Voltammetry at partially covered electrodes: Part III. Faradaic impedance measurements at model electrodes

Faradaic, impedances at model electrodes partially covered with a photoresist layer have been studied theoretically and experimentally. Equations for the faradaic impedance are derived based on the theoretical model and approach described in Part I of this series of papers. Experimental data for the hexacyanoferrate system at various model electrodes give excellent agreement, with theoretical predictions for the diffusion impedance behavior, and the applicability of the derived equations to the estimation of the degree of coverage and the size of the active regions is confirmed. Furthermore, the application of such model electrodes to the kinetic study of electrode reactions with high heterogeneous charge transfer rates is suggested.     

Voltammetry at partially covered electrodes: Part II. Linear potential sweep and cyclic voltammetry

Effect of inhomogeneity of the electrode surface on the linear potential sweep and cyclic voltammograms is investigated theoretically and experimentally using model electrodes partially covered with photoresist layer. Good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results is obtained.     

Electrooxidation of carbon monoxide on gold nanoparticle ensemble electrodes: effects of particle coverage

Gold nanoparticles were attached to amine-functionalized indium tin oxide substrate to form particle ensemble electrodes with controlled particle coverage. Electrooxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) on these particle ensemble electrodes was studied in CO-saturated alkaline solutions by means of cyclic voltammetry, with an emphasis on the effects of particle coverage. CO oxidation half-wave potential was found to decrease with increasing particle density. However, the current density was significantly larger at lower particle coverage electrodes. On the basis of a model for electron transfer on a partially covered electrode, the observations were explained in terms of the change in reactant mass transport pattern with varying particle coverages: CO diffusion is predominantly mixed spherical and linear at low particle coverages and changes to mostly linear at high particle coverages. The possibility of contributions from particle agglomeration is also briefly discussed.     

Electrochemical SPM investigation of the solid electrolyte interphase film formed on HOPG electrodes

Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film formation on graphite electrodes was studied on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) in nonaqueous electrolyte by in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (AFM). For potentials negative to 0.7 V versus Li|Li⁺ a SEI film is formed on the HOPG electrode surface. After the first cycle the film is rough and covers the surface of the HOPG electrode only partially. After the second cycle the HOPG surface is fully covered by a compact film. The thickness of the SEI film was measured by increasing the pressure of the AFM tip and thus scraping a part of the electrode surface. In this way a thickness of about 25 nm was found for the SEI film formed after two scan cycles between 3 and 0.01 V versus Li|Li⁺.     

Raman spectroscopic investigation of silver electrodes

Raman spectroscopy has been applied to the study of the reduction of carbon dioxide and of formate and carbonate ions at a silver electrode. Raman spectra of adsorbed intermediate species, which are as yet only partially identified, have been detected and show marked variations with electrode potential. These spectral variations are clearly correlated with the voltammetric features for carbonate solutions and suggest that these reduction products complicate most measurements on silver electrodes in the cathodic region. The interpretation of the previously reported spectra due to adsorbed pyridine at silver electrodes has been reconsidered; interactions with surface carboxy species may be significant.     

Underpotential deposition of Cu on partially oxidized Rh electrodes

The underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper on partially oxidized rhodium electrodes was studied in acid medium using potentiodynamic techniques. The process was analyzed as a function of the potential and time of deposition. The potentiodynamic I-E patterns for the oxidative dissolution of Cu provide evidence for the existence of a chemical reaction between Cu and oxygen existing on the electrode surface. Redistribution of the active sites is also possible when appreciable quantities of oxidized species are simultaneously reduced by the UPD process. The partially oxidized rhodium electrodes were prepared by cyclic voltammetry and anodic polarization. The later method provided the most oxidized surfaces, but, even in this case, the degree of oxygen surface coverage was lower than that corresponding to a monolayer. Received: 11 July 1997 / Accepted: 10 February 1998     

Two-dimensional condensation of nucleic acid components at mercury film and gold electrodes

The adsorption of cytidine at the mercury film electrodes and at the Au (111) single crystal electrode has been investigated. Some kinetic aspects such as the influence of pH and temperature on the formation or dissolution of cytidine adlayer on the pyrolytic graphite electrode covered by a mercury film or on the Au (111) have been studied.     

Voltammetry at spatially heterogeneous electrodes

Recent advances are overviewed which enable simulation of the voltammetric behaviour of surfaces which respond in an electrochemically spatially heterogeneous fashion. By use of the concept of a “diffusion domain” computationally expensive three-dimensional simulations may be reduced to tractable two-dimensional equivalents. In this way the electrochemical response of partially blocked electrodes and microelectrode arrays may be predicted, and are found to be consistent with experimental data. It is, furthermore, possible to adapt the “blocked” electrode analysis to enable the voltammetric sizing of inert particles present on an electrode surface. Finally theory of this type predicts the voltammetric behaviour of electrochemically heterogeneous electrodes—for example composites whose different spatial zones display contrasting electrochemical behaviour toward the same redox couple.     

Direct electrochemical hydrogenation of toluene at Pt electrodes in a microemulsion electrolyte solution

In the present study, we demonstrated a new concept for the direct electrochemical hydrogenation of toluene using an acidic microemulsion electrolyte with active Pt electrodes to pave the way for efficient methylcyclohexane mass production. We have achieved a Faradaic efficiency of 80% for the toluene/methylcyclohexane conversion at a Pt black electrode, under galvanostatic conditions and in a one-compartment cell. The reaction rate and selectivity of the toluene reduction were found to depend strongly on the surface structure of the Pt electrodes.     

Interfacial electrochemistry of cytochrome c at tin oxide,indium oxide,gold, and platinum electrodes

Cyclic voltammetry has been used to study the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of horse heart cytochrome c in pH 7 tris/cacodylate media at several electrode surfaces. Reversible voltammetric responses (formal heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant>10^?2 cm/s) were observed at bare gold electrodes and at tin-doped indium oxide semiconductor electrodes for certain experimental conditions. Quasireversible voltammetric responses were more typically observed at fluorine-doped tin oxide semiconductor electrodes, bare platinum electrodes, and at the indium oxide electrodes. Reaction rates at bare metal electrodes were strongly dependent on pretreatment procedures and experimental protocol. Reaction rates at metal oxide electrodes were strongly dependent on solution conditions, pretreatment procedures, and on the hydration state of the electrode surface. A general mechanistic scheme involving both interfacial electrostatic and chemical interactions is proposed for cytochrome c electrode reactions. The asymmetric distribution of surface charges on cytochrome c appears to play a dominant role in controlling electron transfer rates by its interaction with the electric field at the electrode surface. Electron transfer distances are also considered, and it is concluded that electron transfer between an electrode surface and the exposed heme edge of properly oriented cytochrome c molecules involves maximum distances of ca. 0.6–0.9 nm.     

Biohybrid microarrays--impedimetric biosensors with 3D in vitro tissues for toxicological and biomedical screening

To investigate the effectiveness of potential anticancer therapeutics or therapies, efficient screening methods are required. On the one hand, multicellular 3D aggregates (spheroids) are a powerful in vitro model for simulating the in vivo situation and on the other hand, planar electrode structures are generally highly suitable for automation and parallel testing. Here, the detection of the effect of active substances on spheroids positioned on electrodes of substrate integrated electrode arrays is exemplarily investigated. As a 3D tissue model a reaggregation system of T47D clone 11 tumor cells is used. The effect of cytotoxins (DMSO, Triton X-100) on spheroids can be detected by recording the effective impedance of planar electrodes covered by spheroids. The equivalent circuit model parameter of electrodes covered by cytotoxin treated spheroids are determined from recorded impedance spectra and compared to the parameter of electrodes covered by control spheroids as well as not covered electrodes. Spheroids on electrodes mainly influence the electrode impedance in the frequency range of 10 kHz to 1 MHz. The results are discussed in view of an optimal electrode/spheroid-interface for sensing the effects of therapeutics with high sensitivity.     

Biohybrid microarrays – Impedimetric biosensors with 3D in vitro tissues for toxicological and biomedical screening

To investigate the effectiveness of potential anti-cancer therapeutics or therapies, efficient screening methods are required. On the one hand, multicellular 3D aggregates (spheroids) are a powerful in vitro model for simulating the in vivo situation and on the other hand, planar electrode structures are generally highly suitable for automation and parallel testing. Here, the detection of the effect of active substances on spheroids positioned on electrodes of substrate integrated electrode arrays is exemplarily investigated. As a 3D tissue model a reaggregation system of T47D clone 11 tumor cells is used. The effect of cytotoxins (DMSO, Triton X-100) on spheroids can be detected by recording the effective impedance of planar electrodes covered by spheroids. The equivalent circuit model parameter of electrodes covered by cytotoxin treated spheroids are determined from recorded impedance spectra and compared to the parameter of electrodes covered by control spheroids as well as not covered electrodes. Spheroids on electrodes mainly influence the electrode impedance in the frequency range of 10 kHz to 1 MHz. The results are discussed in view of an optimal electrode/spheroid-interface for sensing the effects of therapeutics with high sensitivity.     

Development of polyaniline microarray electrodes for cadmium analysis

Disposable screen-printed electrodes (SPCE) were modified using a cosmetic product to partially block the electrode surface in order to obtain a microelectrode array. The microarrays formed were electropolymerized with aniline. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the modified and polymerized electrode surface. Electrochemical characteristics of the constructed sensor for cadmium analysis were evaluated by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. Optimized stripping procedure in which the preconcentration of cadmium was achieved by depositing at ?1.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) resulted in a well defined anodic peak at approximately ?0.7 V at pH 4.6. The achieved limit of detection was 4 × 10^?9 mol dm^?3. Spray modified and polymerized microarray electrodes were successfully applied to quantify cadmium in fish sample digests.     

Effects of organic additives on zinc electrodeposition at iron electrodes studied by EQCM and in situ STM

Effects of organic additives, such as benzoic acid (BA) and poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs), on the initial stage of the zinc electrodeposition have been investigated at iron electrodes using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements and in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy in an acidic zinc chloride solution in efforts to gain a molecular-level understanding of their roles. BA is adsorbed strongly at the sites of more negative potentials on the electrode, although it is randomly adsorbed on the iron surface at around an open circuit potential. Its role seems to control the deposition rate at the dendritic sites by blocking the active surface via adsorption. On the contrary, PEGs are adsorbed more or less evenly with a well-ordered structure on the iron surface and appear to desorb in the underpotential deposition region of zinc ions, which helps inhibit proton reduction by effectively blocking the electrode surface.     

Study of the potential response of solid-state chloride electrodes at low concentration ranges

Ion-selective electrodes based on silver chloride precipitates have been investigated in the low concentration range, by use of a specially designed cell of small volume. Electrode potential measurements and silver determinations in the corresponding solutions by atomic-absorption spectrometry were made. The results prove that the potential response of these ion-selective electrodes in the low concentration ranges is governed by inequality of the ion concentrations in the boundary zone of the test solution contacting the electrode membrane. This is a result of adsorption-desorption processes, a dissolution process followed by recrystallization of the silver chloride at the electrode membrane surface, and photoreduction of silver ions at the electrode surface.     

Interaction between co-deposited metals during stripping voltammetry at boron-doped diamond electrodes

Electrochemical processes, which underlie the use of conductive diamond electrodes for the simultaneous detection of two or more metal ions in solution by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), have been investigated. The model analyte system studied contains the two metal species, Ag+(aq) and Pb2+(aq), and the experimental techniques employed include cyclic and square wave voltammetries, along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary electron microscopy. Although the bulk metallic forms of Ag and Pb are immiscible, several interactions in the system between the two metal species present are observed, which significantly influence the electrodeposition and electrodissolution processes which underlie ASV. The subsequent nucleation and growth of a given metal on the electrode surface is enhanced by the presence of the second metal on the surface. The encapsulation of one metal by the other, within the metal particulates that form on the electrode surface, significantly reduces the stripping yield at the potentials characteristic of the individual metals. The stripping potentials are also influenced by bonding interactions between deposited Ag and Pb, which broaden the characteristic stripping peaks in cyclic voltammetry, as well as producing underpotential deposition and stripping. Given these interactions, the extent to which ASV at diamond electrodes can be used to determine the solution concentrations of Ag+(aq) and Pb2+(aq) is considered.     

Fast electrochemical triple-interface processes at boron-doped diamond electrodes

Two important mechanisms for electron transfer processes at boron-doped diamond electrodes involving the oxidation of tetramethylphenylenediamine (TMPD) dissolved in aqueous solution and the oxidation of tetrahexylphenylenediamine (THPD) deposited in the form of microdroplets and immersed into aqueous eletrolyte solution are reported. For TMPD, the first oxidation step in aqueous solution follows the equation: Remarkably slow heterogeneous kinetics at a H-plasma-treated boron-doped diamond electrode are observed, consistent with a process following a pathway more complex than outer-sphere electron transfer. At the same boron-doped diamond electrode surface a deposit of THPD undergoes facile oxidation following the equation: This oxidation and re-reduction of the deposited liquid material occurs at the triple interface organic droplet|diamond|aqueous electrolyte and is therefore an example of a facile high-current-density process at boron-doped diamond electrodes due to good electrical contact between the deposit and the diamond surface. Received: 3 February 2000 / Accepted: 18 February 2000     

Electrochemical behavior of hydrazine at mechanically renewed solid electrodes

The electrooxidation of hydrazine was studied at metallic wire electrodes made of Co, Ni, Ag, Cu, and a graphite-epoxy composite by anodic and cyclic voltammetry with a linear potential sweep in alkaline-supporting electrolytes. Electrode working surfaces were regenerated by mechanically cutting a thin 0.5-μm layer in situ before each polarization cycle. The effects of the electrode material and the renewal of its surface on the parameters of anodic voltammograms of hydrazine were demonstrated. Hydrazine anodic peaks obtained at clean surfaces of electrodes fabricated from Ni, Ag, and a graphite-epoxy composite and also peaks at the potentials of the oxide formation on Ni and Cu electrodes can be used as analytical signals for the voltammetric determination of hydrazine.     

A potentiometric hydrazine sensor: para-Ni-tetraaminophenylporphyrin/Co-cobaltite/SNO2:F modified electrode

Three glass electrodes covered with Co-cobaltite/SnO₂:F (to obtain conducting glass electrodes) modified with p-Ni-tetraaminophenylporphyrin are described. In one electrode the porphyrin was absorbed on the electrode surface at room temperature, in another the porphyrin was electropolymerized on the electrode surface by cyclic voltammetry, and in the third the bare electrode was immersed in DMF containing the porphyrin and refluxed 6?h at 150°C. The three electrodes were tested as electrocatalysts for the oxidation of hydrazine and as potentiometric sensors of this chemical. The electrode modified by refluxing showed good electrocatalytic behavior as well as a linear relationship between its open circuit potential and the concentration of hydrazine in a concentration range from 0.16 to 12?µM, with fast response. These characteristics indicate that the conducting glass electrode of Co-cobaltite/SnO₂:F covered with p-Ni-tetraaminophenylporphyrin by the reflux method is a good potentiometric sensor of hydrazine. The active site is probably the ligand that changes its electron density by formation of a supramolecular system.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at thick-film gold electrodes

Cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic investigations of screen-printed, thick-film gold electrodes reveal significant differences when compared with conventional polished gold disk electrodes of comparable size. The rough and porous structure of the thick-film electrode surface leads to an actual electrode area which is increased six-fold compared to polished disk electrodes. Due to the catalytic properties of these surface structures it is possible to perform the electrochemical oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at relatively low overpotentials, i.e. +0.145 V vs. SCE. By operating electrodes at this potential, electrode fouling processes and interference from electroactive species, e.g. acetaminophen, are minimized. An amperometric glucose sensor based on polymer matrix-entrapped glucose dehydrogenase with a working potential of +0.145 V vs. SCE was successfully incorporated into a flow injection analysis (FIA) system.