This paper presents a new way for the construction of silver electrodes utilizing recordable CDs. The new electrodes were explored for the quantification of chloride (by potentiometry/FIA), cyanide (by amperometry/FIA) and for lead analysis (by square wave voltammetry). For the flowing measurements, a digital multimeter, connected to a microcomputer (via RS 232 interface) was used to collect directly the potential signal (for Cl- measurements) or to take the output signal from a potentiostat (for CN- measurements). The square wave voltammetry analysis was performed in a commercial instrument. The results shown good performance of the new electrodes and the detection limit (s/n = 3) attained for these three analytes were: 0.2, 50, and 200 µg L-1 for Pb2+, Cl-, and CN- respectively.

Um sensor a cristal piezelétrico de quartzo com eletrodos separados e superfície quimicamente modificada foi proposto. A silanização com N-2-aminoetil-3-aminopropiltrimetoxisilano permitiu a imobilização do grupo N-2-aminoetil-3-aminopropilsilano sobre a superfície de um cristal de quartzo de 3,5 MHz. Uma cela em fluxo foi fabricada em poli(metacrilato de metila) com dois eletrodos de latão. Nesta cela, a solução entra em contato somente com um lado do cristal e o eletrodo é recoberto com um filme de poliéster, prevenindo assim a corrosão do eletrodo. Esta inovação reduz o custo da cela e proporciona o desacoplamento DC. O cristal modificado mostrou-se mais sensível a íons cobre (II) do que a magnésio(II), níquel(II), zinco(II) e cobalto(II). Para injeções de 100 miL de amostra, o limite de detecção para cobre(II) foi de 6 mimol L-1 que é um resultado significativo comparado com aqueles obtidos com cristal não modificado.

An electrode-separated piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor with a chemically modified surface was proposed. The modification was carried out by a silanization procedure with N-2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, yielding the immobilised N-2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropylsilane group over the surface of a 3.5 MHz piezoelectric quartz crystal. A flow cell was manufactured with poly(methyl methacrylate) and brass, instead of noble metals, for the electrodes. In this cell, the solution touches only one side of the crystal and the related electrode is coated with a polyester film, which prevents corrosion and does not disturb the oscillation process. This innovation reduces the cost of the cell and renders an electronics non DCcoupled to the solution. The modified crystal proved to be more sensitive to copper(II) ions than magnesium(II), nickel(II), zinc(II), and cobalt(II). For 100muL sample injections, the limit of detection for copper(II) was 6 mumol L-1, which is an impressive result when compared with that for an unmodified crystal.

A simple and inexpensive device to automate a water distilling apparatus is shown. It is composed by a magnetic floater placed in the water reservoir and a level control unit, which acts over the heating element circuit. In order to provide water saving, an electromagnetic valve is inserted in the water supply inlet. Some suggestions for the adaptation to other types of equipment are also offered.

The Solvay Process is an important route for the industrial preparation of sodium carbonate from brine and CO2. However, experiments illustrating such process are performed only in a few chemistry courses, mainly because of the difficulties to precipitate out the intermediate product NaHCO3 within the 3 or 4 hours generally available for laboratory classes. In this article we describe a method that properly simulates the Solvay process using glass apparatus that can be found in any chemistry laboratory. The good yields and purity attainable, associated with the short time (~3 hours) required to get the sodium bicarbonate, account for the suitability of our method for chemistry or chemical engineering undergraduate students laboratory classes.