Chemical composition of T-21 silica tubing and implications for neutron activation analysis

T-21 silica, a commonly used encapsulation material in neutron activation analysis of small samples, was analyzed by INAA to determine trace levels of the following impurities: Na, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Br, Sb, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Hf and Au. In the unprocessed form supplied by the manufacturer, pieces of T-21 weighing 50 mg contain 6·10^–2 g Na; 9·10^–3 g Fe; 3·10^–7–7·10^–6 g light REE, Sc and Hf and 4·10^–8 g Tb and Au. In a series of glass-blowing steps, in which unfiltered gases were used for fuel, and cleaning steps, in which reagent grade aqua regia was used, irradiation vials were produced which contain higher average levels of Sc, La, Sm, Tb and Hf, by factors ranging from 1.3 for Sm to 11.5 for La, and lower average levels of Co, Na and Fe, by factors of 1.4, 2.0 and 4.0, respectively, than the unprocessed material. These contamination levels lead to blank corrections of 21% for La, 2.6% for Ce and 3.0% for Hf in 40 g samples of refractory inclusions from carbonaceous chondrites, if counted in their irradiation vials.     

Trace and minor elements in four commercial honey brands

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentrations of 24 elements in four honey brands commercially available in Austin, Texas (USA). The measured elements (and concentration) were: As, (<30 ng/g); Ba, (<2 g/g); Br, (0.24–0.49 g/g); Ce, (<20 ng/g); Co, (9–180 ng/g); Cr, (37–64 ng/g); Cs, (<3–45 ng/g); Fe, (<4–15.9 g/g); Hf, (<3 ng/g); Hg, (1 ng/g); K, (91–230 g/g); La, (<4 ng/g); Na, (20.3–25.3 g/g); Ni, (0.39–0.77 g/g); Rb, (68–340 ng/g); Sb, (13–61 ng/g); Sc, (<0.3–200 ng/g); Se, (<20 ng/g); Sm, (<9 ng/g); Sr, (<2 ng/g); Th, (<4 ng/g); U, (<30 ng/g); Zn, (3.36–4.61 g/g); and Zr, (<0.5–0.84 g/g). The results obtained were compared to the concentration of the same elements in honey produced or commercially available in Turkey, Mexico, El-Salvador, China, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.     

Microwave Spectrum and Dipole Moment of 1,3‐dioxolane in the Hindered‐Pseudorotation States v = 0, 1, 2, and 3

The microwave spectrum of 1,3dioxolane (C₃H₆O₂) in the ground and first three excited states of hindered pseudorotation was studied. The transitions corresponding to the _b, _c, and _a components of the dipole moment were identified. The spectrum was analyzed using numerical diagonalization of the effective rotational Hamiltonian for four interacting states of hindered pseudorotation. The rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, the constants of interaction between general rotation and hindered pseudorotation, and the distances between the quasidegenerate vibrational levels ₀₁ = 64840.5, ₁₂ = 122231.7 and ₂₃ = 119732.7 MHz are determined. From the Stark effect of microwave transitions, the dipole moment components (in Debye units) in the hinderedpseudorotation states v = 0, 1, 2, and 3 are determined: 0|_b|0 = 1|_b|1 = 1.22, 2|_b|2 = 1.20, 3|_b|3 = 1.21, 0|_c|1 = 0.77, 2|_c3 = 0.66, and 1|_a|2 = 0.19.     

Effect of Surfactants on the Immobilization of 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol on Silochroms

The effect of cationic surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate) and a nonionic surfactant (OP-7) on the conditions of the immobilization of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) on three types of silica gel (Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m), Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m), and Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m)) was studied. It was found that OP-7 does not affect the adsorption of surfactants. The effect of cationic surfactants increases in the order tetrabutylammonium perchlorate < cetyltrimethylammonium bromide < cetylpyridinium bromide. The adsorption activity of silica gels increases in the order Silochrom S-120 (315–500 m) < Silochrom S-80 (200–350 m) < Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m). Cetylpyridinium bromide provides full immobilization of PAR on silica gel Silochrom S-120 (200–350 m) in the pH range 2–9.     

Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in Blutserum mit Hilfe der Totalreflexions-R?ntgenfluoreszenzanalyse

Summary The quantitative determination of trace elements in human blood serum by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (TXRF) is influenced by absorption- and reflection-effects caused by the organic (proteins) and inorganic (P, S, Na, K, Ca, Cl) matrices. To minimize these effects we have developed a sample preparation technique based on the decomposition of the organic matrix and followed by the separation of the trace elements from the organic matrix by ion-exchange. The described method enables the simultaneous determination of K (1584 g), Ca (666 g), Fe (22 g), Cu (9.6 g), Zn (8.8 g), Se (0.97 g), Sn (1.3 g), Pb (0.12 g) and Rb (1.6 g) (obtained values in parentheses).

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Herrn Prof. Dr. G. Tölg zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Hydrogen profiling in thin films using coincident ERD

By using the coincident measurement, an ERD method has been established and used for hydrogen profiling in thin foils. In the present study, 6 MeV has been used as incident particle, the scattered and the recoiled proton from one collision were coincidentally detected at 150 (proton) and 173.9 (). This method has been used for hydrogen profiling of 5.6 m Mylar and 8.6 m aluminium foils. Because of the coincident measurement, the background is largely reduced, and its minimum detection limit is about 0.5% (atomic), lower than the conventional ERD method. The measured depth resolution in 5.6 m Mylar is 0.6 m. It is possible to use this method for hydrogen profiling in thin foils of several micron thickness.     

Simultaneous determination of cobalt,nickel and iron by multi-wavelength spectrophotometry

A method for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of cobalt, nickel and iron based on the formation of their complexes with 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridylmethylene) thiocarbonohydrazide is proposed. The absorption curves of these complexes overlap severely in the scanning range 390–510 nm. The analyte concentrations are calculated by a least squares fit of the pure spectra to the mixture spectra, which therefore makes the simultaneous determination of these metallic ions possible without tedious pretreatment. The detection limits afforded by the proposed method range from 0.05 g/ml for Fe and Ni to 0.1 g/ml for Co. Root-mean-squared errors of prediction of 0.085 g/ml for Co, 0.048 g/ml for Ni and 0.1172 g/ml for Fe were obtained using the wavelength range 400–510 nm and 0.147 g/ml for Co, 0.107 g/ml for Ni and 0.127 g/ml for Fe using the wavelength range 420–434 nm. The effect of interferences is studied and the proposed method is applied to analysis for the above elements in synthetic samples and real samples, such as biological materials and alloys.     

Modified method for filling micro-HPLC-columns

Summary A new method is introduced for packing micro-columns with an ID (inner diameter) of 320 m. The advantage of this method is the extraordinary economy of the packing material employed and the high reliability in production. The theoretical plate height ranges from 7 to 8 m for 3 m particles.     

Determination of traces of iron and gallium in high-purity aluminium

Summary A procedure is described suitable for determining iron and gallium down to the levels present in 99.999% pure aluminium. Copper, cobalt, manganese, and lanthanum do not interfere. A single determination takes about two hours.The precision of the method is within 0.1g iron at the 2-g iron level and within 0.4g of gallium at the 2-g gallium level per gram of metal.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Bisen und Gallium in 99,999%igem Aluminium wird beschrieben. Kupfer, Kobalt, Mangan und Lanthan stören nicht. Eine Einzelbestimmung dauert ungefähr 2 Stunden. Die Genauigkeit des Verfahrens beträgt 0,1g Fe und 0,4g Ga bei Anwesenheit von 2g des betreffenden Elementes pro Gramm Metall.

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Résumé On décrit un procédé permettant le dosage du fer et du gallium jusqu'aux teneurs présentes dans l'aluminium pur à 99,999%. Le cuivre, le cobalt, le manganèse et le lanthane n'interfèrent pas. Un seul dosage demande environ 2 heures.La précision de la méthode est de 0,1g de fer pour 2g de fer présent et de 0,4g de gallium pour 2g de gallium présent par gramme de métal.

     

Zur Bestimmung N-substituierter Aniline mit Natriumchlorit

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine photometrische Bestimmungsmethode beschrieben für Anilin (40–720 g/ml), Monoäthylanilin (90–1650 g/ml) und Diäthylanilin (100–1600 g/ml) mit Natriumchlorit in äthanolisch-wäßrigen Lösungen, sowie für Diäthylanilin (85–1140 g/ml) und Dimethylanilin (30–330 g/ml) neben den primären und sekundären Aminen in essigsaurer Lösung mit demselben Reagens. Das Verfahren liefert gute Ergebnisse.

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Summary A photometric procedure is described for the determination of aniline (40–720 g/ml), monoethylaniline (90–1650 g/ml), and diethylaniline (100–1600 g/ml) with sodium chlorite in aqueous ethanolic solutions and of diethylaniline (85–1140 g/ml) and dimethylamline (30 to 330 g/ml) in presence of the primary and secondary amines in acetic acid solution using the same reagent. Good results have been obtained,

     

On the use of azo dyes for the spectrophotometric determination of uranium and thorium in mixed solvents

Summary Solochrome Black 6 BN in an acetate buffered medium containing methanol reacts with U(IV) to give a blue complex which permits photometric determination with 5g U/ml to 100g U/ml.In the presence of zinc acetate, uranyl ion also may be spectrophotometrically determined by means of the same dye. From 2g U/ml to 40g U/ml may be determined with a relative error of less than ± 0.05.

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Zusammenfassung Es werden zwei Methoden zur spektrophotometrischen Bestimmung von Uran mittels Solochromschwarz 6 BN beschrieben. Dieser Farbstoff bildet mit U(IV) in acetatgepuffertem, methanolhältigem Medium einen blaugefärbten Komplex, der die Bestimmung von 5 bis 100g U/ml erlaubt.Mit demselben Farbstoff lassen sich auch 2 bis 40g U/ml in Lösungen von Uranylchlorid bestimmen.

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Résumé Le noir solochrome 6 BN en milieu tampon acétique contenant du méthanol réagit avec U-IV en donnant un complexe bleu qui permet le dosage photométrique de 5 g U/ml à 100 g U/ml.En présence d'acétate de zinc, on peut aussi doser l'ion uranyle par spectrophotométrie avec le même colorant. On peut doser de 2 g U/ml à 40 g U/ml avec une erreur relative inférieure à ± 0,05.

     

Size spectra for trace elements in urban aerosol particles by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Size-fractionated aerosol samples collected with micro-orifice impactors at Camden, NJ, a heavily industrialized urban area, and at two sites near Washington, DC, were analyzed for elemental constituents determined instrumentally from short-lived neutron activation products. A least-squares peak-fitting method was used with impactor calibration data to determine log-normal distribution parameters, i.e., mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and geometric standard deviation (_g) for particles bearing S, V, Br, and I. For these elements, MMADs ranged from 0.24 to 0.65 m; 0.23 to 0.53 m; 0.22 to 0.61 m, and 0.20 to 0.48 m, respectively.     

Cleavage of 1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diyne on a ruthenium-cobalt cluster: Synthesis and molecular structure of Co2Ru3(μ4−C2Ph)(μ3−C2Ph)(μ-dppm)(μ-CO)2(CO)9

The reaction between Ru₃(₃-²-PhC₂C=CPh)(-dppm)(CO)₈ and Co₂(CO)₈ afforded dark red Co₂Ru₃(₄-C₂Ph)(₃-C₂Ph)(-dppm)(-CO)₂(CO)₉, shown by an X-ray structure determination to contain a strongly twisted Co₂Ru₃ bow-tie cluster (central Co), to which two PhC₂ units derived from cleavage of the original diyne are attached. One a these is strongly interacting with four metal atoms, the other being attached in the familiar ¹,2²-mode. The dppm ligand remains bridging two of the Ru atoms.     

Grenzkonzentration und Erfassungsgrenze quantitativer Analysenmethoden. Berechnung dieser Kennzahlen für (spektral-)photometrische Verfahren

Zusammenfassung Es wird vorgeschlagen, den unteren Anwendungsbereich quantitativer Methoden ebenso wie in der qualitativen Mikroanalyse durch die Begriffe Grenzkonzentration und Erfassungsgrenze zu kennzeichnen. Durch die Ableitung dieser Werte nach mathematisch-statistischen Regeln erhalten Grenzkonzentration und Erfassungsgrenze den Charakter objektiver Kennzahlen. Für photometrische und spektralphotometrische Methoden werden Gleichungen zur Berechnung der Grenzkonzentration ing/ml und in Prozent der Probe, sowie der Erfassungsgrenze ing Substanz angegeben. Berechnungsgrundlagen sind die Streuung der Blindwerte, der molare Extinktionskoeffizient oder der Sandellsche Empfindlichkeitsindex und andere analytische Parameter.

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Summary It is suggested that the lower application region of quantitative methods, just as in the case of qualitative microanalyses, be characterized by the concepts limiting concentration and detection limit. These values acquire the character of objective coefficients when they are derived in accord with mathematical-statistical laws. Equations for calculating the limiting concentration ing/ml and in % of the sample, as well as the detection limit ing of the material, are given for photometric and spectrophotometric methods. The bases for the calculation are the dispersion of the blank values, the molar extinction coefficient, or the Sandell sensitivity index and other analytical parameters.

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Herrn Professor Dr.Hans Lieb aus Anlaß seines 80. Geburtstages gewidmet.     

Selective determination of neodymium and erbium in mixtures with other lanthanides by second-derivative spectrophotometry of complexes with benzoyl-indan-1,3-dione and cetylpyridinium chloride

The absorption spectra of 4f electron transitions of the neodymium and erbium complexes with benzoyl-indan-1,3-dione and cetylpyridinium chloride have been studied by conventional and derivative spectrophotometry. The second-derivative spectrum has been used to eliminate the interference of the other lanthanides, and to increase the sensitivity by a further factor of 4–6. Beer's Law is obeyed for 6–29 g/ml Nd and 7–33 g/ml Er. The relative standard deviations evaluated from 10 independent determinations of 5.0 g/ml Nd and Er were 1.1% (Nd) and 1.6% (Er). The detection limits obtained from the sensitivity of the calibration graphs and 3s _b, (standard deviation of the blank,n = 11) were 0.63 g/ml Nd and 0.61 g/ml Er. The quantification limits (10s _b) were 2.1 g/ml Nd and 2.0 g/ml Er. A method for the direct determination of neodymium and erbium in rare earth mixtures with good accuracy and selectivity is proposed.     

Fallout analysis of atmospheric water precipitations

Summary A rapid ion-exchange method for the determination of ¹⁴⁴Ce, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁸⁹Sr, ⁹⁰Sr and ¹⁴⁰Ba in 2–30 liter samples of atmospheric water precipitations is described. The samples, containing up to 300 mg of calcium, are sorbed on a specially shaped column filled with Dowex 50, X-8 or Dowex 50W, X-8. Radio-cerium and radio-caesium are stripped from the column with 0.6 M ammonium glycolate/ 0.2 M NaCl, pH 5, radio-strontium and radio-barium with 0.15 M ammonium citrate, pH 7.5. The isolated radio-nuclides are counted on a low-background beta-counter: ¹⁴⁴Ce as CeO₂, ¹³⁷Cs as Cs-dipicrylaminate, ⁸⁹Sr/⁹⁰Sr as SrCO₃, ⁹⁰Y as Y₂O₃, and ¹⁴⁰Ba as BaCO₃. The mean chemical yields amount to 95% for cerium, 85% for caesium, 95% for strontium, 95% for yttrium and 65% for barium. With parallel determinations at levels of a few picocuries, the deviations of the results from the respective mean values generally do not exceed ± 5%. With a 30 l sample the limit of detection amounts to 0.005 Ci/l for ¹⁴⁴Ce, 0.006 Ci/l for ¹³⁷Cs, 0.005 Ci/l for ⁹⁰Sr, and 0.006 Ci/l for ¹⁴⁰Ba.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine schnelle Ionenaustauschmethode für die Bestimmung von ¹⁴⁴Ce, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁸⁹Sr, ⁹⁰Sr und ¹⁴⁰Ba in 2–30 l Proben von atmosphärischen Wasser-Niederschlägen beschrieben. Die Proben, mit einem Calciumgehalt bis zu 300 mg, werden in eine besonders gestaltete, mit Dowex 50, X-8 oder Dowex 50 W, X-8 gefüllte Säule eingewaschen. Radio-Cer und Radio-Caesium werden mit 0,6 M Ammoniumglykolat/0,2 M NaCl, pH 5, Radio-Strontium und Radio-Barium mit 0,15 M Ammoniumcitrat pH 7,5 eluiert. Die isolierten Radio-Nuklide werden in einem Beta-Antikoinzidenzzähler gemessen: ¹⁴⁴Ce als CeO₂, ¹³⁷Cs als Cs-dipikrylaminat, ⁸⁹Sr/⁹⁰Sr als SrCO₃, ⁹⁰Y als Y₂O₃ und ¹⁴⁰Ba als BaCO₃. Die mittlere Rückgewinnung der zugesetzten Träger beträgt für Cer 95%, 85% für Caesium, 95% für Strontium, 95% für Yttrium und 65% für Barium. In Parallelbestimmungen mit Gehalten von einigen Ci/l, überschreiten die Abweichungen der Ergebnisse von den entsprechenden Mittelwerten im allgemein nicht 5%. Bei einer 30 l-Probe beträgt die untere Nachweisgrenze 0,005 Ci/l für ¹⁴⁴Ce, 0,006 Ci/l für ¹³⁷Cs, 0,005 Ci/l für ⁹⁰Sr und 0,006 Ci/l für ¹⁴⁰Ba.

     

Colorimetric determination of vanadium with 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline after paper-chromatographic separation from interfering ions

Summary 5,7-Dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline is recommended as reagent for the colorimetric determination of vanadium. The absorption is measured at 394 nm. Interfering ions are removed by paper chromatography with a collidine containing solvent. With amounts of 45–120 g of vanadium an error of ± 1 g has been obtained.

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Zusammenfassung Zur colorimetrischen Vanadiumbestimmung wird 5,7-Dibrom-8-hydroxychinolin als Reagens empfohlen. Die Messung erfolgt bei 394 nm. Störende Ionen werden durch Papier-Chromatographie mit einem collidinhaltigen Fliemittel entfernt. Der Fehler betrug ±1 g bei Vanadiummengen von 45–120g.

     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer particles by seeded polymerization utilizing the dynamic monomer swelling method

Utilizing a new type of monomer swelling method, 6.1 m-size monodisperse polymer particles were prepared by seeded polymerization. 1.8 m-size monodisperse polystyrene (PS) seed particles (1.8 m in size) were prepared by dispersion polymerization in ethanol-water (80/20, v/v) medium in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) as stabilizer with 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The PS seed dispersion was mixed with ethanol-water (60/40, v/v) solution dissolving styrene (S) monomer, benzoyl peroxide as initiator, and poly(vinyl alcohol) as stabilizer. By slow, continuous, dropwise addition of water with a micro feeder into the mixture, the PS particles absorbed the many S monomers, which were separated from the medium and swelled from 1.8 m to 8.4 m while keeping the monodispersity high. We named this procedure the dynamic swelling method. Then, the seeded polymerization of the absorbed S monomer was carried out in the presence of NaNO₂ as water-solube inhibitor.Part CXXII of the series Studies on Suspension and Emulsion.     

Determination of tetraethyllead and tetramethyllead using high performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection

Summary A new method for the separation of tetramethyllead (TML) and tetraethyllead (TEL) was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The electrochemical detection was examined with different electrodes. Amperometric and pulse-amperometric techniques were investigated and the optimal working potential for each electrode was determined. Linearity for the glassy carbon electrode was observed between 350 ng and 30 g; the detection limit is 310 ng (TML) resp. 340 ng (TEL). In case of the mercury gold electrode the linearity range was 300 g–3 g and the detection limit 1.5 m (TML) resp. 1.7 g (TEL).     

A technique for capillary joining in capillary electrophoresis

Summary Aspects of cracking and joining capillaries have been investigated. Capillary coupling was achieved using various methods. The most successful used hydrofluoric acid-etched capillaries to form male and female ends which were then joined together. This type of joint was used to connect sections of capillary of similar and different internal diameters with minimal loss in resolution, peak width and number of theoretical plates. (Uridine and hypoxanthine was used as a test mixture). For hypoxanthine on a 50 m/50 m etched joined capillary 10 cm from the detector window the number of theoretical plates was 96.6% of that for hypoxanthine on an unbroken capillary. Following the relative success of capillary joining, a coupled capillary flowcell (50 m/200 m) was produced and evaluated.