sulfur compounds.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction to titration…………………………………………………………………… 2
1.1.1 Different methods of titrimetric analysis…………………………………. 2
1.1.1.1 Volumetric titration………………………………………………………….. 2
1.1.1.2 Gravimetric titration…………………………………………………………. 3
1.1.1.3 Coulometric titration………………………………………………………… 3
1.1.2 Dilution error…………………………………………………………………………… 3
1.1.3 Types of titrations……………………………………………………………………. 4
1.1.4 Endpoint and equivalence point………………………………………………. 5
1.1.5 Measuring the endpoint of a titration………………………………………. 6
1.1.6 Back titration…………………………………………………………………………… 7
1.2 Introduction to Carbon Nanotubes (CNT)………………………………………. 7
1.2.1 Synthesis of CNTs……………………………………………………………………. 8
1.2.2 Properties of CNTs…………………………………………………………………… 9
1.2.2.1 Strength of CNTs……………………………………………………………… 9
1.2.2.2 Hardness of CNTs……………………………………………………………. 9
1.2.2.3 Kinetic properties of CNTs………………………………………………. 9
1.2.2.4 Electrical properties of CNTs………………………………………….. 10
1.2.2.5 Optical properties of CNTs……………………………………………… 10
1.2.2.6 Electromagnetic Wave absorption of CNTs…………………….. 10
1.2.2.7 Thermal properties of CNTs……………………………………………. 10
1.2.3 Defects of CNTs……………………………………………………………………… 10
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1.2.4 Toxicity of CNTs…………………………………………………………………….. 11
1.2.5 Introduction to functionalize CNTs………………………………………… 11
1.3 Luminescence……………………………………………………………………………….. 13
1.3.1 General principles………………………………………………………………….. 14
1.3.2 Main CL systems for analytical purposes………………………………. 17
1.3.2.1 Gas-phase CL reactions…………………………………………………… 17
1.3.2.2 Liquid-phase CL reactions………………………………………………. 19
1.3.2.2.1 Acyl hydrazides……………………………………………………….. 19
1.3.3 Applications……………………………………………………………………………. 19
1.4 Molecular emission cavity analysis……………………………………………….. 20
1.4.1 Principles and applications…………………………………………………….. 20
1.4.1.1 Hydrogen diffusion flame……………………………………………….. 20
1.4.1.2 Cavity……………………………………………………………………………… 22
1.4.2 Conventional MECA………………………………………………………………. 22
1.4.3 Gas generation MECA detection…………………………………………….. 23
1.5 The importance of measuring Sulfite, sulfide, thiocyanate,
thiosulfate and sulfate……………………………………………………………………….. 24
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Solid based titrametry as a straightforward method for
speciation of hydroxyl and carboxylic groups in activated
carbon nanostructures………………………………………………………………………… 27
2.2 Design of a new flame-containing molecular emission
cavity for speciation of S2-, SO32-, SO42-, SCN– and S2O32-
in wastewater………………………………………………………………………………………. 30
2.3 Objective of this work…………………………………………………………………… 39
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CHAPTER THREE: EXPERIMENTAL
3.1 Solid based titrametry as a straightforward method for speciation
of hydroxyl and carboxylic groups in activated carbon nanostructures 41
3.1.1 Materials……………………………………………………………………………….. 41
3.1.2 Instrumentation …………………………………………………………………….. 41
3.1.3 General procedure…………………………………………………………………. 42
3.2 Design of a new flame-containing molecular emission cavity
for speciation of S2-, SO32-, SO42-, SCN– and S2O32- in wastewater ……… 43
3.2.1 Reagents and Solutions………………………………………………………….. 43
3.2.2 Apparatus………………………………………………………………………………. 44
3.2.2.1 Molecular emission cavity analysis instrumentation……….. 44
3.2.3 Procedure for sulfur speciation ……………………………………………… 46
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Solid based titrametry as a straightforward method for speciation
of hydroxyl and carboxylic groups in nanocarbons …………………………… 50
4.1.1 Solid based titrametry…………………………………………………………….. 53
4.1.2 Proposed Mechanism……………………………………………………………… 58
4.1.3 Speciation of -COOH and -OH in carbon nanostructures……….. 60
4.1.4. Modeling………………………………………………………………………………… 6
4.1.5 Conclusions……………………………………………………………………………. 61
4.2 Design of a new flame-containing molecular emission cavity
for speciation of S2-, SO32-, SO42-, SCN– and S2O32- in wastewater……….. 62
4.2.1 Selective determination of SO32-……………………………………………. 62
4.2.2 Selective determination of S2O32……………………………………………. 65
4.2.3 Simultaneous determination of S2-, SO42- and SCN– ………………. 69
4.2.3.1 Catalytic role of H+ during sulfur determination…………….. 74
4.2.3.2 Selective determination of SO42- ……………………………………. 76
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4.2.3.3 Selective determination of SCN–…………………………………….. 78
4.2.3.4 Determination of S2-……………………………………………………….. 80
4.2.4 Analytical figures of merit…………………………………………………….. 80
4.2.5 Interference …………………………………………………………………………… 82
4.2.6 Real sample analysis……………………………………………………………… 85
4.2.7 Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………… 85
References………………………………………………………………………………………………. 86
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Table 4.1 Comparison between the proposed method and
back titration Method………………………………………………………………………………. 60
Table 4.2. Figures of merit for sulfur speciation in the MECA system…….. 81
Table 4.3 Effect of foreign ions on sulfur speciation………………………………. 84
Table 4.4 Determination of sulfur species in a wastewater sample………….. 85
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE PAGE
Figure 1.1 Conventional MECA cavity introduction into flame
by manual rotation…………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Figure 1.2 Schematic of a gas generation MECA system f
or the determination of ammonium by generation of ammonia……………….. 24
Figure 3.1 Instrumentation system of solid based titrametry…………………. 42
Figure 3.2 Schematic of A) the stainless steel cavity, and B) the
assembly for MECA-VAP ………………………………………………………………………. 45
Figure 3.3 Schematic representing the procedure related to
the sulfur speciation ……………………………………………………………………………….. 48
Figure 4.1 TEM images of MWCNTs treated with A) strong acid and
-
B) ozone…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 51
Figure 4.2 Raman spectra of MWCNTs treated with A) ozone and
-
B) acid……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 51
Figure 4.3 FT-IR spectra of MWCNTs treated with
-
A) O3, and HNO3/H2SO4 for B) ~9 h and C) 24 h……………………………………… 52
Figure 4.4 Titration curves of KHP with 3.0 mL of 0.05 mol L-1
NaOH solution…………………………………………………………………………………………. 54
Figure 4.5 Titration curves showing the effect of different concentrations
of NaOH solution…………………………………………………………………………………….. 55
Figure 4.6 Titration curves representing the effect of different kinds
of inert electrolytes mixed with MWCNTs titrated with 0.05 mol L-1
NaOH ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 56
FIGURE PAGE
Figure 4.7 Titration curves revealing the effect of the different ratios
of MWCNT/ NaCl, titrated with 0.05 mol L-1 NaOH………………………………… 57
Figure 4.8 Titration curves related to the interaction
between MWCNTs/NaCl with a ratio equal to 1:8 (w/w) with water
as blank solution and B) suspension of CNT-COO–/CNT-O–……………………. 59
Figure 4.9 Titration curve of ozonized MWCNTs with 0.50 mL
of 0.05M NaOH solution…………………………………………………………………………. 60
Figure 4.10 Theoretical titration curve evaluated for titration
of activated MWCNTs with 0.05M NaOH ………………………………………………. 61
Figure 4.11 UV-Vis. Spectra of solution generated using a known
amount of sulfur powder and MECA-generated sulfur into THF/ethanol… 64
Figure 4.12 Histogram showing the effect of Cu(II) 100 µg mL-1
as a masking agent for selective separation of 1.0 µg mL-1 sulfide
from sulfite and sulfate …………………………………………………………………………… 65
Figure 4.13 Effect of pH values on the CL intensity of 60.0 µg mL-1
S2O32-, Experimental conditions: temperature of ~45oC,
Al(III) concentration of 5.0×10-4, H2 and air flow rates equal to at 220
and 350 mL min-1, respectively……………………………………………………………….. 67
Figure 4.14 Effect of reaction temperature on CL intensity
of 60.0 µg mL-1S2O32-, Experimental conditions: pH 8.0,
Al(III) concentration of 5.0×10-4, H2 and air flow rates equal to
at 220 and 350 mL min-1, respectively……………………………………………………. 67
Figure 4.15 Histogram showing the effect of different concentrations
of Al(III) on CL intensity of 60.0 µg mL-1 S2O32-, Experimental
conditions: pH 8.0, temperature of ~45oC, H2 and air flow rates equal
to at 220 and 350 mL min-1, respectively………………………………………………… 68
FIGURE PAGE
Figure 4.16 Calibration carve of CL intensity versus S2O32-
concentration in the range of 20 µg mL-1 to 100 µg mL-1,
Experimental conditions: pH 8.0, temperature of ~45oC,
Al(III) concentration of 5.0×10-4, H2 and air flow rates equal to
at 220 and 350 mL min-1, respectively…………………………………………………….. 68
Figure 4.17 Calibration carve of CL intensity versus total of S2-,
SO32-, SO42-, S2O32-, and SCN–concentration in the range
of 0.0 µg mL-1 to 2.0 µg mL-1, Experimental conditions: 0.5 mol L-1
HClO4, temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon flow rates equal to
at 440, 710 mL min-1 and 55 mL……………………………………………………………… 70
min-1 respectivelyFigure 4.18 Histogram showing the effect of pH
on the CL intensity of 1.0 µg mL-1sulfur component,
Experimental conditions: temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon
flow rates equal to at 440, 710 mL min-1 and 55 mL min-1 respectively…… 71
Figure 4.19 Comparison between the CL intensity of 1.0 µg mL-1of
Sulfur component at pH 7.0, Experimental conditions: temperature
of ~25oC, H2, air and argon flow rates equal to at 440, 710 mL min-1
and 55 mL min-1 respectively………………………………………………………………….. 71
Figure 4.20 Comparison between the CL intensity of 1.0 µg mL-1 of
sulfur component in acidic pH, Experimental conditions:
0.50 mol L-1 HClO4, temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon
flow rates equal to at 440, 710 mL min-1 and 55 mL min-1 respectively…… 72
Figure 4.21 Diagram representing the effects of, hydrogen flow rate
on the CL intensity of 1.0 µg mL-1 of each sulfide, sulfate and
thiocyanate, Experimental conditions: 0.50 mol L-1 HClO4,
temperature of ~25oC ……………………………………………………………………………… 73
FIGURE PAGE
Figure 4.22 Diagram representing the effects of air flow rate
on the CL intensity of 1.0 µg mL-1 of each sulfide, sulfate and
thiocyanate, Experimental conditions: 0.50 mol L-1 HClO4,
temperature of ~25oC……………………………………………………………………………… 73
Figure 4.23 Diagram representing the effects of argon flow rate
on the CL intensity of 1.0 µg mL-1 of each sulfide, sulfate and
thiocyanate, Experimental conditions: 0.5 mol L-1 HClO4,
temperature of ~25oC ……………………………………………………………………………… 74
Figure 4.24 Histogram showing the effect of different liquid media
0.50 mol L-1 such as HNO3, HCl, H3PO4, and HClO4 for CL intensity
of 1.0 µg mL-1 sulfite, sulfide and sulfate, Experimental
conditions: temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon flow rates
equal to at 440, 710 mL min-1 and 55 mL min-1 respectively……………………. 75
Figure 4.25 Effect of different concentrations of HClO4 on CL
intensity of µg mL-1 thiocyanate, sulfide and sulfate, Experimental
conditions: temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon flow rates
equal to at 440, 710 mL min-1 and 55 mL min-1 respectively…………………… 76
Figure 4.26 Effect of different concentrations of Ag(I) on CL
intensity of 1µg mL-1 SO32-, S2- and SCN–, Experimental conditions:
0.5 mol L-1 HClO4, temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon
flow rates equal to at 440, 710 mL min-1 and 55 mL min-1 respectively…… 77
Figure 4.27 Calibration curve of CL intensity versus SO42-
concentration in the range of 20.0 ng mL-1 to 90.0 µg mL-1,
Experimental conditions: 0.5 mol L-1 HClO4, temperature of ~25oC,
10.×10-5 mol L-1 Ag+, H2, air and argon flow rates equal to at 440,
710 mL min-1 and 55.0 mL min-1 respectively………………………………………….. 78
FIGURE PAGE
Figure 4.28 Histogram showing effect of I3– on CL intensity o
f 10.0 µg mL-1 SCN–, Experimental conditions: 0.50 mol L-1
HClO4, temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon flow rates equal
to at 440, 710 mL min-1 and 55 mL min-1 respectively……………………………. 79
Figure 4.29 Effect of different concentrations of I3– on CL intensity
of 10.0 µg mL-1 SCN–, Experimental conditions: 0.50 mol L-1 HClO4,
temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon flow rates equal to at 440,
710 mL min-1 and 55.0 mL min-1 respectively…………………………………………. 79
Figure 4.30 Calibration curve of CL intensity versus SCN–
concentration in the range of 0.0 µg mL-1 to 30.0 µg mL-1,
Experimental conditions: 0.50 mol L-1 HClO4, 5.0×10-4 mol L-1
I3– temperature of ~25oC, H2, air and argon flow rates equal to at 440,
710 mL min-1 and 55 mL min-1 respectively……………………………………………. 80
Figure 4.31 CCD images related to the introduction of various
sulfur species to the MECA system including A) thiocyanate,
-
B) sulfite, C) sulfide, and D) sulfate ……………………………………………………….. 81