Chemische Charakterisierung und Spurenanalytik
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Faecal contaminants in water are considered serious threats for human health, due to the presence of viruses, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.1 Urobilin (UB) is a well-known faecal pigment and can be used as a marker for faecal matter in water.2 UB is commonly present in the urine of all mammals as the catabolic end product of bilirubin degradation.2 As the only simple chemical approach to its detection, Schlesinger’s test is usually used to enhance the weak fluorescence of UB in alcoholic media by complexation with Zinc.2, 3 The major limitation of this method is the only weak enhancement of the intrinsically weak UB fluorescence in aqueous media.3 This work presents an approach to introduce different Zn salts for improved fluorescence response, where we found a clear dependence of the fluorescence yield of UB-Zn(II) complexes on the counterion of the salt in water. By employing a combination of fluorescence parameters like transition energy, fluorescence intensity, and fluorescence lifetime, a photophysical understanding of the structure and conformation of the UB-Zn(II) complexes responsible for the fluorescence enhancement in water could be gained. The possibilities of developing a sensitive analytical method based on the acquired understanding are also discussed.
SWIR luminescent nanomaterials – key chemical parameters for bright probes for in vivo bioimaging
(2024)
A current challenge for studying physio-pathological phenomena and diseaserelated processes in living organisms with non-invasive optical bioimaging is the development of bright optical reporters that enable deep tissue penetration, a high detection sensitivity, and a high spatial and temporal resolution. The focus of this project are nanomaterials, which absorb and emit in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) between ~900–2500 nm where scattering, absorption, and autofluorescence of the tissue are strongly reduced compared to the visible and NIR.
Oxidative degradation processes of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a brominated flame retardant (BFR) in wood, plastics and electronics, were investigated by electrochemistry (EC) coupled online to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). Oxidative phase I and II metabolites production was achieved using an electrochemical flow-through cell equipped with a boron doped diamond electrode. Structural elucidation and prediction of oxidative metabolism pathways of TBBPA according to type II ipso-substitution were based on retention time, m/z ratio in negative mode and fragmentation pattern. Using the data obtained through high resolution MS analysis and the identification of single electron transfer (SET) as the initial step of a two-electron oxidation provided the necessary information to propose a mechanism for the electrochemical oxidation of TBBPA. Oxidation reactions involving aromatic hydroxylation and β-scission were the main degradation observed when studying the electrochemical behavior of TBBPA. Computational chemistry experiments using density functional theory (DFT) allowed to identify mono-hydroxylated reaction intermediate and dismissed the mechanism involving two concurrent hydroxylation. TBBPA oxidation products were compared to known metabolites of its biological and environmental degradation confirming the ability of electrochemistry to simulate β-scission reactions.
Ergot alkaloids form a toxicologically relevant group of mould toxins (mycotoxins) that are among the most common contaminants of foodstuff and animal feed worldwide. Reliable controls are essential to minimise health risks and economic damage. Due to their toxicological relevance, EU limit values for 12 priority ergot alkaloids have been introduced for the first time in 2022 and range from 500 μg/kg in rye milling products down to 20 ug/kg Processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children[1]. High-performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry is used to quantify low concentrations of ergots in food, however the European standard analytical procedure cannot be applied due to the lack of isotopically labelled reference standards.
The complex structure of the ergot alkaloids makes a total synthesis extremely challenging, expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, we are focusing on different semi-preparative methods (electrochemistry, organic synthesis, heterogeneous catalysis) to specifically N-demethylate the C8 carbon atom of the lysergic acid moiety. The norergot alkaloid formed is then isotopically labelled using an electrophilic methyl source, i.e. iodomethane or dimethyl sulphate to obtain the specific isotopic labelled ergot alkaloid. Initial experiments have shown that N-demethylation of the ergot alkaloid ergotamine is possible by both electrochemical and wet-chemical organic synthesis. The next step is to improve the previously determined reaction conditions to enable the synthesis of norergotamine on a mg scale for further reactions.
Ergot alkaloids form a toxicologically relevant group of mould toxins (mycotoxins) that are among the most common contaminants of food and animal feed worldwide. Reliable controls are essential to minimise health risks and economic damage. Due to their toxicological relevance, EU limit values for 12 priority ergot alkaloids have been introduced for the first time in 2022 and range from 500 µg/kg in rye milling products down to 20 ug/kg Processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children[1]. High-performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry is used to quantify low concentrations of ergots in food, however the European standard analytical procedure cannot be applied due to the lack of isotopically labelled reference standards.
The complex structure of the ergot alkaloids makes a total synthesis extremely challenging, expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, we are focusing on different semi-preparative methods (electrochemistry, organic synthesis, heterogeneous catalysis) to specifically N-demethylate the C8 carbon atom of the lysergic acid moiety. The norergot alkaloid formed is then isotopically labelled using an electrophilic methyl source, i.e. iodomethane or dimethyl sulphate to obtain the specific isotopic labelled ergot alkaloid. Initial experiments have shown that N-demethylation of the ergot alkaloid ergotamine is possible by both electrochemical and wet-chemical organic synthesis. The next step is to adapt the previously determined reaction conditions to enable the synthesis of norergotamine on a mg scale.
The application of compact NMR instruments to continuously flowing samples at higher temperatures or exothermically reacting mixtures is limited by the temperature sensitivity of permanent magnets. Typically, such temperature effects directly influence the achievable magnetic field homogeneity and hence measurement quality. The internal-temperature control loop of the magnet and instruments is typically not designed for compensation of such effects. Passive insulation is restricted by the small dimensions within the magnet borehole.
Here, we present a design approach for active heat shielding with the aim of variable temperature control of NMR samples for benchtop NMR instruments using a compressed airstream which is variable in flow and temperature. Based on the system identification and surface temperature measurements using an optical thermo-graphy setup, a model predictive control was set up to minimize any disturbance effect on the permanent magnet from the probe or sample temperature.
This methodology will facilitate the application of variable-temperature shielding and, therefore, potentially extend the application of compact NMR instruments to flowing samples at higher temperature than the permanent magnet.
Introduction
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one key technology to overcome the climate crisis and energy transition challenges. Demands of electric vehicles on higher capacity and power drives research on innovative cathode and anode materials. These high energy-density LIBs are operated at higher voltages, leading to increased electrolyte decay and the current collectors' degradation. Even though this fundamental corrosion process significantly affects battery performance, insufficient research is being done on the aluminum current collector. Fast and convenient analytical methods are needed for monitoring the aging processes in LIBs.
Methods
In this work glow-discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) was used for depth profile analysis of aged cathode material. The measurements were performed in pulsed radio frequency mode. Under soft and controlled plasma conditions, high-resolution local determination (in depth) of the elemental composition is possible. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with a focused ion beam (FIB) cutting and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to confirm GD-OES results and obtain additional information on elemental distribution.
Results
The aging of coin cells manufactured with different cathode materials (LCO, LMO, NMC111, NMC424, NMC532, NMC622, and NMC811) was studied. GD-OES depth profiling of new and aged cathode materials was performed. Quantitative analysis was possible through calibration with synthetic standards and correction by sputter rate. Different amounts of aluminum deposit on the cathode surface were found for different materials. The deposit has its origin in the corrosion of the aluminum current collector. The results are compatible with results from FIB-EDX. However, GD-OES is a faster and less laborious analytical method. Therefore, it will accelerate research on corrosion processes in high energy-density batteries.
Innovative aspects
- Quantitative depth profiling of cathode material
-Monitoring of corrosion processes in high energy-density lithium-ion batteries
- Systematic investigation of the influence of different cathode materials
The application of compact NMR instruments to hot flowing samples or exothermically reacting mixtures is limited by the temperature sensitivity of permanent magnets. Typically, such temperature effects directly influence the achievable magnetic field homogeneity and hence measurement quality. The internal-temperature control loop of the magnet and instruments is not designed for such temperature compensation. Passive insulation is restricted by the small dimensions within the magnet borehole.
Here, we present a design approach for active heat shielding with the aim of variable temperature control of NMR samples for benchtop NMR instruments using a compressed airstream which is variable in flow and temperature. Based on the system identification and surface temperature measurements through thermography, a model predictive control was set up to minimise any disturbance effect on the permanent magnet from the probe or sample temperature.
This methodology will facilitate the application of variable-temperature shielding and, therefore, extend the application of compact NMR instruments to flowing sample temperatures that differ from the magnet temperature.
Global demand for pigments is expected to increase to around 13.4 million tons per year by 2030, representing approximately $22 billion – 5% of which will be azo pigments as the main organic pigments. Azo pigments, i.e., especially the azo bridge required for them, are almost exclusively produced in technology by the so-called azo coupling reaction in large-scale approaches on the scale of 50–100 cubic meters. Among other things, one of the reasons why large-scale production itself is still essentially discontinuous is the lack of analytical methods for a continuous azo pigment synthesis.
In an azo coupling process, an aromatic amine is diazotized to form the diazonium compound (diazo compound), which then reacts with a coupling component, i.e., "couples". A slight excess of the coupler is desired for the end of the reaction, which stoichiometrically consumes the remaining (harmful) diazo compound, i.e., below 500 ppm. This is carried out with a manual spotting reaction of a fast-binding coupler.
To carry out continuous azo coupling, care must be taken to ensure that the actual coupling reaction proceeds as rapidly as possible, i.e., preferentially, compared with possible side reactions. Reliable measuring methods are thus a decisive criterion for the useful performance of a continuous azo pigment synthesis. An analytical online procedure is difficult due to several limitations at once: solid dispersions extremely limit the range of reproducible analytical procedures. In addition, the appearance of a signal (e.g., excess of a starting material) in the ppm range must be reliably detected against the matrix background.
The back-titration method and benchtop NMR spectroscopy were used to overcome these problems. We present a feasibility study for a suitable process analysis with benchtop NMR spectroscopy on disperse systems for equimolar dosing of the "diazotization" or "coupling" sub-step in azo coupling, which was carried out in cooperation with a chemical company. This could replace tedious manual spotting
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2023)
Companies of chemical industry find themselves more often in a rapidly changing environment, e.g., due to variability of raw material quality or energy costs and efficiency. Process optimization and new process concepts become more and more important. For example, flexible and modular 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 control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “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 appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow 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 improved NMR analyzer enclosure setup was developed and built, including the option of a secondary 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, fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” PAT systems and processes have the potential speed up the setup of production equipment for chemicals and pharmaceuticals and therefore help to reduce the time-to-market.
Over the past century, a range of synthetic compounds have been produced to improve humanity’s quality of life. These include pharmaceuticals, plastics, and other chemical compounds that possess properties making them potentially harmful when released to the environment (e.g., ecological and health impacts to humans and animals). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of chemicals used in the formulations of thousands of consumer goods, including aqueous film-forming foams used to suppress aviation fires in training scenarios, non-stick cookware, fast-food wrappers, water-repellent fabrics, medical equipment, and plastic and leather products. Because of the recent regulations and restrictions on the use of long chain (≥C8) PFAS a significant shift in the industry towards short (C4-C7) and ultrashort (C1-C3) chain alternatives has been recognized the last years. Due to the high polarity and water solubility of ultrashort PFAS, the potential for bioaccumulation is low. However, the high persistence of ultrashort-chain PFAS will result in environmental accumulation, especially in aquatic environments, leading to potential risks for aquatic organisms and increased human external exposure through drinking water. Ultrashort PFAS like trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) are low to moderately toxic to a range of organisms. In addition, ultrashort PFAS can penetrate natural and anthropogenic barriers and eventually reach drinking water sources. Because common drinking water treatment techniques do not sufficiently remove them, they may reach human consumption. In the project we are focusing on detecting and removing PFAS, especially ultrashort-chain PFAS from contaminated groundwater. We are designing passive sampling devices, which can collect and monitor the temporal profile of PFAS species in groundwater. This will allow us to analyze PFAS contaminations in German and Israeli groundwater using state-of-the-art and novel analytical techniques and understand the extent of contamination. In addition to quantification, PFAS contaminated groundwater will be treated via a two-stage process to produce PFAS-free drinking water. As ultrashort-chain PFAS are difficult to analyze with the current target (LC-MS/MS) and sum parameter (AOF, EOF) analysis methods, we additionally using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Therefore, an analytical method based on GC-MS is in development to analyze the volatile ultrashort-chain PFAS (TFA, PFPrA, TFMS, PFEtS, PFPrS, trifluoroethanol, pentafluoropropanol and hexafluoro isopropanol) directly in contaminated groundwater samples with the headspace technique and in eluates of organic solvents from the developed passive sampler after direct injection. Moreover, a two-stages process is designed to increase the low concentrations found in groundwater using novel membranes processes such as closed-circuit reverse osmosis (CCRO) and mixed matrix composite nanofiltration membranes (MMCM). Next, the rejected streams containing higher concentrations of PFAS will be treated by coagulation, and the remaining PFAS adsorbed onto carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs). The DEFEAT-PFAS project will result in the development of novel tools to detect, quantify, and remove PFAS, especially ultrashort-chain PFAS from contaminated groundwater, and will acquire a new understanding of the extent of these contaminations.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, ever-growing and widely used class of chemicals. Due to the strength of the C-F bond, they do not decompose but accumulate in the environment posing a risk for nature and humans alike. While the use of some PFAS, like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is already regulated in the EU, new ‘precursor’ substances are used to replace them. However, these precursors may be equally harmful to the environment.
In recent years, many ‘hot spot’ sites with high PFAS contaminations in soil have been distinguished, but no German-wide background values have been determined yet. Knowing these background values is crucial to understand the degree of PFAS contamination, underpinning future regulatory decisions.
Due to the complexity and variety of different PFAS compounds, one needs to apply a broad spectrum of different techniques to capture most of the PFAS content in one sample.
In the framework of this project, 600 soil samples are taken at different sites all over Germany. The concentration of 30 PFAS - 13 carboxylic acids (C4-C18), 5 sulfonic acids (C4-C10) and 12 precursor substances) - is determined in these soil samples using three different sample preparation approaches: 1) ultrasonic extraction of the soil samples with Methanol; 2) preparation of eluates to test the leaching behaviour of the PFAS and 3) TOP assays following the method published by Houtz & Sedlak.
Targeted LC-MS/MS is used to determine PFAS concentration after all three preparation steps.
For the TOP-assay, the concentration of all 30 PFAS is compared prior to and after the oxidation reaction.
Besides the ‘classic’ TOP-Assay, two other TOP-Assay approaches, the dTOP Assay and the photoTOP-Assay, are tested and the results of all three approaches are compared. First, all three TOP-Assay approaches will be tested on a reference soil spiked with a solution including all 30 PFAS measured in the project. Later, soil samples taken in the frame of the priorly described project will be tested.
This poster will focus on the results of the experiments comparing the three different TOP Assay approaches in spiked reference soil. Additionally, some of the results of the other sample preparation methods, extraction and eluate preparation will be presented.
HR-CS-GFMAS turned out to be a sensitive, fast and highly selective tool for fluorine determination. The method is based on the in situ formation of diatomic gallium-mono fluoride (GaF) at a temperature of 1550°C. GaF can be detected at 211.248 nm providing limits of quantificationin the low μg/L range. However, several species specific effects where observed when analyzing PFASs.
Iron isotopes are used in a variety of fields from e.g., geologic question to medical applications. Measurements of iron isotopes are usually performed as delta measurements to an artificial based delta zero standard. In the case of Fe isotopes is that delta zero standard IRMM-014, a pure Fe metal. Unfortunately, that conventional delta zero reference material defining the 56/54Fe scale is out of stock and therefore unavailable. To overcome that situation and fulfill the need for laboratories that measure Fe isotope on a regular basis we will provide a set of solutions with IRMM-014 and a second anchor point for Fe isotope ratio measurements that is based on a pure Fe metal. This new second anchor point, a high purity Fe from BAM, will be calibrated against IRMM-014 and can be used as bracketing standard or as reference value for stable Fe isotope measurements.
We are in the good situation that BAM ordered a large stock of IRMM-014 several years ago. That stock of IRMM-014 Fe cubes and IRMM-014 Fe wires will be dissolved in 6M HCl in a large quantity. The new anchor point, the high purity Fe metal, that is commercially available at BAM, is a pure Fe metal with only trace amounts of impurities. The high purity BAM material will also be dissolved in 6M HCl in large quantity. Several aliquots of both solutions will be measured on the Neptune Plus MC-ICP-MS to define this second anchor point with a low uncertainty. Further will we send several aliquots of both solutions to different laboratories to also measure this second anchor point of high purity Fe on the 56/54Fe scale.
We will report the values of that study on BAM high purity Fe and will provide a guide for scale conversion to the IRMM-014 scale and for uncertainty calculation to use that new anchor point instead of the exhausted IRMM-014.
The variation of isotope ratios is increasingly used to unravel natural and technical questions. With new upcoming techniques and research topics in the last two decades, such as material provenance or food authenticity to animal and human migration studies, the number of published isotope data has strongly increased. Here, isotope reference materials are indispensable to enable a reliable method validation or even SI-traceability. The fast development and broad availability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instrumentation (ICP-MS) also lead to an expansion of the classical research areas and new elements are under investigation. Owing to this large expansion of the field, the production and certification of isotope reference materials for calibration and validation is lagging behind, even for classical applications such as conventional 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio analysis. To improve this situation, BAM organized an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) comprising of thirteen international laboratories for the characterisation of 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios in geochemical and industrial reference materials. Six reference materials (four cements and two rocks) were provided as powder requiring extensive sample preparation prior to isotopic measurement. Additional requirements included the use of the conventional method for obtaining 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios, also known as radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios, and the assessment of the measurement uncertainty. The primary goal was to evaluate potential differences in the application of multicollector thermal ionization mass spectrometry (MC-TIMS) and multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) for conventional 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio determination, with a secondary goal to provide reference values for the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios in these potential new reference materials. All reported results are accompanied by an uncertainty statement and are traceable to the conventional method, which will be described in detail within this presentation. Current state-of-the-art statistical models were used to ensure the proper evaluation of the reported results and their associated measurement uncertainties within the frame of this ILC. Combined with results from appropriate homogeneity assessment, reference values for 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios will be assigned.
Mechanochemistry provides polymorphs that are difficult to obtain by conventional solution-based methods. Based on the nicotinamide and pimelic acid cocrystal, we demonstrated that the ball size, frequency, and temperature are essential parameters. Our results indicate that fine-tuning the energy input during a mechanochemical reaction can provide control over polymorphism.
In the interest of exploring their potential in the field of single particle analysis, a Microdroplet Generator (MDG) was coupled to an ICP-ToF-MS. Isotopic Dilution Analysis was also incorporated for the size determination of three different Platinum nanoparticles samples (50, 63 and 70 nm). The performance of the technique was validated by comparison to traditional size characterization techniques (sp-ICP-ToF-MS, TEM), while the robustness of the technique was proven by incorporating NaCl in the samples’ matrix, up to 100 mg/L.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in Polycarbonate, Polyacrylic resins, Polysulfones, Epoxy resins, and Polyetherimides. It is also used in recycled Polyvinyl chloride [1–3]. BPA has been classified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH [4] due to its endocrine disrupting properties. The German competent authorities want to reduce the content of BPA in the environment. Possible substitutes for BPA are Bisphenol B (BPB), Bisphenol E (BPE),
Bisphenol F (BPF), or Bisphenol S (BPS), as they are similar in structure.
BPA-based materials have a wide area of application especially outside. These outdoor applications are exposed to different external influences, including physical, biological, mechanical and chemical influences. This results in damage and aging of the material with leaching or migration into the environment. There, the substance is transformed by various transformation processes. The emerging metabolites and transformation products (TPs) can have different properties than the parent substance. Understanding the fate and behavior of the emerging pollutants is very important.
Therefore, different transformation products of selected bisphenols will be generated and analyzed:
To investigate the fate of different bisphenols in water treatment plants technical transformation products [5] will be generated by chlorination, ozonization, the Fenton reaction, and UV-radiation.
For the investigation of the fate of Bisphenols in surface water global radiation will be simulated with UVA-lamps
Simulation of phase-I-metabolism with an electrochemical cell coupled to mass spectrometry (EC-MS).
ISO 14687 defines threshold limits for expectable impurities in hydrogen that is assigned for use in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This work describes the establishment of the traceability of some selected impurities by preparation and analysis of reference gases with the lowest possible uncertainty in composition. Primary reference gases were produced by the gravimetric method according to ISO 6142-1 and the analysis was carried out by operating measurement protocols according to ISO 12963 on two customized trace GC analysers.
Natural and synthetic estrogens are key endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Despite occurring at ultra-trace levels (below ng L-1), it is believed that they are contributing to an increase in feminized fish and other endocrine disruptive effects, and hence, their inclusion in the Watch list was not unexpected. One of the main sources ofestrogens to surface waters is wastewater effluent. Once in surface waters, they can partition into different compartments, i.e., water and suspended particulate matter. For this reason, there is an urgent need for a methodology to monitor estrogen levels below the environmental quality standards (EQS) set by the Water Framework Directive requirements.
In this study, a precise and accurate gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method (GC-MS/MS) for the analysis of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), 17α-estradiol (17α- E2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estriol (E3) in whole water samples with ng L-1 limit of quantification (LOQ) was developed and validated in accordance with CEN/TS 16800:2020 guidelines.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.
The project EDC-WFD Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17E2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four selected effect-based methods (EBM) will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment. In particular, the EBM sensitivity, specificity and accuracy on reference materials with single or mixture solutions of the five substances at a concentration of EQS values will be explored.
This contribution will present the objectives and methods applied within the EDC-WFD project.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one technology to overcome the challenges of climate and energy crisis. They are widely used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, or as storage for renewable energy sources. However, despite innovations in batteries' components like cathode and anode materials, separators, and electrolytes, the aging mechanism related to metallic aluminum current collector degradation causes a significant drop in their performance and prevents the durable use of LIBs.[1] Glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) is a powerful method for depth-profiling of batteries' electrode materials. This work investigates aging-induced aluminum deposition on commercial lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries' cathodes. The results illustrate the depth-resolved elemental distribution from the cathode surface to the current collector. An accumulation of aluminum is found on the cathode surface by GD-OES, consistent with results from energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) combined with focused ion beam (FIB) cutting. In comparison to FIB-EDX, GD-OES allows a fast and manageable depth-profiling. Results from different positions on an aged cathode indicate an inhomogeneous aluminum film growth on the surface. The conclusions from these experiments can lead to a better understanding of the degradation of the aluminum current collector, thus leading to higher lifetimes of LIBs.
With the online coupling (or hyphenation) of chemically-resolved spectroscopy detection with classical size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) it is possible to correlate polymer molecular size with chemical structure in a single in-situ or on-flow measurement. Medium-resolution 1H-NMR (60 MHz) spectroscopy (i.e., “desktop NMR”) and Fouriertransform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) have both been developed as coupled methods (SEC-MR-NMR, SEC-FTIR) for the detection of polymer analytes by monitoring e.g. alkene or carbonyl functionality.1,2 Here, we have investigated the potential for the detection of polymer end groups, using a slightly higher field-strength spectrometer (80 MHz 1H Larmor frequency) and taking advantage of a columnless injection method that provides bulk spectra for reference. End-functionalized polymers were synthesized by reaction of PEG with toluene isocyanate, yielding ,-functionalized polymers with exactly 2 IR- and NMR-detectable functional groups per chain, as proven by MALD-TOF mass spectrometry. We have investigated the sensitivity (limit of detection) and spectral resolution for these functional groups in chloroform, THF, and water. Results have demonstrated a good feasibility for the simultaneous online detection of PEG backbone (M~4000 g/mol) and these end groups at the level of ca. 2 mol%.
Mycotoxins (toxic compounds formed by fungi) in food and feed have caused problems for mankind since the beginning of time. The group of ergot alkaloids plays a special role in human history. Several tens of thousands of deaths during the middle ages caused by to ergotism (the disease caused by continuous intake of ergot alkaloid contaminated food) underscore the importance of reliable analytical methods to ensure food safety.
More than 50 compounds belong to the group of ergot alkaloids. The 12 most found structures – the major ergot alkaloids – are typically measured, when it comes to ergot alkaloid quantification. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector (FLD) is typically used to quantify the ergot alkaloid content. The main disadvantage of this method are the high costs for calibration standards (12 different calibration substances are required). But also, the time and effort required for the analysis of 12 peaks and overlapping signals that occur in complex food samples such as bread. As all ergot alkaloids share the ergoline structure and just differ in the substituents attached to this backbone, measurement of all ergot alkaloids in one sum parameter presents a time and cost saving alternative. The most important step for the development of such a sum parameter method is the reaction used to transfer all ergot alkaloids to one uniform structure. Two promising reactions, the acidic esterification to lysergic acid methyl ester and hydrazinolysis to lysergic acid hydrazide, were examined for possible use in a routine analysis method. In addition to yield and reaction rate, factors such as handling of the reaction and the possibility of parallel sample workup play a role.
Deciphering microbiological influenced corrosion processes on steel with single cell-ICP-ToF-MS
(2022)
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a highly unpredictable process dictated by the environment, microorganisms, and the respective electron source. Interaction pathways between cells and the metal surface remain unclear. The development of this novel single cell-inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometry analytical method and a MIC-specific staining procedure facilitate the investigation of steel-MIC interactions. With this it is possible to analyze the multi-elemental fingerprint of individual cells. The detection method revealed elemental selectivity for the corrosive methanogenic archaeal strain Methanobacterium-affiliated IM1. The interface between material and environmental analysis thus receives special attention, e.g., when considering MIC on solid steel. Hence, the possible uptake of individual elements from different steel samples is investigated. Results showed the cells responded at a single-cell level to the different types of supplemented elements and displayed the abilities to interact with chromium, vanadium, titanium, cobalt, and molybdenum from solid metal surfaces. The information obtained will be used in the future to elucidate underlying mechanisms and develop possible material protection concepts, thus combining modern methods of analytical sciences with materials research.
References.
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of several thousand individual compounds. Many PFASs are extremely persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. The analysis of PFASs is challenging because of their various chemical and physical properties as well as the high number of compounds. Target-based approaches (e.g., LC-MS/MS) are limited to the availability of analytical grade standards and are not suitable for the analysis of new/unknown PFASs and transformation products. Therefore, PFAS sum parameter methods become increasingly important to indicate realistic PFAS pollution levels.
PFAS sum parameters display the proportion of organically bound fluorine that can either be extracted (EOF) or adsorbed to activated carbon (AOF). For the instrumental analysis of such sum parameters, a fluorine selective detector is needed. High resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS) is a sensitive and highly selective tool for fluorine determination. The method is based on the in situ formation of diatomic gallium-mono fluoride (GaF) in a graphite furnace at a temperature of 1550°C. The molecular absorption of GaF can be detected at its most sensitive wavelength at 211.248 nm providing limits of quantification of c(F) 2.7 µg/L.
In the present work a HR-CS-GFMAS method for EOF analysis was utilized for suspended particulate matter (SPM) analysis in German rivers in time lines from 2005–2020. Therefore, time and spatial resolved trends were investigated. In addition, SPM samples were analyzed for the Σ41PFAS using target analysis based on UHPLC-HRMS. Overall, target analysis drastically underestimated the total PFAS burden in SPM of German rivers compared to the EOF HR-CS-GFMAS analysis. Using a fluorine mass balance approach, only 0.2% to 38.6% of the EOF was explainable using the Σ41PFAS determined with target analysis. Our study highlights the need to integrate PFAS sum parameters (e.g., EOF with HR-CS-GFMAS) in PFAS risk assessment strategies.
The isotopic analysis of lithium is also relevant to the study of geological phenomena.1 In this work we propose improvements to the method for the isotopic analysis of lithium using a high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer (HR-CS-AAS) coupled to a double echelle modular spectrometer (DEMON). 2 This tool for isotopic ratio determination is based on monitoring the isotopic components of lithium by their spin-orbit coupling and its isotopic shift of about 15 pm for the 22P←2 2S electronic transition around 670.788 nm. The data analysis was carried out by using a decision-tree-based ensemble machine learning (ML) algorithm. For the training of the algorithm (XGBoost), a set of samples with 6Li isotope amount fractions ranging from 0.06 to 0.99 mol-1 was used. Subsequently, the procedure was validated of a set of stock chemicals (Li2CO3, LiNO3, LiCl and LiOH) and a BAM candidate reference material, the cathode material LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC111). Finally, the ML model was applied to the set of geological samples, previously digested, for the determination of their isotope ratio. The optical resolution was improved from 140,000 to 790,000 to better deconvolution the lithium isotopic components in the atomic spectrum. And the method was compared with multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The results are metrologically comparable.
Our aim is to develop a simple and inexpensive method for full field X-ray fluorescence imaging.We combine an energydispersive array detector with a coded aperture to obtain high resolut ion images. To obtain the information from the recorded image a reconstruction step is necessary. The reconstruction methods we have developed, were tested on simulated data and then applied to experimental data. The first tests were carried out at the BAMline @BESSY II. This method enables the simultaneous detection of multiple elements,which is important e.g. in the field of catalysis.
Getting more efficient – The use of Bayesian optimization and Gaussian processes at the BAMline
(2022)
For more than 20 years, BAM is operating the BAMline at the synchrotron BESSY II in Berlin Adlershof. During this time, the complexity of the setup and the amount of data generated have multiplied. To increase the effectiveness and in preparation for BESSY III, algorithms from the field of machine learning are increasingly used.
After a short introduction to BO and GP, the first example is the automatic alignment of our double multilayer monochromator (DMM).
The second example is the optimization of measurement time in XRF scanning.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one technology to overcome the challenges of climate and energy crisis. They are widely used in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, or as storage for renewable energy sources. However, despite innovations in batteries' components like cathode and anode materials, separators, and electrolytes, the aging mechanism related to metallic aluminum current collector degradation causes a significant drop in their performance and prevents the durable use of LIBs. Glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) is a powerful method for depth-profiling of batteries' electrode materials. This work investigates aging-induced aluminum deposition on commercial lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries' cathodes. The results illustrate the depth-resolved elemental distribution from the cathode surface to the current collector. An accumulation of aluminum is found on the cathode surface by GD-OES, consistent with results from energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) combined with focused ion beam (FIB) cutting. In comparison to FIB-EDX, GD-OES allows a fast and manageable depth-profiling. Results from different positions on an aged cathode indicate an inhomogeneous aluminum film growth on the surface. The conclusions from these experiments can lead to a better understanding of the degradation of the aluminum current collector, thus leading to higher lifetimes of LIBs.
Safe food is a prerequisite for good human health, however currently almost one in ten people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food. National food safety authorities need to be able to manage food safety risks along the entire food chain. The Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 was put in place to ensure that food and feed law stipulates the need for validated analytical methods. However, whilst method development for food control and proficiency testing are well established by European Union Reference Laboratories and National Reference Laboratories, validation of the measurements involved, certified reference materials and internationally recognised calibration and measurement capabilities are currently often (?) lacking. This may erode trust in the accuracy of the measurements.
This poster presents Food-MetNet, a coordinated preparatory initiative to establish the European Metrology Network for Safe and Sustainable Food, recently approved by the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET). Food-MetNet aims to establish an ongoing dialogue between the metrology community, reference laboratories and regulatory bodies, in order to (i) identify stakeholders’ needs, (ii) develop a sustainable knowledge-sharing programme and web-based platform for stakeholders and (iii) develop roadmaps and a strategic research agenda. Improved access to more reliable and accurate food safety measurements will enable reference laboratories to more confidently and effectively compare their measurement results and support accreditation. This is particularly important where national food safety authorities need to assess potential new contaminants, novel food ingredients and newly emerging food risks, and new measurements methods may be required as well as input into new documentary standards. The activities for sustainable food intend to boost the activity within the "EU green deal framework" to reduce food waste and losses, and the development of standards and methods that allow for the reuse of food waste. The support to new business opportunities and innovation will allow increasing the market competitiveness of EU food industries and the valorisation of waste by reducing environmental impacts.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2022)
Companies of chemical industry find themselves more often in a rapidly changing environment, e.g., due to variability of raw material quality or energy costs and efficiency. Process optimization and new process concepts become more and more important. For example, flexible and modular 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.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “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 appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis approach, which can even serve as reliable reference method for further calibration-dependent PAT applications (e.g., NIR spectroscopy). Based on experiences from these field studies an improved analyzer enclosure setup was developed and built, including the option of a secondary method besides NMR 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, fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” PAT systems and processes have the potential speed up the setup of production equipment for chemicals and pharmaceuticals and therefore help to reduce the time-to-market.
Contamination of the environment with antibiotics is of great concern as it promotes the evolution of antimicrobial resistances. In case of amoxicillin (AMX) in the aquatic environment, further risk arises from hydrolysis products (HPs) which can cause allergy. To assess these risks, a comprehensive investigation and understanding of the degradation of AMX is necessary. We investigated the hydrolysis rate of AMX in different types of water as well as the influence of temperature and irradiation. The content of the heavy metal ions copper and zinc was found to be crucial for the hydrolysis rate of AMX and stability of HPs. Eventually, a new degradation pathway for AMX could be elaborated and confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2022)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment, especially by utilizing the potential of digital technologies. Flexible and modular 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.
Therefore, fully automated process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plants show promising results gaining process knowledge. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, fully integrated and interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile PAT Tool for Production of Specialty Chemicals
(2022)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment, especially by utilizing the potential of digital technologies. Flexible and modular 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.
Therefore, fully automated process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of chemical production environment such as explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plants show promising results gaining process knowledge. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, fully integrated and interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Steps Forward in the Application of 3,3’,5,5’- Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in Amperometric Assays
(2022)
Electrochemical methods make great promise to meet the demand for user-friendly on-site devices for monitoring important parameters. Food industry often runs own lab procedures, e.g. for mycotoxin analysis, but it is a major goal to simplify analysis, linking analytical methods with miniaturized technologies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, with photometric detection of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) substrate, 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), form a good basis for sensitive detection. To provide a straight-forward approach for the miniaturization of the detection step, we have studied the pitfalls of the electrochemical TMB detection. By cyclic voltammetry it was found that the TMB electrochemistry is strongly dependent on the pH and the electrode material.
It was found that screen-printed gold electrodes and a highly acidic pH value (pH 1) are well-suited to perform the electrochemical detection of TMB, due to the reversible character of the redox reaction under these conditions. This set-up provides a good signal stability over several measuring cycles, providing the basis for analysing multiple samples. In contrast to this, for carbon screen-printed electrodes, it was found that the signal response has changed after the electrochemical reaction with TMB at pH 1. At a weakly acidic pH value (pH 4), neither with carbon nor with gold electrodes a reproducible electrochemical detection of TMB could be achieved [1].
Based on these findings we created a smartphone-based, electrochemical, immunomagnetic assay for the detection of ochratoxin A and ergometrine in real samples. Therefore, a competitive assay was performed on magnetic beads using HRP and TMB/H2O2 to generate the signal. Enzymatically oxidized TMB was quantified after addition of H2SO4 by amperometry with screen-printed gold electrodes in a custom-made wall-jet flow cell. The results are in good correlation with the established photometric detection method, providing a solid basis for sensing of further analytes in HRP-based assays using the newly developed miniaturized smartphone-based, electrochemical, immunomagnetic assay.
Soil acts as a final sink for pollutants. Microplastics from different sources such as plastic mulching, littering, compost, sewage sludge, sedimentary deposition, and tyre abrasion are expected to be found in soil. However, representative and comprehensive information is missing on the sources, transport, and fate. Therefore, a reliable analysis method for microplastics in soils needs to be developed.
The presented work describes the development of a procedure for microplastics analysis in soils. A representative sampling based on the on-site conditions and a sample preparation method was established and comprised of a drying step, the separation of microplastic particles > 1 mm, and a density separation for particles < 1 mm. The detection of the large microplastic particles (> 1 mm) was conducted with Attenuated Total Reflection - Fourier Transform infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) , while Thermal Extraction Desorption - Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) was applied for particles < 1 mm, gaining information on the type of polymer and mass fraction. Based on the established method, 14 environmental soil samples ? with different exposure of microplastics from agriculture, industrial sites, roads, and floods were investigated.
Due to the arbitrary microplastic particle distribution among the samples for large microplastics, it was reasoned that the found particles were unrepresentative. In contrast, microplastic particles < 1 mm were discovered in a high mass in soil samples exposed to plastic mulching or fertilization with sewage sludge or compost (0 – 115 mg/kg). On average, microplastic contents detected in soil samples taken from a construction site and an inner-city lake were higher (13 – 238 mg/kg). As expected, microplastic content in soil sampled in proximity to roads was more pronounced in the upper soil layers. In contrast, very remote sampling sites, expectably uncontaminated, did not lead to the detection of microplastic regarding to thermoanalytical detection method.
In a proof of concept experiment several in vivo and in vitro ecotoxicological tests were applied to evaluate the effect of microplastics (tyre abrasion, polystyrene containing hexabromocyclododecane) in natural soils. In summary, while no effects of the examined probes could be detected on higher levels of biological organization after exposures to earthworm E. andrei, significant changes in several oxidative stress related biomarkers were observed.
Several aspects were explored towards the standardization of a suitable procedure. The use of gaseous standards is necessary and a standard gas mixture containing 60 substances was successfully generated and employed for further investigations. The suitability of different chromatography columns was addressed: The use of PLOT (Porous Layer Open Tubular) columns is well suitable for VVOC analysis. The recoveries of the 60 analytes on several adsorbents and their combinations were determined: A combination of a graphitized carbon black and a carbon molecular sieve showed great results for all analytes. Carbon molecular sieves adsorb water which can impair the analysis. Different options such as purging, the use of a drying system or splitting were investigated for water removal. This contribution will present experimental results supporting the standardization of a method for VVOC analysis.
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are a substance class of over 4730 individual compounds. Several PFASs are extremely persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. The analysis of PFASs is challenging because of their different chemical and physical properties as well as the high number of target substances. Target-based approaches (e.g., LC-MS/MS) are limited to the availability of analytical grade standards and are not suitable for the analysis of new/unknown PFASs and transformation products. Therefore, PFAS sum parameter methods become increasingly important to indicate a realistic PFAS pollution level.
PFAS sum parameters compromise the proportion of organically bound fluorine that can either be extracted (EOF) or adsorbed to activated carbon (AOF). For the instrumental analysis of such sum parameters, a fluorine selective detector is needed. High resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS) is a sensitive and highly selective tool for indirect fluorine determination. The method is based on the in situ formation of diatomic gallium-mono fluoride (GaF) in a graphite furnace at a temperature of 1550°C. The molecular absorption of GaF can be detected at its most sensitive wavelength at 211.248 nm providing limits of quantification of c(F) 2.7 µg/L.
Here, we describe a fast and simple extraction method for the determination of the EOF using HR-CS-GFMAS in soil samples. Common approaches for the EOF determination use solid phase extraction (SPE). To omit the bias of this time consuming and expensive step we optimized a fast and simple SPE-free extraction method. The developed extraction method consists of a liquid-solid extraction using acidified methanol. Comparison of the method with and without an SPE clean-up step revealed a drastic underestimation of EOF concentrations using SPE. In the next step, the applicability of our method was tested for other solid matrices. In view of steadily increasing numbers of PFASs, our method will make an important contribution in assessing the pollution situation as well as support policy makers in deriving exposure limits for PFASs in the future.
11 laser printers from 5 manufacturers were purchased in 2017 and tested for their UFP emissions. Size resolved sampling of the emitted particles was done with a 13 stage (30 nm to 10 µm) low pressure cascade impactor. The sampled particles were analysed for their chemical composition by thermal extraction (vaporization at 290°C) followed by GC-MS analysis. High boiling cyclic siloxanes (D10 to D16) were detected as constituents of UFP from laser printers. In comparison to measurements in 2008, aliphatic long-chain alkanes (C22 to C34) were detected additionally as chemical constituents of UFP from most of the tested printers and their amounts were higher than for cyclic siloxanes. Printers of one manufacturer showed very low UPF emissions compared to the other manufacturers.
Die Thermo Extraktion Desorption Gas Chromatograpie Massen Spektrometrie (TED-GC/MS) ist ein schnelles thermoanalytisches Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Gehalten an Mikroplastik (MP). Die Kombination aus teils schwerflüchtigen Analyten und Kältebrücken führt zu Memory-Effekten, denen u.a. durch häufige Blindwertmessungen begegnet werden muss. Reduzierte Probedurchsätze sind die Folge. Um Messergebnisse abzusichern und den Gerätestatus bei gleichzeitig hoher Messleistung überwachen zu können, wurde die sequentielle Standardmethode überarbeitet.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile Tool for Automated Continuous-Flow Production
(2022)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment. The potential of digital technologies belongs to these. Flexible and modular 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.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as, e.g., explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was thereof used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plant setups show promising results gaining process knowledge for further optimization. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, such fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of organofluorine surfactants used in the formulations of thousands of consumer goods, including aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) used to suppress aviation fires in training scenarios, non-stick cookware, fast-food wrappers, water-repellent fabrics, medical equipment, and plastic and leather products. As a result of the perpetual use of PFAS containing products, effluents and sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been observed to be an important pathway for PFAS into the environment. In Germany, phosphorus and other nutrients from sewage sludge and wastewater should be recycled in WWTPs of cities with a large population. However, it is not clear if PFAS contamination from wastewater and sewage sludge end up in novel wastewater-based fertilizers. Normally, PFAS are analyzed using PFAS protocols typically with time-consuming extraction steps and LC-MS-MS quantification. However, for screening of PFAS contaminations in sewage sludge or wastewater-based fertilizers also passive sampler based on the Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) technique can be used for the PFAS extraction. Afterwards, combustion ion chromatography (CIC) can be applied to analyse the “total” amount of PFAS on the passive sampler. Here, we show results from the DGT method in comparison to those of the extractable organic fluorine (EOF) method for a variety of wastewater-based fertilizers. Additionally, we analysed the adsorption of PFAS on the weak anion exchanger (WAX) based DGT passive sampler binding layer by infrared and fluorine K-edge X-ray adsorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy.
Confocal Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis (μXRF) is a powerful method for the destruction-free investigation of the elemental composition of various samples in three dimensions. Quantitative results rely heavily on the transmission properties of polycapillary optics, used in confocal setups.
Different models for the functional correlation between energy and transmission of a polycapillary half-lens are compared with experimental data, established with a monochromatic confocal laboratory setup [1], as well as Monte-Carlo-Simulations [2]. The effect of the different approaches on quantitative results are compared using well known SRMs, ranging from thick samples to thin layers and structured materials.
Along with this the basic principles for quantitative evaluations of XRF spectra taken with confocal setups are presented, and compared with experimental results.
Industrial Applications of Low-Field NMR Spectroscopy for Process and Quality Control of Silanes
(2021)
The combination of different silanes as starting materials and as a product of hydrolysis by several alcohols or water creates a range of hundreds of technical products for a wide range of applications. In recent years, functional trialkoxysilanes have proven to be multi-purpose organosilanes. Applications range from weather protection of buildings to bonding-imparting properties in the glass fiber industry, for sealants and adhesives, for coatings and paints to the modification of polymer materials.
Commercial benchtop NMR spectrometers have the potential to be used in silane chemistry as an online method for reaction monitoring and quality control [1]. Interesting NMR nuclei for the above-mentioned products are 1H and 29Si. In a joint research cooperation between EVONIK and BAM, the applicability of low-field NMR spectroscopy for the chemical analysis of silanes was evaluated based on various case studies. In the course of the case studies it was shown how low-field NMR spectroscopy extends the application range of chemical analysis to new applications where existing technologies such as NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. cannot be used quantitatively due to lack of reference data.
In this poster for the SCIX Conference, we apply an analytical procedure based on the monitoring of the lithium isotope through the partially resolved isotope shift in the electronic transition 22P<-22S around wavelength 670.80 nm using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer (HR-CS-AAS) in combination with machine learning (ML) for the determination of Li Isotope ratio analysis.
Deuterated polystyrene (D-PS) improves microplastic detection with TED-GC / MS, among other things through higher reproducibility. It is inexpensive (0.1 ct / analysis) and can be dosed quickly and reproducibly thanks to its good solubility (e.g. in toluene). However, certain matrices lead to an exchange of the deuterium with hydrogen. The poster shows the measuring principle, in which matrices H/D-exchange takes place, the results of kinetic studies and ways of preventing or circumventing the H/D-exchange.
Compact NMR Spectroscopy in the field: A Versatile Tool for Automated Continuous- Flow Production
(2021)
Chemical companies must find new paths to successfully survive in a changing environment. The potential of digital technologies belongs to these. Flexible and modular 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.
Therefore, fully automated “chemical” process control along with real-time quality control are prerequisites to such concepts and thus should be based on “chemical” information. A commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer was integrated to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment such as, e.g., explosion safety, field communication, and robust evaluation of sensor data. It was thereof used for direct loop advanced process control and real-time optimization of the process. Field studies in modular and conventional production plant setups show promising results gaining process knowledge for further optimization. NMR appeared as preeminent online analytical method and allow using a modular data analysis tool, which even served as reliable reference method for further PAT applications (e.g. NIR spectroscopy). In the future, such fully integrated and intelligently interconnecting “smart” systems and processes can speed up the high-quality production of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The general understanding has been that PEGs are biologically inert, meaning they pass the human body without any relevant reaction with anything. But recent studies have shown that migth not be correct. Here a retrospective analysis of LC-MS data was performed to determine correlations between blood PEG levels in humans and different experimental factors.
ICP-ToF (time of flight) MS enables the analysis of the multi-element fingerprint of single cells. The single cell ICP-ToF-MS is used in the presented poster for the analysis of archaea involved in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of steel. By means of sc-ICP-ToF-MS, the possible uptake of individual elements from the respective steel is investigated - the information obtained will be used in the future to elucidate underlying mechanisms and develop possible material protection concepts. The work combines modern methods of analytical sciences with materials.
Organophosphate (OP) esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants (FRs) and can for that purpose be found in textiles, furnitures, electronics and more. They can also be used as plasticizers or lubricants. OPEs have been found in air, water and sediment as environmental pollutants and are associated with potential health risks like cancer.
In this study, a method for the phosphorus sum parameter analysis using HR-CS-GFMAS was optimized for environmental (water) samples. For this purpose, three FR substances (TPP, VPA, TDCPP) were used.
Here, we describe a fast and simple extraction method for the determination of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) utilizing extractable organic fluorine (EOF) sum parameter analysis and high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS) in soil samples. After extraction and separation of inorganic and organic fluorinated compounds, organically bound fluorinated compounds were indirectly determined via the molecular absorption of gallium mono-fluoride at 211.248 nm. The implementation of the decisions of the “Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants” as well as the “Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution” of the UNECE include the reduction respectively the elimination of PFASs in the environment. Currently, regulations aim to target single compounds (mostly C8-PFAS). But the PFAS group includes over 4700 substances, which are potentially persistent and toxic, thus target analytical approaches are not suitable for a holistic approach investigating the PFAS pollutant situation. Furthermore, forbidden PFASs are substituted by short-chain PFASs, thus the number of unknow substances is steadily increasing. For this reason, sum parameter approaches are more suitable to investigate and assess the pollution situation as well as derive exposure limits. Our developed analytical method was successfully applied to determine PFASs in soil samples from a polluted site. In view of steadily increasing numbers of PFAS substances, our method will make an important contribution in assessing the pollution situation as well as support policy makers in deriving exposure limits for PFAS in the future.
ICP-ToF (Flugzeitanalysator, engl. time of flight)-MS ermöglicht den Multielement Fingerabdruck einzelner Zellen (single cell) zu analysieren. Die single cell-ICP-ToF-MS kommt bei dem vorgestellten Poster bei der Analyse von Archaeen, die an mikrobiell beeinflusster Korrosion (engl. microbiologically influenced corrosion, MIC) von Stahl eine Rolle spielen, zum Einsatz. Mittels sc-ICP-ToF-MS wird die mögliche Aufnahme von einzelnen Elementen aus dem jeweiligen Stahl untersucht – die erhaltenen Informationen fließen zukünftig in die Aufklärung zugrunde liegender Mechanismen sowie Entwicklung möglicher Materialschutzkonzepte ein. Die Arbeiten Verknüpfen moderne Methoden der Analytical Sciences mit Materialien.
The goal of this project is to develop a mobile technical solution for tracking down truffles, with which they can be harvested easier, faster, cheaper and more efficiently than with the current method of using trained dogs. The R&D cooperation project between BAM and sglux GmbH contains the characterization of the truffle aroma and identification of marker substances therein, the development of a fast, sensitive separation and quantification method based on ozone chemiluminescence as well as the construction of a prototype device.
Deuteriertes Polystyrol (D-PS) verbessert die Mikroplastikdetektion mit der TED-GC/MS, u.a. durch höhere Reproduzierbarkeit. Es ist kostengünstig (0,1 ct/Analyse) und durch die gute Löslichkeit (z.B. in Toluol) schnell und reproduzierbar zu dosieren. Bestimmte Matrices führen jedoch zu einem Austausch des Deuteriums durchWasserstoff. Das Poster zeigt das Messprinzip, bei welchen Matrices H/D-Austausch erfolgt, Ergebnisse von Kinetikuntersuchungen sowie Möglichkeiten, den Austausch zu verhindern oder zu umgehen.
Nearly all disease processes are associated with variations of components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that are typically observed during the development of inflammation. This concerns for example proteoglycans and their associated glycosaminoglycans (GAG), which have been shown to bind to cationic metal imaging probes due to their strong complexing activity. The complexing activity largely depends on the degree of GAG sulfation and/or carboxylation as well as on the GAG isomericity. In this central project, we investigate GAG structures from inflammatory disorders (namely cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory intestinal diseases and neuroinflammation) provided by researchers of the Collaborative Research Center at the molecular disaccharidic level using chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. In parallel, the spatial localization and quantification of metal-based imaging probes are evaluated by LA-ICP-MS imaging.
Abstract: Since it is unknown for many applications, which PFASs are used and how they enter the environment, target analysis-based methods reach their limits. The two most frequently used sum parameters are the adsorbable organically bound fluorine (AOF) and the extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF). Both can be quantified using either combustion ion chromatography (CIC) or high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS). Here we provide an insight on the advantageous and disadvantageous of both sum parameters and both detection methods. Our study is based on the analysis of surface water samples. Next to total fluorine (TF) analysis, AOF and EOF were determined as well as CIC and HR-CS-GFMAS are compared and results are comparatively discussed. Fluorine mass balancing revealed that, the AOF/TF proportion was higher than the EOF/TF proportion. The AOF made up 0.14–0.81% of TF and the EOF 0.04–0.28% of TF. Although, organically bound fluorine represents only a small portion of TF, PFASs are of worldwide concern, because of their extreme persistence and their bioaccumulation potential. The EOF-HR-CS-GFMAS method turned out to be more precise and sensitive than the AOF-CIC method and is a promising tool for future monitoring studies/routine analysis of PFASs in the environment.
Up to now, different analytical methods for single cell analysis exist focusing on key features such as size, shape, morphology and elemental composition. The combination of the latest ICP-MS techniques - ICP-ToF-MS - together with the latest developments in the field of sample delivery - micro droplet generator (MDG) – will allow a Deep insight into the composition and size of cells.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is an oxidation of metals affected by the presence or activity (or both) of microorganisms e.g. Shewanella Putrefaciens in biofilms on the surface of the corroding material. As this can happen for example in the soil on iron pipes of water pipes, in oil tanks or on steel sheet piling, there is great interest in MIC research, not only from various industrial sectors, but also from the environmental aspect.
The demand for miniaturized analytical devices monitoring important parameters in the food and medical industry has increased strongly in the past decades. With fast progress, smart technologies are finding their way into our everyday life. For the future, it is, therefore, a major goal to also link analytical methods with smart technologies to create user-friendly on-site devices. In food industry the monitoring of harmful substances such as dioxins, heavy metals or mycotoxins plays a key role, since the European Commission prescribes legal limits for various food products and beverages[1]. Therefore, companies often have their own laboratories and trained personnel. For one of the most abundant and toxic mycotoxins, Ochratoxin A (OTA) we want to present an electrochemical detection system in which the read-out can be performed with a smartphone connected via Bluetooth to a miniaturized potentiostat. The recognition of OTA is performed with specific antibodies in a competitive assay format. Anti-OTA-antibodies were captured on magnetic beads on which the competitive binding between OTA and an OTA horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracer was performed. To quantify OTA, the enzymatic reaction of the tracer with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2 is employed. Oxidized TMB, which is enzymatically produced by the reduction of H2O2, is quantified by amperometry with screen-printed electrodes in a custom-made flow system. Since it is well-known that oxidized TMB can precipitate on electrode surfaces[2], we have studied pitfalls of the electrochemical detection of TMB. By cyclic voltammetry we have compared the stability of the electrochemistry of TMB at different electrode materials (gold and carbon) and pH values (pH 1 and pH 4). It was found that a stable response of the electrode could be achieved at pH 1 on gold electrodes. Thus, we applied these reaction conditions for amperometric detection of TMB in the OTA assay. The results of the electrochemical detection method are in good correlation with the photometric detection of TMB. To demonstrate the applicability, we tested our system with OTA-spiked beer and performed the measurement via smartphone.
The high ionization potentials and low wavelength emission lines of halogens difficult the analysis of their organohalogen compounds by ICP-based methods [1]. Other techniques, such as combustion ion chromatography (CIC) or ion-selective electrodes have proven to be more reliable to determine these elements. However, these techniques are more time-consuming and/or have lower precision and accuracy.
High resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR CS GFMAS) allows the determination of solid and liquid samples by monitoring a molecule formed with the analyte and a molecule forming reagent. In the case of F, Cl and Br, several molecule forming agents have been studied for their determination. Among all of them, calcium can form a stable bond with the three elements and provides optimal analytical properties for trace analysis [2]. However, the spectral window of commercially available continuum source AAS instruments is not broad enough to cover the wavelength range necessary for a simultaneous determination. Thus, coupling it with a modular simultaneous echelle spectrograph (MOSES), which can register around 200 nm in a single measure, allows the simultaneous study of the three analytes [3].
This instrumentation is capable of register more than 200 nm of the spectra per measure keeping a high resolution. This spectral window is suitable for the monitorization of a variety of transitions of the three molecules. However, some of them are overlapped and the competitive mechanism of formation of the three molecules modify their sensitivity depending on the proportions in the sample.
In this study, a compromise in the conditions and modifiers were selected in order to maximize the sensitivity and signal to noise ratio for the three molecules. The determination was carried out by standard addition of CaF and Cl and Br were obtained from the PLS model.
References:
[1] X. Bu, T. Wang, G. Hall, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 18, 1443–1451 (2003)
[2] M. Resano, E. García-Ruiz, M. Aramendía, M. A. Belarra, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 34, 59–80 (2019)
[3] S. Geisler, M. Okruss, H. Becker-Ross, M. Dong Huang, N. Esser, S. Florek, Spectrochimica Acta PartB, 107, 11–16 (2015)
Chemische Prozesskontrolle für modulare Produktionskonzepte mit direkten analytischen Methoden
(2020)
Flexible Produktionskonzepte werden oft mit modularen, schnell rekonfigurierbaren Einheiten verbunden. Um die Vorteile dieser flexiblen Produktion tatsächlich nutzen zu können ist neben einer geeigneten Infrastruktur auch eine ebenso anpassungsfähige Qualitätskontrolle unverzichtbar. Analysengeräte und Sensoren werden heutzutage immer kompakter und kostengünstiger in ihrer Anschaffung. Dadurch wird es möglich eine große Anzahl von Messstellen innerhalb einer Anlage zu realisieren. Die erfassten Datenmengen erfordern zuverlässige und robuste Auswerteverfahren, die sich in das Gesamtkonzept der Automatisierung einer derart flexiblen Produktion nahtlos integrieren. Referenzdaten aus direkten Methoden wie der NMR-Spektroskopie können hier einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Generierung von Prozesswissen für die Entwicklung neuer Modelle für kostengünstigere Analysenverfahren leisten.
This poster presents the focused ion beam preparation methodologies developed within the framework of the EU funded EURAMET project ADVENT (Advanced Energy-Saving Technology).
It summarises the key breakthroughs achieved for various in situ investigation techniques, e.g. in situ experiments at the Synchrotron facility BESSY II (IR-SNOM and XRS), TEM and SMM instrumentation.
The created experimental devices from diverse thin-film semiconductor materials paved the way to dynamic structural studies bearing the potential to determine nanoscale correlations between strain and electric fields and, moreover, for the fundamental development of new in situ capabilities.
An alternative method for lithium isotope amount ratio analysis is proposed by combining atomic absorption spectrometry with spectra data analysis by machine leaning. It is based on the well-known isotope shift of around 15 pm for the electronic transition at wavelength 670.7845 nm which can be measured by a high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer (HR-CS-AAS). For isotope amount ratio analysis, a scalable three boosting machine learning algorithm (XGBoost) was employed and calibrated with a set of samples with a 6Li isotope amount fraction ranging from 99% to 6%. The absolute Li isotope amount fractions of these calibration samples were previously measured by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) and used as ab-initio data for the machine learning algorithm. Validation of the machine leaning model was performed with two standard reference materials (LSVEC and IRMM-016). The procedure was employed for the isotope amount ratio determination of a set of stock chemicals (Li2CO3, LiNO3, LiCl, LiOH, and LiF) as well as a BAM candidate LiMNC cathode reference material. Achieved uncertainties are one order of magnitude higher than those obtained by MC-ICP-MS. This precision and accuracy is nonetheless sufficient to resolve natural occurring variations in Lithium isotope ratios. Also, the LiMNC material was analyzed by HR-CS-AAS with and without matrix purification. The results are comparable within statistical error.
Industrial applications of low-field NMR spectroscopy for process and quality control of silanes
(2020)
The combination of different silanes as starting materials and as a product of hydrolysis by several alcohols or water creates a range of hundreds of technical products for a wide range of applications. In recent years, functional trialkoxysilanes have proven to be multi-purpose organosilanes. Applications range from weather protection of buildings to additives for glass fiber industry, sealants, adhesives, coatings and paints to the modification of polymers.
Commercial benchtop NMR spectrometers have the potential to be used in silane chemistry as an online method for reaction monitoring and quality control. NMR nuclei of interest for silane products are 1H and 29Si. In a joint research cooperation between EVONIK and BAM, the applicability of low-field NMR spectroscopy for the chemical analysis of silanes was evaluated. It was shown how it can extend the application range where existing technologies like NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. cannot be used quantitatively due to a lack of reference data.
In a first case study the process of hydrolysis and condensation was observed using online NMR analysis. For this purpose, the substituents of a trialkoxysilane are first hydrolyzed by adding water and corresponding silanols are formed, which can then bind to materials via SiOH functions and crosslink to form siloxane units. Another case study was dealing with the kinetics of the cleavage of a cyclic silane compound. Online NMR analysis was used both in the laboratory and in the manufacturing plant. For this purpose, a fully automated containment system was used, which enables the use of a commercial NMR spectrometer in ATEX-environments. In the third case study presented, quantitative 1H-NMR spectra were acquired on product mixtures of a trialkoxysilane and other components such as organic stabilizers, organotin compounds, an aromatic amine and organic peroxides. An automatic evaluation method based on Indirect Hard Modeling (IHM) was developed.
Eine umfangreich ausgestaltete Trinkwasseraufbereitung als Multibarrieren-System ist notwendig, wenn das Rohwasser direkt aus Fließgewässern entnommen wird (z. B. für das Mülheimer Verfahren). Eine der Barrieren wird, als gezielte Behandlungs- oder Sicherheitsstufe, oft als Filter mit granulierter Aktivkohle (GAK-Filter) realisiert. Ihre Standzeit kann bei geringer Wasserbelastung (DOC < 2 mg/L), z. B. bei der Landeswasserversorgung Langenau, bis zu 5 Jahre betragen. Bei Rohwasser mit höherem Organikgehalt (DOC > 7 mg/L), wie bei der Nordwasser in Rostock, wird hingegen mindestens alle drei Jahre die GAK in den Filterkolonnen ausgetauscht.
Die Rest-Adsorptionskapazität der GAK kann durch verschiedene Verfahren abgeschätzt werden, ist aber nach wie vor Gegenstand aktueller Forschung. Die weitergehende Charakterisierung der beladenen GAK kann hierbei helfen.
Auf dem Poster sollen erste Ergebnisse zu den in Langenau und Rostock eingesetzten Aktivkohlen präsentiert werden. Hierzu wurden die frischen und nach unterschiedlichen Laufzeiten beladenen GAK untersucht. Die Zusammensetzung der Anorganik und der adsorbierten Organik, welche mittels Zersetzungs¬gasanalyse charakterisiert wurde, zeigt deutliche Unterschiede. Bspw. nimmt der Calcium-Gehalt der GAK in Langenau kontinuierlich zu, wohingegen dieser in den Proben aus Rostock mit zunehmender Laufzeit zurückgeht. Umgekehrt verhält es sich mit der Organik: Die GAK aus Rostock zeigen Hinweise auf biologische Besiedelung, während diese in Langenau trotz längerer Filterlaufzeit auszubleiben scheint.
In many scientific fields, isotopic analysis can offer valuable information. Up to date, typically bulk analysis is aimed at measuring the isotopic composition of the entire elemental content of the sample. However, the analyte element is usually present under the form of different species. Thus, separating species of interest from one another and from matrix components prior to isotope ratio measurements can provide species-specific isotopic information, which could be used for tracing the origin of environmental pollutants and elucidation of (environmental) speciation. Using on-line hyphenations of separation techniques with multicollector-ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) can save time and effort and enables the analysis of different species during a single measurement. Whereas some works hyphenating GC and IC with MC-ICP-MS have already been reported, LC and CE hyphenations are still inadequately represented based on the capabilities of these separation techniques.
In this work, we developed an on-line hyphenation of CE with multicollector-ICP-MS (CE/MC-ICP-MS) for isotopic analysis of sulfur species using a multiple-injection approach for instrumental mass bias correction by standard-sample bracketing. With this method, the isotopic composition of sulfur in sulfate originating from river water could be analyzed without sample preparation. The results were compared to data from off-line analysis of the same samples for validation. The repeatability of the results of the on-line measurements was promising regarding the differentiation of the river systems by the isotopic signature of river water sulfate. The great potential of this method is based on the versatility of the applied separation technique, not only in the environmental field but also for, e.g., biomolecules because sulfur is the only covalently bound constituent of proteins that can be analyzed by MC-ICP-MS.
Online-NMR- und -Raman-Spektroskopie – Kombination von PAT-Methoden für mehr Prozessverständnis
(2020)
Die Verbesserung des Prozessverständnisses ist eine notwendige Voraussetzung für die Anwendung von Konzepten wie „Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)“ oder „Industrie 4.0“. Online-Methoden der Prozessanalytik (PAT) ermöglichen die direkte Verfolgung der ablaufenden Reaktionen innerhalb chemischer und pharmazeutischer Produktionsschritte und können somit einen wichtigen Beitrag für die Entwicklung von neuen, innovativen Prozessführungsstrategien liefern.
Während die Online-Raman-Spektroskopie bereits erfolgreich im industriellen Umfeld zum Einsatz kommt, ist der Entwicklungsstand für die Online-Niederfeld-NMR-Spektroskopie bislang noch nicht ausreichend für einen routinemäßigen Einsatz innerhalb industrieller Produktionsumgebungen. Der hohe Informationsgehalt der NMR-Daten in Verbindung mit einem geringen Kalibrieraufwand macht die Methode sehr interessant für moderne Konzepte flexibler Produktionsanlagen für die Herstellung vieler unterschiedlicher Produkte in wechselnden Kampagnen. Speziell in modularen Produktionskonzepten kann so die Rüstzeit der Prozessanalytik deutlich verkürzt werden.
Am Beispiel der heterogen katalysierten Hydrogenierung von 2-Butin-1,4-diol wird der Einsatz der Kombination von Online-NMR und -Raman-Spektroskopie demonstriert. Dieser Prozessschritt aus der industriellen Synthese des Lösungsmittels Tetrahydrofuran verläuft über ein Zwischenprodukt, welches konkurrierende Reaktionspfade aufweist. Die Kombination von Informationen aus der PAT, sowie von klassischen Prozessgrößen, wie Druck, Temperatur und Durchfluss in einem hoch automatisierten Aufbau erleichtert die Entwicklung und Erprobung von neuen Konzepten für die Prozessführung.
Aus der Kombination verschiedener Silane als Ausgangsstoffe und als Produkt der Hydrolyse durch eine Reihe von Alkoholen oder Wasser ergibt sich eine Palette von hunderten technischen Produkten für verschiedenste Anwendungen. Funktionelle Trialkoxysilane haben sich in den vergangenen Jahren als vielseitig einsetzbare Organosilane erwiesen. Die Einsatzgebiete erstrecken sich vom Witterungsschutz von Bauwerken über haftvermittelnde Eigenschaften in der Glasfaserindustrie, bei Dicht- und Klebstoffen, in Farben und Lacken bis hin zur Modifizierung von polymeren Werkstoffen.
Kommerzielle Benchtop-NMR-Spektrometer haben das Potential auch im Bereich der Silanchemie als Online-Methode zur Reaktionsüberwachung und für die Qualitätskontrolle eingesetzt zu werden. Interessante NMR-Kerne für die oben genanntem Produkte sind 1H und 29Si. In einer gemeinsamen Forschungs-kooperation zwischen EVONIK und BAM wurde anhand verschiedener Fallstudien die Anwendbarkeit der Niederfeld-NMR-Spektroskopie zur chemischen Analyse von Silanen evaluiert. Die Möglichkeiten der Konzentrationsbestimmung erweitern die Anwendungsgebiete, in denen bestehende Technologien wie z. B. NIR, Raman, UV/VIS, etc. mangels Referenzdaten nicht quantitativ eingesetzt werden können.
Eine Fallstudie setzte dazu an, den Hydrolyse- und Kondensationsverlauf mit geeigneter Online-NMR-Analytik zu beobachten, den Reaktionsfortschritt der Hydrolyse und Kondensation auf dieser Basis besser zu verstehen und zu optimieren. Zu diesem Zweck werden durch Zugabe von Wasser zunächst die Alkoxysubstituenten eines Trialkoxysilans hydrolysiert und entsprechende Silanole gebildet. Diese können dann über eine SiOH-Funktion an den zu modifizierenden Werkstoff anbinden und über weitere Silanolgruppen unter Ausbildung von Siloxaneinheiten vernetzen. In einer weiteren Fallstudie wurde die Kinetik der Aufspaltungen einer cyclischen Silanverbindung untersucht. Die Online-NMR-Analytik kam hierbei sowohl im Labor als auch in der industriellen Produktionsanlage zum Einsatz. Hierfür wurde eine automatisierte Einhausung verwendet, welche den Einsatz eines kommerziellen NMR-Spektrometers in explosionsgeschützten Bereichen ermöglicht.
The electrocatalytic conversion of water into molecular hydrogen and oxygen under the utilization of excess renewable energies, such as wind power, photovoltaics and hydroelectric power is one possible pathway to establish a sustainable hydrogen economy. The obtained hydrogen is either stored and used in a fuel cell or consumed on-site in industrial applications.
Water electrolysis systems (WES) are based on two half cell reactions, such as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) which both proceed simultaneously. The OER suffers from slow reaction kinetics and thus limits the overall performance.
The most promising compounds in acidic electrolysis are IrO2 and RuO2. Due to their rare abundance and extremely high price a wide use of acidic WES was prevented. Lowering the catalysts noble metal content by mixing iridium with titanium reduces the production costs.
Thin films are produced by dip coating a solution of metal oxide precursors alongside with a polymer template dissolved in ethanol. The obtained samples are subsequently calcined to the remove the template and adjust crystallinity. Finally, an additional iridium deposition step was performed on the outer surface plane area.
Understanding the influence of structural and morphological aspects on the OER-activity is beneficial to further optimize WES. The current presentation will thus give detailed insights to structural aspects obtained by Raman spectroscopy, small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering which are then combined with electrochemical parameters to deduce structure-activity relationships.
The introduction of fluorine in organic molecules leads to new chemical/physical properties. Especially in the field of pharmaceuticals, fluorinated organic molecules are becoming more and more popular and at present amount up to 25% of market share, with an upward trend. The main benefits of fluorinated pharmaceuticals are: (i) enhanced fat solubility; (ii) enhanced interaction of catalytic-center of enzymes with fluorine-drugs; (iii) a delayed metabolism within the human body. Highly fluorinated organic substances are also used in technical applications (e.g. coatings, fire-extinguishing agents).
Due to the broad variety of fluorinated substances and increasing production volumes numerous and up to date unknown fluorine-species are most likely to be present in the (aquatic) environment. Analytical methods to assess the degree of contamination of surface waters with organically bound fluorine are highly needed and up to now only combustion ion chromatography based method is available, which is relatively laborious.
Since a few years’ high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometers (HR-CS-GFAAS) are commercially available from Analytik Jena. By means of this technique, the detection of high resolution molecular absorption spectra (MAS) is enabled. Thus, fluoride is detectable upon the addition of a modifier and the formation of a diatomic molecule (e.g. GaF). Just recently, we applied this technique for total fluorine (mainly dissolved fluoride) analysis in river water samples.
In the present work a HR-CS-GFMAS method for extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) analysis in surface water samples was developed by us. The method is based on SPE extraction of organically bound fluorine even in the presence of high fluoride concentrations followed by HR-CS-GFMAS analysis upon elution. Due to high enrichment factors, LODs in the low ng/L range were achieved. We successfully applied our SPE HR-CS-GFMAS method to Rhine water samples and EOF in the range of about 50-300 ng/L was detectable.
The successful off-line coupling of asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AF4) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) for Separation of nanoparticles (NPs) with different surface coatings was shown.
Two mixtures of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) with comparable core sizes (20 nm and 50 nm) but different coatings (no coating/carboxyl-coated) were studied. Separation in either method resulted in non-baseline resolved or non-separated peaks. In contrast, two-dimensional off-line coupling of AF4 and CE resulted in clearly separated regions in their 2 D plots and can obviouly improve separation resolution.
Introducing fluorine into organic molecules leads to new chemical/physical properties. Up to now, the OECD identified and categorized 4730 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances-related CAS numbers. Especially in the field of technical applications (e.g. surface coatings, fire extinguishing foams) as well as pharmaceuticals, fluorinated substances gain in importance. Thus, an increasing release of fluorinated compounds into the environment is expected.
The high environmental persistence of perfluorinated compounds leads to the risk of bioaccumulation. Partially fluorinated substances (polyfluorinated compounds) undergo degradation; thus, further possible fluorine species occur, which may exhibit different toxic/chemical properties. However, current target methods (e.g., HPLC/MS-MS) are not applicable for a comprehensive screening as well as assessment of pollution.
Thus, the poster presents a new sum parameter method for quantitative determination of extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) in surface water samples. The method is based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) for fluorinated compounds as well as quantitative separation of interfering inorganic fluoride in combination with high-resolution-continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF MAS) for quantitative analysis. By means of this technique, the detection of high resolution molecular absorption spectra (MAS) is enabled upon the addition of a modifier and the formation of a diatomic molecule (e.g. GaF)
After successful optimization of the SPE procedure (maximum concentration of extractable organic fluorine), enrichment factors of about 1000 were achieved, allowing for highly sensitive fluorine detection. Next to a species-unspecific response, limits of detection in the low nanogram per liter range were achieved and real surface water samples were analyzed. EOF values in the range of about 50-300 ng/L were detected.
The developed method allows for a fast and sensitive as well as selective screening of organically bound fluorine (EOF) in surface water samples, helping to elucidate pollution hotspots as well as discharge routes.
Magnesium is a major element in the hydrosphere and biosphere, and it is direct correlated with the carbon cycle. Therefore, the study of its isotopic fractionation in sediments and sea water helps to understand the earth’s climate and global warming. Mg has three stable isotopes, 24Mg, 25Mg and 26Mg, and traditionally isotope amount ratios are measured by mass spectrometric methods. Their drawbacks include the high costs for instruments and their operation, experienced operators and elaborate time-consuming chromatographic sample preparation. Recently, an optical spectrometric method has been proposed as faster and low-cost alternative for the analysis of isotope ratios: high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS).
For the determination of Mg isotope ratios in selected rock reference materials, the high-resolution molecular absorption spectrum of in-situ generated MgF molecule was studied applying multivariate analysis and the results compared with MC-ICP-MS. Samples were dissolved by acid digestion and Mg isotopes analyzed with and without matrix extraction. The absorption spectra were recorded for MgF for the electronic transition X 2Σ → B 2Σ+. The MgF spectrum is described as the linear combination of their isotopic components or isotopologues: 24MgF, 25MgF, and 26MgF. The isotope analysis was done by deconvolution of the MgF spectrum by partial least square regression (PLS). A PLS model was built and calibrated with enriched isotope spikes and certified reference materials. Spectra data was preprocessed by a derivate of second order and venetian blinds cross-validation was employed for finding the optimum latent variables. Finally, the model was refined by a genetic algorithm which identified the best subset of variables for a precise and accurate regression. Results are compatible with those obtained by MC-ICP-MS with an accuracy of ± 0.3‰ with uncertainties ranging between 0.02 to 0.6‰. This accuracy and precision discriminate the isotope fractionation in geological samples, and it is suitable for earth’s climate studies.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common acquired neurological disease affecting Young adults. It leads to myelin destruction and formation of lesions in the brain and permeabilization of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
Gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA), used for diagnosis and monitoring by MRI, might accumulate in tissue, including brain. Using an animal model, application of linear and macrocyclic GBCA was investigated. Analysis was performed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP) MS. This method works as a bioimaging tool for sample thin sections and allows to identify regions of accumulated Gd in the samples.
In healthy and diseased mice, inflammationmediated changes in the brain were investigated by application of GBCA. The mean objective is to understand the changes in inflamed tissue and correlate alterations of the BBB by LA-ICP-MS (Imaging Mass Cytometry).
In addition to previously reported results on the accelerated weathering of polystyrene samples (PS) containing 1 wt.% hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), we present the first results of our investigations of polypropylene samples (PP) containing 0.1 wt.% BDE-209. All studied polymer samples were exposed to a defined weathering schedule in a climate chamber in accordance to regulation EN ISO 4892-3:2006. For the determination of BDE-209 in the collected raining water the samples were prepared in accordance to a validated protocol. Before the analyses each sample was spiked with isotopically labeled BDE-209. Subsequently the samples were extracted with isooctane. The obtained extracts were concentrated, and the resulting solutions were analyzed by GC/MS. Additionally, the total bromine content was monitored for the weathered and untreated samples using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) as a non-destructive and rapid method. In general, the resulting data from the accelerated weathering will be compared to those from the natural weathering experiments. Here, the surfaces of the test pieces were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS and XRF as well. Moreover, soil bed tests were conducted in a well characterized model soil. This soil (boulder-clay, sand with 12 % loam, particle size in total 0.2-4 mm) is filled in a free-draining basin inside of an air-conditioned cellar. In this manner, TOC, water capacity and humidity are recorded parameters. To induce a leaching process from the samples by the raining water, the target water content is calculated to 8%. The actual humidity is measured by a tensiometer, assuring the duration of the raining period. A defined humidity is a fundamental parameter for a biological activity in the soil. The test polymers were placed up to the half in the soil. Microbial activity of the soil is monitored by a reference polymer (polyurethane) and should induce the release of HBCD and BDE-209 out of the test materials. These released analytes will be captured by passive samplers (silicone tubes) placed in a distinct distance to the polymer samples in the soil. The soil bed experiments are complementary to the weathering experiments due to the biological activity in the soil.
Warfarin, also known as Coumadin is one of the most popular anticoagulant drugs used as a therapeutic in humans to prevent thrombosis, atrial fibrosis, and fibrillation since the 1950s. Because of its ability to hinder blood from clotting by blocking vitamin K-depending carboxylation of blood clotting precursors, it is also used as a rodenticide worldwide. Until today it has been partially substituted by far more potent anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs), so-called superwarfarins. There are numerous references confirming secondary and tertiary poisoning in non-target-animals and wildlife like mammals, birds, and fish associated with ARs. Up to now relatively little is known about persistence and toxicity of transformation products of those AR in the environment and food chain. Herein, warfarin was chosen as a model compound to determine andelucidate TPs which are generated technically and under environment-like conditions. Such as the simulation of the oxidative phase I metabolism by implementing electrochemical flow cells coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). Obtained results are being compared to TPs generated by UVB-irradiation and ozonation.
Analysis and separation of degradation products and TPs were achieved by a variety of gas- and liquid chromatographic techniques coupled to (high resolution) MS.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve. The project EDC-WFD “Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17aE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods - Mass Spectrometry based method and effect-based methods (EBM) - and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four EBM will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment.
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve. The project EDC-WFD “Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive” aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17aE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods - Mass Spectrometry based method and effect-based methods (EBM) - and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four EBM will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment.
Regardless of its ban in agricultural use, the triazine derivative terbutryn is still used as a biocide against biofouling in building materials, such as façade colors and roof tiles. From there, it is washed off and may contaminate soil and surface waters, where it shows ecotoxicological behavior. For understanding of these leaching processes, analytical methods that can detect terbutryn in traces are necessary. In contrast to separation methods (Gas (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC)) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS), enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) have proven to be adequate tools for environmental monitoring. Compared to GC-or LC-MS, they are cheap, require only limited time and experimental expertise and enable high throughput. For quantification of terbutryn, EIAs have been established, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 50 ng L-1. For leaching experiments however, a lower LOD would be advantageous.
For detection of terbutryn we developed a direct competitive ELISA based on a monoclonal antibody: Terbutryn and an enzyme-terbutryn conjugate (“tracer”) compete for the binding sites of the immobilized antibody. The bound tracer converts a colourless substrate into a blue-coloured product, which can be detected via spectrophotometry. For quantification of terbutryn, a sigmoidal calibration curve is used. For establishing of the EIA, a new tracer based on a terbutryn surrogate (“hapten”) was synthesized. After optimization of the experimental conditions, the immunoassay exhibited a more than ten-fold increased sensitivity (LOD: 3 ng L-1), high stability against sample compounds (Ca2+, NaCl) and lower cross-reactivities against structurally related compounds, than reported before. Analysis of spiked samples was possible with high precision (inter-assay CV: < 10 %) and accuracy (recoveries from spiked samples: 89 % ± 10%). We therefore propose it as quick and reliable method for leaching studies of terbutryn out of building materials.
Ergot alkaloids play a significant role in human history for more than 1000 years and are part of the most common contaminants of food and feed worldwide. Their high toxicity against humans and livestock even at low concentrations causes a high demand for quick and reliable analytics even though no European limits for ergot alkaloids have been determined yet. Currently the most common methods for the quantitation of the six major ergot alkaloids and their corresponding stereoisomers are HPLC based, using either fluorescence or mass spectrometric detection. Whereas these conventional detection methods measure each compound individually, a novel approach is to transfer all ergot alkaloids to one basic structure, which could be measured as a sum parameter.
Since all ergots contain a lysergic acid amide moiety and a differing peptide component, cleaving the molecule into a simple lysergic acid derivative, which could be quantified via either HPLC-FLD or MS/MS, is intended. To clean up the cleavage reaction mixture molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are a simple and effective way to separate the desired structure. Due to the selectivity of MIPs, an improved matrix separation is expected, which results in fewer interferences in the FLD and the possibility to measure samples with more complex matrices. When fully developed, the novel method could overcome some major drawbacks of the conventional detection methods. Higher throughput and the need for less well-trained personnel are just two advantages, that should lead to a quick and cheap quantitation of ergot alkaloids. First results of this project will be presented, funded by the German ZIM program (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
The elemental analysis of seawater is often critical to the understanding of marine chemistry, marine geochemistry, and the deep-sea ecosystems. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with the advantage of rapid multi-elements detection, has a great potential for in-situ elemental analysis of seawater. In practice, it is crucial to create a compact, low cost and power saving instrument for the long-term deep-sea observation. A recently appeared diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser seems to be a promising candidate as it is both compact and robust. Additionally, its high repetition rate up to hundreds of kHz can provide a considerable throughput for LIBS analysis. However, the DPSS lasers operate at moderate pulse energies, usually less than one mJ, which cannot sustain stable breakdowns in bulk water. To ensure stable laser-induced plasmas underwater with such a μJ-DPSS laser, we introduced an ultrasound source to assist the breakdown process. The phase interface and mass flow generated by the near-field ultrasound can greatly reduce the breakdown threshold and enhance element-specific emissions. Meanwhile, the high repetition-rate pulses can also improve the breakdown probability and generate unique emission lines originated from the water molecule. We further demonstrate that the high repetition-rate DPSS laser combined with the Echelle spectrometer can provide effective quantitative analysis for metal elements in bulk water.
Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are currently applied in a variety of consumer products and are also attractive for medical applications. With their widespread use, the potential for human exposure to NPs — either intended or unintended — is increasing. Therefore, many studies have evaluated the toxicity and transport mechanism of NPs. In comparison with two-dimensional cultured cells, multicellular spheroids (MCS) look promising to be used as a three-dimensional cellular model, having unique advantages in nanoparticle studies due to the fact that interactions with excreted extracellular matrix can be investigated. Fibroblast cells are one of the most important cell systems to express a microenvironment by excreting an abundant extracellular matrix. For bioimaging laser ablation inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is used in this investigation to study the interaction of metallic NPs with MCS for multi-element detection offering a wide dynamic range. As a mass spectrometer we have applied a time-of-flight (TOF) instrument for (quasi-) simultaneous detection of all isotopes of elements of interest.
The aim of this study is to investigate the localization of silver (Ag) NPs exposed to fibroblast MCSs by means of LA-ICP-TOF-MS. In addition, for demonstrating elemental microscopy we chose phosphorous (31P) and iron (56Fe) to visualize regions of enriched extracellular matrix and single cells, respectively. In this presentation, we show that exposed Ag NPs are highly accumulated at the same position of single cells in an outer rim of fibroblast MCSs.
Comparing Nontargeted LC-MS Methods by Co-visualizing Linear Dynamic Range and Chemical Coverage
(2019)
INTRODUCTION
Biological and environmental samples contain thousands of small molecule species that all vary in chemical properties and concentration range. Identifying and quantifying all these chemical entities remains a long-term goal in metabolomics and related systems approaches. Due to its broad selectivity, nontargeted LC-MS is usually the method of choice for broad chemical screening. Optimizing nontargeted LC-MS methods, however, is less straightforward than for targeted methods where sensitivity, specificity, linearity etc. serve as well-established performance criteria. We therefore investigated linear dynamic range (LDR) and chemical classification as alternative performance criteria to guide nontargeted method development.
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
LDR was defined as the linear portion of a feature’s response curve over multiple concentration levels. Comparing the LDR of features across methods can be expected to be significantly more robust than comparing signal intensities for a single concentration. To determine LDR for all features, a computational workflow was implemented in the R programming language. For estimating the linear portion of a curve, several mathematical approaches including linear, non-linear and piecewise linear regression were evaluated. Chemical classification was based on ClassyFire, which computes chemical classes for a given structure. To avoid false classifications for incorrectly annotated compounds, we took the following statistical approach. For each compound, multiple likely annotation hypotheses were derived using a recently described workflow[2]. All annotation hypotheses were submitted to ClassyFire and obtained classifications were ranked by frequency. The most frequently suggested class was kept for further analysis. Finally, LDR and chemical classes were visualized together on a molecular network, which was constructed using the well-established MS/MS similarity approach.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
For technical validation of the workflow, several hundred curve fits obtained from the different regression models were reviewed visually. Piecewise linear regression performed the most reliably with respect to the heterogeneous curve shapes of ‘real-life’ features. Validation of chemical classification was performed against a compound library, which showed that 90% of ~450 library compounds were correctly classified using the described approach. Two liquid chromatography methods (HILIC, RPC) as well as two electrospray ionization variants (low/high-temperature ESI) applied to urinary metabolomics were exemplarily studied to test the workflow. Molecular network visualization indicated that of all analytical setups, HILIC/high temperature ESI performed best in terms of high LDR achieved over a wide range of compound classes. Despite one order of magnitude lower sensitivity, HILIC/low temperature ESI showed similar chemical coverage, except for organic nitrogen compounds that were underrepresented compared to high-temperature ESI. Both RPC setups were inferior to the HILIC setups in terms of high-LDR features, supporting previous findings for the given matrix. The higher relative representation of benzenoids and lipids in RPC demonstrated that the workflow successfully captured expected selectivity differences between chromatographies.
CONCLUSION
When comparing nontargeted LC-MS methods for optimization purposes, ideally all available quantitative and qualitative information should be integrated. The present workflow follows this idea. Visualizing LDR and chemical classes of all features on a molecular network quickly indicated differences in method selectivity that were otherwise difficult to spot. As an automated approach, it is easily applied to repeated optimization steps, enabling effective optimization strategies.
Nontargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is widely used for small molecule screening in biotic or abiotic samples. However, HRMS approaches like metabolomics or environmental nontarget screening currently still lack confidence in chemical annotation, i.e. computational structure assignment to all measured mass signals. As a crucial step within the annotation pipeline, molecular weight inference (MWI) deduces a compound’s intact mass from diagnostic mass differences between MS1 peaks, allowing precise database queries in subsequent steps. As the common practice of considering all possible ionization products such as adducts, multimers, multiple charges etc. in MWI suffers from high false positive rates, we aimed at selecting candidate ionization products in a chemically sensitive way. Generally, electrospray ionization produces different types of adducts depending on chromatographic system and sample matrix, necessitating application-specific optimization for optimum MWI performance. To avoid, however, the tedious and potentially biased manual data curation connected to optimization, we established an R-based workflow for automating this task. The workflow consists of two parts. Part 1 creates an MS1 spectral library by performing peak detection, spectral deconvolution and target peak assignment based on density estimation. Part 2 analyzes ion relationships within the library and returns a list of detected ionization products ranked by their frequency. We applied the workflow to a commercial 634-compound library that was acquired for two chromatographic methods (reverse phase, RP; hydrophilic liquid interaction chromatographic, HILIC) and the two ESI modes (positive, negative). As expected, different frequency distributions of ionization products were found for the two chromatographies. Interestingly, however, some of the differences were expected in terms of solvent chemistries (e.g. [M+NH4]+ in ammonium formate-buffered HILIC) while others indicated more complex ion competition (e.g. abundant [M+K]+, [M+2K-H]+ in HILIC). This demonstrated the relevance of this empirical approach. We further show that MWI accuracy clearly benefitted from derived optimized adduct lists – by adding filters or weighting terms – and present FDR calculations supporting this observation. We conclude that chemistry-aware compound annotation based on the combination of high-throughput library acquisition and statistical analysis holds significant potential for further improvements in nontargeted small molecule HRMS.
19th and 20th centuries glass paint layers consist of a colour body and a colourless lead silicate flux, in which borax or boric acid was added as further component to improve the paint ability and to reduce the firing temperature for multiple layers of paint. Model glasses were used in laboratory tests to investigate the stability of glass paints with additions of boron oxide. To determine boron in paint layers, a LIBS-system with pulsed NdYAG-laser was used.
The knowledge of transformation pathways and identification of transformation products (TPs) of veterinary drugs is important for health, food and environmental matters. Monensin (MON) is an ionophore antibiotic widely used to cure and prevent coccidiosis by chicken especially in broiler farming. Residues can be found in food products (chicken and eggs) and in the environment (manure, soil, water). Several transformation processes can alter the parent compound MON, ranging from biotransformation in living organism to biotic/abiotic and microbial processes in environmental matters.
The main objective of this work was to investigate the potential of electrochemistry (EC) to simulate oxidative transformation processes of MON and to predict TPs. An electrochemical reactor was used consisting of a flow-through cell with a glassy carbon working electrode. Derived TPs were analyzed by online coupling of EC and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and LC/HRMS offline measurements. Among the generated TPs already known as well as unknown TPs of MON could be found.
Additionally, MON was subjected also to other transformation experiments like metabolism tests with rat microsomes or the pH-dependent hydrolysis. As a result, different targeted and suspected TPs could be identified by analysis with LC/HRMS.
An overview of detected/identified TPs from this study will be presented in comparison to literature known metabolites and TPs.
The spatial heterodyne detection principle has a great potential in spectroscopy. It has an optical setup similar to that of a Michelson interferometer, with the mirrors replaced by diffraction gratings positioned at fixed, equal distances from the beamsplitter and are slightly tilted. The resulting interference pattern is recorded by a digital camera and the spectrum is recovered by using Fourier transformation. Although SHS was initially developed for astronomical and satellite-based atmospheric measurements, but in recent years it has been started to be applied in other branches of spectroscopy too. Recently the area of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has also discovered the potential of SHS. The main appeal of SHS detection in LIBS includes the compactness and robustness of the setup (in view of field applications) and the flexibility to optimize the setup for either high sensitivity or for high resolution, which can be benficially exploited in applications like stand-off measurements, quantitative analysis with isotope resolution, etc.
In the present work, we have improved and further optimized our initial LIBS-SHS setup described in a previous conference. By using optical simulations, we have modelled the light transmission efficiency, instrumental function and imaging properties of the system. We significantly improved and automated the spectral and image data processing sequence. The optimizations carried out resulted in an improved spectral resolution and repeatability, a lower spectral background and the elimination of the central line artifact originating from the Fourier transformation procedure. A detailed characterization of the LIBS spectroscopy performance (e.g. resolution, spectral coverage, tuning range, linearity, etc.), including a comparison with that of a LIBS setup based on a conventional dispersion CCD spectrometer was also performed.
The church of Koszewko (Poland) is a brick building edified in the 15th century built on cobblestone foundations. There are five windows in the sanctuary. Three of them enclose heraldic panels from the Küssow’s family from the 15th century which are surrounded with Goethe glass from the 18th century to complete the windows. The colored heraldic panels are strongly damaged and corroded with massive paint layer losses, glass- and leadbreakages. Those medieval glass fragments have been shortly discovered and are of particular interest for Poland since only few medieval glazing have been conserved.
The damages as well as the glass compositions have been investigated with ESEM/EDX. Two categories of medieval glass compositions have been identified. The blue glass is particularly sensible to corrosion because of his high content in K2O. The colorless and the red glass samples belong to a stable glass type. Due to the thickness of the gel layer, it is easy to see that the degradation is strongly proceeded. The protection of those medieval stained-glass panels is absolute necessary.
The medieval panels have been restored and surrounded from a copper frame. Then they have been fixed on the wood frame in the church. The exterior glazing has been closed with a panel of Goethe glass. The gap between the Goethe- and the medieval glass is about 3 cm. The Goethe glass panel has been stabilized with a film based on polyester to protect the medieval glasses against any damages. In this way, a low cost protective glazing has been installed for a long-term conservation of each medieval stained-glass panels. The climate measurements over the period of one year on the restored windows are in process. The temperature and the relative humidity are recorded in the church interior, in the gap between the original and the Goethe glass and outdoors.
Spatial heterodyne spectroscopy (SHS) is an optical setup that combines both dispersive and interference based methods to obtain spectroscopic information. It has the high light throughput characteristic for interference based methods, but at the same time it has the high resolution typical of grated spectrometers. The basic SHS optical setup is similar to that of the Michelson interferometer, with the mirrors replaced by diffraction gratings positioned at fixed, equal distances from the beamsplitter and are slightly tilted. The resulting interference pattern is recorded by a digital camera and the spectrum is recovered by using Fourier Transformation. Although initially SHS was developed for astronomical and satellite-based atmospheric measurements, where spectroscopy of faint but large light sources are investigated, but in recent years the application of SHS spectroscopy is gaining popularity.
Our research group is active both in Raman-SHS and LIBS-SHS, due to the fact that there are many overlapping challenges for the two spectroscopies in terms of optical and optoelectronic optimization. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of using SH detection for the qualitative and quantitative Raman spectroscopy of liquid samples. We constructed our own compact spatial heterodyne spectrometer using 300 mm-1 gratings (Newport), a 50:50 cube beamsplitter (Thorlabs), dischroic mirrors, bandpass and notch filters (Semrock), a Tamron telelens and a Retiga R1 CCD camera. A DPSS laser (532 nm, 20 ns) with variable energy and repetition rate (up to 100 µJ and 80 kHz) was used for excitation, with its beam driven through a 10x microscope objective (Thorlabs) to focus the laser light inside the liquid samples. The evaluation of the recorded interference patterns was carried out by self-developed software written in Octave.
In the qualitative experiments, we investigated several oils and additives and employed principal component analysis (PCA) for their classification. It was found that the recorded spectra could be separated well in the subspace of just two principal components. The quantitative experiments were conducted with two sets of binary solvent mixtures (isopropanol-cyclohexane, glycerol-water). The simple univariate method based on the net intensity of one spectral peak did not give good results, but principal component regression (PCR) gave rise to fairly good and robust calibrations.
Our results therefore show that a relatively simple and robust SHS setup can be advantageously used for both quantitative and qualitative Raman spectroscopy.
Optimization of protein quantification via isotope dilution ICP-MS of a standard reference protein
(2019)
Quantitative proteomics are nowadays one of the key tasks in life sciences. A multitude of methods for protein quantification are established and more techniques are developed each year, but there still is a lack of well characterized and quantified protein standards. We aim to develop an ICP-MS based method to quantify pure proteins reliably and traceable to SI. Here, we employ isotope Dilution analysis for the quantification of proteins of known stoichiometry via their sulfur content.
The quantification of the exact amount of sulphur is a big challenge due to a lack of SI-traceability and inconsistent results, when different methods are compared. Therefore, a reference procedure is required which allows SI-traceable values. In this work three procedures were developed for the quantification of the total sulphur amount in biodiesel by using inductively coupled plasma-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS), pure copper metals and copper alloys by ICP-IDMS and external calibration for GDMS and LA-ICP-MS at low concentration levels.
The most critical parts of the sulphur quantification were sulphur purification and pre-concentration. Sulphur-matrix separation procedures were developed to serve both sample types. For biodiesel samples the sulphur was purified and matrix separated by an anion exchange chromatographic procedure. The analytical procedure was fully validated by the use of a certified reference material, a step-by-step validation and an inter-laboratory comparison at CCQM key comparison level.
In the case of copper samples, the copper matrix was separated from sulphur by adding ammonia which forms a complex with the copper while releasing the sulphur prior to a chromatographic separation using a weak cation resin. After that the sulphur fraction was further purified by chromatographic means using first an anion ion exchange method and second a chelating resin. The method was validated by appropriate certified reference materials. The developed procedures enable sulphur measurements at the low g·g-1 level with sufficiently low measurement uncertainties (< 2 %, Urel).
The external calibration was performed to produce reliable measurement results for the routine analytical techniques GDMS and LA-ICP-MS. Matrix-matched reference materials whith exactly known amount of sulphur obtained by ICP-IDMS beforehand, were used as calibrators to quantify sulphur in copper samples. The metrological traceability to the SI for the mass fraction of sulphur is established for all presented procedures by an unbroken chain of comparisons, each accompanied by an uncertainty budget.