Electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen on the surface of glassy carbon electrodes modified with plumbagin

The preparation and electrochemical characterization of glassy carbon electrodes modified with plumbagin were investigated by employing cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and rotating disc electrode techniques. The cyclic voltammograms of the electroreduction of oxygen showed an enhanced current peak at approximately −0.289 V in air-saturated phosphate buffer pH = 7 and scan rate 10 mV s⁻¹. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the reduction of oxygen at glassy carbon have been evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. The experimental parameters were optimized and the mechanism of the catalytic process was discussed. The obtained values of E°′ (V vs. Ag/AgCl), the apparent electron transfer rate constant k_s (s⁻¹), heterogeneous rate constant for the reduction of O₂ at the surface of the modified electrode k_h (M⁻¹ s⁻¹) and α (charge transfer coefficient of oxygen) were as follows: −0.146, 23.4, 9.9 × 10³ and 0.57, respectively. In addition, plumbagin exhibited strong catalytic activity toward the reduction of H₂O₂.     

Bioadsorption and ion exchange of Cr3+ and Pb2+ solutions with algae

Heavy metals can be removed from effluents and recovered using physico-chemical mechanisms as biosorption processes. In this work “Arribada” seaweed biomass was employed to assess its biosorptive capacity for the chromium (Cr³⁺) and lead (Pb²⁺) cations that usually are present in waste waters of plating industries. Equilibrium and kinetic experiments were conducted in a mixed reactor on a batch basis. Biosorption equilibrium and fluid-solid mass transfer constants data were analyzed through the concept of ion exchange sorption isotherm. The respective equilibrium exchange constants (K _eqCr=173.42, K _eqPb=58.86) and volumetric mass transfer coefficients ((k _mCr a)′=1.13×10⁻³ s⁻¹, (k _mPb a)′=0.89×10⁻³ s⁻¹) were employed for the dynamic analysis of Cr and Pb sorption in a fixed-bed flow-through sorption column. The breakthrough curves obtained for both metals were compared with the predicted values by the heterogeneous model (K _eqCr=171.29, K _eqPb=60.14; k _mCr a=7.81×10⁻² s⁻¹, k _mPb a=2.43×10⁻² s⁻¹), taking into account the mass transfer process. The results suggest that these algae may be employed in a metal removal/recovery process at low cost. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Oxidation pathways and kinetics of morphine in acidic and neutral media on the aluminum electrode covered by metallic palladium and modified by Prussian blue

This paper describes the use of an aluminum electrode covered by metallic palladium and modified by Prussian blue prepared by a simple and rapid electroless method for the electro-oxidation of morphine. Two different pathways for electro-oxidation of morphine at various pH ranges were suggested. Also, some thermodynamic and kinetic parameters such as the number of electrons involved in the rate determining step, n _α , transfer coefficient α, and the total electrons (n) involved in morphine oxidation at the time scale of the cyclic voltammetric technique, the catalytic rate constant of the electrochemical process k, and diffusion coefficient of morphine D were determined. The mean values obtained are 0.5, 0.5, 1, 26.8 M^-1 s^-1 and 3.1 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹, respectively.     

Electrocatalytic response of carbohydrates at copper-alloy electrodes

The voltammetric responses observed for carbohydrates and polyalcohols at 0.60 V in 0.10 M NaOH are significantly larger at preanodized CuMn (95:5) electrodes as compared to preanodized pure Cu electrodes. Apparent values for the number of electrons transferred (n_app) and the corresponding values of heterogeneous rate constants (k_app) are estimated for selected reactants from the slopes and intercepts, respectively, of Koutecký–Levich plots of background-corrected voltammetric currents obtained at CuMn and Cu rotated disk electrodes (RDEs). Values of n_app (and k_app) for sorbitol and glucose are 11.8 (9.2×10⁻³ cm s⁻¹) and 11.7 (8.0×10⁻³ cm s⁻¹), respectively, at a CuMn RDE. These are compared to the values 10.4 (1.8×10⁻³ cm s⁻¹) and 9.6 (2.0×10⁻³ cm s⁻¹) for sorbitol and glucose, respectively, at a Cu RDE. The larger sensitivities observed at the CuMn RDE in comparison to the Cu RDE are concluded to be the beneficial result of larger k_app values at the alloy electrode. Furthermore, the larger k_app values are speculated to result from enhanced preadsorption of the reactant species at Mn(IV) sites in the preanodized CuMn surface. In flow-injection measurements, the peak signals obtained for successive injections of glucose using a CuMn electrode (0.60 V vs. SCE) were quite stable with a standard deviation of 1.5%. However, large day-to-day variations (±15%) observed in the average peak signals are attributed to the temperature sensitivities of the k_app value and the diffusion coefficient for glucose.     

Kinetics of the exothermic decomposition of 1-nitro-3-(β,β,β-trinitroethyl)-4,5-dinitroiminoimidazolidine-2-one

The kinetic parameters of the exothermic decomposition of the title compound in a temperatureprogrammed mode have been studied by means of DSC. The DSC data obtained are fitted to the integral, differential, and exothermic rate equations by the linear least-squares, iterative, combined dichotomous, and least-squares methods, respectively. After establishing the most probable general expression of differential and integral mechanism functions by the logical choice method, the corresponding values of the apparent activation energy (E _a), preexponential factor (A), and reaction order (n) are obtained by the exothermic rate equation. The results show that the empirical kinetic model function in differential form and the values of E _a and A of this reaction are (1 − α)^−4.08, 149.95 kJ mol⁻¹, and 10^14.06 s⁻¹, respectively. With the help of the heating rate and kinetic parameters obtained, the kinetic equation of the exothermic decomposition of the title compound is proposed. The critical temperature of thermal explosion of the compound is 155.71°C. The above-mentioned kinetic parameters are quite useful for analyzing and evaluating the stability and thermal explosion rule of the title compound. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Voltammetric response and electrochemical properties of the O2/O 2 •− couple in acetone

Voltammetric responses of the O₂/O ₂ ^•− couple as a function of aprotic solvents are investigated. The results show that acetone is a suitable solvent for examining the electrode reaction of the O₂/O ₂ ^•− couple. Studying the electrochemical behavior of the O₂/O ₂ ^•− couple at different electrodes in acetone by cyclic voltammetry suggests that the reversibility of the O₂/O ₂ ^•− couple and the redox peak currents at glassy carbon are better than those at gold and platinum. The kinetic parameters (electron transfer rate constant k ₀ and cathodic transfer coefficient α) of the oxygen reduction to superoxide ion (O ₂ ^•− ) are evaluated using normal-pulse voltammetry. The obtained values of k ₀ (cm/s) and α are (1.95 ± 0.05) × 10⁻⁴ and 0.34 ± 0.01, respectively. The scavenging activities of ascorbic acid and bilirubin are tested and the experimental results confirm that ascorbic acid is a better scavenger toward O ₂ ^•− . Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 188–194. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-[Cr(bipy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SCN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]I (where bipy: 2,2′-Bipyridine) in Polar Solvents

Cyclic voltammetric studies (CV) on the complex cis-bis(2,2′-bipyridine)bis(thiocyanate)chromium(III) iodide [Cr(bipy)₂(SCN)₂]I (where bipy: 2,2′-bipyridine, C₁₀H₈N₂) were recorded on platinum (Pt) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes in either acetonitrile (ACN) or acetone (ACE) solvent media including n-tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (NBu₄PF₆) as supporting electrolyte, at scan rates (v) ranging from 0.05 to 0.12 V⋅s⁻¹. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) measurements in the frequency (f) range from 0.1 Hz to 50 kHz were carried out on GC and Pt electrodes. The half-wave potential (E _1/2) of the redox couple Cr(III)/Cr(II) was determined as −0.84 V and −0.79 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in ACN and ACE, respectively. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k _s) corresponding to the couple Cr(III)/Cr(II) was found to be greater on GC compared to the Pt electrode. The nature of the solvent medium also affects the kinetics of the investigated couple, to be exact, k _s increases remarkably upon replacement of ACE by ACN. The EIS results indicate that the GC electrode is a better capacitor and provides the smaller charge transfer resistance in ACN.     

Determination of the rate constants for the reaction Fe + O<Subscript>2</Subscript> = FeO + O in the forward and reverse directions

The results of our experimental studies and an analysis of the published data on the rate constant for the reaction Fe + O₂ = FeO + O in the forward (I) and reverse (−I) direction are reported. The data obtained in this work are described by the expressions k ₁ = 6.2 × 10¹⁴exp(−11100 K/T) cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k ₋₁ = 6.0 × 10¹³exp(−588 K/T) cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ (T = 1500–2500 K). The generalized expressions for the temperature dependences of these rate constants derived by combining our results with the literature data can be presented as k ₁ = 9.4 × 10¹⁴(T/1000)^0.022exp(−11224 K/T) cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ (T = 1500–2500 K) and k ₋₁ = 1.8 × 10¹⁴(1000/T)^0.37exp(−367 K/T) cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ (T = 200–2500 K).     

Kinetic model of copper electrodeposition in sulfate solution containing trisodium citrate complexing agent

Simultaneous solution of two kinetic models of electrodeposition of copper in sulfate solution is studied in this paper. Bulk concentration of species involved in the numerical solution was calculated using MATLAB software. COMSOL Multiphysics software was used for the numerical solution of copper electrodeposition. Numerical results were evaluated using experimental data obtained by linear sweep voltammetry technique. The experimental data was almost fitted using COMSOL optimization physic module. It was found that kinetic parameters of Cu²⁺ (k^1Cu), Cu¹⁺ (k_2Cu), and CuCitH (k_1CuCitH) and diffusion coefficient and charge transfer coefficient of Cu²⁺ (\({D_{C{u^{2 + }}}}\), α_Cu1), Cu¹⁺ (α_Cu2) and CuCitH (D_CuCitH, α_CuCitH) affect the fitting of the experimental data with the computed ones. The variables such as concentration profiles and optimum kinetic parameters that cannot be experimentally measured were achieved by analysis of the model. The parameters, that not affect the fitting, were recognized and kept constant when using the optimization.     

A kinetic, spectral and theoretical investigation on the role of oxygen in the radiolytic oxidation of a sorbityl cyclic acetal

The oxidation process of the cyclic acetal sorbitylfurfural (SF) has been thoroughly examined from the kinetic, spectroscopic and theoretical point of view. Oxidation has been initiated by the radiolitically produced OH radical in the presence of variable oxygen amounts. Two competing reaction pathways are evidenced which lead to quite different products, although they do not affect the acetal ring integrity. The peroxidation of the hydroxylated furanic ring (k ₄=(6.1±0.9)×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) maintains the ring structurevia HO₂^• elimination (k ₆=(1.9±0.4)×10⁵ s⁻¹). Unlike that, the peroxidation of the pseudo-allylic radical (k ₅=(1.9±0.9)×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), formedvia β-cleavage, fixes the destructured intermediate, leading to a tetroxide, which slowly decomposes through a Russell mechanism (k ₈=(2.3±0.6)×10² s⁻¹). It is confirmed that the steady state concentration of the tetroxide is very low, which suggests a molar absorption coefficient for it around 1.2×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 265 nm. The end products of the latter pathway have been characterized as carboxylic and butenald-sorbitol derivatives. The kinetic and spectral data of every step of the process have been fitted by the above outlined mechanism. The energetics of the mechanism has been detailed byab initio computations as well, carrying further substantiation to it. Semi-empirical calculations were also employed to describe the spectral properties of each intermediate.     

A study of dimethylferrocene diffusion and electrode kinetics using microelectrode voltammetry in poly(ethylene glycol) solvent

The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k _s) of dimethylferrocene (DMFc) was estimated using cyclic voltammetric peak potential separations taken typically in a mixed diffusion geometry regime in a polyelectrolyte, and the diffusion coefficient (D) of DMFc was obtained using a steady-state voltammogram. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant and diffusion coefficient are both smaller by about 100-fold in the polymeric solvent than in the monomeric solvent. The results are in agreement with the difference of longitudinal dielectric relaxation time (τ_L) in the two kinds of solvents, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and CH₃CN, indicating that k _s varies inversely with τ_L; k _s is proportional to D of DMFc. Both D and k _s of DMFc in PEG containing different supporting electrolytes and at different temperatures have been estimated. These results show that D and k _s of DMFc increase with increasing temperature in the polyelectrolyte, whereas they vary only slightly with changing the supporting electrolyte. Received: 5 February 1998 / Accepted: 23 July 1998     

Fabrication of modified TiO2 nanoparticle carbon paste electrode for simultaneous determination of dopamine, uric acid, and l-cysteine

A carbon paste electrode, modified with 2, 2′-[1,7-hepthandiylbis(nitriloethylidyne)]-bis-hydroquinone and TiO₂ nanoparticles, was used for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), and l-cysteine. The study was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques. Some kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α) and heterogeneous rate constant (k_s) were also determined for the DA oxidation. A dynamic range of 8.0–1400 μM, with the detection limit of 8.4 × 10⁻⁷ M for DA, was obtained using SWV (pH = 7.0). The prepared electrode was successfully applied for the determination of DA, UA, and l-cysteine in real samples.     

Influence of heating rate on kinetic quantities of solid phase thermal decomposition

Thermogravimetric analyses of thermal decomposition (pyrolysis, thermal dissociation and combustion) of 9 different samples were carried out in dynamic conditions at different heating rates. The kinetic parameters (E, A and k_m) of thermal decomposition were determined and interrelations between the parameters and heating rate q were analyzed. There were also relations between Arrhenius and Eyring equations analyzed for thermal decomposition of solid phase. It was concluded that Eyring theory is an element, which interconnects used thermokinetic equations containing Arrhenius law and suggests considering kinetic quantities in way relative to 3 kinetic constants (E, A and k_m). Analysis of quantities other than km (i.e. E, A, Δ⁺H, Δ⁺S) in relation to heating rate is an incomplete method and does not lead to unambiguous conclusions. It was ascertained that in ideal case, assuming constant values of kinetic parameters (E and A) towards heating rate and satisfying both Kissinger equations, reaction rate constant k_m should take on values intermediate between constants (k_m)₁ and (k_m)₂ determined from these equations. Whereas behavior of parameters E and A towards q were not subjected to any rule, then plotting relation k_m vs. q in the background of (k_m)₁ and (k_m)₂ made possible classification of differences between thermal decomposition processes taking place in oxidizing and oxygen-free atmosphere.     

A quartz crystal microbalance study of β-cyclodextrin self assembly on gold and complexation of immobilized β-cyclodextrin with adamantane derivatives

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was used to study the self-assembly of per-6-thio-β-cyclodextrin (t₇-βCD) on gold surfaces, and the subsequent inclusion interactions of immobilized βCD with adamantane-poly(ethylene glycol) (5,000 MW, AD-PEG), 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid (AD-C) and 1-adamantylamine (AD-A). From a 50 μM solution of t₇-βCD in 60:40 DMSO:H₂O, a t₇-βCD layer was formed on gold with surface density of 71.7 ± 2.7 pmol/cm², corresponding to 80 ± 3% of close-packed monolayer coverage. Gold sensors with immobilized t₇-βCD were then exposed alternately to six different concentrations of AD-PEG, 500 μM AD-C or 500 μM AD-A aqueous solutions for association, and water for dissociation. Association of AD-PEG conformed to a Langmuir isotherm, with a best fit equilibrium constant K = 125,000 ± 18,000 M⁻¹. For AD-C and AD-A, association (k _a ) and dissociation (k _d ) rate constants were extracted from kinetic profiles by fitting to the Langmuir model, and equilibrium constants were calculated. The parameters for AD-C were found to be: k _a = 100 ± 5 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, k _d = 110 (±18) × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, and K = 9,400 ± 1,700 M⁻¹. For AD-A, k _a = 58 ± 6 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, k _d = 154 (±7) × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, and K = 3,800 ± 400 M⁻¹. The results demonstrate the utility of QCM as a tool for studying small molecule surface adsorption and guest–host interactions on surfaces. More specifically, the kinetic and thermodynamic data of AD-C, AD-A, and AD-PEG inclusion with immobilized t₇-βCD form a basis for further surface association studies of AD-X conjugates to advance surface sensory and coupling applications.     

Catalytic properties of recombinant class a TEM-1 β-lactamase and its inhibition by sulbactam,tazobactam, and clavulanic acid

A homogeneous preparation of recombinant class A TEM-1 β-lactamase was used in various expression constructs as a genetic marker to provide cell resistance to ampicillin; its kinetic parameters (K _M = 22 μM, V = 0.39 μM/s, k _cat = 31.2 s⁻¹, k _cat/K _M =1/4 μM/s⁻¹) were determined using the chromogenic substrate CENTA. Comparative analysis of the obtained K _M value and the literature data demonstrated that the recombinant enzyme is 3 times more specific against the CENTA substrate than the native enzyme (K _M = 70 μM). Competitive inhibition of recombinant β-lactamase by sulbactam, tazobactam, and clavulanic acid was demonstrated. The CENTA inhibition constants for sulbactam, tazobactam, and clavulanic acid (K _{I (sulbactam)} = 0.43 μM, K _{I (tazobactam)} = 0.041 μM, and K _{I (clavulanic acid)} = 0.046 μM) were determined for the first time. It was shown that tazobactam and clavulanic acids are the most efficient inhibitors of recombinant β-lactamase and produced the same inhibitory effect.     

Kinetics of the peroxy RFO2 radical formation in the RHF-O2-CO2 gaseous mixtures

The kinetic data on the molecular oxygen activity of CH₃CH^·, CH₃CF₂ ^· and CF₃CHF^· radicals are reported. In laboratory, these radicals were generated by pulsed (12 ns) electron beam interaction with the gaseous RHF-O₂-CO₂ mixtures containing large excess of carbon dioxide (RHF = CH₃CH₂F, CH₃CHF₂ or CH₂FCF₃). The transient product (O₃ or RFO₂ ^·) formation was monitored by the UV absorptions at 250 nm and the rate constants of Reactions (4) and (9) were obtained. The values of k ₉ diminished with increasing number of fluorine atoms in RHF molecule. For CH₃CH₂F and CH₃CHF₂ the k ₉’s were equal to (8.8–10.2)^·10⁻¹⁴cm^{3 ·}s⁻¹ and (7.3–8.4)^·10⁻¹⁴cm^{3 ·}s⁻¹, respectively, and seem to be determined for the first time. In the case of CH₂FCF₃ the obtained value of k _CF3CHF+O2 = 5.20±0.76^·10⁻¹⁴cm^{3 ·}s⁻¹ is much higher than the value published in the literature.⁴ The other determined rate constant data are comparable to the literature values.     

Kinetics of the ?OH-radical initiated reactions of acetic acid and its deuterated isomers

Kinetics of the ^•OH-initiated reactions of acetic acid and its deuterated isomers have been investigated performing simulation chamber experiments at T = 300 ± 2 K. The following rate constant values have been obtained (± 1σ, in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k ₁(CH₃C(O)OH + ^•OH) = (6.3 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹³, k ₂(CH₃C(O)OD + ^•OH) = (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹³, k ₃(CD₃C(O)OH + ^•OH) = (6.3 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹³, and k ₄(CD₃C(O)OD + ^•OH) = (0.90 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹³. This study presents the first data on k ₂(CH₃C(O)OD + ^•OH). Glyoxylic acid has been detected among the products confirming the fate of the ^•CH₂C(O)OH radical as suggested by recent theoretical studies.     

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of dinitramide

Kinetic regularities of thermal decomposition of dinitramide in aqueous and sulfuric acid solutions were studied in a wide temperature range. The rate of the thermal decomposition of dinitramide was established to be determined by the rates of decomposition of different forms of dinitramide as the acidity of the medium increases: first, N(NO₂)⁻ anions, then HN(NO₂)₂ molecules, and finally, protonated H₂N(NO₂)₂ ⁺ cations. The temperature dependences of the rate constants of the decomposition of N(NO₂)⁻ (k _an) and HN(NO₂)₂ (k′_ac) and the equilibrium constant of dissociation of HN(NO₂)₂ (K _a) were determined:k _an=1.7·10¹⁷ exp(−20.5·10³/T), s⁻¹,k′_ac=7.9·10¹⁶ exp(−16.1·10³/T), s⁻¹, andK _a=1.4·10 exp(−2.6·10³/T). The temperature dependences of the decomposition rate constant of H₂N(NO₂)₂ ⁺ (k _d) and the equilibrium constant of the dissociation of H₂N(NO₂)₂ ⁺ (K _d) were estimated:k _d=10¹² exp(−7.9·10³/T), s⁻¹ andK _d=1.1 exp(6.4·10³/T). The kinetic and thermodynamic constants obtained make it possible to calculate the decomposition rate of dinitramide solutions in a wide range of temperatures and acidities of the medium. In this series of articles, we report the results of studies of the thermal decomposition of dinitramide performed in 1974–1978 and not published previously. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2129–2133, December, 1997.