Projections of the World Energy Council indicate a significant increase in global energy consumption in the medium and long term due to a growing world population and rising prosperity whilst global fossil fuel reserves are in decline. Eighty percent of the world’s energy consumption is generated from fossil fuels and this is unlikely to change in the short and medium term inevitably leading to energy shortfalls. The CO2-less energy of nuclear fuel shows strong potential to meet the future energy demands. However economic, politic and environmental requirements mean that the nuclear industry must adapt its current technology and present fuel usage. A pyroelectrochemical reprocessing system utilising liquid cathode technology could provide an efficient and secure reprocessing cycle essential for reduction in volume and toxicity of nuclear waste and extension of natural nuclear resources. The electrochemistry of aqueous copper(II) and zinc(II) chloride was studied upon a liquid mercury cathode using cyclic voltammetry. Bulk deposition of the Cu upon the liquid mercury cathode was studied using both amperometry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The surface deposits formed by copper deposition upon the mercury liquid cathode were analysed using x-ray powder diffraction and determined to be the rare naturally occurring mineral Belendorffite, Cu7Hg6. Electrochemical diagnostics for surface deposition upon the mercury liquid cathode surface were investigated as a potential analogue system for high temperature liquid cathode systems. Bulk deposition investigation of lanthanum upon the high temperature bismuth system demonstrated transfer of EIS diagnostics for surface growth, with the system demonstrating a similarity to the zinc-mercury ambient system. An electrochemical technique for purifying LiCl/KCl molten salt using an electrolysis technique was demonstrated. The electrochemical cleaning method forgoes the standard chemical treatments that can leave contaminants within the treated salt and results in a cleaner less oxidising molten salt eutectic.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / The most common polagraphic electrode in use at the present time is the dropping mercury electrode (DME). There are, however, certain well-recognized disadvantages attendant on the use of the DME: (1) oxidation analysis is limited to 0.4 v.; (2) there are rather large charging currents associated with the growing drop; (3) the area of the drops, and hence the sensitivity can not be appreciably increased; (4) because of drop growth, a a spiky sort of current is obtained which introduces a reading error into the results obtained, especially at low concentrations. It can be seen that these disadvantages are largely a function either of the electrode shape and size, or of the method of electrode propagation. [TRUNCATED]

O presente trabalho procura dar continuidade a uma das linhas de pesquisa desenvolvida pelo Grupo de Química Analítica do Instituto de Química da Universidade de são Paulo: o estudo da formação de complexos. O sistema Hg(II) / S2O2-3 foi analisado potenciometricamente, com a finalidade de identificar o número de complexos formados, assim como estimar as constantes de estabilidade envolvidas no fenônemo de complexação. Tal equilíbrio foi levado a termo a 25,0 ± 0,1°C, e força iônica 2,00M, sendo detectados quatro espécies complexas. O modelo matemático que melhor se ajustou aos dados experimentais fornecidos pelo sistema, conta com os seguintes valores para as constantes globais de formação: β1 1 = x 1024 M-1 (valor atribuído) β2 = (8,0 ± 2,8) x 1027 M-2 β3 = (1,71 ± 0,03) x 1030 M-3 β4 = (3,07 ± 0,77) x 1030 M-4. Na região de baixa concentração analítica de ligante, 5mM, o acesso experimental foi limitado pela precipitação de sulfeto mercúrico sendo impossível obter informaçôes sobre a primeira espécie. O comportamento do mercúrio no sistema Hg(II) / S2O2-3 foi estudado de uma forma mais abrangente, sendo estendido ao meio não complexante, onde o equilíbrio de dismutação do cátion mercuroso governa. Nas mesmas condições de temperatura e força iônica anteriores, foram obtidos alguns parâmetros desse equilibrio, a saber: - potenciais formais de eletrodo: Eo\'Hg(I) / Hg(O) = ( 0,456 ± 0,014 ) V Eo\'Hg(II) / Hg(O) = ( 0,559 ± 0,0016) V Eo\'Hg(III) / Hg(I) = ( 0, 6625 ± 0,0023 ) V - constante do equilibrio heterogêneo: Qp (potenciométrica) = (3 ± 1) x 103 Adicionalmente, foram realizados estudos eletrogravimétricos sobre o mecanismo de oxidação coulométrica do mercúrio metálico, em diversos eletrólitos suporte, merecendo destaque a estabilização do Hg(I) por cloreto, e do Hg (II) por tiossulfato, mostrando que a transferência eletrônica é um processo por etapas. Complementando o estudo do sistema, a potencialidade análitica do tiossulfato na determinação dos cátions do mercúrio foi confirmada em titulações potenciométricas. / The present work belongs to one of the topics developed by the Analytical Chemistry Group in the Chemistry Institute of the são Paulo University: the study of complex formation equilibrium. The Hg(II)/S2O2-3 system was potentiometrically analysed with the purpose of identifying the number of formed complexes as well as computing their stability constants. Such equilibria study was performed at a 25.0 ± 0.1ºC temperature and 2.00 M ionic strengh, mantained with NaClO4. Four stepwise complexes have been detected by a calculus procedure based on non-linear regression. The best formation constants set is: β1 1 = x 1024 M-1 (arbitrary value) β 2 = (8,0 ± 2,8) x 1027 M-2 β3 = (1,71 ± 0,03) x 1030 M-3 β4 = (3,07 ± 0,77) x 1030 M-3. At lower ligand concentration, nearly 5mM, the experimental access was limited by the mercuric sulphide precipitation, being impossible to achieve data on the first specie. The mercury performance in the Hg(II)/S2O2-3 system was more widely studied with concern to the non-complexing media, where the disrnutation of mercurous cation leads. With the same previous temperature and ionic stengh conditions, some equilibria parameters have been determined: - electrode potentials: Eo\'Hg(I) / Hg(O) = ( 0,456 ± 0,014 ) V Eo\'Hg(II) / Hg(O) = ( 0,559 ± 0,0016) V Eo\'Hg(III) / Hg(I) = ( 0, 6625 ± 0,0023) V - heterogeneous equilibria constant: Qp = (3 ± 1) x 103. Electrogravimetric studies about the coulometric oxidation mecanism of metallic mercury have also been executed. The oxidation was carried out at several suporting electrolites, regarding the Hg(II) stabilization by the tiossulphate anion, and the Hg(I) by chloride, showing that the electrochemical transfer occurs in a step by step process. In addition to system study, the analytical potentiality of the tiossulphate on the determination of mercury cationic species was confirmed by potentiometric titulations.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Sulfur compounds in petroleum asphalt cement (CAP) are related to quality parameters such as reactivity, corrosivity, pollution potential and are directly related to the aging of the asphalt. In this work, a voltammetric method was developed seeking to determine sulfur compounds in its reduced form (-II) and oxidized (+II, +IV) in virgin and aged CAP samples, using a mercury electrode in HMDE mode in a non-aqueous medium. To do so, sixteen sulfur compounds were studied in different oxidation states (-II, +II, +IV), obtaining the linear range and detection limit for each compound. The direct application of the method in the CAP samples is impossible due to the highly complex chemistry that the matrix presents, possibly making the determination of compounds not viable. Therefore, the CAP samples were fractionated into functional groups (saturated/aromatic, aliphatic sulfides and thiophenes) by the method adapted from Payzant (1989), employing redox reactions and chromatographic separation by adsorption on silica. After such fractionation, the samples were subjected to a cleaning procedure using solid phase extraction (SPE). / Compostos de enxofre em cimento asfáltico de petróleo (CAP) tem relação com parâmetros de qualidade como reatividade, corrosibilidade, potencial poluidor, estando diretamente relacionados com o envelhecimento dos asfaltos. Neste trabalho, um método voltamétrico foi desenvolvido buscando determinar compostos de enxofre na sua forma reduzida (-II) e oxidada (+II, +IV) em amostras de CAP virgem e envelhecida, empregando eletrodo de mercúrio no modo HMDE em meio não aquoso. Para isso foram estudados dezesseis compostos de enxofre em diferentes estados de oxidação (-II, +II, +IV), obtendo faixa linear e limite de detecção para cada composto. A aplicação direta do método nas amostras de CAP é impossível devido à alta complexidade química que a matriz apresenta, podendo vir a inviabilizar a determinação dos compostos. Desta forma as amostras de CAP foram fracionadas em grupamentos funcionais (saturados/aromáticos, sulfetos alifáticos e tiofenos) pelo método adaptado de Payzant (1989), empregando reações de oxi-redução e separações cromatográficas por adsorção em sílica. Após esse fracionamento, as amostras foram submetidas a um procedimento de limpeza utilizando extração em fase sólida (SPE).

O presente trabalho procura dar continuidade a uma das linhas de pesquisa desenvolvida pelo Grupo de Química Analítica do Instituto de Química da Universidade de são Paulo: o estudo da formação de complexos. O sistema Hg(II) / S2O2-3 foi analisado potenciometricamente, com a finalidade de identificar o número de complexos formados, assim como estimar as constantes de estabilidade envolvidas no fenônemo de complexação. Tal equilíbrio foi levado a termo a 25,0 ± 0,1°C, e força iônica 2,00M, sendo detectados quatro espécies complexas. O modelo matemático que melhor se ajustou aos dados experimentais fornecidos pelo sistema, conta com os seguintes valores para as constantes globais de formação: β1 1 = x 1024 M-1 (valor atribuído) β2 = (8,0 ± 2,8) x 1027 M-2 β3 = (1,71 ± 0,03) x 1030 M-3 β4 = (3,07 ± 0,77) x 1030 M-4. Na região de baixa concentração analítica de ligante, 5mM, o acesso experimental foi limitado pela precipitação de sulfeto mercúrico sendo impossível obter informaçôes sobre a primeira espécie. O comportamento do mercúrio no sistema Hg(II) / S2O2-3 foi estudado de uma forma mais abrangente, sendo estendido ao meio não complexante, onde o equilíbrio de dismutação do cátion mercuroso governa. Nas mesmas condições de temperatura e força iônica anteriores, foram obtidos alguns parâmetros desse equilibrio, a saber: - potenciais formais de eletrodo: Eo\'Hg(I) / Hg(O) = ( 0,456 ± 0,014 ) V Eo\'Hg(II) / Hg(O) = ( 0,559 ± 0,0016) V Eo\'Hg(III) / Hg(I) = ( 0, 6625 ± 0,0023 ) V - constante do equilibrio heterogêneo: Qp (potenciométrica) = (3 ± 1) x 103 Adicionalmente, foram realizados estudos eletrogravimétricos sobre o mecanismo de oxidação coulométrica do mercúrio metálico, em diversos eletrólitos suporte, merecendo destaque a estabilização do Hg(I) por cloreto, e do Hg (II) por tiossulfato, mostrando que a transferência eletrônica é um processo por etapas. Complementando o estudo do sistema, a potencialidade análitica do tiossulfato na determinação dos cátions do mercúrio foi confirmada em titulações potenciométricas. / The present work belongs to one of the topics developed by the Analytical Chemistry Group in the Chemistry Institute of the são Paulo University: the study of complex formation equilibrium. The Hg(II)/S2O2-3 system was potentiometrically analysed with the purpose of identifying the number of formed complexes as well as computing their stability constants. Such equilibria study was performed at a 25.0 ± 0.1ºC temperature and 2.00 M ionic strengh, mantained with NaClO4. Four stepwise complexes have been detected by a calculus procedure based on non-linear regression. The best formation constants set is: β1 1 = x 1024 M-1 (arbitrary value) β 2 = (8,0 ± 2,8) x 1027 M-2 β3 = (1,71 ± 0,03) x 1030 M-3 β4 = (3,07 ± 0,77) x 1030 M-3. At lower ligand concentration, nearly 5mM, the experimental access was limited by the mercuric sulphide precipitation, being impossible to achieve data on the first specie. The mercury performance in the Hg(II)/S2O2-3 system was more widely studied with concern to the non-complexing media, where the disrnutation of mercurous cation leads. With the same previous temperature and ionic stengh conditions, some equilibria parameters have been determined: - electrode potentials: Eo\'Hg(I) / Hg(O) = ( 0,456 ± 0,014 ) V Eo\'Hg(II) / Hg(O) = ( 0,559 ± 0,0016) V Eo\'Hg(III) / Hg(I) = ( 0, 6625 ± 0,0023) V - heterogeneous equilibria constant: Qp = (3 ± 1) x 103. Electrogravimetric studies about the coulometric oxidation mecanism of metallic mercury have also been executed. The oxidation was carried out at several suporting electrolites, regarding the Hg(II) stabilization by the tiossulphate anion, and the Hg(I) by chloride, showing that the electrochemical transfer occurs in a step by step process. In addition to system study, the analytical potentiality of the tiossulphate on the determination of mercury cationic species was confirmed by potentiometric titulations.

A influência de pequenas concentrações de íons cloreto na cinética de redução eletroquímica dos íons Bi3+ e Cu2+ foi estudada através de medidas independentes de adsorção específica e de cinética eletroquímica. A adsorção específica foi determinada por meio das curvas eletrocapilares obtidas com o método do tempo de gota, para soluções aquosas de misturas de ácido clorídrico xM e de ácido perclórico (1 - x)M. Obeservou-se que, em concentrações de cloreto muito baixas, iguais ou inferiores a 10-2 M, a adsorção específica desses íons segue a isoterma de adsorção de Henry. A cinética da redução eletroquímica dos íons de Bi3+ e Cu2+, na presença de pequenas concentrações de íons cloreto, em meio de ácido perclórico 1 M, foi estudada por polarografia com o eletrodo de mercúrio. Os valores das constantes de velocidade foram calculados, a partir da relação existente entre a corrente, medida em cada potencial, e a corrente de difusão, usando as equações relativas a processos de eletrodos irreversíveis. Estes valores mostraram que, para as concentrações mais baixas de cloreto estudadas, esses íons aceleram as reações Bi3+ + 3e → Bi(Hg) e Cu2+ + 2e → Cu(Hg). O mecanismo de redução, por outro lado, permanece o mesmo já observado por outros autores em soluções de ácido perclórico puro, ou seja, os íons Bi3+ e Cu2+ são reduzidos em etapas de um elétron com velocidades comparáveis. No caso do bismuto, para as concentrações mais altas de cloreto estudadas, o efeito da complexação dos íons Cl- e Bi3+ no meio da solução se torna apreciável e a influência dos íons cloreto na velocidade de redução se deve a uma ação combinada da sua adsorção específica sobre o eletrodo e da sua tendência em formar complexos. No caso do cobre apenas a adsorção específica dos íons cloreto é a responsável pelo seu efeito na cinética do processo, em virtude da não complexação dos íons Cl- e Cu2+ presentes na solução. Tanto no caso do bismuto como o do cobre se observou uma relação linear entre os logaritmos das constantes de velocidade de redução e a carga especificamente adsorvida de íons cloreto, a um potencial constante. Esses resultados estão em concordância com os modelos teóricos de PARSONS e de GUIDELLI e FORESTI, sobre a influência de íons não eletroativos especificamente adsorvidos na cinética de reações de eletrodo. presença de uma carga especificamente adsorvida, dependente do potencial do eletrodo, justifica a variação no coeficiente de transferência à medida que se varia a concentração do íon especificamente adsorvido; no caso do cobre, onde apenas a adsorção específica é a responsável pelo aumento da velocidade de redução eletroquímica, a correção no valor do coeficiente de transferência a partir dos dados de adsorção, coincide com os resultados experimentais obtidos a partir da variação do logaritmo da constante de velocidade com o potencial. / In the present work, the effect of chloride ions in small concentrations on the electrochemical reduction of Bi3+ and Cu2+ ions was studied by means of independent measurements of specific adsorption and electrode kinetics. Specific adsorption was calculated irom electrocapillary curve data, obtained by means of the drop time method for aqueous solutions of xM hydrochloric acid and (1 - x)M perchloric acid mixtures. It was observed that, for low chloride concentrations (less than or equal to 10-2M), specific adsorption of these ions on the mercury electrode obeys the Henrys adsorption isotherm. The kinetics of the electrochemical reduction of Bi3+ and Cu2+ ions, in the presence of emall concentrations of chloride ions in 1M HC104 was studied by dropping mercury electrode polarography. The rate constants was calculated from the ratio between the current, measured at each potential, and the diffusion current, using the equations for irreversible electrode processes. It is shown from these rate constansts, that for the smaller chloride concentrations, the velocity of the reaction Bi3+ + 3e → Bi(Hg) and Cu2+ + 2e Cu(Hg) is increased by the presence of chloride ions. The reduction mechanism remains the same as that observed by other investigators in pure HC104, i.e., the reduction occur in one electron steps and the rates of each step are compa¬rable. In the case of bismuth the effect of complexation of Bi3+ by Cl- ions is appreciable for the higher chloride concentrations; the influence of the chloride ions on the reduction velocity thus results from a combination of its specific adsorption on the electrode and its tendency for complex formation. In the case of copper, only the specific adsorption of chloride ions is responsible for their effect on the electrode process kinetics since there is no complexation of the Cu2+ ion by Cl- in solution. For the reductions of bath bismuth and copper ions, a linear relation between the logarithms of the rate constants and the specifically adsorbed charge of Cl- ions is observed at constant potencial. These results agree with the theoretical models of PARSONS and of GUIDELLI and FORESTI describing the effect of non-electroactive, specifically adsorbed ions on the kinetics of electrode processes. The presence of specifically adsorbed charge, that depends on the electrode potential, explains the observed variation of the transfer coefficient as the concentration of the specifically adsorbed ion is increased. For copper, in which only apecific adsorption is responsible for the increase of the velocity, transfer coefficients corrected using the specific adsorption data are in agreement with the experimental results obtained from the variation of the logarithm of the rate constant with the potential.

A influência de pequenas concentrações de íons cloreto na cinética de redução eletroquímica dos íons Bi3+ e Cu2+ foi estudada através de medidas independentes de adsorção específica e de cinética eletroquímica. A adsorção específica foi determinada por meio das curvas eletrocapilares obtidas com o método do tempo de gota, para soluções aquosas de misturas de ácido clorídrico xM e de ácido perclórico (1 - x)M. Obeservou-se que, em concentrações de cloreto muito baixas, iguais ou inferiores a 10-2 M, a adsorção específica desses íons segue a isoterma de adsorção de Henry. A cinética da redução eletroquímica dos íons de Bi3+ e Cu2+, na presença de pequenas concentrações de íons cloreto, em meio de ácido perclórico 1 M, foi estudada por polarografia com o eletrodo de mercúrio. Os valores das constantes de velocidade foram calculados, a partir da relação existente entre a corrente, medida em cada potencial, e a corrente de difusão, usando as equações relativas a processos de eletrodos irreversíveis. Estes valores mostraram que, para as concentrações mais baixas de cloreto estudadas, esses íons aceleram as reações Bi3+ + 3e → Bi(Hg) e Cu2+ + 2e → Cu(Hg). O mecanismo de redução, por outro lado, permanece o mesmo já observado por outros autores em soluções de ácido perclórico puro, ou seja, os íons Bi3+ e Cu2+ são reduzidos em etapas de um elétron com velocidades comparáveis. No caso do bismuto, para as concentrações mais altas de cloreto estudadas, o efeito da complexação dos íons Cl- e Bi3+ no meio da solução se torna apreciável e a influência dos íons cloreto na velocidade de redução se deve a uma ação combinada da sua adsorção específica sobre o eletrodo e da sua tendência em formar complexos. No caso do cobre apenas a adsorção específica dos íons cloreto é a responsável pelo seu efeito na cinética do processo, em virtude da não complexação dos íons Cl- e Cu2+ presentes na solução. Tanto no caso do bismuto como o do cobre se observou uma relação linear entre os logaritmos das constantes de velocidade de redução e a carga especificamente adsorvida de íons cloreto, a um potencial constante. Esses resultados estão em concordância com os modelos teóricos de PARSONS e de GUIDELLI e FORESTI, sobre a influência de íons não eletroativos especificamente adsorvidos na cinética de reações de eletrodo. presença de uma carga especificamente adsorvida, dependente do potencial do eletrodo, justifica a variação no coeficiente de transferência à medida que se varia a concentração do íon especificamente adsorvido; no caso do cobre, onde apenas a adsorção específica é a responsável pelo aumento da velocidade de redução eletroquímica, a correção no valor do coeficiente de transferência a partir dos dados de adsorção, coincide com os resultados experimentais obtidos a partir da variação do logaritmo da constante de velocidade com o potencial. / In the present work, the effect of chloride ions in small concentrations on the electrochemical reduction of Bi3+ and Cu2+ ions was studied by means of independent measurements of specific adsorption and electrode kinetics. Specific adsorption was calculated irom electrocapillary curve data, obtained by means of the drop time method for aqueous solutions of xM hydrochloric acid and (1 - x)M perchloric acid mixtures. It was observed that, for low chloride concentrations (less than or equal to 10-2M), specific adsorption of these ions on the mercury electrode obeys the Henrys adsorption isotherm. The kinetics of the electrochemical reduction of Bi3+ and Cu2+ ions, in the presence of emall concentrations of chloride ions in 1M HC104 was studied by dropping mercury electrode polarography. The rate constants was calculated from the ratio between the current, measured at each potential, and the diffusion current, using the equations for irreversible electrode processes. It is shown from these rate constansts, that for the smaller chloride concentrations, the velocity of the reaction Bi3+ + 3e → Bi(Hg) and Cu2+ + 2e Cu(Hg) is increased by the presence of chloride ions. The reduction mechanism remains the same as that observed by other investigators in pure HC104, i.e., the reduction occur in one electron steps and the rates of each step are compa¬rable. In the case of bismuth the effect of complexation of Bi3+ by Cl- ions is appreciable for the higher chloride concentrations; the influence of the chloride ions on the reduction velocity thus results from a combination of its specific adsorption on the electrode and its tendency for complex formation. In the case of copper, only the specific adsorption of chloride ions is responsible for their effect on the electrode process kinetics since there is no complexation of the Cu2+ ion by Cl- in solution. For the reductions of bath bismuth and copper ions, a linear relation between the logarithms of the rate constants and the specifically adsorbed charge of Cl- ions is observed at constant potencial. These results agree with the theoretical models of PARSONS and of GUIDELLI and FORESTI describing the effect of non-electroactive, specifically adsorbed ions on the kinetics of electrode processes. The presence of specifically adsorbed charge, that depends on the electrode potential, explains the observed variation of the transfer coefficient as the concentration of the specifically adsorbed ion is increased. For copper, in which only apecific adsorption is responsible for the increase of the velocity, transfer coefficients corrected using the specific adsorption data are in agreement with the experimental results obtained from the variation of the logarithm of the rate constant with the potential.

<p>U ovom radu su razvijene elektrohemijske metode za određivanje histamina. U svim<br />elektrohemijskim ispitivanjima kori&scaron;ćena je hronopotenciometrija. Istraživanja su obuhvatila optimizaciju uslova elektroanalitičkih tehnika i upoređivanje mehanizama generisanja analitičkog signala primenom različitih radnih elektroda, razvoj odgovarajućeg postupka pripreme uzoraka za analizu i samo određivanje histamina u hrani i piću. Ispitana je mogućnost primene čvrste zlatne elektrode, tankoslojne živine i tankoslojne niklove elektrode za elektrohemijsko određivanje histamina. U slučaju elektrooksidacije histamina, razja&scaron;njeni su mehanizmi generisanja signala na primenjenim elektrodama. Optimizacija uslova elektroanalitičkih tehnika obuhvatila je odabir odgovarajućeg pomoćnog elektrolita i njegove koncentracije, ispitivanje uticaja početnog potencijala i struje oksidacije na analitički signal analita. Pored toga, za svaki elektrohemijski sistem definisana su osetljivost i reproduktivnost, selektivnost, kao i opseg linearnosti. Primenom tankoslojne niklove elektrode uočena je pojava adsorpcionog koncentrovanja analita, te su u slučaju ovog elektrohemijskog sistema ispitani i uticaji vremena adsorpcije i temperature ispitivanog medijuma na analitički signal histamina. Na tankoslojnoj živinoj elektrodi analitički signal se generisao usled direktne oksidacije histamina primenom konstantne struje. Na ostale dve elektrode, pored elektrodnih reakcija odvijale su se i hemijske reakcije, tako da se oksidacija histamina u oba slučaja odigravala po ECE mehanizmu (elektrodna reakcija &ndash; hemijska reakcija &ndash; elektrodna reakcija). Na čvrstoj zlatnoj elektrodi, generisanje signala je bilo posledica oksidacije histamina elektrogenerisanim hlorom, dok se u slučaju tankoslojne niklove elektrode radilo o kombinovanoj katalitičko‐adsorpcionoj hronopotenciometriji. Tankoslojna živina elektroda je pokazala dobru selektivnost pri koncentracijama aminokiselina i histamina nižim od 5 mg/dm³, dok je pri vi&scaron;im koncentracijama dolazilo do preklapanja analitičkih signala. Ostali elektrohemijski sistemi nisu pokazali odgovarajuću selektivnost. Najveća osteljivost je ostvarena primenom tankoslojne niklove elektrode (LOD = 0,11 mg/dm³), zatim sledi čvrsta zlatna elektroda (LOD = 0,27 mg/dm³) i na kraju tankoslojna živina elektroda (LOD = 1,31 mg/dm³). U okviru definisanja postupka pripreme uzoraka, ispitana je efikasnost različitih ekstrakcionih tehnika i različitih ekstragenasa u pogledu izdvajanja histamina iz uzoraka. Pored toga razvijeni su odgovarajući postupci preči&scaron;ćavanja ekstrakata primenom preparativnih hromatografskih tehnika, i to na tankom sloju i na stubu adsorbensa. Po definisanju optimalnih uslova elektrohemijskog određivanje histamina, kao i razvijanja postupka pripreme uzoraka, histamin je određen u različitoj hrani i piću.</p> / <p>In this work, the electrochemical methods for the determination of histamine were<br />developed. All electrochemical investigations were carried out by chronopotentiometry. The research included optimization of the experimental parameters of electroanalytical techniques and comparison of the mechanism of the analytical signal generation by using the different working electrodes. Upon the development of sample preparation procedure, histamine was determined in different food and beverages. The possibility of applying solid gold electrodes, thin film mercury electrode and thin film nickel electrode for electrochemical determination of histamine was examined. The mechanisms of histamine electrooxidation on different working electrodes were explained and elaborated. Optimization of the experimental parameters of electroanalytical techniques included the selection of appropriate supporting electrolyte and its concentration, and investigation of the influence of initial potential and oxidation current on histamine analytical signal. Beside this, for each electrochemical system sensitivity and reproducibility, selectivity as well as linearity range were defined. The use of thin nickel film electrode resulted in adsorptive accumulation, and in that case the effects of accumulation time and medium temperature on histamine analytical signal were defined. On thin film mercury electrode, histamine analytical signal was generated<br />due to direct oxidation of histamine by a constant current. On other two electrodes, electrode reactions were coupled with chemical reaction, and histamine oxidation was by ECE mechanism (electrode reaction &ndash; chemical reaction &ndash; electrode reaction). On solid gold electrode histamine was oxidized indirectly by electrogenerated chlorine, while in the case of thin film nickel electrode combination of catalytic and adsorptive chronopotentiomety was responsible for signal generation. Thin film mercury electrode showed good selectivity for histamine and amino acids concentrations below 5 mg/dm³, but higher concentrations caused the overlapping of analytical signals. Other electrochemical systems did not show adequate selectivity. The best sensitivity was achived by thin film nickel electrode (LOD = 0.11 mg/dm³),<br />followed by a solid gold electrode (LOD = 0.27 mg/dm³), and by thin film mercury electrode (LOD = 1.31 mg/dm³). In order to define adequate sample preparation procedure, the efficiency of different extraction techniques and different solvents were tested for histamine extraction from the samples. Appropriate procedures for purification of extracts were defined as well, by applying preparative thin layer and column chromatography. After optimization of the electrochemical methods for histamine determination, as well as the procedure of sample preparation, developed methods were applied for histamine determination in various food and beverages.</p>

<p>U okviru ove doktorske disertacije, razvijene su elektroanalitičke metode za određivanje odabranih pesticida primenom hronopotenciometrije. Ispitana je mogućnost primene elektrode od staklastog ugljenika i tankoslojne živine elektrode kao radnih elektroda za određivanje insekticida imidakloprida i herbicida metamitrona i metribuzina. U cilju optimizacije uslova hronopotenciometrijske tehnike, za svaki ispitivani sistem (pesticid/radna elektroda) ispitan je uticaj najznačajnijih eksperimentalnih parametara na analitički signal pesticida, uključujući mehanizam generisanja analitičkog signala na radnoj elektrodi (oksidacija/redukcija), optimalnu metodu za uklanjanje rastvorenog kiseonika iz analiziranog rastvora, kao i vrstu, pH i koncentraciju pomoćnog elektrolita. Nakon toga definisan je optimalni opseg potencijala i struje redukcije. Pored toga, u okviru validacije metode za svaki ispitivani sistem, ispitan je i definisan opseg linearnosti, određena granica detekcije i granica kvantifikacije, ispitana preciznost, tačnost, robusnost i selektivnost metode. Dobijeni analitički signal za ispitivane pesticide bio je posledica ireverzibilne redukcije analita na radnoj elektrodi, a za svaki analit dobijen je jedan redukcioni pik. U slučaju određivanja metribuzina eksperimenti su pokazali da se analitički signal ne može detektovati na elektrodi od staklastog ugljenika uz kori&scaron;ćenje dostupne instrumentacije. Ispitivanja u model-rastvorima za svaki ispitivani sistem pokazala su dobre karakteristike u pogledu preciznosti, tačnosti, selektivnosti i robusnosti metode. Najveća osetljivost za sva tri pesticida postignuta je uz primenu tankoslojne živine elektrode, a vrednosti granice detekcije iznosile su 0,17 mg/l za imidakloprid, 0,07 mg/l za metamitron i 0,04 mg/l za metribuzin. Nakon optimizacije i validacije, razvijene hronopotenciometrijske metode primenjene su na komercijalne formulacije pesticida i uzorke vode. U cilju dodatne potvrde hronopotenciometrijskih rezultata na uzorcima vode izvedena su komparativna merenja uz primenu hromatografske LC-MS/MS analize.</p> / <p>Within this doctoral dissertation, electroanalytical methods for the determination of selected pesticides using chronopotentiometry are developed. The possibility of using glassy carbon electrode and thin film mercury electrode as a working electrode for determination of insecticide imidacloprid and herbicides metamitron and metribuzin is investigated. In order to optimize the conditions of the chronopotentiometric technique for each tested system (pesticide/working electrode), the influence of the most important experimental parameters on the analytical signal of the pesticides is investigated, including the generating mechanism of the analytical signal on the working electrode (oxidation/reduction), the optimal method for removal of dissolved oxygen from the analyzed solution, as well as type, pH, and concentration of the supporting electrolyte. Afterwards, the optimal range of potential and reduction current is defined. Additionally, within the validation of the method for each tested system, the linearity range is determined and defined, limit of detection and quantification are determined, and precision, accuracy, robustness and selectivity of the method are tested. The obtained analytical signal for the investigated pesticides is the result of irreversible reduction of the analyte on the working electrode, and for each analyte one reduction peak is obtained. In the case of metribuzin determination, the experiments have shown that by using the available instrumentation the analytical signal can not be detected on the glassy carbon electrode. Investigation in model solutions for each tested system shows good characteristics in terms of precision, accuracy, selectivity and robustness of the method. The highest sensitivity for all three pesticides was achieved by using thin film mercury electrode, and values of detection limit were 0.17 mg/l for imidacloprid, 0.07 mg/l for metamitron and 0.04 mg/l for metribuzin. After optimization and validation, the developed chronopotentiometric methods are applied to commercial pesticide formulations and water samples. In order to further confirm the chronopotentiometric results on the water samples, comparative measurements are performed using chromatographic LC-MS/MS analysis.</p>

Magister Scientiae - MSc / In this study multilayer graphene nanosheets was synthesize by oxidizing graphite to graphene oxide using H2SO4 and KMnO4 followed by reduction of graphene oxide to graphene using NaBH4. The graphene nanosheets were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). HRTEM images showed that the multilayer graphene were obtained. The graphene was immobilized directly onto a glassy carbon electrode using the drop coating technique followed by the in situ deposition of mercury, bismuth or antimony thin films to afford graphene modified glassy carbon metal film electrodes (Gr-GC-MEs). The experimental parameters (deposition potential, deposition time, rotation speed, frequency and amplitude) were optimized, and the applicability of the modified electrode was investigated towards the individual and simultaneous determination of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ at the low concentration levels (μg L-1) in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The detection limits values for the Gr-GC-HgE was 0.08, 0.05 and 0.14 μg L-1 for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+, respectively. The Gr-GC-BiE the detection limits for was 0.12, 0.22 and 0.28 μg L-1 for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ while the detection limits for the Gr-GC-SbE was 0.1, 0.3 and 0.3 μg L-1 for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+, respectively. A Gr-GCE prepared without any binding agents or metal film had detection limits for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ of 3.9, 0.8 and 0.2 μg L-1 for Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+. Real sample analysis of which was laboratory tap water was performed using the Gr-GCMEs. Only Gr-GC-HgE was sensitive enough to detect metal ions in the tap water samples at the 3ppb level whereas, the GC-BiE and GC-SbE detected the metal ions at the 10 μg L-1 to 30 μg L-1 level.