The design and construction of a microscale, fiber-optics-based system for the measurement of solubilities in supercritical CO(2) by UV-visible spectroscopy is described. This system consists of three high-pressure fiber-optic cells, with path lengths ranging from 38 μm to 1 cm, constructed from standard (1)/(16)-in. stainless steel fittings and silica fibers. It is capable of withstanding pressures in excess of 300 atm, and spectra over the entire UV-visible range (200-900 nm) can be obtained. Use of three cells with different path lengths enables compounds of high or low solubility to be measured over a concentration range of several orders of magnitude. The solubility of a uranium complex, UO(2)(tta)(2)·TBP, in supercritical CO(2) at 40 °C and over the pressure range 100-325 atm was determined, and it was found to be possible to attain solubilities in excess of 10(-)(2) M for metal species in unmodified supercritical CO(2). Also, the small volume of this system allows solubilities to be measured with relatively small amounts of compounds.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.