京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第22508号 / 農博第2412号 / 新制||農||1078(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R2||N5288(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 加納 健司, 教授 三芳 秀人, 教授 宮川 恒 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Interferenser i klinisk kemi uppstår när en substans stör mätningen av olika komponenter i urin, cerebrospinalvätska och blod, vilket påverkar mätresultatet. Exempel på interferenser inkluderar hemolys, lipemi och ikterus. Hemolys kan orsakas både in vivo och in vitro, men in vitro är betydligt vanligare. Faktorer som påverkar in vitro hemolys inkluderar rörpost, provtagningsteknik och olika sjukdomar. Rörposttransport används för att transportera olika material, inklusive prov, till olika avdelningar på sjukhuset. Hemolys kan påverka analysen av vissa analyter som normalt förekommer i hög koncentration intracellulärt, exempelvis aspartataminotransferas (ASAT), laktatdehydrogena (LD) och kalium.   Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om rörtransportsystemet på Universitetssjukhuset Örebro (USÖ) påverkar analysresultatet av kaliumprover och om förekomsten av hemolys ökade i kaliumprover som transporterades med rörpost. Studien utfördes med hjälp av direkt och indirekt potentiometrisk jonselektiv elektrodmetod (ISE) för att analysera nivåerna av kalium i plasma, samt spektrofotometri för att kvantifiera graden av hemolys i 129 prover som insamlades på akutmottagningen vid Universitetssjukhuset Örebro (USÖ). Ingen kliniskt relevant skillnad i hemolys eller kaliumkoncentration kunde påvisas i prover som transporterats med rörpost i jämförelse med manuell transport till laboratoriet. Rörposttransport är en kostnadseffektiv och snabb transportmetod och för de skillnader som observerades mellan transportmetoderna i denna studie bör andra faktorer som högre gravitationskraft och olika sjukdomstillstånd också beaktas. / Interference in clinical chemistry refers to a substance that disrupts the measurement of various components in urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood, affecting the obtained results. Hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus are examples of interferences. Hemolysis is caused by both in vivo and in vitro factors, but in vitro hemolysis is more common. Hemolysis affects analytes such as potassium, aspartaminotransferas (ASAT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD). This study aimed to investigate whether the tube transport system at USÖ affects the analysis results of potassium.   129 samples were collected and each sample was divided into two portions a and b, sample a was then transported by tube and b manually. Samples were analyzed for hemolysis, potassium, and sodium using ion-selective electrode (ISE) methods. No clinically relevant difference in hemolysis or potassium concentration could be demonstrated in samples transported by pneumatic tube compared to manual transport to the laboratory. The use of tube transport is cost-effective and rapid despite the small difference observed, it should still be used.   In conclusion, while hemolysis can affect analytes, the observed difference between tube and manual transport in this study had no clinical significance. Other factors such as different G- forces and disease states may have played a role in explaining divergent results.

No description available.

Die bisher gängigen PVC-Membranen ionenselektiver Elektroden weisen eine Reihe von Schwachstellen auf: Sie haften nur durch Adhäsion am Substrat, sodass sich bei miniaturisierten Elektroden die Membran ablösen kann; Membranbestandteile wie der Weichmacher, das Ionophor oder der Ionenaustauscher können bei der Verwendung ausgewaschen werden, sodass sich die chemischen und physikalischen Eigenschaften der Membran verschlechtern; auf der Membranoberfläche kann sich auf Grund ihrer Hydrophobie ein Biofilm ausbilden, der die Membran abschirmt. Diese Schwachstellen bewirken eine Dysfunktionalität der ionenselektiven Elektrode, weshalb im Rahmen dieser Arbeit ein Glycopolymerfilm entwickelt worden ist, der diese Schwachstellen nicht aufweist. Die in dieser Arbeit entwickelte Membran, die auf einem multifunktionalen Glycopolymer beruht, zielt auf die Egalisierung der Schwachstellen konventioneller ionenselektiver PVC-Membranen. Die entwickelte Membran kommt dabei ohne Weichmacher aus, reduziert die Ausbildung von Biofilmen, bindet kovalent an das darunterliegende organische Substrat und durch die kovalente Anbindung des Ionophors wird dessen Auswaschen verhindert. Um eine kovalente Bindung der Membran an organische Vermittlerschichten zu erreichen, wie sie bei All-solid-state-Elektroden zum Einsatz kommen, werden zunächst die photovernetzbaren Glycopolymere 12a–c entwickelt, bei denen etwa neun Photovernetzereinheiten über PEG-Spacer an den PEI25-Kern gebunden sind. Drei PEG-Spacer mit unterschiedlicher Länge werden hinsichtlich ihres Einflusses auf die Filmbildung untersucht: Sie besitzen vier (12a), acht (12b) und zwölf Ethylenglycoleinheiten (12c). Dabei zeigt sich, dass eine Spacerlänge von zwölf Ethylenglycoleinheiten für eine effektive Photovernetzung notwendig ist, weshalb für die folgenden Strukturen nur PEG12-Spacer eingesetzt werden. Um eine kovalente Anbindung des Ionophors an das Glycopolymer zu erreichen, werden verschiedene Syntheserouten genutzt und auf ihre Wirkung hin analysiert. Die frühe direkte Anbindung des Calix[4]arenderivats 3 an den PEI25-Kern der Glycopolymere 17a–c erweist sich als nachteilig, da hierdurch darauffolgende Syntheseschritte beeinträchtigt werden. Anderseits zeigen diese Glycopolymere, dass sich die Calix[4]areneinheiten nicht negativ auf die Glycopolymerfilmbildung auswirken. Zur Überwindung der erwähnten Probleme werden in den multifunktionalen Glycopolymeren 22a und 22b die Calix[4]arene wie der Photovernetzer am Ende der Syntheseroute über PEG12-Spacer angebunden. Dies erfolgt dabei über den upper rim des Calix[4]arens, da somit der lower rim, an dem sich ionenkomplexierenden Gruppen befinden, nicht beeinflusst wird. Neben der Struktur des Glycopolymers wird auch eine Methode zur Glycopolymerfilmbildung auf Modellsubstraten entwickelt. Hierfür werden Siliziumwafer mit einer hydrophilen organischen Vermittlerschicht aus (3-Glycidyloxypropyl)-trimethoxysilan (GOPS) eingesetzt. Bei der Filmbildung zeigt sich, dass die alleinige Bestrahlung mit UV-Licht nicht ausreichend ist, um eine stabile Vernetzung zu generieren. Erst nach vorausgehendem Tempern (1 h bei 120 °C) werden Filme mit einer Dicke von (42±8) nm für das Glycopolymer 12c erhalten. Die Glycopolymere 12a und 12b, die kürzere PEG-Spacer enthalten, bilden deutlich dünnere Filme aus. Für die vollständige Vernetzung ist eine Bestrahlungszeit von einer Stunde notwendig, was einer Energiedosis von etwa 290 J/cm² entspricht. Trotz möglicher freier Aminogruppen in der Struktur bilden die Glycopolymere 17a–c, bei denen unterschiedlich viele Calix[4]arene direkt an den PEI25-Kern gebunden sind, stabile Filme aus. Die sich ergebenden Schichtdicken zeigen dabei weder im Vergleich zum Glycopolymer 12c noch untereinander signifikante Unterschiede. Die Filmbildung auf dem hydrophilen GOPS wird demzufolge durch die direkt angebundenen Calix[4]arene nicht beeinträchtigt. Auf Grund des erwarteten amphiphilen Charakters der Glycopolymere 17a–c wird ihre Filmbildung nicht nur auf hydrophilen, sondern auch auf hydrophoben Modellsubstraten untersucht. Hierzu werden Siliziumwafer mit hydrophoben Vermittlerschichten aus Benzophenonsilan (BPS) und Poly-α-methylstyrol (PαMS) eingesetzt. Auf den hydrophoben Vermittlerschichten bilden die Glycopolymere 17a–c deutlich dünnere Filme aus als auf dem hydrophilen GOPS. Die Calix[4]areneinheiten sind demnach durch die Maltosehülle abgeschirmt und es treten kaum Wechselwirkungen mit den hydrophoben Substratoberflächen auf. Im Gegensatz dazu ermöglicht die Anbindung der Calix[4]arene über PEG12-Spacer den Glycopolymeren 22a und 22b auf hydrophilen wie hydrophoben Vermittlerschichten in etwa gleich dicke Filme auszubilden. Offensichtlich liegt bei diesen Glycopolymeren eine amphiphile Peripherie vor, sodass sich die Glycopolymere besonders zur Beschichtung von All-solid-state-Elektroden mit verschiedenen Mediatorschichten eignen. Die photovernetzten Glycopolymerfilme quellen auf Grund ihrer hydrophilen Eigenschaften. Der Quellungsgrad q liegt dabei niedriger, wenn hydrophobe Calix[4]arene in die Struktur eingebunden sind: q(17c) = 2,3 im Vergleich zu q(12c) = 3,6. Erfolgt die Anbindung der Calix[4]arene direkt an den PEI25-Kern, ist die Glycopolymerstruktur unflexibel, sodass der Quellungsprozess bis zu sieben Stunden benötigt. Durch die Anbindung der Calix[4]arene über PEG12-Spacer wird die Flexibilität der Glycopolymere hingegen nicht beeinträchtigt, sodass der Quellungsprozess weniger als zwei Stunden benötigt. PVC-Membranen verlieren schon nach kurzer Zeit ihre ionenselektiven Eigenschaften, weil etwa der Weichmacher aus den Membranen diffundiert und diese dadurch spröde werden. Die Glycopolymerfilme sind hingegen über einen Zeitraum von mindestens 100 Tagen gegenüber sauren (pH = 4), neutralen und basischen (pH = 10) Lösungen stabil. Die entwickelten Glycopolymere werden im Rahmen einer Kooperation mit dem Kurt-Schwabe-Institut (KSI) in Meinsberg auf All-solid-state-Elektroden als ionenselektive Membranen eingesetzt. Die Graphitelektroden werden dafür mit einer Mediatorschicht aus leitfähigem Polypyrrol (PPy) und dem Glycopolymer 17c beschichtet. Die All-solid-state-Elektroden werden hinsichtlich ihres Ansprechverhaltens gegenüber verschiedenen Ionen untersucht. Die Anbindung und Vernetzung erfolgt nach der für die Modellsubstrate optimierten Methode. Jedoch werden die Bedingungen für das Tempern angepasst, um eine Beschädigung der All-solid-state-Elektrode auszuschließen: 12 h bei 45 °C statt 1 h bei 120 °C. Dabei bildet sich ein inhomogener Belag aus, bei dem Teile der PPy-Schicht frei bleiben. Im Vergleich zur reinen und zur mit Polypyrrol (PPy) beschichteten Graphitelektrode zeigt die Elektrode, die mit einem Glycopolymerfilm versehen ist, trotz der Inhomogenität stabile und reproduzierbare Potentiale. Diese sind jedoch nicht von der Konzentration der Kationen, sondern von der der Anionen abhängig. Durch die Auftragung einer Ionentauscherschicht auf die ionenselektive Membran soll das Vordringen der Anionen in die Membran der All-solid-state-Elektrode unterbunden werden. Dadurch soll das Ansprechverhalten der All-solid-state-Elektrode auf die Kationen gelenkt werden. Entsprechende Arbeiten werden am KSI durchgeführt.

O trabalho teve o objetivo de investigar técnicas de sensoriamento de solo e analisar o potencial de utilização das mesmas diretamente no campo. Quatro etapas distintas foram desenvolvidas para atender aos seguintes objetivos: a) comparar e avaliar o potencial de predição de atributos do solo de três espectrômetros portáteis (vis-NIR) em ambiente controlado; b) avaliar a predição em movimento de pH, P e K utilizando técnicas de sensoriamento óptico (reflectância vis-NIR) e eletroquímico (eletrodos íon-seletivos de pH e K) em uma área experimental com variabilidade induzida; c) montar e testar uma plataforma de campo com sensores elétricos, eletroquímicos e ópticos; d) avaliar o potencial de predição de textura do solo utilizando um equipamento portátil de espectroscopia de fluorescência de raios X. Na primeira etapa as leituras de reflectância espectral vis-NIR dos três equipamentos avaliados mostraram-se muito semelhantes, com coeficientes de correlação acima de 0,86 na faixa de 400 a 1800 nm. Quando comparados nesta região espectral os equipamentos produziram modelos de predição muito semelhantes, com leve superioridade para o sistema FieldSpec. Os modelos mostraram-se mais promissores para a predição da textura do solo em relação aos atributos químicos. Na segunda etapa as leituras de campo utilizando eletrodos íon-seletivos de pH e K apresentaram uma alta correlação com as análises de laboratório. As avaliações permitiram observar que condições de solo com baixa umidade prejudicam sensivelmente as leituras. Apesar da alta correlação, os valores de campo precisam ser corrigidos para a metodologia de laboratório desejada. Os modelos de predição de P, K e pH utilizando espectrometria vis-NIR no campo apresentaram baixa precisão. Os testes da Plataforma Multisensores de Solo (PMS) na terceira etapa demonstraram ser possível a utilização de sensores elétricos, eletroquímicos e ópticos em uma mesma plataforma. As leituras de condutividade elétrica aparente do solo (CEa) demonstraram que este parâmetro está relacionado com a textura, atuando como um indicador da variabilidade e possibilitando a identificação dos locais de transição de textura. O pH mensurado pela PMS exibiu correlações abaixo das verificadas na segunda etapa. No entanto, alguns resultados atípicos foram verificados, como a correlação maior entre pH em CaCl2 com a PMS do que em relação ao método em H2O. As leituras de reflectância vis-NIR utilizando a PMS apresentaram bons modelos de predição de areia e argila, permitindo a criação de mapas de alta resolução destes parâmetros. A espectroscopia de fluorescência de raios X portátil foi eficiente para estimar a textura do solo. Os teores de areia e argila foram estimados tanto por meio de regressões lineares simples como regressões múltiplas com valores de R2 acima de 0,60. O Fe total foi o principal elemento utilizado nesses modelos de regressão. / The objective of this work was to investigate soil sensing techniques and to analyze the potential for their use directly in the field. Four distinct steps were developed to meet the following objectives: a) to compare and evaluate the potential of predicting soil attributes with three portable spectrometers (vis-NIR) in a controlled environment; B) to evaluate the on-the-go prediction of pH, P and K using optical sensors (vis-NIR reflectance) and electrochemical techniques (ion-selective pH and K electrodes) in an experimental area with induced variability; C) assemble and test a field platform with electrical, electrochemical and optical sensors; D) to evaluate the potential of predicting soil texture using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy equipment. In the first step the vis-NIR spectral reflectance readings of the three equipments evaluated were very similar, with correlation coefficients above 0.86 in the 400 to 1800 nm range. When compared in this spectral region, the equipment produced very similar prediction models, with slight superiority for the FieldSpec system. The models showed to be more promising for the prediction of soil texture in relation to chemical attributes. In the second step the field readings using ion-selective pH and K electrodes presented a high correlation with the laboratory analyzes. The evaluations showed that soil conditions with low moisture significantly affect the readings. Despite the high correlation, the field values need to be corrected for the desired laboratory methodology. Prediction models of P, K and pH using field-vis-NIR spectrometry showed low precision. The tests of the Multisensors Soil Platform (MSP) in the third stage demonstrated that it is possible to use electric, electrochemical and optical sensors in the same platform. The electrical conductivity (EC) readings showed that this parameter was related with soil texture, acting as an indicator of variability and allowing the identification of texture transitions. The pH measured by MSP exhibited correlations below those verified in the second step. However, some atypical results were verified, such as the higher correlation between pH in CaCl2 and MSP than in H2O. The vis-NIR reflectance readings using the MSP resulted in good sand and clay prediction models, allowing the creation of high resolution maps of these parameters. Portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was efficient for estimating soil texture. The sand and clay contents were estimated both by simple linear regressions and multiple regressions with R2 values above 0.60. Total Fe was the main element used in these regression models.

Les verres du système binaire Ag₂S-As₂S₃ sont connus pour être de très bons conducteurs ioniques et l’ajout de HgI₂ permet d’envisager une application des verres du pseudo-ternaire HgI₂-Ag₂S-As₂S₃ en tant que membrane ionique spécifique dédiée au dosage du mercure en solution aqueuse. Les limites de son domaine vitreux ont été vérifiées à l’aide de la diffraction des rayons X. Les évolutions des propriétés macroscopiques des verres, incluant les densités et les températures caractéristiques (Tg, Tc et Tf) ont été analysées de façon systématique. Les propriétés de conduction des verres HgI₂-Ag₂S-As₂S₃ ont été évaluées à l’aide de la spectroscopie d’impédance complexe et de la diffusion du traceur radioactif 108mAg. Un des résultats les plus marquants dans ces verres conducteurs ioniques est l’augmentation de la conductivité lorsque Ag₂S est substitué par HgI₂. Afin de comprendre les mécanismes de conduction mis en jeu, des études structurales ont été menées par spectroscopie Raman, diffusion de neutrons et diffraction des rayons X haute énergie. Pour appréhender la structure de ces verres complexes, des études préalables sur les deux systèmes pseudo-binaires Ag₂S-As₂S₃ et HgI₂-As₂S₃ ont aussi été menées. Les différentes techniques utilisées ont notamment permis de montrer que des réactions d’échanges se produisaient lors de la synthèse. Enfin, la dernière partie de cette thèse est entièrement consacrée à la caractérisation de nouveaux capteurs chimiques pour la détection des ions Hg²+ en solution. Différentes compositions sont testées afin de définir la sensibilité, la limite de détection et les coefficients de sélectivité en présence d’ions interférents. / Glasses of the pseudo-binary system Ag₂S-As₂S₃ are well known to be good ionic conductors and the addition of HgI₂ allows considering the glasses of the pseudo-ternary system HgI₂-Ag₂S-As₂S₃ as ion-membrane dedicated to mercury sensing in aqueous solution. The limits of its vitreous domain were verified by X-ray diffraction. Changes in macroscopic properties of glasses, including density and characteristic temperatures (Tg, Tc et Tm) were systematically investigated. Conduction properties of HgI₂-Ag₂S-As₂S₃ glasses were evaluated using the complex impedance spectroscopy and 108mAg tracer diffusion measurements. One of the most interesting results concerns the conductivity increase if Ag₂S is substituted by HgI₂. To understand the conduction mechanisms involved, structural studies were carried out by Raman spectroscopy, neutron scattering and high-energy X-ray diffraction. To understand the structure of these complex glasses, preliminary studies on the two pseudo-binary systems Ag₂S-As₂S₃ and HgI₂-As₂S₃ were also undertaken. These techniques have underlined exchange reactions that occur during the synthesis. The last part of this research work is entirely devoted to the characterization of new chemical sensors for the detection of Hg²+ ions in solution. Different compositions were tested to determine the sensitivity, detection limit and selectivity coefficients in the presence of interfering ions.

O trabalho teve o objetivo de investigar técnicas de sensoriamento de solo e analisar o potencial de utilização das mesmas diretamente no campo. Quatro etapas distintas foram desenvolvidas para atender aos seguintes objetivos: a) comparar e avaliar o potencial de predição de atributos do solo de três espectrômetros portáteis (vis-NIR) em ambiente controlado; b) avaliar a predição em movimento de pH, P e K utilizando técnicas de sensoriamento óptico (reflectância vis-NIR) e eletroquímico (eletrodos íon-seletivos de pH e K) em uma área experimental com variabilidade induzida; c) montar e testar uma plataforma de campo com sensores elétricos, eletroquímicos e ópticos; d) avaliar o potencial de predição de textura do solo utilizando um equipamento portátil de espectroscopia de fluorescência de raios X. Na primeira etapa as leituras de reflectância espectral vis-NIR dos três equipamentos avaliados mostraram-se muito semelhantes, com coeficientes de correlação acima de 0,86 na faixa de 400 a 1800 nm. Quando comparados nesta região espectral os equipamentos produziram modelos de predição muito semelhantes, com leve superioridade para o sistema FieldSpec. Os modelos mostraram-se mais promissores para a predição da textura do solo em relação aos atributos químicos. Na segunda etapa as leituras de campo utilizando eletrodos íon-seletivos de pH e K apresentaram uma alta correlação com as análises de laboratório. As avaliações permitiram observar que condições de solo com baixa umidade prejudicam sensivelmente as leituras. Apesar da alta correlação, os valores de campo precisam ser corrigidos para a metodologia de laboratório desejada. Os modelos de predição de P, K e pH utilizando espectrometria vis-NIR no campo apresentaram baixa precisão. Os testes da Plataforma Multisensores de Solo (PMS) na terceira etapa demonstraram ser possível a utilização de sensores elétricos, eletroquímicos e ópticos em uma mesma plataforma. As leituras de condutividade elétrica aparente do solo (CEa) demonstraram que este parâmetro está relacionado com a textura, atuando como um indicador da variabilidade e possibilitando a identificação dos locais de transição de textura. O pH mensurado pela PMS exibiu correlações abaixo das verificadas na segunda etapa. No entanto, alguns resultados atípicos foram verificados, como a correlação maior entre pH em CaCl2 com a PMS do que em relação ao método em H2O. As leituras de reflectância vis-NIR utilizando a PMS apresentaram bons modelos de predição de areia e argila, permitindo a criação de mapas de alta resolução destes parâmetros. A espectroscopia de fluorescência de raios X portátil foi eficiente para estimar a textura do solo. Os teores de areia e argila foram estimados tanto por meio de regressões lineares simples como regressões múltiplas com valores de R2 acima de 0,60. O Fe total foi o principal elemento utilizado nesses modelos de regressão. / The objective of this work was to investigate soil sensing techniques and to analyze the potential for their use directly in the field. Four distinct steps were developed to meet the following objectives: a) to compare and evaluate the potential of predicting soil attributes with three portable spectrometers (vis-NIR) in a controlled environment; B) to evaluate the on-the-go prediction of pH, P and K using optical sensors (vis-NIR reflectance) and electrochemical techniques (ion-selective pH and K electrodes) in an experimental area with induced variability; C) assemble and test a field platform with electrical, electrochemical and optical sensors; D) to evaluate the potential of predicting soil texture using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy equipment. In the first step the vis-NIR spectral reflectance readings of the three equipments evaluated were very similar, with correlation coefficients above 0.86 in the 400 to 1800 nm range. When compared in this spectral region, the equipment produced very similar prediction models, with slight superiority for the FieldSpec system. The models showed to be more promising for the prediction of soil texture in relation to chemical attributes. In the second step the field readings using ion-selective pH and K electrodes presented a high correlation with the laboratory analyzes. The evaluations showed that soil conditions with low moisture significantly affect the readings. Despite the high correlation, the field values need to be corrected for the desired laboratory methodology. Prediction models of P, K and pH using field-vis-NIR spectrometry showed low precision. The tests of the Multisensors Soil Platform (MSP) in the third stage demonstrated that it is possible to use electric, electrochemical and optical sensors in the same platform. The electrical conductivity (EC) readings showed that this parameter was related with soil texture, acting as an indicator of variability and allowing the identification of texture transitions. The pH measured by MSP exhibited correlations below those verified in the second step. However, some atypical results were verified, such as the higher correlation between pH in CaCl2 and MSP than in H2O. The vis-NIR reflectance readings using the MSP resulted in good sand and clay prediction models, allowing the creation of high resolution maps of these parameters. Portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was efficient for estimating soil texture. The sand and clay contents were estimated both by simple linear regressions and multiple regressions with R2 values above 0.60. Total Fe was the main element used in these regression models.

Copper radionuclides possess physical properties suitable for utilization in nuclear medicine. Important part of their preparation is separation from mother elements, usually zinc or nickel. Currently used methods of separation have their limits, what opens field for finding new ways. One part of the Thesis contains preparation of simple ion exchangers and their selectivity study. The other part of the Thesis is dedicated to optimization of synthetic steps leading to new bifunctional ligands in suitable form for binding to macromolecular carriers and preparation of new set of exchangers.

<p>  </p> <p>Graphene is a two-dimensional (2-D) sheet of <em>sp2</em> hybridized carbon atoms with extraordinary thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. Among numerous sophisticated and costly synthesis techniques including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), SiC and microwave plasma; liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) has been one of the most widely used techniques for low-cost and large scale graphene synthesis since it was first reported in 2008. LPE involves the use of liquid media to exfoliate graphite precursors directly into mono- or few-layered graphene. Stable dispersions of few-layered graphene are desirable for thin-film deposition on a large scale but are limited by the use of polar organic solvents with high boiling points and unfavorable toxicity profiles. This limitation can be overcome by milling and exfoliation of graphene nanoplatelets (GrNPs) in ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and acetone, volatile solvents with low toxicity profiles and modest environmental impact. Solvent-assisted grinding of pristine GrNPs on a horizontal ball mill followed by sonication produces concentrated suspensions up to 356 µg/mL that remain stable at room temperature for a minimum of 6 weeks without the addition of surfactants. Exfoliated graphene layers have an average thickness of 4.5 nm which corresponds to 10–12 layers of graphene on Si/SiO2 substrates. EtOAc and acetone-based dispersions of exfoliated graphene can be deposited uniformly using conventional airbrush equipment as low-boiling point solvents evaporates instantaneously after deposition. This deposition method also provides freedom regarding to target substrate and overcomes any substrate related limitations observed in other techniques. Practical demonstrations of spray-coated graphene films include (i) conductive surfaces with sheet resistance as low as 1 kΩ/sq, and (ii) solid contacts for disposable and low-cost nitrate-selective electrodes, with high reproducibility in the voltage readouts across multiple sensors.</p>

Att följa ammonium i reningsverk är avgörande för att förbättra reningsprocessen och kontrollera flödet av föroreningar ut till ekosystemet. Jonselektiva elektroder (ion-selective electrodes, ISEs) är en lovande teknik inom området, där polymermembran baserade på nonactin är de mest studerade membranen för ammoniumsensorer. Membranet droppas tillsammans med ett jon-till-elektron transducerande material på ett elektrodsubstrat av grafit eller glasartat kol. Nonactin-baserade jonselektiva elektroder har typiskt en detektionsgräns inom storleksordningen 10-5 M, men uppvisar betydande kaliuminterferenser. Ett elektrodsystem baserat på grafitelektroder, inkluderande en ISE och en referenselektrod (RE), studerades i detta examensarbete. De jonselektiva elektroderna producerades genom att droppa jon-till-elektron trandsducerande funktionella flerväggiga kolnanotuber (functional multiwalled carbon nanotubes, f-MWCNTs) lösta i tetrahydrofuran (THF) och en membrancocktail innehållande polyvinylklorid (PVC), mjukgörare och nonactin löst i THF på grafitelektroder. Membranet täcktes sedan med en buffrad polyvinylalkohol (PVA) hydrogel med pH 7 och ett gas-permeabelt membran. Referenselektroderna producerades genom att droppa en membrancocktail av polyvinylbutyral (PVB) mättat med NaCl på grafitelektroder. Jonselektiva elektroder med f-MWCNTs som jon-till-elektron transducerande lager och ett PVC-baserat ammonium-selektivt membran med nonactin producerades framgångsrikt. Elektroderna hade en detektionsgräns i storleksordningen 10-5 M, vilket kan jämföras med tidigare artiklar publicerade inom området. Ytterligare producerades PVB-baserade referenselektroder mättade med NaCl framgångsrikt. Referenselektroderna uppvisade små variationer när koncentrationer av olika salt varierades. Arbetet visade att det gaspermeabla membranet Hyflon AD i kombination med en PVA hydrogel inte var lämplig i den föreslagna konfigurationen, då hålrum formades i torkningsprocessen av det gaspermeabla membranet och membranet delaminerade. Det föreslogs att beteendet kunde vara en konsekvens av inkompatibilitet mellan PVC och det gaspermeable membranet, till följd av deras skillnad i polaritet. / Monitoring ammonium in wastewater is vital to improve the treatment process and monitor the release of the pollutant into the ecosystem. Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) is a promising technique in the area where the ISE is often based on a polymeric membrane containing the ionophore nonactin. The polymeric ion-selective membrane is drop-cast onto graphite or glassy carbon electrode substrates together with an ion-to-electron transducing layer. Nonactin-based ISEs typically demonstrate a limit of detection (LOD) in the range of 10-5 M, but exhibit significant potassium interferences. A solid-state system based on graphite electrodes, including an ISE and a reference electrode (RE), was investigated in this study. The ISEs were produced by drop-casting ion-to-electron transducing functional multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) dispersed in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and a membrane cocktail comprising poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), plasticizer, and nonactin dispersed in THF onto graphite electrodes. The membrane was then covered with a buffered poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel of pH 7 and a gas-permeable membrane (GPM). The solid-state RE was produced by drop-casting a poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) membrane cocktail saturated with NaCl onto the graphite electrode.  ISEs using f-MWCNTs as ion-to-electron transducers and a PVC-based ammonium-sensitive membrane with nonactin were successfully produced. The electrodes exhibited LODs in the range of 10-5 M, which is comparable to previous articles published on the subject. Additionally, PVB-based solid-state REs saturated with NaCl were successfully produced. The reference electrodes exhibited minor influences when varying the concentrations of various salts. The study showed that the GPM Hyflon AD combined with a PVA hydrogel was not suitable in this configuration, as air voids were formed in the drying process, and the membrane was easily delaminated. It was suggested that this behavior could be a consequence of the incompatibility of PVC and the GPM due to their difference in polarity.