Determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb in Milk, Cheese and Chocolate

 Combined analytical procedures consisting of wet digestion step followed by instrumental determination – differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (DPCSV) or electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) – as well as a direct analysis method – slurry sampling ETAAS – for the determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb in milk, cheese and chocolate are described and compared. Wet digestion using a mixture of HNO₃-HClO₄-H₂O₂ is proposed for complete matrix decomposition prior to trace analyte determinati on by DPCSV or ETAAS. A mixture of HNO₃-H₂O₂ is used for slurry preparation. Optimal instrumental parameters for trace analyte measurements are presented. The reliability of the procedures has been verified by analyzing standard reference materials. Results obtained are in good agreement with the certified values and the relative standard deviations (for these results) are in the range 5–10% for wet digestion DPCSV or ETAAS and 3–9% for slurry sampling ETAAS in the range of 2 μgċg⁻¹ (Cd) to 12 μgċg⁻¹ (Fe). Received August 24, 1999. Revision January 20, 2000.     

First principles study of structural,electronic, elastic and thermal properties of YX (X = Cd,In, Au,Hg and Tl) intermetallics

The structural, electronic, elastic and thermal properties of YX (X = Cd, In, Au, Hg and Tl) intermetallic compounds crystallizing in B₂-type structure have been studied using first principles density functional theory within generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange correlation potential. Amongst all the YX compounds, YIn is stable in distorted tetragonal (P4/mmm) CuAu-type structure at ambient pressure with very small energy difference of 0.00681 Ry. but it undergoes to CsCl-type (B₂ phase) structure at 23.3 GPa. Rest of the compounds are stable in B₂ structure at ambient condition. The values of elastic moduli as a function of pressure are also reported. The ductility of these compounds has been analyzed using the Pugh rule. Our calculated results indicate that YTl is the most ductile amongst all the B₂-YX compounds. YAu is the hardest and less compressible compound due to the largest bulk modulus. The elastic properties such as Young's modulus (E), Poisson's ratio (σ) and anisotropic ratio (A) are also predicted. The anisotropic factor is found to be unity for YHg which shows that this compound is isotropic.     

Syntheses, X-ray crystal structures, DNA binding, oxidative cleavage activities and antimicrobial studies of two Cu(II) hydrazone complexes

From a mononuclear Cu(II)-hydrazone complex [Cu(PBH)₂] (1), one μ_1,1-azido bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complex having the formula [{Cu(PBH)(μ_1,1-NNN)}₂] (2) (where HPBH = 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone) has been synthesised. Both the complexes are characterised by elemental analyses, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopic studies. The tridentate hydrazone pro-ligand (HPBH) is obtained by the condensation of benzhydrazide and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde. The structures of the complexes have conclusively been established by the X-ray single crystal diffraction method. Complex 1 and 2 both display DNA binding ability, which is ascertained by UV–Vis titration and cyclic voltammetric studies using calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). The apparent binding constants (K_app) are of moderate values and are 2.048 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (±0.006) and 1.644 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (±0.005), respectively. The modes of binding of the complexes with CT-DNA has been investigated using circular dichroism, ethidium bromide displacement assay and viscosity measurements. The cleavage properties of these complexes as well as the free pro-ligand with super coiled (SC) pUC19 are studied using the gel electrophoresis method, where both the complexes displayed chemical nuclease activity in the presence of H₂O₂ via an oxidative mechanism. The antimicrobial study using the free pro-ligand, 1 and 2 against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria are performed, 2 showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria whereas the free ligand and 1 show no antibacterial activity.     

Structural, microstructural and vibrational characterization of apatite-type lanthanum silicates prepared by mechanical milling

Apatite-type lanthanum silicates have been successfully prepared at room temperature by dry milling hexagonal A-La₂O₃ and either amorphous or low cristobalite SiO₂. Milling a stochiometric mixture of these chemicals in a planetary ball mill with a moderate rotating disc speed (350 rpm), allows the formation of the target phase after only 3 h although longer milling times are needed to eliminate all SiO₂ and La₂O₃ traces. Thus, the mechanically activated chemical reaction proceeds faster when using amorphous silica instead of low cristobalite as silicon source and pure phases are obtained after only 9 and 18 h, respectively. As obtained powder phases are not amorphous and show an XRD pattern as well as IR and Raman bands characteristic of the lanthanum silicate. The domain size of the as-prepared phases varies gradually with the temperature of post-milling thermal treatment with activation energies of about 26(8) and 52(10) kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for the apatites obtained from amorphous silica and low-cristobalite, respectively. These values suggest crystallite growth to be favored when using amorphous silica as reactant.     

Solvation of bivalent transition metal cations. I. Heats of transfer of the metal perchlorates between water,acetonitrile, and dimethylsulfoxide

Heats of solution of Mn(ClO₄)₂·6AN, Fe(ClO₄)₂·6AN, Co(ClO₄)₂·6AN, as well as Ni(ClO₄)₂·6AN, Cu(ClO₄)₂·4AN, and Zn(ClO₄)₂·6AN (AN=acetonitrile) have been determined in water, acetonitrile, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Coupled with the heats of solution of AN in the respective solvents they give the heats of transfer of the metal perchlorates. Heats of transfer of the cations as well as their heats of solvation are calculated using literature data for the heat of transfer of the perchlorate anion and the heats of hydration of the cations, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of the different contributions to the overall heat effects.     

Copper(II) Complexes of Spirohydantoins. Synthesis,Quantum-Chemical,and Spectroscopic Study

A series of new Cu(II) complexes with important physiologically active cycloalkane-5-spirohydantoines are synthesized reacting as a result of CuCl₂ · 2H₂O interaction with the ligands in alkaline water medium. Their structures were studied using spectroscopic (IR and EPR) methods. For comparison, ab initio calculations of the structure and IR spectra of the corresponding Cu(II) complexes were also performed. It was proven that with cyclopentane-5-spirohydantoins, distorted (flattened) tetrahedral structure is realized Cu(L_–H)₂(H₂O)₂, while with the higher cycloalkane-5-spirohydantoins linear Cu(II) complexes of the type CuL_–H(OH) are formed.     

An examination of the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, and 1,3,5-triazine

The vaporization enthalpies and liquid vapor pressures from T = 298.15 K to T = 400 K of 1,3,5-triazine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, and pyridazine using pyridines and pyrazines as standards have been measured by correlation-gas chromatography. The vaporization enthalpies of 1,3,5-triazine (38.8 ± 1.9 kJ mol⁻¹) and pyrazine (40.5 ± 1.7 kJ mol⁻¹) obtained by these correlations are in good agreement with current literature values. The value obtained for pyrimidine (41.0 ± 1.9 kJ mol⁻¹) can be compared with a literature value of 50.0 kJ mol⁻¹. Combined with the condensed phase enthalpy of formation in the literature, this results in a gas-phase enthalpy of formation, Δ_f H _m (g, 298.15 K), of 187.6 ± 2.2 kJ mol⁻¹ for pyrimidine, compared to a value of 195.1 ± 2.1 calculated for pyrazine. Vapor pressures also obtained by correlation are used to predict boiling temperatures (BT). Good agreement with experimental BT (±4.2 K) including results for pyrimidine is observed for most compounds with the exception of the pyridazines. The results suggest that compounds containing one or two nitrogen atoms in the ring are suitable standards for correlating various heterocyclic compounds provided the nitrogen atoms are isolated from each other by carbon. Pyridazines do not appear to be evaluated correctly using pyridines and pyrazines as standards.     

Syntheses,characterizations, crystal structures,DFT/TD-DFT,luminescence behaviors and cytotoxic effect of bicompartmental Zn (II)-dicyanamide Schiff base coordination polymers: An approach to apoptosis,autophagy and necrosis type classical cell death

Two new Zn (II)-dicyanamide (dca) 1-D chain coordination polymers (CPs), [Zn (L^OMe)(μ₁-dca)(μ_1,5-dca)]_n (1) and [Zn (L^OEt)(μ₁-dca)(μ_1,5-dca)]_n (2) have been successfully synthesized from bicompartmental Schiff base ligands N,N^′-Bis(3-methoxysalicylidenimino)-1,3-diaminopropane (H₂L^OMe), N,N^′-Bis(3-ethoxysalicylidenimino)-1,3-diaminoproane (H₂L^OEt) respectively and structurally characterized using various spectroscopic protocols like ¹H NMR, IR, Raman, UV–Vis, fluorescence as well as elemental analysis, TGA, PXRD and SCXRD studies. X-ray single crystal study revealed that both the complexes have two different geometrical arrangement of Zn metal centres with distorted square pyramidal Zn(2) and trigonal prismatic geometry Zn(1). Ab-initio DFT (Density functional theory) has been executed at B3LYP (Becke, 3-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr) using DGDVP (Diffuse gradient double valence polarised) basis set to explain FMO (Frontier molecular orbital), TD-DFT (Time-dependent density functional theory) and photovoltaic efficiency in Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC). Hirshfeld surface (HS) and 2D fingerprint plot analyses are shed more light on the non-covalent supramolecular interactions. The steady state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements have been conducted in DMSO and solid-state. CPs exhibited bi-exponential decay in DMSO as well as solid-state where fluorescence behaviors are mainly intra-ligand (π → π^*) in nature with lifetimes in the range (1.11–1.06 ns). In particular, in vitro cytotoxic activities were evaluated towards MCF7 (breast cancer) cell line, MDA-MB-231 (breast carcinoma) cell line and MCF10A (breast epithelial) cell line using MTT assay. CP 1 had lower cytotoxic effect against MCF7 (20 μM), MDA-MB-231 (15 μM) cell lines in comparison with cisplatin (42.2 ± 8, 128.2 ± 7 μM). CP 1 induced classical cell death apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. Lower IC₅₀ value of CP 1 against MDA-MB-231 cell line provide new insights in the development of cancer therapeutics.     

Investigation of structural, morphological, luminescent and thermal properties of combusted aluminium-based iron oxide

Nanocomposites of aluminium integrated hematite α-Fe₂O₃ are synthesized by combustion route using aqueous solutions of AR grade ferric trichloride and aluminium nitrate as precursors. The influence of aluminium incorporation on to the morphology, XPS, photoluminescence and thermal properties has been investigated. The FESEM and AFM micrographs depict that the samples are compact and have homogeneously distributed grains of varying sizes (∼20-60 nm). Chemical composition and valence states of constituent elements in hematite are analyzed by XPS. In room temperature photoluminescence (PL) study, we observed strong violet emission around 436 nm without any deep-level emission and a small PL FWHM indicating that the concentrations of defects are responsible for deep-level emissions. The specific heat and thermal conductivity study shows the phonon conduction behavior is dominant. We studied interparticle interactions using complex impedance spectroscopy. We report a new potential candidate for its possible applications in optoelectronics and magnetic devices.     

Chemical vapor deposition and electric characterization of perovskite oxides LaMO3 (M=Co, Fe, Cr and Mn) thin films

Oxides with a perovskite structure are important functional materials often used for the development of modern devices. In view of extending their applicability, it is necessary to efficiently control their growth as thin films using technologically relevant synthesis methods. Pulsed spray evaporation CVD was used to grow several perovskite-type oxides on planar silicon substrates at temperatures ranging from 500 to 700 °C. The optimization of the process control parameters allows the attainment of the perovskite structure as a single phase. The electrical characterization using the temperature-dependent conductivity and thermopower indicates the p-type conduction of the grown films and shows a decreasing concentration of the charge carrier, mobility and band gap energy in the sequence LaCoO₃>LaMnO₃>LaCrO₃>LaFeO₃. The investigation of the electric properties of the obtained perovskite thin films shows the versatility of CVD as a method for the development of innovative devices.     

Novelty, preparation, characterization and enhancement of magnetic properties of Mn nanoferrites using safety binder (egg white)

Nanocrystalline MnFe₂O₄ ferrite was prepared by using autocombustion technique (flash). The microstructure and magnetic properties are studied. The results of XRD and TEM clarified that, this ferrite is nanosized with particle size (39 nm). Magnetic measurements showed a ferromagnetic behavior with T_C = 613 K, the saturation magnetization M_s = 13.71 emu/g, remanent magnetization M_r = 0.1694 emu/g and, coercivity H_c = 25.6 Oe. Natural material, egg white used as an aqueous medium to extend prepare nanoparticles better than other chemical interesting materials.     

Synthesis,characterization, pyrolysis kinetics and conductivity studies of chloro substituted cobalt phthalocyanines

Cobalt(II) phthalocyanine (CoPc), cobalt(II) tetrachloro phthalocyanine (CoPcCl₄), cobalt(II) octachloro phthalocyanine (CoPcCl₈) and cobalt(II) hexadecachloro phthalocyanine (CoPcCl₁₆) are synthesized pure and characterized using elemental analysis, UV-visible, IR-spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, X-ray crystallography, and thermogravimetry. All four complexes have monoclinic structure with different crystal lattice constants. Broido's, Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger relations were employed to calculate the kinetic and activation parameters associated with thermal decomposition of the above complexes. The compounds are analyzed for kinetic parameters, activation energies for decomposition and the Arrhenious pre-exponential factors, in their pyrolysis. Using these factors and standard equations, thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy, entropy and free energies are calculated. The activation energies are evaluated based on their electrical conductivity conducted over the temperature range 30–200°C. The electrical conductivities observed at 30°C are in the order CoPcCl₁₆?>?CoPcCl₄?>?CoPcCl₈?>?CoPc. The relevant electrical conductivity data are reported.     

Separating Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a Gd matrix using 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester extraction chromatography for ICP-AES analysis

The separation procedure for Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu and Sm as impurities in Gd matrix using ICP-AES technique with an extraction chromatographic column has been developed. The spectral interference of the Gd matrix on the elements was eliminated using a chromatography technique with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC-88A) as the mobile phase and XAD-16 resin as the stationary phase. Ag⁺, B₄O₇²⁻, and Cd²⁺ were eluted with 0.1 M HNO₃, while rare earth ions were not. The best eluent for separating Eu and Sm in the Gd matrix was 0.3 M HNO₃. The limit of quantitation for these elements was 0.6-3.0 ng mL⁻¹. The recovery of Ag, B, and Cd was 90-104% using 0.1 M HNO₃ as the eluent, while that of Eu, Gd, and Sm ranged from 100 to 102% with 0.3 M HNO₃. Dy was recovered quantitatively with 4 M HNO₃. The relative standard deviation of the methods for a set of three replicates was between 1.0 and 15.4% for the synthetic and standard Gd solutions. The proposed separation procedure was used to measure Ag, B, Cd, Dy, Eu, and Sm in a standard Gd solution.     

ko-measurements and related nuclear data compilation for (n, γ) reactor neutron activation analysis

k_o-factors of 35 isotopes used in reactor neutron activation analysis were measured with a high degree of accuracy (1–2%). To minimize systematic errors, measurements were carried out using different reactor types, irradiation conditions (18 < Φ_s/Φ_e), Ge(Li) detectors, sample detector geometry, etc. Analyst-oriented tabulations including all necessary nuclear data, “best values”, as well as recommended k_o-values are given to facilitate analytical work with the new method. Some practical aspects as well as limitations of the k_o-method are also outlined together with the applied neutron flux and cross-section conventions. Research associate of the National Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Belgium     

Rearrangements of cyclopentadienyl cyanates,isocyanates and their thio-,seleno-, and telluro-analogs

Dynamic NMR spectroscopy revealed that pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl isoselenocyanate undergoes reversible hetero-Cope rearrangement (ΔG ^≠ _{408 K} ∼ 22 kcal mol⁻¹, C₆D₅CD₃) giving isomeric selenocyanate in which 1,5-sigmatropic shifts of the SeCN group along the perimeter of the cyclopentadiene ring occur (ΔG ^≠ _{298 K} = 16.7 kcal mol⁻¹, C₆D₅CD₃). On the contrary, pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl iso(thio)cyanates Ph₅C₅NCO and Ph₅C₅NCS are structurally rigid compounds on the NMR time scale. The energy barrier to the 3,3-shift of the isoselenocyanate group in pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl derivative Ph₅C₅NCSe (ΔG _{298 K} ^≠ = 17.9 kcal mol⁻¹) caclulated using the B3LYP/6-31G** method is 7.6 kcal mol⁻¹ lower than for the unsubstituted analog H₅C₅NCSe.     

Novel Dendritic PNP Chromium Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Performance on Ethylene Oligomerization

Three dendritic PNP ligands with ethylenediamine, 1,4‐butanediamine, 1,6‐diaminohexane as bridged groups are synthesized in good yields, respectively. Three dendritic PNP chromium complexes ( C1  –  C3 ) are prepared with the ligands and chromium(III ) chloride tetrahydrofuran complex (CrCl₃(THF )₃) as materials. The dendritic PNP ligands and the synthetic chromium complexes are fully characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. All chromium complexes activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO ) exhibited moderate activities on ethylene oligomerization (7.90 × 10⁴ – 2.15 × 10⁵ g (mol Cr h)⁻¹] and had better selectivity for C₆ and C₈ oligomer, reaching up to 81%. The chromium complex ( C1 ) activated with diethylaluminium chloride (Et₂AlCl) has higher catalytic activity than the chromium complex C1 activated with MAO , although the chromium complex ( C1 ) activated with Et₂AlCl had lower selectivity for C₆ and C₈ oligomer. The effects of solvent and reaction parameters on ethylene oligomerization are also studied using the chromium complex C1 as pre ‐ catalyst and MAO as co ‐ catalyst. Under optimized conditions ([complex] = 2 μmol, Al/Cr = 500, 25 °C, 0.9 MP a ethylene, 30 min), the catalytic activity of complex C1 in toluene is 2.15 × 10⁵ g (mol Cr h)⁻¹ and the selectivity for C₆ and C₈ oligomer is 36.76%. In addition, the structure of complexes significantly affects both the catalytic activity and the selectivity on ethylene oligomerization.     

Simultaneous determination of Co,Mo, Ni,W and moisture content in hydrodesulfurization catalysts by neutron capture gamma-ray spectrometry

Neutron capture γ-ray spectrometry has been applied for the simultaneous determination of Co, Mo, Ni, W and moisture in hydrodesulfurization catalysts. The Co, Mo and water content are determined in a 10 min irradiation using a 500–2500 keV calibration. Ni and W, if present, require, and additional 30 min irradiation, using a 5000–9000 keV calibration. In both cases TiO₂ is used as internal standard. Results are in good agreement with those obtained by NAA for metals and by TGA for moisture. This work was supported by Grant N⁰ 31.26-Sl-0304 from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Technológicas.     

C 1s and Au 4f7/2 referenced XPS binding energy data obtained with different aluminium oxides, -hydroxides and -fluorides

A number of partially catalytically active aluminium compounds characterised by powder XRD have been investigated by XPS and XAES using a new method for static charge referencing [1, 2]. In detail, α-Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃, boehmite γ-AlO(OH), bayerite α-Al(OH)₃, hydrargillite γ-Al(OH)₃, α-AlF₃, β-AlF₃, and AlF_2.3(OH)_0.7· H₂O and a hexa-fluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) modified γ-Al₂O₃ are examined. Well defined and chemically inert 20 nm gold particles are deposited as a nearly statistical distribution on the sample surface avoiding large coagulation effects. This procedure allows a determination of gold referenced XPS and XAES data sets. Binding energies (BE) of Al 2p, Al 2s, O 1s and F 1s photoelectron peaks as well as kinetic energies (KE) of Al KLL and F KLL Auger electron emission peaks are presented in relation to the Au 4f_7/2 BE reference. XPS and XAES data found in literature are, in most cases, C 1s referenced and scatter in a broad range. BE differences Δ between the C 1s charge reference BE and Au 4f_7/2 charge reference BE obtained with our samples are monitored by using the Al 2p orbital. These BE differences Δ clearly suggest that the chemical state of carbon observed in this study is not as uniform as required for reliable static charge referencing. Received: 24 June 1996 / Revised: 12 December 1996 / Accepted: 14 December 1996     

Syntheses, structures, magnetism, and optical properties of gadolinium scandium chalcogenides

Three gadolinium scandium chalcogenides have been synthesized using Sb₂Q₃ (Q=S, Se) fluxes at 975 °C. Gd_3.04Sc_0.96S₆, GdScS₃, and Gd_1.05Sc_0.95Se₃ are crystallized in U₃ScS₆ type, GdFeO₃ type, and UFeS₃ type structures, respectively. The magnetic susceptibilities for these compounds follow the Curie-Weiss law above their transition temperatures. The effective magnetic moments are close to calculated values for free Gd³⁺ ions. The Weiss constants for Gd_3.04Sc_0.96S₆, GdScS₃, and Gd_1.05Sc_0.95Se₃ are determined to be −3.3(1), −4.5(4), and 1.5(1) K, respectively. Gd_3.04Sc_0.96S₆ orders antiferromagnetically below 9 K. GdScS₃ exhibits an antiferromagnetic ordering below 3 K with a weak ferromagnetism. Gd_1.05Sc_0.95Se₃ undergoes a ferromagnetic transition around 5 K. The optical band gaps for Gd_3.04Sc_0.96S₆, GdScS₃, and Gd_1.05Sc_0.95Se₃ are 1.5, 2.1, and 1.2 eV, respectively.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric flow-through measurements of pH, carbon dioxide fugacity, and total inorganic carbon in seawater

An autonomous multi-parameter flow-through CO₂ system has been developed to simultaneously measure surface seawater pH, carbon dioxide fugacity (fCO₂), and total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). All three measurements are based on spectrophotometric determinations of solution pH at multiple wavelengths using sulfonephthalein indicators. The pH optical cell is machined from a PEEK polymer rod bearing a bore-hole with an optical pathlength of ∼15 cm. The fCO₂ optical cell consists of Teflon AF 2400 (DuPont) capillary tubing sealed within the bore-hole of a PEEK rod. This Teflon AF tubing is filled with a standard indicator solution with a fixed total alkalinity, and forms a liquid core waveguide (LCW). The LCW functions as both a long pathlength (∼15 cm) optical cell and a membrane that equilibrates the internal standard solution with external seawater. fCO₂ is then determined by measuring the pH of the internal solution. DIC is measured by determining the pH of standard internal solutions in equilibrium with seawater that has been acidified to convert all forms of DIC to CO₂. The system runs repetitive measurement cycles with a sampling frequency of ∼7 samples (21 measurements) per hour. The system was used for underway measurements of sea surface pH, fCO₂, and DIC during the CLIVAR/CO₂ A16S cruise in the South Atlantic Ocean in 2005. The field precisions were evaluated to be 0.0008 units for pH, 0.9 μatm for fCO₂, and 2.4 μmol kg⁻¹ for DIC. These field precisions are close to those obtained in the laboratory. Direct comparison of our measurements and measurements obtained using established standard methods revealed that the system achieved field agreements of 0.0012 ± 0.0042 units for pH, 1.0 ± 2.5 μatm for fCO₂, and 2.2 ± 6.0 μmol kg⁻¹ for DIC. This system integrates spectrophotometric measurements of multiple CO₂ parameters into a single package suitable for observations of both seawater and freshwater.