Analytische Chemie
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Currently research in chemical manufacturing moves towards flexible plug-and-play approaches focusing on modular plants, capable of producing small scales on-demand with short down-times between individual campaigns. This approach allows for efficient use of hardware, a faster optimization of the process conditions, and thus, an accelerated introduction of new products to the market [1]. Driven mostly by the search for chemical syntheses under biocompatible conditions, so-called “click” chemistry rapidly became a growing field of research. The resulting simple one-pot reactions are so far only scarcely accompanied by an adequate optimization via comparably straightforward and robust analysis techniques. Here we report on a fast and reliable calibration-free online high field NMR monitoring approach for technical mixtures. It combines a versatile fluidic system, continuous-flow measurement with a time interval of 20 s per spectrum, and a robust, automated algo-rithm to interpret the obtained data. All spectra were acquired using a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer (Varian) with a dual band flow probe having a 1/16 inch polymer tubing working as a flow cell. Single scan 1H spectra were recorded with an acquisition time of 5 s, relaxation delay of 15 s.
Currently research in chemical manufacturing moves towards flexible plug-and-play approaches focusing on modular plants, capable of producing small scales on-demand with short down-times between individual campaigns. This approach allows for efficient use of hardware, a faster optimization of the process conditions, and thus, an accelerated introduction of new products to the market. Driven mostly by the search for chemical syntheses under biocompatible conditions, so-called “click” chemistry rapidly became a growing field of research. The resulting simple one-pot reactions are so far only scarcely accompanied by an adequate optimization via comparably straightforward and robust analysis techniques. Here we report on a fast and reliable calibration-free online high field NMR monitoring approach for technical mixtures. It combines a versatile fluidic system, continuous-flow measurement with a time interval of 20 s per spectrum, and a robust, automated algorithm to interpret the obtained data. All spectra were acquired using a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer (Varian) with a dual band flow probe having a 1/16 inch polymer tubing working as a flow cell. Single scan 1H spectra were recorded with an acquisition time of 5 s, relaxation delay of 15 s. As a proof-of-concept, the thiol-ene coupling between N-boc cysteine methyl ester and allyl alcohol was conducted in non-deuterated solvents while its time-resolved behaviour was characterised with step tracer experiments
Through the application of spectral modeling the signal area for each reactant can be deconvoluted in the online spectra and thus converted to the respective concentrations or molar ratios. The signals which were suitable for direct integration were used herein for comparison purposes of both methods.
X-ray refraction techniques represent a very promising, yet not so wide-spread, set of X-ray techniques
based on refraction effects. They allow determining internal specific surface (surface per unit volume) in a non-destructive fashion, position and orientation sensitive, and with nanometric detectability. While they are limited by the X-ray absorption of the material under investigation, we demonstrate showcases of ceramics and composite materials, where understanding of microstructural features could be achieved in a way unrivalled even by high-resolution techniques such as electron microscopy or computed tomography.
Alkaline earth metal fluoride nanoparticles have been investigated for application in wood protection. Sols of MgF2 and CaF2 were synthesized and their efficacy was tested against fungi and termites (Rehmer 2016, Krahl et al. 2016). The sols were characterized by XRD and SEM. The wood specimens were vacuum impregnated with nanoparticles and then exposed to fungi and termites according to EU certified test conditions. Our results show that wood impregnated with metal fluoride nanoparticles significantly reduce cellulose hydrolysis by fungi and termites. The wood samples were exposed to brown-rot fungi; Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta. Between the two fungi, the overall mass lost due to fungal degradation was lower for treated (MgF2 and CaF2) wood samples exposed to Coniophora puteana. Thus, the metal fluoride nanoparticles impregnated in the wood samples were more efficient in reducing cellulose degradation from Coniophora puteana than from Poria placenta. However the mass loss in samples treated with MgF2 was similar to those treated with CaF2, irrespective of type of fungi. Therefore, it is likely that fungal degradation in treated samples was dependent on the biocidal action of fluorides rather than on the differences in chemical and physical properties of MgF2 and CaF2, respectively. Conversely, for termite exposure, wood samples treated with MgF2 had lower cellulose degradation compared to those treated with CaF2. A possible explanation for this difference in results could be fungi and termites use separate mechanisms for cellulose hydrolysis which will be further investigated. Future experiments include testing the leaching potential of MgF2 and CaF2 nanoparticles from wood. The results from the leaching experiment will test if metal fluoride nanoparticles can provide long-term and environmentally safe protection to wood.
Volume specific surface area (VSSA) by BET: concept and demonstration on industrial materials
(2017)
Volume specific surface area (VSSA) as measured by BET constituites a simple and reliable solution to (most) powders. Porous, coated, polydisperse/multimodal materials are to be treated with care, i.e. doubled by analysis with electron microscopy or more advanced BET analysis (e.g. t-plot)for each material in part.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers that phase separate from solution upon cooling present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol. In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the right side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds.
We want to present our latest results on the copolymer poly(acrylamide-co-acrylonitrile) (P(AAm-co-AN)) that present a UCST in water as well as on two homopolymers based on an acrylamide derivative of 2,6-diaminopyridine, namely poly(N-(6-aminopyridin-2-yl)acrylamide) (PNAPAAm) and poly(N-(6-acetamidopyridin-2-yl)acrylamide) (PNAcAPAAm) that show UCST-type thermoresponsiveness in water/alcohol mixtures.
Our focus for P(AAm-co-AN)) is its aggregation behaviour above and below its phase transition temperature as the size of thermoresponsive polymeric systems is of prime importance for biomedical applications (as size dependent processes take place in the body) and is linked to the optical properties of a material that matter in materials science.
In the case of PNAPAAm and PNAcAPAAm, we focused on the co-solvency/co-non solvency effect on the phase transition temperature in water/alcohol mixture. Indeed, polymers with UCST behavior below 60°C in water/alcohol mixtures are extremely promising for the preparation of “smart” materials for sensing.
The use of silver nanoparticles in consumer related products has significantly increased over the last decade, especially due to their antimicrobial properties. Today they are used in a variety of products, which range from textiles to dietary supplements. Thus, investigations on nanoscale silver become increasingly important in many fields like biomedicine or catalysis. Unfortunately, the results of these studies are extremely diverse and do not lead to a consistent evaluation of the toxicity of silver nanoparticles. The main problem is the use of nonuniform and poorly characterized particles with broad size distributions. To overcome this problem we modified the known polyol process to synthesize ultra-small core-shell silver nanoparticles in a large scale. The particles are highly stable and show no aggregation for more than six months. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals a narrow size distribution of the silver cores with a mean radius of 3 nm and a distribution width of 0.6 nm. Dynamic light scattering provides a hydrodynamic radius of 10.0 nm and a PDI of 0.09. The stabilizing ligand PAA can be easily exchanged by biomolecules to modify the surface functionality. Replacements of PAA with glutathione and bovine serum albumin have been successfully performed. To demonstrate the broad applicability of our particles we performed catalysis experiments with the reduction of 4-nitrophenol as model reaction. The PAA-stabilized particles show a catalytic activity of (436 ± 24) L g-1 s-1, which is the highest reported in literature for silver nanoparticles. In contrast, GSH and BSA passivate the surface substantially resulting in lower catalytic activities.
We developed a rapid and robust HPLC-MS/MS (QqQ) method for the quantification of hepcidin-25, a promising new biomarker in iron metabolism, in human samples. The novelty of the method is the use of special HPLC vials to avoid adsorptive losses due to the basic character of the peptide that causes interaction with the silanol groups of the vial’s glass surface. Up to 90% decrease in the MS/MS signal was observed, when commercial HPLC vials were used, while vials treated with 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propylmethyldimethoxysilane or 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane, leading to no losses in the range of physiological hepcidin-25 mean serum levels (10-20 µg/L).
The synthesis of TiO2 nanoplatelets with fluorine-containing reactants is carried out using titanium (IV) butoxide as precursor and concentrated HF as shape controller, the final product requires a working up in order to eliminate or at least to reduce the amount of residual fluorides, which is realized here by well-defined thermal treatment of the samples. Bulk and surface sensitive methods namely scanning electron microscopy with energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) have been applied to trace the presence of any fluorides in dependence on different information depths and measurement sensitivities of these methods.
Raman spectroscopy is becoming a powerful process analytical technology (PAT) tool. Until now Raman technology has not shown its full potential in bioprocess on-line monitoring due to several technical challenges. Because of only small? interference from water molecules, Raman-spectroscopy is in contrast to IR spectroscopy able to follow changes of metabolite concentrations in dilute aqueous solutions. Results from common CCD-based process Raman-spectrometers reveal only barely identifiable peaks with a dominating (fluorescence) background. To solve this, Raman spectroscopy needs: (A) an enhancement to increase the limit of detection (LOD), and (B) a reliable method to distinguish the Raman signal from the sample-related auto-fluorescence.
SERS (surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy) acts as an optical "nano-antenna"-effect. It causes a dipolar localized surface Plasmon resonance effect due to noble metallic nanoparticles or roughened metal and improves the limit of detection (LOD) significantly. Another new process-monitoring technique, which removes the fluorescence background in Raman-measurements is called time-gated Raman spectroscopy. It uses a picosecond pulsed Nd:YVO4-laser as emission source (exc= 532 nm) and a gated SPAD-array (Single Photon Avalanche Detector) detector instead of commonly used CCD (Charged Coupled Device)-detectors and CW (Continues Wave) laser emission. Time-Gate can measure the Raman-signal before the stronger fluorescence signal reaches the detector.
In this study we utilized both SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) and time-gated Raman spectroscopy (TG-Raman) in combination on cell-free supernatant samples of an Escherichia coli cultivation with mineral salt media and a lactic acid bacteria fermentation with complex media. As a reference method for the estimation of amino acids and other metabolites, HPLC-RID and HPLC-FLD were used to evaluate the Raman-based detection. The quantitative evaluation of Raman data was performed by multivariate data analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR). For the first time, we can show that both qualitative and quantitative measurements are conducted successfully with both, SERS and time-gated Raman methods in industrially relevant media, so that a fast and reliable in situ or bypassed concentration measurement becomes feasible.
Flow cytometry is a widely used method in biological research and medical diagnostics. Depending on the respective application, two opposing directions of development are currently of interest. On the one hand, there is a need for analyses of growing complexity employing more and more fluorescent labels and codes. On the other hand, cost-effective methods and portable, miniaturized, and robust instruments are desired.
Commonly performed spectral multiplexing utilizing a color code suffers from several problems, such as the sensitivity of fluorescence intensity measurements to fluctuations in excitation light intensity and dye concentration and hence, photobleaching, dye leaking for certain encoding procedures, and spectral crosstalk, limiting the achievable number of detection channels. Moreover, it typically requires several costly excitation light sources. An innovative alternative can be lifetime multiplexing and the discrimination between different encoding fluorophores and carrier beads based on their fluorescence decay kinetics. In order to examine the potential of this approach, dye encoded beads (lifetime encoded surface chemistry) were prepared using several fluorophores from different dye classes and their suitability for lifetime discrimination in a flow was tested in conjunction with a custom designed flow cytometer equipped with a pulsed light source and a fast detector.
In a first step, the spectroscopic properties of micrometer-sized dye-stained PMMA beads were studied by means of steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements. For the performance of studies on the practical use of these microbeads in flow cytometry applications, a custom-built demonstrator model for a flow system was employed.
Our results demonstrated that lifetime discrimination and simultaneous readout of a ligand fluorescence signal for analyte quantification with a set of dye-stained polymer microbeads at single wavelength excitation is feasible. These studies are expected to pave the road for new applications of fluorescence lifetime multiplexing within the framework of time-domain flow cytometry and bead-based assays.
The motivation of this work is to produce thin films perovskite solar cells with constant high light conversion efficiency over time. Loss of efficiency may be caused by structural and/or chemical alterations of the complex layered system. As these changes might take place either in the bulk and/or on the surface of the stratified material, analytical tools addressing both key issues are selected and combined. SEM/EDS combined with XPS were chosen as appropriate methodical approach to characterise perovskite laboratory cells in depth and complementary on top, before and after light exposure. The layered perovskite system investigated here is based on glass covered with fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO), followed by three porous thin films of TiO2, ZrO2 and a thick monolithic carbon. The TiO2 film is subdivided into a dense layer covered by a porous one constituted of nanoparticles with a truncated bipyramidal shape. This layered system serves as the matrix for the perovskite. After infiltration of perovskite solution and annealing, EDS
spectral maps on cross-sections of the specimen have been measured. The distribution of relevant
elements – Si, Sn, Ti, Zr and C – correlates conclusively with layers visible in the acquired SEM images. Lead and iodine are distributed throughout the porous layers C, ZrO2 and TiO2. Specimens were exposed to ambient daylight for 7 weeks. In a SEM micrograph taken of the cross-section of a sample after illumination, the glass substrate and all layers FTO, TiO2, ZrO2 as well as C are clearly identified. EDS data have been acquired under the same measurement conditions as before the illumination. It was found that several weeks of ambient daylight did not change significantly the qualitative elemental composition of lead and iodine throughout the solar cell system. It was confirmed with EDS that nanoparticles identified in high-resolution SEM micrographs contain mainly Pb and I, indicating these to be the perovskite
crystals. However, a time-dependent compositional and chemical altering was observed with XPS for the near-surface region of the outermost ~10 nm after 2 months of illumination.
X-ray computed tomography (CT) model holds only for THz-TDS reconstruction if minor refraction index differences between the inhomogeneities and the surrounding material matrix exist. A Time Domain SAFT algorithm has been developed to overcome the restrictions. THz time domain measurement on representative sample sets with inherent artefacts were performed to use them for the Image reconstructions. The results will be presented and compared with optical surface images of the used test objects to evaluate the SAFT algorithm in relation to the reconstruction quality.
The influence of the support structure on residual stress and distortion in SLM Inconel 718 parts
(2017)
The effect of support structure and of removal from the base plate on the residual stress state in Selective Laser Melted IN718 parts was studied by means of synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The residual stresses in subsurface region of two elongated prisms in as-built condition and after the cutting from the base plate were determined. One sample was directly built on a base plate and another one on a support structure. Also, the distortion on the top surface due to stress release was measured by contact profilometry. High tensile residual stress values were found, with pronounced stress gradient along the hatching direction. In the sample on support stress redistribution took place after removal of the base plate, as opposed to simple stress relaxation for the sample without support. The sample on support structure showed larger distortion compared to sample without support. We conclude that the use of a support decreases stress values but stress relieving heat treatments are still needed.
The ferroelectric ceramic NBT and its solid solutions with barium titanate (BT) are examples for the most promising lead free materials to substitute the dominant Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT). Lead based material should generally be disregarded due to environmental and health reasons. However, there is no class of lead-free piezoelectric materials that can replace PZT entirely. Not only the often inferior ferroelectric properties but also the lack of understanding of the defect chemistry of NBT is still a challenge for the replacement of lead containing piezo-ceramics. Just recently it could be shown by Li et al.[1] that NBT obtains extraordinarily high oxygen ionic conductivity when doped with Mg as acceptor. It was actually expected that doping just leads to a hardening of the ferroelectric properties. However, it became clear that the known defect chemical behavior of PZT cannot be extrapolated to NBT materials. Hence, to gain information on general doping effects a better defect chemical investigation is needed. This is particularly important for the applications with high reliability demands to investigate possible degradation and fatigue mechanisms.
In the present work Time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used in order to observe the influence of different acceptor dopants (Fe, Ni, Al) on the oxygen diffusion in NBT. ToF-SIMS holds the ability to gain a full elemental distribution in a sub-micron resolution and was therefore chosen to provide the essential information on the favorable diffusion paths of oxygen in NBT in dependence of the chosen doping element. 18O was used as a tracer for oxygen as its natural abundance is only 0.2%. The doped NBT samples have been annealed for 5 h at 500°C in a 0.2 bar 18O-tracer atmosphere to be able to detect oxygen ion diffusion. ToF-SIMS investigations were conducted on a ToF-SIMS IV (ION TOF GmbH, Münster, Germany) using a Bi+ primary ion beam (25KeV in collimated burst alignment mode with a beam diameter of ~150 nm) and a Cs+ sputter beam (3KeV).
The results illustrate the different impact of dopants on the diffusion properties which is evidence for a highly non-linear dependence on dopant type and concentration.
1) Li, M., et al., Nature Materials, 2014. 13(1): p. 31-35.
The ferroelectric ceramic NBT and its solid solutions with barium titanate (BT) are examples for the most promising lead free materials to substitute the dominant Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT). Lead based material should generally be disregarded due to environmental and health reasons. However, there is no class of lead-free piezoelectric materials that can replace PZT entirely. Not only the often inferior ferroelectric properties but also the lack of understanding of the defect chemistry of NBT is still a challenge for the replacement of lead containing piezo-ceramics. Just recently it could be shown by Li et al. that NBT obtains extraordinarily high oxygen ionic conductivity when doped with Mg as acceptor. It was actually expected that doping just leads to a hardening of the ferroelectric properties. However, it became clear that the known defect chemical behavior of PZT cannot be extrapolated to NBT materials. Hence, to gain information on general doping effects a better defect chemical investigation is needed. This is particularly important for the applications with high reliability demands to investigate possible degradation and fatigue mechanisms.
In the present work Time-of-flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used in order to observe the influence of different acceptor dopants (Fe, Ni, Al) on the oxygen diffusion in NBT. ToF-SIMS holds the ability to gain a full elemental distribution in a sub-micron resolution and was therefore chosen to provide the essential information on the favorable diffusion paths of oxygen in NBT in dependence of the chosen doping element. 18O was used as a tracer for oxygen as its natural abundance is only 0.2%. The doped NBT samples have been annealed for 5 h at 500°C in a 0.2 bar 18O-tracer atmosphere to be able to detect oxygen ion diffusion. ToF-SIMS investigations were conducted on a ToF-SIMS IV (ION TOF GmbH, Münster, Germany) using a Bi+ primary ion beam (25KeV in collimated burst alignment mode with a beam diameter of ~150 nm) and a Cs+ sputter beam (3KeV).
The results illustrate the different impact of dopants on the diffusion properties which is evidence for a highly non-linear dependence on dopant type and concentration.
Temperature switches “on” and “off” nanoparticle fluorescence in a core/shell/shell architecture
(2017)
Fluorescent nanoparticles that light “on/off” by applying external stimuli are of particular interest in the fields of sensing, diagnostics, photonics, protective coatings and microfluidics. The current challenge for these materials is for instance to combine fluorescence and its response to a stimulus such as temperature in a precise manner. Here we present such a system based on a core/shell/shell architecture consisting of a silica core with a fluorescent layer and a thermoresponsive shell.
In this work the silica core nanoparticles were first coated with a fluorescent shell using surface initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The fluorescent nanoparticles were then completely engulfed by a switchable protective coating made of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The fluorescence of the nanoparticles could be “switched on” at room temperature and “switched off” with increasing environmental temperature because of the presence of the thermoresponsive layer. Insights into this phenomenon will be given based on temperature dependent fluorescence measurements and dynamic light scattering.
Thermoresponsive polymers have shown great potential in applications such as bioseparation, drug delivery and diagnostic. Only few thermoresponsive polymers that present an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), i.e. phase separate from solution upon cooling, in a relevant temperature range have been reported so far.
Herein, a robust UCST-type copolymer of acrylamide (AAm) and acrylonitrile (AN) (poly(AAm-co-AN)) was prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and its thermo-induced aggregation behavior in aqueous media was studied. We propose a model for the temperature-induced aggregation behaviour of UCST-type poly(AAm-co-AN) copolymer in aqueous solution on the basis of turbidity measurements, SLS, DLS, SANS and cryo-TEM.
Coulometric sensors were tested in humidified synthetic air at various gas temperatures. Generated frost point temperature in the gas ranged from -30 °C to -60 °C and were measured by coulometric sensors and in addition by a calibrated dew point hygrometer. The gas temperatures, which were measured by a calibrated Pt100 sensor, were set to -20 °C, 0 °C, 23 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C during the experiments. Empiric nonlinear functions were calculated between the humidity and the sensor signal. In comparison to the measured signals at 23 °C, the sensor signals were lower at the other gas temperatures. Measurements at 60 °C showed indistinct results due to a great signal noise. The response behavior of the sensors was similar at 23 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C. In contrast to that, the sensors reacted slowly at a gas temperature of -20 °C and 0 °C. In summary, with coulometric sensors it was possible to measure continuously trace humidity with an expanded uncertainty below 2 K.
A newly developed EXAFS setup is presented. It enables both time- and spatially resolved EXAFS information simul-taneously in a single shot. First tests of this setup were performed at the BAMline @ BESSY-II (Berlin, Germany). A primary broadband beam generated by a filter/X-ray-mirror combination passes through the sample and is then dif-fracted by a convexly bent Si (111) crystal. This results in a divergent beam which is collected by an area sensitive detector, in a θ-2θ-geometry. Beside tests on metal foils the first in situ measurements were successfully carried out. The case-study deals with research on Zn-based Metal-Organic-Frameworks (MOF) with medical/pharmaceutical applications. This hot topic of MOFs research concerns drug delivery and encapsulation of therapeutically relevant proteins (e.g. BSA). Questions like how does a certain protein influences the coordination of Zn can be answered with this new setup. We were able to track structural changes within a 1s time resolution.
Ternary semiconductors Quantum Dots (t-QDs) like AgInS (AIS) QDs are interesting alternatives to Cd-based QDs for applications as optical active materials in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), solar concentrators and solar cells as well as as biodiagnostic tools, respectively.
AIS QDs exhibit broad photoluminescence (PL) spectra in the visible and near infrared, which are tunable by size and chemical composition (ratio of components or doping).
In order to enhance the PL quantum yield (PL QY or Fpl) and prevent material deterioration and oxidation, these QDs are covered by ZnS shell. Here we show a spectroscopic study of differently colored AIS QDs synthesized in water, evaluating their PL properties, their PL QY and their PL decay.
The simple aqueous synthesis that avoids further ligand exchange steps for bioanalytical applications, the tunable emission color, the high PL QY, the high absorption coefficients and the long lifetime make these t-QDs promising Cd-free materials as biodiagnostic tools or optical active materials.
Fluorescent nanoparticles that “light up”/”dim down” by applying external stimuli are of particular interest in the fields of sensing, diagnostics, photonics, protective coatings and microfluidics. The current challenge for these materials is to combine for instance fluorescence and its response to a stimulus such as temperature in a precise manner. Here we present such a system based on a core/shell/shell architecture consisting of a silica core with a fluorescent layer and a thermoresponsive shell.
The silica core nanoparticles were first coated with a fluorescent shell using surface initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The fluorescent nanoparticles were then completely engulfed by a switchable protective coating made of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The fluorescence of the nanoparticles could be “switched on” at room temperature and “switched off” with increasing environmental temperature because of the presence of the thermoresponsive layer. Insights into this phenomenon will be given based on temperature dependent fluorescence measurements and dynamic light scattering.
Parameters of TiO2 coatings can greatly influence their final performance in largescale applications such as photocatalytic measurements, orthopedic and/or dental prostheses, cell cultures, and dye-sensitized solar cells. From different film deposition procedures, self-assembly of TiO2 NPs in multiple layers was selected for systematic characterization. EDX, AES and ToF-SIMS analysis have been carried out in order to evaluate the functionalization of several types of TiO2 NPs differing in size, shape and surface area.
Nanoparticles (NPs) have potential applications in medical diagnostics, imaging, drug delivery and other kinds of therapy. Furthermore, studies concerning nanoparticle uptake by cells are important for risk assessment. Size, shape and surface modification of the NPs determine the uptake rate and pathway into the cells, and therefore impact specific cell components and processes. Understanding the different uptake mechanisms and involved processes require sub-cellular resolution to determine, for example, whether the nanoparticles are reaching the nucleus. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is an established quantitative multi-elemental analysis and mapping technique. However, sub-cellular imaging has traditionally been challenging to achieve due to a lack of sensitivity at small laser spots. But now novel laser ablation systems with improved sensitivity and washout time allow imaging at high lateral resolution with spot sizes down to 1 µm.
Here LA-ICP-MS was applied for the imaging of individual fibroblast cells to study the uptake and intracellular processing of metal-containing NPs. To indicate cell morphology the local distribution of naturally occurring elements in cells like P and Zn was measured, too. Our results show that LA-ICP-MS can be used to localise nanoparticle aggregates within cellular compartments. The studied NPs accumulate in the perinuclear region in the course of intracellular processing, but do not enter the cell nucleus. The uptake efficiency depends strongly on the physico-chemical properties of the nanostructures as well as on the incubation conditions like concentration and incubation time. The potential of LA-ICP-MS for analysis at single cell level will be demonstrated.
Chemical admixtures like superplasticizers or stabilizing agents are of ever increasing importance for modern concrete technology. Although such admixtures have meanwhile become common practice in many applications of concrete technology, the understanding of these highly complex systems is still limited and the relevant parameters, which predominantly control the interaction between the superplasticizer and the cement components, have not been identified yet.
Optical methods have been successfully used for the analysis and monitoring of the interactions between a broad variety of nanoscale and molecular systems like nanoparticles of various chemical composition and different types of organic ligands or biomolecules. This encouraged us to assess the potential of these methods, and particularly reflectance and fluorescence measurements, for the study of the interactions that occur at the interface between particle or hydrate surfaces and the fluid phase at a very early stage of concrete formation. Special emphasis is dedicated to search for and identify differences between commonly used superplasticizers.
Here, we focus on hydration effects using commercial comb shape polycarboxylate ethers (PCEs) with different charge densities, which are known to allow a very low water/cement ratio (w/c of 0.20 or less) while maintaining good workability. Based upon changes of the intensity of the reflectance and fluorescence signal and spectral effects of a dye, acting as optical reporter, a model for the interactions of dye, PCE molecules and cement nanoparticles in the very first phase of cement hydration is derived
The technique of painting on the reverse side of glass was rediscovered by artists in the 20th and gained especially in Germany strong popularity. Compared to other techniques (e.g. canvas, mural paintings), the paint layers are applied in reverse succession. The paintings are viewed in reflected light, thus revealing an impressive gloss, luminosity, and depth of color. Reverse glass paintings comprise a non-porous glass substrate and multi-layered paint system, hence delamination of the paint layer is the most common disfigurement. Scientific investigation of the material provides important information for appropriate conservation concepts. Transport of the precious and fragile objects to the lab is often not feasible. Therefore, in-situ, non-invasive analysis is necessary to analyze colorants and binders. Based on modern reverse glass paintings, we clarify advantages and limitations of mobile Raman spectroscopy for the identification of colorants. We compare the use of mobile Raman spectroscopy with other methods of our mobile lab (i.e. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (DRIFTS).
In this study, series of coatings with the goal of sensitising gold SPR sensors towards CO, NH4, etc. were prepared. To better understand the mechanism behind the sensitizing effect and to enable the targeted production of optimized layers, the wide range of coatings was studied by multiple methods from spectroscopic ellipsometry for their dielectric function, by XPS for chemical composition and SEM, TEM to determine their microscopic structure. The coatings were deposited at inert Ar gas and reactive Ar/O2 gas mixture by RF magnetron sputtering or DC pulsed magnetron sputtering with settable RF bias on the substrates. The plasma processes were monitors by mass spectrometry.
The metal oxide coatings in SPR sensors have to be prepared reproducible with thickness about 5 nm therefore lower deposition rate conditions were advantages.
Additive Manufacturing provides an important enabling technology for the digital transformation of the economy. As an emerging technology it has seen a remarkable development over the last three decades. Nevertheless, it is far from a broad adoption with several barriers to overcome yet. One of the major challenges is the lack of standards. The critical role of standardization for innovation is generally recognized, still the topic too often has been neglected in strategic roadmapping exercises for emerging technologies. Too little is known about the complex dynamics and interrelations of standardization and innovation. The anticipation of standardization needs and the timely and efficient implementation of standards is challenging. This paper aims at contributing to a better understanding of the role that standards play in the multi-dimensional system of innovation. It analyzes the trajectories of innovation in Additive Manufacturing in a systematic and holistic way, focusing on standardization activities with regard to coordination, stakeholders involved, the timing and types of standards developed. Putting standardization in context of the multi-dimensional innovation system of Additive Manufacturing the research shows where standards can support the diffusion of an emerging technology.
Analysis of stable isotopes has been used as proof of provenance of mineral and biological samples, to estimate a contamination source and to determine geological processes. This kind of analysis needs high accuracy and precision for reliable conclusions. Currently, stable isotope analysis is dominated by mass spectrometric techniques that are time consuming and expensive. Here we present a fast and low cost alternative for isotope analysis of boron and magnesium: high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS). Two stable isotope systems were evaluated separately: boron (10B:11B) and magnesium (24Mg:25Mg:26Mg). Their isotope amount ratios were estimated by monitoring their absorption spectra in-situ generated monohydrides. The molecular absorption spectrum of a XH molecule (X= B or Mg) with n isotopes would be a linear combination of n isotopologue spectra and the amount of each component (isotope) could be calculated by a multivariate regression (n= 2 and 3 for B and Mg respectively). For the analysis of boron certified reference materials (CRM), the band 1→1 for the electronic transition X1Σ+ → A1Π was measured around wavelength 437.1 nm. Since boron has a memory effect in graphite furnaces, a combination of 2 % (v/v) hydrogen gas in argon, 1 % trifluoromethane in argon, an acid solution of calcium chloride and mannitol as chemical modifiers were used during the BH vaporization at 2600 °C. Partial least square regression (PLS) for analysis of samples was applied. For this, a spectral library with different isotope ratios for PLS regression was created. Magnesium does not have memory effect. Therefore, only 2 % of hydrogen in argon as gas modifier during vaporization at 2500 °C was employed for analysis of magnesium CRM. Absorption spectra of MgH for the X2Σ→A2Π electronic transition (band 0→0) were recorded around wavelength 513.45 nm. A similar PLS procedure to the BH was applied. Results for B and Mg CRM are metrologically compatible with those reported by mass spectrometric methods. An accuracy of 0.08 ‰ for B and 0.1 ‰ Mg was obtained as the average deviation from the isotope CRM. Expanded uncertainties with a coverage factor of k = 2 range between 0.10 - 0.40 ‰.
Polycrystalline Ni materials with grain sizes less than 100 nm (nano crystalline NC) and with grain sizes in the micrometer range (micro crystalline MC) in form of thin films have become important in many technologies due to their improved physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Usual the mechanical properties of such coatings are described by a Hardness value and a Young´s modulus measured by Instrumented Indentation Testing (IIT).The behavior of such coatings during indentation test is influenced by different size effects having their representative length scale – grain size, coating thickness, length that characterizes the depth dependence of the hardness (Indentation Size Effect ISE). To estimate realistic values for the intrinsic coating Hardness and Young´s modulus all size effects have to be considered.
For this work thin nano crystalline Ni – coatings (average grain size 30 nm) with thickness from 1 μm to 5 μm were electrodeposited on brass substrates. Indentation tests in the continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) mode were provided on as prepared Ni – coatings using a G200 Nanoindentation system (Fa. Keysight). For estimation of the intrinsic hardness of the coatings from composite hardness values calculated from the measured force –displacement curve using the Oliver & Pharr method, the model described by Z.S. Ma [1] was used.
It was found that the experimental data can be well described by the model. The fitted values for the intrinsic hardness and the fitting parameters will be given. The different values of intrinsic hardness and of length characterizing depth dependence of the hardness for different coating thickness are discussed as results of changes in the coating structure because of changes in deposition parameters.
[1] Z.S. Ma, Y.C. Zhou, S.G. Long, C. Lu: On the intrinsic hardness of a metallic film/substrate system: Indentation size and substrate effects. International Journal of Plasticity 34 (2012) 1-11.
This work is supported by European Metrology Program for Innovation and Research (EMPIR)
(JRP 14IND03 Strength – ABLE)
Mycotoxins can be found worldwide in food and feed and cause a variety of mold-related health risks which makes it necessary to further examine their metabolic fate in human and other mammals. Beside standard in vitro assays with liver cell preparations an increasing interest in new simulation methods are playing a growing role. The online coupling of electrochemistry with mass spectrometry (EC/MS) is one of these novel techniques, successfully applied in pharmacological and drug research for several years now. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the capability of EC/MS to elucidate metabolic pathways of the mycotoxin citrinin as relevant food contaminant. For this purpose, a coulometric flow through cell equipped with a glassy carbon working electrode was used by applying a ramped potential between 0 and 2 V vs Pd/H2. The electrochemically generated oxidation products analyzed by EC/MS were compared to those obtained from in vitro assays. To receive a comprehensive assessment of EC/MS other non-microsomal oxidation techniques such as Fenton-like reaction and UV irradiation were applied. Several hydroxylated derivatives of citrinin were generated by EC/MS and Fenton-like reaction which are similar to microsomal biotransformation products. These data show that EC/MS is a versatile tool that can be easily applied in mycotoxin research to support metabolic investigations of known and unknown mycotoxins.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a well-implemented analytical technique for the investigation of complex biological samples. In MS, the sample preparation strategy is decisive for the success of the measurements. Here, sample preparation processes and target materials for the investigation of different pollen grains are compared. A reduced and optimized sample preparation process prior to MALDI-TOF measurement is presented using conductive carbon tape as target. The application of conductive tape yields in enhanced absolute signal intensities and mass spectral pattern information, which leads to a clear separation in subsequent pattern analysis
Simple calibration concept of an online NMR module demonstrated in a modularised production plant
(2017)
Monitoring specific information (such as physico-chemical properties, chemical re-actions, etc.) is the key to chemical process control. Within the CONSENS Project, the challenge to adapt a commercially available benchtop NMR spectrometer to the full requirements of an automated chemical production environment was tack-led. The developed online NMR module was provided in an explosion proof housing and involves a compact 43.5 MHz NMR spectrometer together with an acquisition unit, a programmable logic controller for automated triggering, flow con-trol, as well as data communication.
First results of an aromatic coupling reaction in lab scale showed a general feasibil-ity according to the signal information in the acquired NMR spectra even though with a considerable overlap. Due to the comparatively low field strength of the NMR spectrometer multivariate methods had to be considered for the prediction of con-centration profiles based on spectral data. Typically, for industrial application of those methods, e.g. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS-R) as well as Indirect Hard Modeling, large amount of calibration data is demanded, which must be ac-quired in time consuming lab-scale experiments and offline analytics. When it comes to changes in raw materials (e.g., varying functional groups, additional stabi-lizing agents) calibration experiments and data evaluation models are developed again. Here we present an approach of automated data analysis tools for low field NMR spectra with minimal calibration effort. The algorithms are based on Indirect Hard Modeling, whereby each component in each mixture spectra can be rep-resented by several flexible peak functions (pure component models). This means, that only pure component NMR spectra are needed to generate a first evaluation model. The flexibility of peak functions in the spectral model can be adjusted via constraints of peak parameters. The area of any pure component model can either be converted to concentrations based on a one-point calibration on raw material concentration or even neat solvent signals. In several cases it has been shown, the IHM works almost independently of the matrix of the real samples. Such a calibration can be repeated daily in the beginning of each process run with minimal time effort. Moreover, additional pure components can be added to the model or even substitut-ed while keeping the previously adjusted peak function constraints. The proposed method exhibited good agreement of resulting concentration data from low field NMR spectra, when compared to an online high field NMR spectrometer as refer-ence instrument.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) ? This is a question, nowadays discussed in EM labs of research and industry involved in the characterization and metrology of nanoparticles. The Scanning principle is adapted to TEM, the Transmission mode is adapted to Ultra High Resolution SEM. Can modern SEM replace TEM, reach atomic resolution even without Cs corrector or nm lateral resolution for energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)?
Due to the development of a New Cold Field Emission (NCFE) electron source Hitachi SEMs SU9000 and SU8200 can deliver routinely sub-nm image resolution and EDX mappings at very high count rates and a lateral EDX resolution of a few nm. A TiO2 sample provided by BAM was analysed at 30kV using low kV STEM – simultaneously with the Through-the-lens (TTL) SE detector, the Bright Field transmitted and Dark Field transmitted signals. By this method a pixel precise information of the particles surface using SE, its chemical nature using DF-STEM and its crystalline structure using Bright Field signal is given in one 40sec scan. The advantage of this observation mode compared to Ultra Low Voltage imaging is outlined.
Several restoration projects of stained-glass windows have been performed in Poland since 2010.Chemical analysis of glass samples was performed with SEM/EDX on a FEI ESEM-XL 30, (EDX-EDAX) and with Micro-XRF (M4 Tornado, Bruker).The chemical composition of medieval glass samples and of glass samples of the 19th Century have been determined.
Today, 40 % of the world’s population live in areas with a significant risk of dengue infection. Early and reliable diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) is essential to provide the patients with the required medical care and prevent spreading of the disease. Conventional methods for DENV diagnosis like PCR and virus isolation can be used in laboratory settings, yet are difficult to implement in point-of-care diagnostics, requiring simple, selective, fast, and sensitive detection schemes. We present here a novel approach for the detection of DENV, via its RNA, with optical read-out that relies on RNA-catalyzed fluorophore transfer onto a semiconductor quantum dot (QD) and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET).
For this RNA assay, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers were used as highly specific capture and reporter probes. PNA exhibits remarkable affinity towards RNA as well as extremely high chemical and enzymatic stability. The capture probe, which is immobilized on a QD acting as FRET donor, bears a nucleophile at the N-terminus and the reporter probe is modified with an organic dye acting as FRET acceptor. The presence of DENV genomic RNA in the sample triggers a transfer of the dye onto the QD, signaled by FRET between the QD and the dye. A unique advantage of this system is the ability of one RNA molecule to trigger multiple transfer reactions, thereby amplifying the fluorescence signal. This assay together with the exceptional brightness of QDs and outstanding hybridization properties of PNA allows for highly specific and sensitive detection of DENV RNA in the sub-nM range.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is an important part of buildings surveillance and maintenance to detect material failure as early as possible and to contribute in protection of structures and their users.
The implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensor systems without cable connection and battery into building components offers innovative possibilities to enable long-term in-situ SHM of addressed structures, bridges. The objectives of the presented study are complete embedding of RFID sensors systems in concrete, full passive communication with the systems, at best for the whole life span of structures. One challenge for this task is the highly alkaline environment in concrete, which requires non-degrading and robust encapsulation. Further Requirements are passive communication and energy supply, appropriate antenna design, placement and fixation in concrete, and the selection and implementation of sensors and connections. The concept is to develop and optimize a simple and robust system, which meets the requirements, as well as comprehensive validation in concrete specimen and real world applications. Two different systems were developed (HF and UHF RFID, respectively).
First tasks were the implementation of analog sensors using the superposition principle for the signal adaption. Investigation of suitable materials for robust encapsulation and sensor protection against basic environments.
Four materials were investigated in pH 13 solution for 14 days
- 3D-Printer-Polymer was completely resolved
- PVC has no noticeable decrease in weight
- (VitaPro) glass filter for the sensor protector, has weight loss 2.7 %
- The epoxy resin has increased by 1.8 % due to moisture expansion
Different concrete samples were prepared for the validation of the systems.
RFID sensors were embedded in different integration depths. Investigate the energy- and data transfer through concrete, also with varying moisture content. Additionally, signal strength data was used to optimize and validate the antenna characteristics in concrete. Next steps are to guarantee a sufficient energy supply for UHF RFID systems embedded in different concrete mixtures and further embedding the HF and UHF RFID systems in real bridges and buildings to validate the long term monitoring.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are ubiquitous in the indoor air, since they emit from materials used indoors. Investigations of these materials are mostly carried out in test chambers under controlled climatic conditions. Quality control of these test chamber measurements is important but there is a lack of commercially available homogenous reference materials as required for round robin tests or quality assurance of laboratories. The approach of the present study is the impregnation of a supporting material with VOC, which are reproducibly released in measurable chamber air concentrations under standardised test conditions. A polymer made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) was chosen as carrier material. It was impregnated with the VOC trimethyl pentanediol isobutyrat (texanol).
Nature has created molecular machines which can perform a variety of different tasks. They exhibit defined operational pathways and order, resulting in directed macroscopic effects. Within the last decades researchers have been developing numerous artificial molecular machines which are so far mostly operating in solution. However, this represents a major obstacle for the generation of a macroscopic output, due to the random orientation of molecules in solution. As a general approach to this problem, interfaces have been used to generate ordered arrays of functional molecules.
Recently, we developed a new class of redox-switchable crown ether/ammonium-based [2]- and [3]rotaxanes which incorporate redox-active tetrathiafulvalene and naphthalene diimide units in their wheels resulting in emergent optoelectronic properties. Electrochemical stimuli influence the interactions between the two macrocycles of [3]rotaxanes and induce conformational changes.
In a proof-of-principle study [2]pseudorotaxanes were deposited on gold surfaces by “click”-reaction to azide-terminated self-assembled monolayers to generate ordered arrays of redox-active rotaxanes on-surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the successful deposition of a rotaxane monolayer, though angle-resolved near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) exhibits poor order of the rotaxanes.
Following, new terpyridine-stoppered rotaxanes will be synthesised opening a pathway for the deposition of [2]- and [3]rotaxanes in a layer-by-layer metal-mediated self-assembly procedure. This approach would allow for a programmed sequence of different rotaxanes in multilayers. Electrochemical on-surface switching will be investigated by angle-resolved NEXAFS spectroscopy, XPS, cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy.
A more detailed understanding of the electron-transfer between the surface and the different rotaxane layers as well as of the on-surface switching could give rise to potential applications like optoelectric data-storage devices or potential-driven molecular motors.
Variations in the isotope amount composition of some elements like lithium, boron, magnesium, calcium, copper and strontium have been used as proof of provenance of a sample and to describe geological processes. Routinely, isotope compositions are determinate by mass spectrometry; the working horse of the isotope analysis. However, mass spectrometric methods are expensive, time consuming and they require a high qualified analysist.
Here an alternative faster and low cost optical method for isotope ratio determination is proposed: high-resolution continuum source molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-MAS). Stable isotope amount composition of X= Li, B, Mg, Ca, Cu and Sr have been determined by monitoring the absorption spectrum of their monohydride (XH) in graphite furnace HR-CS-MAS. For example, for the three Mg isotopes (24Mg, 25Mg and 26Mg) band (0→0) for the electronic transition X1Σ+ → A1Π was evaluated around wavelength 513.4 nm (Fig. 1). Partial least square regression (PLS) for analysis of samples and reference materials were applied. For this, a spectral library with different isotopes ratios for PLS regression were built. Results are metrological compatible with those reported by mass spectrometric methods.
For reaction monitoring using NMR instruments, in particular, after acquisition of the FID the data needs to be corrected in real-time for common effects using automated methods. When it comes to NMR data evaluation under industrial process conditions, the shape of signals can change drastically due to nonlinear effects. However, the structural and quantitative information is still present but needs to be extracted by applying predictive models. Acquired raw spectra were processed with the following tools:
· Phase correction using the Entropy minimization method
· Baseline correction using a low-order Polynomial fit
· Alignment (icoshift) Pure component models based on Pseudo-Voigt functions can be derived via peak fitting of measured pure components or by the use of spin calculations.
For reaction monitoring and process control using NMR instruments, in particular, after acquisition of the FID the data needs to be corrected in real-time for common effects using fast interfaces and automated methods. When it comes to NMR data evaluation under industrial process conditions, the shape of signals can change drastically due to nonlinear effects. Additionally, the multiplet structure becomes more dominant because of the comparably low-field strengths which results in overlapping of multiple signals. However, the structural and quantitative information is still present but needs to be extracted by applying predictive models.
We present a range of approaches for the automated spectra analysis moving from statistical approach, (i.e., Partial Least Squares Regression) to physically motivated spectral models (i.e., Indirect Hard Modeling). By using the benefits of traditional qNMR experiments data analysis models can meet the demands of the PAT community (Process Analytical Technology) regarding low calibration effort/calibration free methods, fast adaptions for new reactants, or derivatives and robust automation schemes.
Obtaining high quality upconverting nanocrystals with only little crystal defects and hence, a high luminescence, affords a reliable synthesis route. Only this guarantees the reproducibility of the material and its spectroscopic properties required for future application. The fluorolytic sol-gel synthesis appears to be a convenient attempt, as this is a method with only few steps influencing the material properties, which can be well controlled.
Also creating bright upconverting nanocrystals requires a profound understanding of the interplay of photophysical processes like multiphoton absorption, radiative and non-radiative pathways, and energy transfer in the material.
Based on steady-state and time resolved luminescence measurements at different excitation power densities, the influence of the lanthanide doping ratio and synthesis parameters such as the annealing process on SrF2-nanocrystals obtained via the fluorolytic sol-gel synthesis was systematically studied.
Anemophilous plants produce pollen grains, which have to be monitored to provide a national information network for persons suffering from an allergy. The current conventional characterization and identification of pollen is performed by time-consuming microscopic examinations based on the genus-specific pollen shape and size. These examinations need proficient researchers, are not statistically validated, and additionally rely on relatively inaccurate observations of the pollination process.
A variety of spectroscopic and spectrometric approaches have been proposed to develop a fast and reliable pollen identification using specific molecular information. Amongst them, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was recently applied for the rapid investigation of such complex biological samples. The combination of obtained peak patterns from pollen mass spectra and multivariate statistic provide a powerful tool for identifying taxonomic relationships. A novel application based on the use of conductive carbon tape as MALDI target simplified the sample preparation and yielded enhanced the quality of the mass spectra. This led to a sufficient statistical analysis of the MS pattern, which is important when identify pollen grains in natural species mixtures.
Based on this approach, promising results could be obtained by MALDI-TOF MS imaging (MSI) of artificial pollen mixtures followed by multivariate analysis. Of special interest is here the determination of the detection limit (number of pollen grains). Therefore, different pollen grain compositions were investigated for quantitative profiling of each individual pollen species within these complex mixtures. Our results can be used to improve the taxonomic differentiation and identification of pollen species and might be useful for the development of a routine method to identify pollen based on imaging mass spectrometry.
The field of gas metrology is dealing with the development and improvement of gas analytical methods, as well as production of highly accurate primary reference standards. These are prepared at national metrological institutes (NMI) and represent the highest national level of traceability. Used for certification of secondary standards provided by specialty gas distributors these are very important for a high number of industrial sectors, which have to proof traceability due to legal or regulatory affairs, e.g., natural gas suppliers. Thus, improvements in the production and certification of these mixtures will have a direct influence on gas industry.
Due to its direct correlation to the number of spins within active sample volume quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) is a highly promising method with absolute comparison abilities in complex systems. Especially for liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) it has the ability of studying the unmodified sample at same conditions like in the cylinder. In contrast to gas chromatography no preparation steps and no changes like evaporation of the sample are necessary.
In this work we show the most recent results of our investigations on highly accurate LPG mixtures provided in constant-pressure piston cylinders. A dynamic pressure-resistant setup allows for sampling and circulation of the samples to ensure a homogeneous withdrawal from the cylinder. This is presented on examples of a commercial multicomponent LPG mixture obtained from specialty gas distributor, as well as two cylinders from the key comparison CCQM-K119 at highest level of international metrology.
SrF2 nanoparticles can be doped with trivalent earth metal ions such as Eu3+ and Tb3+ to generate materials exhibiting an intensive red or green fluorescence. A CaF2 shell increases intensity, fluorescence lifetie and quantum yield. The chemical composition of the nanoparticle core-shell region is investigated by XPS at different excitation energies corresponding to different information depths.
Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) are of increasing importance for a wide range of applications in the material and life sciences. This includes their use as carriers for dye molecules and drugs, multichromophoric reporters for signal enhancement strategies in optical assays, targeted probes in bioimaging studies, and nanosensors.[1] Application-relevant properties of such NPs include their size, morphology, colloidal stability, and ease of surface functionalization with e.g., sensor molecules and targeting ligands. Many of these features as well as the interaction of NPs with their microenvironment are closely linked to the knowledge of the chemical nature and total number of surface groups as well as the number of surface functionalities accessible for subsequent coupling reactions of differently sized ligands, biomolecules or reporter molecules. This underlines the importance of simple, robust, reliable, and validated methods, which can be employed for the characterization of a broad variety of particle systems independent of their optical properties, i.e., scattering or the presence of encoding dyes.[2]
In this respect, we assessed a variety of conventional and newly developed colorimetric or fluorometric labels for the optical surface group analysis, utilizing e.g., changes in intensity and/or color for signal generation.[3] Moreover, novel cleavable and multimodal reporters were developed which consist of a reactive group, a cleavable linker, and an optically active moiety, chosen to contain also heteroatoms for straightforward method validation by elemental analysis, ICP-OES, ICP-MS or NMR. In contrast to conventional labels measured bound at the particle surface, which can favor signal distortions by scattering and encoding dyes, cleavable reporters can be detected colorimetrically or fluorometrically both attached at the particle surface and after quantitative cleavage of the linker in the transparent supernatant after particle removal e.g., by centrifugation. Here, we present first results obtained for the optical quantification of carboxylic and amino groups on a series of self-made NPs with different types of labels and compare their potential and drawbacks for surface group analysis.
Process monitoring of an intensified continuous production unit with compact NMR spectroscopy
(2017)
Monitoring chemical reactions is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly optical online methods are applied. NMR spectroscopy has a high potential for direct loop process control. Compact NMR instruments based on permanent magnets are robust and inexpensive analysers, which feature advantages like low maintenance, ease of use, and cryogen-free operation. Instruments for online NMR measurements equipped with a flow-through cell, possessing a good signal-to-noise-ratio, robustness, and meeting the requirements for integration into industrial plants (i.e., explosion safety and fully automated data analysis) are currently not available off the rack.
Intensified continuous processes are in focus of current research. Flexible (modular) chemical plants can produce different products using the same equipment with short down-times between campaigns and quick introduction of new products to the market. In continuous flow processes online sensor data and tight closed-loop control of the product quality are mandatory. Otherwise there is a huge risk of producing large amounts of out-of-spec (OOS) products. This is addressed in the European Union’s Research Project CONSENS by development and integration of smart sensor modules for process monitoring and control within such modular plant setups.
The presented NMR module is provided in an explosion proof housing with a module size of 57 x 57 x 85 cm and involves a compact 43.5 MHz NMR spectrometer together with an acquisition unit and a programmable logic controller for automated data preparation (phasing, baseline correction) and evaluation. Indirect Hard Modeling (IHM) was selected for data analysis of the low-field NMR spectra. A set-up for monitoring continuous reactions in a thermostated 1/8” tubular reactor using automated syringe pumps was used to validate the IHM models by using high-field NMR spectroscopy as analytical reference method.
Process monitoring of an intensified continuous
production unit with compact NMR spectroscopy
(2017)
Monitoring chemical reactions is the key to chemical process control. Today, mainly optical online methods are applied. NMR spectroscopy has a high potential for direct loop process control. Compact NMR instruments based on permanent magnets are robust and inexpensive analysers, which feature advantages like low maintenance, ease of use, and cryogen-free operation. Instruments for online NMR measurements equipped with a flow-through cell, possessing a good signal-to-noise-ratio, robustness, and meeting the requirements for integration into industrial plants (i.e., explosion safety and fully automated data analysis) are currently not available off the rack.
Intensified continuous processes are in focus of current research. Flexible (modular) chemical plants can produce different products using the same equipment with short down-times between campaigns and quick introduction of new products to the market. In continuous flow processes online sensor data and tight closed-loop control of the product quality are mandatory. Otherwise there is a huge risk of producing large amounts of out-of-spec (OOS) products. This is addressed in the European Union’s Research Project CONSENS by development and integration of smart sensor modules for process monitoring and control within such modular plant setups.
The presented NMR module is provided in an explosion proof housing with a module size of 57 x 57 x 85 cm and involves a compact 43.5 MHz NMR spectrometer together with an acquisition unit and a programmable logic controller for automated data preparation (phasing, baseline correction) and evaluation. Indirect Hard Modeling (IHM) was selected for data analysis of the low-field NMR spectra. A set-up for monitoring continuous reactions in a thermostated 1/8” tubular reactor using automated syringe pumps was used to validate the IHM models by using high-field NMR spectroscopy as analytical reference method.