Validation of an analytical method to determine trace metal impurities in fluoride compounds by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy

 The development of an analytical method for the determination of some heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Co, Zn and Ni) in fluoride compounds [Cu(BF₄)₂, Sn(BF₄)₂, Pb(BF₄)₂ and HBF₄] by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy is described. This method is to be used as a routine analytical method in an industrial quality control laboratory. To this end the "performance characteristics" of an instrumental analytical method such as matrix effects, sensitivity, linearity, detection and quantitation limits, precision and accuracy were evaluated for every system under study. The results of these investigations showed that non-spectral interferences (due to the presence of large concentrations of major metals such as Cu, Sn and Pb) were observed. Nevertheless it was possible to define a matrix concentration interval where matrix effects were not statistically significant, and therefore a direct calibration approach could be used as the calibration tool whenever the major metal concentration was not higher than 40×10^–3 kg l^–1. A guide to the developement of an analytical method for trace metal determination is provided. General tools for quality control have been used in order to show how an analytical method can be tested daily and evaluated in a convenient manner. Received: 29 January 1997 Accepted: 11 March 1997     

Deux methodes photothermiques a l'etude d'une preparation de contact d'un melange binaire de cristaux liquides

The photopyroelectric (PPE) method is proposed as a sensitive technique to study a binary mixture of liquid crystals in a contact preparation. The photothermal signal is generated while scanning the contact preparation. The crystal-smectic A, smectic A-nematic, and nematic-isotropic interphase boundaries are detected. The displacement of these boundaries due to the variation of the temperature is monitored. The study of these displacements allows us to draw the complete temperature-concentration phase diagram of a binary mixtures. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Gradient of the ZAPT2 energy

 An explicit expression for the analytical first derivative of the Z-averaged perturbation theory taken to second order energy, due to Lee and Jayatilaka, is presented for application to high-spin systems described by a restricted open-shell Hartree–Fock wavefunction. The use of frozen core orbitals is incorporated into the derivation. Received: 23 April 2001 / Accepted: 31 August 2001 / Published online: 9 January 2002     

Estimation of parameters characterizing the adsorption of sodium,potassium, and rubidium cryptates at the mercury electrode/solution interface

The adsorption of complexes formed by sodium, potassium, and rubidium cations with macrobicyclic ligand (kryptofix 222 with C₁₈H₃₆N₂O₆ composition) is studied as a function of the ligand concentration on a stationary mercury drop in 0.1 M solutions of corresponding sulfates and chlorides by using the differential capacitance technique. Based on the model of two parallel capacitors supplemented by the Frumkin isotherm, the adsorption parameters of studied cryptates are estimated by using the regression analysis technique. Differential capacitance curves calculated with the parameters found are compared with experimental data. The comparison of the found adsorption parameters makes it possible to reveal the effects of the nature of included cations and specifically adsorbed supporting-electrolyte anions on the adsorption behavior of cryptates under study.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2005, pp. 475–481.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Stenina, Sviridova.     

To what extent can an uncertainty calculation be general?

 It is argued that results of uncertainty calculations in chemical analysis should be taken into consideration with some caution owing to their limited generality. The issue of the uncertainty in uncertainty estimation is discussed in two aspects. The first is due to the differences between procedure-oriented and result-oriented uncertainty assessments, and the second is due to the differences between the theoretical calculation of uncertainty and its quantication using the validation (experimental) data. It is shown that the uncertainty calculation for instrumental analytical methods using a regression calibration curve is result-oriented and meaningful only until the next calibration. A scheme for evaluation of the uncertainty in uncertainty calculation by statistical analysis of experimental data is given and illustrated with examples from the author's practice. Some recommendations for the design of corresponding experiments are formulated.     

Advances in two-dimensional GC with glass capillary columns

A versatile two-dimensional gas chromatograph is described, consisting of 2 separate ovens, one intermediate trap, an auxiliary inlet, and the necessary hardware to effect off-line switching according to the principle of Deans. The unit has been designed for use with high resolution glass capillary columns. The performance of individual instrumental components was critically evaluated. Results showed that low dead volume glass to metal connections were required in the manifold and detector lines to minimize extra-column effects. The mass of the intermediate trap must be low to allow rapid heating. Operational parameters are discussed and examples of some applications are shown.     

溴碘化银薄片乳剂颗粒中碘离子分布对潜影分散的影响

碘溴化银乳剂薄片颗粒的潜影分散与碘离子在颗粒中的分布有关。本文用交叉光楔曝光技术测定了由次潜影造成的潜影分散,并根据所测出的潜影分散度和乳剂的表面感光度,对内、表敏的分布作了分析。结果表明,碘离子分布在颗粒边缘的乳剂,其表面潜影分散度要比碘离子均匀分布的颗粒更甚,后者且表现出内、表敏度竞争的现象。     

Simultaneous determination of radionuclides separable into natural decay series by use of time-interval analysis

A delayed coincidence method, time-interval analysis (TIA), has been applied to successive – decay events on the millisecond time-scale. Such decay events are part of the ²²⁰Rn²¹⁶Po (T_1/2 145 ms) (Th-series) and ²¹⁹Rn²¹⁵Po (T_1/2 1.78 ms) (Ac-series). By using TIA in addition to measurement of ²²⁶Ra (U-series) from -spectrometry by liquid scintillation counting (LSC), two natural decay series could be identified and separated. The TIA detection efficiency was improved by using the pulse-shape discrimination technique (PSD) to reject -pulses, by solvent extraction of Ra combined with simple chemical separation, and by purging the scintillation solution with dry N₂ gas. The U- and Th-series together with the Ac-series were determined, respectively, from alpha spectra and TIA carried out immediately after Ra-extraction. Using the ²²¹Fr²¹⁷At (T_1/2 32.3 ms) decay process as a tracer, overall yields were estimated from application of TIA to the ²²⁵Ra (Np-decay series) at the time of maximum growth. The present method has proven useful for simultaneous determination of three radioactive decay series in environmental samples.     

Knoevenagel缩合反应研究的新进展

综述了近年来Knoevenagel缩合反应研究的新进展, 包括微波、超声波、固相合成、离子液体等新技术新试剂在该反应中的应用.