Studies on the intercalation of naproxen into layered double hydroxide and its thermal decomposition by in situ FT-IR and in situ HT-XRD

Layered double hydroxides, novel anionic clay, meet the first requirement as inorganic matrices for encapsulating functional drugs or biomolecules with negative charge in aqueous media. In this study, naproxen has been intercalated into Mg-Al layered double hydroxide by the methods of ion exchange. The structure and composition of the intercalated material have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. A schematic model has been proposed. Furthermore, in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in situ high-temperature XRD, and thermogravimetry (TG) have been used to characterize the thermal decomposition of the hybrid material. It has been found that the thermal stability of the intercalated naproxen is significantly enhanced compared with the pure form before intercalation, which suggests that this drug-inorganic layered material may have prospective application as the basis of a novel drug delivery system.     

New approach on the alkylthiol determination in water by in situ derivatization SPME followed by GC-ECD/NPD analysis

Alkylthiols are very reactive and highly volatile compounds, and thus it is difficult to determine these in the water phase. In the present work, an in situ derivatization step prior to solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been developed for their determination in water samples. The dinitrobenzylation reaction was selected because the high chemical stability of the corresponding thioethers formed provides a significant increase in the distribution coefficient between the SPME fibre and the aqueous phase, and a potential increase in the selectivity and sensitivity. Therefore, different derivatization reaction conditions (i.e. pH, temperature, reaction time and derivatizating reagent concentration) have been studied. Then, the main parameters affecting to the SPME process, that is coating selection, extraction time profile, extraction and desorption temperatures, have been optimized. Finally, a method based on a simple 2,4-dinitrophenylation reaction at pH 8–10, in 60?min at 75°C, coupled to direct SPME using PDMS-DVB fibres at 30°C for 45?min is proposed. The performance of the method provided a good linearity and precision data, and the detection limits were in the low ng?L^?1 level.     

Adsorption of As (V) on iron oxide nanoparticle films studied by in situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

Stabilization of arsenic contaminated soils by iron oxides has been proposed as a remediation technique to prevent leaching of arsenate into the environment. Fundamental studies are needed to establish under which conditions the complexes formed are stable. In the present work, a powerful technique, viz. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, is adapted to the studies of adsorption of arsenate species on iron oxides. This technique facilitates acquisition of both quantitative and qualitative in situ adsorption data.In the present work, about 800 nm thick films of 6-lineferrihydrite were deposited on ZnSe ATR crystals. Arsenate adsorption on the ferrihydrite film was studied at pD values ranging from 4 to 12 and at an arsenate concentration of 0.03 mM in D₂O solution. The amount of adsorbed arsenate decreased with increasing pD as a result of the more negatively charged iron oxide surface at higher pD values. The adsorption and desorption kinetics were also studied. Arsenate showed a higher adsorption rate within the first 70 min and a much lower adsorption rate from 70 to 300 min. The low adsorption rate at longer reaction times was partly due to a low desorption rate of already adsorbed carbonate species adsorbed at the surface. The desorption of carbonate species was evidenced by the appearance of negative absorption bands. The desorption of adsorbed arsenate complexes was examined by flushing with D₂O at pD 4 and 8.5 and it was found that the complexes were very stable at pD 4 suggesting formation of mostly inner-sphere complexes whereas a fraction of the complexes at pD 8.5 were less stable than at pD 4, possibly due to the formation of outer-sphere complexes.In summary, the ATR technique was shown to provide in situ information about the adsorption rate, desorption rate and the speciation of the complexes formed within a single experiment, which is very difficult to obtain using other techniques.     

Memory effect of activated Mg-Al hydrotalcite: in situ XRD studies during decomposition and gas-phase reconstruction

The thermal decomposition of Mg-Al hydrotalcite and the subsequent reconstruction of the decomposed products in the presence of water vapor (2 vol. % H(2)O in N(2)) have been investigated by in situ XRD. Thermographic analysis and temperature-programmed desorption MS results complemented the diffraction data. Valuable mechanistic and kinetic insights into these processes, which are of prime importance for optimal activation of this type of material for catalytic applications, were obtained. Hydrotalcite decomposition to the mixed oxide proceeds via formation at 423-473 K of an intermediate phase, consisting of a highly disordered, dehydrated, layered structure. The latter evolves by removal of interlayer water on heating, causing a shrinking of the interlayer space (it is up to 45 % smaller than in the as-synthesized hydrotalcite). Above 623 K, Mg(Al)O(x) oxide with the periclase structure is formed. Reversion of the intermediate dehydrated structure to hydrotalcite upon contact with water vapor is complete and very fast at room temperature. Recovery of hydrotalcite from the oxide calcined at 723 K is two orders of magnitude slower than rehydration of the intermediate layered structure and one order of magnitude slower than the typically practiced liquid-phase reconstruction. In contrast to the decomposition, the reconstruction mechanism does not involve an intermediate phase. The gas-phase rehydration and reconstruction was interrupted above 303 K. This is attributed to the poor wetting of the surface of the decomposed materials induced by hampered H(2)O adsorption above room temperature at the water vapor pressure applied. The Avrami-Erofe'ev model describes the reconstruction kinetics well.     

Morphological development of melt crystallized poly(propylene oxide) by in situ AFM: formation of banded spherulites

The morphology of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) crystals grown from the melt was investigated. The spherulites of the optically pure S polymers displayed a regular pattern of concentric rings as observed by polarizing optical microscopy, while the stereocopolymer developed irregularly banded, or non-banded spherulites depending on the degree of undercooling. The organization of the lamellar crystals within the spherulites was examined by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). For all cases, the lamellar structures appeared to adopt an alternating flat or edge-on orientation. Examination of the morphology of single crystals in the melt of the stereocopolymer revealed truncated-lozenge crystals, which were elongated in shape. Results from crystallization kinetics, obtained by in situ AFM observations, showed that the elongated habit is related to differences in the growth rates of the {2 0 0} and {1 1 0} facets. Interestingly, the melt-grown RS-PPO crystals developed a curved asymmetrical three-dimensional shape. Based on these observations it can be proposed that the chiral nature of the chain is transmitted to higher structural levels of ordering in the crystal aggregates.     

Fe analysis by the ferrozine method: Adaptation to FIA towards in situ analysis in hydrothermal environment

The target of this study is the adaptation of the ferrozine method to flow injection analysis (FIA) to perform iron analysis in situ using an in situ chemical analyser in hydrothermal environments. The adaptation of the method to FIA was followed by its optimisation using an experimental design screening method. The goals of the optimisation steps were to decrease the detection limit and to increase the measuring range to cope with the constraints of in situ analysis. The method allows the determination of iron in the mixing zone of hydrothermal fluid, enriched in iron, and seawater. A single manifold gives the possibility to analyse either Fe(II) or ΣFe [Fe(II) + Fe(III)] in situ, or ΣFe in the lab on hydrothermal seawater samples. The measuring range of the method was increased to up to 2000 μM, which is coherent with the study of the chemical environment of communities associated with deep-sea hydrothermal activity. Finally, the method was applied in situ using the chemical analyser Alchimist during the ATOS cruise on hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid Atlantic Ridge.     

辣素微胶囊的原位聚合法制备与热降解动力学

在乳液体系中,以尿醛为壁材,以原位聚合法制备了辣素同系物———N-香草基壬酰胺微胶囊。红外光谱证实了尿醛的形成,X-射线衍射显示了同样作为半晶高分子囊壁,尿醛包裹囊心前后出现的结构晶型差异。根据吸附等温曲线假设微胶囊为紧密堆积形式,对于尿醛单体颗粒和尿醛微胶囊的TGA,采用Achar-B rind ley-Sharp-W endworth方法,对两者进行热重数据的处理,以作图法求得了动力学参数,确定了热降解动力学模式函数,回归系数良好。TGA求解的活化能数据证明由于晶型差异,导致单体与微胶囊热稳定性不同,从而与XRD结论一致。     

Targeting Vacancies in Nitridosilicates: Aliovalent Substitution of M2+ (M=Ca,Sr) by Sc3+ and U3+

Based on the known linking options of their fundamental building unit, that is the SiN₄ tetrahedron, nitridosilicates belong to the inorganic compound classes with the greatest structural variability. Although facilitating the discovery of novel Si–N networks, this variability represents a challenge when targeting non‐stoichometric compounds. Meeting this challenge, a strategy for targeted creation of vacancies in highly condensed nitridosilicates by exchanging divalent M²⁺ for trivalent M³⁺ using the ion exchange approach is reported. As proof of concept, the first Sc and U nitridosilicates were prepared from α‐Ca₂Si₅N₈ and Sr₂Si₅N₈. Powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and synchrotron single‐crystal XRD showed random vacancy distribution in Sc_0.2Ca_1.7Si₅N₈, and partial vacancy ordering in U_0.5xSr_2?0.75xSi₅N₈ with x≈1.05. The high chemical stability of U nitridosilicates makes them interesting candidates for immobilization of actinides.     

Determination of insecticides in water using in situ halide exchange reaction-assisted ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) method using in situ halide exchange reaction to form ionic liquid (IL) extraction phase was developed to determine four insecticides (i.e. methoxyfenozide, tetrachlorvinphos, thiamethoxam, and diafenthiuron) in water samples. The preconcentration procedure, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography and variable wavelength detectors (VWD), enabled the formation of the immiscible IL extraction phase; the insecticides were transferred into the IL phase simultaneously, which enhanced the efficiency and sufficiency, greatly shortening the operation time. The experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiency including volume of extraction IL, extraction and centrifugation times, volume of the sample solution and exchanging reagent, and addition of organic solvent and salt were investigated and optimized. Under optimized conditions, the extractions yielded recoveries of the target analytes from 82 to 102%. The calibration curves were linear, and the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.9990 to 0.9999 under the concentration levels of 5-200 μg/L. The relative standard deviation (n=6) was 2.9-4.6%. The limits of detection (LODs) for the four insecticides were between 0.98 and 2.54 μg/L.     

Two Cd(II) coordination polymers based on tris(p-carboxylphenyl)phosphine oxide accompanied by in situ ligand formation

Two Cd(II) coordination polymers constructed from tris(p-carboxylphenyl)phosphine oxide (H₃TPO), [Cd(HTPO)(1,4-bix)·3H₂O]_n (1) and [Cd₂(HTPO)(HBPO)(H₂O)₂]_n (2) (1,4-bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H₃BPO = bis(4-carboxylphenyl)phosphinic acid), were synthesized and identified by IR, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The 1,4-bix ligand leads to 1 as a ladder-like 1D chain structure. In 2, adjacent Cd₂ units are bridged by HBPO^2– and HTPO^2– ligands to form a 3D structure. The H₃BPO ligand is formed from the in situ reaction of H₃TPO. It is the first example from hydrated Cd(II) salt promoting partial hydrolysis of a phosphine oxide ligand. The thermal behavior and solid-state photoluminescence properties correlated with the corresponding structural features were investigated.     

A thermostat chip of indium tin oxide glass substrate for static polymerase chain reaction and in situ real time fluorescence monitoring

A thermostat chip of indium-tin oxide glass substrate for static chip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is, for the first time, introduced in this paper. The transparent conductive layer was used as an electro-heating element. Pulse width modulation and fuzzy proportional integration-differentiation algorithm were adopted in the temperature programming of the chip. The temperature distribution was investigated, and a dynamic control precision within ±2 °C was achieved. The highest ramping rates were 37 °C s⁻¹ for heating and 8 °C s⁻¹ for cooling with an electric fan. The PCR reaction vials were constructed with polyethylene tubes or poly(dimethylsiloxane) directly on the thermostat chip; the chip had a typical size of 25 mm × 25 mm and a thickness of 1.1 mm. Static chip PCR was successfully demonstrated either in a single vial or in an up to 8-parallel array vials. In situ real time fluorescence monitoring during PCR of a λ DNA fragments (236 bp) with SYBR Green I was demonstrated using a blue light emission diode as a light source and a photomultiplier as a detector. The method proposed here is characterized by open access, easy fabrication and low cost. This work could be the basis for developing a portable real time PCR system with disposable chips for point of care tests.     

Optimization of in situ derivatization SPME by experimental design for GC-MS multi-residue analysis of pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater

This paper presents the development of a procedure, which enables the analysis of nine pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) associated with solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) for the sample preparation. Experimental design was applied to optimize the in situ derivatization and the SPME extraction conditions. Ethyl chloroformate (ECF) was employed as derivatizing agent and polydimethylsiloxane‐divinylbenzene (PDMS‐DVB) as the SPME fiber coating. A fractional factorial design was used to evaluate the main factors for the in situ derivatization and SPME extraction. Thereafter, a Doehlert matrix design was applied to find out the best experimental conditions. The method presented a linear range from 0.5 to 10 μg/L, and the intraday and interday precision were lower than 16%. Applicability of the method was verified from real influent and effluent samples of a wastewater treatment plant, as well as from samples of an industry wastewater and a river.     

Studies on monitoring the composition of the copolymer by cyclic voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemical analysis

Electrochemical copolymerization of diphenylamine (DPA) with ortho-toluidine (OT) was carried out in 4 M sulphuric acid medium by cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the copolymer films were recorded to deduce the electrochemical characteristics. In situ UV-visible spectroelectrochemical studies on copolymerization were carried out using indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass plate as working electrode for different feed ratios of DPA and OT. UV-visible spectral characteristics show clear dependencies on the molar feed composition of DPA or OT used in electropolymerization. Derivative cyclic voltabsorptogram (DCVA) was deduced at the wavelength corresponding to the absorption by the intermediate species and used to identify the intermediates generated during the electropolymerization. The molar composition of DPA and OT units in the copolymer for the copolymers synthesized with different molar feed ratios of DPA and OT was determined by UV-visible spectroscopy. Reactivity ratios of DPA and OT were deduced by using Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods and the observed differences in the composition of DPA/OT in the copolymers were correlated with CV characteristics and results obtained from in situ spectroelectrochemical studies.     

Multivariate curve resolution applied to in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy data: An efficient tool for data processing and analysis

Large datasets containing many spectra commonly associated with in situ or operando experiments call for new data treatment strategies as conventional scan by scan data analysis methods have become a time-consuming bottleneck. Several convenient automated data processing procedures like least square fitting of reference spectra exist but are based on assumptions. Here we present the application of multivariate curve resolution (MCR) as a blind-source separation method to efficiently process a large data set of an in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiment where the sample undergoes a periodic concentration perturbation. MCR was applied to data from a reversible reduction–oxidation reaction of a rhenium promoted cobalt Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The MCR algorithm was capable of extracting in a highly automated manner the component spectra with a different kinetic evolution together with their respective concentration profiles without the use of reference spectra. The modulative nature of our experiments allows for averaging of a number of identical periods and hence an increase in the signal to noise ratio (S/N) which is efficiently exploited by MCR. The practical and added value of the approach in extracting information from large and complex datasets, typical for in situ and operando studies, is highlighted.     

原位液体室透射电镜观察金纳米棒/石墨烯复合物的形成和运动过程

本文利用原位液体室透射电子显微镜实时观察了液态下金纳米棒/石墨烯复合物的动态自组装行为。结果表明,由于电荷吸引力,金纳米棒倾向于通过尖端接近方式靠近石墨烯的边缘。组装结构形成以后,金纳米棒与石墨烯边缘可以发生相对旋转,其中金纳米棒边缘贴合石墨烯边缘的结构更稳定,并且没有显示金纳米棒与石墨烯边缘之间的相对角度随时间的变化。观察到了自组装结构的漂移运动,与较小尺寸的自组装结构相比,较大尺寸的结构显得更难以通过液体流动推动运动,并且其运动更容易因为来自液体室窗口基底的阻力而慢下来。利用液体室透射电镜进一步观察石墨烯折叠结构,观察结果表明折叠结构可随时间在液体中打开和闭合,导致固定在石墨烯层上的金纳米棒表现出与石墨烯之间的明显相对位置变化。总体上,自组装结构非常稳定,并且在液体中没有表现出任何的分离行为。进一步,将金纳米棒/石墨烯复合物用作催化剂,在4-硝基苯酚催化还原实验中显示出比单纯金纳米棒更好的催化性能。投料质量比为1:5的金纳米棒/石墨烯复合物表现出最佳性能,表观速率常数值为0.5570min~(-1),是单纯金纳米棒的8倍。这一显著改善与优化稳定的金纳米棒/石墨烯复合物结构密切相关。原位液体室透射电镜为分析液体中复杂的自组装行为,及未来的高性能复合催化剂材料的开发,提供了一种强有力的表征方法。     

In situ Observation of Porosity Formation in Porous Single-crystalline TiO2 Monolith for Enhanced and Stable Catalytic CO Oxidation

Introducing pores in single crystals creates a new type of porous materials that incorporate porosity and structural coherence. Herein, we use in situ transmission electron microscopy to disclose the porosity formation by converting KTiOPO₄ (KTP) single crystals into porous single-crystalline (PSC) TiO₂ monoliths in a solid-solid transformation. The isolated crystalline nuclei of TiO₂ clusters with identical lattice orientation on KTP surface moves TiO₂/KTP interface toward mother phase for growing PSC TiO₂ monoliths. The relative density in PSC TiO₂ monoliths dominates porosity while the macroscopic dimensions remain unchanged in the transformation. The single-crystalline nature of porous architecture stabilizes oxygen vacancy to activate lattice oxygen while the three-dimensional percolation enhances species diffusion. PSC TiO₂ monoliths with deposited Pt clusters show enhanced and stable catalytic CO oxidation in air at ∼75 °C for 200 hours of operation.     

Determining the pure component spectra of trace organometallic intermediates by combined application of in situ Raman spectroscopy and band-target entropy minimization analysis

Trace organometallic intermediates arising from complex organic syntheses are usually quite difficult to detect spectroscopically. In situ FTIR and in situ NMR are the only techniques that are used with any regularity for such studies. In this contribution, high-pressure in situ Raman spectroscopic measurements were performed for the rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of 3,3-dimethylbut-1-ene using Rh₄(CO)₁₂ as catalyst precursor at 298 K – a reaction extensively studied previously by more sensitive in situ FTIR. The Raman spectroscopic measurements were analyzed using the band-target entropy minimization (BTEM) algorithm. As expected, the pure component spectra of dissolved CO, 3,3-dimethylbut-1-ene, and 4,4-dimethylpentanal were easily recovered. In addition, the pure component spectra of the precursor Rh₄(CO)₁₂ and the intermediate RCORh(CO)₄ (R = (CH₃)₃CCH₂CH₂) were successfully reconstructed – even though the mean concentrations of both species were on the order of 150 ppm. The BTEM estimate of the Raman spectrum of RCORh(CO)₄ is reported for the first time. This Raman spectrum is consistent with the DFT predicted spectrum. This study represents the first combined application of Raman spectroscopy and BTEM analysis to a homogeneously catalyzed metal-mediated reaction. The potential and limitations of this general approach are discussed.     

Development and optimisation of a portable micro-XRF method for in situ multi-element analysis of ancient ceramics

Non-destructive analysis of cultural objects by micro-XRF spectrometry is an advantageous multi-element technique that has rapidly developed during the past few years. Portable instruments contribute significantly to the in situ analysis of valuable cultural objects, which cannot be transported to the laboratory. Ancient ceramics are the most common archaeological findings and they carry a significant historical content. Their analysis often presents certain particularities due to surface irregularities and heterogeneity problems. In the present work, the analytical characteristics (beam spot size, geometry effect and detection limits) of a compact and portable micro-XRF instrument with a monocapillary lens are presented in details. The standard reference materials SARM 69, SRM 620, NCS DC 73332 and the reference materials AWI-1 and PRI-1 were analysed for the determination of the detection limits (DL's) and the evaluation of the accuracy of the micro-XRF. Emphasis is given on the critical parameters, which should be monitored during measurements and influence the final results in the analysis of ancient ceramics. A quantitative analysis of ancient ceramic samples from Abdera (North Greece) is also presented.     

透射电子显微镜原位观察Cu/ZnO甲醇催化剂前驱体的分解过程

本文通过透射电子显微镜原位研究了甲醇催化剂前驱体锌孔雀石的分解过程。HRTEM、电子衍射及STEM面扫元素分析结果显示锌孔雀石分解过程可大致分为四个阶段。分解首先同时引发于锌孔雀石晶体内部的随机区域和晶体外表面,导致局域结构塌陷形成内部孔洞和非晶表面扩散层;随后孔洞逐渐增多增大,表面扩散层进一步增厚,同时CuO在孔洞区域和表面扩散层区域逐步结晶形成小晶粒;最后锌孔雀石结构完全分解,形成相互交织的CuO和ZnO,其中CuO小晶粒被非晶态ZnO相互隔离;此后进一步加热,ZnO方逐步结晶得到相互交织的CuO晶粒和ZnO晶粒,即焙烧后催化剂的结构。本研究通过TEM直观观察了整个分解过程的结构变化,增进了对甲醇催化剂前驱体焙烧过程的理解,也将有助于优化催化剂焙烧条件。