Voltammetric determination of chloramphenicol in milk at electrochemically activated carbon fibre microelectrodes

Electrochemical activation of cylindrical carbon fibre microelectrodes (CFMEs) by repetitive square-wave (SW) voltammetric scans between 0.0 and +2.6 V has shown to increase dramatically the cathodic current of chloramphenicol (CAP). This is attributed to the increase of the carbon fibre surface area due to its fracture and the appearance of deep fissures along the main fibre axis. Cyclic voltammograms of CAP suggested a contribution to the total current from most likely thin-layer electrolysis. The current density:concentration ratio calculated for the reduction of CAP at an activated fibre was 6.5×10⁷ μA cm⁻² mol⁻¹ l. A method for the determination of CAP at low concentrations levels, using SW voltammetry at electrochemically activated cylindrical microelectrodes, was developed. Different chemical and electrochemical variables involved in the activation step were optimised. Calibration graphs were linear (r=0.9990) in the 1.0×10⁻⁷ to 1.0×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ concentration range, with a slope of (2.69+0.03) × 10⁵ μA mol⁻¹ l. A limit of detection of 4.7×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ (15 ng ml⁻¹) was found. The SWV method was applied for the determination of CAP in milk samples spiked with the antibiotic at two concentration levels: 64 and 320 ng ml⁻¹. Recoveries >97% were obtained in all cases by following a very simple experimental procedure.     

Rapid voltammetric determination of nitroaromatic explosives at electrochemically activated carbon-fibre electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of some nitroaromatic explosives (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, TNT; 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,6-DNT; 2-nitrotoluene, 2-NT; 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 2-A-4,6-DNT; 3,5-dinitroaniline, 3,5-DNA; and nitrobenzene, NB) at electrochemically activated carbon-fibre microelectrodes is reported. Electrochemical activation of such electrode material by repeated square-wave (SW) voltammetric scans between 0.0 and +2.6 V versus Ag/AgCl, produced a dramatic increase in the cathodic response from these compounds. This is attributed to the increase of the carbon-fibre surface area, because of its fracture, and the appearance of deep fissures along the main fibre axis into which the nitroaromatic compounds penetrate. Based on the important contribution of adsorption and/or thin layer electrolysis to the total voltammetric response, a SW voltammetric method for rapid detection of nitroaromatic explosives was developed. No interference was found from compounds such as hydrazine, phenolic compounds, carbamates, triazines or surfactants. The limits of detection obtained are approximately 0.03 g mL^–1 for all the nitroaromatic compounds tested. The method was applied for the determination of TNT in water and soil spiked samples; recoveries were higher than 95% in all cases.     

Voltametric and Flow Injection Determination of Oxytetracycline Residues in Food Samples Using Carbon Fiber Microelectrodes

A voltammetric method for the determination of the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) in food samples is reported. Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs), which allow voltammetric measurements to be performed in a small volume (1 mL) of the analyte extract from the samples, are employed. Repeatable electroanalytical responses were obtained with no need of applying cleaning treatments to the CFME. Under the optimized square‐wave conditions, a linear calibration plot for OTC was obtained in the 1.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 range, with a detection limit of 2.9×10^?7 mol L^?1 (150 ng mL^?1) OTC. The determination of OTC by a flow‐injection method with amperometric detection using a homemade flow cell specially designed to work with CFMEs, was also evaluated using pure acetonitrile as the carrier. The SW voltammetric method was applied to the determination of OTC in spiked milk and eggs samples, at 100 ng mL^?1 and 200 ng g^?1 levels, respectively. The procedure involved the extraction of the analyte in ethyl acetate, evaporation of the solvent and reconstitution of the residue in acetonitrile ?5.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 tetrabutylammonium perchlorate medium. Recoveries of 96±8 and 91±8% were obtained for milk and eggs, respectively, by applying the standard additions method.     

微分脉冲伏安法同时测定3,4-二氢-2-羟基喹(口恶)啉和2-羟基喹(口恶)啉及研究其电极反应性质

以玻碳电极为工作电极,在pH为6的甲醇-B.R.缓冲溶液的混合溶液中,3,4-二氢-2-羟基喹噁啉在+0.48V有一氧化峰,2-羟基喹噁啉在-0.98V有一还原峰,峰高与相应的电活性物质浓度分别在2.8+10~(-6)—8.0×10~(-5)mol/L和8.0×10~(-6)—6.4×10~(-4)mol/L范围内有良好的线性关系。在此条件下,对样品中二者含量进行了同时测定。     

A Miniature glucose/O2 biofuel cell with single-walled carbon nanotubes-modified carbon fiber microelectrodes as the substrate

This study demonstrates a new kind of miniature glucose/O₂ biofuel cells (BFCs) based on carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). SWNTs are used as a support both for stably confining the electrocatalyst (i.e., methylene green, MG) for the oxidation of NADH and the anodic biocatalyst (i.e., NAD⁺-dependent glucose dehydrogenase, GDH) for the oxidation of glucose and for efficiently facilitating direct electrochemistry of the cathodic biocatalyst (i.e., laccase) for the O₂ reduction. The prepared micro-sized GDH-based bioanode and laccase-based biocathode exhibit good bioelectrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of glucose and the reduction of oxygen, respectively. In 0.10 M phosphate buffer containing 10 mM NAD⁺ and 45 mM glucose under ambient air, the power density of the assembled miniature compartment-less glucose/O₂ BFC reaches 58 μW cm⁻² at 0.40 V. The stability of the miniature glucose/O₂ BFC is also evaluated.     

Real Time In Vivo Measurement of Ascorbate in the Brain Using Carbon Nanotube‐Modified Microelectrodes

A carbon fiber microelectrode modified with a composite film of carbon nanotubes and Nafion was developed for in vivo ascorbate (AA) measurements in brain tissue. The modified‐microelectrodes exhibit an electrocatalytic activity for AA oxidation by shifting the peak potential negatively to ?0.040 V, showing a sensitivity of 37 pA/µM, a detection limit of 2.5 µM, a response time of 0.3 s and don’t respond to several electroactive compounds found in the brain extracellular space. In the rat hippocampus, the basal concentration of AA was 290 µM, and glutamate‐evoked changes in AA were biphasic comprising fast and slow components.     

Using Ferrocenes to Assist in Voltammetric Characterization of Carbon Fiber Microelectrodes after Electrochemical and Laser Activation

In this report the voltammetry of water‐soluble ferrocene derivatives is used to characterize the surface of carbon fiber microelectrodes before and after both electrochemical and laser activation procedures. Activation of carbon electrodes is necessary to produce a reproducible surface that will allow fast electron transfer. However, the activation method that is best suited for a given analysis can differ with analyte. In order to directly compare activation methods and characterize the resulting electrode performance, the voltammetry of a set of ferrocenes which have fast and well‐known electrochemistry has been used. As expected, electrochemical activation (0.000 to 2.000 V (vs. SSCE) at 500 V/s for 15 seconds) resulted in a hydrophilic surface with increased surface area. Laser pretreatment (20 Hz pulsed nitrogen laser irradiation for 15 seconds) appeared to remove surface oxides thereby producing a more hydrophobic surface that facilitates the adsorption of neutral analytes. In general, anionic ferrocene derivatives exhibited more quasi‐reversible voltammetry and were not as strongly adsorbed as the neutral analyte, particularly with electrochemically activated probes. In addition, neutral analytes show considerable adsorption, particularly at laser‐activated electrodes, while the cationic analyte shows significant adsorption at only the electrochemically‐pretreated electrodes, indicating surface‐specific interactions.     

Electroreduction of molybdenum(VI) at a prehydrogenated platinum electrode

The use of hydrogenated platinum electrodes allows observation of the electroreduction of some oxygenated ions, which is otherwise masked by the reduction of the hydrogen ion. The present paper deals with the reduction of molybdenum(VI) at a prehydrogenated platinum electrode in acid solutions. The experimental conditions for the electrode hydrogenation process are the following: 90 min at a cathodic current density of about 7 A/cm(2) for microelectrodes with an area of 0.02-0.03 cm(2); about 120 min at a current density of 1.5-2 A/cm(2) for microelectrodes with an area of 0.25-0.35 cm(2). The reduction of molybdenum(VI) in 0.8-1.6M H(2)SO(4) occurs in two consecutive steps: the more cathodic wave [Mo(V) to Mo(III)] is for the most part masked by the reduction of the solvent; the less cathodic wave [Mo(VI) to Mo(V)] takes place at E(1 2 ) values of about +0.07 V, is well shaped, diffusion-controlled and usable for the determination of molybdenum down to 4 x 10(-5)M or 6 x 10(-5)M if a rotating disk electrode is used. Interferences from diverse ions have been studied. A generalization of the effect of electrode hydrogenation on the reduction of those oxygenated ions so far studied [i.e., vanadium(IV), uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI)] is presented.     

Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Analysis of Methyl‐parathion (MPT) and 4‐Nitrophenol (PNP) by a New Type p‐NiTSPc/p‐PPD Coated Carbon Fiber Microelectrode (CFME)

A novel modified carbon fiber microelectrode (CFME) was obtained by combination of tetrasulfonated nickel phtalocyanine (p‐NiTSPc) electroformed film associated to para‐phenylenediamine (p‐PPD) electropolymerized outer‐coating. The modified CFMEs where denoted C/p‐NiTSPc and C/p‐NiTSPc/p‐PPD, respectively. These electrodes are dedicated to the organophosphates compounds (OPs) methyl‐parathion (MPT) and para‐nitrophenol (PNP). Our contribution shows that both OPs can be determined simultaneously on the unmodified and modified C/p‐NiTSPc CFMEs. A clear electrocatalytic activity towards both MPT and PNP redox process was observed, for the first time, in presence of p‐NiTSPc. The obtained sensitivity for the C/p‐NiTSPc CFME was 80 nA L mg^?1 in the concentration range 0.01 to 10 mg/L with a detection limit of 40 μg/L. Also the combination of p‐NiTSPc and p‐PPD electrodeposited films show, for the first time, the possibility to discriminate on the C/p‐NiTSPc/p‐PPD CFME between MPT and PNP. Stability experiments were also conducted for 3 weeks in acetate buffer showing a good reproductibility of the sensitivity to PNP vs. time in presence of MPT with a little loss of sensitivity (5%) after 3 weeks.     

Functional groups modulate the sensitivity and electron transfer kinetics of neurochemicals at carbon nanotube modified microelectrodes

The surface properties of carbon-based electrodes are critically important for the detection of biomolecules and can modulate electrostatic interactions, adsorption and electrocatalysis. Carbon nanotube (CNT) modified electrodes have previously been shown to have increased oxidative sensitivity and reduced overpotential for catecholamine neurotransmitters, but the effect of surface functionalities on these properties has not been characterized. In this study, we modified carbon-fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) with three differently functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes and measured their response to serotonin, dopamine, and ascorbic acid using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Both carboxylic acid functionalized and amide functionalized CNTs increased the oxidative current of CFMEs by approximately 2-6 fold for the cationic neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, but octadecylamine functionalized CNTs resulted in no significant signal change. Similarly, electron transfer was faster for both amide and carboxylic acid functionalized CNT modified electrodes but slower for octadecylamine CNT modified electrodes. Oxidation of ascorbic acid was only increased with carboxylic acid functionalized CNTs although all CNT-modified electrodes showed a trend towards increased reversibility for ascorbic acid. Carboxylic acid-CNT modified disk electrodes were then tested for detection of serotonin in the ventral nerve cord of a Drosophila melanogaster larva, and the increase in sensitivity was maintained in biological tissue. The functional groups of CNTs therefore modulate the electrochemical properties, and the increase in sensitivity from CNT modification facilitates measurements in biological samples.     

Voltammetry of a Novel Antimycobacterial Agent 1‐Hydroxy‐N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)naphthalene‐2‐carboxamide in a Single Drop of a Solution

The aim of this study is the development of a miniaturized voltammetric method for the determination of an antimycobacterial agent 1‐hydroxy‐N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)naphthalene‐2‐carboxamide (HNN) in a single drop (20 μL) of a solution by cathodic and anodic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate its redox properties followed by the optimization of differential pulse voltammetric determination in a regular 10 mL volume. The optimal medium for the analytical application of both cathodic and anodic voltammetry was found to be Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 7.0 and dimethyl sulfoxide (9 : 1, v/v). HNN gave one cathodic peak at around −0.6 V and one anodic peak at around +0.2 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 mol L⁻¹ KCl) reference electrode. Determination of HNN in a 10 mL volume gave the limit of quantification around 10 nmol L⁻¹ by both adsorptive stripping anodic and cathodic voltammetry. Afterwards, miniaturized voltammetric methods in a single drop of solution (20 μL) were investigated. This approach requested some modifications of the cell design and voltammetric procedures. A novel method of removing dissolved oxygen in a single drop had to be developed and tested. Developed miniaturized voltammetric methods gave parameters comparable to the determination of HNN in 10 mL. The applicability of the miniaturized method was verified by the determination of HNN in a drop of a bacterial growth medium.     

Amorphous carbon nitride a-CNx microelectrode: Fabrication and characterization

Fabrication and characterization of amorphous carbon nitride a-CN_x microelectrodes are reported. These electrodes were prepared by DC-sputtering of a thin carbon layer on sharpened glass tip. The kinetic parameters (k⁰ and α) and the diffusion coefficient of the ferri-ferrocyanide redox probe were determined by steady-state voltammetry (CV) and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and were used for characterizing both the electrochemical sensitivity of microelectrodes and their dimensions. The cathodic activation procedure of the electrode resulted in an increase of the electron rate constant. This procedure provides a new way for the fabrication of carbon microelectrodes for local electrochemical measurements.     

Detection of Cadmium and Copper Cations Using Amorphous Nitrogenated Carbon Thin Film Electrodes

Nitrogenous amorphous carbon (a‐CN_x) thin films were deposited by radio‐frequency cathodic magnetron sputtering (13.56 MHz) on polished and etched titanium disks. While these films are cheaper to prepare than commonly reported carbon‐based electrodes, the usable electrochemical window in aqueous solution is within the same range and spans from ?1.5 to +1.8 V vs. SCE. The electrochemical reactivity was tested using the ferri‐ferrocyanide redox couple as a function of the thin films preparation parameters. The obtained electrochemical properties allow the use of these a‐CN_x thin films for stripping electroanalysis of cations in water, minimizing potential solvent reactivity. Cadmium and copper were used to test these detection abilities. Better analytical properties (notably sensitivity and linearity) were obtained as compared to a commercial boron doped diamond electrode. Preliminary competition/interaction experiments for these two cations were performed.     

Flow injection-pulse amperometric detection of ephedrine at a cobalt phthalocyanine modified carbon paste electrode

Direct detection of ephedrines and other underivatized amino compounds (amines, alicyclic amines, alkanolamines, and amino acids) can be carried out via electrocatalytic oxidation at a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPC) in alkaline solution (0.10 mol L-1 NaOH). Most of the amino compounds tested could be determined using the CoPC/CPE in an amperometric flow detector. The analytical signal of ephedrine was stabilised by alternating the potential between an anodic detection potential of +0.30 V (+0.45 V for other amino compounds) applied for 220 ms and a cathodic reactivation potential of -0.30 V applied for 100 ms (potentials versus SCE). The linear response range for ephedrine was within 1-100 mumol L-1 and the detection limit was 0.8 mumol L-1 with a 100 microL sample loop and a typical sampling ra 60 h-1. The signal (oxidation peak current) reproducibility was 2-3%. The method was applied to the determination of ephedrine in pharmaceutical formulations with results comparable to those obtained with a standard spectrophotometric method.     

Synthesis of ZnO photocatalyst modified with activated carbon for a perfect degradation of ciprofloxacin and its secondary pollutants

The proposed research, presents the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic accomplishment of ZnO nanoplate (ZnOs) modified with activated carbon derived from Konar bark. The obtained nanocomposite (photocatalyst) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). First, the ZnO photocatalyst and activated carbon (AC) were prepared separately; then, the ZnO photocatalyst was modified with activated carbon. Various parameters namely pH, degradation time, and photocatalyst dose were optimized and studied in multivariate method by design expert7 software. The synergic efficiency of ZnO‐AC (adsorbent/photocatalyst) exhibited a good rate of ciprofloxacin (CIP) removal under visible irradiation. In addition, first pseudo order kinetic and isotherms equations were calculated. Moreover, the identification of degradation products was performed by ultra performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC‐MS/MS). It is for the first time that a ZnO photocatalyst modified with activated carbon (ZnO‐AC) applied for CIP degradation.     

Carbon electrodes with high pseudocapacitance for supercapacitors

Electrochemical properties of electrodes on the basis of CH900-20 activated carbon (AC) cloth were studied in concentrated H₂SO₄ solutions in a wide range of potentials from −0.8 to +1 V RHE. Cyclic voltammetric curves measured in two ranges of potentials were analyzed: in the reversibility range (from 0.1 to 0.9 V) and in the deep cathodic charging range (from −0.8 to 1 V). Electric double layer (EDL) charging occurs in the reversibility range, while faradaic processes of hydrogen chemisorption and its intercalation into carbon take place in the range of negative potentials (<−0.1 V). The intercalation process is controlled by slow solid-phase hydrogen diffusion. For the first time, the maximum value of specific discharge capacity of 1560 C/g was obtained, which is much higher than the values known from the literature for carbon electrodes. On the basis of this value and Faraday’s law, it was assumed that the compound of C₆H is formed in the limiting case of AC deep cathodic charging. The specific charge value grows at an increase in the concentration of H₂SO₄. The mechanism of double intercalation of sulfuric acid and hydrogen into the AC is suggested. The data obtained are used to develop a mathematical charging-discharge model for an AC electrode taking into account the EDL charging, chemisorption, and hydrogen intercalation.     

Subspeciation of nickel disulfide by carbon paste electrode voltammetry catalyzed by Ni2+

In subspeciation of sulfidic nickel, carbon paste electrode voltammetry was developed for the specific determination of Ni3S2 or NiS, but NiS2 was found to be unreactive. Ni2+ in pH 7.2 acetate solution was able to catalyze NiS2 to undergo redox reactions. The cyclic voltammogram showed two anodic peaks at -0.3 and +0.7 V and a cathodic peak at -0.6 V. The first anodic peak at -0.3 V and the cathodic peak were common among the three nickel sulfides, but the second anodic peak at +0.7 V was unique to NiS2. This peak current gave a linear dose response to NiS2 from 40 to 610 microg, with a correlation coefficient of 0.994, and a detection limit of 40 microg.     

复合聚合物修饰的粉末微电极及其对亚硝酸根还原的催化

本论文简述用Nafion_Os(bpy) 3 2 + /PVP复合膜修饰的乙炔黑粉末微电极 ,以亚硝酸根还原为模型反应 ,实现从复合修饰及扩大电极比表面两方面改善电极性能的思路 .结果表明 ,它同时显示Nafion_Os(bpy) 3 2 + /PVP修饰电极对NO2 -及NO+ 双重富集并再生活性粒子NO+ 、防止中继体流失、加速膜中中继体传输、改变反应途径等复合修饰电极的多种功能以及粉末微电极的高比表面、高液相传质速度以及薄层效应的特性 .与平面修饰电极及裸粉末微电极相比 ,它明显提高了酸性溶液中亚硝酸根还原的可逆性、呈数量级地提高稳态极限电流密度以及NO2 -的检测指标 .     

Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation in a Weak Ligand Field: Leveraging Open‐Shell First‐Row Transition‐Metal Catalysts

Unique features of earth‐abundant transition‐metal catalysts are reviewed in the context of catalytic carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. Aryl‐substituted bis(imino)pyridine iron and cobalt dihalide compounds, when activated with alkyl aluminum reagents, form highly active catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene. Open‐shell iron and cobalt alkyl complexes have been synthesized that serve as single‐component olefin polymerization catalysts. Reduced bis(imino)pyridine iron and cobalt dinitrogen compounds have also been discovered that promote the unique [2+2] cycloaddition of unactivated terminal alkenes. Studies of the electronic structure support open‐shell intermediates, a deviation from traditional strong‐field organometallic compounds that promote catalytic C−C bond formation.     

An insight into Faradaic phenomena in activated carbon investigated by means of the microelectrode technique

Cyclic voltammetry was performed on activated carbon particles in a microelectrode setup to investigate the behaviour of an activated carbon with oxygen functionalities. Quinoid type redox peaks were clearly seen in the potential region around −0.5 V vs. Hg/HgO. After polarization below −0.4 V, an anodic peak confirms previous studies using a pristine carbon, but in the present work much higher in intensity. In addition, a corresponding cathodic peak, not previously reported, was also found. The appearance of this pair of peaks in a functionalized carbon may be connected to reversible hydrogen adsorption together with Faradaic reactions involving oxygenated functional groups.