Evolution of fractal-like surface structures in layers of polyacrylonitrile solutions by interfacial dynamic processes

Solvent evaporation causes concentration and temperature gradients at the free surface of a coating polymer solution. Thereby surface-tension-driven flows can result in a surface instability with regular structures within the layer. Different types of surface structures can occur at spots with thickness differences. One can find fractal-like structures especially in the edge zone of a layer. The evolution of such fractal-like structures at the surfaces of coating solutions of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in dimethylformamide (DMF) during layer hardening is examined. Condensation of water on the surface of the fluid layer exerts a strong influence on the formation of these structures. Solutions of PAN in DMF are important for the production of ultrafiltration membranes. Such membranes are produced by precipitation in a water bath after a short open time.     

Verbundverfahren zur Multielement-Spurenbestimmung in hochreinem Chrom nach Spuren—Matrix-Trennung

(Simultaneous determination of trace elements in high-purity chromium by inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry after matrix separation.) The production of high-purity metals requires routine determinations of elements in the ng g^?1 range. Procedures based on wet chemical separation of matrix and trace elements followed by inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry are suitable. The separation of 19 trace metals (Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, La, Mg, Mn, Nb, Ni, Pb, Ta, Ti, Th, U, Zn and Zr) from high-purity chromium powder is described. The powder is dissolved in hydrochloric acid and oxidized with perchloric acid or alkaline hydrogen peroxide, and the trace elements are precipitated at pH 11–13 and collected on cellulose loaded with indium hydroxide or on cellulose-Hyphan. The detection limits of the total procedure vary from 10 ng g^?1 for cadmium to 600 ng g^?1 for zinc.     

The characterization of high-tech materials: Perspectives,challenges, trends

From the Stone Age on, developmental periods of mankind carry the names of materials. Materials determine the applicability of key technologies and these are in turn of major significance for the economic success and the social development in modern society. Today's high-tech materials are the consequence of an improved understanding of the structure and composition of matter and of the interplay of microstructure and minor and trace constituents. We can distinguish four basic dimensional structural categories of materials: (a) the atomic structure level; (b) the crystal, glassy or amorphous structural level; (c) the microstructural level; (d) the level of constructions. As an example, these structural levels are described in some detail for graphite, a material used extensively throughout Analytical Chemistry. Decisive differences at the microstructural level result in graphitic materials with very varying properties: polycrystalline electrographite, glassy carbon, and pyrolytic graphite. Examples for the use of these materials in ETAAS are discussed.Structural features together with topochemical and trace chemical characteristics are studied today by a wide variety of analytical instrumentation and methods of modern materials analysis which can be grouped into four categories of techniques: (a) photon probe techniques; (b) electron probe techniques; (c) ion probe techniques; (d) electrical field probes.The most important of those techniques are discussed shortly with respect to their main characteristics as lateral and depth resolution, detection sensitivity, additional bonding or structural information, depth profiling possibilities etc.The constructions are the ultimate level of a materials structure. Structures of microelectronic components reach dimensionally into the domain of microstructure whereas constructions in heavy industry are of meter-ton dimensions. Progress in the use of materials as carriers of information is visualized by a morphological comparison of the sound tracks of conventional records with the information imprinted in optical discs.It is important to conceive materials as dynamic systems with limited lifetime. Fatigue and recrystallization are prominent relevant phenomena which must be studied by microstructural and topochemical methods. Dispersion strengthened microalloys like TZM, HT-molybdenum and NS-tungsten are discussed as examples how materials can be improved with respect to their extended use under extreme conditions. Again, a thorough structural and topochemical characterization was the basis of a successful respective materials development although a multitude of relevant topochemical questions still remain to be solved.Lifetime investigations are an essential tool of materials development as well as quality control. Relevant investigations for various tube materials for ETAAS are discussed.General acronyms in the field of materials science CFC Carbon fibre composite - CMC Ceramic matrix composites - COST Cooperation in science and technology - COST 503 COST-action in the field of powder metallurgy - CVD Chemical vapour deposition - CVI Chemical vapour infiltration - EG Electrographite - GC Glassy carbon - HT-Mo High temperature molybdenum (Mo-microalloy doped with potassium silicate) - JESSI Joint European Submicron Silicon Initiative - MMC Metal matrix composites - MOS Metal oxide semiconductor - NS-W Non-sag tungsten (used for lamp filaments and evaporative metallization techniques) - PACVD Plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition - PG Pyrolytic graphite - PMC Polymeric matrix composites - PVD Physical vapour deposition - TPG Total pyrolytic graphite - TZM Molybdenum base alloy containing 0.5% Ti, 0.08% Zr und 0.025% C - UHP Ultra high purity - VLSI Very large scale integration Analytical technique names AA Activation analysis - AAS Atomic absorption spectrophotometry - AEM Analytical electron microscopy - AES Auger electron spectrometry or atomic emission spectrometry (only used in this work where it is clear that Auger electron spectrometry is not meant) - AFP Atom force probe     

Re tricarbonyl complexes with ligands containing P,N,N and P,N,O donor atom sets: synthesis and structural characterization

The coordination chemistry of the heterofunctionalized phosphines HPN2 and H2PNO and of an analogue containing a relevant biomolecule, HPN-Pip (Pip = 4-(3-aminopropyl)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine), was studied toward the synthon (NE4)2[ReBr3(CO)3]. The complexes isolated, [Re(CO)3(kappa(3)-PN2)], 3, [Re(CO)3Br(kappa(2)-H2PNO)], 4, and [Re(CO)3Br(kappa(2)-HPN-Pip)], 5, are the first examples of Re(I) compounds stabilized by such a combination of donor atoms. All of the compounds are neutral, but the phosphines, depending on the combination of atoms, act as monoanionic and tridentate (3) or as neutral and bidentate (4, 5). The characterization of 3-5 included IR, 1H NMR, and 31P NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Colorless crystals of compounds 3 and 4 were obtained by slow evaporation of a methanolic solution of 3 and from a boiling acetonitrile solution of 4. Compound 3 crystallizes with two molecules of MeOH per asymmetric unit in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, a = 10.1237(8) A, b = 9.4959(4) A, c = 28.365(2) A, beta = 98.707(9) degrees, V = 2695.4(3) A(3), Z = 4; 4 crystallizes in the triclinic space group Ponebar, a = 10.0241(9) A, b = 11.2060(10) A, c = 13.0656(12) A, alpha = 84.883(11) degrees, beta = 71.163(10) degrees, gamma = 63.650(9) degrees, V = 1241.19(19) A(3), Z = 2.     

Surface Characterisation of Water-Atomised Al–Zn–Mg–Cu Alloy Powders by SIMS and AES

 The present paper focuses on the characterisation of surface composition and alloying element in-depth distribution of water-atomised Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy powders by secondary ion mass-spectrometry and Auger electron spectroscopy. A pronounced segregation of Mg and some impurities (Fe, Ca, S) concurrently with some Zn depletion are observed on the powder surface. The oxide film formed on the powder surface mainly consists of Al and Mg oxides. The film is non-uniform in thickness: rather coarse surface oxide islands coexist with surface areas covered by a thin (<1.8 nm) oxide layer. The extent of surface oxidation is strongly affected by solidification conditions: The average thickness of the surface oxides increases with increasing particle size or with decreasing cooling rate. All alloying elements are homogeneously distributed in the bulk of individual particles. No significant differences in chemical composition between different particles of a given powder are observed. Received November 26, 1999. Revision September 25, 2001.     

Speciation of sulfur in individual aerosol particles from work places by wavelength-dispersive electron-probe microanalysis

The oxidation state of sulfur has been determined by measuring the energy shift of the S K line by wavelength-dispersive electron-probe microanalysis. On flat polished samples the energy shift between sulfate (S⁺⁶) and sulfide (S^-2) was 1.3 eV, in good agreement with previous literature data. The observed energy shift of the S K line is dominated by the change of the valence state of sulfur—the effects of co-ordination geometry and nearest neighbours are small. The relationship between the energy shift of the S K line and the oxidation number of sulfur is linear, to a first approximation. The effect of particle geometry on the position of the S K line is usually small and introduces an error of approximately half an oxidation number. The apparent sulfur valence states observed for individual aerosol particles from work places in a nickel refinery are highly variable and most probably result from different mixtures of the two end-members sulfide and sulfate.     

PCR technology for screening and quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Although PCR technology has obvious limitations, the potentially high degree of sensitivity and specificity explains why it has been the first choice of most analytical laboratories interested in detection of genetically modified (GM) organisms (GMOs) and derived materials. Because the products that laboratories receive for analysis are often processed and refined, the quality and quantity of target analyte (e.g. protein or DNA) frequently challenges the sensitivity of any detection method. Among the currently available methods, PCR methods are generally accepted as the most sensitive and reliable methods for detection of GM-derived material in routine applications.The choice of target sequence motif is the single most important factor controlling the specificity of the PCR method. The target sequence is normally a part of the modified gene construct, for example a promoter, a terminator, a gene, or a junction between two of these elements. However, the elements may originate from wildtype organisms, they may be present in more than one GMO, and their copy number may also vary from one GMO to another. They may even be combined in a similar way in more than one GMO. Thus, the choice of method should fit the purpose. Recent developments include event-specific methods, particularly useful for identification and quantification of GM content. Thresholds for labelling are now in place in many countries including those in the European Union. The success of the labelling schemes is dependent upon the efficiency with which GM-derived material can be detected. We will present an overview of currently available PCR methods for screening and quantification of GM-derived DNA, and discuss their applicability and limitations. In addition, we will discuss some of the major challenges related to determination of the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), and to validation of methods.     

A new [2 + 1] mixed ligand concept based on [99(m)Tc(OH2)3(CO)3]+: a basic study

Mixed ligand fac-tricarbonyl complexes of the general formula [M(L1)(L2)(CO)3](M = Re, 99(m)Tc, L1= imidazole, benzyl isocyanide, L2 = 1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid, pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid, pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid) have been prepared starting from the precursors [M(OH2)3(CO)3]+. The complexes can be obtained in good yield and purity in a two-step procedure by first attaching the bidentate ligand followed by addition of the monodentate. 99mTc compounds can also be prepared at the tracer level in one-pot procedures with L1 and L2 being concomitantly present. This [2 + 1] approach allows the labeling of bioactive molecules containing a monodentate or a bidentate donor site. Examples given in here are N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)glycyl-N-(3-(imidazol-1-yl)propyl)phenylalaninamide, 5-((3-(imidazol-1-yl)propyl)aminomethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine and 4-(5-isonitrilpentyl)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazine as L1 and N-((6-carboxypyridine-3-yl)methyl)glycylphenylalanine as L2. The corresponding second ligand can be used to influence the physico-chemical properties of the conjugate. The crystal structures of [99Tc(OH2)(imc)(CO)3], [Re(OH2)(2,4-dipic)(CO)3], [Re(bic)(2,4-dipic)(CO)3] and [Re(im)(2,5-dipic)(CO)3] are reported.