Molybdenum determination in human serum (plasma) by ICP-MS coupled to a graphite furnace

A method for the Mo-determination in human serum or plasma is described, employing ICP-MS coupled with graphite furnace atomization. Because of severe differences between the slopes of an aqueous calibration function and the signals produced in native serum samples, the standard addition method has to be used. Seventy serum samples from healthy individuals in the age between 2 and 60 years have been investigated. The mean value for the Mo-concentration found was 0.58±0.34 g/l.     

Capability of ICP-MS (pneumatic nebulization and ETV) for Pt-analysis in different matrices at ecologically relevant concentrations

ICP-MS both with conventional nebulization and with ETV (Electro Thermal Vaporization) have been applied for the determination of Pt in different matrices, e.g. occupational samples like urine and dust samples. It can be used also for other matrices like soil, plants, tissues etc. dependent on the concentration ranges and on a suitable decomposition method. The evaluation, based on the different Pt-isotopes and the quality criteria (detection limit, precision, accuracy) is discussed. Very low determination limits in the range of 1 ng/l can be achieved by ICP-MS-ETV using the standard addition method. This method allows to determine Pt in urine without any sample pretreatment.     

Formation of nanoparticles in soda-lime glasses by single and double ion implantation

Structural characteristics and optical properties of monometallic and bimetallic Ag and Au nanoparticles in the surface region of soda-lime glass fabricated by ion implantation have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy. As a result it has been found that both, implantation dose and process temperature, strongly influence the metal nanoparticle formation governed by ion diffusion and metal precipitation as well as the involved stress generation around the particles. Thus, the mean size of metal nanoparticles and the width of the particle containing region beneath the glass surface increase with increasing temperature as well as implanted dose. Upon sequential high-dose double implantation to form bimetallic Ag–Au nanoparticles a rather complex configuration has been obtained. Particles of sizes above a threshold of 5–10 nm exhibit distinct image contrast features indicating the development of central voids whose sizes are proportional to the outer particle diameter.     

Possibilities for the Physical Modification of Cellulose Shapes Using Ionic Liquids

Summary: Functional cellulose shapes offer valuable properties for innovative application potentials in textile and medical products. Thereby excellent textile physiological properties of cellulose are allowed to be connected with novel application characteristics like bioactivity, electrical conductivity, heat storage or ability to adsorb liquids or gases. A very advantageous way to modify the properties of fibres, films or textile structures is to introduce particular additives via the Lyocell process. Regard to technical applications, functional additives will be able to incorporate themselves in the shape matrix and, in the case of using N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMO) as solvent, implicate massive technological difficulties and deterioration of properties of the spinning dope. Beside a couple of limiting moments, ionic liquids (ILs) offer as direct solvents an excellent chance for physical modification of cellulose shapes. In contrast to NMMO, they exhibit a significantly higher thermal stability as well as a higher chemical resistance. ILs exhibit most widely a better dissolving capability for a number of different polymers. First results of the development of adsorber materials as well as novel bioactive fibres will be discussed and fibre characteristics will be given.