Local Structure Analysis of Strontium Sorption to Hydrous Manganese Oxide

To develop mechanistic models of contaminant distribution processes, we conducted an X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of strontium sorption to hydrous manganese oxide (HMO). Sr K-edge measurements were performed at 298, 220, and 77 K, and at sample loadings from 10(-4) to 10(-2) mol Sr/g HMO. Results from fitting the first shell in the sorbed samples indicate that strontium is surrounded by 10-12 oxygen atoms at an average distance of 2.58 ?. This coordination environment is consistent with the strontium atom remaining hydrated upon sorption to the oxide, where in water hydrated strontium has approximately 9 atoms of oxygen at 2.62 ?. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the strontium-oxygen bond also suggests physical adsorption due to the large contribution of the dynamic component of the Debye Waller factor. Although second-shell data are consistent with either 3 manganese atoms at 4.12 ? or 6 strontium atoms at 3.88 ?, both the near-edge and fine structure data for the manganese K-edge indicate that the local coordination environment of the manganese ion remains intact as a function of time or strontium sorption. Furthermore, the local structure of amorphous manganese oxide is highly ordered. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Photodriven electron and energy transfer from a light-harvesting metallodendrimer

Intermolecular electron and energy transfer from a light-harvesting metallodendrimer [Ru[bpy(C-450)(4)](3)](2+), where bpy(C-450)(4) is a 2,2'-bipyridine derivative containing 4 coumarin-450 units connected together through aryl ether linkages, is observed in acetonitrile solutions at room temperature. The model complex [Ru(dmb)(3)](2+), where dmb is 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, is included for quantitative comparison. The excited states of both compounds are metal-to-ligand charge transfer in nature and participate in excited-state electron and triplet energy transfer processes. Quenching constants were determined from luminescence and time-resolved absorption experiments at constant ionic strength. [Ru[bpy(C-450)(4)](3)](2+) displays significantly slower quenching rates to molecular oxygen and methyl viologen relative to the other processes investigated. Triplet energy transfer from [Ru[bpy(C-450)(4)](3)](2+) to 9-methylanthracene is quantitatively indistinguishable from [Ru(dmb)(3)](2+) while reductive electron transfer from phenothiazine was slightly faster in the former. With the exception of dioxygen quenching, our results indicate that the current dendritic structure is ineffective in shielding the core from bimolecular electron and triplet energy transfer reactions. Electrochemical measurements of [Ru[bpy(C-450)(4)](3)](2+) reveal irreversible oxidative processes at potentials slightly negative to the Ru(III/II) potential that are assigned to oxidations in the dendritic structure. Excited-state oxidative electron-transfer reactions facilitate this process resulting in the reduction of ground-state Ru(III) to Ru(II) and the trapping of the methyl viologen radical cation (MV(*+)) when methyl viologen serves as the quencher. This process generates a minimum of 9 MV(*+)'s for every [Ru[bpy(C-450)(4)](3)](2+) molecule and disassembles the metallodendrimer, resulting in the production of a [Ru(dmb)(3)](2+)-like species and "free" C-450-like dyes.     

Flow injection techniques for flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

When analysing real samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, considerable sample pretreatment together with the selection of the correct calibration strategy is necessary to ensure accurate results. Flow injection techniques can be used (a) to improve existing procedures, (b) as the basis for new calibration methods, and (c) to extend the capabilities of conventional flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.     

Determination of arsenic in gold by flow injection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with matrix removal by reductive precipitation

Arsenic was determined in gold by flow injection hydride generation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry following a batch mode reductive precipitation removal of the interfering gold matrix. A solution of potassium iodide, L-ascorbic acid, and hydrochloric acid was used as the reluctant. The recovery of gold by precipitation and filtration was 99 ± 3%. The detection limit for arsenic in gold was 55 ng g⁻¹ in the solid. The concentration of arsenic that was determined in the Royal Canadian Mint gold sample FAU-10 was 29.7 μg g⁻¹ in the solid; this value was indistinguishable, with 95% confidence, from values determined at the Royal Canadian Mint by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The standard deviation for four replicate determinations of the arsenic in FAU-10 was 0.972 μg g⁻¹ in the solid.     

Non-linear Doppler shift of the plasmon resonance in a grating-coupled drifting 2DEG

We report experimental measurements and computer calculations of the plasmon resonances of two dimensional electron gases in the far-infrared which show the effects of laterally drifting the 2DEG. Coupling to radiation is achieved using an overlaid metal grating of submicron period, and its periodic screening effect splits the plasmon into upper and lower energy modes. For a symmetric grating profile the higher energy mode is non-radiative for a stationary 2DEG and a splitting is not observable, but when the 2DEG is laterally drifted under the grating, coupling to both modes can occur, and their Doppler shifts produce an observable splitting which increases with drift velocity. These Doppler shifts are not linear with drift velocity for low velocities, but approach asymptotically the expected linear shift with increasing drift velocity. Experimental results on 2DEGs at GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunctions compare well with theoretical calculations.     

Iodine stabilization of a diode laser in the optical communication band

The iodine molecule has frequently been used as a frequency reference from the green to the near-infrared wavelength region (500-900 nm). We describe the frequency locking of the second-harmonic signal of a 197.2-THz (1520.25-nm) distributed-feedback diode laser to the absorption lines of the iodine hyperfine structure; a frequency jitter below 0.1 MHz was achieved at a 300-ms time constant. This scheme provides a simple, compact, and high-performance frequency reference in the optical communication band.     

Sets of minimal Hausdorff dimension for quasiconformal maps

For any , there is a compact set of (Hausdorff) dimension whose dimension cannot be lowered by any quasiconformal map . We conjecture that no such set exists in the case . More generally, we identify a broad class of metric spaces whose Hausdorff dimension is minimal among quasisymmetric images.

     

The activities of the education and training group of the Analytical Division of the Chemical Society

Summary The aim of the Education and Training Group of the Analytical Division of the Chemical Society is to improve education and training in Analytical Chemistry at all levels: in universities, in industry, and in all establishments where Analytical Chemistry is practised. Teaching methods, the interface between education and employment and other current problems are dealt with in the form of lectures and discussions. The Group also undertakes a continuing series of questionnaires to monitor the development in this field. A biennial prize is sponsored with the intention of stimulating the interest in Analytical Chemistry amongst young people in the U.K.Presented at Euroanalysis III conference, Dublin, August 20–25, 1978