Mass spectrometric analysis of ceramic components for solid oxide fuel cells

For the determination of trace impurities in ceramic components of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), some mass spectrometric methods have been applied such as spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS), laser ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Due to a lack of suitable standard reference materials for quantifying of analytical results on La _x Sr _y MnO₃ cathode material a matrix-matched synthetic standard-high purity initial compounds doped with trace elements-was prepared in order to determine the relative sensitivity coefficients in SSMS and LA-ICP-MS. Radiofrequency glow discharge mass spectrometry (rf-GDMS) was developed for trace analysis and depth profiling of thick non-conducting layers. Surface analytical techniques, such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), were used to determine the element distribution on surfaces (homogeneity) and the surface contaminants of SOFC ceramic layers.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Cyclic Heptapeptides Axinastatin 2, 3, and 4: Conformational analysis and evaluation of the biological potential

The conformational analysis of naturally occurring cytostatic cyclic heptapeptides axinastatin 2, 3, and 4 was carried out by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy in combination with distance-geometry (DG) and molecular-dynamics (MD) calculations in explicit solvents. The synthesized secondary metabolites were examined in (D₆)DMSO. Axinastatin 2 was also investigated in CD₃OH. In all structures, Pro² is in the i + 1 position of a βI turn and Pro⁶ occupies the i + 2 position of a βVIa turn about the cis amide bond between residue 5 and Pro^6. In all peptides, a bifurcated H-bond occurs between residue 4 CO and the amide protons of residue 1 and 7. For axinastatin 2 and 3, an Asn I_g turn was found about Asn¹ and Pro^2. We compared these structures with conformations of cyclic heptapeptides obtained by X-ray and NMR studies. A β-bulge motif with two β turns and one bifurcated H-bond is found as the dominating backbone conformation of cyclic all-L-heptapeptides. Axinastatin 2, 3, and 4 can be characterized by six trans and one cis amide bond resulting in a β/βVI(a)-turn motif, a conformation found for many cyclic heptapeptides. Detailed biological tests of the synthetic compounds in different human cancer cell lines indicates these axinastatins to be inactive or of low activity.     

Solid-Phase Synthesis of a Sialyl-Tn-Glycoundecapeptide of the MUC1 Repeating Unit

The synthesis of glycopeptides carrying tumour-associated antigens is of interest for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, a very efficient route lo disaccharide threonine building block 8 is presented which allows the introduction of the sialyl-Tn antigen into a peptide. The syntheses of the undecapeptide and the sialyl-Tn-containing glycoundecapeptide, which are a part of the repeating unit of MUC1, were performed by solid-phase synthesis with an allylic anchor cleavable under neutral conditions. After detachment from the resin, the peptide and the glycopeptide arc completely deprotected giving the target compounds 13 and 15 , respectively.     

Determination of fluorinated surfactants and their metabolites in sewage sludge samples by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry after pressurised liquid extraction and separation on fluorine-modified reversed-phase sorbents

An analytical method was elaborated for simultaneous extraction and determination of fluorinated anionic and non-ionic surfactants in sewage sludge. Surfactant compounds were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) after Soxhlet extraction, hot steam extraction and pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) using spiked sludge samples. PLE in a multiple-step procedure consisting of sequential use of ethyl acetate-dimethylformamide and methanol-phosphoric acid resulted in the most efficient extraction procedure. Quantitative analyses of the fluorinated anionic perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and the partly fluorinated non-ionic alkylpolyglycol ether (FAEO) surfactants were performed by selected ion monitoring LC-MS. Electrospray ionisation or atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation in negative or positive mode was performed. Recoveries between 105 and 120% could be reached. No PFOS and non-ionic FAEO surfactants in concentrations higher than 6 or 10 mg kg(-1) dry matter were observed in real environmental samples. Therefore aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation was performed to investigate the fate of fluorinated surfactants reaching wastewaters. Biological wastewater treatment in laboratory scale under aerobic or anaerobic conditions led to an elimination by biodegradation.     

Breakthrough of polymers in interactive liquid chromatography

Two separate peaks are observed for narrow polymer standards in both isocratic and gradient HPLC. One peak appears around the solvent front (the "solvent-plug peak" or "breakthrough peak"), whereas the second peak is retained significantly--or even highly. Although the effect has been observed many times before, it has never been rigorously explained. In this paper we provide a detailed explanation for the breakthrough peak. The two completely separate peaks are demonstrated not to represent to different fractions of the sample (e.g., the low- and high-molecular-mass parts of the distribution). Both peaks are representative of the entire polymeric sample for narrow polymer standard. Because the amount of the polymer in the breakthrough peak may vary, the quantitative analysis of the polymers by LC is jeopardized. The effects of the sample solvent, the (initial) mobile phase composition, the injection volume, the injected sample concentration, the column temperature, and the analyte structure and molecular mass on the breakthrough peak were investigated in LC experiments involving standards of polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate). Three necessary and sufficient conditionsare suggested for the breakthrough phenomenon to be observed. Recommendations to avoid the breakthrough phenomenon are given, culminating in a structured method for selecting the best possible sample solvents.