Antiferromagnetic half-metallicity of transition metal nitrides under volume expansion

The transition metal pnictides ABX₂ have been recently proposed as half-metallic fully compensated ferrimagnets, also briefly referred to as half-metallic “antiferromagnets” [N. Long, M.Ogura, H. Akai, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 21, 064241 (2009)]. In this work we carry out a systematic study of the more promising cases of the transition metal nitrides MnCoN₂ and NiCrN₂ on the basis of density functional theory in the framework of full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method. The electronic structures and the magnetic properties of the above hypothetical compounds in Zinc-blende-type, NaCl-type, and Wurtzite-type structure are calculated within generalized gradient approximation. The results reveal that, although these compounds are metallic in their bulk equilibrium in all three structures, they exhibit antiferromagnetic half-metallicity under negative stress or volume expansion in a limited range of lattice parameters, which is significantly larger than the equilibrium values. This suggests that a situation in which half-metallicity may arise, is when these compounds are coated on semiconducting layers of larger lattice constant.     

Sensitive determination of iron(III) by gold electrode modified with 2-mercaptosuccinic acid self-assembled monolayer

Preparation and application of gold 2-mercaptosuccinic acid self-assembled monolayer (Au-MSA SAM) electrode for determination of iron(III) in the presence of iron(II) is described by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Osteryoung square wave voltammetry. The square wave voltammograms showed a sharp peak around positive potentials +0.250 V that was used for construction of the calibration curve. Parameters influencing the method were optimized. A linear range calibration curve from 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 6.0 × 10⁻⁹ M iron(III) with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10⁻¹¹ M and relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 6.5% for n = 8 at 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ M iron(III) was observed in the best conditions. Possible interferences from the coexisting ions were also investigated. The results demonstrated that sensor could be used for determination of iron(III) in the presence of various ions. The validity of the method and applicability of the sensor were successfully tested by determining of iron(III) in natural waters (tap and mineral waters) and in a pharmaceutical sample (Venofer^® ampoule) without interference from sample matrix. The experimental data are presented and discussed from which the new sensor is characterized.     

Electrocatalytic determination of chlorpromazine drug using Alizarin Red S as a mediator on the glassy carbon electrode

The anodic oxidation of chlorpromazine (CPZ) has been studied on a glassy carbon electrode by electrocatalytic effect of Alizarin Red S (ARS) as a homogenous mediator in universal buffer (pH = 2). The linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) studies showed that the catalytic current of this system depends on the concentration of CPZ. The magnitude of the peak current for ARS increased severely in the presence of CPZ, and proportional to CPZ concentration. The catalytic peak current was linearly dependent on CPZ concentration in the ranges of 10–500 μM and the detection limit was 5.16 μM by LSV. The diffusion coefficient of CPZ was estimated using chronoamperometry. The method also was used for estimation of catalytic rate constant at catalytic reaction between ARS and CPZ. The influences of potentially interfering substances on the current response of the system were examined. The importance of technique is because of its ability to electrocatalytic determination of CPZ with ARS as homogenous electrocatalyst, while it does not need to be prepared as for the modified electrode. The method was successfully applied for analysis of CPZ in solid pharmaceutical formulations.     

Solid phase extraction of trace amounts of silver (I) using dithizone-immobilized alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles prior to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new, simple, fast and reliable solid-phase extraction (SPE) method has been developed to separation/preconcentration of trace amounts of silver ion from environmental water samples using dithizone/sodium dodecyl sulfate immobilized on alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles (DTZ/SDS-ACMNPs) and its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The coating of alumina on Fe₃O₄ NPs not only avoids the dissolving of Fe₃O₄ NPs in acidic solution, but also extends their application without sacrificing their unique magnetization characteristics. This method avoided the time-consuming column-passing process of loading large volume samples in traditional SPE through the rapid isolation of DTZ/SDS-ACMNPs with an adscititious magnet. Optimal experimental conditions including amount of DTZ/SDS, pH value, standing time, sample volume, type, volume and concentration of eluent and co-existing ions have been studied and established. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the detection limit for Ag(I) with enrichment factors of 100 was found to be 0.52?ng?mL^?1 and its relative standard deviations (RSD) was 3.4% (n?=?10, C?=?5.0?µg?mL^?1). The linear range of calibration curve for Ag(I) was 2–5000?ng?mL^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of target analyte in different water and wastewater samples. The validity of the method has been checked by applying it to study the recovery of silver ion in spiked water and wastewater samples.     

Nanostructured base electrochemical sensor for voltammetric determination of homocysteine using a modified single-walled carbon nanotubes paste electrode

A carbon paste electrode modified with benzoylferrocene (BF) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been applied to the electrocatalytic oxidation of homocysteine which reduced the overpotential by about 165 mV with an obvious increase in the current response. The transfer coefficient (α) for the electrocatalytic oxidation of homocysteine and diffusion coefficient of this substance under the experimental conditions were also investigated. In a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 7.0, the oxidation current increased linearly with two concentration intervals of homocysteine; one is 0.1 to 10.0 μM, and the other is 10.0 to 80.0 μM. The detection limit (3σ) obtained by square wave voltammetry (SWV) was 50.0 nM. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of homocysteine in real samples.     

Solid phase extraction of trace amounts of Pb(II) in opium, heroin, lipstick, plants and water samples using modified magnetite nanoparticles prior to its atomic absorption determination

A new, simple, fast and reliable solid-phase extraction method has been developed for separation/preconcentration of trace amounts of Pb(II) using dithizone/sodium dodecyl sulfate-immobilized on alumina-coated magnetite nanoparticles, and its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after eluting with 4.0?mol?L^?1 HNO₃. Optimal experimental conditions including pH, sample volume, eluent concentration and volume, and co-existing ions have been studied and established. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the preconcentration factor, detection limit, linear range and relative standard deviation of Pb(II) using FAAS technique were 280 (for 560?mL of sample solution), 0.28?ng?mL^?1, 1.4?C70?ng?mL^?1 and 4.6% (for 10?ng?mL^?1, n?=?10), respectively. These analytical parameters using GFAAS technique were 300 (for 600?mL of sample solution), 0.002?ng?mL^?1, 0.006?C13.2?ng?mL^?1 and 3.1% (for 5?ng?mL^?1, n?=?10), respectively. The presented procedure was successfully applied for determination of Pb(II) content in opium, heroin, lipstick, plants and water samples.