Pesquisas realizadas em todo o mundo exploram a possibilidade de utilizar o hidrogênio como combustível para a geração de energia, já que ele produz a chamada \"energia limpa\". O hidrogênio pode ser obtido a partir das reações de reforma de etanol, fonte renovável, em contraste com o clássico processo de obtenção a partir de derivados de petróleo. Desta forma, há um crescente interesse em pesquisa e desenvolvimento de catalisadores eficientes para gerar hidrogênio. Assim, no presente trabalho foram estudados catalisadores de ródio contendo 0,5; 1 e 3% (m/m) suportados em CeO2, Al2O3 e 20%CeO2- Al2O3 nas reações de reforma a vapor de etanol (RVE) e reforma oxidativa de etanol (ROE) visando a geração de hidrogênio. As amostras foram preparadas pelo método de impregnação úmida e caracterizadas por difração de Raios-X (XRD), área superficial específica - método B.E.T., espectroscopia dispersiva em emissão de Raios-X (EDX), espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitada por Raios-X (XPS), espectroscopia na região do ultra-violeta e do visível (UV-vis- NIR) e redução à temperatura programada (RTP-H2). Os ensaios catalíticos, realizados entre 400 e 600ºC, mostraram altas conversões de etanol para todos os catalisadores. As maiores produções de H2, a partir das reações de RVE e ROE, foram obtidas à 600ºC com os catalisadores Rh/CeO2 e Rh/20%CeO2-Al2O3. Foi observado que a adição de oxigênio proporcionou um aumento na produção de H2, bem como na razão CO2/CO e nas deposições de carbono. / The researches made in the world explore the possibility in the use of hydrogen like a fuel for energy generation, since it produces the called \"clean energy\". The hydrogen can be obtained through of the ethanol reforming reaction, i.e. renewable source, in contrast with the classical process for obtaining from petroleum derivates. In this way, there is a crescent interest in research and development of efficient catalysts in order to obtain hydrogen. Thus, in this work were studied the rodium catalysts with 0,5; 1 e 3% (w/w) supported on CeO2, Al2O3 e 20%CeO2-Al2O3 for the ethanol steam reforming (ESR) and oxidative reforming (EOR) reactions aiming to the hydrogen generation. The samples were prepared by wet impregnation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific superficial area - BET method, energy dipersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis spectroscopy (UVvis), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR-H2). In according to the catalytic tests, performed between 400 and 600ºC, it was obtained higher ethanol conversion values for all catalysts. The highest H2 yield it was obtained at 600ºC, with the Rh/CeO2 e Rh/20%CeO2-Al2O3 catalysts. It was observed that the addition of oxygen caused an increase in H2 production, as well as, in the CO2/CO ratio and in the carbon deposition.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:59:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:59:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Os eletrocatalisadores PtSnRh suportados em carbono-Sb2O5.SnO2, com 20% de massa de metal, foram preparados pelo método de redução por álcool, utilizando H2PtCl6.6H2O (Aldrich), RhCl3.xH2O (Aldrich) e SnCl2.2H2O (Aldrich), como fontes de metais; Sb2O5.SnO2 (ATO) e carbono Vulcan XC72, como suporte; e etileno glicol como agente redutor. Os eletrocatalisadores obtidos foram caracterizados fisicamente por difração de raios-X (DRX) e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET). Por meio dos difratogramas observou-se que os eletrocatalisadores PtSnRh/C-ATO possuem estrutura CFC para a Pt e ligas de Pt, além de vários picos associados ao SnO2 e ATO. Os tamanhos médios dos cristalitos ficaram entre 2 e 4 nm. Por meio das micrografias verificou-se uma boa distribuição das nanopartículas sobre o suporte. Os tamanhos médios das partículas ficaram entre 2 e 3 nm, com boa concordância para os tamanhos médios dos cristalitos. Os desempenhos dos eletrocatalisadores foram analisados por meio de técnicas eletroquímicas e em condições reais de operação utilizando uma célula a combustível unitária alimentada diretamente por etanol. Na cronoamperometria, a temperatura de 50ºC, os eletrocatalisadores com proporção de 85%C+15%ATO para o suporte, apresentaram a melhor atividade, e as proporções atômicas que obtiveram os melhores resultados foram PtSnRh(70:25:05) e (90:05:05). Nos experimentos em célula, o eletrocatalisador PtSnRh(70:25:05)/85C+15ATO apresentou o melhor desempenho. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Pesquisas realizadas em todo o mundo exploram a possibilidade de utilizar o hidrogênio como combustível para a geração de energia, já que ele produz a chamada \"energia limpa\". O hidrogênio pode ser obtido a partir das reações de reforma de etanol, fonte renovável, em contraste com o clássico processo de obtenção a partir de derivados de petróleo. Desta forma, há um crescente interesse em pesquisa e desenvolvimento de catalisadores eficientes para gerar hidrogênio. Assim, no presente trabalho foram estudados catalisadores de ródio contendo 0,5; 1 e 3% (m/m) suportados em CeO2, Al2O3 e 20%CeO2- Al2O3 nas reações de reforma a vapor de etanol (RVE) e reforma oxidativa de etanol (ROE) visando a geração de hidrogênio. As amostras foram preparadas pelo método de impregnação úmida e caracterizadas por difração de Raios-X (XRD), área superficial específica - método B.E.T., espectroscopia dispersiva em emissão de Raios-X (EDX), espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitada por Raios-X (XPS), espectroscopia na região do ultra-violeta e do visível (UV-vis- NIR) e redução à temperatura programada (RTP-H2). Os ensaios catalíticos, realizados entre 400 e 600ºC, mostraram altas conversões de etanol para todos os catalisadores. As maiores produções de H2, a partir das reações de RVE e ROE, foram obtidas à 600ºC com os catalisadores Rh/CeO2 e Rh/20%CeO2-Al2O3. Foi observado que a adição de oxigênio proporcionou um aumento na produção de H2, bem como na razão CO2/CO e nas deposições de carbono. / The researches made in the world explore the possibility in the use of hydrogen like a fuel for energy generation, since it produces the called \"clean energy\". The hydrogen can be obtained through of the ethanol reforming reaction, i.e. renewable source, in contrast with the classical process for obtaining from petroleum derivates. In this way, there is a crescent interest in research and development of efficient catalysts in order to obtain hydrogen. Thus, in this work were studied the rodium catalysts with 0,5; 1 e 3% (w/w) supported on CeO2, Al2O3 e 20%CeO2-Al2O3 for the ethanol steam reforming (ESR) and oxidative reforming (EOR) reactions aiming to the hydrogen generation. The samples were prepared by wet impregnation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific superficial area - BET method, energy dipersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis spectroscopy (UVvis), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR-H2). In according to the catalytic tests, performed between 400 and 600ºC, it was obtained higher ethanol conversion values for all catalysts. The highest H2 yield it was obtained at 600ºC, with the Rh/CeO2 e Rh/20%CeO2-Al2O3 catalysts. It was observed that the addition of oxygen caused an increase in H2 production, as well as, in the CO2/CO ratio and in the carbon deposition.

Background: Workers in a platinum group metals (PGMs) refinery are potentially exposed to various precious metals (iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium and ruthenium) and their metal-salt compounds which may cause rhinitis, asthma, contact urticaria and conjunctivitis. Some cases revealed that sensitisation occurred in employees where it was not possible to detect any airborne soluble platinum or where the respiratory soluble platinum exposure was below the occupational exposure limit. It is unclear whether respiratory exposure or a combination of respiratory and dermal exposure may be involved in sensitisation and the possible elicitation of skin symptoms. Objectives: To determine if dermal exposure to PGMs took place during the refining process and in the administration area by using a removal method and to compare dermal exposure on the different anatomical areas and in two different working areas, Areas A and B for each of the PGMs. Methods: Dermal exposure samples were collected with a removal method using GhostwipesTM. The samples were collected from the palm of the hands, the wrists and the necks of the workers, before the shift started, before tea time, before lunch time and after the shift ended. The skin wipes were analysed for the PGMs (iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, ruthenium and rhodium) according to Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances (MDHS) method 46/2, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Results: No published data is available on occupational dermal exposure to PGMs in a precious metals refinery. This study proved that dermal exposure to PGMs in the refinery took place and was quantified. The PGM dermal exposure results in general, were very low (measured in nano grams), with platinum having the overall highest exposure. Exposure also occurred the most frequently during the last two intervals of the day, before lunch time and at the end of the shift. Exposure on all three the anatomical areas that were tested in the study, varied much with the palm of the hands having the highest exposure levels. There were also variations in exposure between areas A and B due to the fact that the processes in these two areas differ. Conclusions: It was confirmed that dermal exposure to PGMs took place at the precious metals refinery. The highest exposure took place before lunch time and towards the end of the shift. The metal to which the workers were exposed the most was platinum and the production area where the workers had the highest exposure to most of the metals was Area B. / MSc (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Background: Workers in a platinum group metals (PGMs) refinery are potentially exposed to various precious metals (iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium and ruthenium) and their metal-salt compounds which may cause rhinitis, asthma, contact urticaria and conjunctivitis. Some cases revealed that sensitisation occurred in employees where it was not possible to detect any airborne soluble platinum or where the respiratory soluble platinum exposure was below the occupational exposure limit. It is unclear whether respiratory exposure or a combination of respiratory and dermal exposure may be involved in sensitisation and the possible elicitation of skin symptoms. Objectives: To determine if dermal exposure to PGMs took place during the refining process and in the administration area by using a removal method and to compare dermal exposure on the different anatomical areas and in two different working areas, Areas A and B for each of the PGMs. Methods: Dermal exposure samples were collected with a removal method using GhostwipesTM. The samples were collected from the palm of the hands, the wrists and the necks of the workers, before the shift started, before tea time, before lunch time and after the shift ended. The skin wipes were analysed for the PGMs (iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, ruthenium and rhodium) according to Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances (MDHS) method 46/2, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Results: No published data is available on occupational dermal exposure to PGMs in a precious metals refinery. This study proved that dermal exposure to PGMs in the refinery took place and was quantified. The PGM dermal exposure results in general, were very low (measured in nano grams), with platinum having the overall highest exposure. Exposure also occurred the most frequently during the last two intervals of the day, before lunch time and at the end of the shift. Exposure on all three the anatomical areas that were tested in the study, varied much with the palm of the hands having the highest exposure levels. There were also variations in exposure between areas A and B due to the fact that the processes in these two areas differ. Conclusions: It was confirmed that dermal exposure to PGMs took place at the precious metals refinery. The highest exposure took place before lunch time and towards the end of the shift. The metal to which the workers were exposed the most was platinum and the production area where the workers had the highest exposure to most of the metals was Area B. / MSc (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This doctoral thesis was focused on the design and synthesis of novel chiral ligands for application in asymmetric catalysis. One of the best examples of asymmetric catalysis is the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction for its atom economy, ease of access to both S and R enantiomers and almost ultimate enantiomeric excess obtainable in a multitude of substrates. There has been much investigation into this reaction and there has been a plethora of chiral ligands designed which catalyze this reaction in high enantiomeric excess using metals such as rhodium, iridium and ruthenium. The vast majority of these ligands are diphosphines with their chirality lying either on the backbone of the ligand or on the coordinating phosphorus atom itself. In the beginning of this work investigation was undertook to explore the possibility of successfully employing a new type of ligand class in the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction, namely the N-phosphino sulfinamide or PNSO ligands. PNSO ligands had been successfully applied to the asymmetric Pauson-Khand reaction in the Riera group yielding cyclopentenone Pauson-Khand adducts in high yield and very high enantioselectivity. The family of PNSO ligands prepared in the Riera group was attractive because apart from the high yields and enantioselectivities obtained from the reactions in which they were used, they proved to be easily prepared in short syntheses from commercially available starting materials. It was believed if they could be successfully applied in asymmetric hydrogenation for their ease of preparation they would be an attractive alternative to the diphosphine ligand class. Unfortunately the first two PNSO-Rh complexes successfully prepared provided low enantioselectivities and difficulties were encountered while trying to prepare further analogues. After some time trying to achieve PNSO-Rh complex analogues unsuccessfully the direction of the project was shifted away from the N-phosphino sulfinamide ligand class in asymmetric hydrogenation. The MaxPhos ligand had recently been developed in the group and had proven highly promising. A study was demanded of its substrate scope as applied in rhodium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation. Substrates already described in the literature were prepared and the asymmetric hydrogenation of them catalyzed by the MaxPhos-Rh precatalyst was performed and conditions to do so were optimized. Of seven substrates prepared the MaxPhos-Rh proved to hydrogenate five of those with high enantioselectivity. The TOF of the MaxPhos rhodium catalyst applied in the hydrogenation of the Z-MAC substrate was examined by monitoring the flux of hydrogen and was calculated at 0.065 s-1. MaxPhos complexes of cobalt and palladium were prepared to form part of the investigation into widening the reaction scope of the ligand. [(MaxPhos)Co2(CO)4(C2H2)] proved to catalyze the Pauson-Khand reaction of norbornadiene and 1-hexyne with 24 % yield and 28 %, a noteworthy enantiomeric excess for the catalytic asymmetric Pauson-Khand reaction. Chalcogenated derivatives of MaxPhos were prepared. The diselenide was used to explore the electronic nature of the ligand. The MaxPhos-rhodium carbonyl stretching was examined. MaxPhos-BH3 was used to prepare mono-chalcogenated MaxPhos derivatives. They were applied also in asymmetric hydrogenation once complexed to rhodium but enantiomeric excess of no more than 21 % was obtained in the hydrogenation of the substrate Z-MAC. The aminophosphine, a chiral building block and key intermediate in the preparation of the MaxPhos ligand, was used in the attempt to prepare bulky chiral amidine ligands and although two such species were prepared they proved inapplicable in asymmetric catalysis. / Se desarrollaron los ligandos N-fosfino sulfinamida (PNSO) en el grupo de Riera para su aplicación en la reacción Pauson-Khand asimétrica. Se probaron que estos ligandos eran muy eficaces en esta reacción y daban rendimientos y enantioselectividades muy altos de los aductos Pauson-Khand. Probar la eficacia de estos ligandos PNSO en hidrogenación asimétrica formó parte de este trabajo. Se prepararon dos ligandos PNSO, se complejaron con rodio formando complejos neutros. Se protonaron los complejos neutros con ácido tetraflorobórico para formar los complejos catiónicos. Se usaron estos complejos de rodio- PNSO, tanto los complejos neutros como los catiónicos como catalizadores en la hidrogenación asimétrica del sustrato Z-MAC. Los complejos de rodio con el ligando PNSO substituido por el grupo tolilo en azufre no hidrogenaba el sustrato pero los complejos de rodio con el ligando PNSO dotado de tres grupos tert-butilos hidrogenaba el sustrato aunque con baja selectividad. Después de un tiempo intentando conseguir análogos de ligandos tipo PNSO sin éxito se cambió la dirección del proyecto. Se decidió centrarse en el ligando MaxPHOS el cual había sido desarrollado recientemente en el grupo Riera. El ligando MaxPHOS demostró gran eficacia en hidrogenación asimétrica con dos sustratos pero se deseaba un estudio mas amplio del potencial del ligando así que se sintetizaron siete sustratos y se probó el catalizador MaxPHOS en la hidrogenación asimétricas de esos sustratos. El catalizador MaxPHOS-Rh proporcionó excesos enantioméricos muy altos en cinco de los siete sustratos. Se hizo un estudio de las propiedades electrónicas del ligando MaxPHOS aprovechando los estudios de (31)P RMN y el MaxPHOS diselenuro lo cual se preparó anteriormente. También se estudió el “stretching” carbonilo del complejo MaxPHOS-Rh. Se demostró que el ligando MaxPHOS era menos rico en electronos que el ligando trichickenfootphos. Se prepararon complejos de MaxPHOS con paladio y cobalto para examinar la eficacia del ligando en reacciones mas allá de hidrogenación asimétrica como la reacción Pauson–Khand catalítica asimétrica. Se sintetizaron varios derivados del ligando MaxPHOS a partir de los intermedios clave en la preparación del ligando y se probaron en hidrogenación asimétrica proporcionando excesos enantioméricos bajos.

Background: Platinum group metal (PGM) mining and refining is a large constituent of the mining sector of South Africa and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product. The PGMs include the rare metals platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir) and osmium (Os). During the refining process workers are potentially exposed to various chemical forms of the PGMs via the respiratory and dermal exposure routes. Historically, emphasis has been on respiratory exposure while the extent of skin exposure is still unknown. Among the different forms of PGMs, the salts are potential sensitisers, with platinum being a known respiratory sensitiser. Workers occupationally exposed to platinum and rhodium have reported respiratory as well as skin symptoms. However, it is unknown if these metals in the salt form are permeable through human skin, and whether dermal exposure could contribute to sensitisation. Evidence regarding differences between African and Caucasian skin anatomy and structure, as well as permeation through skin is contradictory, and no information is available on metal permeation through African skin. The in vitro diffusion method has been utilised successfully in occupational toxicology to demonstrate that metals such as chromium, cobalt and nickel, to name a few, permeate through human skin. The permeability of platinum and rhodium has not been investigated previously. Aims and objectives: The research aim was to obtain insight into the permeability of platinum and rhodium through intact human skin and to provide information needed to determine the potential health risk following dermal exposure to these metals. The specific objectives included: (i) to critically review the in vitro diffusion method that is used to determine the permeability of metals through human skin, (ii) to investigate the permeation of potassium tetrachloroplatinate (K2PtCl4) and rhodium chloride (RhCl3) as representative PGM salts through intact human skin over a 24-hour period, (iii) to evaluate the difference in permeability of platinum and rhodium through intact human skin, (iv) to evaluate the difference in permeability of platinum through intact African and Caucasian human skin. Methods: Abdominal skin obtained after cosmetic procedures was obtained from five female Caucasian and three female African donors between the ages of 28 and 52 with ethical approval from the North-West University. Full thickness skin tissue was mounted in a vertical Franz diffusion cell. Skin integrity was tested by measuring the electrical resistance across the skin before and after conclusion of the experiments, using a Tinsley LCR Data bridge Model 6401. The donor solution of 32.46 mg K2PtCl4 in 50 ml of synthetic sweat (pH 6.5), and 43.15 mg RhCl3 in 50 ml of synthetic sweat (pH 6.5) was prepared. The donor solution was applied to the stratum corneum side of the skin and physiological receptor solution (pH 7.35) was added to the receptor compartment. The concentration of the metals in the receptor solution was determined by high resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after extraction at various intervals during the 24 hours of the study. After completion of the study, the skin was rinsed four times to remove any platinum or rhodium remaining on the skin surface. The skin was digested using hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid during different steps to determine the mass of the metals remaining in the skin by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results: The comparison of published in vitro skin permeation studies involving metals is impeded by the variations in the experimental design and dissimilarity in the reporting of results. Differences in experimental design included, most noticeably, the use of various donor and receptor solutions, different temperatures wherein the receptor compartment was placed, differences in skin thickness and variations in exposed skin surface areas. The metals considered in the review, namely chromium, cobalt, gold, lead, mercury, nickel, platinum, rhodium and silver, permeate through intact human skin under physiological conditions. Large variations in the permeability results were observed, with the notable differences in methodology as the probable reason. Results obtained from the in vitro experiments indicate that platinum and rhodium permeated through intact Caucasian skin with flux values of 0.12 and 0.05 ng/cm2/h, respectively. The cumulative mass of platinum (2.57 ng/cm2) that permeated after 24 hours of exposure was statistically significantly (p = 0.016) higher than rhodium permeation (1.11 ng/cm2). The mass of platinum (1 459.47 ng/cm2) retained in the skin after 24 hours of exposure was statistically significantly (p < 0.001) higher than rhodium retention (757.04 ng/cm2). The comparison of permeability between two different racial groups indicates that platinum permeated through the skin of both racial groups with the flux through African skin found as 1.93 ng/cm2/h and 0.27 ng/cm2/h through Caucasian skin. The cumulative mass of platinum permeated after 24 hours of exposure was statistically significantly (p = 0.044) higher through African skin (37.52 ng/cm2) than Caucasian skin (5.05 ng/cm2). The retention of platinum in African skin (3 064.13 ng/cm2) was more than twice the mass retained in Caucasian skin (1 486.32 ng/cm2). Conclusions: The in vitro diffusion method is an applicable method to determine skin permeability of metals. However, the experimental design and format of data reporting should be standardised to enable comparison of results from different studies. Platinum and rhodium permeated through intact human skin, with platinum permeation significantly higher. African skin was significantly more permeable by platinum than Caucasian skin. Both platinum and rhodium were retained inside the skin after 24 hours of exposure, possibly forming a reservoir which could contribute to continued permeation through the skin even after removal thereof from the skin. Platinum and rhodium permeated through full thickness skin and thereby could possibly contribute to local skin symptoms such as dermatitis and urticaria found in occupationally exposed workers. By permeating through the upper layers of the skin, these metals could potentially reach the viable epidermis and contribute to sensitisation. / PhD (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Background: Platinum group metal (PGM) mining and refining is a large constituent of the mining sector of South Africa and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product. The PGMs include the rare metals platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir) and osmium (Os). During the refining process workers are potentially exposed to various chemical forms of the PGMs via the respiratory and dermal exposure routes. Historically, emphasis has been on respiratory exposure while the extent of skin exposure is still unknown. Among the different forms of PGMs, the salts are potential sensitisers, with platinum being a known respiratory sensitiser. Workers occupationally exposed to platinum and rhodium have reported respiratory as well as skin symptoms. However, it is unknown if these metals in the salt form are permeable through human skin, and whether dermal exposure could contribute to sensitisation. Evidence regarding differences between African and Caucasian skin anatomy and structure, as well as permeation through skin is contradictory, and no information is available on metal permeation through African skin. The in vitro diffusion method has been utilised successfully in occupational toxicology to demonstrate that metals such as chromium, cobalt and nickel, to name a few, permeate through human skin. The permeability of platinum and rhodium has not been investigated previously. Aims and objectives: The research aim was to obtain insight into the permeability of platinum and rhodium through intact human skin and to provide information needed to determine the potential health risk following dermal exposure to these metals. The specific objectives included: (i) to critically review the in vitro diffusion method that is used to determine the permeability of metals through human skin, (ii) to investigate the permeation of potassium tetrachloroplatinate (K2PtCl4) and rhodium chloride (RhCl3) as representative PGM salts through intact human skin over a 24-hour period, (iii) to evaluate the difference in permeability of platinum and rhodium through intact human skin, (iv) to evaluate the difference in permeability of platinum through intact African and Caucasian human skin. Methods: Abdominal skin obtained after cosmetic procedures was obtained from five female Caucasian and three female African donors between the ages of 28 and 52 with ethical approval from the North-West University. Full thickness skin tissue was mounted in a vertical Franz diffusion cell. Skin integrity was tested by measuring the electrical resistance across the skin before and after conclusion of the experiments, using a Tinsley LCR Data bridge Model 6401. The donor solution of 32.46 mg K2PtCl4 in 50 ml of synthetic sweat (pH 6.5), and 43.15 mg RhCl3 in 50 ml of synthetic sweat (pH 6.5) was prepared. The donor solution was applied to the stratum corneum side of the skin and physiological receptor solution (pH 7.35) was added to the receptor compartment. The concentration of the metals in the receptor solution was determined by high resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after extraction at various intervals during the 24 hours of the study. After completion of the study, the skin was rinsed four times to remove any platinum or rhodium remaining on the skin surface. The skin was digested using hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid during different steps to determine the mass of the metals remaining in the skin by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results: The comparison of published in vitro skin permeation studies involving metals is impeded by the variations in the experimental design and dissimilarity in the reporting of results. Differences in experimental design included, most noticeably, the use of various donor and receptor solutions, different temperatures wherein the receptor compartment was placed, differences in skin thickness and variations in exposed skin surface areas. The metals considered in the review, namely chromium, cobalt, gold, lead, mercury, nickel, platinum, rhodium and silver, permeate through intact human skin under physiological conditions. Large variations in the permeability results were observed, with the notable differences in methodology as the probable reason. Results obtained from the in vitro experiments indicate that platinum and rhodium permeated through intact Caucasian skin with flux values of 0.12 and 0.05 ng/cm2/h, respectively. The cumulative mass of platinum (2.57 ng/cm2) that permeated after 24 hours of exposure was statistically significantly (p = 0.016) higher than rhodium permeation (1.11 ng/cm2). The mass of platinum (1 459.47 ng/cm2) retained in the skin after 24 hours of exposure was statistically significantly (p < 0.001) higher than rhodium retention (757.04 ng/cm2). The comparison of permeability between two different racial groups indicates that platinum permeated through the skin of both racial groups with the flux through African skin found as 1.93 ng/cm2/h and 0.27 ng/cm2/h through Caucasian skin. The cumulative mass of platinum permeated after 24 hours of exposure was statistically significantly (p = 0.044) higher through African skin (37.52 ng/cm2) than Caucasian skin (5.05 ng/cm2). The retention of platinum in African skin (3 064.13 ng/cm2) was more than twice the mass retained in Caucasian skin (1 486.32 ng/cm2). Conclusions: The in vitro diffusion method is an applicable method to determine skin permeability of metals. However, the experimental design and format of data reporting should be standardised to enable comparison of results from different studies. Platinum and rhodium permeated through intact human skin, with platinum permeation significantly higher. African skin was significantly more permeable by platinum than Caucasian skin. Both platinum and rhodium were retained inside the skin after 24 hours of exposure, possibly forming a reservoir which could contribute to continued permeation through the skin even after removal thereof from the skin. Platinum and rhodium permeated through full thickness skin and thereby could possibly contribute to local skin symptoms such as dermatitis and urticaria found in occupationally exposed workers. By permeating through the upper layers of the skin, these metals could potentially reach the viable epidermis and contribute to sensitisation. / PhD (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP