Mesoporous silica material type SBA-15 was modified with different amounts of Zn (2 and 4 wt. %) by incipient wetness impregnation method in ethanol. The parent, Zn-modified and quercetin loaded samples, were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, TEM, thermal gravimetric analysis, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopies and in vitro release of quercetin at pH 5.5 which is typical of dermal formulations. By this loading method anhydrous quercetin was formed on the silica carrier. It was found that the different hydrate forms of quercetin (dihydrate, monohydrate, anhydrite) significantly influence the physico-chemical properties of the delivery system. It was found that hydrate forms of quercetin can be differentiated by XRD and by FT-IR spectroscopic methods. Thus, by evaluating the interaction of the drug with the silica carrier the changes due to its hydration state always have to be taken into account. Formation of Zn-quercetin complex was evidenced on zinc modified SBA-15 silica by FT-IR spectroscopy. High quercetin loading capacity (over 40 wt. %) could be achieved on the parent and Zn-containing SBA-15 samples. The in-vitro release process at pH=5.5 showed slower quercetin release from Zn-modified SBA-15 samples compared to the parent one.Additionally, the comparative cytotoxic experiments evidenced that quercetin encapsulated in Zn-modified silica carriers has superior antineoplastic potential against HUT-29 cells compared to free drug. Zn-modified SBA-15 silica particles could be promising carriers for dermal delivery of quercetin.

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A method is described for the determination of Hf, Sc and Y simultaneously with the REE in geological materials. An earlier method for REE separation from major elements was studied with the aim to apply it also to the determination of Hf, Sc and Y. Sample decomposition was carried out by melting with LiBO2 . The method involves separation and concentration stages, using the cation-exchange resin DOWEX AG 50W-X8. Matrix elements were eluted with 2 mol/l HCI, whereas 6 moll HNO3 with oxalic acid and 8 mol/l HNO3 were used to elute the elements to be determined. Some of the matrix elements could not be completely removed. This effect as well as the recovery rates of the determined elements were investigated. The measurements were performed by ICP-AES. Spectral interferences were also tested.

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Boron in tourmaline, a high refractory mineral with a high boron content (approximately 3%), can be determined after aqueous leaching of a sodium carbonate-zinc oxide melt. Boron is separated effectively from the major elements of matrix, such as silicon, calcium and magnesium and especially from iron, the main spectral interfering element. Measurements were performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. A determination limit of 4 microg/g could be achieved when 200 mg of sample are analyzed with a precision of 5.2% RSD. This method could be applied to the determination of fluorine in the same solution.

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Fully exchanged Ag-clinoptilolite prepared at 100°C using 1 M solution of AgNO3 was studied. The initial sample (Beli Plast deposit, Bulgaria) was enriched in clinoptilolite by a sequence of treatments – crushing, sieving, sedimentation, and separation with heavy liquids to obtain a content of about 93 wt.% of clinoptilolite intergrown with opal-C. Opal-C was subsequently removed by chemical treatment. Maximum cation exchange was reached on the seventh day (4.86(4) Ag atoms per formula unit). Rietveld structural refinement was then carried out on the Ag-exchanged clinoptilolite, and three independent Ag sites were localated in the channels of the clinoptilolite structure. Seven water sites, coordinating the Ag sites, were located. Ag-clinoptilolite is, potentially, a promising low-cost antibacterial material.