Chemische Charakterisierung und Spurenanalytik
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Cyclic poly(L-lactide)s were prepared by ring-opening polymerization combined with simultaneous polycondensation (ROPPOC) in bulk at 160 ° with dibutyltin bis(4-cyanophenoxide) as catalyst. It is demonstrated by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry and 1H NMR end group analyses that cycles are formed by endto-end cyclization in addition to “back-biting” transesterification. Formation of high molar mass cyclic poly L-lactide)s by means of several more reactive ROPPOC catalysts presented previously and in new experiments is discussed. These experimental results, together with theoretical arguments, prove that part of the Jacobson–Stockmayer theory is wrong. The critical monomer concentration, above which end-toend cyclization is seemingly impossible, does not exist and reversible like irreversible polycondensations can theoretically proceed up to 100% conversion, so that finally all reaction products will necessarily adopt a cyclic architecture.
n this study, two green synthesis routes were used for the synthesis of Ag/ZnO nanoparticles, using cassava starch as a simple and low-cost effective fuel and Aloe vera as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The Ag/ZnO nanoparticles were characterized and used for bacterial dis-
infection of lake water contaminated with Escherichia coli (E. coli). Characterization indicated the formation of a face-centered cubic structure of metallic silver nanoparticles with no insertion of Ag into the ZnO hexagonal wurtzite structure. Physicochemical and bacteriological analyses described in “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” were used to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment. In comparison to pure ZnO, the synthesized Ag/ZnO nanoparticles showed high efficiencies against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and general coliforms present in the lake
water. These pathogens were absent after treatment using Ag/ZnO nanoparticles. The results indicate that Ag/ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via green chemistry are a promising candidate for the treatment of wastewaters contaminated by bacteria, due to their facile preparation, low-cost synthesis,and disinfection efficiency.
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.
Synchrotron radiation sources with their unique properties in terms of intensity, polarization and adjustability offer a wide range of possibilities in materials research. A basic introduction about the creation and special properties of synchrotron radiation will be given. Examples of current work at BAMline, the high-energy measuring facility of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing at the synchrotron BESSY, are used to illustrate the possibilities and limitations of existing measuring methods.
Solvent-free sample preparation offers some advantages over solvent-based techniques, such as improved accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity, for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) analysis. However, little or no information is available on the application of solvent-free techniques for the MALDI analysis of polymer blends. Solvent-free sample preparation by ball milling was applied with varying sample-to-matrix ratios for MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of various polymers, including polystyrenes, poly(methyl methacrylate)s and poly(ethylene glycol)s. The peak intensity ratios were compared with those obtained after using the conventional dried droplet sample preparation method. In addition, solvent-assisted milling was also applied to improve sample homogeneities.
Depending on the sample preparation method used, different peak intensity ratios were found, showing varying degrees of suppression of the signal intensities of higher mass polymers. Ball milling for up to 30 min was required to achieve constant intensity ratios indicating homogeneous mixtures. The use of wet-assisted grinding to improve the homogeneity of the blends was found to be disadvantageous as it caused partial degradation and mass-dependent segregation of the polymers in the vials.The results clearly show that solvent-free sample preparation must be carefully considered when applied to synthetic polymer blends, as it may cause additional problems with regard to homogeneity and stability of the blends.
SnOct2 (Sn(II) 2-ethylhexanoate) catalyzed ROPs of L-lactide were performed in bulk with eight different alcohols as initiators. The time was varied between 1 h and 24 h for all initiators. For two initiators the temperature was also lowered to 115 ◦C. Even-numbered chains were predominantly formed in all polymerizations at short times, but the rate of transesterification (e.g. even/odd equilibration) and the molecular weight distribution were found to depend significantly on the nature of the initiator. Observed transesterification reactions also continued in solid poly (L-lactide), and with the most active initiator, almost total equilibration was achieved even at 130 ◦C. This means that all chains including those of the crystallites were involved in transesterification reactions proceeding across the flat surfaces of the crystallites. The more or less equilibrated crystalline polylactides were characterized by DSC and SAXS measurements with regard to their melting temperature (Tm), crystallinity and crystal thickness.
The occurrence of microplastic (MP) in food products, such as beverages in plastic bottles, is of high public concern. Existing analytical methods focus on the determination of particle numbers, requiring elaborate sampling tools, laboratory infrastructure and generally time-consuming imaging detection methods. A comprehensive routine analysis of MP in food products is still not possible. In the present work, we present the development of a smart filter crucible as sampling and detection tool. After filtration and drying of the filtered-off solids, a direct determination of the MP mass content from the crucible sample can be done by thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (TED-GC/MS). The new filter crucible allows a filtration of MP down to particle sizes of 5 µm. We determined MP contents below 0.01 µg/L up to 2 µg/L, depending on beverages bottle type. This may be directly related to the bottle type, especially the quality of the plastic material of the screw cap. Dependent on the plastic material, particle formation increases due to opening and closing operations during the use phase. However, we have also found that some individual determinations of samples were subjected to high errors due to random events. A conclusive quantitative evaluation of the products is therefore not possible at present.
A novel stationary phase for affinity separations is presented. This material is based on sintered borosilicate glass readily available as semi-finished filter plates with defined porosity and surface area. The material shows fast binding kinetics and excellent long-term stability under real application conditions due to lacking macropores and high mechanical rigidity. The glass surface can be easily modified with standard organosilane chemistry to immobilize selective binders or other molecules used for biointeraction. In this paper, the manufacturing of the columns and their respective column holders by 3D printing is shown in detail. The model system protein A/IgG was chosen as an example to examine the properties of such monolithic columns under realistic application conditions. Several specifications, such as (dynamic) IgG capacity, pressure stability, long-term performance, productivity, non-specific binding, and peak shape, are presented. It could be shown that due to the very high separation speed, 250 mg antibody per hour and column can be collected, which surpasses the productivity of most standard columns of the same size. The total IgG capacity of the shown columns is around 4 mg (5.5 mg/mL), which is sufficient for most tasks in research laboratories. The cycle time of an IgG separation can be less than 1 min. Due to the glass material’s excellent pressure resistance, these columns are compatible with standard HPLC systems. This is usually not the case with standard affinity columns, limited to manual use or application in low-pressure systems. The use of a standard HPLC system also improves the ability for automation, which enables the purification of hundreds of cell supernatants in one day. The sharp peak shape of the elution leads to an enrichment effect, which might increase the concentration of IgG by a factor of 3. The final concentration of IgG can be around 7.5 mg/mL without the need for an additional nano-filtration step. The purity of the IgG was > 95% in one step and nearly 99% with a second polishing run.
A novel stationary phase for affinity separations is presented. This material is based on sintered borosilicate glass readily available as semi-finished filter plates with defined porosity and surface area. The material shows fast binding kinetics and excellent long-term stability under real application conditions due to lacking macropores and high mechanical rigidity. The glass surface can be easily modified with standard organosilane chemistry to immobilize selective binders or other molecules used for biointeraction. In this paper, the manufacturing of the columns and their respective column holders by 3D printing is shown in detail. The model system protein A/IgG was chosen as an example to examine the properties of such monolithic columns under realistic application conditions. Several specifications, such as (dynamic) IgG capacity, pressure stability, long-term performance, productivity, non-specific binding, and peak shape, are presented. It could be shown that due to the very high separation speed, 250 mg antibody per hour and column can be collected, which surpasses the productivity of most standard columns of the same size. The total IgG capacity of the shown columns is around 4 mg (5.5 mg/mL), which is sufficient for most tasks in research laboratories. The cycle time of an IgG separation can be less than 1 minute. Due to the glass material's excellent pressure resistance, these columns are compatible with standard HPLC systems. This is usually not the case with standard affinity columns, limited to manual use or application in low-pressure systems. The use of a standard HPLC system also improves the ability for automation, which enables the purification of hundreds of cell supernatants in one day. The sharp peak shape of the elution leads to an enrichment effect, which might increase the concentration of IgG by a factor of 3. The final concentration of IgG can be around 7.5 mg/mL without the need for an additional nanofiltration step. The purity of the IgG was > 95% in one step and nearly 99% with a second polishing run.
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. We could successfully demonstrate that, in a certain NP size range, hyphenation of both techniques significantly improved the separation of differently coated NPs. Three mixtures of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) with comparable core sizes 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 in case of 20 and 50 nm particle mixtures, whereas the 100 nm NP mixture could not be separated at all. Various factors affecting the separation like hydrodynamic diameter or SDS concentration were discussed.
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.
Nowadays, different nanoparticles have been developed for commercial applications. However, since data on toxicity are barely available, their increasing application in cosmetic products, food and their release in the environment might cause severe problems. An accurate separation, identification and characterization of nanoparticles becomes increasingly important1,2.
In this presentation, a two-dimensional separation approach based on AF4 and CE was showed and used to separate NPs with similar sizes but different coatings. Standard reference polystyrene NPs having comparable core sizes but different coatings were investigated. Different migration time and profiles were compared. Separation in either method resulted in non-baseline resolved or non-separated peaks. In contrast, two-dimensional coupling of AF4 and CE resulted in clearly separated regions in their 2 D plots in case of 20 and 50 nm particle mixtures, whereas the 100 nm NP mixture could not be separated. Various factors affecting the separation like hydrodynamic diameter or SDS concentration were discussed.
Future investigations will be focussed on inorganic NPs with differently charged coatings. There, AF4-CE coupling can be coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to enhance the sensitivity of this method.
Two sets of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) with comparable core sizes but different carboxyl group densities were made and separated using asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and the off-line hyphenation of both methods. Our results revealed the significant potential of two-dimensional off-line AF4-CE hyphenation to improve the separation and demonstrated for the first time, the applicability of CE to determine the functional group density of nanoparticles (NPs). Compared to the result acquired with conductometric titration, the result obtained with synthesized 100 nm sized PSNPs revealed only a slight deviation of 1.7%. Commercial 100 nm sized PSNPs yielded a deviation of 4.6 %. For 60 nm sized PSNPs, a larger deviation of 10.6 % between both methods was observed, which is attributed to the lower separation resolution.
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.
X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) is a frequently employed technique in order to investigate structural composition and change of chemical compounds such as catalytic species. These structural properties are essential (i) to understand underlying reaction mechanism and (ii) to further improve the design of efficient catalysts.
This investigation is based on a newly developed XAFS setup comprising both time- and lateral-resolved XAFS information simultaneously in a single-shot (S2XAFS). The primary broadband beam is generated by a filter/X-ray-mirror combination (bandpass). The transmitted beam through the sample is diffracted by a convexly bent Si (111) crystal, producing a divergent beam. This, in turn, is collected by an area sensitive detector with a theta to 2 theta geometry. This facile, stable and scanningless setup was tested at the BAMline @ BESSY-II (Berlin, Germany).
This contribution focuses on further experimental optimizations allowing the characterization of supported vanadium oxide (VOx) based catalysts at the lower hard X-ray regime (5 to 6 keV). First S2XAFS measurements of these catalysts are presented herein. Supported VOx catalysts show promising results in the oxidation of methane to formaldehyde.
S2XAFS allows determining the structural composition of the metal (i.e. vanadium) based on a fast and smart setup. It is therefore an ideal tool to identify crucial roles of chemical compounds in catalytic reactions.
Im Verbundprojekt RUSEKU wurde die Probenahme von Wasserproben entscheidend weiterentwickelt. Wichtig ist hierbei zu gewährleisten, dass genügend Merkmalsträger in jeder Probe untersucht werden. Es muss daher eine für den Probenahmeort repräsentative Beprobung hinsichtlich des Wasservolumens in Abhängigkeit der Partikelanzahl gewährleistet sein.
Das Hauptaugenmerk lag im vorliegenden Projekt auf einer praxisnahen Beprobungsstrategie. Es wurden verschiedene Konzepte ausprobiert.
• Grundsätzlich hat sich gezeigt, dass eine Stichprobe eine Momentaufnahme des MP-Massengehaltes zeigt. Es wird eine hohe Statistik, also eine Vielzahl an Messungen am gleichen Probenahmeort, benötigt, um eine valide Aussage über den MP-Gehalt zu machen.
• Es zeigt sich, dass eine integrale Probenahme über mehrere Wochen mit dem SK routinemäßig möglich ist. Die erfassten MP-Massen sind reproduzierbar und robust.
• Die DFZ ist für Stichproben geeignet. Partikel < 50 µm werden eventuell unterschätzt
• Die fraktionierte Filtration kann für Stich- und Mischproben direkt im Feld genutzt werden. Fraktionen von 10 und 5 µm werden später im Labor Vakuum filtriert. Es erfolgt eine Fraktionierung der Probe mit Siebmaschenweiten von 1000, 500, 100, 50, 10 und 5 µm.
• Die fraktionierte Filtration kann auch anschließend an die Beprobung mit dem SK zur Anwendung kommen. Wird die mit dem SK gewonnene Wasserprobe fraktioniert filtriert, kann neben einem MP-Gesamtgehalt auch eine Einschätzung über die Partikelgrößen gewonnen werden.
• Für Wässer mit geringen Partikelzahlen wurde ein Messfiltertiegel entwickelt. Dieser hat eine Maschenweite von 6 µm. Seine Anwendung kann mögliche Verluste beim Transferieren vom Probenahmetool zum Messgefäß und mögliche Kontaminationen reduzieren.
Die Optimierung der Probenahmestrategie wurde durch Modellversuche und Simulationen unterstützt. Modellversuche zum Sinkverhalten und Simulationen von MP in realen Gewässern verdeutlichten das komplexe Verhalten der Partikel. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass Partikel ab einer bestimmten Größe (und kleiner) bei genügend starker Turbulenz sich in der Wassersäule unabhängig von ihrer Dichte verhalten und so auch MP mit kleiner Dichte (z.B. PE) in der gesamten Wassersäule zu finden sind. Es konnte mit dem TEM die Existenz von NP gezeigt werden.
Ein wesentlicher Aspekt des RUSEKU Projektes war die Beprobung realer Kompartimente. Beprobt wurde neben Oberflächengewässern, das urbane Abwassersystem der Stadt Kaiserslautern, Waschmaschinenabwasser und Flaschenwasser.
• In Oberflächengewässern wurde hauptsächlich PE gefunden. Je nach Probe und Gewässer konnten auch PP, PS, PET, PA, SBR und Acrylate nachgewiesen werden.
• Im urbanen Abwassersystem der Stadt Kaiserslautern konnte an allen Probenahmestandorten MP nachgewiesen werden. Es wurde hauptsächlich PE, neben geringeren Mengen an PP, PS und SBR gefunden. Nach einem Regenereignis war der SBR Anteil deutlich erhöht.
• Die Beprobung eines realen Wäschepostens, bestehend aus T-Shirts und Hemden mit PA/CO oder PES/CO Mischgewebe, zeigte einen PA- und PES-Austrag im Waschwasser. Der überwiegende Teil der detektierten Fasern ist aber auf Baumwolle zurückzuführen. Reine gravimetrische Messungen zur Detektion von MP führen zu einer starken Überschätzung.
• In Flaschenwasser (PET-Flaschen) konnte MP detektiert werden. PET wurde nur im stillen Mineralwasser, nicht in Mineralwasser mit Kohlensäure gefunden werden. Teilweise wurde auch das MP-Material des Verschlusses im Wasser detektiert.
• Für Luftproben konnte ein Aufbau zur größenselektiven Beprobung getestet werden.
Neben der Probenahme hat das Projekt auch gezeigt, dass die TED-GC/MS geeignet für die MP-Detektion im Routinebetrieb ist. Die TED-GC/MS konnte weiter optimiert werden. Es wurden MP-Massen bestimmt.
Im Projekt wurden erste realitätsnahe Referenzmaterialien für die MP Detektion hergestellt. Die Herstellung von realitätsnahen Polymeren in ausreichender Homogenität und Menge hat sich als große Herausforderung herausgestellt.
To better study the impact of nanoparticles on both in vitro and in vivo models, tissue distribution and cellular doses need to be described more closely. Here silver nanoparticles were visualized in alveolar macrophages by means of synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-μXRF) with high spatial resolution of 3 × 3 μm2. For the spatial allocation of silver signals to cells and tissue structures, additional elemental labeling was carried out by staining with eosin, which binds to protein and can be detected as bromine signal with SR-μXRF. The method was compatible with immunostaining of macrophage antigens. We found that the silver distribution obtained with SR-μXRF was largely congruent with distribution maps from a subsequent laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of the same tissue sites. The study shows a predominant, though not exclusive uptake of silver into alveolar macrophages in the rat lung, which can be modeled by a similar uptake in cultured alveolar macrophages. Advantages and limitations of the different strategies for measuring nanoparticle uptake at the single cell level are discussed.
Der Vortrag wurde im Rahmen der Abschlusskonferenz des Forschungsschwerpunktes "Plastik in der Umwelt" des BMBF gehalten. Er fasst die Ergebnisse des Verbundprojektes RUSEKU zusammen. Es wurde die Herstellung verschiedener Testmaterialien für die Mikroplastik (MP) Analytik beschrieben. Im weiteren geht es um verschiedene Ansätze MP kostengünstig und schnell zu detektieren, z.B. mit Nahinfrarotspektroskopie. Nanoplastik konnte mit der Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie sichtbar gemacht werden. Für die praxisnahe Beprobung von Gewässern wurde die Fraktionierte Filtration entwickelt. Integrale Beprobungen können mit dem Sedimentationskasten erfolgen. Als Beispiele für die Beprobung realer Gewässer wurde das urbane Abwassersystem Kaiserslautern, Getränkewasser und Waschmaschinenwasser gezeigt.
Die große Herausforderung in der Detektion von Mikroplastik (MP)‑Partikeln (1-1000 µm) besteht darin, sie neben Millionen von natürlichen Partikeln in Umweltproben nachzuweisen. Zum Aufspüren von Senken, Eintragspfaden und für Monitoring-Kampagnen ist ein schnelles, automatisiertes Verfahren unerlässlich. Ein solches Verfahren wurde an der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) mit der ThermoExtraktion/Desorption-Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie (TED-GC/MS) in den letzten Jahren entwickelt.
Reference Materials at BAM
(2021)
This report contains detailed information on the preparation of the reference material as well as on homogeneity and stability investigations of the property of interest, the equivalent particle diameter, and on the analytical methods to determine the additional properties. The values for particle size distribution are based on the results from laser diffraction measurements of 3 different devices with at least 3 replicate measurements of 4 randomly chosen units of the reference material P206.
X-ray fluorescence imaging is a well-established tool in materials characterization. In this work, we present the adaption of coded aperture imaging to full-field X-ray fluorescence imaging at the synchrotron. Coded aperture imaging has its origins in astrophysics, and has several advantages: Coded apertures are relatively easy to fabricate, achromatic, allow a high photon throughput, and high angular acceptance. Coded aperture imaging is a two-step-process, consisting of the measurement process and a reconstruction step. Different programs have been written, for the raytracing/forward projection and the reconstruction. Experiments with coded aperture in combination with a Color X-ray Camera and an energy-dispersive area detector, have been conducted at the BAMline. Measured samples were successfully reconstructed, and gave a 9.1-fold increase in count rate compared to a polycapillary optic.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), in its various modalities, has gained exponential attention and applicability in the field of biological and biomedical systems. Particularly in this field, challenges like low concentration of analyte or proneness to radiation damage have certainly settle the basis for further analytical developments, when using X-ray based methods. Low concentration calls for higher sensitivity—by increasing the detection limits (DL); while susceptibility for radiation damage requires shorter measurement times and/or cryogenic sample environment possibilities. This manuscript reviews the latest analytical possibilities that make XAS more and more adequate to investigate biological or biomedical systems in the last 5 years.
Quantitative Analysis and 2D/3D Elemental Imaging of Cocoa Beans Using X‑ray Fluorescence Techniques
(2023)
As an important raw material for the confectionery industry, the cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao L.) has to meet certain legal requirements in terms of food safety and maximum contaminant levels in order to enter the cocoa market. Understanding the enrichment and distribution of essential minerals but also toxic metals is of utmost importance for improving the nutritional quality of this economically important raw food material. We present three X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques for elemental bio-imaging of intact cocoa beans and one additional XRF technique for quantitative analysis of cocoa pellets. The interrelation of all the methods presented gives a detailed picture of the content and 3D-resolved distribution of elements in complete cocoa beans for the first time.
Quantifizierung der Schädigung von DNA in wässriger Lösung unter direkter Elektronenbestrahlung
(2018)
To cure cancer radiation therapy is used to kill tumor cells.
It is based on radiation induced damage to biomolecules.
Especially DNA damage is of key interest due to its central role in apoptosis and mutation.
Because of the high amount of water in biological tissue, most of the damage is caused by the secondary particles produced by the inelastic scattering of ionizing radiation and water.
A detailed understanding of the underlying molecular processes under physiological conditions is the prerequisite to develop more efficient therapies.
Goal of this work is to quantify the DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation in dependence of the inelastic scattering events and the energy deposit within the microscopic target volume of biological relevance.
The irradiations have to be performed in liquid, under consideration of the chemical environment.
Therefore, a new combination of experiment and Monte-Carlo simulations was developed and tested.
To make it possible to irradiate liquids with electrons within scanning electron microscopes a new sample holder was constructed incorporating an electron transparent nanomembrane.
It makes it possible to irradiate DNA, proteins or cells at different pH, salinity and in the presence of cosolutes.
%The most important results of this work are as follows:
The median lethal dose for a model system of plasmid DNA and water was determined by the combination of experimental data, particle scattering simulations (Geant4-DNA) and diffusion calculations as D0.5=(1.7+-0.3) Gy.
From the convolution of plasmid positions and the spatially resolved energy deposit, as determined by electron scattering simulations, the histogram of the energy deposit within the target volume of the plasmids and the microscopic median lethal energy deposit was calculated as E0.5=6+-4eV.
It could be deduced that on average less than two ionization events are sufficient to cause a single-strand-break.
The relation of single-strand-breaks (SSB) to double-strand-breaks (DSB), which is of importance for microdosimetric modeling, was determined as SSB:DSB = 12:1.
The presented method for the determination of microscopic dose-damage relations was further extended to be applicable for general irradiation experiments.
It becomes independent of the type of primary radiation used, the experimental geometry, and the diffusional properties of the molecules under investigation.
This way different experimental systems with varying, inhomogeneous energy deposit characteristics become comparable with each other, which is not possible when only macroscopic averaged values are taken into account.
In addition, the radiation protection properties of the compatible solute ectoine, as well as its influence on the water properties and biomolecules were investigated.
%In addition, the influence of the compatible solute ectoine on water, biomolecules and its radiation protection properties were investigated.
Raman spectroscopy revealed a concentration dependent increase of the collective water modes in the OH-stretching region, which was found to be independent of the sodium chloride concentration.
Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the zwitterionic properties of ectoine lead to its half-chair conformation.
The hydrogen bonds in the first hydration shell are more stable and have an increased lifetime compared to the bulk water.
Irradiation experiments with DNA in the presence of 1M ectoine revealed an increase of the survival rate by a factor of 1.41 as compared to the absence of ectoine.
The protective properties of ectoine result from the increase of the inelastic scattering probabilities of low energy electrons at the acoustic vibrational modes of water and its properties as OH-radical scavenger.
This was shown by Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements (EPR).
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.
The presentation gives an overview of BAM's activities on processing influences and application properties of MPEAs in the form of joined and machined high and medium entropy alloys (CoCrFeMnNi and CoCrNi). In the case of welding, the focus is on defect-free welded joints with sufficient mechanical properties. In the case of machining, the focus is on the possible influence on the surface quality of the materials through adequate milling parameters. In addition, the hydrogen absorption and diffusion properties as well as the electrochemical corrosion behavior are fundamentally examined.
Preliminary results of an interlaboratory comparison on microplastics organised by plasticsfate
(2023)
Microplastics are everywhere in the environment, but analytics is challenging. Since harmonisation is missing as well es suitable reference materials, BAM did under th umbrella of VAMAS funded by the EU Horizon 2020 project PlasticsFate a ILC for microplastic detection methods. Methods adressed were IR, Raman, Py-GC/MS and TED-GC/MS. The talk gives a first presentation and evaluation on the results.
The usefulness of seven different Tin catalysts, Bismuth subsalicylate and Titan tetra(ethoxide) for the polycondensation of ethyl L-lactate (ELA) was examined at 150 °C/6 d. Dibutyltin bis(phenoxides) proved to be particularly effective. Despite the low reactivity of ELA, weight average molecular masses (Mw) up to 12 500 were found along with partial crystallization. Furthermore, polylactides (PLAs) of similar molecular masses were prepared via ELA-initiated ROPs of L-lactide by means of the four most effective polycondensation catalysts. The crystalline linear PLAs were annealed at 140 or 160 °C in the presence of these catalysts. The consequences of the transesterification reactions in the solid PLAs were studied by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results indicate that polycondensation and formation of cycles proceed in the solid state via formation of loops on the surface of the crystallites. In summary, five different transesterification reactions are required to explain all results.
The efficiency, relatively low cost and eco-friendly nature of hydrogen peroxide-assisted photocatalysis treatment procedures are significant advantages over conventional techniques for wastewater remediation. Herein, we evaluate the behaviour of g-cyclodextrin (g-CD) immobilised on either bare or chitosan (CS)–functionalised Fe3O4 nanoparticles, for photodegrading Bisphenol A (BPA) in ultrapure water and in real wastewater samples. The BPA removal efficiencies with Fe3O4/g-CD and Fe3O4/CS/g-CD were compared with those of Fe3O4/b-CD, and were monitored under UVA irradiation at near-neutral pH. The addition of H2O2 at low concentrations (15 mmol L-1) significantly increased BPA photodegradation in the presence of each nanocomposite. The highest catalytic activity was shown by both Fe3O4/g-CD and Fe3O4/CS/g-CD nanocomposites (,60 and 27%BPA removal in ultrapure water and real wastewater effluent, respectively). Our findings reveal the superior performance of g-CD-functionalised Fe3O4 relative to that of Fe3O4/b-CD. The use of CD-based nanocomposites as photocatalytic materials could be an attractive option in the pre- or post-treatment stage of wastewaters by advanced oxidation processes before or after biological treatment.
Proline has been widely used for various cocrystallization applications, including pharmaceutical cocrystals. Combining enantiopure and racemic flurbiprofen and proline, we discovered 18 new crystal structures. Liquid-assisted grinding proved highly efficient to explore all the variety of crystal forms. A unique combination of stateof-the-art characterization techniques, comprising variable temperature in situ X-ray diffraction and in situ ball-milling, along with other physicochemical methods and density functional theory calculations, was indispensable for identifying all the phases. Analyzing the results of in situ ball-milling, we established a stepwise mechanism for the formation of several 1:1 cocrystals via an intermediate 2:1 phase. The nature of the solvent in liquidassisted grinding was found to significantly affect the reaction rate and, in some cases, the reaction pathway.
News from the BAMline
(2022)
The occurrence of microplastic particles (MP) in nearly each environmental compartment but especially in water is well documented in an increasing amount of publication within the last few years. However, a comprehensive understanding of MP occurrence, sources and pathways in the environment as well as effects of MP on the environment is still unclear. Many of the studies are not compatible, because they used different sampling, sample preparation and detection techniques, resulting in a very broad variation and very different dimension of archived results. Hence a useful avoiding strategy for reduction the MP entry in the environment is not possible. Furthermore, the existing methods are often very time consuming, need user knowledge and labour force, which is often not acceptable for the routine monitoring of an action or sanction.
The call for harmonised methods become loud and louder and promising efforts are done in this area. However, the scientific discussion is often focus on advantages and disadvantages of detection tools and sample preparation, less initiative is given to the sampling strategy. That is a pity, because every environmental scientist knows, a good analytical result depend on a good sampling strategy.
The sampling of water seems on the first view easy because the sampling process include already an up concentration of the MP by means of sieves and filters. However, this filtering of water is often limited by filter cake on the sieves, consisting of high amount of natural particular matter. Hence often a small water volume is filtered, which will not own a representative amount of trait carriers or complex sieves cascades are used, which need a high technical equipment.
Recently we presented a fast thermoanalytical method for the detection of polymers fractions in water samples. This method, thermo-extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS) can analyse MP in water filtrates without sample preparations within 2-3 hours. Advantageous is the additional analysis of rubber particles from tires beside the MP. In order to come even faster we now start to develop new sampling strategies, which should be use for different water systems. It is intended to reduce the effort in the field and to elongate times for sampling to obtain a representatives result without random effects.
In the present presentation we will show first result using a sedimentation box for sampling of MP from surface water. Advantages and disadvantages will be discussed and comparison to data from conventional fractionated filtration will be given.
Nowadays, different nanoparticles have been developed for commercial applications. However, since data on toxicity are barely available, their increasing application in cosmetic products, food and their release in the environment might cause severe problems. An accurate separation, identification and characterization of nanoparticles becomes increasingly important.
A common method for nanoparticle separation, which was introduced in 1976 by Giddings, represents asymmetrical field-flow fractionation (AF4). It is a flow based separation method, which can be theoretically used to separate particles range from 1 nm to 50 µm. However, when the particles are smaller than 10 nm, separation with AF4 will become difficult to perform. Because in this case strong separation force, which induces aggregation of particles, should be applied. This will decrease recoveries of analytes and limit its application in accurate quantitative analysis. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is another well-developed separation technique, in which samples will be separated in relation to their electrophoretic mobility. In recent years, CE has been used to separate different kinds of nanoparticles like, gold colloids or CdSe Quantum dots. However, till now only separation of particles smaller than 50 nm was reported. Because large size distribution of bigger particles will result in strong peak broadening and long separation time.
A two-dimensional coupling of AF4 and CE might provide us a new separation method, which can extend the separation ranges of both methods and be a way to characterise particles with large size distributions.
Nowadays, different nanoparticles have been developed for commercial applications. However, since data on toxicity are barely available, their increasing application in cosmetic products, food and their release in the environment might cause severe problems. An accurate separation, identification and characterization of nanoparticles becomes increasingly important.
A common method for nanoparticle separation, which was introduced in 1976 by Giddings, represents asymmetrical field-flow fractionation (AF4). It is a flow based separation method, which can be theoretically used to separate particles range from 1 nm to 50 µm. However, when the particles are smaller than 10 nm, separation with AF4 will become difficult to perform. Because in this case strong separation force, which induces aggregation of particles, should be applied. This will decrease recoveries of analytes and limit its application in accurate quantitative analysis. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is another well-developed separation technique, in which samples will be separated in relation to their electrophoretic mobility. In recent years, CE has been used to separate different kinds of nanoparticles like, gold colloids or CdSe Quantum dots. However, till now only separation of particles smaller than 50 nm was reported. Because large size distribution of bigger particles will result in strong peak broadening and long separation time.
A two-dimensional coupling of AF4 and CE might provide us a new separation method, which can extend the separation ranges of both methods and be a way to characterise particles with large size distributions.
A brief perspective of BAM on nanocarriers is presented including examples with special emphasis on the characterization of such materials and underlying challenges. In this respect, also ongoing activities at BAM on different types of core/shell nanomaterials and related systems are briefly summarized.
Multivariate analysis of MALDI imaging mass spectrometry data of mixtures of single pollen grains
(2018)
Here, we present an advanced approach to identify pollen grains in mixtures based on:
- a simplified sample preparation procedure
- MALDI imaging mass spectrometry
- chemometric tools
Our goals are to:
- explore the biomolecular variations in pollen
- determine species-specific peak patterns
- discriminate and identify single pollen grains in mixtures using MSI
Multivariate analysis of MALDI imaging mass spectrometry data of mixtures of single pollen grains
(2018)
Mixtures of pollen grains of three different species (Corylus avellana, Alnus cordata, and Pinus sylvestris) were investigated by matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF imaging MS). The amount of pollen grains was reduced stepwise from > 10 to single pollen grains. For sample pretreatment, we modified a previously applied approach, where any additional extraction steps were omitted.
Our results show that characteristic pollen MALDI mass spectra can be obtained from a single pollen grain, which is the prerequisite for a reliable pollen classification in practical applications. MALDI imaging of laterally resolved pollen grains provides additional information by reducing the complexity of the MS spectra of mixtures, where frequently peak discrimination is observed. Combined with multivariate statistical analyses, such as principal component analysis (PCA), our approach offers the chance for a fast and reliable identification of individual pollen grains by mass spectrometry.
In this work, we describe a simple solvothermal route for the synthesis of Eu3+-doped gadolinium orthovanadate nanocrystals (Eu:GdVO4−PAA) functionalized with poly(acrylic)acid (PAA), that are applicable as cell labeling probes for multimodal cellular imaging. The Eu3+ doping of the vanadate matrix provides optical functionality, due to red photoluminescence after illumination with UV light. The Gd3+ ions of the nanocrystals reduce the T1 relaxation time of surrounding water protons, allowing these nanocrystals to act as a positive MRI contrast agent with a r1 relaxivity of 1.97 mM−1 s−1. Low background levels of Eu3+, Gd3+, and V5+ in biological systems make them an excellent label for elemental microscopy by Laser Ablation (LA)-ICP-MS. Synthesis resulted in polycrystalline nanocrystals with a hydrodynamic diameter of 55 nm and a crystal size of 36.7 nm, which were further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The multifunctional nanocrystals were subsequently used for intracellular labeling of both human adipose-derived stem cells (MSCs) and A549 (adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial) cells.
Monitoring von Mikroplastik
(2021)
Reliable simulation of polymers on an atomistic length scale requires a realistic representation of the cured material. A molecular modelling method for the curing of epoxy systems is presented, which is developed with respect to efficiency while maintaining a well equilibrated system. The main criterion for bond formation is the distance between reactive groups and no specific reaction probability is prescribed. The molecular modelling is studied for three different mixing ratios with respect to the curing evolution of reactive Groups and the final curing stage. For the first time, the evolution of reactive groups during the curing process predicted by the molecular modelling is validated with near-infrared spectroscopy data, showing a good agreement between simulation results and experimental measurements. With the proposed method, deeper insights into the curing mechanism of epoxy systems can be gained and it allows us to provide reliable input data for molecular Dynamics simulations of material properties.
ML@BAMLINE
(2021)
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.
Der Vortrag beschreibt den Entwicklungsprozess des Analysenverfahrens TED-GC-MS zur Bestimmung von Mikroplastikgehalten in Umweltproben im Rahmen des BMBF-Projektes MiWa. Die Funktionsweise, die Automatisierung und die Optimierung einzelner Geräteparameter und Leistungsdaten werden gezeigt. Untersuchungen des Einflusses von Probenmatrices werden dargestellt und die Ergebnisse einiger Messkampagnen und Ringversuche vorgestellt, die die Routinefähigkeit des Verfahrens dokumentieren.
Mikroplastik findet sich in Ozeanen, Seen, Flüssen und Bächen. Es kann in unserem Boden, in der Luft und sogar in Organismen nachgewiesen werden. Jedes Jahr werden weltweit Millionen Tonnen freigesetzt. Doch wo und wie landet Mikroplastik in der Umwelt? Und wie können wir diese winzigen Partikel nachweisen?
Mikroplastik Detektion mit Thermoanalytischen Methoden: Analytik, Referenzmaterial, Ringversuche
(2024)
Ich dem Vortrag geht es um die Vorstellung von thermoanalytischen Methoden für die Mikroplastik-Detektion. Verschiedene Kopplungsmöglichkeiten werden gezeigt und die Funktionsweise der TED-GC/MS wird erklärt. Im zweiten Teil werden Referenzmaterialien für die Mikroplastik-Analytik diskutiert. PET -Tabletten des PlasticTrace Projektes werden vorgestellt. Am Ende wird der VAMAS Ringversuch zur Mikroplastik-Detektion gezeigt.
The accumulation of plastics leaked into the environment achieve a high perception in the last years. It is uncontroversial that often an uncontrolled, high consumption of plastic products and a poor waste management resulted in plastic findings all over in the environment. However, less is known about the relevant pathways and fate of plastic in the environment. Especially plastic fragments smaller 5 mmm, so called microplastics, achieve a high attention, because their amount and risks arising from these fragments are still unknown. The basic mechanisms of plastic or more precise, of different polymer degradation processes are often not considered, resulting in unrealistic statements.
For generation of fundamental understanding of this problem we developed in the last years a fast thermoanalytical method for identification and mass quantification of microplastics in complex samples. The presentation will also give a short introduction about polymer degradation.
In this study, carried out within the Joint Danube Survey 4, a comprehensive microplastic screening in the water column within a large European river basin from its source to estuary, including major tributaries, was realized. The objective was to develop principles of a systematic and practicable microplastic monitoring strategy using sedimentation boxes for collection of suspended particulate matter followed by its subsequent analysis using thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In total, 18 sampling sites in the Danube River Basin were investigated. The obtained suspended particulate matter samples were subdivided into the fractions of >100 μm and <100 μm and subsequently analyzed for microplastic mass contents. The results showed that microplastics were detected in all samples, with polyethylene being the predominant polymer with maximum contents of 22.24 μg/mg, 3.23 μg/mg for polystyrene, 1.03 μg/mg for styrene-butadiene-rubber, and 0.45 μg/mg for polypropylene. Further, polymers such as different sorts of polyester, polyacrylates, polylactide, and natural rubber were not detected or below the detection limit. Additional investigations on possible interference of polyethylene signals by algae-derived fatty acids were assessed. In the context of targeted monitoring, repeated measurements provide more certainty in the interpretation of the results for the individual sites. Nevertheless, it can be stated that the chosen approach using an integrative sampling and determination of total plastic content proved to be successful.
Microplastic detection in water samples becomes important for tracing microplastic sources. Microplastic may harm desalination facilities by blocking filters and disturbing the marine food chain. Thermo analytical methods such as pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy, and spectroscopic methods like (micro) Raman spectroscopy or (micro) Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy in combination with appropriate filters and sample preparation are suitable for analyzing microplastics on a scale from 1 µm to 1000 µm fast and unambiguous. While the thermo analytical methods are suitable for larger sample volumes, Raman spectroscopy and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy are able to detect and analyze single microplastic particles for instance in bottled water. Machine learning algorithms ensure a reliable classification of different plastic materials.
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.
The syntheses and crystal structures of two cerium(IV) phosphonates are presented. Cerium(IV) bis(phenylphosphonate) Ce(O3PC6H5)2 1 can be formed from precipitation and mechanochemical reaction, whereas cerium(IV) bis(carboxymethylphosphonate) monohydrate Ce(O3PCH2COOH)2 H2O 2 is only accessible via ball milling. All reactions proceed very fast and are completed within a short time span. In situ measurements for the syntheses of 1 show that the product occurs within seconds or a few minutes, respectively. The structures were solved from powder X-ray diffraction data.
Mechanochemistry is a fast and efficient method applicable for the synthesis of new organic, metal-organic, and inorganic compounds. The direct monitoring of milling reactions is still challenging. The underlying reaction mechanisms often remain unclear. In the last years, we have established a tandem in situ approach for investigating mechanochemical reactions using time-resolved in situ XRD coupled with Raman spectroscopy. A further development is the in situ coupling of synchrotron XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and thermography allowing the observation of mechanochemical reactions in real time. [5] Information on the crystalline, molecular, and temperature state of the materials during grinding could be collected. The chemical composition of the reaction mixture was found to be directly correlated with changes in the temperature profile of the reaction. Furthermore, the presented setup allows the detection of crystalline, amorphous, eutectic as well as liquid intermediates. Based on these data, metastable polymorphs of cocrystals and coordination polymorphs could be isolated and struc-turally characterized. A multi-step diffusion mechanism was identified for most systems. Crystalline phases were obtained intermediately, suggesting that the synthesis is following Ostwald’s rules of stages. The resulting deeper kinetic and thermodynamic understanding of milling processes is the key for future optimization of mechanochemical syntheses.
MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has become a widely used tool for the classification of biological samples. The complex chemical composition of pollen grains leads to highly specific, fingerprint-like mass spectra, with respect to the pollen species. Beyond the species-specific composition, the variances in pollen chemistry can be hierarchically structured, including the level of different populations, of environmental conditions or different genotypes. We demonstrate here the sensitivity of MALDI-TOF MS regarding the adaption of the chemical composition of three Poaceae (grass) pollen for different populations of parent plants by analyzing the mass spectra with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Thereby, variances in species, population and specific growth conditions of the plants were observed simultaneously. In particular, the chemical pattern revealed by the MALDI spectra enabled discrimination of the different populations of one species. Specifically, the role of environmental changes and their effect on the pollen chemistry of three different grass species is discussed. Analysis of the Group formation within the respective populations showed a varying influence of plant genotype on the classification, depending on the species, and permits conclusions regarding the respective rigidity or plasticity towards environmental changes.
Synchrotron radiation sources with their unique properties in terms of intensity, polarization and adjustability offer a wide range of possibilities in materials research. A basic introduction about the creation and special properties of synchrotron radiation will be given. Examples of current work at BAMline, the high-energy measuring facility of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing at the synchrotron BESSY, are used to illustrate the possibilities and limitations of existing measuring methods. It will be shown how the formation of corrosion layers can be tracked, how the abrasion of implants leads to the introduction of heavy metals into the surrounding bone matrix and how the detection of smallest impurities in gold is possible by optimizing the measuring conditions. Finally, an outlook at the hardware and software developments to be expected in the coming years is given.
The comparison required the assignment of the mass fraction of folic acid present as the main component in the comparison sample. Performance in the comparison is representative of a laboratory's measurement capability for the purity assignment of organic compounds of medium structural complexity [molecular weight range 300–500] and high polarity (pKOW < −2).
Methods used by the eighteen participating NMIs or DIs were based on a mass balance (summation of impurities) or qNMR approach, or the combination of data obtained using both methods. The qNMR results tended to give slightly lower values for the content of folic acid, albeit with larger associated uncertainties, compared with the results obtained by mass balance procedures. Possible reasons for this divergence are discussed in the report, without reaching a definitive conclusion as to their origin.
The comparison demonstrates that for a structurally complex polar organic compound containing a high water content and presenting a number of additional analytical challenges, the assignment of the mass fraction content property value of the main component can reasonably be achieved with an associated relative standard uncertainty in the assigned value of 0.5%
The characterization of a catalyst often occurs by averaging over large areas of the catalyst material. On the other hand, optical probing is easily achieved at a resolution at the micrometer scale, specifically in microspectroscopy. Here, using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) mapping of larger areas with micrometer-sized spots that contain tens to hundreds of supported gold nanoparticles each, the photoinduced dimerization of p-aminothiophenol (PATP) to 4,4′-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) was monitored. The mapping data reveal an inhomogeneous distribution of catalytic activity in the plasmon-catalyzed reaction in spite of a very homogeneous plasmonic enhancement of the optical signals in SERS. The results lead to the conclusion that only a fraction of the nanostructures may be responsible for a high catalytic activity. The high spot-to-spot variation in catalytic activity is also demonstrated for DMAB formation by the plasmon-catalyzed reduction from p-nitrothiophenol (PNTP) and confirms that an improvement of the accuracy and reproducibility in the characterization of catalytic reactions can be achieved by microspectroscopic probing of many positions. Using SERS micromapping during the incubation of PATP, we demonstrate that the reaction occurs during the incubation process and is influenced by different parameters, leading to the conclusion of dimerization in a gold-catalyzed, nonphotochemical reaction as an alternative to the plasmon-catalyzed process. The results have implications for the future characterization of new catalyst materials as well as for optical sensing using plasmonic materials.
Various applications for artificial intelligence in the context of spectroscopy will be presented. in particular, examples from BAMline will be presented. After a short introduction to synchrotron radiation, artificial intelligence algorithms for the quantification of X-ray fluorescence measurement are discussed. In the second example, information retrieval by natural language processing is discussed.
In this talk I’ll describe the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) for quantifying X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements. The main idea of this talk is to give an overview of the process needed to generate a model that can then be applied to a specific problem.
In XRF, a sample is excited with X-rays and the resulting characteristic radiation is detected to determine elements quantitatively and qualitatively. This is traditionally done in several time-consuming steps. I’ll show the possibilities and problems of using a neural network to realise a "one-click" quantification. This includes generating training data using Monte Carlo simulation and augmenting the existing data set with an ANN to generate more data. The search for the optimal hyperparameters, manually and automatically, is also described. For the case presented, we were able to train a network with a mean absolute error of 0.1% by weight for the synthetic data and 0.7% by weight for a set of experimental data obtained with certified reference materials.
In X-ray fluorescence (XRF), a sample is excited with X-rays, and the resulting characteristic radiation is detected to detect elements quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantification is traditionally done in several steps:
1. Normalization of the data
2. Determination of the existing elements
3. Fit of the measured spectrum
4. Calculation of concentrations with fundamental parameters / MC simulations / standard based
The problem with standard based procedures is the availability of corresponding standards. The problem with the calculations is that the measured intensities for XRF measurements are matrix-dependent. Calculations must, therefore, be performed iteratively (= time consuming) in order to determine the chemical composition.
First experiments with gold samples have shown the feasibility of machine learning based quantification in principle. A large number of compositions were simulated (> 10000) and analyzed with a deep learning network. For first experiments, an ANN (Artificial Neural Network) with 3 hidden layers and 33x33x33 neurons was used. This network learned the mapping of spectra to concentrations using supervised learning by multidimensional regression. The input layer was formed by the normalized spectrum, and the output layer directly yielded the searched values. The applicability for real samples was shown by measurements on certified reference materials.
In this work, we describe the use of artificial neural networks for the quantification of X-ray fluorescence measurements. The training data were generated using Monte Carlo simulation, which avoided the use of adapted reference materials. The extension of the available data set by means of an ANN to generate additional data was demonstrated. Particular emphasis was put on the comparability of simulated and experimental data and how the influence of deviations can be reduced. The search for the optimal hyperparameter, manual and automatic, is also described. For the presented case, we were able to train a network with a mean absolute error of 0.1 weight percent for the synthetic data and 0.7 weight percent for a set of experimental data obtained with certified reference materials.
Die Probenpräparation ist ein wichtiger Schritt für die Qualität der Massenspektren in MALDI-TOF MS. Es werden Polymerproben, die lösungsmittelbasiert und lösungsmittelfrei präpariert worden sind, verglichen. Dabei werden die Intensitätsverhältnisse von ternären Mischungen von PEG-, PS- und PMMA-Polymeren beachtet.
L-Lactide (LA) was polymerized with neat tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct2) in toluene at 115 °C at low concentration with variation of the LA/Cat ratio. Cyclic polylactides (cPLAs) with number average molecular weights (Mn) between 7 000 and 17 000 were obtained. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry also revealed the formation of a few percent of linear chains. Crystalline cPLAs with Mn around 9 000 and 14 000 were annealed at 140 °C in the presence of ScOct2 or dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiolane (DSTL). Simultaneously, crystallites of extended linear chains and crystallites of extended cycles were formed regardless of the catalyst, indicating that transesterification reaction proceeded different for linear chains and for cycles, governed by thermodynamic control. The formation of extended chain crystallites with low dispersity indicates the existence of symproportionation of short and long chains. A complementary experiment was carried out with a PLA ethyl ester composed mainly of linear chains with a small fraction of cycles
A set of 59 ancient magical artefacts, mainly made of lead, was selected from the collections of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in order to unravel their origins. All the selected artefacts have been studied for their Pb isotope compositions, which covered the whole range of the Mediterranean ore deposits. However, the majority (≈86%) were made of lead matching the small compositional range of the Laurion ore deposits. Only eight out of the 59 artefacts were made of recycled lead or lead from other ore deposits.
Additionally, all but two were approximately dated based on their inscriptions. The lead isotopic composition together with information obtained from the inscriptions, the resulting dating, the context of the find and the known history of each item allowed us to gain more detailed information about the origins of these magical artefacts. The Attic provenance of 36 curse tablets was confirmed, whereas for 11 curse tablets previously classified as non-Attic, the provenance was either confirmed and specified (six artefacts) or changed to Attic (five artefacts). Surprisingly, the majority (six out of eight) of the analysed curse tablets from the Egyptian collection showed a lead isotopic composition closely matching that of Laurion.
A Laurion-like lead isotopic composition was also observed for three of the four analysed oracular tablets from Dodona. Together with the dating information, this points to Laurion as the major and dominant lead source in the Aegean, at least during the fourth–third century B.C. The few curse tablets from earlier than the fourth–third century B.C. point to the use of multiple and thus isotopically more variable lead sources compared with the Roman times.
Fire-gilding is a historic technique for the application of golden layers on a number of different base materials utilizing a gold amalgam. This technique leaves a significant amount of Hg in the golden layer, giving archeometrists a reliable indicator to identify firegildings.
Recent findings on presumably fire-gilded objects have shown in several cases significantly lower Hg content than previously studied objects. This prompted a synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence investigation into the Hg distribution along the material–gilding interface, as well as a series of measurements regarding the Hg content development in fire-gilded samples during artificial aging. This work presents findings on laboratory-prepared fire-gildings, indicating an Hg enrichment at the interface of firegilded silver samples. Notably, such an enrichment is missing in fire-gilded copper samples. Further, it is confirmed that fire-gilded layers typically do not undercut an Hg bulk content of 5%. In this light, it seems improbable that ancient samples that contain <5% Hg are fire-gilded. The results presented in this study might lead to a non-destructive method to identify the Hg enrichment at the interface. This might be obtained by a combination of different non-destructive measurements and might also work unambiguously in samples in which the gold top layer is altered.
The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is currently a potential candidate for stationary energy storage. A major challenge is the unintended vanadium transport through the separator, which results in a fade of capacity. To overcome this issue, it is necessary to understand the transport processes in the membrane on a more fundamental level. In this work, the vanadium species distribution in Nafion™ 117 after cyclization was investigated. Two membranes, one from a charged VRFB and another from a discharged VRFB, were analyzed using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV/VIS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). Little difference between the two membranes was recognizable according to the UV/VIS results. In comparison, the XANES results showed that the membrane from the charged VRFB contains more V3+ than VO2+, whereas for the discharged case, more VO2+ is present in the membrane.
Vanadium redoxflow batteries (VRFB)are currently one of the most promising candidates for stationary energys torage.For large scale applications the ion conducting membranes currently in use need to be improved. Ideally,they need to become more cost efficient and selective regarding the vanadium crossover.For a better understanding of the vanadium crossover, the development of reliable analytical methods and procedures, that elucidate uptake and transport of vanadium ions in the membrane, is necessary. First, we present the uptake of V2+,V3+,VO2+, VO2+ and V2O33+ in Nafion™ and in a novel membrane based onpoly(1,1-difluoroethylene)(PVDF). In preliminary discharge/charge experiments the ETFE-based membrane, the precursor of PVDF-based membrane, performed comparable to Nafion™. The methods of choice for speciation are UV/Vis and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). According to the results, V2O33+, formed from VO2+ and VO2+, diffuses also into the membrane. In present models, the diffusion of V2O33+ is neglected. In addition,we study whether reactions could take place inside the membranes’ nanoscopic water body using XANES. Exposing Nafion™ from one site with V3+a nd from the other site with VO2+ realized the experiment. The results verified that VO2+ was formed inside the membrane. However,in present models reactions inside the membrane are neglected, too.
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.
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.
This contribution provides an overview of the BAMline synchrotron radiation beamline, which specializes in hard X-ray spectroscopy techniques for materials research. The BAMline offers X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and tomography to study materials' electronic structure, chemical composition, and structure. Key capabilities include standard and dispersive XAS for electronic structure, micro-XRF for elemental mapping, coded aperture imaging, and depth-resolved grazing exit XAS. The BAMline enables in situ characterization during materials synthesis and functions for energy, catalysis, corrosion, biology, and cultural heritage applications.
Ongoing developments like the implementation of machine learning techniques for experiment optimization and data analysis will be discussed. For instance, Bayesian optimization is being used to improve beamline alignment and scanning. An outlook to the future, where the BAMline will continue pioneering dynamic and multi-scale characterization, aided by advanced data science methods, to provide unique insights into materials research, will be given.
Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) is a small footprint, ressource efficient micro-analytical tool for trace elemental determination. However, depending on the matrix TXRF is also challenging in several ways: the preparation of a representative aliquot maybe difficult for slurries, shading effects and matrix effects may occur and the applicability of an IS maybe hampered by interferences (fitting may be impaired as well) or inhomogeneities. It is therefore crucial to understand and if applicable mitigate the influence of the before mentioned phenomena. We have used the small volume approach using pL droplets to study shading in TXRF previously.Using this approach thin specimens in a favorable geometry are prepared with a well defined morphology; this way minimizing matrix effects and shading. To be used as standard it is also necessary to determine the delivered elemental amounts. Here we will present on the performance of a commercial ink-jet printer cartridge to deliver defined volumes and elemental amounts. The microscopic specimens obtained have been successfully applied to determine relative sensitivities in TXRF and prepare references to study coded apertures in grazing incidence full field micro-XRF.The homogeneous lateral distribution of analyte and IS may be probed by micro-XRF, to obtain information on alikeness of analyte and IS. To study the alikeness of the in depth distribution (film-like or particle-like) angle scans can deliver valuable data. Here we present first results on angle scans using a prototype GIXRF set up and a commercial TXRF instrument.
Introduction to microplastics, definition, relevance, analytical approaches & challenges. TED-GC/MS working principle, features & performance. Optimisation in TED-GC/MS methodology, new validation data. Replacement of Internal Standard, outlook towards upcoming publication and application within EU´s revised drinking water directive.
This article describes the elaboration and characterization of diethylphosphonate-containing polymers coated electrodes as sensors for the detection of heavy metalstraces, by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Diethylphosphonate groupswere chosen as heavy metals binding sites. Two different series of polymers bearingthese anchoring groups were synthesized. Whereas the diethylphosphonate groupsare directly incorporated in the aromatic macromolecular chain in some polymers, analiphatic spacer is removing the chelating site from the polymer backbone in others.The influence of the macromolecular structure on the sensing response was studied,especially for the detection of Pb2+,Ni2+,Cd2+and Hg2+. Polymer P6, including thehigher amount of diethylphosphonate groups removed from the polymer chain by ashort alkyl spacer gave the higher sensitivity of detection of lead ions, with a detec-tion limit of 50 pM
In recent years, thermoextraction/desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) has been developed as a rapid detection method for the determination of microplastics (MP) mass contents in numerous environmentally relevant matrices and, in particular, for the measurement of polymers in water samples without time-consuming sample preparation. The TED-GC/MS method was applied to investigate a typical European municipal wastewater system for possible MP masses. Such investigations are important in view of the recent revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Four different representative sampling sites were selected: greywater (domestic wastewater without toilet), combined sewer, and influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). All samples were collected by fractional filtration. Filtration was carried out over mesh sizes of 500, 100, 50, and in some cases, 5 µm. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were detected in all samples, with the PE fraction dominating in all cases. Styrene-butadiene rubber which serves as an indication of tire abrasion, was only found in the influent of the WWTP. The highest MP mass contents were found in the combined sewer, so MP can become a source of pollution during heavy rain events when the capacity limits of the effluent are reached, and the polluted effluent is released uncontrolled into the environment. Based on the studies, MP retention from the WWTP could be estimated to be approximately 96%. Few trends in polymer type or mass contents were detected within the different fractions of the samples or when comparing samples to each other.
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(2019)
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.
Li-rich nanoparticles of Li1+xMn2–xO4 doped with Al, Co, or Ni are successfully synthesized using a facile, fast, and efficient microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of the crystalline cubic spinel phase type. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis at the Co and Ni K- and L-edges verifies that the dopants are within the Li1+xMn2–xO4 spinel structure and are inactive during cycling in the bulk and at the surface. Moreover, we demonstrate that nanocrystallinity and cationic doping play an important role in improving the electrochemical performance with respect to LiMn2O4 microparticles. They significantly reduce the charge-transfer resistance, lower the first cycle irreversible capacity loss to 6%, and achieve a capacity retention between 85 and 90% after 380 cycles, with excellent Coulombic efficiency close to 99% without compromising the specific charge at a 5C cycling rate. Furthermore, the Mn K- and L-edges attest that after long cycling, the Mn oxidation state in the bulk differs from that at the surface caused by the Mn disproportion reaction; however, the cationic doping helps mitigate the Mn dissolution with respect to the undoped Li1+xMn2–xO4 nanoparticles, as indicated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.