Surface-enhanced Raman scattering and micro-Raman imaging of Langmuir-Blodgett films of rhodium phthalocyanine

Rhodium phthalocyanine (RhPc) was synthesized and ultra thin Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of RhPc were successfully fabricated. The LB film characterization was carried out using both UV-vis absorption spectra and Raman scattering. The Raman spectroscopy was carried out using 633 and 780 nm laser lines. LB films were deposited onto Ag nanoparticles to achieve the surface-enhanced pre-resonance Raman scattering (pre-SERRS) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for both laser lines, respectively, which allowed the characterization of the RhPc ultra thin films. The morphology of the LB RhPc neat film is extracted from micro-Raman imaging.     

Theoretical study on the adsorption of aromatic compounds on platinum clusters

B3 LYP hybrid functional with LACVP* pseudopotential was applied for the optimization of geometries of complexes resulting from interaction of benzene, pyridine, naphthalene, and quinoline with Pt_n (n = 4, 7) clusters. For benzene‐containing complexes, the most stable form corresponds to a bridge adsorption, with benzene undergoing considerable geometric distortions, assuming a boat‐like conformation. C? H bonds are bended upward from the plane of the cluster. C? C bonds stretch, especially when they form π‐complexes with low coordinated Pt atoms. Some arrangements for pyridine complexes involving the N atom of the organic moiety undergo further distortions, apparently preserving a formal C? N π bond. Except for that distortion, the behavior of any heteroaromatic complex is similar to that of benzene in the same arrangement. The quinoline–Pt₇ complex can suitably be used for simulation of the cinchonidine (CD) anchorage over Pt. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

Composting of urban solid residues (USR) by different dispositions

The thermal behavior and non-isothermal kinetics of thermal decomposition of three different kinds of composting of the USR like: stack with drilled PVC tubes (ST), revolved stack (SR) and stack with material of structure (SM), from the usine of composing of Araraquara city, Săo Paulo state, Brazil, within a period of 132 days of composting were studied. Results from TG, DTG and DSC curves obtained on inert atmosphere indicated that the cellulosic fraction present, despite the slow degradation during the composting process, is thermally less stable than other substances originated from that process. Due to that behavior, the cellulosic fraction decomposition could be kinetically evaluated through non-isothermal methods of analysis. The values obtained were: average activation energy, Ea=248, 257 and 259 kJ mol^-1 and pre- exponential factor, logA=21.4, 22.5, 22.7 min^-1, to the ST, SR and SM, respectively. From Ea and logA values and DSC curves, Málek procedure could be applied, suggesting that the SB (Šesták-Berggren) kinetic model is the appropriated one to the first thermal decomposition step. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Atomization of Al in a tungsten coil electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry of Al in a tungsten coil atomizer was evaluated and applied for its determination in hemodialysis fluid. The system was mounted on a Varian Spectra AA-40 spectrophotometer with continuum background correction and all measurements, in peak height absorbance, were done at 309.3 nm. The purge gas was a mixture of 90% Ar plus 10% H(2). Observation height, gas flow, drying, pyrolysis and atomization steps were optimized. The heating program was carried out by employing a heating cycle in four steps: dry, pyrolysis, atomization and clean. The determination of Al in hemodialysis solutions was performed by using a matrix-matching procedure. Al in hemodialysis solutions was determined by TCA and by electrothermal atomization with a graphite tube atomizer. There is no differences between results obtained by both methods at a confidence level of 95%. The characteristic mass of Al by using the TCA was 39 pg and the detection limit was 2.0 mug l(-1).     

MSXα method and transition-state procedure

Theoretical aspects of the MS X_α method are analyzed. It is shown that real field self-consistency is not achieved in an MS X_α calculation and some consequences of this fact are discussed. The approximations involved in the use of the transition-state procedure to evaluate ionization and excitation energies from a MS X_α calculation are presented in some detail and commented.     

Immobilized enzyme electrode for the determination of salicylate in blood serum

This determination of salicylate in blood serum is based on application of an immobilized enzyme electrode. Salicylate hydroxylase (E.C.1.14.13.1) is chemically immobilized onto a pig intestine mounted on an oxygen electrode. The signals are monitored amperometrically and the resulting output voltage is read using a simple adapter. The experimental parameters and possible interferences are discussed. Samples containing 1.0 × 10^?5?1.87 × 10^?3 M (1.6–300 μg ml^?1) salicylate were assayed with relative standard deviations between 1.3% and 6% and recoveries between 98.7 and 103%. Results obtained by the proposed method and by the established clinical method for randomly spiked pooled serum samples correlated well (r = 0.99).     

The role of C-centered radicals on the mechanism of action of artemisinin

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone with an endoperoxide function that is essential for its antimalarial activity. Endoperoxides are supposed to act on heme leading to the reduction of the peroxide bond and production of radicals, which can be responsible for killing the parasite. The geometries of artemisinin, radical anions and neutral species generated by rearrangement after reduction of the peroxide bond were fully optimized with the AM1 and PM3 semi-empirical methods, in order to characterize the intermediates formed during the process. Among the radicals calculated along the pathway for reductive decomposition of artemisinin, the secondary radical centered on carbon C₄ has the highest stability when compared to other radicals that can be achieved either by hydrogen migration to the original O-centered radical or by homolytic break of C–C bond. This suggests that the C₄-centered radical may be the species responsible for killing the parasite, as has been indicated previously in experimental studies.     

Solvent extraction of phosphonium salts and their analytical applications : Separation and spectrophotometric determination of hexacyanoferrate(III)

The potentiometric determination of zinc in chloride solutions with a coated wire electrode is described. The electroactive membrane contains the chlorozincate(II) salt of Aliquat 336S in poly (vinyl chloride). The electrode shows a useful response over the range 10^-5 M–10^-1 M zinc(II) in 3 M total chloride solutions in the pH range 1.5–6. The electrode is more responsive to the divalent tetrachlorozincate(II) than to the monovalent trichlorozincate(II) species. Applications in compleximetric titrations, and to the analysis of zinc oxide and zinc concentrates are reported.     

Application of neutron activation analysis to bone samples

Summary Neutron activation analysis technique, using Au as flux monitor, was applied to determine element concentrations of Ca, K, Na, Mg, Mn and Sr in certified reference material (NIST 1400 Bone Ash). The results were compared with those using comparative INAA and they were compatible. The same results were obtained using the recommended k₀ factors, in order to obtain the activation cross section as input in concentration for the same reference material. Some applications in the health area aiming clinical evaluation in bone samples of medium and small-sized animals were performed and the viability of using this methodology was discussed.     

Lanthanide nitrate complexes with 2-azacyclononanone

Thermal behavior of rare earth nitrate complexes with 2-azacyclononanone (AZA) with Ln(NO₃)₃·3(AZA) composition (where Ln=Gd, Er and Ho) was analyzed in kinetic point of view. Kinetic parameters were calculated from thermogravimetric data. All obtained results were similar. The first decomposition step was representative to the loss of ligand and the residue was essentially Ln₂O₃. Furthermore, a reaction path was proposed for the thermal decomposition of the Ln(NO₃)₃·3(AZA).