Disperse dyes based on 2-aminothiazole derivatives for cellulose triacetate fabric

A range of azo disperse dyes was prepared by coupling diazotized 2-amino-4-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-nitrothiazole with various substituted arylamines. Spectral properties in the infrared and visible range of the dyes obtained were investigated. All the dyes, when applied on cellulose triacetate fabric as 2% shade, showed fairly good to very good light fastness and very good to excellent fastness to washing, perspiration, rubbing and sublimation. All the dyes gave a wide range of reddish brown to indigo shades with very good depth and levelness on fabric. The purity of dyes was checked by thin layer chromatography. The percentage dyebath exhaustion and fixation on fabric was reasonably good and acceptable.     

Surface layer-by-layer chemical deposition reaction for thin film formation of nano-sized metal 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes

The feasibility of a novel and simple layer-by-layer chemical deposition method for the preparation of nano-sized metal 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes has been investigated and reported. Uniform nanocrystalline films have been synthesized via dipping a substrate alternately in metal ion solution followed by ligand solution. The stoichiometry of the as-grown anhydrous Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complex crystals were confirmed from the metal analysis and molar stoichiometric ratio of metal ion to 8-hydroxyquinoline. This was characterized as 1:2 for the Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)–quinolate complexes. The Fe(III)–quinolate thin film was found to exhibit a 1:3 ratio. Electron impact-mass spectra (EI-MS) of all the synthesized thin film metal quinolate complexes were recorded and the results refer to the existence of the molecular ion peak at the corresponding m/z values. Confirmation of such stoichiometric 1:2 and 1:3 ratios were also evident from the (EI-MS) study. The deposited thin films were also subjected to analysis by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a particle size ?50 nm was detected. FT-IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy were further used to confirm the structure of the metal 8-hydroxyquinolate complexes. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was also used to follow up the possible thermal decomposition steps and to calculate the thermodynamic parameters of the nano-sized metal complexes.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and properties of four transition metal complexes based on 5-nitro-8-hydroxyquinoline

Four new complexes, [M(C₉H₅N₂O₃)₂(H₂O)₂]·CH₃OH (M?=?Zn(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II)) (1–3) and [Cu(C₉H₅N₂O₃)₂] (4), have been synthesized by reactions of 5-nitro-quinoline-8-yl acetate (NQA) and corresponding metal salts at room temperature and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), fluorescence measurement and single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1–3 are mononuclear, further extended to 2-D layers by hydrogen bonds. For 4, Cu²⁺ is coordinated by two N atoms and two O atoms from two NQ ligands. TGA indicates that 1–4 have good thermal stabilities. Furthermore, 1 and 2 show excellent luminescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Fluorescence sensor using a molecularly imprinted polymer as a recognition receptor for the detection of aluminium ions in aqueous media

This paper describes the investigation of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as a sensing receptor for Al³⁺ ion detection by using an optical approach. Al³⁺ ion was adopted as the template molecule and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfonic acid ligand as the fluorescence tag. The polymer was synthesised using acrylamide as monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as co-monomer and ethylene glycol dimethracylate as cross-linker. The free radical polymerisation was performed in methanol and initiated by 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile at 70 °C. The imprinted polymer was fluorometrically characterised using a fibre optic attachment in a self-designed flow-cell. NaF was used to leach the Al³⁺ ion from the MIP. The optimum pH for the rebinding of Al³⁺ ion with the leached polymer was found to be pH 5 and the fluorescence response was found to be stable within the buffer strength range of 0.05–0.10 M. The fluorescence intensity during Al³⁺ ion rebinding was inversely dependent on temperature, and a low interference response (<3%) toward metal ions except for Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions was observed. The polymer rebinding repeatability study conducted over 9 cycles with Al³⁺ ion (0.8×10⁻⁴ M) was found to give an RSD value of 2.82% with a standard deviation of 0.53. The dynamic range of the system was found to be linear up to 1.0×10⁻⁴ M Al³⁺ ion with a limit of detection of 3.62 μM.     

Analysis of enantiomeric flavanones in plant extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography on a cellulose triacetate based chiral stationary phase

Summary Flavanones ofArachis hypogaea, Hemizonia increscens, Eriodictyon glutinosum andThymus vulgaris extracts have been stereospecifically analysed by gradient elution on a column of cellulose triacetate supported on silica gel diol. The stereochemistry of naringenin, eriodictyol and homoeriodictyol was in favour of the 2S-configurated flavanones.     

A method for the detection of alcohol vapours based on optical sensing of magnesium 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl porphyrin thin film by an optical spectrometer and principal component analysis

In this work we have proposed a method for the detection of alcohol vapours, i.e. methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, based on the optical sensing response of magnesium 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl porphyrin (MgTPP) thin films, as measured by optical spectrometry with the assistance of chemometric analysis. We have implemented a scheme which allows a laboratory UV–vis spectrometer to act as a so-called “electronic nose” with very little modification. MgTPP thin films were prepared by a spin coating technique, using chloroform as the solvent, and then subjected to thermal annealing at 280 °C in an argon atmosphere. These MgTPP optical gas sensors presented significant responses with methanol compared to ethanol and isopropanol, based on the dynamic flow of alcohol vapours at the same mol% of alcohol concentration. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to model the underlying mechanism of this selectivity. The performance of the optical gas sensors was optimised by varying the fabrication parameters. It is hoped that the MgTPP thin film together with an off-the-shelf optical spectrometer and a simple chemometrics algorithm can be a valuable tool for the analysis of alcoholic content in the beverage industry.     

Selective turn-on fluorescence for Zn and Zn + Cd metal ions by single Schiff base chemosensor

Chemosensor based on Schiff base molecules (1, 2) were synthesized and demonstrated the selective fluoro/colorimetric sensing of multiple metal ions (Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺) in acetonitrile–aqueous solution. Both 1 and 2 showed a highly selective naked-eye detectable colorimetric change for Mn²⁺ ions at 10⁻⁷ M. Fluorescence sensing studies of 1 and 2 exhibited a strong fluorescence enhancement (36 fold) selectively upon addition of Zn²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M, λ_max = 488 nm). Fluorescence titration and single crystal X-ray analysis confirmed the formation of 1:1 molecular coordination complex between 1 and Zn²⁺. Interestingly, a rare phenomenon of strong second turn-on fluorescence (190 fold, λ_max = 466 nm) was observed by the addition of Cd²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M) into 1 + Zn²⁺ or Zn²⁺ (10⁻⁷ M) into 1 + Cd²⁺. Importantly both 1 and 2 exhibited different fluorescence λ_max with clearly distinguishable color for both Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺.     

Smart nano-architectures as potential sensing tools for detecting heavy metal ions in aqueous matrices

The discharge of heavy metal ions into water resources as a result of human activities has become a global issue. Contamination with heavy metal ions poses a major threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, there is a dire need to probe the presence of heavy metal ions in a more selective, facile, quick, cost-effective and sensitive way. Conventional sensors are being utilized to sense heavy metal ions; however, various challenges and limitations like interference, overlapping of oxidation potential, selectivity and sensitivity are associated with them that limit their in-field applicability. Hence, nanomaterial based chemical sensors have emerged as an alternative substitute and are extensively employed for the detection of heavy metal ions as a potent analytical tool. The incorporation of nanomaterials in sensors increases their sensitivity, selectivity, portability, on-site detection capability and device performance. Nanomaterial based electrodes exhibit enhanced performance because surface of electrode at nano-scale level offers high catalytic potential, large active surface area and high conductivity. Therefore, this review addresses the recent progress on chemical sensors based on different nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal nanoparticles, graphene, carbon quantum dots and nanocomposites for sensing heavy metals ions using different sensing approaches. Furthermore, various types of optical sensors such as fluorescence, luminescence and colorimetry sensors have been presented in detail.     

Simple optical fibre biosensor based on immobilised enzyme for monitoring of trace heavy metal ions

A simple optical fibre biosensor based on immobilised enzyme for monitoring of trace heavy metal ions has been developed. The biosensor recognition system was designed based on the inhibition of urease activity, where the urease is immobilised on ultrabind membrane. The studies of inhibition by the heavy metal ions Hg(II), Ag(I), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Pb(II) were performed using a fibre-optic biosensor configuration, where the pH change resulting from the bio-catalytic hydrolysis of urea was monitored at the wavelength 615 nm spectroscopically, using commercial pH indicator strip before and after the exposure to the heavy metal ions. The immobilised urease was regenerated by l-cysteine. The linear response range between 1×10^-9–1×10^-5 M and the limit of detection 1×10^-9 M (0.2 g/L) for Hg(II) ions was achieved by employing the flow method. The optimisation of experimental parameters, including flow method, is also discussed.     

Chelating resin from functionalization of chitosan with complexing agent 8-hydroxyquinoline: application for metal ions on line preconcentration system

This study describes the functionalization of biopolymer chitosan, using the complexing agent 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) by reaction of diazotization. The chelating resin was characterized by degree of deacetylation, infrared, Raman spectroscopy. The efficiency of the chelating resin and accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by the metal ion recovery technique in the analysis of potable water, lake water, seawater and a certified sample of oyster tissue. The metal ions Cd(II) and Cu(II) in the samples were previously enriched in a minicolumn and flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-FAAS) determined the concentrations of the analytes. The chelating resin exhibited high selectivity for Cd(II) at pH 7 and for Cu(II) at pH 10. The eluent concentration was tested by the use of HNO₃ in concentrations of 0.1-3 mol l⁻¹ maximum response was obtained at 0.5 mol l⁻¹ for Cd(II) and Cu(II), with R.S.D. values of 0.4%. The analytes gave relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) of 1.5 and 0.7% for solutions of Cd(II) and Cu(II), respectively (n = 7) containing 20 μg l⁻¹ of the metal ions, defining a high reproducibility. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.1 μg l⁻¹ for Cd(II) and 0.4 μg l⁻¹ for Cu(II). The analytical properties of merit were obtained using the parameters previously optimized with preconcentration time of 90 s. The chelating resin showed chemical stability within a wide range of pH and the efficiency was not altered for the preconcentration of the metal ions during all the experiments.     

Recent advances on hydrogels based on chitosan and alginate for the adsorption of dyes and metal ions from water

In contemporary times, water resources have become increasingly scarce and suffer from anthropogenic pollution sources with an organic and inorganic origin that are products of industrial, agricultural, and everyday waste. Contamination with heavy metals and dyes in wastewater is considered a risk for water sources that can leak into underground and surface sources, leading to increased biological and chemical contamination. The pollutant removal process is performed by adsorption treatment methods, which is the most common method, and it is considered an effective method with a high and economical removal rate.In this review, we discuss the use of biobased hydrogel adsorbents in the removal of organic dyes and metal ions from water. The literature indicates that hydrogels exhibit rapid absorption kinetics and a dye removal absorption capacity that can reach more than 100 mg/g and sometimes more than 2000 mg/g, with a metal adsorption capacity ranging from 38 mg/g to more than 440 mg/g. These results are discussed and compared by taking into account hydrogel materials that contain biopolymers such as alginate, chitosan or both. In general, absorption depends mainly on biobased materials, which have a natural origin and can be utilized to synthesize hydrogels to remove pollutants, dyes and heavy metals. Chitosan and alginate are prominent materials for this use and they can be incorporated with other components to obtain hydrogels or nanocomposite materials with different efficacies to remove dyes and metal ions.     

Optical oxygen sensor based on fluorescence change of pyrene-1-butyric acid chemisorption film on an anodic oxidation aluminium plate

An optical oxygen-sensing material based on the fluorescence intensity changes of pyrene-1-butyric acid (PBA) chemisorption film has been developed and characterised. The fluorescence intensity of PBA film decreased with increase of oxygen concentration. The I₀/I₁₀₀ value of PBA film is estimated to be 6.14±0.15 and large Stern-Volmer constant (K_SV=0.028±0.13 Torr⁻¹) is obtained. After irradiation for 24 h with 150 W tungsten lamp, little changes of oxygen-sensing properties were observed. These results indicate that PBA film is highly oxygen-sensitive and photostability device. The response times of the PBA chemisorption film were 10.0 s for switching from argon to oxygen, and 53.0 s for switching from oxygen to argon. Moreover, the optical sensor based on the PBA chemisorption film was applied to the measurement of oxygen concentration in aqueous solution.     

Optical waveguide sensor of volatile organic compounds based on PTA thin film

In this study, a sensitive optical waveguide (OWG) sensor for the detection and identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was reported. The sensing membrane is constructed by immobilization of peroxopolytungsten acid (PTA) thin film over a single-mode potassium ion (K⁺) exchanged glass OWG by spin-coating method. A laser beam was coupled into and out of the glass optical waveguide using prism couplers, and dry air functioned as a carrier gas. The sensor was tested for various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and it showed higher response to the chlorobenzene gas compared to other VOCs. Therefore, we used the OWG sensor to detect chlorobenzene gas as a typical example of VOCs. The sensor exhibits a linear response to chlorobenzene gas in the range of 0.4-1000 ppm with rapid response and good reversibility. The constructed sensor is easy to fabricate and it has some unique qualities which can be characterized as inexpensive, sensitive, and reusable.     

Comparison of two lab-made spray chambers based on MSIS™ for simultaneous metal determination using vapor generation-inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy

The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of two lab-made systems based on the Multimode Introduction System (MSIS™) and the modified MSIS™, to generate and introduce vapors of Ag, Cu, Cd, Cu, Ni, Sn, Zn, and also Au in the ICP torch. An univariate procedure was used to select the optimized working conditions (Ar flow, sample, reductant and waste flows, and reagent concentrations). Optimum conditions for working with modified MSIS were: nitric acid concentration 0.35 M, 8-hydroxyquinoline concentration: 40 mg L⁻¹, sodium borohydride concentration: 1.75% (w/v) + 0.4% (w/v) NaOH, argon purge flow to sweep the vapors to the torch: 1.2 L min⁻¹, sample flow and sodium borohydride flows: 2.3 L min⁻¹; waste flow: 7.7 mL min⁻¹. For the optimum working conditions for lab-made MSIS in dual mode the concentration of 8-hydroxyquinoline was 225 mg L⁻¹, the Ar purge flow was 0.75 L min⁻¹, and the conventional nebulization flow was 2.3 L min⁻¹. The sensitivity obtained was higher using the lab-made MSIS than using the lab-made modified MSIS or a forced outlet gas–liquid separator. The limits of detection were better for Au, Cd, Sn than those obtained using conventional nebulization; the measurements were precise (RSDs ≤ 5% in dual mode) and a good accuracy was obtained in the determination of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn in a wastewater reference material using aqueous calibration and the lab-made MSIS in dual mode.     

8-Hydroxyquinoline anchored to silica gel via new moderate size linker: synthesis and applications as a metal ion collector for their flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

The silica gel modified with (3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane) was reacted with 5-formyl-8-hydroxyquinoline (FHOQ_x) to anchor 8-quinolinol ligand on the silica gel. It was characterised with cross polarisation magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transformation (DRIFT) spectroscopy and used for the preconcentration of Cu(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The surface area of the modified silica gel has been found to be 227 m² g⁻¹ and the two pKa values as 3.8 and 8.0. The optimum pH ranges for quantitative sorption are 4.0–7.0, 4.5–7.0, 3.0–6.0, 5.0–8.0, 5.0–8.0, 5.0–8.0 and 4.0–7.0 for Cu, Pb, Fe, Zn, Co, Ni and Cd, respectively. All the metals can be desorbed with 2.5 mol l⁻¹ HCl or HNO₃. The sorption capacity for these metal ions is in range of 92–448.0 μmol g⁻¹ and follows the order Cd3, NaCl, NaBr, Na₂SO₄ and Na₃PO₄, glycine, sodium citrate, EDTA, humic acid and cations Ca(II), Mg(II), Mn(II) and Cr(III) in the sorption of all the seven metal ions are reported. The preconcentration factors are 150, 250, 200, 300, 250, 300 and 200 for Cd, Co, Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe and Ni, respectively and t_1/2 values <1 min except for Ni. The 95% extraction by batch method takes ≤25 min. The simultaneous enrichment and determination of all the metals are possible if the total load of the metal ions is less than sorption capacity. In river water samples all these metal ions were enriched with the present ligand anchored silica gel and determined with flame atomic absorption spectrometer (R.S.D.≤6.4%). Cobalt contents of pharmaceutical samples (vitamin tablet) were preconcentrated with the present chelating silica gel and estimated by flame AAS, with R.S.D.1.4%. The results are in the good agreement with the certified value, 1.99 μg g⁻¹ of the tablets. Iron and copper in certified reference materials (synthetic) SLRS-4 and SLEW-3 have been enriched with the modified silica gel and estimated with R.S.D.<5%.     

Architecture of zero-, one-, two- and three-dimensional structures based on metal ions and pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Six new complexes: [Ln₂(pzda)₃(H₂O)₂] · 2.5H₂O (Ln = Nd, (1); Eu, (2)), [Co(pzda) (bpe)] · 0.125(bpe) · 1.75H₂O (3), [Mn(pzda)(H₂O)_1.5] (4), [Co₂(pzda)₂(bpe)(H₂O)₄] · 0.5(CH₃OH) · H₂O (5) and [Co(pzda)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] · 0.5H₂O (6) (H₂pzda = pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) were obtained from metal salts and H₂pzda under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions. The single crystal X-ray structural analysis reveals that the title complexes have different structures, ranging from zero- to three- dimensions, which are mainly due to the different metal ions, and especially the coordination modes of the pzda ligands. Complexes 1 and 2 have 3D metal-organic frameworks containing a 1D tri-strand array, in which the pzda ligand adopts a pentadentate mode to link lanthanide ions. Complex 3 has a 2D metal-organic framework, in which the pzda ligand acts in a tetradentate mode to connect Co(II) ions into 1D chains, which are further connected by bpe spacers into a 2D framework. While in 4, both of the two carboxylate groups of the pzda ligand adopt μ₂-O bridging modes to link Mn(II) ions into a 1D coordination polymer, which is further assembled into a 2D supramolecular network containing double-stranded hydrogen-bonded helical chains. In both 5 and 6, the pzda ligand binds metal ions as a tridentate ligand (ONO mode) to form zero dimensional structures. Complex 5 is a binuclear molecule, while 6 is a mononuclear complex, which can be attributed to the bridging ligand bpe for 5 and the terminal auxiliary ligand 2,2′-bpy for 6.     

Stability of new optical pH sensing material based on cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer

Cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-silica gel copolymer has been employed as a optical pH sensor substrate for immobilisation of fluorescein. Cross-linking was carried out by the sol-gel process incorporating PVA in initial sol-gel solution of tetra-methoxysilane (TMOS) under acidic conditions. Three dimensional network formation could be achieved using compositions of PVA/TMOS=80-90/20-10 vol.% to result in crack-free films. The fluorescent sensor layers were prepared by dip-coating of gel solution onto glass slides. The dynamic fluorescence response towards different pH values was investigated in terms of the influence of sample ionic strength, membrane composition as well as age of sol-gel layers. Depending on the composition of the matrix pK_a values of 6.50, 6.68 and 7.06 were found 18 days after continues storage in buffer.     

An optical sensor for mercury ion based on the fluorescence quenching of tetra(p-dimethylaminophenyl)porphyrin

An optical sensor for mercury ion (Hg²⁺), based on quenching the fluorescence of the sensing reagent porphyrin immobilized in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane, has been developed. The responses to mercury ion were compared for the sensors modified with three porphyrin compounds including 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), tetra(p-dimethylaminophenyl)porphyrin (TDMAPP) and tetra(N-phenylpyrazole) porphyrin (TPPP). Among them, TDMAPP showed the most remarkable response to Hg²⁺. The drastic decrease of the TDMAPP fluorescence intensity was attributed to the formation of a complex between TDMAPP and Hg²⁺, which has been utilized as the fabrication basis of a Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescence sensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the TDMAPP modified sensor was investigated. The response mechanism, especially involving the response difference of three porphyrin compounds, was discussed in detail. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The limit of detection was 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. The sensor exhibited excellent reproducibility, reversibility and selectivity. Also, the TDMAPP-based sensor was successfully used for the determination of Hg²⁺ in environmental water samples.     

A review on solid phase microextraction-high performance liquid chromatography as a novel tool for the analysis of toxic metal ions

This paper reviews the practical applications of solid phase microextraction-High performance liquid chromatography in the analysis of toxic metal species as these are important contaminants and are carcinogenic. Their determination in formulations, in feed and food, and in complex environmental matrices (e.g., waste water and industrial effluents) often requires analytical methods capable of high efficiency, unique selectivity, and high sensitivity. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) requires low solvent consumption and is quick in use. SPME is used for extraction and online desorption of analytes with the mobile phase of HPLC and subsequent detection by UV, ICP-MS or ESI-MS as detectors. Different SPME-HPLC methods are summarized in this article to demonstrate the usefulness of this technique for metallic species of As, Cr, Pb, Hg and Se.