Vanadium Nitride Films Formed by Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP): Depth Profiles and Interface Reactions Studied by Complementary Analytical Techniques

The nitridation of vanadium films in molecular nitrogen and ammonia using a RTP‐system was investigated. The V films were deposited on silicon substrates covered by 100 nm thermal SiO₂. For a few experiments sapphire substrates were used. Nitride formation at high temperatures (900 and 1100 °C) and interface reactions and diffusion of oxygen out of the SiO₂‐layer into the metal lattice at moderate temperatures (600 and 700 °C) were studied. For characterisation complementary analytical methods were used: X‐ray diffraction (XRD) for phase analysis, secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) and Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) for acquisition of depth profiles of V, N, O, C and Si, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in combination with electron energy filtering for imaging element distributions (EFTEM) and recording electron energy loss spectra (EELS) to obtain detailed information about the initial stages of nitride, oxide and oxynitride formation, respectively, and the microstructure and element distributions of the films. In these experiments the SiO₂‐layer acts as diffusion barrier for nitrogen and source for oxygen causing the formation of substoichiometric vanadium oxides and oxynitrides near the V/SiO₂‐interface primarily at temperatures ≤ 900 °C. At a temperature of 1100 °C just a small amount of oxynitride forms near the interface because rapid diffusion of nitrogen and fast formation of VN (diffusion barrier for oxygen) inhibit the outdiffusion of oxygen into the metal layer. In the 600 °C regime, in argon atmosphere oxynitride phases observed in the surface region of these films originate from reaction of residual oxygen in the argon gas, whereas NH₃ as process gas does not lead to oxide or oxynitride formation at the surface (apart from the oxidation caused by storage). NH₃ seems to support the diffusion of oxygen out of the SiO₂‐layer. During the decomposition of ammonia at higher temperatures hydrogen is formed, which could attack the SiO₂. In contrast, sapphire substrates do not act as oxygen source in the 600 °C regime and change the nitridation behaviour of the vanadium films.     

Nitridation of Niobium Pentoxide Films in Ammonia by Rapid Thermal Processing

The feasibility of niobium oxynitride formation through nitridation of niobium pentoxide films in ammonia by rapid thermal processing (RTP) was investigated. Niobium films 200 and 500 nm thick were deposited by sputtering on Si(100) wafers covered by a 100 nm thick thermally grown SiO₂ layer. These as‐deposited films exhibited distinct texture effects. They were processed in three steps using an RTP system. The as‐deposited niobium films were first nitridated in an ammonia atmosphere at 1000 °C for 1 min and then oxidised in molecular oxygen at temperatures ranging from 400 to 600 °C. Those samples in which a single Nb₂O₅ phase was determined after oxidation were additionally nitridated in ammonia at 1000 °C for 1 min. Investigations show that surface roughness of the samples after oxidation of niobium films first nitridated in ammonia is lower than after direct oxidation of as‐deposited films in oxygen, although the niobium pentoxide phase formed after annealing was the same in both cases. We explain this result as being due to the large expansion of the niobium lattice during the direct oxidation of the niobium film in molecular oxygen and also to the high oxidation rate of the as‐deposited niobium film in oxygen. By incorporation of oxygen in the crystal lattice of niobium and rapid formation of niobium pentoxide, substantial intrinsic stress was built up in the film, frequently resulting in delamination of the film from the substrate. Nitrogen hinders the diffusion of oxygen in nitridated films, which leads to a decrease of the oxidation rate and thus slower formation of Nb₂O₅. Nitridation of the completely oxidised niobium films in ammonia leads to the formation of niobium oxynitride and niobium nitride phases.     

Niobium nitride films formed by rapid thermal processing (RTP): a study of depth profiles and interface reactions by complementary analytical techniques

The nitridation of niobium films approximately 250 and 650 nm thick by rapid thermal processing (RTP) at 800 °C in molecular nitrogen or ammonia was investigated. The niobium films were deposited by electron beam evaporation on silicon substrates covered by a 100 or 300 nm thick thermally grown SiO₂ layer. In these investigations the reactivity of ammonia and molecular nitrogen was compared with regard to nitride formation and reaction with the SiO₂ substrate layer. The phases formed were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Depth profiles of the elements in the films were recorded by use of secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS). Microstructure and spatial distribution of the elements were imaged by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM). Electron energy loss spectra (EELS) were taken at selected positions to discriminate between different nitride, oxynitride, and oxide phases. The results provide clear evidence of the expected higher reactivity of ammonia in nitride formation and reaction with the SiO₂ substrate layer. Outdiffusion of oxygen into the niobium film and indiffusion of nitrogen from the surface of the film result in the formation of oxynitride in a zone adjacent to the Nb/SiO₂ interface. SNMS profiles of nitrogen reveal a distinct tail which is attributed to enhanced diffusion of nitrogen along grain boundaries.     

NaSc3[HPO3]2[HPO2(OH)]6: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Thermal Decomposition

NaSc₃[HPO₃]₂[HPO₂(OH)]₆ was prepared by use of a phosphorus acid flux route. The crystal structure was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data: triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$ (No. 2), a = 7.4507(11) Å, b = 9.6253(17) Å, c = 9.6141(16) Å, α = 115.798(4)°, β = 101.395(4)°, γ = 101.136(3)°, V = 577.29(16) Å³ and Z = 1. The crystal structure of NaSc₃[HPO₃]₂[HPO₂(OH)]₆ contains two kinds of phosphate(III) groups: HPO₃^2– and HPO₂(OH)^–. Phosphate(III)‐tetrahedra, NaO₆ and ScO₆ octahedra together form a (3,6)‐connected net. During heating hydrogen and water are released and Sc[PO₃]₃ is formed as the main crystalline decomposition product.     

DFT calculations as a powerful technique to probe the crystal structure of Al(acac)3

(27)Al, (17)O and (13)C chemical shieldings of aluminum acetylacetonate complex, Al(acac)(3), were calculated at some Density Functional Theory (DFT) levels of theory. In these calculations the X-ray structures of its different polymorphs were used. Using these calculated data observed discrepancies between the X-ray crystallography and solid state NMR experiment were explained in terms of the quality of the NMR data. In this survey we resorted to the simulated spectra using our calculated chemical shifts. In order to confirm our conclusions, electric field gradient (EFG) tensors of the (27)Al and (17)O nuclei were calculated at the same levels of theory as used in the chemical shielding calculations. On the other hand, these calculated chemical shifts and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (NQCCs) made a correlation between X-ray crystallography and solid state NMR experiments.     

Triphenylantimony(V) o‐amidophenolates with unsymmetrical N‐aryl group for a reversible dioxygen binding

New triphenylantimony(V) o‐amidophenolates (AP‐Me,Et)SbPh₃ (1) and (AP‐Me,iPr)SbPh₃ (2) with unsymmetrically substituted N‐aryl groups and (AP‐Et,Et)SbPh₃ (3) with symmetrical N‐aryl group {AP‐R¹,R² is 4,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐[2‐alkyl(R¹),6‐alkyl(R²)‐phenyl]‐o‐amidophenolate dianion} were synthesized and characterized in detail. Complexes were examined for dioxygen activity. The unsymmetrical complexes 1 and 2 were found to form different geometrical isomers (A and B) of spiroendoperoxides [L‐R¹,R²(O₂)]SbPh₃ (4 and 5, respectively) with different dispositions of peroxide group and N‐aryl fragment (methyl and peroxide group are on the same side of the molecule in the less shielded isomer A, and on different sides in the more hindered isomer B). The isomer A prevails over isomer B, reflecting the possibility of steric control on the dioxygen‐binding reaction. Complex 3, where R¹ = R² = Et, formed the isomers 6A and 6B as 50:50. The ratio 4A:4B was 60:40 (for methyl‐ethyl containing complex 4) and it increased up to 80:20 for methyl‐isopropyl‐containing 5. The molecular structure of isomers 4A and 4B was confirmed by X‐ray analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐Pressure Synthesis and Structural Investigation of H3P8O8N9: A New Phosphorus(V) Oxonitride Imide with an Interrupted Framework Structure

The first crystalline phosphorus oxonitride imide H₃P₈O₈N₉ (=P₈O₈N₆(NH)₃) has been synthesized under high‐pressure and high‐temperature conditions. To this end, a new, highly reactive phosphorus oxonitride imide precursor compound was prepared and treated at 12 GPa and 750 °C by using a multianvil assembly. H₃P₈O₈N₉ was obtained as a colorless, microcrystalline solid. The crystal structure of H₃P₈O₈N₉ was solved ab initio by powder X‐ray diffraction analysis, applying the charge‐flipping algorithm, and refined by the Rietveld method (C2/c (no. 15), a=1352.11(7), b=479.83(3), c=1820.42(9) pm, β=96.955(4)°, Z=4). H₃P₈O₈N₉ exhibits a highly condensed (κ=0.47), 3D, but interrupted network that is composed of all‐side vertex‐sharing (Q⁴) and only threefold‐linking (Q³) P(O,N)₄ tetrahedra in a Q⁴/Q³ ratio of 3:1. The structure, which includes 4‐ring assemblies as the smallest ring size, can be subdivided into alternating open‐branched zweier double layers {oB,${2{{2\hfill \atop \infty \hfill}}}$ }[²P₃(O,N)₇] and layers containing pairwise‐linked Q³ tetrahedra parallel (001). Information on the hydrogen atoms in H₃P₈O₈N₉ was obtained by 1D ¹H MAS, 2D homo‐ and heteronuclear (together with ³¹P) correlation NMR spectroscopy, and a ¹H spin‐diffusion experiment with a hard‐pulse sequence designed for selective excitation of a single peak. Two hydrogen sites with a multiplicity ratio of 2:1 were identified and thus the formula of H₃P₈O₈N₉ was unambiguously determined. The protons were assigned to Wyckoff positions 8f and 4e, the latter located within the Q³ tetrahedra layers.     

The Use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to Study Catalyst Deactivation of V2O5/γ‐Al2O3 as Compared to Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) method is introduced as a novel approach in this work to study catalyst deactivation of V₂O₅/γ‐‐Al₂O₃ for gas‐phase dehydration of glycerol and producing acrolein. The LIBS results of V₂O₅/γ‐Al₂O₃ samples are compared with those data that are obtained by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP‐OES). Experimental data of LIBS data specify that line intensities of vanadium are decreased by deactivation of V₂O₅/γ‐Al₂O₃ catalyst. A comparison between the results of LIBS test as well as ICP‐OES analysis shows that the amount of vanadium is decreased in the catalyst. Moreover, coke formation changes the surface of the catalyst. The results of deactivation of V₂O₅/γ‐Al₂O₃ are also compared with Pd/C catalyst deactivation.     

Interpenetration of a 3D Icosahedral M@Ni12 (M=Al,Ga) Framework with Porphyrin‐Reminiscent Boron Layers in MNi9B8

Two ternary borides MNi₉B₈ (M=Al, Ga) were synthesized by thermal treatment of mixtures of the elements. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data reveal AlNi₉B₈ and GaNi₉B₈ crystallizing in a new type of structure within the space group Cmcm and the lattice parameters a=7.0896(3) Å, b=8.1181(3) Å, c=10.6497(4) Å and a=7.0897(5) Å, b=8.1579(4) Å, c=10.6648(7) Å, respectively. The boron atoms build up two‐dimensional layers, which consist of puckered [B₁₆] rings with two tailing B atoms, whereas the M atoms reside in distorted vertices‐condensed [Ni₁₂] icosahedra, which form a three‐dimensional framework interpenetrated by boron porphyrin‐reminiscent layers. An unusual local arrangement resembling a giant metallo‐porphyrin entity is formed by the [B₁₆] rings, which, due to their large annular size of approximately 8 Å, chelate four of the twelve icosahedral Ni atoms. An analysis of the chemical bonding by means of the electron localizability approach reveals strong covalent B?B interactions and weak Ni?Ni interactions. Multi‐center dative B?Ni interaction occurs between the Al–Ni framework and the boron layers. In agreement with the chemical bonding analysis and band structure calculations, AlNi₉B₈ is a Pauli‐paramagnetic metal.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy on organic surfaces: X‐ray degradation of oxygen‐plasma‐treated and chemically reduced poly(propylene) surfaces in comparison to conventional polymers

The X‐ray‐induced sample damage during mono XPS analysis of an oxygen‐plasma‐oxidized and subsequently wet‐chemically reduced poly(propylene) film was investigated as a showcase for plasma‐modified or plasma‐deposited samples. By doing this, the degradation index approach as introduced by Beamson and Briggs in the Scienta ESCA300 high‐resolution XPS database of organic polymers has been adopted. As to be expected, the sample degrades by loosing oxygen as revealed by observation of decreasing O/C and C OR/C_sum ratios. However, the X‐ray degradation indices are definitely higher than those of conventional reference polymers. Moreover, the C OR/C_sum degradation index is significantly higher in comparison with one obtained for the O/C ratio. In that context, there is no difference between the plasma sample and a conventional poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer. It is concluded that for reliable quantitative surface chemical analysis, the quality of spectra in terms of acquisition times must be optimized aimed to a minimization of X‐ray degradation. Finally, it is proposed to describe the photon flux of an X‐ray gun in an XPS experiment, which defines the degradation rate at the end, by using the sample current simply measured with a carefully grounded sputter‐cleaned reference silver sample. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,Structure and High Thermal Stability of a Novel Three‐dimensional Zinc(II) Complex with an Unsymmetrical Rigid‐flexible Ligand

A novel metal‐organic framework, [Zn(C₁₀H₈O₅)]_n ( 1 ) (C₁₀H₈O₅ = 2‐(4‐carboxylatophenoxy)propionate), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structure study reveals that each zinc atom is coordinated by four oxygen atoms from four different ligands to obtain a distorted tetrahedron. The rigid carboxyl group bridges two adjacent zinc atoms to form a dimer of eight‐membered rings, whereas the flexible carboxyl group bridges two adjacent dimers to form 1D chains along the a axis. Two adjacent 1D chains are interconnected by the ligands to produce 2D layers. These layers are further stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds to construct a 3D framework showing high thermal stability (445 °C).     

Structural transitions of nanocrystalline domains in regioregular poly(3‐hexyl thiophene) thin films

The effects of solution processing and thermal annealing on thin film morphology and crystalline structures of regioregular poly(3‐hexyl thiophene) (RR P3HT) are studied in terms of molecular weight (M_w). Using grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction, π‐conjugated planes in drop‐cast films from chloroform solutions are found to be preferentially oriented parallel to the substrates regardless of M_w. However, the mesoscale nanocrystalline morphology of the drop‐cast films is significantly affected by M_w, exhibiting a distinctive morphological transition from short nanorods to long nanofibrils above a critical number‐averaged M_w (～ 3.6 kDa). This is probably due to the change in a conformation change from an extended‐chain to a folded‐chain, as M_w of RR P3HT increases. In contrast, spin‐casting of high M_w RR P3HT produces less ordered films with a lower crystallinity and mixed parallel/perpendicular orientations of π‐conjugated planes. The crystallinity and parallel π‐conjugated orientation of RR P3HT in spin‐cast films could be improved by thermal treatments at high‐temperatures either (1) above the glass transition temperature or (2) above the melting temperature of RR 3PHT followed by recrystallization upon cooling under vacuum. However, the charge mobility of the spin‐cast films for a field‐effect transistor application is still lower than that of the drop‐cast films. This would be attributed to the chain oxidation and the development of distinct grain boundaries between RR P3HT nanofibrils during the thermal treatments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1303–1312, 2007     

Attachment of bis‐(trifluoromethyl)aryl labels onto the chain ends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) track‐etched membranes and films by surface wet chemistry

Organic chemistry performed at the solid–liquid interface allowed us to achieve the selective chain‐end functionalization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) membranes and films with perfluorinated labels. The carboxyl endings were activated with water‐soluble carbodiimide and were coupled to 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine (1) in aqueous acetonitrile, whereas the hydroxyl endings were activated by tosylation and were also coupled to 1. 3,5‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl isocyanate (2) was directly fixed on the hydroxyl endings of the polymer substrates in dry organic media. All the derivatized materials were analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, allowing the quantitative determination of the amounts of surface‐grafted labels. Yields were between 10 and 100 pmol/cm². These surface reactivity assays mimic at best the experimental conditions that would be applied for the covalent anchorage of biologically active molecules onto PET substrates used in cell culture systems. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3510–3520, 2000     

Cloud point extraction of iron(III) and vanadium(V) using 8-quinolinol derivatives and Triton X-100 and determination of 10(-7)moldm(-3) level iron(III) in riverine water reference by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

The cloud point extraction behavior of iron(III) and vanadium(V) using 8-quinolinol derivatives (HA) such as 8-quinolinol (HQ), 2-methyl-8-quinolinol (HMQ), 5-butyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HO₄Q), 5-hexyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HO₆Q), and 2-methyl-5-octyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HMO₈Q) and Triton X-100 solution was investigated. Iron(III) was extracted with HA and 4% (v/v) Triton X-100 in the pH range of 1.70-5.44. Above pH 4.0, more than 95% of iron(III) was extracted with HQ, HMQ, and HMO₈Q. Vanadium(V) was also extracted with HA and 4% (v/v) Triton X-100 in the pH range of 2.07-5.00, and the extractability increased in the following order of HMQ < HQ < HO₄Q < HO₆Q. The cloud point extraction was applied to the determination of iron(III) in the riverine water reference by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. When 1.25 × 10⁻³ M HMQ and 1% (v/v) Triton X-100 were used, the found values showed a good agreement with the certified ones within the 2% of the R.S.D. Moreover, the effect of an alkyl group on the solubility of 5-alkyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol and 2-methyl-5-alkyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol in 4% (v/v) Triton X-100 at 25 °C was also investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) complexes with 3-methylpicolinic acid. Crystal and molecular structure of bis (3-methylpicolinato- N,O )(4-picoline)copper(II)

Copper(II) complexes of 3-methylpicolinic acid (3-MepicH), namely [Cu(3-Mepic)₂] · 2H₂O (1) and [Cu(3-Mepic)₂(4-pic)] (2) were prepared and characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). Crystal structure for 2 was determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. 1 was prepared by reaction of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate and 3-methylpicolinic acid in aqueous solution, while 2 was prepared by recrystallization of 1 from 4-picoline solution. Structure analysis revealed square-pyramidal copper(II) coordination and N,O-chelating mode of 3-methylpicolinic acid in 2. Copper(II) is coordinated by two 3-Mepic ligands in the basal plane of a square pyramid and by 4-picoline in the apical position. Crystal packing of 2 is dominated by weak intermolecular C–H ··· O hydrogen bonds and π ··· π stacking interactions forming a complex three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

Real‐time SAXS and WAXS study of the multiple melting behavior of poly(ε‐caprolactone)

The multiple melting behavior of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) was investigated by real‐time small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) measurements coupling with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Semicrystalline specimens prepared by a continuous cooling process showed lengthening of the Bragg period during the progress of double melting. A model of variable thickness of lamella was proposed to fit to the SAXS patterns and revealed that both the crystalline lamella and the amorphous layer contributed to the increase in Bragg period while the later dominated the contribution. The model of variable thickness although satisfied the SAXS data was unable to compromise the data from other probing tools. A modification of the model proposed that each lamella piling up to construct the stacks in the crystallites was itself nonuniform in thickness. The modification with the parallel occurrence of the mechanism of surface melting and crystallization successfully compromised the observations from SAXS, DSC, and optical microscopy and provided a new perspective for the explanation to lengthening of the Bragg period related to multiple melting behavior. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1777–1785, 2010     

Synthesis,Reactivity and Crystal Structures of the Palladium(II) Complexes with the Pyrimidine Containing Ligand: Crystal Structures of [Pd(PPh3)(η1‐C4H3N2)(η2‐S2CNC4H8)] and [Pd(PPh3)(η1‐C4H3N2)(η2‐Tp)]

Treatment of Pd(PPh₃)₄ with 5‐bromo‐pyrimidine [C₄H₃N₂Br] in dichloromethane at ambient temperature cause the oxidative addition reaction to produce the palladium complex [Pd(PPh₃)₂(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)(Br)], 1 , by substituting two triphenylphosphine ligands. In acetonitrile solution of 1 in refluxing temperature for 1 day, it do not undergo displacement of the triphenylphosphine ligand to form the dipalladium complex [Pd(PPh₃)Br]₂{μ,η²‐(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)}₂, or bromide ligand to form chelating pyrimidine complex [Pd(PPh₃)₂(η²‐C₄H₃N₂)]Br. Complex 1 reacted with bidentate ligand, NH₄S₂CNC₄H₈, and tridentate ligand, KTp {Tp = tris(pyrazoyl‐1‐yl)borate}, to obtain the η²‐dithiocarbamate η¹‐pyrimidine complex [Pd(PPh₃)(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)(η²‐S₂CNC₄H₈)], 4 and η²‐Tp η¹‐pyrimidine complex [Pd(PPh₃)(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)(η²‐Tp)], 5 , respectively. Complexes 4 and 5 are characterized by X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

New Ionic Liquid Compounds Based on Tantalum Pentachloride TaCl5: Synthesis,Structural, and Spectroscopic Elucidation of the (μ‐Oxido)‐Chloridotantalates(V) [BMPy][TaCl6], [BMPy]4[(TaCl6)2(Ta2OCl10)], and [EMIm]2[Ta2OCl10]

1‐Butyl‐4‐methylpyridinium hexachloridotantalate(V), [BMPy][TaCl₆] ( 1 ), tetrakis(1‐butyl‐4‐methylpyridinium) bis(hexachloridotantalate(V) (μ‐oxido)‐decachloridotantalate(V), [BMPy]₄[(TaCl₆)₂(Ta₂OCl₁₀)] ( 2 ), and bis(1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium)‐(μ‐oxido)‐decachloridoditantalate(V), [EMIm]₂[Ta₂OCl₁₀] ( 3 ) were synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy. Compounds 1 and 3 crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (no. 14), whereas compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P (no. 2). All compounds are built up by the mentioned bulky organic cations and octahedral [TaCl₆]^– respective linear [Ta₂OCl₁₀]^2– anions. Coulomb interactions are dominant between the ionic species. FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra were recorded and interpreted, especially with respect to the inorganic species [TaCl₆]^– (O_h) and [Ta₂OCl₁₀]^2– (C_i symmetry, approximately D_4h). The melting temperatures of compounds 1 – 3 are given.     

Determination of Aluminum by Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry with 1,2‐Dihydroxyanthraquinone‐3‐Sulfonic Acid (DASA): Effect of Thin Mercury Film Electrode

An analytical technique for aluminum (Al) based upon the complexation reaction between Al and the ligand – DASA (1,2‐dihydroxy‐anthraquinone‐3‐sulfonic acid) has previously been implemented successfully at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). There are several advantages of using mercury film electrodes (TMFE) over the HMDE, particularly if disposal of mercury is of concern. The novelty of using TMFE for adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (ACSV) of Al – DASA is demonstrated in this paper. The peak potential used for the detection of Al in this system was at ?1.15 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The method produced a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 μM (n=5) and a linear working range of 1–20 μM Al. Atomic force microscopy methods were used to investigate the nature of the TMFE and its interaction with DASA. The mercury droplets on the TMFE have a limited volume and this may lead to overloading of the electrode at relatively low concentrations of DASA. Interferences from Fe, Ca, Zn and Mg were investigated with only Fe appearing to interfere with the Al‐DASA system. Two masking agents (o‐phenanthroline and 2,2′‐bipyridyl) were shown to be effective at preventing the Fe interference.     

Surface grafting on poly(ethylene terephthalate) track‐etched microporous membrane by activation with trifluorotriazine: Application to the biofunctionalization with GRGDS peptide

A two‐step wet chemistry protocol has been developed for the surface derivatization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) track‐etched membrane used as cell culturing support, that is, (a) activation by trifluorotriazine (1 M in acetonitrile (ACN), 30 °C, 3 h); (b) coupling to amine‐terminated molecules, namely 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine ((F)Tag), (L)‐4,5‐[³H]‐lysine, and Gly‐Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐Ser (GRGDS) pentapeptide (10^?3 M in PB‐ACN, 1:1 (v/v), 20 °C, 17 h). The grafting rates determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, from the F/C and N/C atomic ratios, are in the range of 100–140 pmol/cm² (apparent surface), whereas the liquid scintillation counting assays give higher values (180–230 pmol/cm²) corresponding to the open surface reactivity. PET‐g‐(F)Tag is reasonably stable under two usual sterilization conditions of biomaterials, that is, steam heating at 121 °C and γ‐irradiation at 25 kGy. On the other hand, PET‐g‐GRGDS is found to be stable only under ionization radiation (84% of remaining peptide molecules), but damaged in a large extent by the autoclave treatment (23% of remaining peptide molecules). The surfaces of the sterilized PET and PET‐g‐GRGDS samples have been characterized by water contact angle measurement and by atomic force microscopy analysis in air and under water. Comparatively to the corresponding nonsterilized surfaces, γ‐irradiated surfaces are slightly more hydrophilic and also slightly more rough and jagged. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 195–208, 2010