We report the first use of NiO, Fe3O4, TiO2, and Co3O4 nanoparticles as surfaces for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) mass spectrometry of asphaltenes. Higher signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) for asphaltene species were observed using NiO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles for SALDI as compared to LDI, where both surfaces consistently provided 2- to 3-fold improved S/Ns. The new SALDI detection method showed reliable adsorption data measuring supernatant solutions after 24 hour asphaltene adsorption on NiO, Fe3O4, and Co3O4. These results indicated that NiO has a higher adsorption affinity than Fe3O4 and Co3O4 for asphaltene molecules, corroborating reported asphaltene adsorption on metal oxide nanoparticles.

Measuring the heat capacity ratios, γ, of gases either through adiabatic expansion or sound velocity is a well-established physical chemistry experiment. The most accurate experiments depend on an exact determination of sound origin, which necessitates the use of lasers or a wave generator, where time zero is based on an electrical trigger. Other experiments use loudspeakers as the sound source, which eliminates the ability to accurately measure time zero of sound generation. To date, experimental heat capacity ratio data have been reported for measurements at room temperature. We have designed an apparatus to directly measure the speed of sound generated as a result of nitrocellulose ignition via two microphones. Our experimental design also provides the ability to measure the speed of sound at various temperatures and thus determine the heat capacity ratio as a function of temperature. When implemented in a junior-level physical chemistry laboratory course, students learned to use equipment with which they were unfamiliar, such as home-built ignition circuits, a vacuum pump, thermocouple temperature and vacuum gauges, gas cylinders, and an oscilloscope. Students used the data to determine the speed of sound and heat capacity ratio through nitrogen, carbon dioxide, atmospheric air, and argon gases both at 298 K and approximately 253 K. Error analyses of the experimental speed of sound and heat capacity ratio using percent error and propagation of error were performed to ensure a high level of accuracy and precision.