Construction and Evaluation of a Gold Tubular Electrode for Flow Analysis: Application to Speciation of Antimony in Water Samples

A tubular gold electrode (TGE) is described for the first time by summarizing the important aspects of its construction and evaluation. Applicability of the TGE is evaluated in the speciation of Sb(III) and Sb(V) using anodic stripping voltammetry in a single flow manifold. Studies with surface active interferences and metallic cations were performed. The proposed conditions for antimony determination showed good tolerance towards cationic, anionic and nonionic surface active substances. A linear response for antimony was obtained for solutions containing significant amounts of several metallic cations. Linear calibration curves for Sb(III) were obtained in the range 1–10 ppb with a detection limit of 0.19 ppb (CV=2.91%, n=5, [Sb(III)]=5 ppb). For Sb(V), linear calibration curves were in the range 1–15 ppb with a detection limit of 0.32 ppb (CV=1.41%, n=5, [Sb(V)]=5 ppb). The figures of merit achieved sustain for the good applicability of the proposed method as it allows the determination of antimony at levels below maximum values permitted in consuming waters. Results of antimony concentration determined in water samples were validated against the ICP‐MS reference procedure or compared with reference water samples.     

Off-Line and On-Line Preconcentration Techniques for the Determination of Phenylureas in Freshwaters

Abstract

Phenylurea herbicides are analysed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography using UV detection at 244 nm after a concentration step in order to determine ppb or sub-ppb levels in drinking and river waters. With an average UV detection limit of 5 ng, a 500 ml sample volume is necessary to reach the 10 ppt level for spiked LC grade water samples and enables easy determination of concentrations below the ppb level for river water samples. Off-line and on-line methods are compared for the concentration step. Off-line concentration consists in a liquid sorption on n-octadecyl silica (C18) and elution by a suitable organic solvent. Polar phenylureas have low retention volumes on C18 silica and consequently the length of the concentration column has to be 10 cm to concentrate them at the ppb level from 100 ml of water and longer for lower levels of detection. Nevertheless, we show that increasing the size of the concentration column does not improve the limits of detection because of the numerous interferences also concentrated when percolating high volumes of water. On-line technology can be used only with short precolumns and requires a sorbent with a great retention for phenylureas. The copolymer-based PRP-1 is found to be an excellent sorbent and it is then possible to apply on-line precolumn technology with preconcentration through two precolumns (10 × 21 mm ID) in series, the first one being packed with C18 silica and the other with the PRP-1 polymer. Interfering compounds are then trapped onto the first precolumn acting as a filter and common phenylurea-breakthrough volumes on the PRP-1 precolumn are higher than 500 ml. Knowing the amounts preconcentrated on both precolumns and using UV and electrochemical detection help the identification of phenylureas in river water.     

Separation and Simultaneous Determination of Enantiomers of Tau-fluvalinate and Permethrin in Drinking Water

The chiral liquid chromatographic separation of two pyrethroid insecticides, tau-fluvalinate and permethrin, on different polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) has been investigated. Complete separation of these compounds was achieved with Chiralcel OJ under normal phase mode and a mobile phase of n-hexane:ethanol (90:10, v/v). This method has been used for determining these compounds in drinking water at ppb levels after solid-phase extraction (SPE) with C-18 cartridges. Recoveries ranged between 103–113% and precision values (expressed as relative standard deviations) were lower than 10%.     

Experimental approach to assess sorptive loss properties of volatile organic compounds in the sampling bag system

In this study, the sorptive loss patterns for volatile organic compounds were evaluated by gaseous standards containing 13 compounds (benzene, toluene, styrene, p‐xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, isobutyl alcohol, butyl acetate, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, and valeraldehyde). The gaseous standards, prepared initially at two contrasting concentration levels (40 and 4000 ppb) in a polyester aluminum bag, were measured after two consecutive transfers into empty bags. It indicates that the percent loss patterns, if assessed for all 13 target compounds, are affected most sensitively by the initial concentration levels of samples to yield 2.62 ± 2.22% (at 40 ppb) and 9.57 ± 6.74% (at 4000 ppb). Moreover, the sorptive loss patterns at high concentration samples (4000 ppb) tend to increase in relation with increasing molecular weight of target compounds, although such pattern disappears in low concentration samples (40 ppb). The observed loss patterns, if evaluated in relation to some key parameters like concentration or compound type, suggest the possibility that the sorptive loss of target compounds in storage media can occur in a predictable manner.     

Influence of the alkyl chain length of some mesogenic molecules on their Langmuir film formation ability

Langmuir films of members of two homologous series, the 4‐n‐alkyl‐4′‐cyanobiphenyls (nCB) for n = 2–14 and trans‐4‐n‐alkyl(4′‐cyanophenyl)cyclohexanes (PCHn) for n = 2–12, have been studied by recording surface pressure/area isotherms and by Brewster angle microscopy. It has been found that the compounds with very short chains (n3) and very long chains (n>12 for nCB, n>10 for PCHn) are unable to form compressible monolayers at the air–water interface. Other members of both series can form stable Langmuir films, but both their rigidity and stability as well as the molecular packing vary with the alkyl chain length. The isotherms and BAM images imply that the organization of the liquid crystal molecules in the films is to some extent correlated with their ability to form corresponding mesophase in the bulk: nematogenic compounds tend to form rounded droplet‐like domains, whereas smectogenic compounds tend to form flat domains.     

Thermal properties of lanthanide(III) complexes with 5-amino-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid

The complexes of yttrium(III) and lanthanides(III) with 5-amino-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid form two isostructural series of compounds and have the general formula Ln₂(C₈H₅O₄N)₃·nH₂O, where n = 13 for Y, La-Er and n=9 for Tm, Yb, Lu. They are insoluble in water and stable at room temperature. On heating in air or inert gas atmosphere they lose all water molecules in several steps. The anhydrous compounds are stable to about 400°C and next decompose to oxides.     

Electrochemical detection for trace analysis by capillary HPLC

An amperometric-type electrochemical detector is proposed for use in capillary HPLC. Its cell (volume 60 nl) contains a cylindrical working electrode for detecting the presence of electroactive compounds. The noise level is 3–5 pA depending on the potential. The minimum detectable concentrations of the o-, m-, and p- isomers of nitrophenol (after separation of a 20 μl sample on a fused silica column) lies between 4 and 18 ng/l. The relative standard deviation of the height of the chromatographic peaks of phenols present at concentrations of 10 ppb does not exceed 0. 08 (n = 5).     

Determination of n-octanol–water partition coefficients by hollow-fiber membrane solvent microextraction coupled with HPLC

A novel direct method has been developed for determination of n-octanol–water partition coefficients by hollow-fiber membrane solvent microextraction (HFMSME) combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The compound of interest is dissolved in water with sonication and a hollow fiber containing octanol inside is placed in the sample solution to perform microextraction. After microextraction the concentrations in both the aqueous and n-octanol phases are analyzed by HPLC with UV detection. The method was evaluated with ten reference compounds and shown to be suitable for determination of the partition coefficients of organic compounds accurately, cheaply, simply, and quickly. Previously unknown n-octanol–water partition coefficients have been obtained for other compounds by use of the hollow-fiber membrane solvent-microextraction technique. Figure Schematic diagram of equipment used for hollow-fiber solvent microextraction. (1) hollow cone-shaped support; (2) aqueous sample; (3) porous hollow-fiber membrane tube (PHFMT); (4) n-octanol phase; (5) sealed end of PHFMT; (6) container (15 mL); (7) stir bar; (8) magnetic stirrer     

Inkjet Printed Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotube Sensor for the Detection of Lead in Drinking Water

Electroanalytical methods can be used for the reliable detection of the toxic heavy metal lead in drinking water samples. Inkjet printed electrodes have potential for the rapid and affordable assessment of drinking water. Researchers have shown the electrochemical sensing applicability of inkjet printed electrodes. In this work, Pb²⁺ was detected using an inkjet printed multi‐walled carbon nanotube (IJP‐MW‐CNT) electrode with silver tracks printed underneath. The silver tracks provide the sensor with the conductivity needed for sensitive measurements. MW‐CNT were dispersed in water using bile salts as a surfactant to prepare the ink. The IJP‐MW‐CNT electrode was used as the working electrode with a platinum wire and Ag/AgCl as auxiliary and reference electrode, respectively. The electrodes performance was optimized in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH=4.3) and had two linear ranges of 5 to 20 ppb (R²=0.99) with a sensitivity of 38 nA/ppb and 20 to 50 ppb (R²=0.98) with a sensitivity of 15 nA/ppb and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 ppb for Pb²⁺. The analytical applicability of electrode was determined by constructing a calibration curve in an unaltered drinking water sample (i. e.) Cincinnati tap water with two linear ranges of 15 to 40 ppb (R²=0.99) with a sensitivity of 1.5 nA/ppb and 40 to 70 ppb (R²=0.99) with a sensitivity of 3.5 nA/ppb and a LOD of 1.0 ppb for Pb²⁺. Effects of copper and cadmium as potential interferents are reported.     

n→π*-Übergänge in Dicarbonylverbindungen Der Einfluss der n,n- und π*, π*-Wechselwirkung

By CNDO-CI calculations we have found that dicarbonyl compounds exhibit only two n → π* transitions in the visible or near UV. region, instead of four as expected from simpler MO-models. The dominant features of the long-wavelength electronic spectra may be characterized by the relative energy of the two n and the two lowest π* orbitals. In general we distinguish between three cases:

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Development of a Rapid Single‐Drop Analysis Biosensor for Screening of Phenanthrene in Water Samples

Detection techniques for biosensors often require bulky instruments or cells that are not feasible for in‐field analysis. Our single‐drop cell design, optimized in this work, comprised a screen‐printed three‐electrode (SPE), strip in horizontal position onto which a volume of 100 μL of sample or substrate solution was placed to ensure electrical contact (complete circuit). Together with optimized linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), parameters for the detection of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (AP), the system was applied to a biosensor for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in environmental samples. A limit of detection (LOD), of 0.15 ppb was achieved for a model system with an IC₅₀ value of 0.885 ppb and a linear range (LR), of 0.2–10 ppb. Application of the single drop analysis (SDA), format to a PAH biosensor gave a LOD of 1.4 ppb for detection of phenanthrene with an IC₅₀ value of 29.3 ppb and linear range of 2–100 ppb. Proof of concept is shown with spiked sample analysis of phenanthrene in matrices such as sea, river and tap water.     

Creation of a nematic phase in mixtures of smectic A1 phases

Abstract

Phase diagrams were determined for binary mixtures consisting of two 5-n-alkyl-2-(4'-isothiocyanatophenyl)-1,3-dioxane compounds (n-DBT) or 4'-isothio-cyanatophenyl 4-(trans-4'-n-decylcyclohexyl)benzoate and n-DBT. All compounds investigated have monolayer smectic A phases. A nematic phase in the upper temperature range and a nematic gap between two smectic regions also were observed, with the smectic layer spacing ratio, d/d', of 1.23 and 1.87 respectively. The variation of the enthalpy of transition with mixture composition in relation to changes of layer spacing ratio are also discussed for these systems.     

Preparation and Thermal behaviour of Transition Metal Complexes of 4,5-Imidazoledicarboxylic Acid

Some new transition metal imidazolehydrogendicarboxylate hydrates of empirical formula M(Himdc)2·nH₂O (H ₂ imdc=4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid), where n=2 for M=Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd and n=3 for M=Co, have been prepared in aqueous solution. The compounds have been characterized by analytical, electronic and IR spectroscopic, thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction studies. Electronic spectroscopic data suggest that the Co and Ni compounds are of spin free (high spin) type with octahedral geometry. For these compounds, the IR bands in the region 1750-1710 cm^-1 has been assigned to stretching vibrations of the non-ionized carboxylic group, confirming that the ligand is monoionized. IR spectra also suggest the unidentate co-ordination behaviour of carboxylate (v_asy =1570 and v_sym=1390 cm^-1) groups of the imidazoledicarboxylate monoanion. The thermal behaviour of these compounds has been studied by simultaneous TG-DTA techniques. All of these compounds are dihydrates except cobalt which is a trihydrate. Thermal decomposition studies show that they lose two water molecules endothermally in the range 200-270°C to give their anhydrous compounds, indicating that these water molecules are coordinated to the metal. The anhydrous compounds further decompose exothermally in the range 300-620°C to leave the respective metal oxides via the metal oxalate intermediates. Whereas the manganese compound undergoes pyrolytic cleavage in a single step to give the manganese carbonate as the final residue. Isomorphic nature of these compounds is evident from XRD data. Six-coordination for the metal atoms has been proposed based on the thermal analysis, visible and IR spectroscopic results. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of Surfactant Loading on the Extraction Properties of C-18 Bonded Silica used for Solid-Phase Extraction of Phenols

ABSTRACT

A solid phase extraction (SPE) system has been modified with cationic surfactants and evaluated for extraction and preconcentration of trace phenolic compounds contaminants in water at low ppb concentrations. Cationic surfactants such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) has been steadily adsorbed on the surface of C-18 bonded silica, and the ionized functional group of the surfactant can then act as an ion–exchange site to attract the ionized phenolic compounds from water samples. The method includes enrichment of the phenolic compounds by the surfactant-loaded solid phase extraction system, followed by elution of the analyte with methylene chloride and derivatization of the phenolic compounds with acetic anhydride. Thirty-two phenolic analytes were identified and quantitatively determined by this method; identification and quantification of the compounds is performed with GC/FID using 2-bromophenol as internal standard. SPME analysis with this method was linear over 3-6 orders of magnitude, with linear correlation coefficient (R²) greater than 0.96. Experimentally determined FID detection limits ranged from ～30 ppt for methyl-substituted phenols to ～0.1ppb for phenol and chloro-substituted phenols. We tested the influence of sample pH, the loading amount of surfactant on the solid phase, and the volume and matrixes of the sample were studied. Absolute recoveries from pure water spiked with 0.2 ppb phenolic compounds were 96 – 103%. The method has been applied to analysis of various natural waters, including ground water, lake water, seawater, and wastewater. Recoveries from ground water, lake water, seawater, and wastewater were 92 – 106%, 75 – 93%, 87 – 103%, 86 – 99%, respectively. Therefore, the new technique proved to be an excellent tool for trace enrichments of phenolic compounds at low ppb concentration of these analytes, from different natural water samples.     

Determination of ppt levels of atmospheric volatile organic compounds in Yakushima, a remote south-west island of Japan

An analytical method was utilized to detect ppt levels of VOCs in air. The method was based on the US-EPA method TO-14, consisting of canister sampling, three module enrichment and GC/MS analysis. Target compounds included chlorofluorocarbons (four kinds), benzene and its derivatives (14), halogenated hydrocarbons (20), and others (three). The minimum detection limits of the method for the target compounds ranged from 0.016 to 0.040 ppb (0.06–0.23 μg/m³). The recoveries of the target compounds ranged from 77 to 113% and relative coefficients of variation (n=4) were 3.0–9.0%. The sampled air was stable for at least 14 days after pressurizing with humidified nitrogen gas at 200 kPa (absolute pressure). The method was applied to analyze the VOCs in the air of Yakushima, a remote island of south-west Japan where no distinct local pollution source is considered.     

Reduction of uranium concentration in well water by Chlorella (Chlorella pyrendoidosa) a fresh water algae immobilized in calcium alginate

A great deal of research has been directed towards the problem of reduction of uranium concentration from few hundreds of ppb to less than 20 ppb, a limit of uranium in drinking water from ground water resources fixed in Dec, 2001 by US, Environmental Protection Agency. Laboratory simulated experiments were carried out for the reduction of U(VI) concentration in well water from few thousands of ppb to less than 20 ppb. Well water samples were spiked with U(IV) ranging from 1000 to 2000 ppb. The contaminated solutions were passed through a glass column containing of chlorella impregnated beads of calcium alginate. Chlorella(Chlorella pyrendoidosa), a fresh water algae, was immobilized in sodium alginate in the form of beads by using 0.2M calcium chloride solution. The solution was passed again through a charcoal solution to remove any trace of impurities. The concentration of uranium after treatment ranged from 10 to 20 ppb. The concentration of other major cations and anions in the solution were also monitored. This low cost kit was proposed for on-line removal of uranium from ground water used for drinking purposes. For taking care of waste disposal, 99-100% of the adsorbed uranium on beads was recovered by 0.1M HNO₃. The desorption results suggest that the uptake of uranium by Chlorella is a physico-chemical adsorption on the cell surface, not a biological activity. The uranium in the algal cells is coupled to the ligand, which can be easily substituted with NO₃ ^-. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

119Sn-NMR-spektroskopische Untersuchungen an Tri-n-butylzinnderivaten von N-Acetylaminosäuren

Summary Eleven compounds have been prepared by azeotropic destillation of water from toluene solutions of bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide and N-acetyl amino acids. All derivatives are white solids.¹¹⁹Sn-NMR-spectra of the tri-n-butyltin compounds have been studied in coordinating and non coordinating solvents. The chemical shifts and the coupling constants¹ J(¹¹⁹Sn,¹³C) depend significantly on the coordination number of the tin atom and on the properties of the substituents. The data for the compounds are discussed in comparison with those for other tri-n-butyltin compounds.

     

Comparison of thermal properties of lanthanide trimellitates prepared by different methods

By diffusion in gel medium new complexes of formulae: Nd(btc)⋅6H₂O, Gd(btc)⋅4.5H₂O and Er(btc)·5H2O (where btc=(C₆H₃(COO)₃ ³⁻) were obtained. Isomorphous compounds were crystallized in the form of globules. During heating in air atmosphere they lose stepwise water molecules and then anhydrous complexes decompose to oxides. Hydrothermally synthesized polycrystalline lanthanide trimellitates form two groups of isomorphous compounds. The light lanthanides form very stable compounds of the formula Ln(btc)⋅nH₂O (where Ln=Ce−Gd and n=0 for Ce; n=1 for Gd; n=1.5 for La, Pr, Nd; n=2 for Eu, Sm). They dehydrate above 250°C and then immediately decomposition process occurs. Heavy lanthanides form complexes of formula Ln(btc)⋅nH₂O (_Ln=Dy−Lu). For mostly complexes, dehydration occurs in one step forming stable in wide range temperature compounds. As the final products of thermal decomposition lanthanide oxides are formed.     

Order parameter studies from effective order geometry in 4O.Om and 7O.Om liquid crystalline compounds

The effective geometry parameter, α_g = n _o /n _e, is used to evaluate the orientational order parameter, S, in the case of N-(p-n-butyloxybenzylidene)-p-n-alkoxy anilines, 4O.Om and N-(p-n-heptyloxybenzylidene)-p-n-alkoxy anilines, 7O.Om compounds with m?=?3–7 and 9 in the former case and m?=?3, 5–7 and 9 in the later materials. The results obtained are compared with those calculated using the standard techniques of molecular polarisability and birefringence. The effective geometry parameter's influence on the deflection of light by the liquid crystal compounds is also studied. The variation of temperature gradient of the ordinary refractive index, dn _o /dT, and extraordinary refractive index, dn _e /dT, of the liquid crystals is also studied.     

Multiresidue determination of sulfonamides in a variety of biological matrices by supported liquid membrane with high pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry detection

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS) was used for a simultaneous determination of 16 sulfonamide compounds spiked in water, urine, milk, and bovine liver and kidney tissues. Supported liquid membrane (SLM) made up of 5% tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in hexyl amine was used as a sample clean-up and/or enrichment technique. The sulfonamides mixture was made up of 5-sulfaminouracil, sulfaguanidine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamerazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethazine (sulfadimidine), sulfacetamide, sulfapyridine, sulfabenzamide, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadimethoxine sulfasalazine, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfadiazine, and sulfathiazole. Some of these compounds, such as, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfadiazine, sulfabenzamide, sulfathiazole and sulfapyridine failed to be trapped efficiently by the same liquid membrane (5% TOPO in hexylamine). The detection limits (DL) obtained were 1.8 ppb for sulfaguanidine and sulfamerazine and between 3.3 and 10 ppb in bovine liver and kidney tissues for the other sulfonamides that were successfully enriched with SLM; 2.1 ppb for sulfaguanidine and sulfamerazine and between 7.5 and 15 ppb in cow’s urine, whereas the DL values in milk were 12.4 ppb for sulfaguanidine and sulfamerazine and between 16.8 and 24.3 for the other compounds that were successfully enriched by the membrane. Several factors affecting the extraction efficiency during SLM enrichment, such as donor pH, acceptor pH, enrichment time and the membrane solvent were studied.