Calculation of Kinetic Parameters for Crystallization Processes

In this work, kinetic data of crystallization processes have been determined by measurement of the intensities of reflection of X-ray diffraction spectra and modeled using the Avrami-Eroféev and Jander expressions. We have created a simple Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that allows students to calculate the kinetic data. Students will be able to calculate the kinetic parameters of any crystallization process, for example, hydrothermal crystallization of catalytic materials like zeolites. The possibility of using the spreadsheet with different models or expressions and discriminating among them is also validated by comparing the model results with experimental data (differential thermal analyses, DTA) from papers available in the recent literature.     

C-terminal processing of yeast Spt7 occurs in the absence of functional SAGA complex

Background  

Spt7 is an integral component of the multi-subunit SAGA complex that is required for the expression of ~10% of yeast genes. Two forms of Spt7 have been identified, the second of which is truncated at its C-terminus and found in the SAGA-like (SLIK) complex.     

Physico-chemical study of selected surfactant-clay mineral systems

A physicochemical study of the systems formed by the clay minerals, montmorillonite and kaolinite (layered) and sepiolite (non-layered) and the surfactants Triton X-100 (TX100, non-ionic), dodecyl sodium sulfate (SDS, anionic) and trimethyloctadecyl-ammonium bromide (ODTMA, cationic), with different chemical structure, was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). TG/DTA results indicated an increase in the thermal stabilization of non-ionic (TX100) and cationic (ODTMA) surfactants adsorbed by all clay minerals in relation to pure compounds. This effect was greater in montmorillonite and sepiolite than in kaolinite owing to these minerals must allow the establishment of a stronger bond with the surfactants as indicated by XRD and FTIR results. Differences in decomposition of anionic surfactant SDS are not emphasized due to the low adsorbed amount of this surfactant by all systems. The results obtained indicate the interest of taking into account the structure of surfactant and the clay mineral type when preparing customized surfactant-clay mineral systems which contribute to establish more efficient soil and water remediation strategies based in the use of these systems.     

Palladium(II) complexes of phosphane ligands with ammonium-functionalized carbosilane substituents

The synthesis of diphenylarylphosphane and 1,2-bis(diarylphosphanyl)ethane ligands, where the aryl group is -C₆H₄CH₂CH₂SiMe₂CH₂OC₆H₄-3-NMe₂, their palladium(II) complexes, and their corresponding ammonium-quaternized derivatives is described. These new phosphanes were devised as models of potentially water-soluble dendritic carbosilane ligands, although the solubility brought about by the quaternized N-trimethylanilinium groups is scarce. The palladium(II) complexes have been fully characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and have been tested in the Hiyama cross-coupling reaction between tri(methoxy)phenylsilane and 3-bromopyridine in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.     

Valorization of food waste based on its composition through the concept of biorefinery

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Determination of minor elements in steelmaking flue dusts using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Element determination in solid waste products from the steel industry usually involves the time-consuming step of preparing a solution of the solid. Laser ablation (LA) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been applied to the analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Sn, elements of importance from the point of view of their impact on the environment, in electric arc furnace flue dust (EAFD). A simple method of sample preparation as pressed pellets using a mixture of cellulose and paraffin as binder material was applied. Calibration standards were prepared spiking multielement solution standards to a 1:1 ZnO + Fe₂O₃ synthetic matrix. The wet powder was dried and mechanically homogenised. Quantitative analysis were based on external calibration using a set of matrix matched calibration standards with Rh as a internal standard. Results obtained using only one-point for calibration without matrix matched, needing less time for standardization and data processing, are also presented. Data are calculated for flue dust reference materials: CRM 876-1 (EAFD), AG-6203 (EAFD), AG-6201 (cupola dust) and AG-SX3705 (coke ashes), and for two representative electrical arc furnace flue dusts samples from Spanish steelmaking companies: MS-1 and MS-2. For the reference materials, an acceptable agreement with certificate values was achieved, and the results for the MS samples matched with those obtained from conventional nebulization solutions (CN). The analytical precision was found to be better than 7% R.S.D. both within a single pellet and between several pellets of the same sample for all the elements.     

Preconcentration and matrix separation of precious metals in geological and related materials using metalfix-chelamine resin prior to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method for determining Au, Pt, Pd, Ir and Rh in ores and silicates and Fe-formation rocks is described. Sample decomposition was carried out with aqua regia and HF, followed by fusion of any insoluble residue with Na₂2O₂ in a glassycarbon crucible. The precious metals were separated, in 1.2 mol dm⁻³ HCl media, from the matrix elements by ion-exchange, using a mini-column with tetraethylenepentamine (metalfix-chelamine) resin. The resin was destroyed with HNO₃ and H₂O₂ in a high-pressure vessel assisted by microwave heating, and the precious elements were determined by flow-injection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The sample treatment, optimization of analytical variables and measurable concentration levels are discussed. The limits of quantification (10 sd_{n − 1}) calculated from a procedural blank sample solution were 4.0, 2.0, 1.5, 0.8 and 0.5 ng g⁻¹ for Au, Pt, Pd, Ir and Rh, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method was tested by determining these elements in SARM 7 platinum-ore reference material. For all the analytes, the relative standard deviation of the combined dissolution, separation and determination methods was below 3.5% (n = 6).     

Determination of ibuprofen and tetrazepam in human urine by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

A new micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography method (MEKC) is proposed for the determination of ibuprofen and tetrazepam in human urine samples over a concentration range of therapeutic interest. A fused silica capillary (60 cm × 75 μm) is used. Ibuprofen and tetrazepam are detected via UV detection at 220 and 228 nm, respectively. Separation is performed at 25 °C and at a separation voltage of 30 kV, with 15 mM borate buffer (pH 10.2) containing 40 mM sodium dodecylsulfate as the electrolyte solution. Under these conditions the analytes were separated in <11 min. Sulfamethazine is used as an internal standard. Prior to determination, the samples are purified and enriched by means of an extraction–preconcentration step with a preconditioned C₁₈ cartridge and by eluting the compounds with methanol. Good linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness and solution stability were achieved for the technique. Detection limits of 200 μg L⁻¹ for ibuprofen and 300 μg L⁻¹ for tetrazepam were obtained. These analytes were then determined in real urine using the technique.     

Study by in situ FTIR of the SCR of NO by propene on Cu ion-exchanged Ti-PILC

Adsorption on Cu ion-exchanged titanium pillared clay (Cu-Ti-PILC) was investigated by in situ infrared spectroscopy to provide insight into the reaction intermediates present in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by propene in the presence of oxygen. The NO/O₂ adsorption produced different nitrate species due to the presence of terminal and bridged Cu²⁺–OH groups. These nitrates evolved into N₂ and N₂O in small amounts once the NO catalytic cycle was finished. It can be concluded that the Cu²⁺–OH groups reacted with the nitro group, thus forming nitrates. C₃H₆ adsorption was higher and stronger than NO adsorption on the active sites of the catalyst. C₃H₆ reacted in the active site producing hydrocarbon intermediates (an organic nitro compound and acetate), which were responsible for the NO reduction.