No description available.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Chemistry) / In this study, graphene oxide was synthesized by oxidizing graphite using the modified Hummer's method. The graphene oxide was characterized by Raman Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction for structural and morphological properties. The graphene oxide was electrochemically reduced on a carbon paste electrode followed by the in situ deposition of mercury thin films to achieve electrochemically reduced graphene oxide modified carbon paste metal film electrodes (ERGO-CP-MEs). The experimental parameters (amplitude, deposition time, deposition potential, frequency and rotation speed) were optimized, and the applicability of the modified electrode was investigated towards the simultaneous and individual determination of TI1+ and In3+ at the low concentration levels (?g L-1) in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The detection limit values for individual analysis at electrochemically reduced graphene oxide modified carbon paste mercury film electrode (ERGO-CP-HgE ) was 2.4 and 1.1 ?g L-1 for TI1+ and In3+, respectively. The detection limit values for simultaneous analysis at ERGO-CPE was 1.32 and 1.33 ?g L-1 and individual analysis was 0.975 and 1.04 ?g L-1 for TI1+ and In3+, respectively.

This study reports the synthesis of graphene by oxidizing graphite to graphite oxide using H2SO4 and KMnO4 and reducing graphene oxide to graphene by using NaBH4. Graphene was then characterized using FT-IR, TEM, AFM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and solid state NMR. Nafion-Graphene in combination with a mercury film electrode, bismuth film electrode and antimony film electrode was used as a sensing platform for trace metal analysis in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) at 120 s deposition time, using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Detection limits were calculated using 3σblank/slope. For practical applications recovery studies was done by spiking test samples with known concentrations of metal ions and comparing the results to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). This was then followed by real sample analyses.

This study reports the synthesis of graphene by oxidizing graphite to graphite oxide using H2SO4 and KMnO4 and reducing graphene oxide to graphene by using NaBH4. Graphene was then characterized using FT-IR, TEM, AFM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and solid state NMR. Nafion-Graphene in combination with a mercury film electrode, bismuth film electrode and antimony film electrode was used as a sensing platform for trace metal analysis in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) at 120 s deposition time, using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Detection limits were calculated using 3σblank/slope. For practical applications recovery studies was done by spiking test samples with known concentrations of metal ions and comparing the results to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). This was then followed by real sample analyses.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The need for clean, non-toxic drinking water supplies, free of pollutants and metal contamination is vital in impoverished areas and the developing world alike. With this in mind, the development of accurate, inexpensive, portable and simple devices for remote sensing applications is therefore pivotal for early detection and the prevention of illnesses. Over the last two decades, adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) has emerged as a superior detection method over common analytical techniques due to its low-cost instrumentation, unskilled labour and ability to detect a wide range of analytes. / 2020-08-31

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Dept. of Chemistry) / This study reports the synthesis of graphene by oxidizing graphite to graphite oxide using H2SO4 and KMnO4 and reducing graphene oxide to graphene by using NaBH4. Graphene was then characterized using FT-IR, TEM, AFM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and solid state NMR. Nafion-Graphene in combination with a mercury film electrode, bismuth film electrode and antimony film electrode was used as a sensing platform for trace metal analysis in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) at 120 s deposition time, using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Detection limits were calculated using 3σblank/slope. For practical applications recovery studies was done by spiking test samples with known concentrations of metal ions and comparing the results to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). This was then followed by real sample analyses. / South Africa

No description available.

A eletroforese capilar (CE) é uma técnica de separação eficiente, que tem merecido grande atenção nas últimas duas décadas, e que oferece soluções analíticas alternativas ou complementares à cromatografia líquida num número crescente campos de aplicação, incluindo análises de fármacos, compostos biológicos e biogênicos, dentre outros. Entre as vantagens comparativas da técnica figuram separações mais rápidas com pequeno dispêndio de amostras, solução tampão (e solvente orgânico, se usado), baixo custo de operação e manutenção. Todavia, a exigüidade de amostra no capilar tem como reflexo, via de regra, limites de detecção menos favoráveis que os da HPLC, uma limitação significativa na análise de traços, suplantável por técnicas e procedimentos de extração/acumulação prévia dos analitos. Nesta tese concebeu-se e implementou-se a combinação inédita entre a CE e a préconcentração eletroquímica de metais. Novos dispositivos para extração líquido/gás/líquido mediada por membranas microporosas também foram propostos e aplicados à analise de aminas voláteis, sempre utilizando detector de condutância medida sem contato direto com a solução (C4D, contactless capacitively coupled conductivity detection). Primeiramente, sem recorrer à preconcentração, definiu-se condições de análise para 16 aminas (metilamina, dimetilamina, trimetilamina, propilamina, n-butilamina, s-butilamina, t-butilamina, hexilamina, DMAE, etanolamina, dietanolamina, trietanolamina, 1,3-diaminopropano, 1,4-diaminobutano, 1,5-diaminopentano e 1,6-diaminohexano) juntamente com íon amônio, e, para análise de 9 metais (TI++, Cd2+, Pb2+,Cr3+, Zn2+, Ag+, Cu2+, Co2+ e Ni2+). Um método completo para análise de dimetilaminoetanol em formulações cosméticas por CE-C4D foi desenvolvido e validado. Os estudos de extração e pré-concentração líquido/gás/líquido foram realizados utilizando filamento oco de Oxyphan preenchido com solução coletora. Foi construída cela para extração gasosa constituída de recipiente fechado no qual se introduz amostra com analitos voláteis, ou volatilizáveis pela adição de reagente e/ou aquecimento (pervaporação). A bobina coletora de filamento oco preenchido com solução coletora foi montada na parte interna da tampa da cela. Testes realizados com amostras de tecidos de peixe demonstraram o funcionamento do sistema, que poderá ser aperfeiçoado e aplicado, por exemplo, à análise de aminas biogênicas primárias de baixo peso molecular, indicadoras de decomposição de certos alimentos. Criou-se também extrator microvolumétrico em que o filamento de Oxyphan é montado concentricamente no interior de um capilar de sílica fundida, para realização de estudos de extração líquido/gás/líquido em fluxo. Um sistema em fluxo compreendendo válvulas e microbombas foi montado e colocado sob controle de um programa de computador (Labview), que, entre outras funções, controla o deslocamento da solução coletora exposta no filamento oco (13 µL) até o ponto exato da interface em que se dá a injeção no capilar da CE. Pela primeira vez recorreu-se à acumulação eletroquímica (ECPC) de analitos num sistema FIA-CE-C4D - uma configuração baseada inteiramente na eletroquímica -, visando expandir os limites de detecção das determinações e eliminar interferência de matriz por troca de meio. Implementou-se a pré-concentração catódica seguida de redissolução anódica com uma célula eletroquímica especial, em que o capilar da eletroforese é posicionado junto ao eletrodo de trabalho, feito de ouro obtido a partir de CD\'s graváveis. Uma célula microfluídica ECPC-FIA-CE-C4D também foi construída. Tomando íons Cu2+ como sistema modelo, demonstrou-se o aumento do sinal referente aos íons cobre(lI) no eletroferograma para tempos crescentes de acumulação eletroquímica. Para a solução de alto teor salino contendo mistura dos íons Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(lI) e Cu(II), comprovou-se a eliminação da interferência da matriz por troca de meio antes da redissolução anódica. Os testes iniciais indicam que os novos dispositivos e sistemas propostos nesta tese para uso em conjunto com a CE têm potencialidade para desencadear novas pesquisas, desenvolvimento de métodos e aplicações, sendo passíveis também de miniaturização e automação. / Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an efficient separation technique that evolved rapidly in the last couple of decades, now offering complementary or alternative analytical solutions to liquid chromatography for an expanding number of application fields including drugs, biological and biogenic compounds. Some comparative advantages of CE are faster separation, very low consumption of buffer solutions and samples (and organic solvents, if any), lower maintenance and operational costs. However, the quantification of a few nanoliters of analyte in a capillary, as a rule, compromises the detection limits attainable by HPLC, a shortcomming in trace analysis, suplantable by extraction/preconcentration of the analytes from the sample. The combination of electrochemical preconcentration (ECPC) with CE is first proposed in this thesis and tested with metal ions. New devices for liquid/gas/liquid extraction based on microporous filaments filled with a collector solution were proposed and applied to the analysis of volatile amines, The detector of choice was the C4D (capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection) and CE-C4D working conditions were defined for the separation and determination of: i) 16 amines (methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, propylamine, n-butylamine, s-butylamine, t-butylamine, hexilamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, DMAE, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4- diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane and 1,6-diaminohexane) plus ammonium, ii) nine metallic ions (Tl+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cr3+ Zn2+, Ag+, Cu2+, Co2+ e Ni2+). A complete method of analysis for Dimethyl-amino-ethanol (DMAE) in cosmetic formulations was established and validated. Liquid/gas/liquid extraction studies were based on the use of a polypropylene microporous filment (Oxyphan® ) filled with the collection solution. A closed cell was devised in which an Oxyphan® coil is installed beneath the cap and volatilization of sample components can be promoted by heating (pervaporation) or addition of a reactant. The device was successfully tested with fish samples by the detection of primary low molecular weight biogenic amines, a procedure of special interest in fast checking of fish or other foods for decomposition. A microvolumetric version of the liquid/gas/liquid extractor was created with an Oxyphan® hollow fiber mounted concentrically inside a silica capillary. A flow system comprising the micropumps, solenoid valves and the microextrator was designed, automatically operated under software control (Labview). This FIA-CE system was tested by the extraction/enrichment of volatile amines in the collecting solution (13 µL) followed by accurate displacement to the interface with the CE capillary by the micropumps. Pioneering work with ECPC-FIA-CE-C4D an all-electrochemical system was conducted in this thesis aiming expanded detection limits and matrix effect reduction. An electrochemical cell for the interface with FIA-CE system was built in acrylic using gold electrodes made from gold-sputtered CD-Rs. A microfluidic version of the cell interfaced with the CE capillary was also conceived. The full system was evaluated by using Cu2+ as a model specie; an increase in analytical signal was observed as a function of the cathodic deposition time before stripping. For a mixture of Cd2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ in a high saline media, elimination of the matrix interference by medium exchange before stripping was demonstrated. Initial favorable evaluations show that the devices and systems proposed in 12 the thesis have the potential to engender further research of methods and applications as well as miniaturization and automation of procedures.

Pavement markings are vital for safely navigating roadways. The nighttime visibility of pavement markings is enhanced by addition of retroreflective glass beads, most of which are made from recycled glass. Concern has been raised over the presence of heavy metals in glass beads used in pavement markings and their effect on human and environmental health. Based upon the potential risk associated with the presence of arsenic and lead in the glass beads, two Bills are currently being considered before the 112th Congress of the United States of America seeking to set a maximum permissible limit for the amount of arsenic and lead in glass beads used within pavement marking systems on domestic roadways. This study was designed to support legislative decision making by providing data necessary for risk assessment. The experiments carried out provide: an analysis of glass bead metal content and extractability; an evaluation of the relationship between arsenic content of the glass beads and their retroreflective performance; an evaluation of analytical methods used to measure the total bead metal content; and an analysis of samples of glass bead and soil mixture from a glass bead storage site used to determine site-specific metal concentrations in the soil media. Mean arsenic content, measured using the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's KOH fusion digestion, in all the glass beads examined ranged from 11 ppm to 82 ppm, while mean lead content, measured using KOH fusion digestion, ranged from below quantification limit to 199 ppm. Total metal content measurements indicated a high amount of variability in the glass bead samples; most likely associated with the use of recycled glass feed during manufacturing. The relationship between the retroreflective performance and the arsenic content of the glass beads was analyzed and a weak but positive correlation was observed between the two factors. However, a more detailed study is required to evaluate the relationship between arsenic content and retroreflectivity. Different methods to evaluate the total metal content in glass beads were compared; it is recommended that any analytical method may be used, as long as the standard reference material is reproduced within the range of concentration expected in the glass beads. In the analysis of the field site samples of soil containing glass beads obtained from a glass bead storage and transfer facility, the mass content of beads in the soil varied from a mean of 19% to 78% depending on the location within the facility. However, a detailed analysis with larger number of samples must be performed to evaluate the effect of glass beads on the total arsenic content of the soil.

A eletroforese capilar (CE) é uma técnica de separação eficiente, que tem merecido grande atenção nas últimas duas décadas, e que oferece soluções analíticas alternativas ou complementares à cromatografia líquida num número crescente campos de aplicação, incluindo análises de fármacos, compostos biológicos e biogênicos, dentre outros. Entre as vantagens comparativas da técnica figuram separações mais rápidas com pequeno dispêndio de amostras, solução tampão (e solvente orgânico, se usado), baixo custo de operação e manutenção. Todavia, a exigüidade de amostra no capilar tem como reflexo, via de regra, limites de detecção menos favoráveis que os da HPLC, uma limitação significativa na análise de traços, suplantável por técnicas e procedimentos de extração/acumulação prévia dos analitos. Nesta tese concebeu-se e implementou-se a combinação inédita entre a CE e a préconcentração eletroquímica de metais. Novos dispositivos para extração líquido/gás/líquido mediada por membranas microporosas também foram propostos e aplicados à analise de aminas voláteis, sempre utilizando detector de condutância medida sem contato direto com a solução (C4D, contactless capacitively coupled conductivity detection). Primeiramente, sem recorrer à preconcentração, definiu-se condições de análise para 16 aminas (metilamina, dimetilamina, trimetilamina, propilamina, n-butilamina, s-butilamina, t-butilamina, hexilamina, DMAE, etanolamina, dietanolamina, trietanolamina, 1,3-diaminopropano, 1,4-diaminobutano, 1,5-diaminopentano e 1,6-diaminohexano) juntamente com íon amônio, e, para análise de 9 metais (TI++, Cd2+, Pb2+,Cr3+, Zn2+, Ag+, Cu2+, Co2+ e Ni2+). Um método completo para análise de dimetilaminoetanol em formulações cosméticas por CE-C4D foi desenvolvido e validado. Os estudos de extração e pré-concentração líquido/gás/líquido foram realizados utilizando filamento oco de Oxyphan preenchido com solução coletora. Foi construída cela para extração gasosa constituída de recipiente fechado no qual se introduz amostra com analitos voláteis, ou volatilizáveis pela adição de reagente e/ou aquecimento (pervaporação). A bobina coletora de filamento oco preenchido com solução coletora foi montada na parte interna da tampa da cela. Testes realizados com amostras de tecidos de peixe demonstraram o funcionamento do sistema, que poderá ser aperfeiçoado e aplicado, por exemplo, à análise de aminas biogênicas primárias de baixo peso molecular, indicadoras de decomposição de certos alimentos. Criou-se também extrator microvolumétrico em que o filamento de Oxyphan é montado concentricamente no interior de um capilar de sílica fundida, para realização de estudos de extração líquido/gás/líquido em fluxo. Um sistema em fluxo compreendendo válvulas e microbombas foi montado e colocado sob controle de um programa de computador (Labview), que, entre outras funções, controla o deslocamento da solução coletora exposta no filamento oco (13 µL) até o ponto exato da interface em que se dá a injeção no capilar da CE. Pela primeira vez recorreu-se à acumulação eletroquímica (ECPC) de analitos num sistema FIA-CE-C4D - uma configuração baseada inteiramente na eletroquímica -, visando expandir os limites de detecção das determinações e eliminar interferência de matriz por troca de meio. Implementou-se a pré-concentração catódica seguida de redissolução anódica com uma célula eletroquímica especial, em que o capilar da eletroforese é posicionado junto ao eletrodo de trabalho, feito de ouro obtido a partir de CD\'s graváveis. Uma célula microfluídica ECPC-FIA-CE-C4D também foi construída. Tomando íons Cu2+ como sistema modelo, demonstrou-se o aumento do sinal referente aos íons cobre(lI) no eletroferograma para tempos crescentes de acumulação eletroquímica. Para a solução de alto teor salino contendo mistura dos íons Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(lI) e Cu(II), comprovou-se a eliminação da interferência da matriz por troca de meio antes da redissolução anódica. Os testes iniciais indicam que os novos dispositivos e sistemas propostos nesta tese para uso em conjunto com a CE têm potencialidade para desencadear novas pesquisas, desenvolvimento de métodos e aplicações, sendo passíveis também de miniaturização e automação. / Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an efficient separation technique that evolved rapidly in the last couple of decades, now offering complementary or alternative analytical solutions to liquid chromatography for an expanding number of application fields including drugs, biological and biogenic compounds. Some comparative advantages of CE are faster separation, very low consumption of buffer solutions and samples (and organic solvents, if any), lower maintenance and operational costs. However, the quantification of a few nanoliters of analyte in a capillary, as a rule, compromises the detection limits attainable by HPLC, a shortcomming in trace analysis, suplantable by extraction/preconcentration of the analytes from the sample. The combination of electrochemical preconcentration (ECPC) with CE is first proposed in this thesis and tested with metal ions. New devices for liquid/gas/liquid extraction based on microporous filaments filled with a collector solution were proposed and applied to the analysis of volatile amines, The detector of choice was the C4D (capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection) and CE-C4D working conditions were defined for the separation and determination of: i) 16 amines (methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, propylamine, n-butylamine, s-butylamine, t-butylamine, hexilamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, DMAE, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4- diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane and 1,6-diaminohexane) plus ammonium, ii) nine metallic ions (Tl+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cr3+ Zn2+, Ag+, Cu2+, Co2+ e Ni2+). A complete method of analysis for Dimethyl-amino-ethanol (DMAE) in cosmetic formulations was established and validated. Liquid/gas/liquid extraction studies were based on the use of a polypropylene microporous filment (Oxyphan® ) filled with the collection solution. A closed cell was devised in which an Oxyphan® coil is installed beneath the cap and volatilization of sample components can be promoted by heating (pervaporation) or addition of a reactant. The device was successfully tested with fish samples by the detection of primary low molecular weight biogenic amines, a procedure of special interest in fast checking of fish or other foods for decomposition. A microvolumetric version of the liquid/gas/liquid extractor was created with an Oxyphan® hollow fiber mounted concentrically inside a silica capillary. A flow system comprising the micropumps, solenoid valves and the microextrator was designed, automatically operated under software control (Labview). This FIA-CE system was tested by the extraction/enrichment of volatile amines in the collecting solution (13 µL) followed by accurate displacement to the interface with the CE capillary by the micropumps. Pioneering work with ECPC-FIA-CE-C4D an all-electrochemical system was conducted in this thesis aiming expanded detection limits and matrix effect reduction. An electrochemical cell for the interface with FIA-CE system was built in acrylic using gold electrodes made from gold-sputtered CD-Rs. A microfluidic version of the cell interfaced with the CE capillary was also conceived. The full system was evaluated by using Cu2+ as a model specie; an increase in analytical signal was observed as a function of the cathodic deposition time before stripping. For a mixture of Cd2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ in a high saline media, elimination of the matrix interference by medium exchange before stripping was demonstrated. Initial favorable evaluations show that the devices and systems proposed in 12 the thesis have the potential to engender further research of methods and applications as well as miniaturization and automation of procedures.