Zeta-potentials of self-assembled surface micelles of ionic surfactants adsorbed at hydrophobic graphite surfaces

The zeta-potentials of the self-assembled surface ionic surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate—SDS and hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide—CTAB) on graphite surfaces were determined both from streaming potential and electrophoretic mobility measurements. The adsorption of the surfactants at graphite–liquid interfaces has been studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) soft-contact imaging which shows the formation of linear, parallel hemicylinders with headgroups oriented towards the solution. The magnitude of the zeta-potential increased with an increase in surfactant concentration, reaching a constant value at a concentration corresponding to the point of surface micelle formation as confirmed from AFM imaging. The streaming potential and electrophoretic mobility measurements showed that the zeta-potentials of SDS and CTAB surface micelles adsorbed at the graphite surface were about −75 and +70 mV, respectively, well in agreement with the values reported for bulk phase micelles in the literature.     

Epitaxial growth of sexiphenyl on Al(111): from monolayer to crystalline films

A combination of in situ surface sensitive-techniques, UV photoemission and low energy electron diffraction, with ex situ bulk sensitive X-ray diffraction reveals the formation of epitaxial thin films of sexiphenyl on Al(111) starting from the first monolayer. For room temperature growth, highly ordered films are formed with a unique alignment of the sexiphenyl molecules with the long axes of all molecules aligned parallel to both the surface and the <10> azimuthal directions of Al(111). This is related to a densely packed highly commensurate first monolayer, which acts as a template for the unique (21) crystallite orientation observed.     

Tuning of the alpha-terthiophene radical cation coupling reaction using mixed micelles with varying charge density.

The photophysics and photochemistry of alpha-terthiophene (alphaT), compartmentalized in mixed nonionic/anionic micelles, have been investigated with focus on the influence of the micellar surface charge density on the formation of the radical coupling product alpha-hexathiophene (alphaH). By varying the ratio of nonionic-to-anionic surfactants, and assuming ideal mixing, the charge density of the mixed micelles was varied. From Poisson-Boltzmann calculations, performed using the cell model, the electrostatic potential and the counterion activity were estimated as a function of the distance from the micellar surface. Upon excitation, the triplet state of alphaT is formed, from which the alphaT radical cation can be formed by absorption of a second photon. The radical cation can form alphaH if it encounters another alphaT radical cation. Under the experimental conditions used, this implies that the alphaH formation only occurs if the compartmentalized radical cation is able to migrate from its host micelle to another micelle, either via the surrounding bulk or by fusion of two micelles followed by mixing of their contents before micellar fission. The formation yield of the radical cation depends on the charge density of the mixed micelle; a lower charge density, that is, an increased amount of nonionic surfactant, lowers the yield. The yield of the coupling product alphaH, however, does not follow the same trend. A maximum yield of alphaH is found at intermediate nonionic surfactant molar ratios. This behavior is understood in terms of the Poisson-Boltzmann simulation results and by comparing charge-density changes as a function of molar fraction with the changes in counterion activity. The alphaH yield is a result of the balance between an increased possibility of radical cation bulk migration and a lowered electrostatic stabilization of the radical.     

Do proficiency tests always verify laboratories’ performance? The case of FAPAS PT 0270

In this paper, the case of FAPAS PT 0270 “Doramectin and Oxfendazole in Sheep Liver” is discussed. During evaluation of the data received from participants (determination of total, oxidised oxfendazole residue and calculation of the sum of oxfendazole and oxfendazole sulfone residues), significant differences were observed between the results obtained by use of two analytical approaches. This phenomenon can be explained by the route of oxfendazole metabolism, which results in the presence of fenbendazole in the sample. This was not predicted by the provider; consequently, not all the necessary tests on the material were conducted. Due to the high uncertainty of the z-scores in this test, the results of the PT cannot be used for purposes of evaluation, and the benefits of participation in PT 0270 are questionable.     

Effect of Groundwater Composition on Arsenic Detection by Bacterial Biosensors

A luminescent bacterial biosensor was used to quantify bioavailable arsenic in artificial groundwater. Its light production above the background emission was proportional to the arsenite concentration in the toxicologically relevant range of 0 to 0.5 μM. Effects of the inorganic solutes phosphate, Fe(II) and silicate on the biosensor signal were studied. Phosphate at a concentration of 0.25 g L⁻¹ phosphate slightly stimulated the light emission, but much less than toxicologically relevant concentrations of the much stronger inducer arsenite. No effect of phosphate was oberved in the presence of arsenite. Freshly prepared sodium silicate solution at a concentration of 10 mg L⁻¹ Si reduced the arsenite-induced light production by roughly 37%, which can be explained by transient polymerization leading to sequestration of some arsenic. After three days of incubation, silicate did not have this effect anymore, probably because depolymerization occurred. In the presence of 0.4 mg L⁻¹ Fe(II), the arsenite-induced light emission was reduced by up to 90%, probably due to iron oxidation followed by arsenite adsorption on the less soluble Fe(III) possibly along with some oxidation to the stronger adsorbing As(V). Addition of 100 μM EDTA was capable of releasing all arsenic from the precipitate and to transform it into the biologically measurable, dissolved state. The biosensor also proved valuable for monitoring the effectiveness of an arsenic removal procedure based on water filtration through a mixture of sand and iron granules.     

A simple laboratory generator for low concentrations of sulphur dioxide

The generator is based on permeation of sulphur dioxide through silicone rubber tubes immersed in a buffered, thermostated solution of sodium hydrogensulphite. The generator contains three (or more) permeation tubes of different lengths immersed simultaneously in the generation solution. The tubes can be connected stepwise to the carrier gas source, so that three (or more) different concentrations of SO₂ in the carrier gas can be obtained from a single solution. The tested generator produced 1.25–25.4 ng s^?1 SO₂, depending on the hydrogensulphite concentration in the solution. Long-term stability was tested for the production of 10.49 ng s^?1 over 50 h; the relative standard deviation was 1.57%. The experimental conditions affecting the production of SO₂ are discussed. An equation is derived for estimating the SO₂ production for various solution compositions and surface areas of the permeation tubes.     

Vergleich zwischen dem dielektrischen und dem mechanischen Relaxationsverhalten

Zusammenfassung Auf Grund theoretischer Überlegungen ist es bei der Bestimmung des Relaxationsverhaltens hochpolymerer Stoffe bei verschiedenen Beanspruchungsarten sinnvoll, zur Bestimmung der Relaxationszeiten die Maxima der Imaginärteile der elastischen Moduln und der reziproken Dielektrizitätskonstanten auszuwerten und die in Abhängigkeit von der Frequenz bei konstanter Temperatur gemessenen Dispersionskurven in die Anteile der Hauptund Nebendispersionsgebiete zu zerlegen. Durch Anwendung dieses Verfahrens auf die an Polyvinylchlorid gewonnenen Ergebnisse wird nachgewiesen, daß bei diesem Stoff die mechanisch und dielektrisch gemessenen Relaxationszeiten identisch sind und daß somit die vonThurn undWolf (1) vorgeschlagene Deutung der Unterschiede zwischen mechanischem und dielektrischem Relaxationsverhalten keine allgemeine Gültigkeit hat. Ein verbessertes Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Ultraschallgeschwindigkeit und der Ultraschalldämpfung in hochpolymeren Stoffen wird angegeben.     

Selective two-phase hydrogenation of sorbic acid using [Cp*Ru(sorbic acid)]+ catalyst?

Summary Unsaturated hexenoic acids are important compounds due to their utilization for specific aromatic alcohol (leaf alcohols) preparation. The influences of the reaction conditions on the sorbic acid hydrogenation to cis-hex-3-enoic acid are given. [Cp*Ru(sorbic acid)]CF₃SO₃ was used as a catalyst in two-phase hydrogenation.     

Note on a theoretical interpretation of the isotopic ratio vOH/vOD versus vOH in isotopically diluted HDO molecules in solid hydrates

A simple intra- and inter-molecular potential for water molecules engaged in hydrogen bonding has been used in a one-dimensional approximation for a theoretical interpretation of the experimental correlation $\text{v}$_OH/$\text{v}$_OD versus $\text{v}$_OH in solid hydrates. The variation in the equilibrium OH(D) distance has also been considered.