Simple and Precise Quantification of Iron Catalyst Content in Carbon Nanotubes Using UV/Visible Spectroscopy

Iron catalysts have been used widely for the mass production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high yield. In this study, UV/visible spectroscopy was used to determine the Fe catalyst content in CNTs using a colorimetric technique. Fe ions in solution form red–orange complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline, producing an absorption peak at λ=510 nm, the intensity of which is proportional to the solution Fe concentration. A series of standard Fe solutions were formulated to establish the relationship between optical absorbance and Fe concentration. Many Fe catalysts were microscopically observed to be encased by graphitic layers, thus preventing their extraction. Fe catalyst dissolution from CNTs was investigated with various single and mixed acids, and Fe concentration was found to be highest with CNTs being held at reflux in HClO₄/HNO₃ and H₂SO₄/HNO₃ mixtures. This novel colorimetric method to measure Fe concentrations by UV/Vis spectroscopy was validated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, indicating its reliability and applicability to asses Fe content in CNTs.     

Determination of optical properties in nanostructured thin films using the Swanepoel method

We present the methodological framework of the Swanepoel method for the spectrophotometric determination of optical properties in thin films using transmittance data. As an illustrative case study, we determined the refractive index, thickness, absorption index, and extinction coefficient of a nanostructured 3 mol% Y₂O₃-doped ZrO₂ (yttria stabilized zirconia, 3YSZ) thin film prepared by the sol-gel method and deposited by dipping onto a soda-lime glass substrate. In addition, using the absorption index obtained with the Swanepoel method, we calculated the optical band gap of the film. The refractive index was found to increase, then decrease, and finally stabilize with increasing wavelength of the radiation, while the absorption index and extinction coefficient decreased monotonically to zero. These trends are explained in terms of the location of the absorption bands. We also deduced that this 3YSZ thin film has a direct optical band gap of 4.6 eV. All these results compared well with those given in the literature for similar thin films. This suggests that the Swanepoel method has an important role to play in the optical characterization of ceramic thin films.     

Resolution of ternary mixtures of nitrofurantoin, furazolidone and furaltadone by application of Partial Least Squares analysis to the differential pulse polarographic signals

The abilities of the Partial Least Squares (PLS) methods in the resolution of ternary mixtures of organic compounds (furaltadone, furazolidone and nitrofurantoin) by using their differential pulse polarographic (DPP) signals are reported. The applicability of these methods to resolve very overlapped peaks whose E(p) also changes with concentration is demonstrated. The analysis of both synthetic and real samples has been made with satisfactory results. The relative error of prediction (REP) is 8.7% for FD, 7.7% for FZ and 6.7% for NF by application of the PLS-2 method.     

Spectrophotometric resolution of ternary mixtures of amaranth,Carmoisine and Ponceau 4R by the derivative ratio spectrum-zero crossing method

A method for the simultaneous determination of Amaranth, Ponceau 4R and Carmoisine dyes in ternary mixtures is proposed, with no separation step; this is based on the simultaneous use of the first derivative of ratio spectra and measurements at zero-crossing wavelengths. The calibration graphs are linear up to 32 mg/L of Amaranth, Carmoisine and Ponceau 4R. The mean recovery is 102.1, 95.3 and 102.6 %, respectively. The method was applied to several food products.     

Determination of decabromodiphenyl ether in sediments using selective pressurized liquid extraction followed by GC–NCI-MS

A method based on selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) followed by gas chromatography–negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (GC–NCI-MS) has been evaluated for analysis of decabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-209) in sediment samples. Instrumental operating conditions such as source temperature and system pressure were optimized in the NCI-MS system, giving an instrumental detection limit of 2 pg. The limit of determination of the entire SPLE–GC–NCI-MS procedure was around 50 pg g^–1 dry weight (dw), with repeatability of replicates between 4 and 21% relative standard deviation. Application of the method to 13 different river and marine sediment samples collected in Spain revealed that levels of decabromodiphenyl ether ranged between 2 and 132 ng g^–1 dry weight.     

Synthesis of Nature‐Inspired Medium‐Sized Fused Heterocycles from Amino Acids

Herein, we describe the synthesis of molecular scaffolds consisting of medium‐sized fused heterocycles using amino acids, which are some of the most useful building blocks used by nature as well as chemists to create structural diversity. The acyclic precursors were assembled by using traditional Merrifield solid‐phase peptide synthesis, and cyclization was carried out through acid‐mediated tandem endocyclic N‐acyliminium ion formation, followed by nucleophilic addition with internal nucleophiles. The synthesis of molecular scaffolds consisting of seven‐, eight‐, and nine‐membered rings proceeded with full stereocontrol of the newly generated stereogenic center in most cases.     

Upper bound for the magnetic force gradient in graphite

In this work we investigate possible ferromagnetic order on the graphite surface by using magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Our data show that the tip-sample interaction along the steps is independent of an external magnetic field. Moreover, by combining kelvin probe force microscopy and MFM, we are able to separate the electrostatic and magnetic interactions along the steps obtaining an upper bound for the magnetic force gradient of 16 μN/m. Our experiments suggest the absence of ferromagnetic signal in graphite at room temperature.     

Synthesis and Properties of Dendronized Chitosan

Summary: Chitosan films and microspheres were prepared and their surfaces were functionalized with first generation dendritic molecules. The films were modified by Weisocyanate dendron, while Behera's and bis Behera's amine dendrons were used to modify the microspheres. Prior to dendronization films were prepared by blending chitosan with 18% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and casting the resulting mixture. The degree of dendronization reached was 28%. The microspheres were prepared by coacervation/precipitation, after which the surfaces were activated with either epychlorohydrine (ECH) or 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDGE). The oxirane groups were utilized to form covalent bonds between chitosan and dendrons. The degree of dendronization yielded with Behera's amine was 60% for both activating agents. When bis Behera's amine was used, the dendronization reached values of 15 and 21% when ECH or BDGE were used, respectively. The dendronized products were characterized through spectroscopic and microscopic studies and by determination of swelling indexes. Only one of the surfaces was dendronized in every film, which therefore presented a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic surface. Since these films maintain the properties of chitosan, they offer interesting potential as dressings for exuding wounds. The different surfaces make the microspheres potentially applicable as carriers for delivery and controlled release of drugs.     

Fast chromatographic method for the determination of dyes in beverages by using high performance liquid chromatography—Diode array detection data and second order algorithms

A fast chromatographic methodology is presented for the analysis of three synthetic dyes in non-alcoholic beverages: amaranth (E123), sunset yellow FCF (E110) and tartrazine (E102). Seven soft drinks (purchased from a local supermarket) were homogenized, filtered and injected into the chromatographic system. Second order data were obtained by a rapid LC separation and DAD detection. A comparative study of the performance of two second order algorithms (MCR-ALS and U-PLS/RBL) applied to model the data, is presented. Interestingly, the data present time shift between different chromatograms and cannot be conveniently corrected to determine the above-mentioned dyes in beverage samples. This fact originates the lack of trilinearity that cannot be conveniently pre-processed and can hardly be modelled by using U-PLS/RBL algorithm. On the contrary, MCR-ALS has shown to be an excellent tool for modelling this kind of data allowing to reach acceptable figures of merit. Recovery values ranged between 97% and 105% when analyzing artificial and real samples were indicative of the good performance of the method. In contrast with the complete separation, which consumes 10 mL of methanol and 3 mL of 0.08 mol L⁻¹ ammonium acetate, the proposed fast chromatography method requires only 0.46 mL of methanol and 1.54 mL of 0.08 mol L⁻¹ ammonium acetate. Consequently, analysis time could be reduced up to 14.2% of the necessary time to perform the complete separation allowing saving both solvents and time, which are related to a reduction of both the costs per analysis and environmental impact.