Separation of trace amounts of Ga and Ge in aqueous solution using nano-particles micro-column

A simple and rapid analytical method for the separation of trace amounts of gallium and germanium from aqueous solution by solid-phase extraction with nano-particles was developed. It was found that only Ga(III) could be quantitatively retained on nano-SiO₂ in the pH range of 3-4 and 8-12 while Ge(IV) was not adsorbed, but both Ga(III) and Ge(IV) ions could be adsorbed quantitatively on nano-TiO₂ within the pH range of 4-11. These two ions adsorbed by nano-particles could be desorbed quantitatively. Effects of acidity, concentration of elution solution and interfering ions on the recovery of the analytes were systematically investigated. The sorption data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir model. Based on the Langmuir model equation, the monolayer adsorption capacity of nano-SiO₂/nano-TiO₂ was calculated to be 4.26 mg g⁻¹/19.68 mg g⁻¹ for Ga(III)/Ge(IV). Moreover, thermodynamic functions, the change of free energy (ΔG⁰), enthalpy (ΔH⁰) and entropy (ΔS⁰) of the adsorption reaction were estimated for each metal ion. Experimental data were also evaluated in terms of kinetic characteristics of adsorption and the adsorption process for both metal ions followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the determination of trace Ga(III) and Ge(IV) in some water samples using loaded nano-particles columns, and it is found that the recoveries of Ga(III) and Ge(IV) were obtained to be in the range of 96.4-105.0%. And the method was validated with certified reference material (GBW07311, GBW 07406) and the values obtained for Ga(III) and Ge(IV) were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Study on photocatalytic oxidation for determination of the low chemical oxygen demand using a nano-TiO2-Ce(SO4)2 coexisted system

A new photocatalytic system, nano-TiO₂-Ce(SO₄)₂ coexisted system, which can be used to determine the low chemical oxygen demand (COD) is described. Nano-TiO₂ powders is used as photocatalyst in this system. The measuring method is based on direct determination of the concentration change of Ce(IV) resulting from photocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds. The mechanism of the photocatalytic oxidation for COD determination was discussed and the optimum experimental conditions were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, a good calibration graph for COD values between 1.0 and 12 mg l⁻¹ was obtained and the LOD value was achieved as low as 0.4 mg l⁻¹. When determining the real samples, the results were in good agreement with those from the conventional methods.     

Synthesis,characterization of low density polyhydroxy polyurethane foam and its application for separation and determination of gold in water and ores samples

In this work, a new type of sorbent (low density polyhydroxy polyurethane Foam, LPPF) was synthesis by using water hydrolysis of polyurethanediazonium chloride salt. LPPF was characterized using different tools e.g. elemental analysis, UV–vis and IR spectra, TGA, SEM, density and pH_ZPC. It was tested for separation, preconcentration and determination of gold in environmental samples using batch and dynamic techniques. The sorption experimental data was fitted by the pseudo-first kinetic mathematical equation (R² = 0.991). The sorption rate of the Au (III) ions is very fast, the half-life (t_1/2) ≈ 34 s. The equilibrium process is well described by the Freundlich isotherm model, the R² value is 0.967, which attributed to the heterogeneous surface structure of the LPPF. The breakthrough capacity of LPPF and the recovery of gold ions were 0.36 mmol g⁻¹ (70.5 mg g⁻¹) and 99–100%, respectively. The lower detection limit of gold by using spectrophotometric method is 3.3 ng L⁻¹ with preconcentration factors ≈ 450 (RSD ∼ 1.66%, n = 4). The values of ΔG and ΔH for the sorption of gold onto LPPF were −12.5 and −103.5 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, which indicate that the sorption of Au (III) onto LPPF is spontaneous and exothermic reaction. The obtained results indicate that the ion chelation and ion association might be the most probable mechanism of gold sorption onto LPPF. The study shows LPPF has the potential of application as an efficient sorbent for the extraction and determination of gold in water, gold alloys pharmaceutical and granite samples.     

Selective stopped-flow sequential injection method for the spectrophotometric determination of titanium in dental implant and natural Moroccan phosphate rock

The present work reports the first sequential injection (SI) method for the spectrophotometric determination of Ti(IV). The method is based upon the reaction of Ti(IV) with chromotropic acid (CA) in acidic medium to form a water-soluble complex (λ_max = 420 nm). The chemical and instrumental variables of the system that affected the reaction were studied. Selectivity was greatly enhanced using ascorbic acid. A linear calibration graph was obtained in the range 0.2-10.0 mg l⁻¹ Ti(IV) at a sampling frequency of 24 h⁻¹. The precision was satisfactory (s_r = 1.5% at 5.0 mg l⁻¹ Ti(IV), n = 12) and the 3σ limit of detection, c_L, was 0.7 mg l⁻¹ (n = 10). The developed method proved to be adequately selective and was applied successfully to the analysis of real samples (dental implant and natural Moroccan phosphate rock) giving accurate results based on recovery studies (98-105%).     

Detection of P. aeruginosa using nano-structured electrode-separated piezoelectric DNA biosensor

A DNA biosensor for detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was set up based on the modification of two membranes (nano-TiO₂ and nano-TiO₂-polyethylene glycol hybrid membrane) to the ESPS surface. These two membrane materials were synthesized by sol-gel method. The detection was accomplished by modifying ss-DNA on the sensitive membrane and then hybridizing with their complementary strands from the P. aeruginosa in liquid phase. UV spectrum was used to identify the purity and concentration of extracted DNA; IR spectrum and SEM were used to characterize the properties of the membrane. The detection was highly improved by adoption of nanotechnology and hybrid membrane. Less than 3 h was sufficient. The detection linear range was from 10⁻¹ to 10⁻³ g l⁻¹ and the limit of detection was 10⁻⁴ g l⁻¹.     

Simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of uranium and thorium in aqueous samples by new modified mesoporous silica prior to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry determination

A new synthesized modified mesoporous silica (MCM-41) using 5-nitro-2-furaldehyde (fural) was applied as an effective sorbent for the solid phase extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) ions from aqueous solution for the measurement by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The influences of some analytical parameters on the quantitative recoveries of the analyte ions were investigated in batch method. Under optimal conditions, the analyte ions were sorbed by the sorbent at pH 5.5 and then eluted with 1.0 mL of 1.0 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃. The preconcentration factor was 100 for a 100 mL sample volume. The limits of detection (LOD) obtained for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) were 0.3 μg L⁻¹. The maximum sorption capacity of the modified MCM-41 was found to be 47 and 49 mg g⁻¹ for uranium(VI) and thorium(IV), respectively. The sorbent exhibited good stability, reusability, high adsorption capacity and fast rate of equilibrium for sorption/desorption of uranium and thorium ions. The applicability of the synthesized sorbent was examined using CRM and real water samples.     

Thermodynamic properties of hydrated sodium l-threonate Na(C4H7O5)·H2O(s)

Low-temperature heat capacities of the compound Na(C₄H₇O₅)·H₂O(s) have been measured with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. A solid-solid phase transition and dehydration occur at 290-318 K and 367-373 K, respectively. The enthalpy and entropy of the solid-solid transition are Δ_transH_m = (5.75 ± 0.01) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_transS_m = (18.47 ± 0.02) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The enthalpy and entropy of the dehydration are Δ_dH_m = (15.35 ± 0.03) kJ mol⁻¹ and Δ_dS_m = (41.35 ± 0.08) J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. Experimental values of heat capacities for the solids (I and II) and the solid-liquid mixture (III) have been fitted to polynomial equations.     

Preparation of photocatalytic nano-ZnO/TiO2 film and application for determination of chemical oxygen demand

A composite nano-ZnO/TiO₂ film as photocatalyst was fabricated with vacuum vaporized and sol-gel methods. The nano-ZnO/TiO₂ film improved the separate efficiency of the charge and extended the range of spectrum, which showed a higher efficiency of photocatalytic than the pure nano-TiO₂ and nano-ZnO film. The photocatalytic mechanism of nano-ZnO/TiO₂ film was discussed, too. A new method for determination of low chemical oxidation demand (COD) value in ground water based on nano-ZnO/TiO₂ film using the photocatalytic oxidation technology was founded. This method was originated from the direct determination of the Mn(VII) concentration change resulting from photocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds on the nano-ZnO/TiO₂ film, and the COD values were calculated from the absorbance of Mn(VII). Under the optimal operation conditions, the detection limit of 0.1 mg l⁻¹, COD values with the linear range of 0.3-10.0 mg l⁻¹ were achieved. The results were in good agreement with those from the conventional COD methods.     

Determination of chemical oxygen demand values by a photocatalytic oxidation method using nano-TiO2 film on quartz

A COD measurement by a photocatalytic oxidation method using nano-TiO₂ film was investigated. K₂Cr₂O₇ was added into the solution to enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation, and simultaneously K₂Cr₂O₇ was reduced to Cr(III) by photogenerated electrons, which were adsorbed on the surface of TiO₂. The measuring principle was based on direct determination of Cr(III) concentration which was proportional to the COD value. Under the optimized experiment condition, the application range was 20-500 mg l⁻¹, and the detection limit was 20 mg l⁻¹. The immobilization of photocatalyst on the supports could not only solve the problem of low recovery of the catalyst and hard separation from the solution, but also overcome its shortcoming of poor stability. Applied this method to the determination of real samples, it was found to be rapid and environmentally friendly. Additionally, the method proposed above for determination of COD was in excellent correspondence with values obtained by using the conventional method.     

Development of an ELISA procedure to study sorption of atrazine onto a sewage sludge-amended luvisol soil

Pesticides may contaminate ground and surface waters and one of the major factors governing this property is soil sorption. Sorption can be assessed by batch equilibrium technique which produces lots of extracts with high dissolved organic carbon concentration in which the pesticide concentration has to be determined. We developed an ELISA procedure to analyse atrazine based on polyclonal antibodies (C193) for which tracer structure and dilutions of immunochemical reagents were adapted to fit the purpose. After a 1000-fold dilution (or after an SPE clean-up procedure) extracts of a sewage-sludge amended luvisol (used as an example application of the methodology developed) could be reliably analysed. The Freundlich model is able to describe adsorption for this system (r² = 0.977) delivering a distribution coefficient K_F of 1.6 ± 0.2 (mg kg⁻¹) (mg L⁻¹)^−N and an isotherm nonlinearity factor N of 0.70 ± 0.09.     

Gas chromatographic separation of PCB and OCP by photocatalytic degradation

A photocatalytic degradation method was developed for polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) and organochloride pesticide (OCP) discrimination and quantification. A mixture of Aroclor 1260 and p,p′-DDT was irradiated at 254 nm by UV lamp (40 W) in the presence of TiO₂ (30 mg mL⁻¹ non-aqueous solution). Comparison of gas chromatograms showed that p,p′-DDT signals decreased significantly after irradiation, while Aroclor 1260s chromatograms did not show any difference before and after irradiation. Detection limits were 0.30 mg L⁻¹ and 0.15 mg L⁻¹ for p,p′-DDT and Aroclor 1260, respectively. The method was applied to spiked egg samples, the recoveries were found as 72% for DDT and 82.01% for Aroclor 1260.     

Synthesis of chitosan resin possessing 3,4-diamino benzoic acid moiety for the collection/concentration of arsenic and selenium in water samples and their measurement by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

A chitosan resin functionalized with 3,4-diamino benzoic acid (CCTS-DBA resin) was newly synthesized by using a cross-linked chitosan (CCTS) as base material. The adsorption behavior of trace amounts of elements on the CCTS-DBA resin was examined by the pretreatment with a mini-column and measurement of the elements by inductively coupled plasma-Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Arsenic(V) could be retained on the CCTS-DBA resin at pH 3 as an oxoanion of H₂AsO₄⁻. Selenium(VI) is strongly adsorbed at pH 2 and pH 3 as an oxoanion of SeO₄²⁻, while selenium(IV) as HSeO₃⁻ is adsorbed on the resin at pH 3. The sorption capacities are 82, 64, and 88 mg g⁻¹resin for As(V), Se(IV), and Se(VI), respectively. The effect of common anions and cations on the adsorption of As(V), Se(IV), and Se(VI) were studied; there was no interference from such anionic matrices as chloride, sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate up to 20 ppm, as well as from such artificial river water matrices as Na, K, Mg, and Ca after passing samples through the mini-column containing the resin. The CCTS-DBA resin was applied to the collection of arsenic and selenium species in bottled drinking water, tap water, and river water.     

Assessment of cadmium and iron adsorption in sediment,employing a flow injection analysis system with on line filtration and detection by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

This work presents an evaluation of iron and cadmium adsorption in sediment of the Furnas Hydroelectric Plant Reservatory located in Alfenas, Minas Gerais (Brazil). The metal determination was done employing a flow injection analysis (FIA) with an on-line filtering system. As detection techniques, flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for iron and thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (TS-FF-AAS) for cadmium determinations were used. The developed methodology presented good limits of detection, being 190 μg L⁻¹ for iron and 1.36 μg L⁻¹ for cadmium, and high sampling frequency for both metals 144 and 60 readings h⁻¹ for iron and cadmium, respectively. Both metals obey the Langmuir model, with maximum adsorptive capacity of 0⋅169 mg g⁻¹ for iron and 7⋅991 mg g⁻¹ for cadmium. For iron, a pseudo-first-order kinetic model was obtained with a theoretical Q_e = 9⋅8355 mg g⁻¹ (experimental Q_e = 9⋅5432 mg  g⁻¹), while for cadmium, a pseudo-second-order kinetic model was obtained, with a theoretical Q_e = 0.3123 mg g⁻¹ (experimental Q_e = 0⋅3052 mg g⁻¹).     

Retention profile, kinetics and sequential determination of selenium(IV) and (VI) employing 4,4'-dichlorodithizone immobilized-polyurethane foams

Polyurethane foams (PUFs) loaded with the chromogenic reagent 4,4′-dichlorodithizone (Cl₂H₂D_Z) have been investigated for the quantitative retention, chemical speciation and sequential determination of traces of inorganic selenium(IV) and (VI) from aqueous media containing bromide ions. The retention profile of selenium(IV) onto the reagent loaded foam followed a dual-mode sorption mechanism involving both absorption related to “solvent extraction” and an added component for surface adsorption. The kinetics and thermodynamic characteristics of selenium(IV) uptake onto PUFs have been studied. The kinetics of selenium(IV) sorption onto PUFs was found fast, reached equilibrium in few minutes and followed a first-order rate constant in presence of bromide ions in the extraction media. The thermodynamic parameters, ΔH, ΔS and ΔG, indicated the exothermic and spontaneous nature of the sorption process. The sorption and the recovery percentages of inorganic selenium(IV) from fresh water by the proposed loaded foam columns were achieved quantitatively. The height equivalent to theoretical plate (HETP), the number of layers (N), breakthrough capacity and the critical capacity for selenium(IV) uptake onto Cl₂H₂D_Z loaded foams columns were found to be 1.3, 103, 8.6 and 7.2 mg/g, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the chemical speciation and sequential determination of inorganic selenium(IV) and/or (VI) species spiked to fresh and industrial wastewaters.     

Change in mechanistic pathway of hydroboration: A detailed kinetic study of H2BBr·SMe2 and HBBr2·SMe2

Hydroboration reactions of 1-octene and 1-hexyne with H₂BBr·SMe₂ in CH₂Cl₂ were studied as a function of concentration and temperature, using ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The reactions exhibited saturation kinetics. The rate of dissociation of dimethyl sulfide from boron at 25 °C was found to be (7.36 ± 0.59 and 7.32 ± 0.90) × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ for 1-octene and 1-hexyne, respectively. The second order rate constants, k₂, for hydroboration worked out to be 7.00 ± 0.81 M s⁻¹ and 7.03 ± 0.70 M s⁻¹, while the overall composite second order rate constants, k K, were (3.30 ± 0.43 and 3.10 ± 0.37) × 10⁻² M s⁻¹, respectively at 25 °C. The entropy and enthalpy values were found to be large and positive for k₁, whilst for k₂ these were large and negative, with small values for enthalpies. This is indicative of a limiting dissociative (D) for the dissociation of Me₂S and associative mechanism (A) for the hydroboration process. The overall activation parameters, ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠, were found to be 98 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ and +56 ± 7 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for 1-octene whilst, in the case of 1-hexyne these were found out to be 117 ± 7 kJ mol⁻¹ and +119 ± 24 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. When comparing the kinetic data between H₂BBr·SMe₂ and HBBr₂·SMe₂, the results showed that the rate of dissociation of Me₂S from H₂BBr·SMe₂ is on average 34 times faster than it is in the case of HBBr₂·SMe₂. Similarly, the rate of hydroboration with H₂BBr·SMe₂ was found to be on average 11 times faster than it is with HBBr₂·SMe₂. It is also clear that by replacing a hydrogen substituent with a bromine atom in the case of H₂BBr·SMe₂ the mechanism for the overall process changes from limiting dissociative (D) to interchange associative (I_a).     

Sorptive potential of sunflower stem for Cr(III) ions from aqueous solutions and its kinetic and thermodynamic profile

The sorptive potential of sunflower stem (180-300 μm) for Cr(III) ions has been investigated in detail. The maximum sorption (≥85%) of Cr(III) ions (70.2 μM) has been accomplished using 30 mg of high density sunflower stem in 10 min from 0.001 M nitric and 0.0001 M hydrochloric acid solutions. The accumulation of Cr(III) ions on the sorbent follows Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R), Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The isotherm yields D-R saturation capacity X_m = 1.60 ± 0.23 mmol g⁻¹, β = −0.00654 ± 0.00017 kJ² mol⁻², mean free energy E = 8.74 ± 0.12 kJ mol⁻¹, Freundlich sorption capacity K_F = 0.24 ± 0.11 mol g⁻¹, 1/n = 0.90 ± 0.04 and of Langmuir constant K_L = 6800 ± 600 dm³ mol⁻¹ and C_m = 120 ± 18 μmol g⁻¹. The variation of sorption with temperature (283-323 K) gives ΔH = −23.3 ± 0.8 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS = −64.0 ± 2.7 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and ΔG_298k = −4.04 ± 0.09 kJ mol⁻¹. The negative enthalpy and free energy envisage exothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption, respectively. Bisulphate, Fe(III), molybdate, citrate, Fe(II), Y(III) suppress the sorption significantly. The selectivity studies indicate that Cr(III), Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions can be separated from Tc(VII) and I(I). Sunflower stem can be used for the preconcentration and removal of Cr(III) ions from aqueous medium. This cheaper and novel sorbent has potential applications in analytical and environmental chemistry, in water decontamination, industrial waste treatment and in pollution abatement. A possible mechanism of biosorption of Cr(III) ions onto the sunflower stem has been proposed.     

A chelating resin containing S, N and O atoms: Synthesis and adsorption properties for Hg(II)

A novel chelating resin containing S, N and O atoms (PSME-EDA) was synthesized by using poly(2-hydroxyethylmercaptomethylstyrene) (PSME) and diethanolamine (EDA) as materials. Its structure was characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform-infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The adsorption of the resin for Hg²⁺ was investigated. The saturated adsorption capacity of PSME-EDA for Hg²⁺ could reach to about 1.1 mmol/g at 25 °C when the initial Hg²⁺ concentration was 0.02 mol/l. Some factors affecting the adsorption such as temperature, reaction time and ion concentration were also studied. The results showed that adsorption was controlled by liquid film diffusion. The increasing of temperature was beneficial to adsorption. The Langmuir model was better than the Freundlich model to describe the isothermal process. The values of ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS calculated at 25 °C were −7.99 kJ mol⁻¹, 22.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and 34.4 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The adsorption mechanism of PSME-EDA resin for Hg(II) was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

A green analytical procedure for flow-injection determination of nitrate in natural waters

Nitrate determination in waters is generally carried out with cadmium filings and carcinogenic reagents or by reaction with phenolic compounds in highly concentrated sulfuric acid medium. In this work, it was developed a green analytical procedure for nitrate determination in natural waters based on direct spectrophotometric measurements in ultraviolet, using a flow-injection system with an anion-exchange column for separation of nitrate from interfering species. The proposed method employs only one reagent (HClO₄) in a minimum amount (equivalent to 18 μL concentrated acid per determination), and allowed nitrate determination within 0.50-25.0 mg L⁻¹, without interference of up to 200.0 mg L⁻¹ humic acid; 1.0 mg L⁻¹ NO₂⁻; 200.0 mg L⁻¹ PO₄³⁻; 75.0 mg L⁻¹ Cl⁻; 50.0 mg L⁻¹ SO₄²⁻ and 15.0 mg L⁻¹ Fe³⁺. The detection limit (99.7% confidence level) and the coefficient of variation (n = 20) were estimated as 0.1 mg L⁻¹ and 0.7%, respectively. The results obtained for natural water samples were in agreement with those achieved by the reference method based on nitrate reduction with copperized cadmium at the 95% confidence level.     

Highly ordered Ti-SBA-15: Efficient H2 adsorbent and photocatalyst for eco-toxic dye degradation

Highly ordered 2D-hexagonal mesoporous titanium silicate Ti-SBA-15 materials (space group p6mm) have been synthesized hydrothermally in acidic medium employing amphiphilic tri-block copolymer, Pluronic F127 as structure directing agent. Samples are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, FT IR spectroscopy, UV-visible diffuse reflectance measurements, N₂ adsorption/desorption and TG-DTA analysis. XRD and TEM results suggested the presence of highly ordered mesophase with hexagonal pore arrangements. BET surface area for Ti-SBA-15 (924 m² g⁻¹) is considerably higher than the pure silica SBA-15 (611 m² g⁻¹) prepared following the same synthetic route. UV-visible and FT-IR studies suggested the incorporation of mostly tetrahedral titanium (IV) species, along with some six-coordinated sites in the silicate network. This material shows very good H₂ adsorption capacity at higher pressure and excellent catalytic activity in the photocatalytic degradation of ecologically abundant dye methylene blue.     

Thermoelectric properties of p-type pseudo-binary (Ag0.365Sb0.558Te)x-(Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3)1−x (x=0-1.0) alloys prepared by spark plasma sintering

In this paper, pseudo-binary (Ag_0.365Sb_0.558Te)_x-(Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃)_1−x (x=0-1.0) alloys were prepared using spark plasma sintering technique, and the composition-dependent thermoelectric properties were evaluated. Electrical conductivities range from 7.9×10⁴ to 15.6×10⁴ Ω⁻¹ m⁻¹ at temperatures of 507 and 318 K, respectively, being about 3.0 and 8.5 times those of Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃ alloy at the corresponding temperatures. The optimal dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of the sample with molar fraction x=0.025 reaches 1.1 at 478 K, whereas that of the ternary Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃ alloy is 0.58 near room temperature. The results also reveal that a direct introduction of Ag_0.365Sb_0.558Te in the Bi-Sb-Te system is much more effective to the property improvement than naturally precipitated Ag_0.365Sb_0.558Te in the Ag-doped Ag-Bi-Sb-Te system.