The objective of this research was to investigate the microscopic processes occurring at the interfaces of mixed anion III-V heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). In particular, efforts were made to characterize the dominant chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to anion exchange and to develop semi-empirical models capable of predicting the atomic scale structure and composition at the interfaces of mixed anion heterostructures for the As/P and Sb/As material systems. This research considers the MBE growth of 20-period superlattices (SLs) formed by allowing a dissimilar anion flux to impinge on a static group-V stabilized surface. Statistical experimental design was used to determine the effects of substrate temperature, V/III growth flux ratio, and anion exposure time on the anion exchange process. The superlattice structures were analyzed via high resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and simulation, RHEED analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and other techniques, which allowed for the determination of both chemical composition and atomic structure at the interfaces. Finally, a semi-empirical hybrid neural network was developed that quantifies the effects of MBE growth processes at the interfaces of mixed anion III-V heterostructures by incorporating a first principles kinetic model with back-propagation neural networks.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are an alternative to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with potential benefits that include low cost (i.e., platinum-free), facile electro-kinetics, low fuel crossover, and use of CO-resistant metal catalysts. Despite these advantages, AEMFCs have not been widely used because they require more highly conductive anion exchange membranes (AEMs) that do not exhibit impaired physical properties. Therefore, the issues that this research is dealing with are to maximize conductivity and to improve chemical stability. As model materials for these studies, I synthesize a series of multiblock copolymers with which polymer structures and morphologies can be easily controlled. Chapter 2 presents the synthesis and the chemical structure determination of the multiblock copolymers. With the objective of maximizing conductivity, an understanding of the impact of structural features such as organization, size, polarity and connectivity of ionic domains and channels within AEMs on ion/water transporting properties is necessary for the targeted and predictable design of an enhanced material. Chapters 3 to 5 describe three characterization techniques that reveal the role of these structural features in the transport process. Specifically, Chapter 3 demonstrates the possibility that the NMR relaxation times of water could be an indicator of the efficiency of ion channels. Low-temperature DSC measurements differentiate the state of water (i.e., bound water and free water) inside the membranes by measuring freezing temperature drop and enthalpy. Chapter 4 demonstrates that the number of water molecules in each state correlates with conductivity and suggests a major anion-conducting mechanism for the multiblock AEM systems. In Chapter 5, the measurement of the activation energy of diffusion characterizes ion transporting behavior that occurs on the sub-nanometer scale. For the characterization of the chemical stability of the AEMs under high pH conditions, I employ automated 1H NMR measurements as a function of time as well as diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) as shown in Chapter 6. Finally, I demonstrate that new multiblock copolymers are successfully utilized as an ionomer for a hybrid cell in Chapter 7. The properties of the polymer strongly influence overall cell performance. I believe that the combination of the techniques presented in this thesis will provide insight into the ion/water transporting mechanism in a polymer ion conductor and guidance for improving conductivity and the chemical stability of the AEMs.

abstract: Humans are exposed up to thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment, but most of the research and action has been directed towards only two PFAS compounds. These two compounds are part of a subcategory of PFAS called perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). It has been a challenge for the environmental community to mitigate risks caused by PFAAs due to their high persistence and lack of effective measures to remove them from the environment, especially in heavily impacted areas like fire-training sites. The goal of this work was to further answer some questions regarding the removal of PFAAs in the environment by looking at anion exchange resin characteristics and presence of a competing compound, natural organic matter (NOM), in the adsorption of environmentally relevant PFAS compounds including the two often monitored 8-carbon chain PFAAs. Two different resins were tested with two forms of counterions, in both groundwater and NOM impacted groundwater. Resin polymer matrix was the most important property in the adsorption of PFAAs, the two resins used A520E and A860 had similar properties except for their matrices polystyrene (PS) and polyacrylic (PA), respectively. The PS base is most effective at PFAAs adsorption, while the PA is most effective at NOM adsorption. The change in the counterion did not negatively affect the adsorption of PFAAs and is, therefore, a viable alternative for future studies that include regeneration and destruction of PFAAs. The presence of NOM also did not significantly affect the adsorption of PFAAs in the PS resin A520E, although for some PFAAs compounds it did affect adsorption for the PA resin. Ultimately, PS macroporous resins with a strong Type I or Type II base work best in PFAAs removal. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Engineering 2019

<p> A neutron activation analysis procedure for the simultaneous determination of Ru, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt and Au has been developed. It consists principally of distillation, anion exchange, solvent extraction and precipitation steps and was used to determine all of these metals in meteorites as well as Pd, Ir and Au in sulphide minerals from the Sudbury Nickel Irruptive. The accuracy of the method was checked against G-1 and W-1 and a sulphide standard. A literature survey of the geology of the Sudbury Nickel Irruptive and a description of the geology of the Strathcona mine are presented. A detailed description of the inorganic chemistr! and its bearing on the geochemistry of the precious metals, with special reference to basic rocks is given. Analytical results for Pd, Ir and Au in a large number of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite samples and a smaller number of sulphide and oxide minerals and an ultramafic xenolith are presented. Arsenic was determined in 15 of the sulphide samples and found to be highly correlated with Pd. The genesis of the Strathcona ores is discussed and the differential behaviour of the precious metals during fractionation or a sulphide-rich basic magma is described. </p> <p> Seven carbonaceous and two enstatite chondrites were analysed and the data evaluated with respect to estimation of the cosmic abundances of these metals. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

As membranas de troca aniônica são uma alternativa promissora para o desenvolvimento de eletrólitos mais eficientes para células a combustível alcalinas. Em geral, as membranas de troca aniônica são ionômeros capazes de conduzir íons hidroxila devido aos grupos quaternário de amônio e têm como característica elevado pH equivalente. Com o objetivo de desenvolver membranas aniônicas química e termicamente estáveis, com satisfatória condutividade iônica para aplicação em células a combustível alcalinas, as membranas aniônicas foram sintetizadas a partir de polímeros base de polietileno de baixa densidade (LDPE), polietileno de ultra alto peso molecular (PEUHMW), poli(etileno-co-tetrafluoroetileno) (PETFE) e poli(tetrafluoroetilleno-co-hexafluoroetileno) (PFEP) previamente irradiados nas fontes de radiação gama de 60Co ou com feixe de elétrons, para enxertia do monômero de estireno e funcionalizados com trimetilamina para incorporação dos grupos quaternário de amônio. As membranas resultantes foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (EPR), espectroscopia Raman, termogravimetria (TG), espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIS), além da determinação do grau de enxertia, capacidade de absorção de água por gravimetria e capacidade de troca iônica, por titulação. As membranas sintetizadas com os polímeros LDPE e UHMWPE pré-irradiados a 70 kGy com feixe de elétrons e armazenadas a baixa temperatura (-70 °C) por até 10 meses, mostraram resultados de condutividade iônica, quando na forma (OH-), de 29 mS.cm-1 e 14 mS.cm-1 a 65 °C, respectivamente. Os filmes de PFEP irradiados no processo simultâneo mostram níveis de enxertia insuficientes para a síntese de membranas aniônicas, necessitando maiores estudos para aperfeiçoar os processos de irradiação e enxertia. As membranas baseadas em PETFE, pré-irradiadas a 70 kGy com feixe de elétrons e armazenadas a baixa temperatura (-70 °C) por até 10 meses, mostraram maior condutividade iônica, quando na forma hidroxila (OH-), com valores de condutividade iônica entre 90 mS.cm-1 e 165 mS.cm-1 na faixa de temperatura entre 30 e 60 °C. Estes resultados mostraram que membranas de LDPE, UHMWPE e PETFE são eletrólitos promissores para a aplicação em células a combustível alcalinas. / Anion Exchange Membranes (AEMs) are a promising alternative to the development of more efficient electrolytes for alkaline fuel cells. In general, the AEMs are ionomeric membranes able to conduct hydroxide ions (OH-) due to the quatermary ammonium groups, which confer high pH equivalent to the AEM. In order to develop alkaline membranes with high chemical and thermal stability, besides satisfactory ionic conductivity for alkaline fuel cells, membranes based on low density polyethylene (LDPE), ultrahigh weight molecular weight polyethylene (UHWHPE), poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (PETFE) and poly(hexafluoropropylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (PFEP) previously irradiated by using 60Co gamma and electron beam sources, have been synthesized by styrene-grafting, and functionalized with trimethylamine to introduced quaternary ammonium groups. The resulting membranes were characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The determination of the grafting degree and water uptake were conducted by gravimetry and ion exchange capacity, by titration. The membranes synthesized with PELD and PEUHMW polymers pre-irradiated at 70 kGy and stored at low temperature (-70 °C), up to 10 months, showed ionic conductivity results, in hydroxide form (OH-), of 29 mS.cm-1 and 14 mS.cm-1 at 65 °C, respectively. The PFEP polymers irradiated by the simultaneous process showed insufficient grating levels for the membrane synthesis, requiring more studies to improve the irradiation and grafting process. The styrene-grafted PETFE membranes, pre-irradiated at 70 kGy and stored at low temperature (-70 °C), up to 10 months, showed ionic conductivity results, in hydroxide form (OH-), of 90 mS.cm-1 to 165 mS.cm-1, in the temperature range 30 to 60 °C. Such results have demonstrated that LDPE, UHMWPE and PETFE based AEMs are promising electrolytes for alkaline fuel cell application.

As membranas de troca aniônica são uma alternativa promissora para o desenvolvimento de eletrólitos mais eficientes para células a combustível alcalinas. Em geral, as membranas de troca aniônica são ionômeros capazes de conduzir íons hidroxila devido aos grupos quaternário de amônio e têm como característica elevado pH equivalente. Com o objetivo de desenvolver membranas aniônicas química e termicamente estáveis, com satisfatória condutividade iônica para aplicação em células a combustível alcalinas, as membranas aniônicas foram sintetizadas a partir de polímeros base de polietileno de baixa densidade (LDPE), polietileno de ultra alto peso molecular (PEUHMW), poli(etileno-co-tetrafluoroetileno) (PETFE) e poli(tetrafluoroetilleno-co-hexafluoroetileno) (PFEP) previamente irradiados nas fontes de radiação gama de 60Co ou com feixe de elétrons, para enxertia do monômero de estireno e funcionalizados com trimetilamina para incorporação dos grupos quaternário de amônio. As membranas resultantes foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (EPR), espectroscopia Raman, termogravimetria (TG), espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIS), além da determinação do grau de enxertia, capacidade de absorção de água por gravimetria e capacidade de troca iônica, por titulação. As membranas sintetizadas com os polímeros LDPE e UHMWPE pré-irradiados a 70 kGy com feixe de elétrons e armazenadas a baixa temperatura (-70 °C) por até 10 meses, mostraram resultados de condutividade iônica, quando na forma (OH-), de 29 mS.cm-1 e 14 mS.cm-1 a 65 °C, respectivamente. Os filmes de PFEP irradiados no processo simultâneo mostram níveis de enxertia insuficientes para a síntese de membranas aniônicas, necessitando maiores estudos para aperfeiçoar os processos de irradiação e enxertia. As membranas baseadas em PETFE, pré-irradiadas a 70 kGy com feixe de elétrons e armazenadas a baixa temperatura (-70 °C) por até 10 meses, mostraram maior condutividade iônica, quando na forma hidroxila (OH-), com valores de condutividade iônica entre 90 mS.cm-1 e 165 mS.cm-1 na faixa de temperatura entre 30 e 60 °C. Estes resultados mostraram que membranas de LDPE, UHMWPE e PETFE são eletrólitos promissores para a aplicação em células a combustível alcalinas. / Anion Exchange Membranes (AEMs) are a promising alternative to the development of more efficient electrolytes for alkaline fuel cells. In general, the AEMs are ionomeric membranes able to conduct hydroxide ions (OH-) due to the quatermary ammonium groups, which confer high pH equivalent to the AEM. In order to develop alkaline membranes with high chemical and thermal stability, besides satisfactory ionic conductivity for alkaline fuel cells, membranes based on low density polyethylene (LDPE), ultrahigh weight molecular weight polyethylene (UHWHPE), poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (PETFE) and poly(hexafluoropropylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (PFEP) previously irradiated by using 60Co gamma and electron beam sources, have been synthesized by styrene-grafting, and functionalized with trimethylamine to introduced quaternary ammonium groups. The resulting membranes were characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The determination of the grafting degree and water uptake were conducted by gravimetry and ion exchange capacity, by titration. The membranes synthesized with PELD and PEUHMW polymers pre-irradiated at 70 kGy and stored at low temperature (-70 °C), up to 10 months, showed ionic conductivity results, in hydroxide form (OH-), of 29 mS.cm-1 and 14 mS.cm-1 at 65 °C, respectively. The PFEP polymers irradiated by the simultaneous process showed insufficient grating levels for the membrane synthesis, requiring more studies to improve the irradiation and grafting process. The styrene-grafted PETFE membranes, pre-irradiated at 70 kGy and stored at low temperature (-70 °C), up to 10 months, showed ionic conductivity results, in hydroxide form (OH-), of 90 mS.cm-1 to 165 mS.cm-1, in the temperature range 30 to 60 °C. Such results have demonstrated that LDPE, UHMWPE and PETFE based AEMs are promising electrolytes for alkaline fuel cell application.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to investigate the utility of this technique for the analytical and preparative separation of components of aquatic fulvic acids (FA). Three modes of HPLC namely adsorption, anion exchange and reversed phase were evaluated. Aquatic fulvic acids were either extracted from surface water and sediment samples collected from the Southwest of the U.S., or were provided in a high purity form from the USGS. On the adsorption mode, a major fraction of aquatic fulvic acid was isolated on a semipreparative scale and subjected to Carbon-13 NMR and FAB Mass Spectroscopy. Results indicated that (1) The analyzed fraction of fulvic acid contains more aliphatic than aromatic moieties; (2) Methoxy, carboxylic acids, and esters are well-defined moieties of the macromolecule; (3) Phenolic components of the macromolecules were not detected in the Carbon-13 NMR spectrum possibly because of the presence of stable free radicals. Results of the anion exchange mode have shown that at least three types of acidic functionalities in aquatic fulvic acid can be separated. Results also indicated that aquatic fulvic acid can be progressively fractionated by using subsequent modes of HPLC. Results of reversed phase mode have shown that (1) The fractionation of aquatic fulvic acid by RP-HPLC is essentially controlled by the polarity and/or pH of the carrier solvent system; (2) Under different RP-HPLC conditions aquatic fulvic acid from several locations are fractionated into the same major components; (3) Fulvic acid extracted from water and sediment from the same site are more similar than those extracted from different sites; (4) Cationic and anionic ion pair reagents indicated the presence of amphoteric compounds within the polymeric structure of fulvic acid. Each mode of HPLC provided a characteristic profile of fulvic acid. The results of this research provided basic information on the behavior of aquatic fulvic acids under three modes of HPLC. Such informations are prerequisite for further investigation by spectroscopic methods.

The preparation of layered double hydroxides via co-precipitation of a divalent/trivalent metal solution against a base results in 1 mm LDH particles with a disorganized metal lattice. Research was performed to address these morphological issues using techniques such as Ostwald ripening and precipitation via aluminate. Another interesting issue in layered double hydroxide materials is the uptake and orientation of anions into the interlayer. Questions about iron cyanide interlayer anions have been posed. Fourier transform infared spectroscopy and powder x-ray diffraction have been used to investigate these topics. It was found that factors such as orientation, anion charge, and anion structure depended on the divalent/trivalent metal ratio of the hydroxide layer and reactivity time. The cyanide self-addition reaction is an important reaction of classical prebiotic chemistry. This reaction has been shown to give rise to amino acids, purines and pyrimidines. At cyanide concentrations similar to that expected on the early earth, hydrolysis to formamide rather than self-addition occurs. One theory to alleviate this side reaction is the use of minerals or clays that are thought to concentrate and catalyze prebiotics of interest. Layered double hydroxides have been studied as a catalyst for this reaction.

Expanded bed chromatography using ion-exchange media is a powerful first step in purification processes. Expanded bed chromatography can be used to extract components from complex and viscous solution. This can be achieved because of the void created between adsorbent particles where as in packed bed chromatography, the adsorbent is too compact and dense for a complex feed stock to flow through. Expanded bed chromatography was used to purify bovine serum albumin (BSA) from chicken egg white (CEW). The high viscosity of CEW presents a unique challenge for efficient large-scale protein purification. This project aimed to optimize and evaluate a separation method that is believed to be particularly suitable for high viscosity solutions: expanded-bed ion exchange chromatography. The BSA was admixed into the CEW and the solution was pumped through the column for purification. The media used in the column was Streamline DEAE which is an anion-exchanger. The yield obtained was 85% and the purity was 57%. A mathematical model to understand and predict the behavior of expanded bed chromatography was developed to provide an estimation of the breakthrough curves obtained for BSA. A small sized porous dense adsorbent was also synthesized to enhance the purification process. This zirconia-based adsorbent allows use of higher flow velocities that is a key factor when working with viscous fluids such as chicken egg white.

Faculty of Science School of Pathology(Molecular Medicine and Haematology). 9707563v tridium@acenet.co.za / The erythrocyte carries gases between the cells and the lungs, and has to distort to negotiate narrow splenic sinuses and capillaries. This distortion necessitates a high surface area to volume ratio that is maintained by the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, a network of proteins including spectrin and protein 4.1. The skeleton anchors the lipid bilayer through attachment to integral membrane proteins, notably the anion exchange protein, band 3. Abnormalities of the erythrocyte membrane proteins cause loss of cell elasticity and ultimately the erythrocytes become prematurely trapped in the spleen where they are phagocytosed, resulting in haemolytic anaemia. Three mutations causing band 3-deficient hereditary spherocytosis (HS), a haemolytic anaemia characterised by spherical erythrocytes, were located using restriction enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing. Proband A (Black) is heterozygous for band 3 Pinhal (R490H) and has mild clinical symptoms. Proband B and his mother (Caucasian) are heterozygous for band 3 Bicetre (R490C) and have severe anaemia requiring transfusions and splenectomy, respectively. These results confirm codon 490 as a hotspot for mutations and indicate the effect of different amino acid substitutions in the same position on clinical severity. Proband C (Black) is homozygous for a novel mutation (E508K) for which her parents are heterozygous. The proband is severely affected and transfusion- dependent whereas her father has moderate anaemia and her mother is asymptomatic. It is speculated that a secondary factor modulates their clinical symptoms. All of these mutations occur in a CpG dinucleotide, a common source of DNA mutations, and are located within the highly conserved exon 13, which encodes the third to fifth α-helices and the second extracellular loop of the transmembrane region of band 3. The mutations are likely to alter the conformation of band 3, impairing its insertion into the erythrocyte membrane. No causative mutations were located in another 12 band 3-deficient HS kindred using restriction enzymes and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Ten protein 4.1-deficient patients with hereditary elliptocytosis, a haemolytic anaemia characterised by elliptical erythrocytes, were also studied. Immunoblot analyses ruled out abnormally sized protein 4.1 and three known DNA mutations were excluded using restriction enzyme analysis. Further studies are required to elucidate the cause of the haemolytic anaemia in these kindred. This study advanced our knowledge of the molecular basis of HS in South African kindred and highlighted the susceptibility of CpG dinucleotides to mutations.