A Computer Algorithm for Qualitative Identification of Mass Spectral Data Acquired in Trace Level Analysis of Environmental Samples

Abstract

A computer algorithm for trace level analysis of organic compounds by empirical qualitative identification of mass spectral data is described. This algorithm is designed to permit the use of maximum instrument sensitivity and to address problems common to trace analyses. These problems are attacked by reverse searching, linear adjustment of spectra, spectral abbreviation based only on abundance, and the addition of a small library of special interest spectra. Information produced by the algorithm is designed to aid the analyst in determining the validity of the spectral matches produced. Several examples are given to demonstrate the advantages of this approach for the analysis of environmental samples.     

X‐ray photoreduction of U(VI)‐bearing compounds

During XPS analysis, the soft X‐ray‐induced reduction of metals such as Cr(VI) and Ce(IV) in oxides has been reported in the literature and some mechanisms have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. The reduction of U(VI) by the beam during X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy has been already reported in the literature but only for U(VI) sorbed or precipitated onto solids with reducing properties (as micas or pyrites) for whose Fe(II) can also induce the reduction of U(VI), or onto TiO₂ whose the photocatalytic properties are well known. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of X‐ray beam on U(VI) bulk compounds (UO₃, UO₂(OH)₂, (UO₂)₂SiO₄, UO₂(CH₃COO)₂ and UO₂C₂O₄). Successive U4f, U5f, C1s XPS spectra were recorded and compared as a function of the irradiation time. The XPS photoreduction of U(VI) into U(IV) is only observed for uranyl compounds containing organic matter (uranyl acetate and uranyl oxalate). Considering the evolution of the C1s signal during the X‐ray irradiation, a significant decrease of the C ? O component simultaneously to the U(VI) reduction is observed, which suggests a desorption of CO or other volatile organic products from the solid surface. All these results on U(VI) bulk compounds indicate the important role of organic carbon species in the photoreduction process and to explain these observations, a photoreduction mechanism has been suggested. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solar Reforming of Biomass with Homogeneous Carbon Dots

A sunlight‐powered process is reported that employs carbon dots (CDs) as light absorbers for the conversion of lignocellulose into sustainable H₂ fuel and organics. This photocatalytic system operates in pure and untreated sea water at benign pH (2–8) and ambient temperature and pressure. The CDs can be produced in a scalable synthesis directly from biomass itself and their solubility allows for good interactions with the insoluble biomass substrates. They also display excellent photophysical properties with a high fraction of long‐lived charge carriers and the availability of a reductive and an oxidative quenching pathway. The presented CD‐based biomass photoconversion system opens new avenues for sustainable, practical, and renewable fuel production through biomass valorization.     

AMicro-sized headspace GC technique for determination of organic volatile impurities in water-insoluble pharmaceuticals

Summary A micro-sized headspace technique is presented for determination of organic volatile impurities (OVIs) in water-insoluble pharmaceuticals. Its main features include reduction of the amounts of sample of drug and sample dissolution medium, from 100–200 mg and 1–5 mL, respectively, in the traditional headspace method to 5–30 mg and 100 μL in the micro-sized headspace method, and shortening the headspace equilibration time from 45–60 min to 5–10 min. The validity of method has been examined both experimentally and theoretically. The relative standard deviation of the analysis and the linearity of method satisfied the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia. It was found that headspace equilibrium conditions have little influence on the sensitivity of the method, and that the presence of different amounts of drug substance in the sampling solution has little effect on the analytical results, in contrast with the traditional headspace GC method.     

Microwave drying as an effective method to obtain porous carbon xerogels

Microwave drying was used to prepare resorcinol-formaldehyde aqueous gels, without performing any pretreatment, and to see whether it was possible to use this drying option to obtain porous carbon xerogels with controlled textural properties. By using microwave drying, the process for obtaining carbon gels is greatly simplified, textural properties are controlled likewise with other drying methods, but the time involved in the process is significantly reduced and no pretreatment is necessary. Therefore, microwave drying could help to simplify the carbon xerogels synthesis and reduce the associated costs.     

General applications of fused silica capillary column (FSCC) chromatography to the analysis of non-priority pollutant organics in environmental samples

Further applications of fused silica capillary columns (FSCC) to the analysis of environmental samples are presented. The chromatographic behavior (RT, RRT) of organic compounds of environmental significance not listed as Consent Decree Priority Pollutants is investigated on an SE-54 FSCC. Retention indices (RRT) and mass spectral response factors (RF) are presented for a total of 28 compounds including a number of chloro- and nitro-substituted anilines, alkylpyridines, and alkylquinoline derivatives. The direct application of the FSCC/MS interface to the analysis of these compounds in actual environmental samples is presented, including vent emissions from a fungicide manufacturing process, and contaminated soil and water samples from two metropolitan Boston construction sites.     

Tuning of morphology of Ag nanoparticles in the Ag/polyaniline nanocomposites prepared by γ-ray irradiation

Ag/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites were prepared by two different methods using γ-ray irradiation. The morphology of the Ag nanoparticles in the nanocomposites was followed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In one of the method (Method I), Ag/PANI nanocomposites were prepared by the following sequential steps. PVP-stabilized Ag colloids were prepared by γ-irradiation, aniline was added and oxidatively polymerized. Method II involved the preparation of Ag/PANI nanocomposites by oxidative polymerization of aniline-stabilized Ag colloids prepared by γ-irradiation. The average size of PVP-stabilized Ag sphere-type nanoparticles was 13 nm. The morphology of Ag nanoparticle in Ag/PANI nanocomposites prepared by Method I was sphere-type. On the other hand, the morphology of aniline-stabilized Ag nanoparticle prepared by γ-irradiation was a hexangular-type one. Size of aniline-stabilized Ag nanoparticles was found to depend on the weight ratios of aniline-to-Ag ions used in the preparation. The paper discusses the changes in the morphology of Ag nanoparticles in the Ag/PANI nanocomposites with the method of preparation, source of protection and polymerization.     

Cold trapping of volatile organic compounds on fused silica capillary columns

A 30 m, 0.25 mm ID, fused silica capillary column at temperatures from –60 to –100°C has been shown to be a quantitative trap for organic compounds with volatilities ranging from that of 1, 1 -dichloroethene that of chlorobenzene. This type of “whole column cryotrapping” provided sharp peaks (peak width approximately 4–7 seconds) for all compounds at a trapping temperature of –80°C and with high carrier gas pressures and linear velocities (30 psi and 110 cm/s, respectively). Whole column cryotrapping possesses great simplicity, chromatographic efficiency (no trapping loop connections), and a built-in indicator of quality assurance for trapping efficiency (i.e., peak shape). These advantages are extremely attractive and are indicative of the fact that the potential of this approach has not yet been fully appreciated.     

微波水热合成Zn2GeO4纳米带及其光催化活性

采用微波水热法快速合成Zn₂GeO₄纳米带, 研究反应温度、模板剂、原料用量等因素对晶体生长的影响, 并优化其合成条件. 用场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)光谱和紫外-可见漫反射吸收光谱(UV-Vis RDS)等手段分析产物的形貌、结构和组成, 考察合成的Zn₂GeO₄在甲基橙光催化降解反应中的性能. 研究结果表明: 微波水热条件下, 以摩尔比为2:1的乙酸锌和氧化锗为原料, 在160℃反应20 min可合成分散均匀的Zn₂GeO₄纳米带, 宽约100 nm, 长为几十微米. 与常规水热法相比,微波水热法合成的Zn₂GeO₄纳米带的本征缺陷减少, 光致发光(PL) 光谱降低,比表面积增大50.7%,光催化活性提高54.7%.