Wes W. C. Quigley

Sequential injection analysis with dynamic surface tension detection. High throughput analysis of the interfacial properties of surface-active samples

A sequential injection analysis (SIA) system is coupled with dynamic surface tension detection (DSTD) for the purpose of studying the interfacial properties of surface-active samples. DSTD is a novel analyzer based upon a growing drop method, utilizing a pressure sensor measurement of drop pressure. The pressure signal depends on the surface tension properties of sample solution drops that grow and detach at the end of a capillary tip. In this work, SIA was used for creating a reagent concentration gradient, and for blending the reagent gradient with a steady-state sample. The sample, consisting of either sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or poly(ethylene glycol) at 1470 g mol(-1) (PEG 1470), elutes with a steady-state concentration at the center of the sample plug. Reagents such as Brij(R)35, tetrabutylammonium (TBA) hydroxide and beta-cyclodextrin were introduced as a concentration gradient that begins after the sample plug has reached the steady-state concentration. By blending the reagent concentration gradient with the sample plug using SIA/DSTD, the kinetic surface pressure signal of samples mixed with various reagent concentrations is observed and evaluated in a high throughput fashion. It was found that the SIA/DSTD method consumes lesser reagent and required significantly less analysis time than traditional FIA/DSTD. Four unique chemical systems were studied with regard to how surface activity is influenced, as observed through the surface tension signal: surface activity addition, surface activity reduction due to competition, surface activity enhancement due to ion-pair formation, and surface activity reduction due to bulk phase binding chemistry.

Dynamic surface tension analysis of dodecyl sulfate association complexes

First, a novel calibration method is used to expand the current understanding of spherical drop growth and elongation that occurs during on-line measurements of surface pressure using the dynamic surface tension detector (DSTD). Using a novel surface tension calibration method, the drop radius is calculated as a function of time from experimental drop pressure data and compared to the theoretical drop radius calculated from volumetric flow rate. From this comparison, the drop volume at which the drop shape starts to deviate ( approximately 4 mul) from a spherical shape is readily observed and deviates more significantly by approximately 6 mul drop volume (5% deviation in the ideal spherical drop radius) for the capillary sensing tip employed in the DSTD. From this assessment of drop shape, an experimental method for precise drop detachment referred to as pneumatic drop detachment is employed at a drop volume of 2 mul (two second drops at 60 mul/min) in order to provide rapid dynamic surface tension measurements via the novel on-line calibration methodology. Second, the DSTD is used to observe and study kinetic information for surface-active molecules and association complexes adsorbing to an air-liquid drop interface. Dynamic surface tension measurements are made for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the absence and presence of either tetra butyl ammonium (TBA) or chromium (III). Sensitive, indirect detection of chromium and other multiply charged metals at low concentrations is also investigated. The DSTD is utilized in examining the dynamic nature of SDS: cation association at the air-liquid interface of a growing drop. Either TBA or Cr(III) were found to substantially enhance the surface tension lowering of dodecyl sulfate (DS), but the surface tension lowering is accompanied by a considerable kinetic dependence. Essentially, the surface tension lowering of these DS: cation complexes is found to be a fairly slow process in the context of the two second DSTD measurement. The limit of detection for both SDS and chromium (III) is in the 300-400 part-per-billion (by mass) range.