Condensed film formation of binary mixtures of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and cetyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride in a wide potential region at the mercury/electrolyte interface

The adsorption of binary mixtures of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (CDBACl) at the mercury/electrolyte interface was studied in various electrolyte systems. The optimum surfactant concentration and electrolyte ratio was searched for, to obtain the formation of a condensed film at as wide a potential range as possible at the highest temperature possible. The optimum conditions found were 2 x 10(-4) M CTAB and 2 x 10(-4) M CDBACl in 0.07 M KF and 0.03 M KBr at 2 degrees C. The capacitances vs time curves were used for the reconstruction of isochronous capacitance vs potential curves. These curves showed that in that system the condensed film was formed in the potential range from -0.4 to -1.9 V vs Ag/AgCl in less than 220 s. The stability of this film, following the removal of the mercury drop from the solution, was also studied.     

Occurrence of Disinfection By-Products in Swimming Pools in the Area of Thessaloniki,Northern Greece. Assessment of Multi-Pathway Exposure and Risk

This study investigated the occurrence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) (trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), halonitriles (HANs), halonitromethane (TCNM) and haloketones (HKs)) in different type of swimming pools in the area of Thessaloniki, northern Greece by employing the EPA methods 551.1 and 552.3. Moreover, general water quality parameters (pH, residual chlorine, dissolved organic carbon, UV₂₅₄ absorption, total nitrogen, alkalinity and conductivity) were also measured. The concentrations of DBPs showed great variability among swimming pools as well as within the same pool between sampling campaigns. HAAs exhibited the highest concentrations followed by THMs, HANs, TCNM and HKs. Exposure doses for four age groups (3–<6 y, 6–<11 y, 11–<16 y and adults) were calculated. Route-specific exposures varied among DBPs groups. Inhalation was the dominant exposure route to THMs and TCNM (up to 92–95%). Ingestion and dermal absorption were the main exposure routes to HAAs (40–82% and 18–59%, respectively), depending on the age of swimmers. HANs contributed up to 75% to the calculated cytotoxicity of pool water. Hazard indices for different exposure routes were <1, suggesting non-carcinogenic risk. Inhalation posed the higher carcinogenic risk for THMs, whereas risk via oral and dermal routes was low. Ingestion and dermal contact posed the higher risk for HAAs. Risk management strategies that minimise DBPs exposure without compromising disinfection efficiency in swimming pools are necessary.     

Adsorption of cationic surfactants on covered hanging mercury drop electrode surface of variable area

Cetyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (CDBACl) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is preadsorbed on mercury and used as substrate. The adsorptive stripping voltammetry with the two-step procedure is used. The mercury droplet with the preadsorbed surfactant is expanded in aqueous solutions of KCl, KBr, CTAB, CDBACl, or cetylethyldimethylammonium bromide (CEDAB). The surface area was increased from 0.0022cm(2) up to 0.0571cm(2). The surfactant molecules are maintained close to each other and in the vicinity of the electrode by the applied electric field. The expanding of the droplets resulted in a reorientation of the adsorbed molecules depending on the surfactant surface concentration. In some cases, condensed films were observed. Differences were noticed in the adsorption and desorption potential region. A linear increase in the capacitance current with the surface area was found in all cases up to a maximum increase in the surface area. Partly disorganized films were also observed. In some cases, defects were noticed during expansion. In one case, fractal structure was observed.     

Adsorption of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and cetyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride on a hanging mercury electrode studied by adsorptive transfer stripping voltammetry

The adsorption of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (CDBACl) on a hanging mercury electrode is studied using adsorptive transfer stripping voltammetry. The surfactants are adsorbed on mercury and are then transferred in KBr or KCl under various conditions, including temperatures from 1 to 40°C, open or closed circuits with different initial potentials, and repeated scans, etc. The results are compared with previously published results on the adsorption of CTAB or CDBACl on mercury, where condensed films were formed and are quite different than those obtained by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. In this case, an absence of condensed film is observed for CTAB. A condensed film with low capacitance value is formed in the case of CDBACl after transfer at low temperatures, or after repeated scans, resulting in reorientation of the molecules to more compact states. Capacity time curves at the potentials where the film is formed show in a few cases a nucleation and growth mechanism, with induction time and studied by the Avrami formulation, while an observed increase of the capacitance with time is attributed to the formation of hemimicelles. The results also indicate the importance of interactions between the hydrophobic chains.