Selective solid-phase extraction of trace thallium with nano-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> from environmental samples

A novel sorbent, nano-Al₂O₃ was employed for the separation and preconcentration of thallium from aqueous solution in batch equilibrium experiments. It was found that the adsorption percentage of thallium ions was close to 100% at pH 4.5, and the desorption by 1.0 mL of 0.25 M HCl reached 99%. The adsorption equilibrium was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 5.78 mg/g (20 ± 0.1°C). The enrichment factor values of Tl(III) was 25 for 25 mL sample. Detection limit of thallium (3σ, n = 11) equal to 0.8 μg/mL and relative standard deviation (2.4%) were obtained. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of trace thallium in some environmental samples and the certified reference material polymetallic nodule (GBW07296) with satisfactory results.     

LaNi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-based sensor for sensitive determination of paracetamol

A novel electrochemical sensor based on LaNi_0.5Ti_0.5O₃/CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticle-modified electrode (LNT–CFO/GCE) for sensitive determination of paracetamol (PAR) was presented. Experimental conditions such as the concentration of LNT–CFO, pH value, and applied potential were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the electrochemical performances of LNT–CFO/GCE have been researched on the oxidation of PAR. The electrochemical behaviors of PAR on LNT–CFO/GCE were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that LNT–CFO/GCE exhibited excellent promotion to the oxidation of PAR. The over-potential of PAR decreased significantly on the modified electrode compared with that on bare GCE. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits good reproducibility, stability, and selectivity in PAR determination. Linear response was obtained in the range of 0.5 to 901 μM with a detection limit of 0.19 μM for PAR.     

Dissymmetrization of crystal structures of grossular-andradite garnets Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>(Al,Fe)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The crystal structures of three birefringent grossular-andradite natural garnets Ca₃(Al,Fe)₂(SiO₄)₃ were investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (MoK_α, number of reflections measured 8065, 10619, 9213; R = 2.81, 2.74, 3.26%). According to the values of unit cell constants, inconsistent intensities of reflections and appearance of additional (forbidden) reflections explored garnets have different symmetry: cubic, sp. gr. (Fe/(Fe + Al) = 0.078, Δn = 0.0002); orthorhombic, sp. gr. Fddd (Fe/(Fe + Al) = 0.58, Δn = 0.0089); triclinic, sp. gr. or I1 and pseudo-orthorhombic (Fe/(Fe + Al) = 0.23, Δn = 0.0066). Careful refinement of all crystal structures in space groups , Fddd and has confirmed the symmetry reduction detected on the diffraction patterns and shown that dissymmetrization of cubic garnets connects with partial ordering of trivalent cations over Y-sites. Direct linear relationship between Fe-occupancy, an average Y–O bond lengths and octahedral O–O edges has been revealed. Cluster models of dissymmetrization have been regarded. Evidence for the “growth dissymmetrization” phenomena (kinetic phase transformations) as the reasons of the symmetry reduction of cubic garnets has been discussed. The reasonable assumption that the garnets crystal structures described as orthorhombic are triclinic, but the deviations from the orthorhombic symmetry so small, that cannot be manifested by of X-ray diffraction study has been taken.     

Application of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence for the determination of metallic impurities in ThO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometric methods have been developed for the determination of some common metallic impurities in ThO₂ matrix. A series of ThO₂ standards containing the analyte impurities in the range 10–100 (or 100–500) μg/g was prepared synthetically. The spectrometer conditions were optimized to obtain calibration plots for the various analytes. The accuracy and precision of the developed methodology for regular assay of ThO₂ was evaluated by analyzing three synthetic samples. Further three secondary ThO₂ standards were analyzed by EDRXF to check the developed methods. The determined concentrations of Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni and Cu were in good agreement with the certified values of the secondary standards.     

Synthesis and colour properties of pigments based on terbium-dopped Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>SnO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The main aim of this work was to synthesize the magnesium orthostannate doped by terbium cations and tested whether these materials can be used for colouring of the different materials, e.g. organic binder and ceramic glazes. Initial composition of pigments was counted according the general formula 2MgO(1 − x)SnO₂–xTbO₂, where values of x varied from 0.1 to 0.5 in 0.1 steps. The simultaneous TG/DTA measurements of mixture containing tin oxide, magnesium carbonate hydroxide and terbium oxide showed that the formation of a new compound started at temperature 1,029 °C, but single-phase system was not prepared. Granulometric compositions of samples that were prepared by calcining at temperatures 1,300–1,400 °C are characterized by values of median (d ₅₀) in range 4–8 μm. The calcining temperature 1,500 °C caused the increase of the particle sizes at around 12 μm. The composition of sample 2MgO–1.5SnO₂–0.5TbO₂ and heating temperature 1,500 °C are the most suitable conditions for preparation of colourfully interesting pigment that can be recommended also for colouring of ceramic glazes. Especially, for colouring of decorative lead containing glaze G 07091 containing 5 wt% of PbO and 8 wt% of Al₂O₃.     

Direct Mass Spectrometric Study of the Ionic Species Content of a C<Subscript>2</Subscript>HCl<Subscript>3</Subscript>/He/O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Microwave Discharge Plasma

Direct on-line studies of a C₂HCl₃/He/O₂ microwave discharge plasma made possible the evolution and detection of many unfamiliar ionic species. Numerous ionic chlorocarbons, chlorohydrocarbons, oxygenated chlorohydrocarbons, oxygenated hydrocarbon radicals, and simple hydrocarbon species were identified mass spectrometrically as by-products: C _m Cl _n (m = 1–4, 6, 8; n = 1–8), C _m H _n Cl _x (m = 1–4, 6, 7, 10; n, x = 1–6), C _m H _n Cl _x O _y (m = 1–5, 12; n = 1–7; x = 1, 2, 4, 6; y = 1–3), C _n H_2n−1O (n = 2, 3), C _m H _n (m = 2, 4, 6, 8; n = 2, 4), and so on. The studies clearly showed the presence of various unfamiliar positive ionic O-containing species such as C₂ClO₂, CCl₃CO, C₂H₂Cl₄O₂, and C₄H₂Cl₆O₃. It is apparent that positive-ion reactions play a significant role in producing many ionic species in the chemistry of C₂HCl₃ plasmas.     

Synthesis and structure of the polymeric complex [Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Ph<Subscript>3</Subscript>P)<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>10</Subscript>H<Subscript>10</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

A method for the synthesis of the silver(I) complex with the closo-decaborate anion and triphenylphosphine [Ag₂(Ph₃P)₂B₁₀H₁₀] _n was developed and the structure of this complex was studied. The polymeric chain of the complex is formed with participation of Ag(I) atoms, which coordinate the B₁₀H₁₀²⁻ anions through the apical (B(1)–B(2), B(9)–B(10)) and equatorial (B(3)–B(6), B(5)–B(8)) edges, the metalligand bonding occurring through three-center two-electron bonds (MHB). The P atoms of two triphenylphosphine molecules are also incorporated in the inner coordination sphere of the metal: the CN of the silver atom is 4 + 1.     

Thermal study of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> yellow ceramic pigment obtained by the Pechini method

TiO₂–CeO₂ oxides for application as ceramic pigments were synthesized by the Pechini method. In the present work the polymeric network of the pigment precursor was studied using thermal analysis. Results obtained using TG and DTA showed the occurrence of three main mass loss stages and profiles associated to the decomposition of the organic matter and crystallization. The kinetics of the degradation was evaluated by means of TG applying different heating rates. The activation energies (E _a) and reaction order (n) for each stage were determined using Horowitz–Metzger, Coats–Redfern, Kissinger and Broido methods. Values of E _a varying between 257–267 kJ mol^–1 and n=0–1 were found. According to the kinetic analysis the decomposition reactions were diffusion controlled.     

Gas phase structure of micro-hydrated [Mn(ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)]<Superscript>+</Superscript> and [Mn<Subscript>2</Subscript>(ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions probed by infrared spectroscopy

Gas-phase infrared photodissociation spectroscopy is reported for the microsolvated [Mn(ClO₄)(H₂O) _n ]⁺ and [Mn₂(ClO₄)₃(H₂O) _n ]⁺ complexes from n = 2 to 5. Electrosprayed ions are isolated in an ion-trap where they are photodissociated. The 2600–3800 cm⁻¹ spectral region associated with the OH stretching mode is scanned with a relatively low-power infrared table-top laser, which is used in combination with a CO₂ laser to enhance the photofragmentation yield of these strongly bound ions. Hydrogen bonding is evidenced by a relatively broad band red-shifted from the free OH region. Band assignment based on quantum chemical calculations suggest that there is formation of water—perchlorate hydrogen bond within the first coordination shell of high-spin Mn(II). Although the observed spectral features are also compatible with the formation of structures with double-acceptor water in the second shell, these structures are found relatively high in energy compared with structures with all water directly bound to manganese. Using the highly intense IR beam of the free electron laser CLIO in the 800–1700 cm⁻¹, we were also able to characterize the coordination mode (η²) of perchlorate for two clusters. The comparison of experimental and calculated spectra suggests that the perchlorate Cl—O stretches are unexpectedly underestimated at the B3LYP level, while they are correctly described at the MP2 level allowing for spectral assignment.     

Influence of solvent structure on the aquation of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">trans</Emphasis>-[Ru(3-MePy)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>] complex in mixed aqueous solvents

The kinetics of the solvolytic aquation of trans-[Ru (3-Me Py)₄Cl₂] was studied spectrophotometrically in water – isopropanol in the range (30–90% v/v), and water acetonitrile in the range (10–70% v/v), and in the temperature range 50–65 °C. Plots of log k versus the reciprocal of the relative permittivity and Grunwald–Winstien gave non-linear plots. This non-linearity is derived from a large differential effect of solvent structure between the initial and transition states. The plot of log k versus water concentration was also non linear; evidence for the presence of a S _N ¹ mechanism. However, extrema in the variation of enthalpy ΔH* and entropy ΔS* of activation correlate well with the extrema in physical properties of the mixtures which are related to changes in solvent structure. Linear plots of ΔH* versus ΔS* were obtained and the iso- kinetic temperature indicates that the reaction is entropy controlled.     

Determination of vitamin B<Subscript>1</Subscript> in seawater and microalgal fermentation media by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection has been developed for determination of vitamin B₁. Vitamin B₁ was converted into a fluorescent compound by treatment with hydrogen peroxide–horseradish peroxidase and the derivative was subsequently analyzed by HPLC on a Waters Spherisorb ODS2 column (250 mm×4.6 mm ID, 5 μm) with 40:60 methanol–pH 8.5 acetate buffer solution as mobile phase and fluorescence detection at 440 nm (with excitation at 375 nm). The calibration graph was linear from 5.00×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ to 5.00×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ for vitamin B₁ with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991 (n=9). The detection limit was 1.0×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹. The method was successfully used for determination of vitamin B₁ at pg mL⁻¹ levels in microalgal fermentation media and seawater after solid-phase extraction. Recovery was from 89 to 110% and the relative standard deviation was in the range 1.1 to 4.3%.     

Studies on the copolymerization of norbornene with CO catalyzed by a new catalytic system PdCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>/phen/M(CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>n</Subscript>

A new three-component catalytic system, PdCl₂/phen/M(CF₃SO₃)_n where M = La, Y, Yb, Zn, and Cu, was studied for the copolymerization of norbornene (NBE) with CO to prepare polyketone (PK). It was found that the CF₃SO₃H catalytic system gave a low catalytic activity for the copolymerization of norbornene with CO, but when M(CF₃SO₃)_n was introduced instead of CF₃SO₃H, the PdCl₂/phen/M(CF₃SO₃)_n catalytic system exhibited much higher activity. The effects of ligands, M(CF₃SO₃)_n, solvents, and temperatures on the copolymerization have been discussed in detail. The results showed that with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and Cu(CF₃SO₃)₂ used as cocatalysts, the corresponding reaction rate reached 82 000 g PK (mol Pd)⁻¹h⁻¹ when the reaction was carried out in methanol at 90°C and 3.0 MPa of CO, and the weight average molecular weight (M _w) of the resultant copolymer is 1090 g/mol. The copolymer was characterized with various techniques such as FT-IR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, TGA, and DSC. The infrared spectrum of the product includes two features at 1697 and 1732 cm⁻¹ for the NBE/CO copolymer in CH₃OH that are attributed to carbonyl groups in ketones (repeating unit) and esters (end group), respectively. Due to the tension of the ring of norbornene, the degree of copolymerization is not high. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2007, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 51–58. This article was submitted by the authors in English.     

Determination of vitamin B<Subscript>12</Subscript> using a chemiluminescence flow system

A method to determine vitamin B₁₂ by measuring the chemiluminescence (CL) intensities using a flow injection (FI) system has been proposed. It is based on the catalytic effect of cobalt(II) in vitamin B₁₂ on the CL reaction between luminol and hydrogen peroxide in a basic medium. The increment of the CL intensity is proportional to the concentration of vitamin B₁₂ in the range 8.68–86.9 ng/mL (r ² = 0.9984) with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.89 ng/mL. The CL response is obtained in 10 s at a flow rate of 3.0 mL/min with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 2.5% (n = 6). The method has been successfully applied to the determination of vitamin B₁₂ in pharmaceutical injections. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Facile preparation and electrochemical properties of large-scale Li<Subscript>1+<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>V<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> nanobelts

Large-scale Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were successfully fabricated using filter paper as deposition substrate through a simple surface sol–gel method. The nanobelts were as long as tens of micrometers with widths of 0.4–1.0 μm and thickness of 50–100 nm. The nanobelts were characterized by X-ray diffration (XRD), Fourier infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation mechanism of the nanobelts was investigated, showing that the morphology of the nanobelts is mainly determined by the calcination temperature. Electrochemical properties of the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts were characterized by charge–discharge experiments, and the results demonstrate that the Li_1+x V₃O₈ nanobelts exhibit a high discharge capacity (278 mAh g⁻¹) and excellent cycling stability.     

Hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new one-dimensional polymer [{Cu(4,4′- bipy)(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>}·3H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O]<Subscript>n</Subscript>

One new metal – organic coordination framework formulated as [{Cu(4,4′-bipy)(CH₃COO)₂}·3H₂O]_n (1) (where 4,4′-bipy=4,4′-bipyridine) has been hydrothermally synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, IR and electronic spectroscopy, variable temperature magnetic moment measurement and single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 is one dimensional polymeric compound in which acetate ligand shows both mono- and bidentate bonding mode, and 4,4′-bipy acts as bridging ligand which supports the formation of infinite chains. The global feature of the χ _M T vs. T curve in 1 is characteristic of moderate antiferromagnetic interaction and the best fit parameters from 300 down to 2 K are found as J = −78.7 cm⁻¹.     

Determination of Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water by Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction then Gas Chromatography with Electron-Capture Detection

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been used for preconcentration of trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water. In DLLME an appropriate mixture of an extraction solvent (20.0 μL carbon disulfide) and a disperser solvent (0.50 mL acetone) was used to form a cloudy solution from a 5.00-mL aqueous sample containing the analytes. After phase separation by centrifugation the enriched analytes in the settled phase (6.5 ± 0.3 μL) were determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC–ECD). Different experimental conditions, for example type and volume of extraction solvent, type and volume of disperser solvent, extraction time, and use of salt, were investigated. After optimization of the conditions the enrichment factor ranged from 116 to 355 and the limit of detection from 0.005 to 0.040 μg L⁻¹. The linear range was 0.01–50 μg L⁻¹ (more than three orders of magnitude). Relative standard deviations (RSDs) for 2.00 μg L⁻¹ THMs in water, with internal standard, were in the range 1.3–5.9% (n = 5); without internal standard they were in the range 3.7–8.6% (n = 5). The method was successfully used for extraction and determination of THMs in drinking water. The results showed that total concentrations of THMs in drinking water from two areas of Tehran, Iran, were approximately 10.9 and 14.1 μg L⁻¹. Relative recoveries from samples of drinking water spiked at levels of 2.00 and 5.00 μg L⁻¹ were 95.0–107.8 and 92.2–100.9%, respectively. Comparison of this method with other methods indicates DLLME is a very simple and rapid (less than 2 min) method which requires a small volume of sample (5 mL).     

Calculated properties of neutral and charged Al<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript> clusters by density functional theory

Density functional calculations are performed to study the structures and electronic properties of Al _n Co _m clusters with n = 1–7 and m = 1–2. Frequency analysis is also performed after structural optimization to make sure that the calculated ground states are real minima. The corresponding total and binding energies, adiabatic electron affinities and ionization potentials are presented and discussed to aid the identification of our calculations. The BSSE correction is also considered in our calculation. Among Al _n Co _m , Al _n Co _m ⁻, and Al _n Co _m ⁼ clusters (n = 1–7 and m = 1–2), Al₄Co⁻, Al₆Co⁻, Al₂Co₂, and Al₆Co₂ are predicted to be more stable. Our results are consistent with the available experimental data.     

Phase transition of YBO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Yttrium orthoborate crystallizes in the vaterite-type structure and has two polymorphous forms, viz. a low- und a high temperature one. DTA measurements of YBO₃ confirmed a reversible phase transition with a large thermal hysteresis. The phase transition has been accurately characterized by the application of different heating and cooling rates (β). Consequently, the extrapolation of the experimental data to zero β yields the transition points at 986.9°C for the heating up and at 596.5°C for the cooling down cycle. These values correspond to samples just after treatment at 1350°C. For samples with a different ‘thermal history’ other phase transition temperatures are observed, (e.g. after having performed several heating and cooling cycles). The linear relationship between the associated DTA signal ΔT=T _onset–T _offset and the square root of the heating rate β was confirmed, but the relation between T _onset and square root of β is not found here. From the empirical data a good linear fitting between T _onset and ln(β+1) can be derived. From the kinetic analysis (Kissinger method) of the phase transformation of YBO₃ an apparent activation energy of about 1386 kJ mol^–1 for heating and of about 568 kJ mol^–1 for cooling can be determined     

Electrical conductivity studies in the system Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Li<Subscript>1.33</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1.67</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Electrical conductivity in the monoclinic Li₂TiO₃, cubic Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄, and in their mixture has been studied by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 20–730 °C. Li₂TiO₃ shows low lithium ion conductivity, σ₃₀₀≈10^–6 S/cm at 300 °C, whereas Li_1.33Ti_1.67O₄ has 3×10^–8 at 20 °C and 3×10^–4 S/cm at 300 °C. Structural properties are used to discuss the observed conductivity features. The conductivity dependences on temperature in the coordinates of 1000/T versus log_e(σT) are not linear, as the conductivity mechanism changes. Extrinsic and intrinsic conductivity regions are observed. The change in the conductivity mechanism in Li₂TiO₃ at around 500–600 °C is observed and considered as an effect of the first-order phase transition, not reported before. Formation of solid solutions of Li_{2– x} Ti_{1+ x} O₃ above 900 °C significantly increases the conductivity. Irradiation by high-energy (5 MeV) electrons causes defects and the conductivity in Li₂TiO₃ increases exponentially. A dose of 144 MGy yields an increase in conductivity of about 100 times at room temperature. Electronic Publication     

Voltammetric determination of the trace amounts of bromate in drinking water after pre-concentration on hydrous γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method for the determination of bromate in drinking water, after pre-concentration on γ-Al₂O₃, is proposed. The reduction peak of bromate has been observed at the potential E _p -−1.6 V in an ammonia buffer as a supporting electrolyte. The method has been successfully applied to determine a bromate concentration of 2.5 μg·l⁻¹ in drinking water (RSD=6.1%, n=7). A sample pre-treatment with a column filled with mixed cation-exchange resin in Ag, Ba and H forms was needed before pre-concentration of bromate on alumina.