Pelchem, a commercial subsidiary of Necsa (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation), produces a range of commercial fluorocarbon products while driving research and development initiatives to support the fluorine product portfolio. One such initiative is to develop improved analytical techniques to analyse product composition during development and to quality assure produce. Generally the C–F type products produced by Necsa are in a solution of anhydrous HF, and cannot be directly analyzed with traditional techniques without derivatisation. A technique such as vibrational spectroscopy, that can analyze these products directly without further preparation, will have a distinct advantage. However, spectra of mixtures of similar compounds are complex and not suitable for traditional quantitative regression analysis. Multivariate data analysis (MVA) can be used in such instances to exploit the complex nature of spectra to extract quantitative information on the composition of mixtures. A selection of fluorocarbon alcohols was made to act as representatives for fluorocarbon compounds. Experimental design theory was used to create a calibration range of mixtures of these compounds. Raman and infrared (NIR and ATR–IR) spectroscopy were used to generate spectral data of the mixtures and this data was analyzed with MVA techniques by the construction of regression and prediction models. Selected samples from the mixture range were chosen to test the predictive ability of the models. Analysis and regression models (PCR, PLS2 and PLS1) gave good model fits (R2 values larger than 0.9). Raman spectroscopy was the most efficient technique and gave a high prediction accuracy (at 10% accepted standard deviation), provided the minimum mass of a component exceeded 16% of the total sample. The infrared techniques also performed well in terms of fit and prediction. The NIR spectra were subjected to signal saturation as a result of using long path length sample cells. This was shown to be the main reason for the loss in efficiency of this technique compared to Raman and ATR–IR spectroscopy. It was shown that multivariate data analysis of spectroscopic data of the selected fluorocarbon compounds could be used to quantitatively analyse mixtures with the possibility of further optimization of the method. The study was a representative study indicating that the combination of MVA and spectroscopy can be used successfully in the quantitative analysis of other fluorocarbon compound mixtures. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Pelchem, a commercial subsidiary of Necsa (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation), produces a range of commercial fluorocarbon products while driving research and development initiatives to support the fluorine product portfolio. One such initiative is to develop improved analytical techniques to analyse product composition during development and to quality assure produce. Generally the C–F type products produced by Necsa are in a solution of anhydrous HF, and cannot be directly analyzed with traditional techniques without derivatisation. A technique such as vibrational spectroscopy, that can analyze these products directly without further preparation, will have a distinct advantage. However, spectra of mixtures of similar compounds are complex and not suitable for traditional quantitative regression analysis. Multivariate data analysis (MVA) can be used in such instances to exploit the complex nature of spectra to extract quantitative information on the composition of mixtures. A selection of fluorocarbon alcohols was made to act as representatives for fluorocarbon compounds. Experimental design theory was used to create a calibration range of mixtures of these compounds. Raman and infrared (NIR and ATR–IR) spectroscopy were used to generate spectral data of the mixtures and this data was analyzed with MVA techniques by the construction of regression and prediction models. Selected samples from the mixture range were chosen to test the predictive ability of the models. Analysis and regression models (PCR, PLS2 and PLS1) gave good model fits (R2 values larger than 0.9). Raman spectroscopy was the most efficient technique and gave a high prediction accuracy (at 10% accepted standard deviation), provided the minimum mass of a component exceeded 16% of the total sample. The infrared techniques also performed well in terms of fit and prediction. The NIR spectra were subjected to signal saturation as a result of using long path length sample cells. This was shown to be the main reason for the loss in efficiency of this technique compared to Raman and ATR–IR spectroscopy. It was shown that multivariate data analysis of spectroscopic data of the selected fluorocarbon compounds could be used to quantitatively analyse mixtures with the possibility of further optimization of the method. The study was a representative study indicating that the combination of MVA and spectroscopy can be used successfully in the quantitative analysis of other fluorocarbon compound mixtures. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

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Environmental and health aspects of road materials have been discussed for a long time, mostly regarding bitumen and bitumen fumes. However, just a few studies on other types of road materials have been reported. In this doctoral study, two types of materials, asphalt release agents and bituminous sealants, were investigated with regard to chemical characterization and emission profiles. Besides conventional test methods, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique was applied for emissions profiles screening and quantitative analysis. General description of main characteristics of asphalt release agents and bituminous sealants is given, and a comprehensive state-of-the-art on SPME technique is presented, especially on methodologies for analyzing mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs and PAHs) in different sample matrices. In the experimental study, chemical characterization of the two material types was performed using conventional methods, including fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), mass spectrometry (MS) and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). General patterns regarding functional groups and molecular weight distribution were studied. In the case of asphalt release agents, more detailed information on chemical compositions, especially the contents of MAHs and PAHs, was obtained. General information on emission proneness of asphalt release agents was obtained using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and MS. Using headspace(HS)-SPME and GC-MS, emission profiles of asphalt release agents were characterized at different temperatures, whereas the profiles of bituminous sealants were obtained solely at room temperature. The results presented were used for ranking the materials with regard to degree of total emission as well as emission of hazardous substances. The applicability of HS-SPME for quantitative analysis of MAHs in asphalt release agents and emulsion-based bituminous sealants was investigated. The use of a surrogate sample matrix was concerned, and experimental parameters influencing the HS-SPME procedure, such as equilibration and extraction time, as well as effects of sample amount and matrices, were studied. The methods were evaluated with regard to detection limit, accuracy as well as precision. Different calibration approaches including external calibration, internal calibration and standard addition were investigated. The determination of MAHs in asphalt release agents and emulsion-based bituminous sealants using HS-SPME-GC-MS was conducted. / QC 20100913

This thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of titania photocatalysts for incorporation into a polyethylene film. Monodisperse, anatase-phase titania nanoparticles are prepared and the synthesis conditions necessary for attraction to a laponite clay support are determined. Methods of preventing agglomeration of the laponite system such as the use of a polyethylene oxide surfactant or chemical modification of the laponite plate edges with a dimethyloctyl methoxysilane are also explored. Finally, photocatalytic studies on the laponite-supported titania nanoparticles are performed, and the compatibility and photoactivity of these materials in the polyethylene film are examined.

Submitted by Biblioteca da Faculdade de Farmácia (bff@ndc.uff.br) on 2018-03-05T14:14:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JÚLIA GONÇALVES MAYER.pdf: 2883327 bytes, checksum: 6ae955490e1664e27d2c9669ad07a02c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-05T14:14:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JÚLIA GONÇALVES MAYER.pdf: 2883327 bytes, checksum: 6ae955490e1664e27d2c9669ad07a02c (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os métodos analíticos utilizados para medir o percentual de ácido graxo trans (AGT) em alimentos envolvem cromatografia em fase gasosa com detecção de ionização de chama (CG-DIC), espectrometria de massas (CG-EM) e espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier e refletância total atenuada (FT-IR-ATR). O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a viabilidade e a aplicabilidade do uso das técnicas de FT-IR-ATR, sem extração, com extração prévia da gordura e após hidrólise e metilação dos ácidos graxos, para avaliar o conteúdo de AGT em biscoitos recheados e comparar os resultados obtidos com os encontrados para a determinação de ácido elaídico pela técnica de CG-EM. Foram escolhidas 9 marcas de biscoitos recheados sabor chocolate e 1 pacote de gordura vegetal hidrogenada, para ser usada como padrão secundário para análise de AGT por FT-IR-ATR. As amostras foram analisadas, inicialmente, quanto aos seus conteúdos de umidade e lipídeos totais. Para todas as amostras não foi observada concentração de umidade superior a 6,03 g/100 g. Os lipídeos totais variaram de 12,51±0,58 a 23,84±0,09 g/100 g. A presença de AGT foi identificada por FT-IR-ATR pela visualização da banda próxima a 966 cm−1 e confirmada com adição de padrão às amostras. Ao analisar as amostras de biscoito homogeneizadas e sem outro preparo, não foi viável a utilização do método de FT-IR-ATR, visto que a absorção de radiação infravermelha de substâncias da amostra se sobrepõe à absorção na região das ligações duplas trans, o que demonstra que a matriz do alimento pode influenciar na análise. Quanto a presença dos AGT, ácido elaídico (C18:1, n-9 trans) foi identificado e confirmado em todas as amostras através de CG-EM. Ao comparar a quantificação pelos métodos CG-EM e FT-IR-ATR em amostras de extratos e na forma de ácidos graxos metilados (FAME), foram observadas concentrações baixas de ácido elaídico/ácidos graxos trans (de 0,03±0,01 a 0,86±0,01 g/100 g de biscoito) obtidas pelos diferentes métodos. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as concentrações de AGT determinadas pelos três métodos testados para oito das nove amostras analisadas. O presente trabalho mostrou que a técnica de FT-IR-ATR, analisando o extrato lipídico e as amostras em forma de FAME foi adequado para estimar os teores de AGT em biscoito recheado de chocolate, visto que proporciona uma análise mais rápida, com um menor número de etapas e menor consumo de reagentes em relação às análises por CG-EM / The analytical methods used to measure the percentage of trans fatty acids in foods involve gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID), mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR). The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility and applicability of ATR-FT-IR techniques, without extraction, with previous extraction of fat and after hydrolysis and methylation of fatty acids to evaluate the content of TFA in filled biscuits, and compare the results obtained with those found for the determination of elaidic acid by the CG-MS technique. Were chosen 9 marks of chocolate filled biscuit and 1 packet of hydrogenated vegetable fat to be used as a secondary standard for AGT analysis by ATR-FT-IR. The samples were initially analyzed for their moisture contents and total lipids. For all samples, no moisture content higher than 6.03 g/100 g. Total lipids ranged from 12.51 ± 0.58 to 23.84 ± 0.09 g/100g. The presence of TFA was identified by ATR-FT-IR through the visualization of the band near 966 cm−1 and confirmed with addition of standard to the samples. When analyzing the homogenized cookie samples and without further preparation, the use of the ATR-FT-IR method was not feasible because the absorption of infrared radiation from sample substances overlaps the absorption in the region of the trans double bonds, which demonstrates that the food matrix may influence the analysis. Regarding the presence of TFA, elaidic acid (C18: 1, n-9 trans) was identified and confirmed in all samples by GC-MS. When comparing quantification by GC-MS and ATR-FT-IR in samples of extracts and in the form of fatty acids methly esters (FAME), low concentrations of elaidic acid / trans fatty acids were observed (0.03 ± 0.01 to 0.86 ± 0.01 g / 100 g of biscuit) obtained by the different methods. No significant differences were found between the concentrations of TFA determined by the three methods tested for eight of the nine samples analyzed. The present study showed that the ATR-FT-IR technique, analyzing the lipid extract and the samples in the form of FAME, was adequate to estimate the TFA contents in chocolate filled biscuit, because it provides a faster analysis with a smaller number of steps and lower toxic chemicals in relation to GC-MS analyzes