Quantitative electron probe microanalysis for the characterization of thin carbon-boron layers in fusion devices

Summary The first wall of the fusion device TEXTOR at the Forschungszentrum Jülich has been coated in situ with an amorphous hydrogen rich carbon/boron film (a-C/B:H) which reduces plasma impurities caused by the plasma surface interaction. The results of the coating process of the 35 m² large inner wall surface have been controlled by a recently developed modification of the quantitative electron probe microanalysis, which has been applied to 12 samples from specified positions inside the tokamak. The quantification itself is based on a Monte Carlo simulation of electron trajectories providing very accurate results for X-ray intensities emitted by elements present in the electron bombarded sample. The Monte Carlo results are used in the present work to calibrate the measured X-ray intensities emitted by boron and carbon from the a-C/B:H layers deposited on pure silicon substrates. As a result the total deposited mass of the layer per area unit as well as the composition of the layers (except hydrogen) could be determined very accurately. The relative errors were less than 7%. The limit of detectability were found to be in the range of one monolayer for boron as well as for carbon.     

Surface characterization of fluorinated polymers (PTFE, PVDF, PFA) for use in ultratrace analysis

Surface characterization of new unused PTFE, PFA and PVDF labware has been carried out by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, profilometry and atomic force microscopy. It has been found that in spite of higher micro-roughness, PFA exhibits the lowest nano-roughness and hence seems best suited as vessel material for relatively mild pressureless chemical operations for sample preparation of ultrapure substances, as container material for storage of ultrapure liquids, and for transport of such liquids, e.g., from the producer in the chemical to the end user in the microelectronics industry. This suitability refers only to the surface quality of the investigated materials. PTFE-surfaces, due to the sintering process of production, exhibit the most unfavourable surface quality of the investigated fluorinated polymers.     

Synthesis of coumarins by ring-closing metathesis using Grubbs’ catalyst

A novel generally applicable synthesis of coumarins from phenolic substrates utilizing ring-closing metathesis is described. This sequence involves O-allylation of phenols followed by ortho-Claisen rearrangement, subsequent based-induced isomerization affording 2-(1-propenyl)phenols, acylation with acryloyl chloride, and finally ring-closing metathesis (RCM) with Grubbs’ second generation catalyst.     

Correlating second harmonic optical responses of single Ag nanoparticles with morphology

Femtosecond laser excited second harmonic (SH) activity from single Ag nanoparticles is reported. A correlation of SH single-particle measurements with high-resolution imaging of particle morphology by TEM was achieved by creating position markers on an optical and electron transparent substrate (Si3N4 thin film, approximately 100 nm). We compared the SH activity of single Ag nanoparticles (nanospheres versus nanorods) and cluster structures (composed of two or multiple particles, e.g., dimers and trimers). The direct correlation of single-particle structures and SH activity, spectral and power dependence, strongly suggests one-photon resonant driven nonlinear oscillator response mechanism.     

Elektronenstruktur,Spektren und Magnetismus von Chinon-π-Komplexen des Nickels

Zusammenfassung Die Elektronenstrukturen von Bis-durochinon-nickel(0) und der Komplexe vom Typ Olefin-Ni(0)-Chinon werden im Rahmen der LCAO-MO-Näherung diskutiert und zur Deutung der Absorptionsspektren herangezogen. Den im freien Durochmon auftretenden Übergängen lassen sich in den Komplexspektren jeweils nur wenig verschobene Banden zuordnen. Darüber hinaus wird eine intensive Charge-Transfer-Bande beobachtet, die einem Übergang vom höchsten besetzten Nickelzustand zum tiefsten unbesetzten Chinon-Orbital entspricht. Aus der Intensität der Bande, die im freien Chinon dem b _3g 2b ₂ g-Übergang zugeordnet wird, ergibt sich für das gelöste Bis-durochinon-nickel(0)-Molekül die Symmetrie D _2h . Während die Komplexe mit Durochinon in Übereinstimmung mit der Theorie diamagnetisch sind, weisen die analogen Verbindungen der Dimethylchinone magnetische Momente von 1,52 bzw. 2,75 B. M. auf, woraus auf eine Mitbeteiligung polarer Strukturen am Grundzustand dieser Komplexe geschlossen wird.

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The electronic structures of bis-duroquinone-nickel(0) and complexes of the type olefine-Ni(0)-quinone are discussed in the MO-LCAO approximation and used for an interpretation of the absorption spectra. The transitions of the free duroquinone can be correlated with transitions of the complexes at nearly the same wavelengths. In addition, an intense charge transfer band is observed which corresponds to a transition from the highest occupied nickel orbital to the lowest unoccupied quinone orbital. From the intensity of the band which corresponds to b _3g 2b_2g in the free quinone, the symmetry D _2h for the dissolved bis-duroquinone-nickel(0) molecule is deduced. Whereas the duroquinone complexes are diamagnetic in agreement with theory, analogous compounds of the diméthylquinones exhibit magnetic momenta of 1.52 and 2.75 B. M. suggesting the participation of polar structures in the ground state of these complexes.

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Résumé Les structures électroniques du bis-duroquinone-nickel(0) et des complexes du type oléfine-Ni(0)-quinone sont discutées dans le cadre del'approximationMO-LCAO et utilisées pour l'interprétation des spectres d'absorption. Aux transitions de la duroquinone libre peuvent être attribuées des bandes peu déplacées dans les spectres des complexes. En outre on observe une bande intense correspondant à une transition de la plus haute orbitale occupée du nickel à la plus basse orbitale libre de la quinone. L'intensité de la bande nommée b _3g 2b _2g dans la quinone libre indique la symétrie D _2h pour la molécule dissoute du bis-duroquinone-nickel(0). Tandis que les complexes de la duroquinone sont diamagnétiques en accord avec la théorie, des composés analogues des diméthylquinones présentent des moments magnétiques de 1,52 et de 2,75 B. M. d'où l'on infère la participation de structures polaires à l'état fondamental de ces complexes.

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6. Mitteilung über Komplexe vom Typ des Bis-durochinon-nickel(0). 5. Mitt. vgl. [11].     

Determination of aromatic sulfonic acids in industrial waste water by ion-pair chromatography

A method for the identification and quantification of aromatic sulfonic acids in industrial waste water has been developed. The preparation of the samples comprises a clean-up step and an enrichment step, utilizing i) reversed-phase extraction and ii) ion-pair solid phase extraction. The aromatic sulfonic acids are separated by ion-pair chromatography with diode-array detection. An advantage of the developed ion-pair chromatographic method is the separation of linear alkylbenzenesulfonic acids (LAS), lignosulfonic acids and aromatic sulfonic acids in one chromatographic run. Also described is an optimized clean-up procedure for collected fractions of a preparative chromatographic run to identify monosulfonic acids with GC/MS after methylation. The detection limits for aromatic sulfonic acids in industrial waste waters are at the g/l level.     

UV-VIS and CD-spectroscopic investigations of intermolecular interactions of bile pigments with small proteins

Summary The intermolecular complex formation of bilirubin and biliverdin with two proteins (basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor and lysozyme) were studied by optical and chiroptical methods. Evidence for specific intermolecular interactions of biliverdin with both proteins was found. Bilirubin forms a soluble complex only with lysozyme.

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UV-VIS und CD-spektroskopische Untersuchungen intermolekularer Wechselwirkungen von Gallenpigmenten mit kleinen Proteinen

Zusammenfassung Die intermolekulare Komplexbildung von Bilirubin und Biliverdin mit zwei Proteinen (basischer pankreatischer Trypsininhibitor und Lysozym) wurden mittels optischer und chiroptischer Spektroskopie untersucht. Für Biliverdin konnten intermolekulare Wechselwirkungen mit beiden Proteinen nachgewiesen werden. Bilirubin bildet nur mit Lysozym einen löslichen Komplex.

     

Ultratrace analysis of uranium and thorium in glass

Three methods of determination for uranium and thorium traces and ultratraces in glass were developed: a simple and powerful ICP-MS method exhibiting limits of determination in the one ng/g-range; a complex method with end-determination by classical photometry and a limit of determination for U and Th of 20 ng/g; and a method with chelate-complex formation for U and Th and subsequent GC-detection with a ⁶³Ni-ECD with limits of determination in the g/g-range. These methods are critically compared and tested for real type samples of special glasses.Abbreviations used AAS Atomic absorption spectrophotometry - ECD Electron capture detector - FOD 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-Heptafluoro-7,7-dimethyl-4,6-octanedion - GC Gas chromatography - HFA 1,1,1,5,5,5-Hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione - ICP-AES, -MS Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, metry, -mass spectrometry - LAS Liquid absorption spectrophotometry = classical photometry - NAA Neutron activation analysis - NIST National Institute of Standardization and Technology (Gaithersburg, U.S.A.) - TBP Tri-(n-butyl)-phosphate - TFA 1,1,1-Trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione - TTFA 1-(2-Thenoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoroacetone - XRS X-ray (fluorescence) spectrometry     

Optimization of performance and minimization of silicate interference in continuous flow phosphate analysis

Specific reaction conditions for automated continuous flow analysis of phosphate are optimized in regard to minimizing coating and silicate interference, while maintaining high sensitivity. Use of Sb in the reagent increases sensitivity and yields absorbances with little temperature dependence. Coating can be minimized by using a final solution at a pH>0.5. At final pH of 0.78 there is maximum interference from silicate in the sample. We recommend therefore as an optimal reaction condition with minimal silicate interference, the use of Sb, a final solution pH of 1.00, room temperature for the reaction and a [H(+)]/[Mo] ratio of 70. An equation is provided to correct silicate interference in high precision phosphate determination.     

Ultra trace analysis of refractory metals by solid state mass spectrometry — A comparison of GDMS,SSMS and SIMS

The analytical performance of a glow discharge quadrupole mass spectrometer is demonstrated using sintered tungsten as an example. The inherent problem of molecular interferences in glow discharge mass Spectrometry has been considerably reduced using neon as a complementing discharge gas. Particular attention has been paid to time dependences. Analytical figures of merit are presented.