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Francisco J Andrade

Publications and source records attributed to Francisco J Andrade.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of a second-generation focal-plane camera coupled to an inductively coupled plasma Mattauch-Herzog geometry mass spectrograph.

A second-generation Faraday-strip array detector has been coupled to an inductively coupled plasma Mattauch-Herzog geometry mass spectrograph, thereby offering simultaneous acquisition of a range of mass-to-charge ratios. The second-generation device incorporates narrower, more closely spaced collectors than the earlier system. Furthermore, the new camera can acquire signal on all collectors at a frequency greater than 2 kHz and has the ability to independently adjust the gain level of each collector. Each collector can also be reset independently. With these improvements, limits of detection in the hundreds of picograms per liter for metals in solution have been obtained. Some additional features, such as a broader linear dynamic range (over 7 orders of magnitude), greater resolving power (up to 600), and improved isotope ratio accuracy were attained. In addition, isotope ratio precision as low as 0.018% RSD was achieved.

Journal Article↗

MS detectors.

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Journal Article↗

Light emission diode water thermometer: a low-cost and noninvasive strategy for monitoring temperature in aqueous solutions.

A spectroscopic device for monitoring the temperature of aqueous solutions is presented. It uses a 950 nm light emission diode as light source and two photodiodes as detectors. Temperature is monitored following the thermally induced absorbance changes of the water-OH second overtone (approximately 960 nm). A linear response between the light absorbed by an aqueous solution and its temperature is found in the range from 15 to 95 degrees C. A prediction error of 0.1 degrees C and a precision of 0.07 degrees C in temperature measurement can be achieved. Up to 0.1 M of electrolyte concentration can be present in the solution without significantly affecting the temperature measurement. Different strategies, such as remote (noninvasive) or in situ (using a fiber-optic probe) temperature measurement, are shown, and their relative advantages are discussed.

Journal Article↗

Monitoring the temperature of dilute aqueous solutions using near-infrared water absorption.

An alternative spectroscopic approach for monitoring the temperature of aqueous solutions is presented. The method is based upon the temperature-induced spectral changes undergone by the second overtone (around 960 nm) of the near-infrared (NIR) water absorption band. Single and multilinear regression analysis are tested in order to evaluate the predictive ability of temperature. A linear dependence is found when measurements are performed at a single wavelength, but a lower prediction error is obtained when multilinear models are applied. No matrix effects produced by moderately concentrated common dissolved ions are found in a broad range of pH. A signal-to-noise ratio allows a precision of 0.5 degrees C for temperature monitoring. A prediction error of 0.77 degrees C (single linear regression) and 0.25 degrees C (multilinear approach) are achieved in a range from 15 to 90 degrees C. Advantages in terms of instrumentation and data analysis required are discussed.

Algorithms↗

Kinetic control of reagent dissolution for the flow injection determination of iron at trace levels.

A novel methodology for the determination of iron at the ppb level by spectrophotometric flow injection analysis is described. The method is based on the control of the flow dissolution of the colorimetric reagent 1,10-phenanthroline. This is achieved by means of the minimization of the area of contact between the carrier and the solid reagent, thus allowing the use of the fairly soluble organic compound without affecting the reactor lifetime. The reagent is melted inside an acrylic column (3.0 x 0.5 cm id) in such a way that a hollow space is left in the center after cooling. This new design improves some aspects of the performance of the classical solid-phase reactors as no problems related to the increase in the backpressure of the system are evidenced. Furthermore, the total reagent loading of the column is increased as no inert support is needed. A comparison between the performance of this novel methodology and that of the conventional packed reactor was performed and several advantages were observed: the use of higher flow rates, an increase in the reactor lifetime and a decrease in reagent consumption. A mathematical model to fit the concentration profiles of the dissolved reagent as a function of the residence time of the sample within the column is presented. The application of this strategy to the determination of Fe(II) improves the figures of merit in comparison to those obtained with a single-line homogeneous system: the limit of detection is 2 microg Fe L(-1) (3s) and the sensitivity is similar to that of the batch procedure. Results obtained for the determination of iron in natural waters are also presented.

Flow Injection Analysis↗