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Thin-layer chromatography-matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry using particle suspension matrices.

Particle suspension matrices have been successfully utilized for the analysis of tetracycline antibiotics by thin-layer chromatography-matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TLC-MALDI-TOF-MS). Particles of different materials and sizes have been investigated (Co-UFP, TiN, TiO2, Graphite and Silicon) by applying particle suspensions to eluted TLC plates. Mass spectra and mass chromatograms have been recorded directly from the TLC plates. Strong cationization by sodium and potassium was obtained in the positive ion mode, with [M+Na-NH3]+ ions being the predominant signals. The TLC-MALDI mass spectra recorded from graphite suspensions showed the lowest background noise and the highest peak intensities from the range of suspension matrices studied. The mass accuracy from graphite films was improved by adding the peptide Phe-Phe to the graphite suspensions. This allowed internal recalibration of the TLC-MALDI mass spectra acquired during a run. One major potential advantage of TLC-MALDI-TOF-MS has been demonstrated in the analysis of chlortetracycline and tetracycline in a mixture of oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, tetracycline and minocycline. Examination of the TLC plate prior to MALDI analysis showed only an unresolved spot for chlortetracycline and tetracycline. However by investigation of the MALDI mass spectra and plotting of single ion chromatograms separate peaks for chlortetracycline and tetracycline could be obtained.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Numerical studies of the heterogeneous combustion of char using detailed chemistry.

The oxidation of graphite is used as a model system for the combustion of char. In order to understand this oxidation process a stagnation-point flow of an oxygen stream on a graphite surface is investigated numerically. The chemical reactions in the gas phase as well as on the surface are modelled by a series of elementary steps. The surface reactions take into consideration the different surface complexes formed, the influence of the geometry of the graphite surface and the interaction of gas-phase molecules with surface complexes. The rate coefficients used are estimated by applying methods of the microkinetic analysis of heterogeneous catalytic reactions. The mechanism is used to simulate the combustion rate of a graphite surface and the ratio of CO to CO2 formed on the surface. The simulation results are compared with experimental data and a good agreement is achieved. Furthermore, the fraction of char-bound nitrogen converted to N2 and N2O is calculated.

Journal Article↗

Use of nitric acid in sample pretreatment for determination of trace elements in various biological samples by ETAAS.

Trace elements in liquid biological samples may be determined by direct electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). In our previous work it was found that samples containing proteins or DNA may leak out of the graphite tube before the drying step, despite the addition of various modifiers. In order to keep the sample to the graphite tube, samples were diluted before analysis 1 + 1 with 32% v/v nitric acid, or 5 microl of 32% v/v nitric acid was added to the graphite tube before ETAAS determination. Applying the proposed procedure, the concentrations of lead in eluted fractions after gel chromatographic separation of human cerebellar nucleus dentatus supernatant and platinum in isolated DNA samples were determined. The use of nitric acid in sample pretreatment prevent sample leakage out of the graphite tube, provided for even drying and considerably reduced nonspecific absorption in lead determination. The repeatability of measurements was better than + 6%. The accuracy of the procedure was checked by spiking samples. The recoveries for both elements lay between 93--104%. Nitric acid was found to be a better modifier than TRITON X-100.

Calibration↗

The influence of promoter and of electrode material on the cyclic voltammetry of Pisum sativum plastocyanin.

The reversible cyclic voltammetry of pea plastocyanin (Pisum sativum) was studied with a wide range of electrodes: edge-oriented pyrolytic graphite (PGE), glassy carbon (GCE), gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) electrodes. Plastocyanin was coated onto the electrode surface by exploiting the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged protein and a wide range of positively charged promoters. The effect of the redox response with an extended range of promoters, including poly-L-lysine, polymyxin B, neomycin, tobramycin, geneticin, spermine and spermidine, were included in this study. The resulting cyclic voltammograms reveal that the observed midpoint potential for plastocyanin can be shifted significantly depending on the choice of promoter. The stability of the negatively charged plastocyanin-promoter layer on an electrode was gauged by the rate of bulk diffusion of the protein from the immobilised film into the solution. Reversible cyclic voltammograms were obtained using edge-oriented pyrolytic graphite (PGE) and glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) with all promoters; however, platinum and gold electrodes were unable to sustain a defined redox response. The combination of pyrolytic graphite electrode/poly-L-lysine/plastocyanin was found to be the most stable combination, with a redox response which remained well defined in solution for more than 1 h at pH 7.0. The midpoint potentials obtained in this manner differed between the two graphite electrodes PGE and GCE using poly-L-lysine as the promoter. This effect was in addition to the expected pH dependence of the midpoint potential for plastocyanin and the results indicated that the pK(a) for plastocyanin on PGE was 4.94 compared to that on GCE of 4.66. It is concluded that both the electrode material and the nature of the promoter can influence the position of the redox potentials for proteins measured in vitro. This study extends the range of biogenic promoters used in combination with electrode materials. Thus, we can begin to develop a more comprehensive understanding of electrode-protein interactions and draw conclusions as to metalloprotein function, in vivo. To support these studies, we have sought information as to the nature of the electrode/promoter/protein interaction using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to study both the promoter and the plastocyanin protein on a gold surface.

Biogenic Amines↗

Major factors affecting the isotopic measurement of chlorine based on the Cs2Cl+ ion by thermal ionization mass spectrometry.

The factors that affect isotopic measurement of chlorine based on Cs2Cl+ ion by thermal ionization mass spectrometry were studied. Graphite is essential for the emission of Cs2Cl+ ion from CsCl. No Cs2Cl+ ions are detected in the absence of graphite on the filament. The emission of Cs2Cl+ ion and the measured 37Cl/35Cl ratio were affected by different varieties of graphite, the pH value of the sample solution, and impurities in the solution. High-precision isotopic measurement of chlorine based on Cs2Cl+ ion is achieved only by using graphite with a perfect crystal structure. The measured 37Cl/35Cl ratios were much higher, and even the emission of Cs2Cl+ ion becomes impossible when pH values of the sample solution were higher than 6, corresponding to the presence of excess Cs. The measured 37Cl/35Cl ratios were higher when SO4(2-) and NO3- anions were present. The results show that the measured 37Cl/35Cl ratios are weakly related to the amount of chlorine on filament in a range from 1 to 500 microg.

Journal Article↗

Carbon composite microelectrodes: charge percolation and electroanalytical performance.

Microelectrodes based on two different epoxy-graphite composites (Araldite-M/HY5162 and Araldite-PY302-2/HY943) that are compatible with organic solvents have been developed and characterized. The variation in the bulk conductivity with graphite particle loading is described by percolation theory and indicates that the particles interact strongly with one another. The percolation threshold is 52% v/v loading of graphite, and this composite exhibits a bulk conductivity of 15 S m(-1). Microdisk electrodes of 25-microm diameter were produced by first etching a microcavity at the tip of a platinum microelectrode, which was then packed with a composite containing 60% v/v graphite so as to optimize both electrical conductivity and the electrode stability in acetonitrile and methanol solutions. Solution phase voltammetry of ferrocene is nearly ideal, and the responses are dominated by radial diffusion (slow scan rates) and semi-infinite linear diffusion (fast scan rates). The microelectrodes display high signal-to-noise ratios, good sensitivity, and low detection limits. The response times given by the product of the resistance, R, and capacitance, C, are 7.5 x 10(-4) and 1.4 x 10(-1) s for the Araldite M and PY302-2 composites, respectively. Although these response times are significantly slower than those associated with microelectrodes based on carbon fibers or metal wires, they are sufficient for time-resolved electroanalytical applications. The long response times arise from the large composite resistances, 3.1 x 10(11) and 8.3 x 10(11) Omega cm(-2) for Araldite M and PY302-2, respectively. Voltammetry of ferrocene in the absence of deliberately added supporting electrolyte is also reported. Significantly, indistinguishable slopes and intercepts for a calibration curve of peak current vs ferrocene concentration where 2 < [ferrocene] < 50 microM are obtained in the presence and absence of supporting electrolyte.

Journal Article↗

On-line coupling flow injection microcolumn separation and preconcentration to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for determination of (ultra)trace selenite and selenate in water.

A flow injection manifold with an air-segmented and air-transported operational sequence for on-line coupling of microcolumn separation and preconcentration to electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was developed for the determination of (ultra)trace selenite and selenate in water. The determination of selenite was achieved by selective reaction with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDC), sorption of the resultant Se-PDC compound onto a conical microcolumn (10.2 microL) packed with RP C18 sorbent, elution with ethanol, and detection by ETAAS. The concentration of selenate was obtained as the difference between the concentrations of selenite after and before prereduction of selenate to selenite. With the developed manifold and operation sequence,the dispersion during elution and eluate transport and the eluent volume required for complete elution of the sorbed analyte were minimized. As a result, the sorbed analyte was quantitatively eluted from the column with only 26 microL of ethanol, and all the eluate was automatically introduced into the graphite tube by an air flow without the need of preheating the graphite tube or precise timing. Pretreatment of the graphite tube with iridium as a long-term "permanent" modifier effectively prevented analyte loss arising from the high volatility of the Se-PDC compound and greatly improved the precision, sensitivity, and detection limit. One thermal pretreatment of the graphite tube with injection of 150 microgram of iridium made possible at least 200 repetitive atomization cycles. With a preconcentration time of 180 s and a sample flow rate of 1.4 mL min(-1), an enhancement factor of 112 was achieved in comparison with direct injection of 30 microL of aqueous solution. The detection limit (3s) was 4.5 ng L(-1)Se. The RSD (n = 7) was 3.8% at 20 ng L(-1)Se. The concentrations of selenite and selenate determined in synthetic aqueous mixtures were in good agreement with the expected values. The recoveries for selenite from spiked seawater samples ranged from 98 to 102%. The concentrations of selenite in several seawater reference materials obtained with simple aqueous standard solutions for calibration agreed well with the certified and information values, respectively. In addition, the developed method was successfully applied to the certification of selenite and selenate in water.

Fresh Water↗

NMR characterization of 13C-benzene sorbed to natural and prepared charcoals.

We investigated how the NMR properties of uniformly 13C-labeled benzene molecules are influenced by sorption to charcoals produced in the laboratory and collected from the field following wildfires. Uniformly 13C-labeled benzene was sorbed to two charcoals produced in the laboratory at 450 and 850 degrees C. The chemical shift of benzene sorbed to the higher-temperature charcoal was 5-6 ppm lower than that of benzene sorbed to the lower-temperature charcoal. This difference was attributed to stronger diamagnetic ring currents (which cause a shift to lower ppm values) in the more condensed or "graphitic" high-temperature charcoal. The chemical shift of benzene sorbed to two charcoals collected from the field following wildfires indicated a degree of charcoal graphitization intermediate between that of the two laboratory-prepared charcoals. Variable contact time and dipolar dephasing experiments showed that the molecular mobility of sorbed benzene molecules increased with increasing charcoal graphitization, and also increased with increasing benzene concentration. We propose that the chemical shift displacement of molecules sorbed to charcoal could be used to identify molecules sorbed to black carbon in heterogeneous matrixes such as soils and sediments, and to establish how condensed or "graphitic" the black carbon is.

Adsorption↗

Structural evolution of hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene adlayers in heteroepitaxy on n-pentacontane template monolayers.

The growth and structure of self-assembled adlayers of hexakis(n-dodecyl)-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC-C12) adsorbed on highly ordered pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) decorated by an n-pentacontane (n-C50H102) monolayer have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Whereas on HOPG the HBC-C12 molecules readily self-assemble into a unique stable 2D structure, on the [n-C50H102 monolayer/graphite] system we observe morphological phase transitions with formation of time dependent alpha, beta, and gamma phases (alpha-->beta-->gamma). The initial alpha-phase is similar to that obtained on bare graphite, while intermediate beta- and final gamma-structures present molecular dimers and rows, respectively. The observed two-dimensional polymorphism is due to weak interaction between HBC-C12 molecules and n-C50H102-modified graphite substrate. Our results constitute an important step toward the control of the growth and structure of highly ordered monolayers of functional conjugated molecules by modifying the graphite surface with an n-alkane monolayer of appropriate chain length.

Journal Article↗

Evaluation and application of bismuth as an internal standard for the determination of lead in wines by simultaneous electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

A method for the direct determination of Pb in wines by simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) using a transversely heated graphite atomizer, Zeeman-effect background corrector and internal standardization is proposed. Bismuth was used as an internal standard and Pd(NO3)2 plus Mg(NO3)2 as chemical modifier to stabilize both the analyte and the internal standard. The implementation of two pyrolysis steps avoided any build-up of carbonaceous residues on the graphite platform. All diluted samples (1 + 1 v/v) in 0.2% v/v HNO3 and reference solutions (5.0-50 microg l(-1) Pb in 0.2% v/v HNO3) were spiked with 25 microg l(-1) Bi. For a 20 microl aliquot dispensed into the graphite tube, a good correlation (r = 0.9997) was obtained between the ratio of the analyte signal to the internal standard signal and the analyte concentration of the reference solutions. The electrothermal behaviour of Pb and Bi in red, white and rosé wines were compared. In addition, absorbance variations due to changes in experimental conditions, such as atomizer temperature, integration time, injected sample volume, radiation beam intensity, graphite tube surface, dilution and sample composition, were minimized by using Bi as internal standard. Relative standard deviations of measurements based on integrated absorbance varied from 0.1 to 3.4% and from 0.5 to 7.3% (n = 12) with and without internal standard correction, respectively. Good recoveries (91-104%) for Pb spikes were obtained. The characteristic mass was 45 pg Pb and the limit of detection based on integrated absorbance was 0.9 microg l(-1) Pb. Internal standardization increased the lifetime of the tube by 25%. Direct determinations of Pb in wines with and without internal standardization approaches were in agreement at the 95% confidence level. The repeatability and the tube lifetime were improved when using Bi as internal standard. The improvement in accuracy using an internal standard was only observed when the analytical results were affected by errors.

Bismuth↗

Small gas-phase dianions produced by sputtering and gas flooding.

We have extended our previous experiment [Schauer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 625 (1990)] where we had produced small gas-phase dianion clusters of C(n) (2-)(n > or =7) by means of sputtering a graphite surface by Cs(+) ion bombardment. Our detection sensitivity for small C(n) (2-) could now be increased by a factor of about 50 for odd n. Nevertheless, a search for the elusive pentamer dianion of C(5) (2-) was not successful. As an upper limit, the sputtered flux of C(5) (2-) must be at least a factor of 5000 lower than that of C(7) (2-), provided that the lifetime of C(5) (2-) is sufficiently long to allow its detection by mass spectrometry. When oxygen gas (flooding with either O(2) or with N(2)O) was supplied to the Cs(+)-bombarded graphite surface, small dianions of OC(n) (2-)(5< or =n < or =14) and O(2)C(7) (2-) were observed in addition to C(n) (2-)(n > or =7). Similarly, Cs(+) sputtering of graphite with simultaneous SF(6) gas flooding produced SC(n) (2-)(6< or =n< or =18). Mixed nitrogen-carbon or fluorine-carbon dianion clusters could not be observed by these means. Attempts to detect mixed metal-fluoride dianions for SF(6) gas flooding of various Cs(+)-bombarded metal surfaces were successful for the case of Zr, where metastable ZrF(6) (2-) was observed. Cs(+) bombardment of a silicon carbide (SiC) wafer produced SiC(n) (2-) (n=6,8,10). When oxygen gas was supplied to the Cs(+)-bombarded SiC surface, small dianions of SiOC(n) (2-) (n=4,6,8) and of SiO(2)C(n) (2-) (n=4,6) as well as a heavier unidentified dianion (at mz=98.5) were observed. For toluene (C(7)H(8)) vapor flooding of a Cs(+)-bombarded graphite surface, several hydrocarbon dianion clusters of C(n)H(m) (2-)(n> or =7) were produced in addition to C(n) (2-)(n> or =7), while smaller C(n)H(m) (2-) with n< or =6 could not be observed. BeC(n) (2-) (n=4,6,8,10), Be(2)C(6) (2-), as well as BeC(8)H(m) (2-) (with m=2 and/or m=1) were observed for toluene vapor flooding of a Cs(+)-bombarded beryllium metal foil. The metastable pentamer (9)Be(12)C(4) (2-) at mz=28.5 was the smallest and lightest dianion molecule that we could detect. The small dianion clusters of SC(n) (2-), OC(n) (2-), BeC(n) (2-), and SiO(m)C(n) (2-) (m=0,1,2) have different abundance patterns. A resemblance exists between the abundance patterns of BeC(n) (2-) and SiC(n) (2-), even though calculated molecular structures of BeC(6) (2-) and SiC(6) (2-) are different. The abundance pattern of SC(n) (2-) is fairly similar to that of C(n) (2-).

Journal Article↗

Modeling the phase diagram of carbon.

We determined the phase diagram involving diamond, graphite, and liquid carbon using a recently developed semiempirical potential. Using accurate free-energy calculations, we computed the solid-solid and solid-liquid phase boundaries for pressures and temperatures up to 400 GPa and 12 000 K, respectively. The graphite-diamond transition line that we computed is in good agreement with experimental data, confirming the accuracy of the employed empirical potential. On the basis of the computed slope of the graphite melting line, we rule out the hotly debated liquid-liquid phase transition of carbon. Our simulations allow us to give accurate estimates of the location of the diamond melting curve and of the graphite-diamond-liquid triple point.

Journal Article↗

Carbon nanostructure examined by lattice fringe analysis of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images.

The dimensions of graphitic layer planes directly affect the reactivity of soot towards oxidation and growth. Quantification of graphitic structure could be used to develop and test correlations between the soot nanostructure and its reactivity. Based upon transmission electron microscopy images, this paper provides a demonstration of the robustness of a fringe image analysis code for determining the level of graphitic structure within nanoscale carbon, i.e., soot. Results, in the form of histograms of graphitic layer plane lengths, are compared to their determination through Raman analysis.

Journal Article↗

Quantitative analysis of trace bulk oxygen in silicon wafers using an inert gas fusion method.

This paper describes a method for removing oxide film from the surface of silicon wafers using an inert gas fusion impulse furnace and precise determination of bulk oxygen within the wafer. A silicon wafer was cut to about 0.35 g (6 x 13 x 2 mm) and dropped into a graphite crucible. The sample was then heated for 40 s at 1300 degrees C. The wafer's oxide film was reduced by carbon and removed as carbon monoxide. The treated silicon sample was taken out of the graphite crucible and maintained again with the holder of the oxygen analyzer. The graphite crucible was then heated to 2100 degrees C. The treated silicon sample was dropped into the heated graphite crucible and the trace bulk oxygen in the wafer was measured using the inert gas fusion infrared absorption method. The relative standard deviations of the oxygen in silicon wafer samples with the removed surface oxide film were determined to be 0.8% for 9.8 x 10(17) atoms/cm3, and 2.7% for 13.0 x 10(17) atoms/cm3.

Journal Article↗

[Effects of the variation in components of DLC on protein adsorption].

Diamond-like carbon(DLC) was prepared by means of plasma source ion implantation-ion beam enhanced deposition. Through the heat treatment upon DLC in air and in depressed Ar gas, the DLC rich in graphite, DLC rich in diamond, and other kinds of DLC used in the study were obtained respectively. For the three kinds of DLC, the components of carbonaceous phase were analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the adsorptive amounts of human serum albumin (HSA), human serum fibrinogen (HFG) and human serum immunoglobin (IgG) on their surfaces in the condition of constant temperature were determined by radio isotope 125I labelling method. Results showed the graphite phase and diamond phase in DLC increased by two times or so respectively after the aforementioned different heat treatment. In pace with the increase of these foreign phases, the adsorptive amounts of HFG and IgG on DLC greatly increase but the adsorptive amounts of HSA on DLC decrease; furthermore, there is a change from non-selective adsorption of three human serum proteins into selective adsorptions of HFG and IgG prior to HSA. These results indicate that the foreign phases in DLC such as graphite, diamond, C-H phase and C-O phase have a great effect on protein adsorption on DLC and hence a negative effect on the hemocompatibility of DLC. The mechanisms for the increase of graphite phase and diamond phase in the process of heat treatment were also discussed in this paper.

Adsorption↗

[Structural and property characteristics of Chinese fir wood charcoal prepared under various conditions].

By techniques of one-step and two-step carbonization, and capped and uncapped carbonization, the pyrolysis on the thinning wood of Chinese fir, one of the fastest growing tree species in south China, was carried out. With special focus on the variation of Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction analysis of carbonized materials under different carbonization conditions, comprehensive analyses of charcoals were conducted. Results show that, with temperature rising, the graphite-like microcrystal and carbon atoms at the edge of graphite-like microcrystal increase rapidly. As a result, the hexagon carbon plane structure in carbonized material keeps growing. Moreover, the experiments reveal that carbonization condition has great effects on the property and structure of carbonized material, and 700 degrees C is the critical temperature at which the qualitative change of carbonized material occurs. Furthermore, formation and growth of graphite-like microcrystal in carbonized material, two-step method is more beneficial than one-step method, uncapped container carbonization method is better than the capped one, and using air as atmosphere gas is better than using N2. Samples with longer holding time in the process of carbonization enjoy higher graphitization extent.

English Abstract↗

Finite element analysis of indentation tests on pyrolytic carbon.

The stresses which cause failure at contact areas between leaflets and orifices in pyrolytic carbon heart valves are evaluated. These contact stresses have previously been studied using Hertzian crack models that apply to monolithic material. Many heart valves are not monolithic pyrolytic carbon but a pyrolytic carbon deposited on graphite. Contact loads on these layered structures cause initial cracking in the pyrolytic carbon at the interface between pyrolytic carbon and graphite rather than Hertzian surface cracks. Increasing the load on layered structures will cause a secondary cracking (of Hertzian cracks) on the surface. The contact loading was simulated with a 5.1 mm diameter ball pressing against a flat sample of graphite coated with 0.26 mm of pyrolytic carbon on each surface. Finite element analysis of this model calculated the stresses associated with a range of loads causing no cracks through initial interface cracks and secondary surface cracks to complete failure. The calculated stresses are correlated with parallel laboratory experiments. A failure criterion for contact stresses is developed. The initial cracks at the graphite/pyrolytic carbon interface occur when the tensile stress in the pyrolytic carbon reaches 207 to 276 MPa and the compression stress in the graphite reaches 414 to 483 MPa. These initial cracks do not propagate immediately to the surface since they run into a high triaxial compression stress field. Circular surface cracks occur at the edge of the ball/pyrolytic carbon contact area at higher loads. These cracks require a shear stress of about 241 MPa and also require a tensile stress component. The results provide a criterion for designing contact regions in pyrolytic heart valves.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Structural characterization of modern and fossilized charcoal produced in natural fires as determined by using electron energy loss spectroscopy.

Charcoal produced in natural fires is widespread, but surprisingly little is known about its structure and stability. TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were used to characterize the organized graphite-like microcrystallites and amorphous nonorganized phases of modern charcoal that had been produced in natural fires. In addition, a semiordered structure was identified in two modern charcoal samples. Fossilized charcoal contains fewer graphite-like microcrystallites than modern samples. EELS spectra confirmed that the dominant structure in fossilized charcoal is amorphous carbon. EELS measurements also revealed that only the nonorganized phase contains oxygen, which indicates that the degradation of the fossilized charcoal structure occurs mainly through oxidation processes. The few graphite-like microcrystallites found in fossilized charcoal were composed of onion-like structures that are probably less prone to oxidation owing to their rounded structures.

Charcoal↗