Dynamics of counterions in polyelectrolyte multilayers studied by electro-optics

The electro-optical behavior of a multilayer constructed via layer-by-layer deposition of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) onto ellipsoidal β-FeOOH particles is examined using electric light scattering method. For fully charged polymers (at pH 4.5), the electro-optical effect is found to increase with polyelectrolyte layer number, showing a tendency to saturation in the linear growth regime. The effect is greater and of lower frequency of relaxation for the films ending with PAH in comparison to those with top PSS layer. Evidence is given that polarization of “condensed” counterions along the chains of the last-adsorbed polymer is mainly responsible for the observed electro-optical behavior of the polyelectrolyte multilayer. Although incorporation of “condensed” small ions into the film bulk seems probable for the PSS/PAH multilayer, their participation in the electro-optical effect is found negligible. The structural changes in the PSS/PAH multilayer due to the PAH deprotonation at pH 7.5 and the corresponding changes in the electro-optical effect confirm the key role of the last-adsorbed polymer for the behavior of the entire PSS/PAH film.     

Separation of aminophenol isomers in polyelectrolyte multilayers modified PDMS microchip

The separation of three kinds of aminophenol isomers were achieved within 1 min in polyelectrolytes multilayers modified PDMS microchips by layer-by-layer assembly with electrochemical detection (EC). Two polyelectrolytes, poly(dially dimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(sodium-4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) were used to form polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). The surface characteristic of the modified microchip was studied by XPS. The electroosmotic flow (EOF) on PEMs modified PDMS microchips was more stable than that of the native PDMS microchips and the adsorption of samples was greatly reduced on PEMs modified PDMS microchips during the electrophoretic process. The column efficiencies on PEMs modified microchip were increased by 100 times and the signals enhanced by 2 times compared with those of native microchips. The separation conditions such as running buffer pH, running buffer concentration and separation voltage were also optimized.     

Carpetlike dense‐layer formation in a polyelectrolyte brush at the air/water interface

A carpetlike dense‐layer formation between a hydrophobic layer and a polyelectrolyte brush layer has been found in the monolayers of an ionic amphiphilic diblock copolymer, poly(1,1‐diethylsilacyclobutane)_m‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid)_n, on a water surface by an X‐ray reflectivity technique. By detailed analysis, we have found that the hydrophilic layer under the water is not a simple layer but is divided into two layers, that is, a carpetlike dense methacrylic acid (MAA) layer near the hydrophobic layer and a polyelectrolyte brush layer. We have also confirmed that a well‐established polyelectrolyte brush is formed only for the m:n = 43:81 polymer monolayer: For m:n = 40:10 and m:n = 45:60 polymer monolayers, only a dense MAA layer is formed. This dense‐layer formation should be the origin of the interesting hydrophobic‐layer thickness variation previously reported; The hydrophobic‐layer thickness takes a minimum as a function of the hydrophilic chain length at any surface pressure studied. An overview of the data for three samples with different chain lengths (m:n = 40:10, 45:60, or 43:81) has shown that the thickness of this dense layer is 10–20 Å and is independent of the surface pressure and polymerization degree of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) in the range studied. This dense‐layer formation is explained by the reasonable speculation that contact with PMAA is thermodynamically more stable than direct contact with water for the diethylsilacyclobutane (Et₂SB) layer on water. In this sense, the dense layer acts like a carpet for the hydrophobic Et₂SB layer, and a 10–20‐Å thickness could be a critical value for the carpet. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1921–1928, 2003     

磁性聚电解质多层膜固相萃取-火焰原子吸收光谱法测定水样中的三价铬

将聚电解质多层膜组装于磁性硅胶表面得到新型吸附剂;将该新型吸附剂用于磁性固相萃取(MSPE),并与火焰原子吸收光谱检测联用分析水样中的Cr3+;优化了样品的pH、洗脱条件和超声时间等影响MSPE萃取效率的参数.结果表明,在优化的测试条件下,该方法的检出限(3σ)为1.7μg·L-1,相对标准偏差为2.1%,富集倍数为15.9,可用于测定合成水样中的Cr3+.     

Detection of water in jet fuel using layer-by-layer thin film coated long period grating sensor

The quantitative measurement of jet fuel additives in the field is of interest to the Air Force. The “smart nozzle” project was designed as a state-of-the-art diagnostics package attached to a single-point refueling nozzle for assessing key fuel properties as the fuel is dispensed. The objective of the work was to show proof of concept that a layer-by-layer thin film and long period grating fibers could be used to detect the presence of water in jet fuel. The data for the nafion/PDMA film and a long period grating fiber is a combination capable of quantitative measurement of water in kerosene. The average response (spectral loss wavelength shift) to the kerosene sample ranged from −6.0 for 15 ppm to −126.5 for 60 ppm water. The average calculated value for the check standard was 21.71 and ranged from 21.25 to 22.00 with a true value of 22.5 ppm water. Potential interferences were observed and are judged to be insignificant in real samples.     

Kosmotrope character of maltose in water mixtures

It is well known that water plays a fundamental role for living beings, because the nature of water transformations provides for the ability to preserve biostructures. Solute can be classified as “kosmotropes” or “chaotropes” depending on the interaction strength with water. In the case of solutes destroying the natural hydrogen bonded network of water, called “kosmotropes” or “structure-makers”, the denaturation processes can be inhibited.

The aim of this work is to investigate the vibrational behaviour of maltose/H₂O mixtures in order to characterise the changes induced by the sugar on the H₂O hydrogen-bonded network. The obtained findings point out that maltose has a destructuring effect on the water tetrahedral network and emphasise its kosmotrope character.     

Continuous on-line determination of methyl tert-butyl ether in water samples using ion mobility spectrometry

A rapid analytical procedure for the on-line determination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in water samples was developed. A new membrane extraction unit was used to extract the MTBE from water samples. The concentration of MTBE was determined using ion mobility spectrometry with 63Ni ionization and corona discharge ionization without chromatographic separation. Both ionization methods permit the sensitive determination of MTBE. A detection limit of 100 microg/L was established for the on-line procedure. Neither the inorganic compounds, humic substances nor gasoline were found to exert a significant influence on the peak intensity of the MTBE. The screening procedure can be used for concentrations of monoaromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene) up to 600 microg/L. No sample preparation is required and the analysis results are available within 5 min. In order to determine concentrations between 10 microg/L and 100 microg/L, a discontinuous procedure was developed on the basis of the same experimental set-up.     

离子色谱-质谱联用技术测定饮用水及环境水样中的痕量高氯酸盐

建立了一种测定痕量高氯酸盐的离子色谱-质谱联用方法.选用高容量、强亲水性的阴离子交换柱IonPac AS20(2 mm)进行分离,以淋洗液自动发生器在线产生的KOH为淋洗液,采用等浓度淋洗.在不添加有机溶剂的情况下,淋洗液经过抑制器抑制后直接进入电喷雾-串联质谱(ESI-MS-MS),以负离子模式进行检测.同时采用多元反应监测(MRM)模式对高氯酸盐进行监控,以100.8/84.9、 98.8/66.9和100.8/68.9为监控离子对,以98.8/82.9离子对的峰面积进行定量.高氯酸盐质量浓度在0.05～50 μg/L范围内具有良好的线性(r＝0.9985),检出限(S/N=3)为0.01 μg/L.将该方法用于饮用水以及地下水、雪水等环境水样中高氯酸盐的分析,并进行了加标回收实验,回收率在86%～110%之间,将实际自来水样品连续11次进样,所得高氯酸盐的峰面积的相对标准偏差(RSD)为1.6%.     

离子色谱法测定水中的腐胺、尸胺和组胺

建立了离子色谱法快速测定水中腐胺、尸胺和组胺的方法, 考察了淋洗液条件、干扰离子对实验的影响, 优化了分离条件, 进行了方法学评估. 实验结果表明: 3种物质可以在9 min内达到基线分离, 腐胺和尸胺在1.0～20.0 mg/L、组胺在1.0～100.0 mg/L的浓度范围内, 峰面积和浓度之间线性关系良好, 保留时间的RSD＜0.01%, 峰高的RSD＜2.32%, 峰面积的RSD＜2.08%, 回收率在92.0%～107.4%之间. 本方法适用于水中腐胺、尸胺和组胺的测定.     

离子色谱法测定地表水氨的条件优化

基于美国Aquion ICS型离子色谱仪,优化离子色谱分析在饮用水氨检测中的应用条件,由实验结果所得的回归方程为A=0.2562ρ+0.008, 相关系数r=0.9998。在精密度检测中0.5 mg/L和10 mg/L的标准溶液所得标准偏差分别为1.130%和0.114%。在加标回收测试中加标量为1mg和2mg时,回收率在98%-102%、98%-100.1%。说明该方法总体准确度较高,可以满足检测需求。     

Stability of low levels of perchlorate in drinking water and natural water samples

Perchlorate ion (ClO₄⁻) is an environmental contaminant of growing concern due to its potential human health effects, impact on aquatic and land animals, and widespread occurrence throughout the United States. The determination of perchlorate cannot normally be carried out in the field. As such, water samples for perchlorate analysis are often shipped to a central laboratory, where they may be stored for a significant period before analysis. The stability of perchlorate ion in various types of commonly encountered water samples has not been generally examined—the effect of such storage is thus not known. In the present study, the long-term stability of perchlorate ion in deionized water, tap water, ground water, and surface water was examined. Sample sets containing approximately 1000, 100, 1.0, and 0.5 μg l⁻¹ perchlorate ion in deionized water and also in local tap water were formulated. These samples were analyzed by ion chromatography for perchlorate ion concentration against freshly prepared standards every 24 h for the first 7 days, biweekly for the next 4 weeks, and periodically after that for a total of 400 or 610 days for the two lowest concentrations and a total of 428 or 638 days for the high concentrations. Ground and surface water samples containing perchlorate were collected, held and analyzed for perchlorate concentration periodically over at least 360 days. All samples except for the surface water samples were found to be stable for the duration of the study, allowing for holding times of at least 300 days for ground water samples and at least 90 days for surface water samples.     

单笼形水分子簇中心水分子对类型关系

随机产生单笼形水分子簇(H2O)n(n=8~36),经分类统计后发现,在笼形水分子簇中,其1221,1212,2121和2112四类氢键的个数与水分子和氢键总数之间有定量关系,且1212类氢键的个数与2121类的氢键始终相等.如果笼形水分子簇中某一类氢键数已知,则它的其余三类氢键的个数也随即确定.     

Hydrophobic hydration of some different types of quaternary ammonium bromides in mixtures of water andN,N-dimethylformamide

Enthalpies of solution of methyltributylammonium bromide, tetraethanolammonium bromide, and three azoniaspiroalkane bromides in binary solvent mixtures of water and N,N-dimethylformamide have been measured calorimetrically at 298.15^oK over the whole mole fraction range. The results are interpreted in terms of a simple hydration model with two parameters and compared with those of the corresponding tetraalkylammonium bromides. Enthalpic studies with different types of quaternary ammonium bromides are useful in reexamining the assumptions and limitations of the hydration model.     

Determination of total water content in inulin using the volumetric Karl Fischer titration

A new sample preparation method for the water content determination of inulin by volumetric Karl Fischer (KF) titration was developed and compared to the usual method of introducing the sample directly in the methanol-based working medium, modified or not by formamide (1:3, v/v) in order to increase sample solubility. In the proposed method, inulins were externally prepared by dissolving them in pure formamide (2.5:7.5, w/w). The time of analysis of the liquid/liquid reaction of the new method between the dissolved sample and the reaction medium is about 1–2 min, while the usual KF method is stopped after the 10 min delay time. The developed method permits the determination of water included in the crystals of the sample, confirmed by analysing both crystalline and amorphous inulin samples. Another advantage of this new method is its applicability for the water content determination of other polysaccharides that are not readily soluble in the working medium. Moreover, water content determination can be done by any type of volumetric KF titrator, as this proposed technique is not dependent on any additional tools such as a built-in homogeniser or a heatable titration beaker.     

Energy distribution around 175 MeV Ar ion path in argon at the density of water

The ionization distribution in Ar gas by 175 MeV Ar ion was measured, and reduced to the energy density as a function of the radial distance in water. The energy density within the radial distance smaller than 294 nm decreased proportionally to the inverse of the square of the distance. Beyond this distance, however, the energy density decreased more steeply. The deposited energy except in the core region of the track amounts to 89% of linear energy transfer (LET).     

Gram-negative bacteria viable in ultrapure water: identification of bacteria isolated from ultrapure water and effect of temperature on their behavior

This study describes the effect of temperature on the behavior of bacteria viable in ultrapure water and the contamination of ultrapure water by bacteria. Three species of bacteria were isolated from ultrapure water (total organic carbon, 60 ppb and 5 ppb; effluent resistivity > 18 MΩ cm at 25°C) and identified by morphological and physiological characteristics. The three isolates were incubated in water for injection and PYG broth to check the growth profile at various temperatures. In PYG broth, temperature influenced the behavior of bacteria directly; however, it did not in water for injection. By checking both viable and non-viable bacterial numbers and endotoxin concentration in pure water, the water was found to be contaminated with non-viable bacteria and newly generated endotoxins besides viable bacteria. A column treatment, a mixed bed of fully regenerated strong acid cation exchange resin (SACER) and strong base anion exchange resin (SBAER), was used to remove bacteria from pure water. Bacteria could not grow on the surfaces of ion exchange resins in the mixed bed. The removal of bacteria was more effective as pure water was circulated through the mixed bed more rapidly.     

Determination of glyphosate and phosphate in water by ion chromatography--inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection

Quantitative determination of trace glyphosate and phosphate in waters was achieved by coupling ion chromatography (IC) separation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. The separation of glyphosate and phosphate on a polymer anion-exchange column (Dionex IonPac AS16, 4.0 mm x 250 mm) was obtained by eluting them with 20 mM citric acid at 0.50 mL min(-1), and the analytes were detected directly and selectively by ICP-MS at m/z = 31. Parameters affecting their chromatographic behaviors and ICP-MS characteristics were systematically examined. Based on a 500-microL sample injection volume, the detection limits were 0.7 microgL(-1) for both glyphosate and phosphate, and the calibrations were linear up to 400 microgL(-1). Polyphosphates, aminomethylphosphonic acid (the major metabolite of glyphosate), non-polar and other polar phosphorus-containing pesticides showed different chromatographic behaviors from the analytes of interest and therefore did not interference. The determination was also interference free from the matrix anions (nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, chloride, etc.) and metallic ions. The analysis of certified reference material, drinking water, reservoir water and Newater yielded satisfactory results with spiked recoveries of 97.1-107.0% and relative standard deviations of < or = 7.4% (n = 3). Compared to other reported methods for glyphosate and phosphate, the developed IC-ICP-MS method is sensitive and simple, and does not require any chemical derivatization, sample preconcentration and mobile phase conductivity suppression.     

Production of a water disinfectant by membrane electrolysis of brine solution and evaluation of its quality change during the storage time

Anolyte solution produced by membrane electrolysis of NaCl solution contains a high level of available chlorine content (ACC) and other oxidizing compounds, rendering this solution a strong disinfectant property. In this paper, some process parameters affecting the anolyte production efficiency, such as total inlet flow (240–320 L/h), saline solution concentration (1.65–3.50 g/L), and the type of membrane (cation exchange, anion exchange, and bipolar membranes) were investigated in an electrolysis cell. Changes in the quality of anolytes produced at three initial concentrations of very high (ACC₁ = 816.5 mg/L), relatively high (ACC₂ = 461.5 mg/L), and medium (ACC₃ = 355.0 mg/L) during storage (from the production up to 20 weeks) were examined by adjusting the total inlet flow, saline concentrations, and membrane types. Changes in the ACC of the produced anolyte solution were generally affected by the type of membrane used in the electrolysis cell. The use of anion exchange membrane resulted in the lowest durability of anolyte quality (60–80% ACC reduction after 4 weeks of storage) and the cation exchange membrane had the highest durability (less than 40% decrease after 4 weeks of storage). In addition, changes in the pH and the oxidation–reduction potential of the anolyte were investigated during the storage period, which had a different trend depending on the type of applied membrane.     

Potential hazards and health assessment associated with different water uses in the main industrial cities of Egypt

Deterioration of water quality has become an ecological threat in many industrial areas worldwide due to unmanaged anthropogenic activities. Contaminants therein find out their ways to drinking water-pipes via broken or leak old- pipes. The current study aims at evaluating the suitability of tap water, collected from the main-ten-industrial cities of Egypt, for drinking purposes. Shallow and deep ground waters were also sampled from the same locations. This is one of the few research projects that are interested in quantifying the acrylamide in drinking water. The obtained results indicate that concentrations of COD, BOD, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn and Hg were within the permissible levels in tap water while surpassed these levels in both shallow and deep ground waters. Acrylamide levels did not exceed the acceptable levels in all water samples (drinking, surface and deep ground waters). Overall, no potential risks were associated with the oral ingestion of tap water in all studied locations for both adults and children (all hazard quotient (HQ) values, defined as exposure intake dose of contaminants relative to the maximum permissible daily intake dose were below “1″). However, inorganic pollutants that exist in ground waters may cause undesirable dermal impacts when used for irrigating the green areas in these cities (used for picnics and as playgrounds). In this context, most HQ values associated with ground water dermal contact were above “1”. Specifically, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd hazards exist for children (HQ > 1) while Ni, Pb and Cd toxicity detected for adults. This result; therefore, highlights the indirect negative impacts of industrialization on human health.