Iron In Solution Research Articles

Weak Coordinating Character of Organosulfonates in Oriented Silica Films: An Efficient Approach for Immobilizing Cationic Metal-Transition Complexes.

Iron (II) tris(2,2′-bipyridine) complexes, [Fe(bpy)3]2+, have been synthesized and immobilized in organosulfonate-functionalized nanostructured silica thin films taking advantage of the stabilization of [Fe(H2O)6]2+ species by hydrogen bonds to the anionic sulfonate moieties grafted to the silica nanopores. In a first step, thiol-based silica films have been electrochemically generated on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates by co-condensation of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Secondly, the thiol function has been modified to sulfonate by chemical oxidation using hydrogen peroxide in acidic medium as an oxidizing agent. The immobilization of [Fe(bpy)3]2+ complexes has been performed in situ in two consecutive steps: (i) impregnation of the sulfonate functionalized silica films in an aqueous solution of iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate; (ii) dipping of the iron-containing mesostructures in a solution of bipyridine ligands in acetonitrile. The in situ formation of the [Fe(bpy)3]2+ complex is evidenced by its characteristic optical absorption spectrum, and elemental composition analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The measured optical and electrochemical properties of immobilized [Fe(bpy)3]2+ complexes are not altered by confinement in the nanostructured silica thin film.

Study of The Utilization of Pineapple Leaves (Ananas cosmosus) as Adsorbent for Lowering Copper Ion Content (Cu2+), Iron (Fe3+), and Zinc (Zn2+) in the Water.

. It has been conducted the use of pineapple leaf (Pineapple cosmosus) as an adsorbent to reduce ion copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe3+), and zinc (Zn2+) contents in water. First pineapple leaf powder is cut to pieces, dried, finely ground, and activated with 10% HCl by soaking for 24 hours. Two grams of pineapple leaf powder, which was previously activated by 10% HCl added into each 100 mL ions of copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe3+), and zinc (Zn2+) standard solution 20 mg/L, stirred homogeneously, and left for 24 hours, then filtered. The concentration ions of copper (Cu2+), iron (Fe3+), and zinc (Zn2+) infiltrate were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result of this research showed that pineapple leaf powder-activated 10% HCl can absorb 95.98% of copper (Cu2+), 79.16% of iron (Fe3+), and 88.71% of zinc (Zn2+).

Comparison of sphalerite concentrate leaching by chemical and microbially produced ferric sulfate

High-temperature ferric leaching is a promising method to improve the recovery of nonferrous metals from sulfide ores and concentrates. In this study, differences in the leaching kinetics of a sphalerite concentrate using chemical and biogenic ferric iron have been revealed. A comparison of leaching with a (i) biosolution containing ferric iron produced by microbial cells assigned to the strain Leptospirillum ferriphilum BUT, (ii) cell-free iron-containing L. ferriphilum culture liquid, and (iii) commercial reagent of ferric iron indicated that the latter allowed the maximum zinc and copper extraction into the solution. It is suggested that the products of the microbial cell lysis interacted with metal cations, decreasing their reactivity, and slowed down the removal of products from the reaction zone. This led to the formation of a dense layer of reaction products coating sulfide minerals. Probably, the rate of zinc and copper leaching was controlled by both the diffusion of the oxidant through a layer of the reaction products and a chemical reaction on the surface of mineral particles, indicating a mixed type of control. This pattern was independent of the chemical or biological origin of the ferric iron solution. The results provide new insights into the kinetic patterns and structural changes of sulfide minerals during ferric leaching and may contribute to the intensification of the processing of sulfide raw materials.

Catechin and curcumin nanoparticle-immobilized starch cryogels as green colorimetric sensors for on-site detection of iron

Green colorimetric sensors based on the immobilization of catechin and curcumin nanoparticles (NPs) on macroporous starch cryogels were developed for the on-site detection of iron. Starch cryogels were synthesized from rice flour, while catechin and curcumin NPs were prepared from green tea and turmeric powder, respectively. Catechin and curcumin NPs were immobilized on starch cryogels, which turned black and red-brown, respectively, after immersion in an iron solution (pH 2) for 15 min. The digital image colorimetry (DIC) results of the NP-immobilized cryogels showed excellent linearity (R2 > 0.9997), low detection limit (0.48 ± 0.01 mg L−1), and excellent accuracy for the detection of iron. The intraday precision (n = 12) ranged from 1.35 to 3.20 %RSD, while the interday precision (n = 5) ranged from 0.75 to 2.98 %RSD. The sensors can be stored for at least three months in a desiccator with −0.52% changes in performance. The concentrations of iron in water samples quantified by the developed sensors and the DIC method (0.56–1.35 mg L−1) were not significantly different to those obtained from flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (0.30–1.29 mg−1) at a 95% confidence level.

Anoxic photochemical weathering of pyrite on Archean continents

Sulfur is an essential element of life that is assimilated by Earth’s biosphere through the chemical breakdown of pyrite. On the early Earth, pyrite weathering by atmospheric oxygen was severely limited, and low marine sulfate concentrations persisted for much of the Archean eon. Here, we show an anoxic photochemical mechanism of pyrite weathering that could have provided substantial amounts of sulfate to the oceans as continents formed in the late Archean. Pyrite grains suspended in anoxic ferrous iron solutions produced millimolar sulfate concentrations when irradiated with ultraviolet light. The Fe2+(aq) was photooxidized, which, in turn, led to the chemical oxidation of pyritic sulfur. Additional experiments conducted with 2.68 Ga shale demonstrated that photochemically derived ferric iron oxidizes and dissolves sedimentary pyrite during chemical weathering. The results suggest that before the rise of atmospheric oxygen, oxidative pyrite weathering on Archean continents was controlled by the exposure of land to sunlight.

Iron(III) Dopant Counterions Affect the Charge-Transport Properties of Poly(Thiophene) and Poly(Dialkoxythiophene) Derivatives.

This study investigates the charge-transport properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and poly(ProDOT-alt-biEDOT) (PE2) films doped with a set of iron(III)-based dopants and as a function of dopant concentration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show that doping P3HT with 12 mM iron(III) solutions leads to similar extents of oxidation, independent of the dopant anion; however, the electrical conductivities and Seebeck coefficients vary significantly (5 S cm-1 and + 82 μV K-1 with tosylate and 56 S cm-1 and +31 μV K-1 with perchlorate). In contrast, PE2 thermoelectric transport properties vary less with respect to the iron(III) anion chemistry, which is attributed to PE2 having a lower onset of oxidation than P3HT. Consequentially, PE2 doped with 12 mM iron(III) perchlorate obtained an electrical conductivity of 315 S cm-1 and a Seebeck coefficient of + 7 μV K-1. Modeling these thermoelectric properties with the semilocalized transport (SLoT) model suggests that tosylate-doped P3HT remains mostly in the localized transport regime, attributed to more disorder in the microstructure. In contrast perchlorate-doped P3HT and PE2 films exhibited thermally deactivated electrical conductivities and metal-like transport at high doping levels over limited temperature ranges. Finally, the SLoT model suggests that PE2 has the potential to be more electrically conductive than P3HT due to PE2's ability to achieve higher extents of oxidation and larger shifts in the reduced Fermi energy levels.

Using explosion loading to obtain coatings of chromium carbide and titanium mixtures in deposition mode

The paper presents the results of studies into the microstructure, chemical and phase composition of coatings deposited on a steel substrate using the sliding explosive loading of Cr3C2 chromium carbide and titanium powder mixtures. The equilibrium phase composition of coatings was calculated by computational thermodynamic modeling using the Thermo-Calc software package. The structure and elemental composition were studied using a FEI Versa 3D scanning electron microscope with an integrated EDAX Apollo X system for energy dispersive X-ray microprobe analysis. A Bruker D8 Advance diffractometer was used for X-ray phase analysis. It was shown that when the powder layer is loaded by a sliding detonation wave, it can be shifted along the substrate surface due to the horizontal mass velocity component of compacted material particles. This shift causes the inner layer of the compacted powder and the surface layer of the substrate to melt as a result of friction. The presence of a liquid phase prevents the compacted powder layer deceleration so that the major part of it is removed from the substrate surface. The liquid phase remaining on the surface undergoes rapid quenching due to heat removal into the substrate and forms a deposited coating containing both the components of the initial powder mixture and the components of the substrate to be coated. It was established that the deposited layer structure features by extremely high dispersion (grain size does not exceed 250 nm), and its phase composition turns out to be close to a thermodynamically equilibrium one. When using powder mixtures of chromium carbide with 40% titanium, a coating is formed consisting of titanium carbide with a metal binder based on solid solutions of iron and titanium in chromium.

In Situ Synthesis of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and Wood Composite Properties of Three Tropical Species.

Magnetic wood is a composite material that achieves harmony between both woody and magnetic functions through the active addition of magnetic characteristics to the wood itself. In addition to showing magnetic characteristics, magnetic wood offers low specific gravity, humidity control and acoustic absorption ability. It has potential for broad applications in the fields of electromagnetic wave absorption, electromagnetic interference shielding, furniture, etc. This work reports on the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) in wood from three tropical species (Pinus oocarpa, Vochysia ferruginea and Vochysia guatemalensis) using a solution of iron (III) hexahydrate and iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate with a molar ratio of 1.6:1 at a concentration of 1.2 mol/L ferric chlorate under 700 kPa pressure for 2 h. Afterward, the wood samples were impregnated with an ammonia solution with three different immersion times. The treated wood (wood composites) was evaluated for the weight gain percentage (WPG), density, ash content and Fe3O4 content by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results show that the species P. oocarpa had the lowest values of WPG, and its density decreased in relation to the untreated wood, with lower ash and Fe3O4 NP content. The XRD and some FTIR signals associated with changes in the wood component showed small differences from the untreated wood. Fe3O4 NPs presented nanoparticles with the smallest diameter of (approx. 7.3 to 8.5 nm), and its saturation magnetization (Ms) parameters were the lowest. On the other hand, V. guatemalensis was the species with the best Ms values, but the wood composite had the lowest density. In relation to the different immersion times, the magnetic properties were not statistically affected. Finally, the magnetization values of the studied species were lower than those of the pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles, since the species only have a certain amount of these nanoparticles (NPs), and this was reflected proportionally in the magnetization of saturation.

Parasitology assays to assess Trichomonas vaginalis nucleoside ribohydrolase inhibitors

Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease that affects an estimated 275 million people worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes trichomoniasis as a neglected parasitic infection, with an estimated 2.6 million prevalent infections in the United States in 2018. Clinical manifestations of infections are typically mild, but the immune system can be compromised resulting in higher susceptibility to more serious conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, HIV‐1, and other infections. Trichomonal infection has also been associated with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Traditionally, compounds such as metronidazole or tinidazole have been used to treat trichomoniasis, however, strains resistant to these drugs are becoming more widespread. T. vaginalis requires nucleoside salvage pathways for its survival. Nucleoside ribohydrolase inhibitors thus represent a possible target for the development of new treatments with different mechanisms of action compared to metronidazole. Toward this goal, fragment screening identified nucleoside ribohydrolase inhibitors as starting points for medicinal chemistry efforts. Newly synthesized compounds are routinely evaluated for potency against purified enzymes. However, a better test of potency is antitrichomonal activity. Metronidazole‐sensitive strain B7RC2 (ATCC 50167) of T. vaginalis was cultured anaerobically at 37 ℃ in TYM Diamond’s media supplemented with streptomycin, penicillin and iron solution. Compounds were prepared as 25 mM DMSO stock solutions and tested at 100 µM. DMSO and metronidazole were used as vehicle and positive controls respectively. Parasite cellular viability was measured after 24 hours of incubation with compounds or controls. Cells were counted using a hemocytometer. Active compounds were then tested in a dose‐dependent manner to determine antitrichomonal IC50 values. Compounds with the best combination of enzyme inhibition and T. vaginalis activity were then prioritized for guiding the design of compounds to be synthesized. It is expected that this process will simultaneously optimize enzyme inhibition and antitrichomonal activity resulting in compounds with nM activity in enzyme assays, against metronidazole‐sensitive T. vaginalis, and ultimately against metronidazole‐resistant T. vaginalis.

Synergistic Effect of Field Emission Properties on Growth of CNTs by One-Pot Preparation of Various Concentrations Composite Catalyst

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were grown on Silicon (Si) substrate by using low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) technique where iron (Fe) and silver (Ag) colloidal solution act as a catalyst were prepared by chemical route. The as-prepared solutions in varied concentrations were deposited on a Si substrate using a spin coating process at 700[Formula: see text]rpm. The purpose of Fe in composite catalysts is to have high carbon solubility and diffusion rate, and Ag utilization can change catalyst activity temperature and enhance carbon yields. In this work, we demonstrate the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on different catalyst concentrations ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag), ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag), ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) and ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) catalytic films. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) was used to image the morphologies of various catalyst concentrations MWCNTs. The natures of the synthesized CNTs were determined using Raman spectroscopy and it was revealed that as-prepared CNTs are MWCNTs due to the absence of radial breathing mode (RBM). Raman spectroscopy demonstrated the lower ID/IG ratio (Ratio of the intensity of D-Raman peak and G-Raman peak) of ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) MWCNTs. The ID/IG ratio for ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) catalyzed MWCNTs was 0.76, while the ID/IG ratio for ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) catalyzed MWCNTs was 0.89. The ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) catalyzed MWCNTs were found to be more defective as compared to other. Electron Emission from ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) catalyzed MWCNTs were much stronger than from other samples, as demonstrated by Field Emission measurement using diode configuration. The turn-on field for ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) catalyzed MWCNTs was (0.92 V/[Formula: see text]m) which is slightly lower than that of ([Formula: see text]Fe/[Formula: see text]Ag) catalyzed MWCNTs (1.83 V/[Formula: see text]m), indicating superior enhancement.

Rugae‐like N‐doped porous carbon incorporated with Fe‐N x and Fe 3 O 4 dual active sites as a powerful oxygen reduction catalyst for zinc‐air batteries

The sluggish kinetics of an air cathode has limited the wide application of zinc-air batteries. As novel powerful electrocatalysts, atomic Fe-N-C materials have attracted immense research interest. However, creating Fe-N-C and Fe3O4 dual-sites catalysts is still challenging. Here, we employ a facile and raw-material-sparse strategy to construct a zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF)-8-derived N-doped carbon catalyst configured by embedded Fe-Nx-C/Fe3O4 dual sites on highly flexible carbon clothe. By soaking the precursor in the iron solution followed by pyrolysis at an optimized temperature, Fe species can translate into dual sites. Our results reveal that the optimal Fe-NC-950 catalyst displays an impressive quasi-four-electron-transfer oxygen reduction reaction pathway exhibiting half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.89 V and onset potential (Eonset) of 1.04 V. Moreover, Fe-NC-950 based zinc-air cell reached a high open-circuit voltage of 1.54 V and a power density of 165.0 mW cm−2. Our results also showed that the trace amount of Zn species inherited from ZIF-8 does not affect the catalyst performance.

Effects of supplementary nutrients (soil-nitrogen or foliar-iron) on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) grown in Pb-contaminated soil

Lead (Pb) soil contamination is widespread and poses a threat to human health. Even long-term exposure to low levels of Pb contaminated soils is potentially harmful to organisms. Soil remediation options include phytoextraction that has gained particular attention due to low cost and minimal soil disruption. The North American native switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a second-generation bioenergy crop was used in this study due to its ability to produce high biomass and grow on marginal lands. In this study, the effects of supplementary soil nitrogen (N) or foliar iron (Fe) application on the growth and metal uptake of switchgrass were examined. Plants were grown under controlled conditions using Pb (5802.5 mg kg−1) contaminated soil. The soil nitrogen (N) application involved three levels: control (no added N), medium (500 mg kg−1), and high (1000 mg kg−1). Plants receiving the high N had the significantly greatest dry mass (DM) of the foliage and the highest Pb concentration. The iron (Fe) foliar application involved two levels: (1) deionized water and (2) iron (20 mg kg−1) solution. Plants were additionally treated with the soil fungicide propiconazole (2 mg L−1) and the soil chelate nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in order to enhance phytoextraction. Plants receiving the Fe foliar application had significantly higher DM of the foliage and significantly lower Pb concentrations in the roots and the foliage. These results will potentially improve phytoextraction by switchgrass grown in Pb contaminated soils.

Synthesis of Iron Nanoparticles Using Sargassum wightii Extract and Its Impact on Serum Biochemical Profile and Growth Response of Etroplus suratensis Juveniles.

The present study focuses on the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using plant extracts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents. Aqueous seaweed extracts with the addition of iron solution were mixed using a magnetic stirrer which resulted in a color change indicating the formation of iron nanoparticles. The iron nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Sargassum wightii extract. The synthesized iron nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and zeta potential techniques. The UV-Vis spectra showed a peak at 412 to 415nm. Zeta potential revealed that the synthesized iron nanoparticles were negative and positive charges. FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of chemical bond and amide group likely to be responsible for the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles. The effect of nano-iron as a dietary iron source on the growth and serum biochemical profile of Etroplus suratensis fingerlings was evaluated. Iron nanoparticles were fed to E. suratensis fingerlings for 60days with two levels 10mg (T1) and 20mg (T2) and a control group without iron nanoparticles. The highest WG% and SGR and lowest FCR were observed in the T2 group which is significantly different (p < 0.05) from other groups. The serum biochemical profile showed significantly increased activity on 20mg/kg of nano-iron-supplemented diet. The findings of the present study concluded that supplementation of nano-iron at the 20mg/kg level to the regular fish diet has a better impact not only on growth but also on the overall health of the fish.

Synthesis of α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles By Photolysis Method For Novel Dye-sensitized Solar Cell

The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a cost-effective and simple-to-implement technology for future energy generation. It has a comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) to traditional silicon solar cells while having lower material and production costs. α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by photo irradiation method using complexes solution of iron. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Uv.visable spectroscopy. Results show that nanoparticles have a uniform rhombohedral shape with an 11 to 29 nm average size. The hematite nanoparticles were applied to fabricate a novel Dye solar cell, with an energy conversion efficiency of about 2.5 % by (ITO/ α-Fe2O3 Nps/ Dye (Rhodamine 6 G) /iodine / Ag film / ITO).

Novel Method to Synthesis Fe3O4 Nanoparticles For Novel Dye Solar Cell

In the present work, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by photo irradiation method using complex solution of iron. The synthesized nanoparticles characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Uv.visable spectroscopy. Results show that nanoparticles have uniform cubic shape with average size of 15 to 24 nm. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were applied to fabricate novel Dye solar cell which has energy conversion efficiency about 11.5 % by (ITO/ iron oxide NPs / Dye (Rhodamine 6 G) /iodine / Ag film/ ITO).

Of Fe2O3Nanoparticles By Photolysis Method For Novel Dye-sensitized Solar Cell

The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a cost-effective and simple-to-implement technology for future energy generation. It has a comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) to traditional silicon solar cells while having lower material and production costs. Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by photo irradiation method using complexes solution of iron. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Uv.visable spectroscopy. Results show that nanoparticles have a uniform rhombohedral shape with an 11 to 29 nm average size. The hematite nanoparticles were applied to fabricate a novel Dye solar cell, with an energy conversion efficiency of about 2.5 % by (ITO/ ?-Fe2O3 Nps/ Dye (Rhodamine 6 G) /iodine / Ag film / ITO).

Formation of Iron (III) Trimesate Xerogel by Ultrasonic Irradiation

AbstractFe−BTC materials have attracted vast attention owing to their high chemical stability, adaptable synthesis, and potential applications. Herein, we describe, for the first time, the preparation of iron trimesate gels by ultrasonic (US) irradiation of an aqueous solution of Iron (III) nitrate and trimesic acid. Two different procedures were used: (1) sonication for 10 or 20 minutes, (2) 3 minutes sonication under controlled pH (pH 3–5). After drying, stable Fe−BTC xerogels were obtained from both procedures. The xerogels consisted of interconnected spherical nanoparticles with similar microstructure when analyzed by FT‐IR and PXRD and similar thermal behavior under oxygen in the range of 25–900 °C. When analyzed by Nitrogen adsorption‐desorption at 77 K, all samples showed a permanent porosity with a narrow micropore distribution below 10 Å. Different textural properties were found among samples obtained with the same procedure. The product of 10 minutes sonication had a specific surface area (SSA) of 1042 m2/g.

The effect of a natural polyphenol supplement on iron absorption in adults with hereditary hemochromatosis

ObjectivesWe developed a natural polyphenol supplement that strongly chelates iron in vitro and assessed its effect on non-heme iron absorption in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH).MethodsWe performed in vitro iron digestion experiments to determine iron precipitation by 12 polyphenol-rich dietary sources, and formulated a polyphenol supplement (PPS) containing black tea powder, cocoa powder and grape juice extract. In a multi-center, single-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study, we assessed the effect of the PPS on iron absorption from an extrinsically labelled test meal and test drink in patients (n = 14) with HH homozygous for the p.C282Y variant in the HFE gene. We measured fractional iron absorption (FIA) as stable iron isotope incorporation into erythrocytes.ResultsBlack tea powder, cocoa powder and grape juice extract most effectively precipitated iron in vitro. A PPS mixture of these three extracts precipitated ~ 80% of iron when 2 g was added to a 500 g iron solution containing 20 µg Fe/g. In the iron absorption study, the PPS reduced FIA by ~ 40%: FIA from the meal consumed with the PPS was lower (3.01% (1.60, 5.64)) than with placebo (5.21% (3.92, 6.92)) (p = 0.026)), and FIA from the test drink with the PPS was lower (10.3% (7.29 14.6)) than with placebo (16.9% (12.8 22.2)) (p = 0.002).ConclusionOur results indicate that when taken with meals, this natural PPS can decrease dietary iron absorption, and might thereby reduce body iron accumulation and the frequency of phlebotomy in patients with HH.Trial registry: clinicaltrials.gov (registration date: 9.6.2019, NCT03990181).

Identification of a Two-Coordinate Iron(I)-Oxalate Complex.

Exotic oxidation states of the first‐row transition metals have recently attracted much interest. In order to investigate the oxidation states of a series of iron–oxalate complexes, an aqueous solution of iron(III) nitrate and oxalic acid was studied by infrared free liquid matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization as well as ionspray mass spectrometry. Here, we show that iron is not only detected in its common oxidation states +II and +III, but also in its unusual oxidation state +I, detectable in both positive‐ion and in negative‐ion modes, respectively. Vibrational spectra of the gas phase anionic iron oxalate complexes [FeIII(C2O4)2]−, [FeII(C2O4)CO2]−, and [FeI(C2O4)]− were measured by means of infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and their structures were assigned by comparison to anharmonic vibrational spectra based on second‐order perturbation theory.

The Effect of Needle Reuse on Piglet Skin Puncture Force.

The study investigated whether the repeat use of needles used to inject piglets with iron, influences the force required to puncture into piglet cadaver skin. Pig units (n = 31) were surveyed on needle reuse and injection practices, and these findings informed subsequent laboratory-based experiments on needle puncture force into piglet cadaver tissues. A 21 G 5/8” needle was reported as the most used needle type (67.7%), with 80.6% reporting needle reuse; 38.7% changed the needle between litters or earlier if damaged, 16.1% every three litters and 22.5% when it felt blunt or damaged, after each injection session or when changing the bottle of iron solution. There was a significant difference in puncture force between the 1st and 36th use (p < 0.05), and between the 1st and 100th use (p = 0.0015), but not between the 1st and 12th or 36th use (p > 0.999 and p = 0.8313, respectively). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging showed appreciable damage to the needle tip after 12 uses. The repeat use of needles in piglet cadavers increased the force of needle puncture compared to first-time use. When extrapolated to live animals, the use of blunt needles has the potential to cause pain and distress.