Theoretical studies of Cu(I) sites in faujasite and their interaction with carbon monoxide

Sitting, coordination, and properties of Cu(I) cations in zeolite faujasite are investigated using a combined quantum mechanics-interatomic potential function method. The coordination of Cu(I) ions depends on their location within the zeolite lattice. Cu(I) located inside the hexagonal prisms (site I') and in the plane of six-membered aluminosilicate rings on the walls of sodalite units (site II) is threefold coordinated, whereas Cu(I) located in the supercages (site III) is twofold coordinated. In agreement with available experimental data Cu(I) appears to be more strongly bound in sites I' and II than in site III. The binding energy of site II Cu(I) ions increases with the number of Al atoms, but only closest Al atoms have a substantial influence. The CO molecule binds more strongly onto sites with weaker bound cations and lower coordination. We assign the two CO stretching IR bands observed for Cu(I)-Y zeolites to sites II with one Al (2157-2161 cm(-1)) and two Al atoms (2140-2148 cm(-1)) in the six-membered aluminosilicate ring. For Cu(I)-X we tentatively assign the high frequency band to site III (2156-2168 cm(-1)) and the low-frequency band to site II with three Al atoms in the six-membered ring (2136-2138 cm(-1)).     

Emission spectroscopic studies of Grimm-type glow discharge plasma with argon-helium gas mixtures

The effect of argon/helium pressure ratios on the emission intensity of various Ar II lines is investigated for a Grimm-type glow discharge radiation source, operated with Ar-He mixtures. The relative intensities of the Ar II lines are altered significantly by mixing helium with argon. It is found that the population of the Ar⁺ excited states can be redistributed through He-Ar collisional energy transfer. The energy level of the He singlet metastable state (¹S₀,20.62 eV) is very important for these processes. If the excitation energy of Ar II lines is higher than that of the He singlet metastable, strong quenching of the Ar II line intensity is observed. However, when the excitation energy is slightly lower, some of the Ar II lines are enhanced by adding helium to the argon plasma. Energy exchanges between the Ar⁺ doublet term states and the He singlet metastable are favoured because the total spin remains unchanged before and after the He-Ar collisions. Furthermore, the helium mixing also exerts a great influence on the emission intensities of the elements sputtered from the cathode of the discharge lamp. The enhancement of Al I and Al II emission intensities at suitable Ar-He mixture ratios is discussed for when aluminum is employed as a cathode material.     

Study of ionic-to-atomic line intensity ratios for two axial viewing-based inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometers

Using two axially-viewed inductively coupled plasma (ICP) systems that exhibited different behaviors to matrix effects, the sensitivity of the Mg II 280.270 nm/ Mg I 285.213 nm line intensity ratio to the ICP operating conditions and to matrix effects was compared to that observed for alternative ionic-to-atomic line intensity ratios such as the Cd II 226.502 nm/Cd I 228.802 nm, Cr II 267.716 nm/Cr I 357.868 nm, Ni II 231.604 nm/Ni I 232.138 nm, Pb II 220.353 nm/Pb I 217.000 nm, and Zn II 206.200 nm/Zn I 213.857 nm ratios. Both robust and non-robust conditions were used. Some lines behaved differently, in particular the Mg I and Cr I lines, not only as a function of the matrix, but also as a function of the ICP system. The Mg II/Mg I ratio was found to remain a good compromise to follow changes in plasma conditions. The use of several ionic-to-atomic line ratios confirmed that axial viewing leads to matrix effects that are particularly sensitive for atomic lines. The effects cannot be totally suppressed, even under robust conditions, and regardless of the ICP system. An alternative to minimize matrix effects was the use of a buffer such as Cs at 10 g l⁻¹.     

Furnace atomization plasma emission spectrometry with He/Ar mixed gas plasmas

The influence of plasma gas composition on the operating and analytical characteristics of a furnace atomization plasma emission source (FAPES) is presented. He I and Ar I excitation temperatures increase 30% in the mixed gas plasmas whereas argon ion excitation temperatures decrease from 33 000 K to 26 000 K in the presence of He. Collisional exchange of internal energy between excited states of Ar and He accounts for these changes. Average analyte ionization temperatures (for Cr, Mn, Mg, Co, Fe, Cd and Zn), derived from the relative emission intensities of their ionic and atomic lines in a 40-MHz 50-W plasma, increase from 5270 K to 6740 K with the addition of Ar to He. Ionic line intensities increase from 10-fold (Mn) to 40-fold (Cd, Zn) with addition of Ar to the plasma while atomic line intensities increase only twofold. Limits of detection remain substantially unaltered for atomic transitions due to increased noise but are improved twofold (Cd) to 24-fold (Mn) for ionic transitions. The analytical advantages and disadvantages of mixed gas plasmas are discussed. The Ne I excitation temperature at 40 MHz and 50 W was determined to be 4330±80 K.     

Preparation, characterization and metal sorption studies of a Chrome-Azurol-S-loaded anion-exchange resin

Chrome Azurol S (CS) was mobilized on an strongly basic anion-exchange resin (Dowex 2 x 4, in Cl(-) form) by batch equilibration. The modified resin was stable in acetate buffer solution and in 0.1 M HCl and H(2)SO(4), but it was readily degraded with 2-6 M HCl and HNO(3). Retention of Ba(II), Sr(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), Al(III), Cr(III), Zn(II), Fe(III), Ti(IV), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) was studied using the batch equilibration method. The uptake and recovery yields were determined by using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (for Mg, Al, Cr, Ti, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (for Ba, Sr, Ca and Co). The optimum pH value was established for performing a selective separation of Al(III) from the other metal ions. The sorption capacities of the CS-loaded resing for Al(III), Cr(III), Mg(II) (at pH 6), Fe(III) (at pH 5) and Ti(IV) (at pH 4) were 14, 2.9, 0.3, 3 and 3.9 mumoles g(-1) respectively. On this basis a method for separating Al(III) from other cations was established.     

The role of the He I and He II metastables in the population of the Sn II,Sn III and Sn IV ion levels

On the basis of the temporal evolutions of the singly, doubly and triply ionized tin (Sn II, Sn III and Sn IV, respectively) spectral line intensities, in the pulsed helium and nitrogen plasmas, the important role of the He I and He II metastables has been observed in the Sn II, Sn III and Sn IV ionization and population processes. According to these processes, one can expect realization of several laser levels in the Sn II (11.07, 11.20, 12.44 and 13.11 eV), Sn III (15.91, 17.82, 19.13 and 20.19 eV) and Sn IV (20.51 eV) spectra. The modified version of the linear, low-pressure, pulsed arc was used as a plasma source operated in helium with tin atoms, as impurities, evaporated from tin cylindrical plates located in the homogenous part of the discharge tube. This plasma source provides good conditions for a generation of the Sn III, Sn IV and Sn V ions at relatively low electron temperatures (below 18,000 K) providing low background radiation around the intense Sn IV and Sn III spectral lines in the helium plasma. The 222.613 ± 0.0005 nm Sn IV line, not observed up to now, has been identified. The marked, but not classified 243.688 nm Sn spectral line is sorted by ionization stages. The shapes of Sn III and Sn IV lines, ranged between 207 nm and 307 nm, have been obtained. At a 17,500 K electron temperature and 1.07 × 10²³ m^− 3 electron density the Stark broadening was found as the dominant mechanism in the mentioned lines broadening. The measured Stark widths of the prominent nine Sn IV and seven Sn III lines are the first data in the literature. The Stark widths of the intense 229.913 nm and 288.766 nm Sn IV lines can be used for the plasma electron density and temperature diagnostics purposes.     

Matrix effect of barium on spectral line intensities and detection limits in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

The effect of four concentrations of Ba (as nitrate) on emission intensities of La(II) 337.7, Mg(I) 285.2, Mg(II) 279.1, Cd(I) 228.8, Cd(II) 226.5, Zn(I) 213.8 and Zn(II) 206.2 nm as a function of power and height above the load coil is studied. The detection limits of atomic and ionic lines of La, Mg, Zn and Cd with/without addition of Ba are reported. Low Ba concentration (0.001M) decreases the detection limit of the element of low ionization energy (La) while high Ba concentration (0.3M) decreases detection limits of the elements of high ionization energies (Cd and Zn) and increases the detection limit of the element of medium ionization energy (Mg).     

Analysis of superconductor oxides YBa2Cu3O8−x by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and complexometric titration

The elemental composition of superconductor oxides YBa₂Cu₃O_8−x were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and complexometric titration. Samples were dissolved in dilute HCl. A sequential PU 7000 Philips inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer was used for the measurements. A comparison of the different atom and ion emission lines of yttrium, barium and copper was carried out. The effect of changes of forward radio frequency (RF) power coupled into the plasma on emission intensity of various spectral lines was studied. The RF power was changed from 0.8 to 1.2 kW. The changes in the net intensities (%) of the emission lines of Cu(I) at 324.754 nm, Cu(II) at 224.700 nm, Ba(II) at 455.403, Ba(II) at 493.409 nm, Y(II) at 371.030 nm and Y(II) at 360.073 nm were calculated. The indicator 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-Naphthol (PAN) and different buffers were used for the complexometric titration of Cu, Y and Ba. No statistically significant differences were found between the results of ICP-AES and chemical methods of analysis.     

Application of nondestructive X-ray fluorescence analysis to determine the element composition of medicinal plants

A nondestructive X-ray fluorescence technique has been developed to determine Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Ba, and Pb in plants. The line element intensities were measured by an S4 Pioneer X-ray sequence spectrometer (Bruker AXS, Germany). The inversely proportional relationship was obtained between the analyte line intensity and mass of the plant, pressed on boric acid backing, for elements with an atomic number 11 < Z < 20. It was found that reduction of plant mass from 6 to 1 g leads to an increase in element determination sensitivity. The detection limits for 1 g of pressed plant were evaluated as μg/g: 5–20 (Na, Mg, Al); 1–4 (Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Ba, Pb); 0.4-0.8 (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Br, Cu, Zn, Rb and Sr). This technique was applied to determine the element composition of violets of Violaceae family, which are used in medicine.     

Low-temperature chemistry in helium droplets: reactions of aluminum atoms with O2 and H2O

The doping of He droplets by Al atoms and their reactions with H(2)O and O(2) at T = 0.37 K was investigated. It was found that at high doping concentrations, the incorporated Al atoms do not aggregate to form clusters. They rather remain as separated atoms inside of the He droplets. Mass spectrometry and the recently developed depletion method have been applied to study the reactions. It was found that single Al atoms react with single O(2) molecules. The dominant product of this reaction occurring inside of the He droplets is AlO(2). The reaction between Al and O(2) clusters has also been detected. The Al clusters react with single H(2)O molecules or clusters. While single Al atoms react with H(2)O clusters, no reaction of single Al atoms with a single water molecule was found.     

Comparison of pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulizations in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry — matrix effects and plasma parameters

Matrix effects and plasma parameters in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) using the sample introduction systems with ultrasonic and pneumatic nebulizations were studied. Analytical line intensities of fourteen elements and their detection limits as well as plasma temperatures, electron number density and ion-to-atom line intensity ratios were investigated with and without presence of complex matrix composed of Na, K, Mg and Ca. With ultrasonic nebulization in comparison to pneumatic nebulization, the line intensities were enhanced and the enhancement factor was dependent on the total line excitation energy. For each type of the sample introduction system, the changes in line intensities induced by the complex matrix were correlated with the sum of Ca and Mg concentrations. The excitation temperatures of atoms and ions, the ionization temperatures and the ion-to-atom line intensity ratios were the lowest using the ultrasonic nebulizer and quite well comparable for both pneumatic nebulizers (Meinhard and V-groove). The differences between excitation temperatures of ions and atoms were the largest while the electron number density was the lowest when the ultrasonic nebulizer was employed. Generally, the plasma parameters were independent of the matrix composition. The differences in plasma parameters observed for the individual nebulizers were related to various amounts of solvent loaded to the plasma.     

Purification and Biochemical Characterization of Two Xylanases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus sydowii</Emphasis> SBS 45

Two xylanases were isolated and purified from crude culture filtrate of Aspergillus sydowii SBS 45 after 9 days of growth on wheat bran containing 0.5% (w/v) birch wood xylan as the carbon source under solid-state fermentation. After a three-step purification scheme involving ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography (Sephadex G-200), and anion exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sephadex A-50), xylanase I was purified 93.41 times, and xylanase II was purified 77.40 times with yields of 4.49 and 10.46, respectively. Molecular weights of xylanase I and II were 20.1 and 43 kDa, respectively, in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Optimum temperature was 50 degrees C, and optimum pH was 10.0 for both xylanase I and II. The Km value of xylanase I for birch wood xylan was 3.18 mg ml(-1) and for oat spelt xylan 6.45 mg ml(-1), while the Km value of xylanase II for birch wood xylan was 6.51 mg ml(-1) and for oat spelt xylan 7.69 mg ml(-1). Metal ions like Al3+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Na+, and Zn2+ enhanced the activity of xylanase I and II at 10 mM concentration. Among the additives, L-tryptophan enhanced the activity of xylanase I and II at 10-, 20-, and 30-mM concentrations. Both xylanases appeared to be glycoproteins.     

Application of prominent spectral lines in the 125-180 nm range for inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

A new axially viewed ICP optical emission spectrometer featuring an argon-filled optic and CCD detectors was evaluated for the application of prominent spectral lines in the 125-180 nm range. This wavelength range was investigated for several analytical applications of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). There are different advantages for the application of spectral lines below 180 nm. A number of elements, such as Al, Br, Cl, Ga, Ge, I, In, N, P, Pb, Pt, S and Te, were found to have the most intense spectral lines in the wavelength range from 125-180 nm. Compared with lines above 180 nm higher signal-to-background ratios were found. Low limits of detection using pneumatic nebulization of aqueous solutions for sample introduction were calculated for Al II 167.080 nm (0.04 microg L(-1)), Br I 154.065 nm (9 microg L(-1)), Cl I 134.724 nm (19 microg L(-1)), Ga II 141.444 nm (0.8 microg L(-1)), Ge II 164.919 nm (1.3 microg L(-1)), II 142.549 nm (13 microg L(-1)), In II 158.583 nm (0.2 microg L(-1)), P I 177.500 nm (0.9 microg L(-1)), Pb II 168.215 nm (1.5 microg L(-1)), Pt II 177.709 nm (2.6 microg L(-1)), S I 180.731 nm (1.9 microg L(-1)) and Te I 170.00 nm (4.6 microg L(-1)). Numerous application examples for the use of those lines and other important spectral lines below 180 nm are given. Because of fewer emission lines from transition elements, such as Fe, Co, Cr, lines below 180 nm often offer freedom from spectral interferences. Additional lines of lower intensity for the determination of higher elemental concentrations are also available in the vacuum ultraviolet spectral range. This is specially useful when the concentrations are not in the linear range of calibration curves obtained with commonly used lines.     

A wavelength table for emission lines of non-metallic elements with transition assignments and relative intensities observed in an atmospheric pressure helium microwave-induced plasma

The emission lines of 10 non-metallic elements (H, C, N, O, F, Cl, P, S, Br and I) excited by an atmospheric pressure helium microwave-induced plasma have been tabulated with their relative intensities and transitions. These non-metallic elements were introduced into the plasma mostly as the vapor of organic compounds, although the emissions of H, N and O were observed due to the impurities in the helium gas. The spectral lines observed in the wavelength region from 190 to 850 nm were assigned with reference to established wavelength tables and tables of atomic energy levels. All emission line intensities of an element were normalized with respect to the most intense emission line of the element taken as 100.     

Diagnostics in an air inductively coupled plasma

Radial temperature distributions in an air inductively coupled plasma discharge, operated at atmospheric pressure, are calculated from measurements of the absolute intensities of two atomic nitrogen lines (746.9 and 493.5 nm), the first negative band system of the nitrogen molecular ion at 391.4 nm, and the air continuum at 560.0 nm. The radial intensity distribution of the Mg I 285.2 and Mg II 279.6 nm lines are employed with the determined radial temperature distribution to calculate the radial electron number density throughout the normal analytical zone. The temperatures ranged from about 6000 to 10,000 K, and the electron number density varied from 5 × 10¹³ to 2 × 10¹⁶ cm^?3 in the regions above the induction coil where differences of less than 3 fold were observed between experimental and calculated Ca II to Ca I intensity ratios. On the basis of agreement among the measured temperatures and calcium ion-to-atom intensity ratios, the extent of local thermodynamic equilibrium is evaluated.     

Simultaneous multi-element determination with coherent forward scattering spectrometry employing chromatically corrected polarizers and a fast scanning spectrometer

A new coherent forward scattering spectrometer for simultaneous multi-element determination on up to 20 atomic lines has been constructed and evaluated. The apparatus consists of a continuum primary source, calcite Glan-Taylor polarizers equipped with a laboratory-designed chromatic correction for the wavelength range 214–766 nm, an electrothermal atomizer with magnet and autosampler and a laboratory-constructed wavelength modulated polychromator with medium resolving power. Light intensities of up to 20 resonance lines in the wavelength range of 214–500 nm are transferred from the focal plane to an array of 20 miniature photomultipliers by optical fiber-bundles. The instrumentation is controlled by a computer. Owing to modular construction the graphite furnace can be exchanged by a flame. Simultaneous multi-element determinations of Ag, Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, Tl and Zn are carried out. The received analytical curves cover 1.5–2.5 orders of magnitude per atomic line, which is in the same order as with multi-element measurements with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Further working range expansions are demonstrated with determining on resonance lines with different strengths. The detection limits for the strongest resonance line of most elements are in the μg l⁻¹-range and are one order of magnitude higher than those measured with commercially available ETAAS instrumentation when determining four elements simultaneously. The crossed-to-open extinction ratio of the chromatically corrected Glan-Taylor polarizers is determined to approximately 2.5×10⁻⁵ under installed conditions with the graphite furnace and its two windows in between. The spectral transmissions of these polarizers and the optical fiber-bundles are measured with a photometer. It shows a steep decay for wavelengths below 220 nm.     

Does the Al13- core exist in the Al13 polyhalide Al13I(n)- (n = 1-12) clusters?

We have studied the structures and stabilities of Al(13)I(n) (-)(n = 1-12) clusters at the density-functional level of theory. Unlike the case of Al(13)I(-), the Al(13)I(n) (-)(n=2-12) clusters do not have an Al(13) (-) core electronically. Population analysis shows that a significant charge transfer occurs from the Al cluster to the I atoms, where the populations for Al(13) vary from -0.48(Al(13)I(2) (-)) to +0.97(Al(13)I(12) (-)). Moreover, the shape of Al(13) moieties in the Al(13)I(n) (-) (n > or = 6 or 7) clusters is significantly distorted from the structure of Al(13) (-), an icosahedron, and is a "cagelike" form, which can be explained by both electronic and steric reasons. Our theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental observations of Bergeron et al. [Science 307, 231 (2005)].     

Sampling modulation technique in radio-frequency helium glow discharge emission source by use of pulsed laser ablation

An emission excitation source comprising a high-frequency diode-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and a radio-frequency powered glow discharge lamp is proposed. In this system sample atoms ablated by the laser irradiation are introduced into the lamp chamber and subsequently excited by the helium glow discharge plasma. The pulsed operation of the laser can produce a cyclic variation in the emission intensities of the sample atoms whereas the plasma gas species emit the radiation continuously. The salient feature of the proposed technique is the selective detection of the laser modulation signal from the rest of the continuous background emissions, which can be achieved with the phase sensitive detection of the lock-in amplifier. The arrangement may be used to estimate the emission intensity of the laser ablated atom, free from the interference of other species present in the plasma. The experiments were conducted with a 13.56 MHz radio-frequency (rf) generator operated at 80 W power to produce plasma and the laser at a wavelength of 1064 nm (pulse duration:34 ns, repetition rate:7 kHz and average pulse energy of about 0.36 mJ) was employed for sample ablation. The measurements resulted in almost complete removal of nitrogen molecular bands (N₂⁺ 391.44 nm). Considerable reduction (about 75%) in the emission intensity of a carbon atomic line (C I 193.03 nm) was also observed.     

Extraction and exchange behavior of metal species in therapeutically applied peat

The binding and availability of metals (Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in therapeutically applied peat (Grosses Gifhorner Moor, Sassenburg/North Germany) was characterized by means of a versatile extraction approach. Aqueous extracts of peat were obtained by a standardized batch equilibrium procedure using high-purity water (pH 4.5 and 5.0), 0.01 mol l(-1) calcium chloride solution, 0.01 mol l(-1) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 0.01 mol l(-1) diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) solution as metal extractants. In addition, the availability of peat-bound metal species was kinetically studied by collecting aliquots of extracts after different periods of extraction time (5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min). Metal determinations were performed by atomic spectrometry methods (AAS, ICP-OES) and dissolved organic matter (DOM) was characterized by UV/Vis measurements at 254 and 436 nm, respectively. Of the extractants studied Ca, Mg and Mn were the most available metals, in contrast to peat-bound Fe and Al. The relative standard deviation s(r) of the developed extraction procedures was mostly in the range of 4 to 20%, depending on the metal and its concentration in peat. A pH increase favored the extraction of metals and DOM from peat revealing complex extraction kinetics. Moreover, a competitive exchange between peat-bound metal species and added Cu(II) ions showed that >100 mg of Cu(II) per 50 g wet peat was necessary to exchange the maximum of bound metals (e.g. 21.8% of Al, 3.9% of Fe, 79.0% of Mn, 81.9% of Sr, related to their total content).     

Can atom-surface potential measurements test atomic structure models?

van der Waals (vdW) atom-surface potentials can be excellent benchmarks for atomic structure calculations. This is especially true if measurements are made with two different types of atoms interacting with the same surface sample. Here we show theoretically how ratios of vdW potential strengths (e.g., C?(K)/C?(Na)) depend sensitively on the properties of each atom, yet these ratios are relatively insensitive to properties of the surface. We discuss how C? ratios depend on atomic core electrons by using a two-oscillator model to represent the contribution from atomic valence electrons and core electrons separately. We explain why certain pairs of atoms are preferable to study for future experimental tests of atomic structure calculations. A well chosen pair of atoms (e.g., K and Na) will have a C? ratio that is insensitive to the permittivity of the surface, whereas a poorly chosen pair (e.g., K and He) will have a ratio of C? values that depends more strongly on the permittivity of the surface.