61. Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type AnalysisMaryline Pflieger, Petra Makorič, Manca Kovač Viršek, Špela Koren, 2017, review article Abstract: Plastic resin pellets, categorized as microplastics (≤5 mm in diameter), are small granules that can be unintentionally released to the
environment during manufacturing and transport. Because of their environmental persistence, they are widely distributed in the oceans and
on beaches all over the world. They can act as a vector of potentially toxic organic compounds (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls) and might
consequently negatively affect marine organisms. Their possible impacts along the food chain are not yet well understood. In order to assess the
hazards associated with the occurrence of plastic pellets in the marine environment, it is necessary to develop methodologies that allow for rapid
determination of associated organic contaminant levels. The present protocol describes the different steps required for sampling resin pellets,
analyzing adsorbed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and identifying the plastic type. The focus is on the extraction of OCPs from plastic pellets
by means of a pressurized fluid extractor (PFE) and on the polymer chemical analysis applying Fourier Transform-InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
The developed methodology focuses on 11 OCPs and related compounds, including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its two main
metabolites, lindane and two production isomers, as well as the two biologically active isomers of technical endosulfan. This protocol constitutes
a simple and rapid alternative to existing methodology for evaluating the concentration of organic contaminants adsorbed on plastic pieces.
Keywords: Environmental Sciences, Issue 125, Microplastics, resin pellets, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, organochlorine pesticides, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, endosulfan, hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pressurized fluid extractor
Published in RUNG: 10.07.2017; Views: 5204; Downloads: 0 |
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64. Time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with optimized high-harmonic pulses using frequency-doubled Ti:Sapphire lasersSteffen Eich, Jurij Urbančič, 2014, original scientific article Abstract: Time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (trARPES) using femtosecond extreme ultraviolet high harmonics has recently emerged as a powerful tool for investigating ultrafast quasiparticle dynamics in correlated-electron materials. However, the full potential of this approach has not yet been achieved because, to date, high harmonics generated by 800 nm wavelength Ti:Sapphire lasers required a trade-off between photon flux, energy and time resolution. Photoemission spectroscopy requires a quasi-monochromatic output, but dispersive optical elements that select a single harmonic can significantly reduce the photon flux and time resolution. Here we show that 400 nm driven high harmonic extreme-ultraviolet trARPES is superior to using 800 nm laser drivers since it eliminates the need for any spectral selection, thereby increasing photon flux and energy resolution to <150 meV while preserving excellent time resolution of about 30 fs.
Keywords: angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, ARPES, high harmonic generation, ultrafast surface science
Published in RUNG: 20.04.2017; Views: 5819; Downloads: 0
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65. The mechanism of Li2S activation in lithium-sulfur batteries: Can we avoid the polysulfide formation?Alen Vižintin, Laurent Chabanne, Elena Tchernychova, Iztok Arčon, Lorenzo Stievano, Giuliana Aquilanti, Markus Antonietti, Tim-Patric Fellinger, Robert Dominko, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Electrochemical reactions in the LieS batteries are considered as a multistep reaction process with at least
2e3 equilibrium states. Here we report a possibility of having a conversion of Li2S into sulfur without
detectible formation of polysulfides. That was confirmed by using a novel material system consisting of
carbon coated Li2S particles prepared by carbothermal reduction of Li2SO4. Two independent in operando
measurements showed direct oxidation of Li2S into sulfur for this system, with almost negligible formation
of polysulfides at potentials above 2.5 V vs. Li/Liþ. Our results link the diversity of first charge profiles in the
literature to the Li2S oxidation mechanism and show the importance of ionic wiring within the material.
Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Li2S oxidation mechanism depends on the relative amount of
soluble sulfur in the electrolyte. By controlling the type and the amount of electrolyte within the encapsulating
carbon shell, it is thereby possible to control the reaction mechanism of Li2S activation.
Keywords: Lithium-sulfur batteries
Li2S active material
XAS
UV/Vis spectroscopy
Li2S activation
Published in RUNG: 03.03.2017; Views: 5823; Downloads: 0
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66. Operando characterization of batteries using x-ray absorption spectroscopy: advances at the beamline XAFS at synchrotron ElettraGiuliana Aquilanti, marco Giorgetti, Robert Dominko, Lorenzo Stievano, Iztok Arčon, Nicola Novello, Luca Ivanc Olivieri, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a synchrotron radiation based technique that is able to
provide information on both local structure and electronic properties in a chemically selective
manner. It can be used to characterize the dynamic processes that govern the electrochemical
energy storage in batteries, and to shed light on the redox chemistry and changes in structure
during galvanostatic cycling to design cathode materials with improved properties. Operando
XAS studies have been performed at beamline XAFS at Elettra on different systems. For
Li-ion batteries, a multiedge approach revealed the role of the different cathode components
during the charge and discharge of the battery. In addition, Li-S batteries for automotive
applications were studied. Operando sulfur K-edge XANES and EXAFS analysis was used to
characterize the redox chemistry of sulfur, and to relate the electrochemical mechanism to its
local structure.
Keywords: operando studies, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, Li-ion batteries, Li-S batteries
Published in RUNG: 03.03.2017; Views: 6786; Downloads: 0
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67. Determination of petrophysical properties of sedimentary rocks by optical methodsDorota Korte, Dejan Kaukler, Mattia Fanetti, Humberto Cabrera, Efrain Daubronte, Mladen Franko, 2017, original scientific article Keywords: sedimentary rocks, beam deflection spectroscopy, grain size distribution, petrophysical
properties, chemical composition
Published in RUNG: 06.02.2017; Views: 4910; Downloads: 0
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69. Photocatalytic Activity of Zirconium- and Manganese- Codoped Titania in Aqueous Media: The Role of the Metal Dopant and its Incorporation SiteO. L. Pliekhov, Iztok Arčon, Nataša Novak Tušar, Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: The development of efficient TiO2-based photocatalysts for
water treatment is mainly performed by doping with transition
metals or by establishing junctions between different phases,
metal–semiconductor or semiconductor–semiconductor. We
present, for the first time, the synthesis of Zr- and Mn-modified
TiO2 by a redesigned sol–gel technique that allows the formation
of heterometallic bridges on the TiO2 surface. Cations of
the doping metals are located in the pores of mesoporous
anatase and attached to the crystalline TiO2 walls. The presence
of the Zr enhances the photoactivity of the TiO2 catalyst.
However, the introduction of Mn decreases the photocatalytic
efficiency in a nonadditive manner. The inhibition effect was
assigned to the side reaction between hydroxyl radicals and
Mn ions. The fact that Mn effectively scavenges the hydroxyl
radicals and, consequently, inhibits the whole oxidation process
is direct proof that hydroxyl radicals are the main reactive
species in the photocatalytic oxidative processes on TiO2 surfaces
in aqueous media and the process of COH generation is the
rate-determining step, which was confirmed using a method
based on the decolorization of a commercial dye Bezaktiv Blau
in a reaction with Fenton’s reagent as a source of hydroxyl radicals.
Keywords: doping, manganese, oxidation, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, zirconium
Published in RUNG: 21.07.2016; Views: 4713; Downloads: 0
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