Investigation of a high-intensity spectral lamp for atomic absorption spectrometry—II: Radio frequency electrodeless discharge lamps for alkaline earth metals and lithium

The design of RF electrodeless-discharge lamps for alkaline earth metals and Li with Mo-glass envelopes in discussed. A study of the emission characteristics of the lamps has been carried out. Operating conditions providing high intensity without significant broadening of resonance lines have been established. The emission instability of the lamps for the above mentioned elements was found to be 1–1.6% for a 30 min period. The lamps yield intensities a factor of 10–20 higher than the high-intensity combined-discharge lamps for the same elements. The minimum operating lifetime of the lamp is about 150 h.     

A simultaneous multielement non-dispersive atomic-fluorescence spectrometer using modulated sources and frequency discrimination of fluorescence signals

Commercial radiofrequency-excited electrodeless discharge lamps can be run from a square-wave modulated power supply so as to give a low level of continuous emission when modulated in the frequency range 3–10 kHz. Use of a different modulation frequency and lock-in amplifier for each lamp allows multielement non-dispersive atomic-fluorescence spectrometry to be performed. Very low detection limits have been obtained for arsenic, selenium, tin and mercury. The use of low-cost electronic components in the system largely offsets the high cost of the individual excitation power supplies and tuned a.c. detectors.     

Developments in light sources and detectors for atomic absorption spectroscopy

In a tribute to the contributions of Sir Alan Walsh to atomic spectroscopy, and in particular to his pioneering efforts in conceiving and developing the technique of atomic absorption spectroscopy, a brief overview is given of some developments in light sources and detection methods that took place during his leadership of the spectroscopy group at the CSIRO Division of Chemical Physics, Melbourne, Australia. The topics covered include hollow-cathode lamps, high-intensity lamps, resonance detectors, selective modulation of resonance lines emitted by hollow-cathode sources and isotopic analysis.     

A demountable boosted-output spectral lamp for atomic absorption and fluorescence measurements

A demountable boosted-output spectral lamp is described that permits easy exchange of the cathode, which is in the form of a disc pressed from the appropriate powder or machined from rod. The new lamp overcomes to a large extent the major disadvantage of the conventional boosted hollow-cathode lamp, namely the interaction of the sputtering and boosting discharges. In flame atomic absorption spectrometry it yields calibration curves more nearly linear than those obtained with commercial hollow-cathode lamps. In non-dispersive flame atomic fluorescence it permits the attainment of detection limits rather better than those obtained with other high-intensity light sources.     

A new immune resonance scattering spectral assay for trace fibrinogen with gold nanoparticle label

An on-line stacking method based on moving reaction boundary (MRB) was developed for the sensitive determination of barbital and phenobarbital in human urine via capillary electrophoresis (CE). The optimized conditions for the method are: 60 mmol L⁻¹ pH 11.0 Gly–NaOH as the background electrolyte, 10 mmol L⁻¹ pH 5.5 Gly–HCl as sample buffer, secobarbital as the internal standard (IS), 12.5 kV, 1.4 psi 10 s sample injection, 75 μm ID 60.2 cm total length (50 cm effective length) capillary and 214 nm detect wavelength. Under the optimized conditions, the method can well stack and separate barbital and phenobarbital in urine samples and result in 20.5-fold and 22.6-fold improvement in concentration sensitivity for barbital and phenobarbital, respectively. Furthermore, the method holds: (1) good linear calibration functions for the two target compounds (correlation coefficients r > 0.999), (2) low limits of detection (0.27 μg mL⁻¹ for barbital and 0.26 μg mL⁻¹ for phenobarbital), (3) low limits of quantification (0.92 μg mL⁻¹ for barbital and 0.87 μg mL⁻¹ for phenobarbital), (4) good precision (R.S.D. of intra-day and inter-day less than 5.38% for barbital and 1.67% for phenobarbital, respectively) and (5) high recoveries at three concentration levels (90.27–106.36% for barbital and 93.05–113.60% for phenobarbital in urine). The method is simple, sensitive and efficient, and can fit to the need of clinical and forensic toxicology.     

A rapid and sensitive immunonanogold resonance scattering spectral probe for complement 3

Gold nanoparticles in size of about 10 nm was used to label goat anti-human complement 3 (anti-C3) to obtain a sensitive and selective immunoresonance scattering spectral probe for C3. It was based on the immune reaction between labeled anti-C3 and C3 in the pH 5.6 Na₂HPO₄–citric acid buffer solutions and in presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The resonance scattering (RS) intensity at 560 nm enhanced greatly with C3. Well linear relationships between the enhanced RS intensity (I_RS) and the C3 concentration in the range of 8.33–200 ng ml⁻¹ were obtained, with a detection limit of 2.8 ng ml⁻¹ and the limit of quantification 8.51 ng ml⁻¹ for C3. The convenient and selective and sensitive assay was applied to quantification of C3 in human sera, with satisfactory results.     

Flow injection for the determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave oven on-line prereduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV)

An on-line flow injection system has been developed for the selective determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in citric fruit juices and geothermal waters by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave-aided heating prereduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV). The samples and the prereductant solutions (4 mol l⁻¹ HCl for Se(IV) and 12 mol l⁻¹ HCl for Se(VI)) which circulated in a closed-flow circuit were injected by means of a time-based injector. This mixture was displaced by a carrier solution of 1% v/v of hydrochloric acid through a PTFE coil located inside the focused microwave oven and mixed downstream with a borohydride solution to generate the hydride. The linear ranges were 0–120 and 0–100 μg l⁻¹ of Se(IV) and Se(VI), respectively. The detection limits were 1.0 μg l⁻¹ for Se(IV) and 1.5 μg l⁻¹ for Se(VI). The precision (about 2.0–2.5% RSD) and recoveries (96–98% for Se(IV) and 94–98% for Se(VI)) were good. Total selenium values were also obtained by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry which agreed with the content of both selenium species. The sample throughput was about 50 measurements per hour. The main advantage of the method is that the selective determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in citric fruit juices and geothermal waters is performed in a closed system with a minimum sample manipulation, exposure to the environment, minimum sample waste and operator attention.     

Radical additions to fluoro-olefins. photochemical mono-fluoroalkylation and sequential bis-fluoroalkylation of oxolane

Oxolane was fluoroalkylated by its photoadditions under atmospheric pressure. Monofluoro-alkylations were carried out with hexafluoropropene (1) and perfluorovinyl ethers C₃F₇O-[CF(CF₃)CF₂O]_n-CF = CF₂ (24, n = 0–2) by direct photoexcitation of the olefins to give high yields of addition products 9–12 (81–94%). The reactions were completely regioselecti ve at the oxolane molecule and almost completely regioselective (93–99%) at the double bond of fluoro-olefins; no bis-fluoroalkylated oxolanes were detected. The completely selective introduction of a second fluoroalkyl into position 5 of the oxolane molecule was accomplished by acetone-sensitised photoaddition of 2fluoroalkylated oxolanes 9,10 to fluoro-olefins 1 and 2. Byproducts from reactions of the dimethylketyl radical which is formed in the initiation step were isolated and have given some evidence about the reaction mechanism that is discussed.     

Reduction of spectral interferences in inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry by selective spectral-line modulation

Spectral interferences in inductively-coupled plasma (i.c.p.) emission spectrometry can be significantly reduced through the use of selective spectral-line modulation. In this method, a mirrored, rotating chopper directs the emission from an i.e.p. alternately through and past a flame; selective modulation is achieved when the flame contains absorbing atoms identical to emitting atoms in the i.c.p. The ability of selective spectral-line modulation to minimize broadband, narrow line, and scattered light spectral interferences is demonstrated. Signal-to-background ratios for detection with spectral-line modulation are shown to be higher than those obtained by conventional detection. The effect of modulating conditions on working curve slope and linearity is discussed and the limitations of the proposed method are critically evaluated.     

Analysis of acrylamide in different foodstuffs using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Acrylamide levels over a wide range of different food products were analysed using both liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS–MS) and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS–MS). Two different sample preparation methods for HPLC–MS–MS analysis were developed and optimised with respect to a high sample throughput on the one hand, and a robust and reliable analysis of difficult matrices on the other hand. The first method is applicable to various foods like potato chips, French fries, cereals, bread, and roasted coffee, allowing the analysis of up to 60 samples per technician and day. The second preparation method is not as simple and fast but enables analysis of difficult matrices like cacao, soluble coffee, molasses, or malt. In addition, this method produces extracts which are also well suited for GC–MS–MS analysis. GC–MS–MS has proven to be a sensitive and selective method offering two transitions for acrylamide even at low levels up to 1 μg kg⁻¹. For the respective methods the repeatability (n=10), given as coefficient of variation, ranged from 3% (acrylamide content of 550 μg kg⁻¹) to 12% (acrylamide content of 8 μg kg⁻¹) depending on the food matrix. The repeatability (n=3) for different food samples spiked with acrylamide (5–1500 μg kg⁻¹) ranged from 1 to 20% depending on the spiking level and the food matrix. The limit of quantification (referred to a signal-to-noise ratio of 9:1) was 30 μg kg⁻¹ for HPLC–MS–MS and 5 μg kg⁻¹ for GC–MS–MS. It could be demonstrated that measurement uncertainties were not only a result of analytical variability but also of inhomogeneity and stability of the acrylamide in food.     

Highly sensitive and selective measurements of cobalt by catalytic adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry

A very sensitive and selective catalytic adsorptive cathodic stripping procedure for trace measurements of cobalt is presented. The method is based on adsorptive accumulation of the cobalt-MTB (methyl thymol blue) complex onto a hanging mercury drop electrode, followed by reduction of the adsorbed species by voltammetric scan using differential pulse modulation. The reduction current is enhanced catalytically by nitrite. The optimum conditions for the analysis of cobalt include pH 9.0 (ammonia buffer), 2.0 μM methyl thymol blue, 0.8 M sodium nitrite and an accumulation potential of −0.5 V (versus Ag/AgCl). The peak current is proportional to the concentration of cobalt over the entire concentration range tested (0.02–500 ng ml⁻¹) with a detection limit of 0.005 ng ml⁻¹ for an accumulation time of 60 s. The method was applied to determination of cobalt in a mineral water sample and some analytical grade salts with satisfactory results.     

Selective solid phase extraction and preconcentration of iron(III) based on silica gel-chemically immobilized purpurogallin

The immobilization of purpurogallin on the surface of amino group containing silica gel phase for the formation of a newly synthesized silica gel-bound purpurogallin (SGBP) is described. The surface modification was studied and evaluated by determination of the surface coverage value by both the elemental analysis and metal probe testing method, which was found to be 0.485 and 0.460 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. The metal sorption properties of SGBP were examined by a series of di- and tri-valent metal ions. The metal capacity values (mmol g⁻¹) for this series of metal ions were also determined under different buffer solutions (pH 1.0–6.0) as well as shaking times by the batch equilibrium technique. The results of this study confirmed the strong affinity and selectivity as well as the fast equilibration and interaction processes of SGBP and Fe(III) compared to the other tested metal ions. The reduction–oxidation process of iron(II)/iron(III) by SGBP was also studied and the results indicated only 2.1% reduction of iron(III) into iron(II). The selectivity incorporated into silica gel phase via the immobilization of purpurogallin was intensively studied for a several binary mixtures containing iron(III)—another interfering metal ion. The determined percentage extraction values of iron(III) from these mixtures were found to be in the range of 94–100%. The potential applications of SGBP as a selective solid extractor for iron(III) from natural tap water samples and real matrices were also studied and the results revealed good percentage extraction values of iron(III) (93.5−94.9±4.6−5.3%) of the spiked iron(III) in the acidified tap water samples as well as a high preconcentration factor of 500 was also established when SGBP was used as a selective solid phase extractor and preconcentration of iron(III) from acidified soft drink samples with percentage recovery values of (98.0−97.4±4.7−5.3%) of the spiked iron(III).     

Controlled temperature-gradient atomic spectral lamp

The lamps are based on excitation of a thermally-produced vapour in a low-pressure gas discharge. For arsenic and selenium, the resonance line intensities are five times higher than those emitted by electrodeless discharge lamps for the same line-widths. Limits of detection are 16 ng ml^-1 for arsenic and selenium in non-dispersive atomic fluorescence measurements; sensitivities are also improved in atomic absorption.     

A selective voltammetric method for uric acid detection at Nafion(R)-coated carbon paste electrodes

A square-wave voltammetric method together with Nafion®-coated carbon paste electrodes were used for the selective determination of uric acid in the presence of a high concentration of ascorbic acid. Since the oxidation potential of uric acid is about 200 mV more positive than that of ascorbic acid at the Nafion®-coated carbon paste electrode, the selectivity can be greatly improved simply by applying an electrolysis potential of +0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl where only ascorbic acid is oxidised. The acceptable tolerance of ascorbic acid concentration for the determination of uric acid is as high as 1.5 mM. With 30 s of electrolysis time, a linear calibration curve is obtained over the 0–50 μM range in 0.05 M citrate buffer solution, pH 4.0, with slope (μA/μM) and correlation coefficient of 0.34 and 0.9984, respectively. The detection limit (3σ) is 0.25 μM. The practical analytical utility is illustrated by selective measurements of uric acid in human urine without any preliminary treatment.     

Rotamers and vibrations of resorcinol obtained by spectral hole burning

(1 + 1)REMPI and hole-burning spectra of resorcinol are recorded. Under the conditions of free-jet expansion only two rotamers significantly contribute to the spectrum. The bands of the REMPI spectrum can be assigned as electronic origins and vibrational transitions of the two rotamers. In order to determine the stabilities of the rotamers ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations using the 6–31G(d, p) and 6–311 + + G(d, p) basis sets are carried out. The data of a complete vibrational analysis at the 6–31G(d, p) level are compared with experimental infrared and Raman frequencies. The REMPI signals are assigned using the normal vibrations calculated for the electronic ground state.     

Determination of pentoxifylline in pharmaceutical formulations using iodine as oxidizing agent

Simple, selective and sensitive spectrophotometric methods are described for the determination of pentoxifylline, based on the haloform reaction with a known and excess of standard iodine solution under alkaline conditions. The excess of iodine is determined at pH 3.0 with metol–isoniazid (λ_max=620 nm; method A) or wool fast blue BL (λ_max=540 nm, method B). All the variables have been optimised and the reaction mechanisms presented. Regression analysis of Beer's law plots showed good correlation in the concentration ranges 4.0–24.0 and 0.4–2.4 mg ml⁻¹ for methods A and B respectively. No interferences were observed from excipients and the validity of the methods was tested by analysing pharmaceutical formulations. Recoveries were 99.0–100.0%. The concentration measurements were reproducible within a relative standard deviation of 1.0%.     

Enantioselective conjugate additions of organolithiums to BHA enoates mediated by A chiral ligand

The conjugate addition reactions of BHA alkenoates with organolithiums in toluene or toluene-hexane at −78 °C were mediated by the chiral ligands 1 and 2 to give the corresponding 3-substituted alkanoates in high ees and high yields. The two ligands are complementary each other, 1 is effective for phenyl- and vinyllithiums to give the adducts in 64–93% ee, while 2 is effective for butyl- and ethyllithiums to give the adducts in 91–99% ee.     

Membrane-immobilized haptoglobin as affinity matrix for a hemoglobin-A1c immunosensor

An amperometric immunosensor for hemoglobin-A1c (HbA1c) determination has been developed utilizing membrane-immobilized haptoglobin as affinity matrix fixed in front of a Pt-working electrode. The HbA1c assay was carried out in a two-step procedure including the selective hemoglobin enrichment on the sensor surface and the specific HbA1c detection by a glucose oxidase (GOx) labeled anti-HbA1c antibody. Hydrogen peroxide generated by the enzyme label was oxidized at +600 mV versus Ag/AgCl. A standard curve for HbA1c was obtained with a linear range between 0 and 25% HbA1c of total hemoglobin which correspond to 7.8–39 nM. ELISA studies confirmed the advantage of a sandwich-type format with haptoglobin as capture molecule for selective hemoglobin binding over the direct adsorption method. Results by the sandwich immunoassay showed a linear correlation within the clinically relevant range 5–20% (CV < 3). For sensor application the immobilization procedure of haptoglobin onto CDI-activated cellulose membranes was optimized.     

Immunonanogold-catalytic resonance scattering spectral assay of trace human chorionic gonadotrophin

Gold nanoparticles in diameter of 10 nm were used to label rabbit anti-human chorionic gonadotrophin (RhCG) antiserum to obtain a resonance scattering spectral probe (AuRhCG) for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The immunoreaction between AuRhCG and hCG take place to form hCG–AuRhCG immunocomplex in pH 5.0 citric acid–Na₂HPO₄ buffer solution. The immunocomplex solutions were centrifuged to obtain the supernatant solution. The AuRhCG in the supernatant solution exhibited strong catalytic effect on the particle reaction between Ag⁺ and hydroquinone to produce gold–silver composite particles in pH 3.4 citric acid–trisodium citrate buffer solution. There is a stronger resonance scattering (RS) peak at 423 nm for the particles. With the addition of hCG, the AuRhCG in the supernatant solution decreased, and the RS intensity at 423 nm decreased. The decreased RS intensity ΔI_423 nm was proportional to the concentration of hCG in the range of 2.5–208.3 mIU/mL with a detection limit of 0.83 mIU/mL. This method has been applied to the determination of hCG in urine samples, with satisfactory results.     

Resonant secondary emission and spectral diffusion in isotopically mixed naphthalene crystals

Resonant secondary radiation (zero-phonon lines) flourescence spectra of isotopic 3D aggregates of traps (NH₈) in a host crystal (ND₈), as well as transfer-induced fluorescence at trap concentrations between 0.01 and 10% and at temperatures between 1.6 and 10 K, are presented. Laser-excited (0–1) resonant secondary (zero-phonon) emission is used to resolve close-lying electronic resonances, corresponding to monomers, aggregates and to their host and trap satellite lines, in a quasi-continuum of 3D trap states. Such states are also calculated by numerically diagonalizing a mixed-crystal 3D hamiltonian. Measured and calculated delocalization indices are given for all trap species. In addition, low-temperature spectral diffusion of photoselected trap species is measured by plotting the attenuation of the zero-phonon lines. We give a simple discussion on the modulation of the resonant secondary radiation spectra by concentration, excitation wavelength and temperature. We show that low-temperature exciton diffusion, assited by acoustical phonon creation, occurs above a very low concentration threshold (C > 0.05% for monomers at T = 1.6 K). Thermally activated transfer of the photoselected excitons is also plotted for temperatures up to 10 K above which the zero-phonon lines are quenched.