Influence of heat treatment conditions on the porosity changes of sulfonated styrene/divinylbenzene copolymers

Sulfonic cation exchangers with two ion exchange group concentrations (0.5 and 2.4 mmol/g, samples A and B, respectively) were obtained by sulfonation of a porous styrene (S) and divinylbenzene (DVB) copolymer with chlorosulfonic acid. Strong thermal decomposition of the sulfonated copolymer A, accompanied by significant changes in its porous structure, starts at ca. 400°C. The char has no sulfonic groups. After heat treatment at 400°C in steam, a sorbent was obtained (yield 65%) that shows higher phenol sorption than the untreated sample when related to the bed volume. The chlorosulfonic derivatives of the initial copolymer were less thermally resistant than the sulfonic ones obtained by hydrolysis. Pyrolysis of the cation exchanger B, in its H+ and Ca²⁺ forms, was carried out at 900°C (yield of both chars close to 30%). By subsequent steam activation at 800°C to a 50% burn-off of the char, sorbents with well-developed, but distinctly different, porous structures were obtained. The activated char from the sulfonated copolymer in its hydrogen form was highly microporous and indicated an effective surface area of 1180 m²/g. However, because of a low contribution of mesopores, its ability to adsorb phenol from the liquid phase was not very high. The activated char from the calcium-doped copolymer, indicating a smaller surface area (580 m²/g) but characterized by a well-developed mesoporosity, was a better sorbent for phenol. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Conformational equilibria and photoinduced tautomerization in 2-(2′-pyridyl)pyrrole

Depending on the polarity and protic abilities of the solvent, 2-(2′-pyridyl)pyrrole can exist in either syn or anti rotameric forms. In nonpolar solvents, intramolecular excited state single proton transfer is observed, manifested by the appearance of low-energy tautomeric emission. The solvent-assisted excited state double proton transfer reaction is also detected. DFT calculations confirm low barriers for both single and double proton transfer processes in the lowest excited singlet state and show different character of the tautomerization in both cases: in the intramolecular reaction, mutual approach of two nitrogen atoms plays an important role.     

A definitive method for the determination of trace amounts of cobalt in biological materials by neutron activation analysis

A new, very accurate (definitive) method for the determination of trace amounts of cobalt in biological materials has been devised. The method is based on combination of neutron irradiation with quantitative and selective post-irradiation separation of cobalt from all accompanying radionuclides followed by measurement by -ray spectrometry. Column chromatography in which owing to addition of Co carrier the course of separation can be followed visually is the key element of the separation scheme. Several criteria have been formulated which must be simultaneously fulfilled in order to acknowledge the result as obtained by a definitive method. The high accuracy of the method has been demonstrated by the analysis of several certified reference materials of widely different Co contents.     

Atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of gold with preconcentration by Donnan dialysis

Donnan dialysis enrichment with tubular cation-exchange membrane was used as a preconcentration method prior to determination of gold by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The value of enrichment factor can be controlled for a particular application through adjustment of the membrane tuning length, dialysis time, carrier flow rate, composition of the receiver solution and by addition of complexing ligand to the receiver or the sample solution. For 10 min dialysis enrichment factor above 3 can be achieved. The detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of 35 ng/ml was obtained. RSD at 0.2 mug/ml level was 4.7% (n = 6). The results of dialysis of noble metals mixtures are demonstrated.     

The influence of the local surrounding on the hyperfine interactions in Zr(Fe1−x Ni x )2 compounds

Mössbauer spectroscopy and the TDPAC method have been used to study Zr(Fe_1–x Ni _x )₂ compounds forx0.30. The hyperfine magnetic field at the Fe sites and the quadrupole splitting as functions of nickel concentration were analysed by use of⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Values of the internal magnetic field on¹⁸¹Ta nuclei have been found by means of the TDPAC method.     

The determination of environmental and industrial exposure to heavy metals based on the quantitative isolation of metallothionein from human fluids, with application of covalent affinity chromatography with thiol-disulphide interchange gel as a solid-phase extraction support

The aim of this study was to present a new analytical method for the quantitative determination of metallothionein (MT) proteins in human body fluids and tissues, in order to determine the level of environmental and industrial exposure to heavy metals. For MT isolation, covalent affinity chromatography with thiol-disulphide inter-change (CAC-TDI) was applied. Fundamentals of indirect determination of the contents of metallothionein proteins were worked out through estimation of the quantities of metals bound with metallothionein protein and adsorbed on covalent affinity chromatography gel as on solid-phase extraction support during separating process. The (CAC-TDI) gel, specially prepared, was used as a solid phase extraction support (SPE) for preconcentration of Hg-thionein (Hg-Th), Cd-thionein (Cd-Th), Zn-thionein (Zn-Th) and Cu-thionein (Cu-Th) proteins and Hg, Cd, Zn and Cu bonded with MTs from water, human fluids such as: urine, human plasma, breast milk and tissues homogenates.     

Untersuchung der Absorption der bei der Verbrennung phosphororganischer Verbindungen entstehenden P-Oxide mittels32P-markierter Verbindungen

Zusammenfassung Bei der Pyrolyse phosphor-organischer Verbindungen in Sauerstoffatmosphäre bilden sich P-Oxide, die die C,H-Bestimmung stören. Deren Verhalten im Verbrennungsrohr und ihre Absorption an geeigneten Kontakten wurden untersucht. Durch den Einsatz³²P- markierter Ausgangsverbindungen und Aktivitätsmessung des³²P sowohl durch die Wandung des Verbrennungsrohres als auch im zerkleinerten Füllungsmaterial war die laufende Bestimmung der durch die Kontaktschicht absorbierten Phosphormenge möglich. 30 verschiedene Absorptionsmittel wurden geprüft. Der Einfluß der Strömungsgeschwindigkeit des Trägergases, der Temperatur der Kontaktschicht, der Art der Verbrennung sowie der Anordnung des Verbrennungsrohres wurde untersucht. Die Absorptionsleistung der Kontakte ist stark von der Gasgeschwindigkeit abhängig.

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Investigation of absorption of the phosphorus oxides arising in the combustion of organophosphorus compounds by means of³²P-labelled substances

Summary In the pyrolysis of organophosphorus compounds in an oxygen atmosphere P oxides are formed which interfere with determination of carbon and hydrogen. Their behaviour in the combustion tube and their absorption on suitable contacts were investigated. By the use of³²P-labelled starting compounds and measuring the activity of³²P both through the wall of the combustion tube and in the comminuted filling material, continuous determination of the amount of phosphorus absorbed through the contact layer was possible. Thirty different absorption media were tested. The influence of the flow rate of the carrier gas, the temperature of the contact layer, the nature of combustion as well as the arrangement of the combustion tube was examined. The absorption efficiency of the contacts is highly dependent on the speed of the gas.

     

Radiation reduction of Cr, Mo and W isopolymetalates in aqueous system

The radiation-chemical processes in aqueous solutions of dichromates, isopolymolybdates and isopolytungstates have been studied. The radiation reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), Mo(VI) to Mo(V) and W(VI) to W(V) takes place. Molybdenum and tungsten blues are the products of the last two processes in acid solutions. The yields of reduction decrease significantly with the increase of pH. The mechanisms of the processes have been discussed. The photochemical reduction of Mo(VI) and W(VI) for the production of corresponding 5-valent states have been used to the study of their electron scavenging efficiencies. It has been shown that these efficiencies decrease in the order: Mo(V)>W(V)>Cr(VI)>Mo(VI)>W(VI).     

Separation of four platinum metals by anion-exchange in hydrobromic acid medium

Distribution coefficients of Pt, Ir, Pd and Rh in the systems Dowex 1 [Br^?]?HBr plus 0.0035M bromine and Dowex 1 [Br^?]?HBr plus 2% N₂H₄·HCl, were determined with the aid of radioactive tracers by batch equilibration for the resins of nominal cross-linking 2, 4 and 8, respectively. Column experiments showed that Dowex 1X4 should be used for separations because of the favourable dynamics of the column process. Elution conditions for the quantitative separation of both trace and milligram amounts of Ir?Pt, Rh?Pt, Pd?Pt and Ir?Pd?Pt mixtures are given. Some data on the effect of temperature upon the quality of separation are also presented.     

1,4-dioxane as a solvent in spectroscopy and photochemistry

Commercially available 1,4-dioxane, even of spectroscopic grade, contains various impurities that arise mostly from reaction of the solvent with oxygen. Aspects relevant to the spectroscopy and photochemistry of the dioxane/oxygen system are discussed. Methods of purification and storage of the solvent are presented.