Determination of 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole by square-wave cathodic stripping voltammetry

An electrochemical method has been developed for the detection and determination of 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole (2,5-ANT) by adsorption square-wave voltammetric stripping. The best sensitivity/resolution ratio was obtained by adsorption at pH 8.0 using a phosphate buffer, an accumulation potential of –10 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl 3 mol/l) and an accumulation time of 15 s. Under these conditions, the proposed method provides a linear electrode response over the 2,5-ANT concentration range 5–300 ng ml^–1, and a detection and determination limit of 4 and 7.5 ng ml^–1, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of 2,5-ANT in bacon.     

Amperometric PMMA-microchip with integrated gold working electrode for enzyme assays

The use of a gold film in-channel detector combined with a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) CE microchip has been tested for alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzymatic assays. Tris-borate or Tris-Gly (pH 9.0, 50 mmol L^–1) buffer solutions were appropriate as running buffer. Signals for three common AP products: -naphthol, p-nitrophenol, and ascorbic acid, were obtained. They were reproducible (RSD 4.4% for six successive electropherograms corresponding to 5 mmol L^–1 -naphthol solution) and the response was dependent on concentration (linear relationship for ascorbic acid solutions between 5 and 20 mmol L^–1 concentration). Use of an end-channel gold film electrode was also investigated. If one of the reagents (substrate or enzyme) is included in the running buffer, two different types of enzymatic assay are feasible in less than 3 min.     

The reduction mechanism of the C=O group. Part 2. The electrochemical reduction of p-diacetylbenzene in aqueous medium

A detailed study of the electrochemical reduction of diacetylbenzene A in aqueous medium between H_o = −5 and pH 14 is presented. The reactants are strongly adsorbed, so that the reactions are of a surface nature. From H_o = −5 to pH 6, a global 2e⁻ reduction yielding an enediol-type intermediate occurs. Analysis using the theory of the square schemes with protonations at equilibrium shows that, up to pH 4, the reaction is controlled by the first electron uptake, the paths being successively H⁺e⁻ and e⁻H⁺. The elementary electrochemical surface rate constants are 9.6 × 10⁷ s⁻ and 1.2 × 10⁶ s⁻ for AH⁺ and A respectively. From pH 6 to 14, a le⁻ adsorption wave, corresponding to the formation of (a) monoradical(s), appears and is followed by a le⁻ wave due to the reduction of the radical(s). A dimerization occurs, due to the coupling A⁻ + AH, as in the case of the monocarbonyl compounds. The rate of this surface process, k_d = 5 × 10¹³ cm² mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, is markedly smaller than the rate of the homogeneous reaction obtained in alkaline ethanol by Savéant et al. for the coupling of the radicals of benzaldehyde, benzophenone and acetophenone.     

Potentiometric immunosensor based on antiserum of Japanese B encephalitis immobilized in nano-Au/polymerized o-phenylenediamine film

A novel potentiometric immunosensor for detection of Japanese B encephalitis vaccine was developed by immobilizing antiserum of Japanese B encephalitis on nano-Au/polymerized o-phenylenediamine (o-PDA) film on the platinum (Pt) electrode. The performance and factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensor were studied. The immunosensor showed a specific response to Japanese B encephalitis vaccine in the range 1.1 × 10⁻⁸ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ lgpfu/ml (plaque forming unit) with a detection limit of 6 × 10⁻⁹ lgpfu/ml. The correlation coefficient is 0.9986. The incubation time, incubation temperature, pH, reproducibility and stability of the immunosensor were also studied. The present work supplied a promising test method for biological products.     

Chitosan–iron oxide nanobiocomposite based immunosensor for ochratoxin-A

The rabbit immunoglobulin antibodies (IgGs) have been immobilized onto nanobiocomposite film of chitosan (CH)–iron oxide (Fe₃O₄₎ nanoparticles prepared onto indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrode for detection of ochratoxin-A (OTA). Excellent film forming ability and availability of –NH₂ group in CH and affinity of surface charged Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for oxygen support the immobilization of IgGs. Differential pulse voltammettry (DPV) studies indicate that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles provide increased electroactive surface area for loading of IgGs and improved electron transport between IgGs and electrode. IgGs/CH–Fe₃O₄ nanobiocomposite/ITO immunoelectrode exhibits improved characteristics such as low detection limit (0.5 ng dL⁻¹), fast response time (18 s) and high sensitivity (36 μA/ng dL⁻¹ cm⁻²) with respect to IgGs/CH/ITO immunoelectrode.     

Studies on the kinetics of ascorbate oxidation at a ruthenium oxide hexacyanoferrate modified electrode towards the detection at microenvironments

The electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbate on a ruthenium oxide hexacyanoferrate (RuOHCF) glassy carbon (GC) modified electrode was investigated at pH 6.9 by using rotating disc electrode (RDE) voltammetry. The influence of the systematic variation of rotation rate, film thickness, ascorbate concentration and the electrode potential indicated that the rate of cross-chemical reaction between Ru(III) centres immobilized into the film and ascorbate controls the overall process. The kinetic regime may be classified as a Sk″ mechanism and the second order rate constant for the surface electrocatalytic reaction was found to be 1.56 × 10⁻³ mol⁻¹ L¹ s⁻¹ cm. A carbon fibre microelectrode modified with the RuOHCF film was successfully used as an amperometric sensor to monitor the ascorbate diffusion in a simulated microenvironment experiment.     

Electrochromic devices based on copolymers of 3-Trimethoxysilanylpropyl-N-aniline-2,5-Dimethoxyaniline

Electrochemical copolymerization of 3-trimethoxysilanyl-propyl-N-aniline (TMSPA) with 2,5-dimethoxyaniline (DMA) was performed in 1 M HCl aqueous solution for different feed ratios of TMSPA using cyclic voltammetry. The deposition rate of TMSPA–DMA copolymer is higher than that of PTMSPA but lower than that of PDMA. (TMSPA-co-DMA) film was deposited using electrochemical polymerization as conducting film on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and used as an electrode in an electrochromic device. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was spin-coated on ITO as the other electrode. Carboxyl-terminated- butadiene-acrylonitrile (CTBN) blended with LiClO₄ was used as solid polymer electrolyte. A total solid electrochromic device was assembled as follows: ITO|P(TMSPA-co-DMA)LiClO₄-CTBNPEDOT:PSS|ITO. The columbic efficiency of the devices reached to 104% for P(TMSPA-co-DMA) film with TMSPA feed ratio of 0.25. The optical contrast (ΔT, %) of the single electrode and the device were determined by UV–vis spectroelectrochemical studies. The stability of ΔT was improved during color switching from +1.5 to −1.5 V (vs. PEDOT) for this device. The device was pale yellow at −1.5 V and blue at +1.5 V.     

Photographic measurements of propagation speeds of the conducting zone in polyaniline films during electrochemical switching

In order to observe the propagation of a conducting zone of a polyaniline film in response to anodic switching, propagation perpendicular to the film surface was simulated by propagation along the film by mounting the film on an insulated plate. A polyaniline film electrochemically deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode was reinforced by casting polymethylmethacrylate solution on the film. It was peeled off the ITO, chemically reduced and then potentiostatically oxidized at one end in 1 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄ solution. Dynamic growth of the conducting zone was observed through an optical microscope. A well-defined boundary between the conducting zone and the insulating zone was seen. The contrast of the boundary did not vary with the electrolysis time, the growth length or the applied potential. The growth rate decreased slightly with the electrolysis time as a result of IR drop across the film. A differential equation for growth rate involving the effect of the IR drop was presented and solved to give more accurate values of the rate. The logarithmic growth ratio exhibited a linear relation with the applied potential, indicating a charge-transfer rate of the Tafel type. The anodic transfer coefficient was 0.2 and the rate constant was 5 × 10⁻⁵ m s⁻¹. The propagation on a molecular scale was discussed on the basis of the experimental results.     

Effects of pH on electrocatalytic activity of functionalized carbon nanotubes

In this study, we modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by grafting with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) using the “grafting to” method. The PEG-grafted CNT (CNT-g-PEG) was cast on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of CNT to the redox reactions of the Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−as a probe using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity of CNT was correlated with CNT dispersion in the cast film on ITO as a function of pH of aqueous solution from which the film was cast. The CNT dispersions in aqueous solutions of different pH and in the cast films were examined by visual observation and zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. At a pH in the range of 3–11 at which ITO electrode was modified, two functionalized CNT (fCNT and CNT-g-PEG) were both found to electrocatalyze the redox reactions of the Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−probe and the PEG grafts in CNT-g-PEG could help CNT adhere to the electrode to obtain durable modified electrode. The more uniform CNT dispersions in aqueous solutions and in the cast films appeared to have greater electrocatalytic acitivity.     

Electroanalytical and chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol and related molecules in a contaminated soil: a real case example

Electroanalytical and chromatographic methodologies have been applied for the determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and some of its derivatives in real soil samples contaminated by industrial discharge. The analytes were extracted with hexane from soil samples collected at different points of the site and mixed to produce a representative sample. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) experiments were carried out on either a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode or a gold ultramicroelectrode (Au-UME) in an analyte composed by the Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer at pH 5.5 with the direct addition of proper amounts of the extract. The voltammetric responses revealed an irreversible anodic peak at approximately 0.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl with a peak current showing a linear dependence on PCP concentration. This linear relationship yielded a detection limit (DL) of 2×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (or 5.5 μg l⁻¹) for the BDD electrode and 6.9×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (18.4 μg l⁻¹) for the Au-UME, while the independently measured HPLC detection limit was 1.1×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (3.0 μg l⁻¹). The application of electroanalytical and chromatographic methodologies in the analysis of soil extracts revealed, besides the PCP responses, signals for some related molecules such as o-tetrachlorobenzoquinone (o-chloranil), hexachlorobenzene and tetrachlorophenol. Recovering experiments for PCP showed a concentration of 27.5 mg kg⁻¹ for the electroanalytical determinations and 26.8 mg kg⁻¹ for the HPLC analysis, values exceedingly high if considering that the maximum residue limit established for natural waters by the Brazilian Environmental Agency is 10 μg l⁻¹.     

Application of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Poly(Glutamic Acid) in Caffeic Acid Determination

Glassy carbon electrodes were coated with films of poly(glutamic acid) (PG), and the modified electrode proved to be very effective in the oxidation of caffeic acid. The performance of the film was also tested with ascorbic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid and chlorogenic acid. At pH 5.6, all the hydroxycinnamic acids yield a higher peak current intensity when oxidized after incorporation in the PG-modified electrode, and only the oxidation of ascorbic acid exhibits overpotential reduction. At pH 3.5 only caffeic and chlorogenic acid are incorporated in the modified electrode and exhibit a well-defined oxidation wave at +0.51 V and +0.48 V, which is the base for their determination. Linear calibration graphs were obtained from 9 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ to 4 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ caffeic acid by linear voltammetric scan and from 4 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ to 3 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ by square wave voltammetric scan. The method was successfully applied to the determination of caffeic acid in red wine samples without interference from other hydroxycinnamic acids or ascorbic acid.     

Preparation and application of a thiamine-selective electrode

A thiamine-selective graphite electrode with thiamine tetraphenylborate as the active material in poly(vinyl chloride) and dibutyl phthalate as the plasticizer at pH 2–5 provides a rapid, nearly Nernstian response to thiamine (as a bivalent cation) in the range 10⁻¹ to 10⁻⁵ M. A rapid and accurate potentiometric determination of the thiamine monohydrochloride content of injection and tablet dosage forms is reported with quantitation by the known-addition, dilution method.     

Poly(dicarbazole-N-hydroxysuccinimide) film: a new polymer for the reagentless grafting of enzymes and redox mediators

Upon oxidative electropolymerisation of a new dicarbazole derivative functionalised by a N-hydroxysuccinimide group in acetonitrile, electroactive poly(dicarbazole) films were formed on electrodes. The subsequent chemical functionalisation of the poly(dicarbazole) film was easily performed by successive immersions in aqueous enzyme and mediator solutions. Investigations by cyclic voltammetry showed that thionine and toluidine blue o have been irreversible bound to the poly(dicarbazole) backbone. The amperometric responses of the poly(dicarbazole) films grafted with polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and thionine to catechol were then investigated at −0.2 V vs. SCE. The catechol sensitivity and the maximum current at saturating catechol concentrations were 14.57 mA M⁻¹cm⁻² and 15.43 μA cm⁻², respectively. The comparison of this catechol sensitivity with that of a poly(dicarbazole) film only modified with PPO (3.40 mA M⁻¹cm⁻²) highlighted the improvement of the biosensor performance brought by thionine as immobilised redox mediator.     

Electrochemical behavior and voltammetric determination of tryptophan based on 4-aminobenzoic acid polymer film modified glassy carbon electrode

Herein, a novel electrochemical method was developed for the determination of tryptophan based on the poly(4-aminobenzoic acid) film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical behaviors of tryptophan at the modified electrode were investigated. It was found that the oxidation peak current of tryptophan at the modified GCE was greatly improved compared with that at the bare GCE. The effects of supporting electrolyte, pH value, scan rate, accumulation potential and time were examined. The oxidation peak current of tryptophan was proportional to its concentration over the range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹. The limit of detection was evaluated to be 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method was sensitive and simple. It was successfully employed to determine tryptophan in pharmaceutical samples.     

Determination of Nitric Oxide by Glassy Carbon Electrodes Modified with Poly(Neutral Red)

Nitric oxide can be oxidized to NO⁻₂ (then to NO⁻₃) and reduced to N₂O at a glassy carbon electrode modified with the film of poly(neutral red). When the modified electrode is further coated with a thin Nafion film, the interference of NO⁻₂ can be almost thoroughly eliminated, and the electrode can be employed to detect nitric oxide.     

白藜芦醇作辣根过氧化物酶底物的布氏杆菌抗体酶联免疫传感器研究

一种纯天然产物白藜芦醇用作辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)底物。对其化学性质的研究证实,白藜芦醇在空气中较稳定,对HRP、H2O2的电化学响应性能优于传统HRP底物,对人体无毒害。白藜芦醇在HRP催化下可被H2O2氧化成醌,产物醌在电极上于-376 mV处可被还原,其电流的大小与HRP的浓试在一定浓度范围内呈线性相关。将兔布氏杆菌抗原包埋在石墨-石蜡基质中制备了测定兔布氏杆菌抗体的电化学酶联免疫传感器,该传感器测定兔布氏杆菌抗体的线性范围为3×10-4~1.65×10-2g/L;检出限为1×10-4g/L;RSD为4.6%。本方法制备免疫传感器的电化学性能稳定,抗原活性保持良好。     

Potentiometric Membrane Sensor for Determination of Saccharin

A potentiometric poly(vinyl chloride) membrane sensor for determination of saccharin is described. It is based on the use of Aliquat 336S-saccharinateion-pair as an electroactive material in plasticized PVC membranes with o-nitrophenyloctylether or dioctylphthalate. The sensor is conditioned for at least two days in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ sodium saccharinate before use. It exhibits fast, stable and Nernstian response for saccharinate ions over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹–5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ and pH range of 4.5–11. The sensor is used for determination of saccharin in some dosage forms. Results with an average recovery of 101% and a mean standard deviation of 0.2% are obtained which is compared favourably with data obtained using the British pharmacopoeia method. The sensor shows reasonable selectivity towards saccharin in presence of many anions and natural sweeteners.     

Adsorption of -histidine on copper surface as evidenced by surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy

The adsorption of -histidine on a copper electrode from H₂O- and D₂O-based solutions is studied by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Different adsorption states of histidine are observed depending upon pH, potential, and the presence of the SO²⁻₄ and Cl⁻ ions. In acidic solutions of pH 1.2 the imidazole ring of the adsorbed histidine remains protonated and is not involved in the chemical coordination with the surface. The SO²⁻₄ and Cl⁻ ions compete with histidine for the adsorption sites. In solutions of pH 3.1 three different adsorption states of histidine are observed depending on the potential. Histidine adsorbs with the protonated imidazole ring oriented mainly perpendicularly to the surface at potentials more positive than −0.2 V. Transformation of that adsorption state occurs at more negative potentials. As this takes place, histidine adsorbs through the α-NH₂ group and the neutral imidazole ring. The Cl⁻ ions cause the protonation and detachment of the α-NH₂ group from the surface and the formation of the ion pair NH⁺₃ … Cl⁻ can be observed. In the neutral solution of pH 7.0 histidine adsorbs through the deprotonated nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring and the α-COO⁻ group at E ≥ −0.2 V. However, this adsorption state is transformed into the adsorption state in which the α-NH₂ group and/or neutral imidazole ring participate in the anchoring of histidine to the surface, once the potential becomes more negative. In alkaline solutions of pH 11.9 histidine is adsorbed on the copper surface through the neutral imidazole ring.     

Palladized aluminum electrode covered by Prussian blue film as an effective transducer for electrocatalytic oxidation and hydrodynamic amperometry of N-acetyl-cysteine and glutathione

The mediated oxidation of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GL) at the palladized aluminum electrode modified by Prussian blue film (PB/Pd–Al) is described. The catalytic activity of PB/Pd–Al was explored in terms of Fe^III[Fe^III(CN)₆]/Fe^III[Fe^II(CN)₆]¹⁻ system by taking advantage of the metallic palladium layer inserted between PB film and Al, as an electron-transfer bridge. The best mediated oxidation of NAC and GL on the PB/Pd–Al electrode was achieved in 0.5 M KNO₃ + 0.2 M potassium acetate of pH 2. The mechanism and kinetics of the catalytic oxidation reactions of the both compounds were monitored by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The charge transfer-rate limiting step as well as overall oxidation reaction of NAC or GL is found to be a one-electron abstraction. The values of transfer coefficients α, catalytic rate constant k and diffusion coefficient D are 0.5, 3.2 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 2.45 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ for NAC and 0.5, 2.1 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 3.7 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ for GL, respectively. The modifying layers on the Pd–Al substrate have reproducible behavior and a high level of stability in the electrolyte solutions. The modified electrode is exploited for hydrodynamic amperometry of NAC and GL. The amperometric calibration graph is linear in concentration ranges 2 × 10⁻⁶–40 × 10⁻⁶ for NAC and 5 × 10⁻⁷–18 × 10⁻⁶ M for GL and the detection limits are 5.4 × 10⁻⁷ and 4.6 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.     

Direct electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of osmium substituted horseradish peroxidase

In this contribution the substitution of the central protoporphyrin IX iron complex of horseradish peroxidase by the respective osmium porphyrin complex is described. The direct electrochemical reduction of the Os containing horseradish peroxidase (OsHRP) was achieved at ITO and modified glassy carbon electrodes and in combination with spectroscopy revealed the three redox couples Os^IIIHRP/Os^IVHRP, Os^IVHRP/Os^VHRP and Os^VHRP/Os^VIHRP. The midpoint potentials differ dependent on the electrode material used with E_1/2 (Os^III/IV) of − 0.4 V (ITO) and − 0.25 V (GC), E_1/2 (Os^IV/^V) of − 0.16 V (ITO) and + 0.10 V (GC), and E_1/2 (Os^V/VI)of + 0.18 V (ITO), respectively. Moreover, with immobilised OsHRP the direct electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide was observed. In comparison to electrodes modified with native HRP the sensitivity of the OsHRP-electrode for tert-butyl hydroperoxide is higher.