Solvation numbers and hydration constant for thorium(IV) in ethanol-water medium

The solvation number and hydration constant of Th⁴⁺ in ethanol-water medium were determined at 25°C using UV-spectral and electrochemical measurements. A solvate formation equilibrium is demonstrated and characterized. Three molecules of ethanol (S) can bond to the metal cation with strengths comparable to that for H₂O to form ThS₃(H₂O) ₃ ⁴⁺ Formation of thorium monochelate with lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) eliminates bonding with alcohol molecules. The dissociation constant of the chelating agent_sK_a and the formation contant of the monochelated metal ion_sK _f ^* that are essentially independent of the solution composition are evaluated. Hydration titrations involving thorium-lawsone monochelate are performed and the data obtained from the changes of pH with solvent composition are analyzed. The solution independent constant,_sK _f ^* for thorium-lawsone complex formation in mixed aqueous ethanol is given by $$log_s K_f * = vpK_a + log_s K_h - log[LH] - vpH + 3logv$$ where vpK_a is the dissociation constant of the chelating agent LH in the solvent system of ν volume fraction of water and_sK_h is the solution-independent hydration constant of thorium (IV) in the solvent system. Log-values for the constants_sK_h,_sK _f ^* and_sK _a ^* are found to be 7.8±0.02, 11.38±0.04 and ?0.753, respectively.     

Conformation dependence of electronic structures of poly(ethylene oxide)

The electronic structure of pure poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) for four different polymeric chain conformations has been studied by Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) through the analysis of their valence band photoelectron spectroscopy (VB-PES), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). It is shown that the valence band of PEO presents specific conformation dependence, which can be used as a fingerprint of the polymeric structures. The calculated spectra have been compared with experimental results for PEO powder.     

Probing the local structure and mechanical response of nanostructures using force modulation and nanofabrication

Nanostructures of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are designed and produced using coadsorption and nanografting techniques. Because the structures of these artificially engineered domains are predesigned and well-characterized, a systematic investigation is possible to study the mechanical responses to force modulation under atomic force microscope tips. Force modulation imaging reveals characteristic contrast sensitivity to changes in molecular-level packing, molecule chain lengths, domain boundaries, and surface chemical functionalities in SAMs. By means of actively tuning the driving frequency, the resonances at the tip-surface contact are selectively activated. Therefore, specific surface features, such as the edges of the domains and nanostructures or desired chemical functionalities, can be selectively enhanced in the amplitude images. These observations provide a new and active approach in materials characterization and the study of nanotribology using atomic force microscopy.     

Pulsed photothermal phase-shift spectroscopy for weak absorption measurement

A novel photothermal phase-shift spectroscopy configuration based on the retro-reflected beam interference has been developed and its operational principle is described. The weak absorption measurement ability of this technique is experimentally proven with a water/ethanol solution of standard Pyronine G dye and the limit of detection is found to be 1.8 x 10(-6) absorbance. Potential applications of the technique are discussed.     

Viscosity effect on the structural compactness of latex flocs formed under weak depletion attractions

Dilute aqueous dispersions of colloidal polystyrene latex spheres were flocculated by adding a nonadsorbing polymer sample, poly(acrylic acid). The structural compactness of the flocs thus formed was characterized in terms of their mass fractal dimension using the small-angle static light scattering technique. It was found that with low poly(acrylic acid) concentrations and thus weak depletion attraction forces, the dispersion medium viscosity had a marked effect on the floc structure. An increase in the viscosity led to formation of denser flocs. This was revealed in three sets of depletion flocculation experiments: (a) adjusting the background electrolyte concentration at a fixed level of poly(acrylic acid), (b) using water and 30% (w/w) glycerol as the respective solvents, and (c) inducing latex flocculation with two poly(acrylic acids) of different molecular weights at the respective critical polyacid concentrations. Direct force measurements were made with atomic force microscopy to isolate the influence of viscosity on floc structure from that of interparticle interaction energies. We conclude that the formation of denser flocs with increasing medium viscosity can be attributed to the reduced diffusivity of particles in the solution. The latter resulted in an enhanced rate of floc restructuring (through relaxation of attached particles) relative to floc growth.     

Electrothermal volatilization of aluminum as 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolone[5] chelate for gaseous sample introduction in ICP-AES

Based on gaseous compound introduction as 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolone[5](PMBP) chelate of aluminum by electrothermal vaporization in ICP-AES, a method for determination of trace aluminum was developed. Trace aluminum was vaporized at temperature of 1000 degrees C, and the vaporization behavior of aluminum chelate was detailedly investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit of aluminum was 0.6 ng ml(-1), and the relative standard deviation for 0.1 mug ml(-1) aluminum was 4.7% (n=8). The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace aluminum in rice flour reference materials, and the results well agreed with the reference values.     

Separation of structural isomers using cyclodextrin-polymers coated on silica beads

Summary Several -cyclodextrin (CD)-bonded stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were prepared, based on silica beads coated with a poly(alkylamine), [poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI)]. In order to obtain stationary phases with a high content of CD and maximum accessibility of the CD cavity, the functionalization was carried out after the coating, using the mono-tosyl derivative of CD as the intermediate. The ability of these supports to separate ortho, meta and para isomers of some disubstituted benzene derivatives was examined. The contribution of the amino groups of the polymer and of the CD cavity to the separation process is discussed. The resolution is mainly based on the difference in the stability of the complexes of the various isomers with CD. The influence of the amount of CD on the height of the theoretical plate is also studied.     

Surface effects on phase transition behavior and thermal polymerization of long-chain diynoic acids in micro DSC measurements

Effects of metal surfaces, such as aluminium, silver and gold, on the melting behavior and thermal polymerization of long-chain diynoic acids having a diacetylene group at different positions were investigated by thermal analyses using DSC, TG and other methods. The surface effects of metals were significant in the order of Ag, Al and Au. These effects are attributable to the anchoring of carboxyl group on the surface by chemisorption, which leads to unfavorable condition for polymerization of heptadeca-2,4-diynoic acid. In the case of tricosa-10,12-diynoic acid, containing a flexible methylene chain, inserted between COOH and C≡C?C≡C groups, the anchoring of COOH on the metal surface causes rather favorable effect on the polymerization.     

1,2-Diarylethylenediamines as pre-column fluorescence derivatization reagents in high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of catecholamines in urine and plasma

Meso- and dl-1,2-diarylethylenediamines (14 species) were evaluated for pre-column fluorescence derivatization reagents in the high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine) in human urine and plasma. Of the compounds, meso-1,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylenediamine was most preferable for all the catecholamines in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. The detection limit for each catecholamine is approximately 0.5 fmol in a 50-microliters injection volume.