Chemische Charakterisierung und Spurenanalytik
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The current work comprises three stages. First, the self-catalyzed polycondensation (SCP) of glycolic acid (GA) was studied in bulk or in suspension at 190°C or at 205°C. Cyclic poly(glycolic acid)s, cPGAs, with number average molecular weights (Mn´s) up 6 700 g mol-1 and dispersities below 2.0 were obtained. These cPGAs possess an unusual molecular weight distribution with a considerable predominance of cycles having degrees of polymerization of 28, 32 and 36. The cycles were formed in the solid state under thermodynamic control which favors the formation of extended-ring crystals. These cPGAs are an off-white, brittle porous mass that is easy to grind, yielding a flowable, crystalline powder suitable for 3D printing with laser sintering (SLS). In the second stage, the influence of non-toxic catalysts such as, Mg, Zn, Ti, Sn(II), Zr and Bi salts or complexes was studied. Compared to the results obtained with self-catalyzed polycondensation in bulk, the best metal catalysts increased the molecular weight by a factor of two to three. However, when compared to the results obtained with self-catalysis in 1,2-dichlorobenzene, the increase was limited to approximately 20%. The third stage examined the influence of 4-toluene sulfonic acid (TSA), which was found to favor the formation of the most perfect crystals with crystallinities up to 84% and the highest reported melting temperatures (up to 245 °C). This indicates the existence of a high Tm morphology, analogous to that of polylactide. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements indicate that significant growth in crystal thickness is mainly responsible for these effects.
The reconstruction of the thermal history of anthropogenic materials is crucial for understanding historical manufacturing techniques. Preparatory parameters such as firing temperature, heating and cooling rates, soaking time, and kiln atmosphere significantly affect the chemical and structural properties of the final product. Comparing historical materials with replicas produced under well-defined laboratory conditions helps identify indicators for these parameters. This comparative approach is greatly enhanced by spectroscopic analyses. Raman spectroscopy has proven to be a powerful tool in this field due to its high sensitivity to crystal-chemical alterations and high spatial resolution.
The results of thermal experiments with gypsum and carbonate raw materials at burning temperatures up to 1000 °C are presented. Precise measurements of Raman peak positions and Raman band widths enable the differentiation of chemically similar phases. Changes in the Raman band parameters are evident even after the subsequent hydration-hardening process of the fired samples, allowing the spectral discrimination of samples treated at different temperatures steps. These findings from the thermal experiments are further applied to Raman micro-spectroscopic mappings of medieval and reenacted mortars. The extracted Raman band parameters show comparable values between the experimental and real-life samples, proving Raman spectroscopy as a suitable tool for estimating the burning temperature and thus elucidating the manufacturing procedures of anthropogenic materials.
Recycling of Li-ion batteries (LiBs) for metal recovery has gained increasing attention in recent years. Batteries contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), however, their behaviour during battery recycling is still not well understood. This study aims to (i) characterise the presence of PFAS in LiBs black mass collected from various recycling factories in Australia, and (ii) investigate the fate of PFAS during the metal recovery process. The concentration of bis-perfluoromethanesulfonimide (bis-FMeSI) (C2) in the black mass was up to 51,000 µg kg−1. Other emerging and legacy PFAS were present, with concentrations varying from 0.1 to100 µg kg−1. The complementary analysis results of extractable organically bound fluorine and Fluorine K-edge X-ray adsorption near-edge structure indicates that the LiBs black mass mainly consists of bis-FMeSI (C2) and LiPF6 as the main PFAS analytes (40 – 80% fluorine equivalent), however other unknown PFAS may also be present. The long-chain PFAS are more difficult to leach compared to the short-chain PFAS. H2SO4 leaches 58% bis-FMeSI which is the highest compared to HNO3 (51%) and HCl (40.4%). During the precipitation stage, adding H2O2 to the H2SO4 (5% v/v) leaching agent increased bis-FMeSI adsorption onto metal precipitates by 40%. Using PiFM analysis, PFAS are found predominantly present as surface-associated species within binder- and carbon-rich domains, and the leaching mechanism is strongly attributable to the disruption of these surface-accessible phases. This work constructs the first baseline for the relevant research about the trade-off between metal recovery and PFAS pollutants in the LiBs recycling process.
The use of different nanoparticles (NPs) is increasing in a wide variety of everyday products. Nevertheless, most studies concerning NP risk assessment have evaluated exposure scenarios involving a single kind of NP. A stepwise study distinguishing between the effects resulting from exposure to one kind of NP and those resulting from different co-exposure scenarios to Al2O3 and CeO2 NPs at concentrations below acute toxicity was conducted with different analytical techniques. As a starting point, WST-1 viability assays were performed to assess whether the chosen exposure concentrations resulted in any acute loss of viability, which would hamper further insight into the cellular response to NP exposure. Then, data on NP dissolution and uptake were obtained via single-particle inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) and microwave-assisted ICP-MS. Additionally, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was performed to check for differences in the biological response to the exposure scenarios at the single-cell level. It was found that the proposed combined techniques provide insight into changes in biological responses as well as cellular metal contents among the exposure scenarios. In this work, a comprehensive tiered analytical strategy for evaluating the biological responses to challenging exposure scenarios is provided. The results highlight the necessity of selecting situations more closely resembling real life—including concentrations below acute toxicity and potential interactions due to multiple NPs—when estimating potential health risks. These findings thus provide a foundation and an incentive for further research into the complex processes leading to the observed effects.
Chemical industry is currently in a rapidly changing environment, e.g., due to variability of raw material quality, high energy costs and demand for improving efficiency. Process optimization and new process concepts become more and more important. Flexible chemical plants can produce various high-quality products using multi-purpose equipment with short downtimes between campaigns and reduce time to market for new products. Intensified continuous production plants allow for difficult to produce compounds like exothermic reactions with high heat dissipation.
Highly automated chemical process monitoring along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and, thus, should be based on “real-time” chemical information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. Field studies in modular and conventional production plant setups show promising results gaining process knowledge for further optimization. NMR spectroscopy appeared as powerful online analytical method and allows using a modular data analysis approach, which can even serve as reliable reference method for further calibration-dependent PAT applications (e.g., NIR or Raman spectroscopy).
Based on experiences from earlier field studies an enhanced field enclosure setup was developed and built, including the option of a secondary analytical method (e.g., optical spectroscopy). Integrated control systems allow for a flexible implementation based on the available automation infrastructure at the chemical plant or pilot plant setup. In the future, modular interconnecting “smart” PAT systems and process equipment have the potential speed up the setup of production equipment for chemicals and pharma-ceuticals and therefore help to reduce the time-to-market.
Challenges in nanoplastic analysis: Reference materials, complex matrices, and limits of detection
(2026)
The growing concern over nanoplastic particles (< 1 µm) in food and the environment has intensified the need for robust analytical approaches to detect, quantify, and characterize these particles. But the lack is high of standardized and well-characterized reference materials that reflect environmentally relevant nanoplastics according to:
• Size distribution
• Low abundance
• Chemical diversity
• Surface properties
• Behavior in complex matrices.
This poster shows different methods like FFF and AF4-MALS and their results when measuring a nanoPP reference materials candidate.
The lack of nanoplastic (NPs) reference materials capable of mimicking real-world scenarios is currently hampering the development of validated extraction techniques from complex matrices, the development of analytical approaches for robust identification and quantification, and the ability to use environmentally relevant test materials in (eco)toxicity testing and hazard assessment.
Here, we present a strategy towards the development of a potential NP reference material based on nano-sized polyproplyene particles (nanoPP) developed within the EURAMET-funded PlasticTrace project (https://plastictrace.eu/). The strategy includes the preparation, the physicochemical characterization and the stability assessment of nanoPP in suspension both in its pristine state, but also when spiked into complex matrices like mineral water and milk.
NanoPP was produced reproducibly in a top-down approach by crushing in acetone with an UltraTurrax, filtering and change of solvent to MilliQ water. The prepared nanoPP material was subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical characterization including e.g., DLS, PTA and AF4-MALS for particle size distribution assessment, PTA and SEM for particle number concentration determination, SEM and AFM for shape analysis and pyrolysis GC-MS for chemical identification. Performed studies showed that the prepared nanoPP material is irregularly shaped and highly polydisperse with a particle size of around 180 nm (e.g., Dh,z-ave from DLS) and a particle size distribution from around 15 nm up to 135 nm (radius of gyration Rg from AF4-MALS).
Storage stability studies using DLS, PTA and AF4-MALS revealed nanoPP in aqueous suspension to be stable for at least 22 months with respect to particle size distribution and number concentration rendering it a promising NP candidate reference material. However, conducted spiking experiments in mineral water and milk showed a time-dependent agglomeration of nanoPP that needs further investigation.
Controlling trace humidity is vital for both the fabrication and long-term stability of metal halide perovskite (MHP) solar cells. Relevant humidity levels are typically below 10 ppmV, especially in glovebox-based processing and in well-encapsulated devices. Even minute amounts during fabrication can influence crystallization, introducing defects and lowering efficiency. Over time, humidity accelerates degradation of the perovskite layer and internal interfaces, ultimately reducing operational lifetime. Probing these effects at low concentrations under operando conditions is therefore essential for advancing device performance and durability. In this work, we employed a high-precision transfer standard dew point hygrometer to investigate humidity levels between 5 and 35 ppmV in non-encapsulated MHP solar cells. To permit unobstructed water migration during operation, we fabricated interdigital back contact devices. Operando measurements revealed water transport through the perovskite layer and enabled quantification of outgassing. Under trace-humidified conditions, devices exhibited initial charge-carrier quenching, followed by gradual recovery. Notably, the photocurrent response to humidified nitrogen demonstrated that the MHP layer behaves fully reversibly within the explored timescale and across the investigated humidity levels and conditions. These findings establish a systematic operando framework for examining extrinsic stressors in perovskites and highlight opportunities for assessing passivation strategies.
Controlling trace humidity is vital for both the fabrication and long-term stability of metal halide perovskite (MHP) solar cells. Relevant humidity levels are typically below 10 ppmV, especially in glovebox-based processing and in well-encapsulated devices. Even minute amounts during fabrication can influence crystallization, introducing defects and lowering efficiency. Over time, humidity accelerates degradation of the perovskite layer and internal interfaces, ultimately reducing operational lifetime. Probing these effects at low concentrations under operando conditions is therefore essential for advancing device performance and durability. In this work, we employed a high-precision transfer standard dew point hygrometer to investigate humidity levels between 5 and 35 ppmV in non-encapsulated MHP solar cells. To permit unobstructed water migration during operation, we fabricated interdigital back contact devices. Operando measurements revealed water transport through the perovskite layer and enabled quantification of outgassing. Under trace-humidified conditions, devices exhibited initial charge-carrier quenching, followed by gradual recovery. Notably, the photocurrent response to humidified nitrogen demonstrated that the MHP layer behaves fully reversibly within the explored timescale and across the investigated humidity levels and conditions. These findings establish a systematic operando framework for examining extrinsic stressors in perovskites and highlight opportunities for assessing passivation strategies.
Recycling existing materials and products as far as possible is an integral part of the circular economy. Plastic-based packaging, including containers for food and beverages but also for storing and transporting chemicals and dangerous goods, are presently made to a wide range from fossil resources. However, even for these “contact sensitive” products, there is still the aim of sustainability using recycled materials. For packings for the transport of dangerous goods, safety characteristics of the containments made from the “virgin” materials including polyethylene (PE) are well known and tested within the frame of their design type approval. Much less, however, is known about their counterparts made from recycled materials. Apart from material weaking, incorporation of residues into recycled plastics can cause contamination of the goods inside the packaging.
To fill this gap, we have evaluated high-density PE (HDPE) canisters made from post-consumer waste towards release of plastic additives and contaminants such as residues from former contents. Using a comprehensive untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) approach as well as thermal extraction-desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS), we detected up to 870 distinct components depending on the type of stored chemical and storage duration. Most of the components were unique to or released in significantly higher amounts from recycled HDPE compared to conventional HDPE. 129 of the components could be identified and analyzed for functional use. The analysis revealed “cosmetics”, “fragrance” and “flavoring” as major associations next to known and expected uses in the field of “plastics”, indicating significant introduction of foreign contaminants into the product. We present details on the compound classes involved and discuss consequences for political targets on increasing recycling rates in this product segment.