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Proefschrift--Utrecht. / "Zusammenfassung" :p. [81]-82. "Litteratuuroverzicht": leaf at end. "Stellingen" ([2] p.) laid in.

Proefschrift--Utrecht. / "Zusammenfassung" :p. [81]-82. "Litteratuuroverzicht": leaf at end. "Stellingen" ([2] p.) laid in.

An exploration of some early transition metal (oxy) fluoride systems using solvothermal techniques has been carried out. 30 novel materials have been synthesised, which fall into three classes based on different metal centres; vanadium (21), molybdenum (5) and niobium (4). Some of these also contain secondary metal centres, namely copper (22) and zinc (1). Simultaneously, the relationship between the SHG values and the crystal structures of the hilgardites family members Pb₂B₅O₉Cl, Pb₂B₅O₉Br, Sr₂B₅O₉Cl and Ba₂B₅O₉Cl was investigated. In particular, the Pb–containing members of the hilgardite family of borate halides exhibit an abnormally large non–linear optical response, which was analysed based on neutron powder diffraction. Using solvothermal synthesis in HF–containing media, 21 novel vanadium oxyfluorides containing interesting structural features, were synthesised at 160˚C using a range of organo-amine compounds as a ligand, template, linker or structure directing agent. The architectures of the crystal structures may be categorised into; four clusters including monomeric vanadium units, five clusters including vanadium dimers, eight 1–D chains, two 2–D layers and two 3–D networks. ‘Composition–space’ diagrams with three components were used to study the effect of stoichiometry changes of reactants and to map out the crystallisation fields. The combination of early (Nb⁵⁺, Mo⁶⁺) and late (Cu²⁺) transition metals with different organo-amines produced nine novel compounds incorporating monomers, chains and 2– D interpenetrated networks. The chains and layers were synthesised from a systematic series of reactions at 160˚C and can be subdivided into four pairs, the topologies of which are essentially unique to each ligand, containing in each case a Cu–based cationic species, but alternately either [MoO₂F₄]²⁻ or [NbOF₅]²⁻, in an isomorphous manner, as the anionic moiety. The overall structures of these materials reflect the influence of the organo–amine ligands. The materials have been studied for their magnetic properties and characterised by thermogravimetric analysis, Rietveld refinement and elemental analysis where relevant.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a technique that allows quantitative and qualitative analysis of many materials. In this study, the LIBS analysis options for strontium mixture powders is expanded by increasing the number of usable strontium atomic transitions to avoid incorrect results due to spectral congestion or high strontium concentrations. The research employs double-sided tape affixed to a glass slide to hold the sample where the powder is poured onto one surface of the tape and excess dust that has not adhered is removed. This method minimizes the sample quantity needed and keeps the sample on the slide during experimentation, which also reduces costs. Herein, LIBS was used to detect and quantify the level of metal concentrations in used engine oil samples to provide valuable information about the composition of the selected material in a liquid sample. Data were obtained using multivariate analysis to develop calibration curves using LIBS spectra, which was employed for the quantification of the elements Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Mn. The relationship between the peak intensity of the metals in new engine oil samples and the metal concentrations in used engine oil samples were analyzed to minimize the matrix effect and the interference of element lines after which the atomic emission observed in LIBS spectra of used engine oil and new engine oil were compared. C2 molecular band emissions were also used to determine the degree of the engine oil degradation. Next, calibration models were developed for samples with high species concentrations. A partial least squares regression model was developed for calibration models to overcome matrix effect problems of some lines of each metal. This research successfully used the LIBS technique to determine the degree of engine oil degradation. This study established that used engine oil analysis using the LIBS technique can be utilized to maintain engines in good condition and to prevent engine failure. This paper presents the key findings and conclusions regarding the application of LIBS. Finally, although this technique shows many benefits and reliable results, challenges remain in terms of matrix effects, spectral pre-processing, model calibration, and instrumentation.

Presented thesis deals with the complex characterization of extracts from medical plants using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, with emphasis on the influence of solvent, post-harvest treatment of the sample, location and year of production on selected parameters. Part of the work is devoted to application of selected extracts from medical plants in suitable form into beverages. The thesis is divided into two parts. At the first part of the work combination of electron paramagnetic resonance, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was applied for characterization of aqueous, ethanol and dimethylsulfoxide extracts from 10 selected medical plants, which were collected from two different locations during two years (2015, 2016) and post-harvestly treated by two ways (freezing, drying). In total, 39 parameters were determinated: namely total phenolic compounds content, total flavonoids content, 14 specific phenolic compounds, colour characteristics in the CIE L*a*b* system (L *, a*, b *, C*, h°, BI), radical-quenching activity using the cation radical of the 2,2'-azino-bis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), antioxidant/pro-oxidant activity using the spin trapping technique in the presence of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolin-N-oxide (DMPO)/potassium peroxodisulphate and content of 15 minerals (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, Zn). The results confirmed that the studied parameters of medical plants are influenced by the extraction system, post-harvest treatment of samples, year of production, origin of samples (locality) and species composition. It has been shown that the type of extraction solvent significantly affects the composition of the extracts. On the basis of these analyzes, for food application – the isolation of the main functional components (phenolic compounds, flavonoids) –50% ethanol, post harvest treatment by drying and samples of Mentha piperita, Melissa officinalis, Hypericum perforatum and Salvia officinalis were selected. The second part of the thesis was focused on the application of selected extracts of medical plants to beverages (syrups). The above mentioned plants, 25% ethanol instead of 50% ethanol (due to the limitation of the ethanol content in final raw material), were selected for the application. At first, extraction of medical plants was optimized. Suitable ratio of material and solvent (1:10), extraction time (8 h) and herb absorbency (50–62 %) were determined. The prepared extract after filtration was applied to the syrup concentrate in different ratios to produce one-species syrups and further sensorially tested to select the suitable recipe, the best flavour and basis for the production of two-species syrups. The mint syrup was the most tasty and generally the most acceptable one-species syrup, and sage syrup was selected as the basis for two-species syrups. Further, the most appropriate recipes of the two-species syrups were chosen, the most sensorially acceptable one was selected and further tested if it would be appropriate to colour them. Preferentially, it has been found that it is not necessary to colour two-species syrups. On the basis of the sensory analysis, it has been found that peppermint and sage-peppermint syrups were the most tasty and acceptable syrups, which could be, after further testing, produced industrially to enrich the food market.