Use of a capacitively coupled microwave plasma (CMP) with Ar, N2 and air as working gases for atomic spectrometric elemental determinations in aqueous solutions and oils

A comparative study was performed of 600 W capacitively coupled microwave plasmas (CMP) with different plasma gases (Ar, N₂ and air) and aerosol generation with the aid of a Légère pneumatic nebulizer. Detection limits with the different working gases are in the order of 15–4000 ng/mL for Fe, Cr, Zn, Mg and Ca in aqueous solutions. The influence of organic solutions on the stability of the plasma is discussed. The determination of Co, Cr, Fe, Mg and Ni in different oil samples by OES is described, using an air-CMP and pneumatic nebulization after dilution of the oils by 20% with cyclohexane. The detection limits for these elements are in the 100–400 ng/g range. Results obtained for a waste motor oil for the elements mentioned in the concentration range of 4–50 μg/g were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by ICP-OES after digestion of the oils at high pressure in PTFE vessels. Received: 10 March 1997 / Revised: 23 May 1997 / Accepted: 30 May 1997     

Use of a capacitively coupled microwave plasma (CMP) with Ar, N2 and air as working gases for atomic spectrometric elemental determinations in aqueous solutions and oils

A comparative study was performed of 600 W capacitively coupled microwave plasmas (CMP) with different plasma gases (Ar, N₂ and air) and aerosol generation with the aid of a Légère pneumatic nebulizer. Detection limits with the different working gases are in the order of 15–4000 ng/mL for Fe, Cr, Zn, Mg and Ca in aqueous solutions. The influence of organic solutions on the stability of the plasma is discussed. The determination of Co, Cr, Fe, Mg and Ni in different oil samples by OES is described, using an air-CMP and pneumatic nebulization after dilution of the oils by 20% with cyclohexane. The detection limits for these elements are in the 100–400 ng/g range. Results obtained for a waste motor oil for the elements mentioned in the concentration range of 4–50 μg/g were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by ICP-OES after digestion of the oils at high pressure in PTFE vessels. Received: 10 March 1997 / Revised: 23 May 1997 / Accepted: 30 May 1997     

Chromium determination in sea water by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Zeeman effect background correction and a multi-injection technique

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) applying a Zeeman effect background correction system (ZEBC) and a tranverse heated atomizer was used to directly determine chromium in sea water. Calcium chloride (at a concentration of 20 mg L^–1) was applied as chemical modifier with optimum charring and atomization temperatures of 1600°C and 2000°C, respectively. The detection limit was 0.2 μg L^–1, by injecting 20 μL aliquot of sea water sample. This detection limit could be reduced further to 0.05 μg L^–1, using multiple injections (injection of five 20 μL aliquot of sea water). The accuracy of the methods developed were confirmed by analyses of different certified reference materials. Finally, interferences from major and minor components of sea water are studied. Received: 20 February 1997 / Revised: 26 May 1997 / Accepted: 8 June 1997     

Immuno-affinity columns versus conventional clean-up: a method-comparison study for the determination of zearalenone in corn

The efficiency of a modern analytical method employing immuno-affinity columns (IACs) is compared to a well established traditional technique with respect to the determination of zearalenone (ZON) in corn in the μg/kg range. Despite of a constant error of about 4 μg/kg in the examined working range of 10–200 μg/kg, analytical data obtained from the analysis of spiked and naturally contaminated samples showed good correspondence for the compared methods. The performance characteristics of immuno-affinity-chromatography as a new clean-up technique for the determination of ZON in corn is reported for the first time and compared to a conventional clean-up procedure Received: 25 March 1997 / Revised: 5 May 1997 / Accepted: 12 May 1997     

Determination of copper in sulfide minerals by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of copper in some sulfide minerals (lorandite, realgar, orpiment, marcasite, stibnite, galenite and sphalerite) by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is presented. After the dissolution of samples, copper was extracted with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate into different organic solvents (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and methylisobutyl ketone) at pH 11.0–12.0. The procedure was verified by standard addition. The standard deviation (SD) for 0.5 ng Cu is 0.01 ng, the relative standard deviation ranges from 3.5 to 5.5% and the detection limit of the method, calculated as 3 SD of the blank, was found to be 0.05 μg · g^–1. Received: 26 May 1997 / Revised: 10 September 1997 / Accepted: 16 September 1997     

Supercritical fluid extraction combined with solid phase extraction as sample preparation technique for the analysis of β-blockers in serum and urine

A method is developed for the determination of β-blockers in serum and urine at levels of 0.5 μg/mL. The technique uses a combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) with in situ derivatization and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with subsequent gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The optimization of the SFE step shows that a static extraction period can be eliminated. The method gives good linearity (r = 0.991–0.999) and repeatability in the concentration range of 0.5 to 5 μg/mL. Relative standard deviations for oxprenolol, propanolol and metoprolol were less than 5% in serum and 5–11% in urine. Received: 23 May 1997 / Revised: 28 July 1997 / Accepted: 5 August 1997     

Intermolecular potentials and force constants from ab initio energies – Application to the N-H…O=C hydrogen bonds in formamide dimers

The ab initio energies and force constants of 38 geometrically optimized formamide dimers which differ in the lengths of the hydrogen bonds, are evaluated using the program GAUSSIAN 90 with the 6–31G** basis set. A potential energy function was fitted simultaneously to the dimerization energies (including vibrational energy contributions to association energies) and the force constants of the N-H…O=C bridge. As an application, the broadening of the signals in vibrational spectra of liquid formamide was simulated by a superposition of spectra of different formamide oligomers. Received: 12 November 1996 / Revised: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 27 May 1997     

Indirect atomic absorption spectroscopic determination of SiO2 in copper composite coatings

A fast, sensitive and reliable method for the indirect atomic absorption determination of SiO₂ in copper composite coatings after extraction of silicomolybdic acid in a mixture of isobutyl methyl ketone and butanol (volume ratio 5 : 1) and measurement of the molybdenum absorbance in an air/acetylene flame is described. The experimental conditions are optimized for (i) prevention of the silicon polymerization during sample preparation and storage; (ii) for overcoming of the Cu(SiF₆) – complex formation and (iii) for quantitative extraction of the yellow complex into the organic phase for a wide silicon concentration range. The method permits the determination of 0.5–10 mg/g Si in copper. The analytical performance of the proposed method is compared with direct Si determination using ICP-AES. Received: 15 May 1997 / Revised: 19 September 1997 / Accepted: 25 September 1997     

Direct analysis of solid samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with a transversely heated graphite atomizer and D2-background correction system (SS GF-AAS)

An instrumental design for the analysis of heavy metals in solid samples (certified reference materials, river sediments, cements) by direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (SSGF-AAS) is presented and outlined. A high performance atomic absorption spectrometer with a D₂-background corrector and a transversely heated graphite atomizer was modified. Solid sampling was achieved by a mechanical module combined with an ultra microbalance. Cadmium, lead and chromium in different samples (sample weights between 20–400 μg) have been determined in the μg/g- to ng/g-range with the graphite-platform technique. Different ways of calibration and inhomogeneity problems are discussed. The precision of SSGF-AAS is equal to the precision of the conventional AAS-technique with chemical digestion (microwave digestion system, Zeeman-AAS). It is shown that SSGF-AAS is a reasonable alternative to the conventional technique for selected analytical problems. Received: 19 February 1997 / Revised: 30 May 1997 / Accepted: 4 June 1997     

The determination of chromium, copper and nickel in groundwater using axial plasma inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and proportional correction matrix effect reduction

The performance of a proportional correction matrix effect reduction procedure was investigated for an axially viewed inductively coupled plasma. It was shown that the proportional correction factor (ratio of analyte matrix effect and internal standard matrix effect) was sufficiently stable over the investigated matrix element concentration ranges (0–2000 mg/L of Na and 0–400 mg/L of Ca) for the procedure to be successful. Proportional correction results in the best correction for matrix effects compared to the classical 1 : 1 intensity ratio correction procedure or the approach without any correction, as was shown in recovery experiments using analyte spiked groundwater samples. Matrix effects as high as 18% without correction were reduced to less than 4% applying proportional correction. Received: 22 February 1997 / Revised: 28 May 1997 / Accepted: 7 June 1997     

Determination of naturally occurring radionuclides in ultrapure organic liquids

For the determination of trace elements in organic liquids radiochemical neutron activation analysis has been combined with counting methods geared to various decay modes of indicator radionuclides leading to a high sensitivity required for ultrapure samples. The activation parameters such as irradiation time, sample mass and neutron flux have been enlarged to the maximum possible in the available irradiation facility. Separation yields and adsorption losses have been studied in detail for a set of elements in order to rule out losses during the separation process. The attainable limits of detection are 2 · 10^–16g/g for U and Lu, in the 5 · 10^–15g/g range for Th and Sm, in the 1 · 10^–14g/g region for La, 5 · 10^–13g/g for Rb, Cd and 2 · 10^–12g/g for K and In. Although the analysis focused on traces of naturally occurring radioisotopes, results for Cr, Fe, W and Zn are presented as well. Received: 14 May 1997 / Revised: 28 August 1997 / Accepted: 9 September 1997     

Determination of the electrophoretic mobility of bacteria and their separation by capillary zone electrophoresis

Conditions for the determination of electrophoretic mobilities of bacteria by capillary electrophoresis (CE) were explored. Most precise values are obtained using fused silica capillaries of 1–3 m length (0.25 mm inner diameter), a background buffer with an ionic strength of 0.0015 mol/L and a pH value of 7–10 at a field strength of 120 V/cm. Capillary electrophoretic separation of three different bacteria populations on the basis of their mobility differences could be realized. Electrophoretic band widths of all bacteria populations investigated are relatively large compared to molecule bands. It finds its explanation in the different distribution of surface charge density to cross-sectional area of each single cell of a population.     

Determination of EDTA in used fixing solutions by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of EDTA has been developed. EDTA was converted to Ni(II)-EDTA prior to separation, separated from Fe(III)-EDTA, thiosulphate, bromide and polythionates using a fused silica capillary (57 cm × 75 μm I.D.) filled with a borate buffer (50 mmol L^–1; pH 8.5; applied voltage, 30 kV) and detected at 214 nm. The separation time is about 6 min. The detection limit achieved is 2 × 10^–6 mol L^–1 for EDTA. This method was applied for the determination of free EDTA in used fixing solutions. Received: 27 February 1998 / Revised: 28 April 1998 / Accepted: 20 May 1998     

Determination of EDTA in used fixing solutions by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of EDTA has been developed. EDTA was converted to Ni(II)-EDTA prior to separation, separated from Fe(III)-EDTA, thiosulphate, bromide and polythionates using a fused silica capillary (57 cm × 75 μm I.D.) filled with a borate buffer (50 mmol L^–1; pH 8.5; applied voltage, 30 kV) and detected at 214 nm. The separation time is about 6 min. The detection limit achieved is 2 × 10^–6 mol L^–1 for EDTA. This method was applied for the determination of free EDTA in used fixing solutions. Received: 27 February 1998 / Revised: 28 April 1998 / Accepted: 20 May 1998     

Proficiency tests using four batches of green alga with controlled levels of cadmium

A set of test materials of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris with different levels of naturally bound Cd and about the same levels of other 13 essential or trace elements (BIOMA 1–4) was produced for proficiency testing of laboratories involved in elemental analysis of food. Criteria of the laboratories’ performance, such as the z-score and combination scores RSZ and SSZ were evaluated and discussed in terms of their suitability for proficiency testing using a set of test materials with the same matrix. The use of the test materials as a set of internal reference materials has also been suggested. Received: 23 May 1997 / Revised: 1 August 1997 / Accepted: 11 August 1997     

Preconcentration and voltammetric determination of trace myoglobin at a 6-mercaptopurine modified silver electrode

6-Mercaptopurine(6-MP) is covalently modified onto a silver electrode to construct a chemically modified electrode (CME). It exhibits the capability of selectively complexing myoglobin and can be applied as a selective biosensor for this compound. Myoglobin is accumulated onto the CME at 0.32 V (vs. SCE); after exchanging the medium it is determined by differential pulse stripping voltammetry. A cathodic stripping peak is obtained at 0.15 V (vs. SCE) by scanning the potential from 0.35 to –0.1 V. The peak currents are linearly proportional to the concentration of myoglobin in the range of 0.2 ∼ 4 μg/mL with a relative standard deviation of 7.8%. The detection limit is about 0.1 μg/mL. The mechanism of the complexation is also discussed. Received: 30 January 1997 / Revised: 7 May 1996 / Accepted: 10 May 1996     

Experience with wheat and wheat flour CRMs

The Chemical Section of OHM [1–2] embarked on the preparation of a wheat sample series as CRMs in 1992. The certification process has been carried out according to the recommendations of ISO. Since then a series of wheat flour samples has been developed as well. The investigations of the long-term stability and the application of wheat and flour CRMs are presented. Received: 23 May 1997 / Revised 8 September 1997 / Accepted: 16 September 1997     

A pilot study for the preparation of a new Reference Material based on antarctic krill

The preparation of new Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) of antarctic matrices forms the backbone of an ongoing project in the framework of the Italian National Program for Antarctic Research. The first CRM of this kind (MURST-ISS-A1 Antarctic Marine Sediment) is already available. The second phase focuses on the certification of antarctic krill, a small shrimp extremely abundant in the Southern Ocean. The total mass of krill available for this purpose is approximately 44 kg and results from the combination of three different catches (Ross Sea, Marguerite Bay and Livingston Island, respectively). The quantification of the following elements in the raw mass appears to be affordable by current analytical techniques, values being in the range of (in μg/g) 0.11–0.30 for As, 0.03–0.12 for Cd, 0.06–0.23 for Cr, 6.1–21 for Cu, 5.7–7.6 for Fe, 0.005–0.008 for Hg, 0.7–1.2 for Mn, 0.013– 0.077 for Ni, 0.04–0.57 for Pb and 12–16 for Zn. On the other hand, the average values ascertained in freeze-dried krill are as a rule one order of magnitude higher, i.e., (in μg/g), 3.2 for As, 0.6 for Cd, 1.8 for Cr, 75 for Cu, 61 for Fe, 0.025 for Hg, 4.6 for Mn, 0.7 for Ni, 2.1 for Pb and 81 for Zn. Information on the pretreatment of krill and details on the planned certification campaign are also given. Received: 10 June 1997 / Revised: 24 September 1997 / Accepted: 28 September 1997     

Polyaniline dispersions 7. Dynamic light scattering study of particle formation

 When aniline is oxidized in the presence of colloidal silica, composite polyaniline–silica particles of submicrometer size are obtained. Dynamic light scattering was used to monitor the course of dispersion polymerization of aniline and the formation of particles. The increase of a hydrodynamic radius of particles was observed as polyaniline had been produced. Additional increase in particle size after polymerization has also been recorded. The rate of aniline polymerization was found to increase with increasing temperature in the range 0–50 °C. Well-defined particles are formed below 30 °C while above this temperature the colloidal stability of the resulting systems is limited. The activation energy of aniline polymerization was estimated. Received: 24 February 1997 Accepted: 7 May 1997