04/0.003 and I: 0.1/0.01 using PAA/NAA. Activation analysis, being independent upon the chemical status of the analyte and usually less affected by blank problems has been found to be a useful complement to conventional chemical analysis. Received: 28 February 199 / Revised: 14 April 1998 / Accepted: 18 April 1998     

Analysis of chlorine and other halogens by activation with photons and neutrons

The analysis of halogens in various matrices is described. Activation analysis with mainly high energy bremsstrahlung (PAA) and pile neutrons (NAA) was applied. In the case of chlorine, fast procedures were worked out requiring not more than 100 min for one determination. The particular problems of fluorine analysis are discussed. The described techniques were applied for the following cases: Determination of total chlorine resp. bromine in oil samples; determination of chlorine in wood, glasses and TiN powders; determination of iodine in ZnSe single crystals using instrumental photoactivation.The limits of detection are: (interference-free in μg/g) F: 0.03/–; Cl: 0.1/0.05; Br: 0.04/0.003 and I: 0.1/0.01 using PAA/NAA. Activation analysis, being independent upon the chemical status of the analyte and usually less affected by blank problems has been found to be a useful complement to conventional chemical analysis. Received: 28 February 199 / Revised: 14 April 1998 / Accepted: 18 April 1998     

FI spectrophotometric determination of Pd with DBOK-chlorophosphonazo

A flow injection method was developed for the determination of palladium, based on the reaction of palladium with DBOK-chlorophosphonazo with a detection limit of 0.07 μg/mL and a linear calibration range from 0.1 to 3.2 μg/mL of palladium. The reaction product has a maximum absorption at 630 nm. The method was applied to determine Pd²⁺ in catalysts and in anode mud samples. The relative error is less than 3% and the recovery of palladium is in the range 95% to 105% Received: 27 April 1998 / Revised: 24 August 1998 / Accepted: 26 August 1998     

FI spectrophotometric determination of Pd with DBOK-chlorophosphonazo

A flow injection method was developed for the determination of palladium, based on the reaction of palladium with DBOK-chlorophosphonazo with a detection limit of 0.07 μg/mL and a linear calibration range from 0.1 to 3.2 μg/mL of palladium. The reaction product has a maximum absorption at 630 nm. The method was applied to determine Pd²⁺ in catalysts and in anode mud samples. The relative error is less than 3% and the recovery of palladium is in the range 95% to 105% Received: 27 April 1998 / Revised: 24 August 1998 / Accepted: 26 August 1998     

Determination of 99Tc in bentonite clay samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method was developed for the determination of ⁹⁹Tc at low concentrations in clay samples. The chemical treatment of the samples prior to chemical separation and analysis comprised leaching with sulphuric acid/ sodium bromate. After leaching, pertechnetate was extracted with Alamine-336/chloroform and then back-extracted into nitric acid. Detection was carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ICP-MS. The instrumental detection limit was 0.45 pg/mL, which corresponds to 0.28 mBq/mL. With the use of a desolvating nebuliser, the detection limit was lowered by about a factor of five. The results were compared with a method using radiometric detection. Received: 16 April 1998 / Revised: 12 June 1998 / Accepted: 16 June 1998