Study of ion transport processes in soils by radioabsorption method

The transport processes of Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺ and HPO ₄ ²⁻ ions were studied in soils by radioabsorption method. The effective diffusion coefficients varied in the interval of 10⁻¹⁶–10⁻¹⁰ m²s⁻¹. The effective diffusion coefficient of Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions increased by several orders of magnitude as a result of the addition of a complex forming agent.     

Coulomb explosion dynamics of N2O in intense laser-field: Identification of new two-body and three-body fragmentation pathways

The Coulomb explosion process of N₂O in an intense laser-field (∼5 PW/cm²) has been investigated by the high-resolution time-of-flight (TOF) spectroscopy. Six two-body explosion pathways involving the NO⁺, NO²⁺, N₂ ⁺ molecular ions have been securely identified from the momentum-scaled TOF spectra of the fragment ions. Assuming a linear geometry, three-body explosion pathways were investigated by sequential and concerted explosion models. When the concerted model is adopted, the observed momentum distributions of six atomic ion channels; N⁺, N²⁺, N³⁺, O⁺, O²⁺ and O³⁺, were well fitted using the Gaussian momentum distribution with the optimized bond elongation factor of 2.2(3). From the yields of individual Coulomb explosion pathways determined by the fit, the abundance of the parent ions, N₂O^z+ (z=2–8), prior to the two- body and three-body explosion processes was found to have a smooth distribution with a maximum at z∼3.     

Preparation and ion-exchange properties of zirconium tungstoarsenate

A new inorganic ion-exchanger, zirconium tugnstoarsenate, has been synthesized which has been characterized by chemical analysis, thermogravimetry, X-ray and infrared spectroscopy. The ion exchanger has been found to be stable in acids and neutral salt solutions. The K_d values for 30 metal ions have been determined at pH 3–4 which show that the exchanger has high affinity for UO ₂ ²⁺ , ZrO²⁺, Cs⁺ and Tl⁺ ions. The variation of K_d for a number of metal ions as a function of concentration of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate has been investigated to elucidate the probable exchange mechanism and to work out conditions for elution. Some binary separations, viz. Sr²⁺−Cs⁺, Sr²⁺−Rb⁺, Sr²⁺−Y³⁺, Fe³⁺−Al³⁺, Fe³⁺−Zn²⁺ and Zn²⁺−Hg²⁺ in trace amounts have been carried out on the column of the exchanger which demonstrate the utility of the exchanger in radionalytical and analytical chemistry.     

Analytical application of polyurethane foam functionalized with quinolin-8-ol for preconcentration and determination of trace metal ions in wastewater

Quinolin-8-ol-bonded polyurethane foam (Ox-PUF) was synthesized by coupling the polyurethane foam matrix with oxine through an azo (-N=N-) group. The chromatographic retention behavior of Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Al³⁺ onto the Ox-PUF was studied. The extraction of Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Al³⁺ was accomplished within 15–20 min at pH ranges of 1–4, 4–6, and 6–12, respectively. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption of tested metal ions onto Ox-PUF have been studied. The average values of ΔH, ΔS, ΔG; k ₁, k ₋₁, k′, and t _1/2 at 298 K were −28.7 kJ/mol, 210.1 J/(mol K), −6.74 kJ/mol, 0.095, 0.01, 0.113, and 7.184 min, respectively. The sorption capacities of the Ox-PUF were 0.16, 0.07, and 0.59 mmol/g for Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Al³⁺, correspondingly. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the preconcentration and removal of tested metal ions from wastewater. Recoveries between 80 and 99% were obtained (RSD ∼ 7). The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Galvanostatic investigation of electrochemical processes at the C/RbCu4Cl3I2 interface

The kinetics of electrochemical processes at a vitreous carbon electrode in contact with the solid electrolyte RbCu₄Cl₃I₂ has been investigated. In the range of potentials from zero up to the decomposition potential of the electrolyte (0.57 V), the rate of the reversible electrode reaction Cu⁺–e^–↔Cu²⁺ is controlled by slow diffusion of the electronic defects (Cu²⁺ ions or holes) in the electrolyte. The diffusion coefficient of these defects is equal to 1.5×10^–8 cm² s^–1. The exchange current density of the electrode reaction is equal to 20×10^–6 A cm^–2. Electronic Publication     

Studies on phosphatidylserine by tandem quadrupole and multiple stage quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization: Structural characterization and the fragmentation processes

Low-energy CAD product-ion spectra of various molecular species of phosphatidylserine (PS) in the forms of [M−H]⁻ and [M−2H+Alk]⁻ in the negative-ion mode, as well as in the forms of [M+H]⁺, [M+Alk]⁺, [M−H+2Alk]⁺, and [M−2H+3Alk]⁺ (where Alk=Li, Na) in the positive-ion mode contain rich fragment ions that are applicable for structural determination. Following CAD, the [M−H]⁻ ion of PS undergoes dissociation to eliminate the serine moiety (loss of C₃H₅NO₂) to give a [M−H−87]⁻ ion, which equals to the [M−H]⁻ ion of a phoshatidic acid (PA) and give rise to a MS³-spectrum that is identical to the MS²-spectrum of PA. The major fragmentation process for the [M−2H+Alk]⁻ ion of PS arises from primary loss of 87 to give rise to a [M−2H+Alk−87]⁻ ion, followed by loss of fatty acid substituents as acids (R_xCO₂H, x=1,2) or as alkali salts (e. g., R_xCO₂Li, x=1,2). These fragmentations result in a greater abundance of [M−2H+Alk−87−R₂CO₂H]⁻ than [M−2H+Alk−87−R₁CO₂H]⁻ and a greater abundance of [M−2H+Alk−87−R₂CO₂Li]⁻ than [M−2H+Alk−87−R₁CO₂Li]⁻; while further dissociation of the [M−2H+Alk−87−R_{2(or 1)}CO₂Li]⁻ ions gives a preferential formation of the carboxylate anion at sn-1 (R₁CO₂⁻) over that at sn-2 (R₂CO₂⁻). Other major fragmentation process arises from differential loss of the fatty acid substituents as ketenes (loss of R_x′CH=CO, x=1,2). This results in a more prominent [M−2H+Alk−R₂′CH=CO]⁻ ion than [M−2H+Alk−R₁′CH=CO]⁻ ion. Ions informative for structural characterization of PS are of low abundance in the MS²-spectra of both the [M+H]⁺ and the [M+Alk]⁺ ions, but are abundant in the MS³-spectra. The MS²-spectrum of the [M+Alk]⁺ ion contains a unique ion corresponding to internal loss of a phosphate group probably via the fragmentation processes involving rearrangement steps. The [M−H+2Alk]⁺ ion of PS yields a major [M−H+2Alk−87]⁺ ion, which is equivalent to an alkali adduct ion of a monoalkali salt of PA and gives rise to a greater abundance of [M−H+2Alk−87−R₁CO₂H]⁺ than [M−H+2Alk−87−R₂CO₂H]⁺. Similarly, the [M−2H+3Alk]⁺ ion of PS also yields a prominent [M−2H+3Alk−87]⁺ ion, which undergoes consecutive dissociation processes that involve differential losses of the two fatty acyl substituents. Because all of the above tandem mass spectra contain several sets of ion pairs involving differential losses of the fatty acid substituents as ketenes or as free fatty acids, the identities of the fatty acyl substituents and their positions on the glycerol backbone can be easily assigned by the drastic differences in the abundances of the ions in each pair.     

Application of 2-(octylsulphanyl)benzoic acid as Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> selective ionophore in hybrid membrane system

A solution of 2-(octylsulphanyl)benzoic acid in 1,2-dichloroethane was used as a liquid membrane for selective pertraction of Pb²⁺ cations. Transport processes were carried out in a multi-membrane hybrid system (MHS) consisting of two cation-exchange membranes (CEM) and a flowing liquid membrane (FLM) in the following order: CEM | FLM | CEM. The liquid membrane phase was dehydrated continuously using a pervaporation method (PV). The system was capable of transporting Pb²⁺ ions selectively from a multi-cation aqueous solution composed of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ nitrates. A comparative study of the carrier efficiency under various feed pH conditions was performed. It was found that the carrier exhibited sufficient selectivity and transport efficiency under a broad range of operational conditions, with a maximum transport rate of Pb²⁺ ions attaining the value of (1.09 ± 0.03) × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² s⁻¹ and the selectivity coefficient of up to 40.     

Voltammetric study of metal ions binding by biindolizine heterocyclophanes and their acyclic analogues

The binding of ions Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, (group I), Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, Ga³⁺ (group II), Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺ (group III) ions, Ba²⁺ and paraquat by heterocyclophanes containing biindolizine and quinoxaline fragments connected by 3,6,9-trioxaundecane and 5,8,11,14,17-pentaoxageneicosane spacers, and also their acyclic analogues, in the acetonitrile-0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄ is studied by cyclic voltammetry. A conclusion is drawn that the ions of the group I are not bound by these compounds; the paraquat is not bound by heterocyclophane with the 5,8,11,14,17-pentaoxageneicosan spacers. For ions of the group II, reversible redox-switchable binding by the macrocycles with the 3,6,9-trioxaundecane and 5,8,11,14,17-pentaoxageneicosan spacers is observed: the initial compounds show the binding; their radical cations and dications do not. The binding of the ions of the group III and Ba²⁺ is determined by the macrocycles’ size. In particular, these ions are bound not only by the heterocyclophane with 3,6,9-trioxaundecane spacers but also by its radical cation or dication. The binding results in the corresponding dication stabilization. The heterocyclophane with the 5,8,11,14,17-pentaoxageneicosan spacers demonstrates the redox-switchable binding of Ca²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions; no effect of Ba²⁺ ions on the cyclic voltammograms of this heterocyclophane was observed. In the ternary system “heterocyclophane with 3,6,9-trioxaundecane spacers + ions of the group II (Al³⁺, Ga³⁺) + ions of the group III (Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺)” either primary binding of the group III ion Pb2+ or concurrent binding of the ions of the group II and the group III, with the system’s reversible redox-switching from one metal complex to another, was observed.     

Determination of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions in UO2, ThO2 powders and sintered (Th,U)O2 pellets by ion chromatography

An ion chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of traces of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni^2+, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺ in UO₂, ThO₂ powders and sintered (Th,U)O₂ pellets. This new method utilizes poly-(butadiene-maleic acid) (PBDMA) coated silica cation exchange column and mixed functionality column of anion and cation exchange to achieve the separation of alkali, alkaline earths and transition metal ions, respectively. It involves matrix separation after sample dissolution by solvent extraction with TBP (tri butyl phosphate)-TOPO (tri octyl phosphine oxide)/CCl₄. Interference of transition metal ions in the determination of alkali, alkaline earth metal ions are removed by using pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) in the tartaric acid mobile phase. Mobile phase composition is optimized for the base line separation of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. Linear calibration graphs in the range 0.01–20 μg mL⁻¹ were obtained with regression coefficients better than 0.999. The respective relative standard deviations were also determined. Recoveries of the spiked samples are within ±10% of the expected value. The developed method is authenticated by comparison with certified standards of UO₂ and ThO₂ powders.     

Diffusion with hydrolysis and ion association in aqueous solutions of beryllium sulfate

Taylor dispersion is used to measure mutual diffusion coefficients for aqueous solutions of beryllium sulfate at concentrations from 0.005 to 1 mol-L^–1 at 25°C. Least-squares analysis of the dispersion profiles shows that diffusion of the partially hydrolyzed salt produces a small additional flow of sulfuric acid, about 0.04 mol sulfuric acid per mole of total beryllium sulfate. Ternary diffusion coefficients measured for the aqueous BeSO₄–H₂SO₄ system are qualitatively consistent with Nernst-Planck predictions based on the formation of beryllium sulfate ion pairs, bisulfate ions, and the hydrolysis equilibria 2Be²⁺+H₂O= Be₂OH³⁺+H⁺, 3Be²⁺+2H₂O=Be₃(OH) ₂ ⁴⁺ +2H⁺. Except for very dilute solutions, the predicted flow of sulfuric acid is small compared to the flow of beryllium sulfate because most of the beryllium ions are protected from hydrolysis by the formation of BeSO₄ ion pairs, and most of the hydrogen ions produced by hydrolysis are converted to less-mobile bisulfate ions.     

Selective transport of zinc and copper ions by synthetic ionophores using liquid membrane technology

This work highlights the role of synthetic carrier (ionophore) in the separation of heavy metal ions. A new series of ionophores; 4,4′-nitrophenyl-azo-O,O′-phenyl-3,6,9-trioxaundecane-1,10-dioate (R₁), bis[4,4′nitro-phenylazo-naphthyl-(2,2-dioxydiethylether)] (R₂) 1,8-bis-(2-naphthyloxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (R₃), 1,11-bis-(2-naphthyloxy)-3,6,9-trioxaunde-cane (R₄), 1,5-bis-(2-naphthyloxy)-3-oxa-pentane (R₅) have been synthesized and used as extractant as well as carrier for the transport of various metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) through liquid membranes. Effect of various parameters such as metal ion concentration, ionophore concentration, liquid–liquid extraction, back extraction, comparison of transport efficiency of BLM and SLM and different membrane support (hen’s egg shell and PTFE) have been studied. In BLM ionophores (R₂–R₅) transport Zn⁺ at greater extent and the observed trend for the transport of Zn²⁺ is R₂?>?R₄?>?R₃?>?R₅ respectively. Further transport efficiency is increased in SLM. In egg shell membrane ionophores (R₂–R₅) transport Zn⁺ due to their non-cyclic structure and pseudo cavity formation while ionophore R₁ transports Cu²⁺ ions at greater extent due to its cyclic structure and cavity size. Among the membrane support used egg shell membrane is found best for the transport of zinc ions because of its hydrophobic nature and exhibits electrostatic interactions between positively charged zinc ions and –COOH group of egg shell membrane. Thus structure of ionophores, hydrophobicity and porosity of the membrane support plays important role in separation of metal ions.     

Study on physicochemical properties of U<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in LiCl–KCl eutectic media at 773 K

In order to enhance the efficiency of pyrochemical technology, especially electrorefining process, physicochemical data of trivalent uranium in LiCl–KCl eutectic at 773 K were measured, including molar absorptivity, formal potential and diffusion coefficient of U³⁺ ions. The molar absorptivities of U³⁺ were determined to be 765 ± 48 and 686 ± 39 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 465 and 550 nm, respectively. The formal potential of U³⁺/U⁴⁺ redox couple and diffusion coefficient of U³⁺ ions were measured to be −0.308 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺ and 8.7 × 10⁻⁶ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, respectively. To elucidate the chemical behavior of U³⁺ ions under the existence of oxide ions, U³⁺ ions were reacted with oxides ions in situ produced at the LiCl–KCl media. Surprisingly, it was revealed from XRD patterns that UO₂ was formed from the reaction between U³⁺ ions and O²⁻ ions with the molar ratio of 1:1.     

Na+/K+-ATPase: Activity and inhibition

The aim of the study was to give an overview of the mechanism of inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity induced by some specific and non specific inhibitors. For this purpose, the effects of some ouabain like compounds (digoxin, gitoxin), noble metals complexes ([PtCl₂DMSO₂], [AuCl₄]⁻, [PdCl₄]²⁻, [PdCl(dien)]⁺, [PdCl(Me₄dien)]⁺), transition metal ions (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺), and heavy metal ions (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺) on the activity of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase from rat synaptic plasma membranes (SPM), porcine cerebral cortex and human erythrocytes were discussed. The article is published in the original.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic sorption study of radiocobalt by magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

A novel composite adsorbent, magnetite/hydroxyapatite (Fe₃O₄/HAP) composites, was prepared by biowaste chicken eggshell for the purpose of removing radiocobalt from aqueous solutions. It highlighted that more than 92% Co(II) could be removed by using the developed composites under the experimental conditions. The maximum sorption capacity of Co(II) on Fe₃O₄/HAP composites was 6.9 × 10⁻⁴ mol/g. The coexisted foreign ions, e.g., ClO₄ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻, Cl⁻, Na⁺ and K⁺, did not interfere the elimination of Co(II) from aqueous solutions, while Mg²⁺ did. The sorption process was found to be controlled well by pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion models, and the equilibrium data were simulated by Langmuir model very well with high correlation coefficients. The thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneity and endothermic nature of Co(II) sorption processes. After sorption, the Fe₃O₄/HAP composites could be effectively and fleetly separated from aqueous solutions by magnetic separation technique in large scale. The Fe₃O₄/HAP composites are suitable materials in the preconcentration of Co(II) from large volumes of aqueous solutions.     

Anion-π interactions—interactions between benzo-crown ether metal cation complexes and counter ions

The loss of X^· radical from [M + Cu + X]⁺ ions (copper reduction) has been studied by the so called in-source fragmentation at higher cone voltage (M = crown ether molecule, X⁻ = counter ion, ClO₄⁻, NO₃⁻, Cl⁻). The loss of X^· has been found to be affected by the presence/lack of aromatic ring poor/rich in electrons. Namely, the loss of X^· occurs with lower efficiency for the [NO₂-B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ ions than for the [B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ ions, where NO₂-B15C5 = 3-nitro-benzo-15-crown-5, B15C5 = benzo-15-crown-5. A reasonable explanation is that Anion-π interactions prevent the loss of X^· from the [NO₂-B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ ions. The presence of the electron-withdrawing NO₂ group causes the aromatic ring to be poor in electrons and thus its enhances its interactions with anions. For the ion containing the aromatic ring enriched in electrons, namely [NH₂-B15C5 + Cu + ClO₄]⁺ where NH₂-B15C5 = 3-amino-benzo-15-crown-5, the opposite situation has been observed. Because of Anion-π repulsion the loss of X^· radical proceeds more readily for [NH₂-B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺ than for [B15C5 + Cu + X]⁺. Iron reduction has also been found to be affected by Anion-π interactions. Namely, the loss of CH₃O^· radical from the ion [B15C5 + Fe + NO₃ + CH₃O]⁺ proceeds more readily than from [NO₂⁻B15C5 + Fe + NO₃ + CH₃O]⁺.     

A Simple Fluorometric Method Using Chlorophyll a for Determination of Hg2+ Ion

A simple and green analytical procedure based on chlorophyll a is presented for the determination of Hg²⁺ ion. Chlorophyll a was extracted and purified from the leaves of pea and is employed as a reagent for analysis of Hg²⁺ ion. It displays remarkable fluorescence emission at 674 nm when excited at 412 nm. The emission intensity decreased significantly on exposure to various concentrations of Hg²⁺ ion. This forms the basis for the determination of Hg²⁺ ion. The proposed method was evaluated for sensitivity and selectivity. The linear concentration range was found to be 2.0–10 μM with r² = 0.997 and the limit of detection for Hg²⁺ ion was 1.3 μM. Ions including Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ru³⁺, Er³⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻ and SO₄²⁻ did not interfere with the measurement of Hg²⁺ ion even at 500-fold excess. Since chlorophyll a is widely available in the leaves of most plants, and the extraction and purification process is simple, this technique can provide an alternative, sensitive and economical way to determine Hg²⁺ ion.     

A new chelating resin containing 2-aminothiophenol: Synthesis characterization and determination of mercury in waste water using <Superscript>203</Superscript>Hg radiotracer

A new stable chelating resin was synthesized by incorporating 2-aminothiophenol into Merrifield polymer through C-N covalent bond and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and thermal study. The sorption capacity of the newly formed resin for Hg²⁺ as a function of pH has been studied using ²⁰³Hg radioisotope. The resin exhibits no affinity to alkali or alkaline earth metal ions and common anions. The separation of mercury(II) in presence of different alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺), common anions (ClO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻) and other diverse ions (Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺) has been checked. In column operation it has been observed that Hg²⁺ content of the waste water can be removed at usual pH of natural water. Mercury was determined by isotope dilution method and the concentration of Hg²⁺ in the waste water spiked with ²⁰³Hg was found to be 0.05 to 0.09 μg/ml.     

Electrochemically induced transformations of ruthenium(III) trichloride microcrystals in salt solutions

Ruthenium (III) trichlorid solid crystals have been mechanically attached to gold surfaces and studied by cyclic electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements in the presence of aqueous solutions of different concentrations containing M⁺Cl⁻, where M⁺=H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺. The RuCl₃ and the complexes formed during the electrochemical transformations show two or more reduction and reoxidation pairs of waves, depending on the experimental conditions (concentration, scan rate, and potential range). The voltammetric peaks are shifted into the direction of higher potentials with increasing electrolyte concentrations except at very high concentrations when the peaks belong to the first reduction/reoxidation processes move oppositely. The mass change was reversible, during reduction mass increase, while during oxidation mass decrease occurred at medium electrolyte concentrations in two, more or less distinct steps. At high or low concentrations the mass excursions are more complex involving different mass increase/decrease regions as a function of potential which vary with the potential range of the measurements. The peak potentials and the electrochemical activity strongly depend on the nature of the cations and pH. It is related to the formation of complexes in different compositions. The mass change decreases with increasing electrolyte concentrations attesting the important role of the water activity and the transport of solvent molecules. It was concluded that in dilute solutions during the first reduction step M⁺ ions enter the surface layer. The strongly hydrated Li⁺ ions transfer water molecules into the microcrystals, while simultaneously with the incorporation of K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ ions H₂O molecules leave the surface layer. The opposite transport of ions and solvent molecules occur during oxidation. In the course of further reduction the incorporation of all ions studied except that of Cs⁺ ions is accompanied with water sorption. The number of sorbed water molecules is proportional to the hydration number of these ions. A reaction scheme is proposed in which M⁺ _m-3[Ru^IIICl _m (H₂O) _n ]^3-m · xH₂O (m≥3) and [Ru^IIICl _m (H₂O) _n ]^3-m (Cl⁻)_3-m · xH₂O (m≤3) type complexes are reduced to the respective – or depending on the electrolyte concentration higher or lower – Ru(II)chloro complexes resulting in mixed valence compounds (phases). Taking into account the layered structure of RuCl₃ the electrochemical reduction can be explained as an intercalation reaction in that mixed valence intercalation phases with a general formula M _x ⁺(H₂O) _y [RuCl₃] ^x− are formed from RuCl₃·x H₂O. The reduction/reoxidation waves are related to the redox transformations of Ru(III) to Ru(II) sites, while the composition of the polynuclear complexes and the structure of microcrystals change. Presented at the 4th Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Greifswald, March 13.−16., 2005.     

Voltammetric and potentiometric studies of some sulpha drug-Schiff base compounds and their metal complexes

The electrochemical behavior of some sulpha drug-Schiff bases at a mercury electrode was examined in the Britton-Robinson universal buffer of various pH values (2.5–11.7) containing 20% v/v) of ethanol using DC-polarography, cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis. The DC-polarograms and cyclic voltammograms of the examined compounds exhibited a single, 2-electron, irreversible, diffusion-controlled cathodic step within the entire pH range which is attributed to the reduction of the azomethine group-CH=N- to -CH₂-NH-. The symmetry transfer coefficient (α) of the electrode reaction and the diffusion coefficient (D ₀) of the reactant species were determined. The electrode reaction pathway of the compounds at the mercury electrode was suggested to follow the sequence: H⁺, e⁻, e⁻, H⁺. The dissociation constant of the sulpha drug-Schiff bases, the stability constant and stoichiometry of their complexes with various divalent transition metal ions (Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) were determined potentiometrically at room temperature.      

Lattice polarization effects in electrochromic switching in WO3−x films studied by pulse-nanogravimetric technique

The interactions of various types of cations with the tungsten trioxide lattice have been investigated to evaluate possible intercalation of these cations and the occurrence of lattice polarization leading to the near-surface structural lattice damage. The interactions of cations, such as the large monovalent cations (K⁺, Et₄N⁺, CtMe₃N⁺ cations), transition metal dications (Ni²⁺), heavy metal ions (Cd²⁺), and representative lanthanides (La³⁺) and actinides (Th⁴⁺), in competition with intercalation of H⁺ ions have been investigated using pulse-nanogravimetric technique. The effects of these cations in electrochromic processes of WO₃ proceeding during cathodic reduction have been assessed. For all of the metal ions studied, a large increase in the apparent mass uptake (up to eightfold) in comparison to pure H⁺ ion ingress was observed upon the film coloration induced by a cathodic potential pulse. The experiments indicate that the apparent mass gains, although large, are insufficient to confirm predominant contribution of metal ions in the ion transport along the channels in WO₃ lattice. The lower decoloration rate in the case of Ni²⁺ ions, in comparison to H⁺ and other transition metal cations (Cd²⁺), has been attributed to a slow dissociation of Ni²⁺ ions from lattice-bound oxygen atoms. For et₄N⁺ cation, which is too large to enter channels in WO₃, a dissociative reduction of the WO₃ and severe lattice damage was observed. Among the metal ions investigated, only K⁺ ions have been found to cause a dissociative reduction of WO₃ and near-surface lattice damage. Strong lattice polarization effects and irreversible binding have been found for La³⁺ and Th⁴⁺ cations.