Proton Medium Effect Based on the Ferrocinium Assumption in 80 Mass-% Propylene Carbonate + 20 Mass-% <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Xylene Medium

Conventional electrochemical studies on the ferrocinium–ferrocene (Fc⁺–Fc) redox system in 80 mass-% propylene carbonate (PC) + 20 mass-% p-xylene (PX) medium are reported, leading to a calculation of the proton medium effect. The dissociation constant of ferrocinium picrate in this medium was determined by conductivity measurements. The value of E_{Fe⁺ /Fe}^oE_{\mathrm{Fe^{+} /Fe}}^{\mathrm{o}} against the Hg/HgCl₂(s) reference electrode in 80 mass-% PC + 20 mass-% PX was determined potentiometrically in conjunction with conductivity data, and found to be 0.133±0.001 V versus the SHE at 25 °C. The E_{Fe⁺ /Fe}^oE_{\mathrm{Fe^{+} /Fe}}^{\mathrm{o}} value has also been calculated using cyclic voltammetric data obtained in 80 mass-% PC + 20 mass-% PX at a micro platinum working electrode against the Ag/AgCl (nonaq.) reference electrode, and found to be comparable with the value obtained by potentiometry. The proton medium effect for transfer from water to the present mixed solvent medium was calculated using the value of E_Fe⁺/Fe^oE_{\mathrm{Fe^{+}/Fe}}^{\mathrm{o}} versus SHE at 25 °C and found to be 4.5. Based on values of proton medium effect reported in the literature, it is inferred that the present mixed solvent medium is slightly more basic than pure PC.     

Square‐Wave Voltammetry of the Molybdenum‐1,10 Phenanthroline‐Fulvic Acids Complex: Redox Kinetics Measurements

The reduction process of molybdenum in the presence of fulvic acids and phenanthroline was investigated by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The mixed-ligand complex of molybdenum exhibits a pronounced tendency to adsorb onto the mercury electrode surface. The electrode reaction proceeds as a surface process in which both components of the redox couple are firmly confined to the electrode surface. The kinetics of the electrode reaction is studied utilizing the properties of “split SW peaks” and “quasireversible maximum”. The kinetic parameters obtained with two different square-wave voltammetric methods are in good agreement. In 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution with pH 2.5 the kinetic parameters are: standard rate constant k_s=8±2 s⁻¹, cathodic electron transfer coefficient α=0.41±0.05, and number of exchanged electrons n=2. The SW kinetic measurements are confirmed by cyclic voltammetric method.     

A New Calibration Free pH‐Probe for In Situ Measurements of Soil pH

A new pH‐probe was developed for in situ determination of soil pH. It consists of a stainless steel tube with a plastic inset containing the indicator electrode, the reference electrode and a temperature sensor at the end of the tube. The indicator electrode is a quinhydrone composite electrode that does not need to be calibrated, because it acquires almost the theoretical predicted potential and has a constant formal potential and slope under all fabrication conditions. The pH‐probe has a low standard deviation (±4 mV or 0.07 pH units). The response time is short (5 s). To characterize its function the soil pH‐probe was used to analyse pond and arable soil samples. The results were compared with those obtained with a conventional combined glass electrode. To evaluate the results, measurements were performed (i) in natural wet soil samples (in situ conditions), (ii) after drying and moistening the soil samples (moistened samples) and (iii) after drying the soil samples and mixing with bidistilled water (soil solutions; generally accepted method in laboratories). The minimum water content required to obtain stable potentials in soil samples was 10%. The influence of S^2?, NO and Fe³⁺ as naturally available reducing and oxidising agents on the potential response of the pH‐probe was investigated. All the obtained results demonstrate that the developed pH‐probe is a powerful tool to measure the pH of a soil sample under in situ conditions without a calibration step.     

氧化还原电位去极化法及铂电极直接测定法对比研究

比较了氧化还原电位去极化法和铂电极直接测定法在醌氢醌标液、肉汤培养基(Luria-Bertani medium,LB)、马铃薯肉汤培养基(Potato-Dextrose Broth medium,PDB)中氧化还原电位(Eh)的测定差异。结果表明,这两种方法能快速精确地测定醌氢醌标液的Eh,但弱平衡体系LB、PDB培养基的测定值存在60~120mV的差异,且LB培养基Eh测定结果比PDB培养基更稳定。相对于铂电极直接测定法,去极化法具有测量时间短、数据精确、重现性好等特点,具有深入研究的价值。     

Hydrogel-based flexible micro-reference electrodes for use in alkaline and neutral pH solutions

Two types of nonbreakable, flexible micro-reference electrodes filled with gel-electrolytes were prepared for use in solutions with alkaline and neutral pH. The electrodes are intended for electrochemical measurements, in which chloride-free conditions are important. Due to the flexible, bendable construction of the electrodes, electrochemical experiments at locations difficult to access with common reference electrodes are enabled. Hg|HgO-type electrodes were prepared from amalgamated Au wires, followed by oxidation of the amalgam, which is mounted in a PTFE tube filled with 0.1M NaOH solution immobilized in a PAA-g-PEO gel. The potential of this type of electrode was found to be 0.162?±?0.002 V (SHE) at room temperature. Cu|CuSO₄ electrodes, consisting of a Cu wire immersed in a saturated CuSO₄ solution jellied with gelatin, showed a stable open-circuit potential of 0.312?±?0.001 V (SHE). Further characterization of the electrodes was performed in terms of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and micro-polarization measurements. As an alternative to the flexible electrodes, rigid electrodes in glass enclosure were fabricated in analogy to the flexible-type electrodes.     

TiC Working Electrode. Voltammetric Characteristics and Application for Determination of Lead Traces by Stripping Voltammetry

The TiC working electrode was tested as a novel, potential electrode for anodic stripping voltammetric determination of lead(II) ions traces. To demonstrate the practical applicability of the TiC electrode, an underpotential deposition/dissolution (UPD) phenomena system in electrolyte without removal of oxygen was tested. The electrode was constructed be means of mounting a TiC disk (Ø=3.5 mm) in a resin body. Three compositions of TiC were tested differing in stoichiometry, namely TiC_0.6, TiC_0.8, and TiC_1.0. The key problem is the method of electrochemical activation of the TiC electrode. No or improperly activated electrode is not polarized and is unsuitable as a voltammetric sensor. The TiC electrode was used for the determination of Pb²⁺ in concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 nM. The instrumental parameters, composition of supporting electrolyte and procedures of the electrode activation were optimized. The repeatability of DP ASV runs in synthetic solutions covering the entire concentration range is better than 3%. The calibration curve is characterized by a correlation coefficient of at least 0.999. The detection limit was 2 nM for an electrodeposition time of 30 s. The method enables determination of Pb²⁺ in the presence of, among the others, high excesses of Cd, Cu, In, Sb, Se, and Tl ions as well as surfactants, Triton X‐100 and humic acids. The analysis of Pb²⁺ in synthetic solutions with and without surfactants, certified reference material and natural water samples have been performed. The voltammetric data were associated with the structural characterization of the electrode surface using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF).     

Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Phenol at an Electrochemically Pretreated Carbon-Paste Electrode with Solid Paraffin as a Binder

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for determination of phenol at an electrochemically pretreated carbon-paste electrode has been developed. Solid paraffin was used as the binder of the carbon-paste electrode. The carbon-paste electrode was pretreated in the solution of 0.001 mol L⁻¹NaOH by holding it at +1.8 V (versus an Ag/AgCl electrode) for 5 min. On the pretreated electrode, the adsorption of phenol was greatly enhanced. Phenol was accumulated in NH₃–NH₄Cl (pH 9.25) medium at the potential of +0.1 V (versus Ag/AgCl electrode) for a certain time and then determined by second order differential anodic stripping voltammetry. An oxidative peak was observed at about +0.66 V. The relationship between second order peak current and phenol concentration was linear in the range of 2.5 × 10⁻⁷–5.0 × 10⁻⁶mol L⁻¹phenol, and the detection limit was 5.0 × 10⁻⁸mol L⁻¹. The method has been applied to the determination of phenol in tap water and waste water. The relative standard deviation (six determinations) was less than 3.5%.     

Polythymine Oligonucleotide‐Modified Gold Electrode for Voltammetric Determination of Mercury(II) in Aqueous Solution

Polythymine oligonucleotide (PTO)‐modified gold electrode (PTO/Au) was developed for selective and sensitive Hg²⁺ detection in aqueous solutions. This modified electrode was prepared by self‐assembly of thiolated polythymine oligonucleotide (5′‐SH‐T₁₅‐3′) on the gold electrode via Au? S bonds, and then the surface was passivated with 1‐mercaptohexanol solution. The proposed electrode utilizes the specific binding interactions between Hg²⁺ and thymine to selectively capture Hg²⁺, thereby reducing the interference from coexistent ions. After exchanging the medium, electrochemical reduction at ?0.2 V for 60 s, voltammetric determination was performed by differential pulse voltammetry using 10 mM HEPES; pH 7.2, 1 M NaClO₄ as supporting electrolyte. This electrode showed increasing voltammetric response in the range of 0.21 nM Hg²⁺, with a relative standard deviation of 5.32% and a practical detection limit of 60 pM. Compared with the conventional stripping approach, the modified electrode exhibits good sensitivity and selectivity, and is expected to be a new type of green electrode.     

A Molecular Copper Catalyst for Electrochemical Water Reduction with a Large Hydrogen‐Generation Rate Constant in Aqueous Solution

The copper complex [(bztpen)Cu](BF₄)₂ (bztpen=N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine) displays high catalytic activity for electrochemical proton reduction in acidic aqueous solutions, with a calculated hydrogen‐generation rate constant (k_obs) of over 10000 s^?1. A turnover frequency (TOF) of 7000 h^?1 cm^?2 and a Faradaic efficiency of 96 % were obtained from a controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) experiment with [(bztpen)Cu]²⁺ in pH 2.5 buffer solution at ?0.90 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) over two hours using a glassy carbon electrode. A mechanism involving two proton‐coupled reduction steps was proposed for the dihydrogen generation reaction catalyzed by [(bztpen)Cu]²⁺.     

Chronopotentiometric study of laccase-catalysed oxidation of quinhydrone microcrystals immobilised on a gold electrode surface and of the oxidation of a phenol-derivatised graphite electrode surface

Solid microcrystalline quinhydrone immobilised on the surface of a gold electrode was oxidised under the catalytic action of the enzyme laccase. In a buffered medium, this enzymatic reaction was followed by chronopotentiometry to monitor the conversion of hydroquinone to quinone. From the potential time dependences, the degree of conversion versus time was calculated. The reaction exhibits accelerating kinetics. A variation of the laccase concentration (activity) shows that there is a maximum rate at an activity of 0.023 U ml⁻¹. Further increase in activity leads to a pronounced decrease in reaction rate. When a graphite electrode is first oxidised by boiling nitric acid, then electrochemically reduced in an aqueous potassium nitrate solution, it contains phenolic surface groups. These surface groups can be oxidised aerobically under the influence of laccase and the reaction rate versus laccase activity curve resembles that for quinhydrone oxidation. These experiments indicate that laccase can interact with a solid surface directly.     

Selective Electrochemical Determination of Uric Acid in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid Using a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with β‐Cyclodextrin

Uric acid (UA) was determined in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) by using a carbon paste electrode modified superficially by a β‐cyclodextrin film (CPE/β‐CD). The surface carbon paste electrode was prepared applying a 30 cycles potential program and using a 1 M HClO₄+0.01 M β‐CD electrolytic solution. The UA and AA solutions were used to evaluate the electrode selectivity and sensitivity by cyclic voltammetric and amperometric methods. In these experiments the detection limit for UA was (4.6±0.01)×10^?6 M and the RSD calculated from the amperometric curves was 10%. From the data obtained it was possible to quantify UA in the urine and saliva samples. Selective detection of UA was improved by formation of an inclusion complex between β‐CD and UA. The results show that the CPE/β‐CD is a good candidate due to its selectivity and sensitivity in the UA determination in complex samples like the biological fluids.     

Electrochemical Polymerization of Azure Blue H and Its Electro-catalytic Activity toward NADH Oxidation

Poly (azure blue II) (PABII) thin film modified electrode was successfully assembled on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode by means of electrochemical polymerization, which was carried out with cyclic voltammetric sweeping in the potential range of ‐ 0.6 to + 1.3 V (vs. SCE) in Britton‐Robinson buffer solution (pH = 9.8) containing 1.25 ± 10–⁴ mol/L azure blue II. The effect of pH on the polymerization process of azure blue II and the electrochemical characteristics of the polymer‐modified electrodes were studied in detail. The experimental results indicated that the electropolymerization of azure blue II could take place in basic or neutral media. The cyclic voltammograms of poly (azure blue II) thin film modified electrode showed the presence of two couples of redox peaks. The film modified electrode exhibited potent and persistent electrocatalysis for oxidation of dihydronicotiamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in phosphate buffer media with a diminution of the overpotential of about 410 mV and an increase in peak current. The presence of some divalent cations in an electrolyte can greatly enhance the electrocatalytic current for oxidation of NADH. The electrocatalytic current increased linearly with NADH concentration from 1.0 ± 10–⁵ to 8.0 ± 10–³ mol/L in the presence of 4.0 ± 10–² mol/L Mg²⁺ cation. The detection limit (3s_b1/S) was 5.0 ± 10–⁶ mol/L, and the relative standard deviation of determination results was 4.2% for six successive determinations of 5.0 ± 10–⁴ mol/L NADH in the presence of Mg²⁺ cation.     

Consistent scheme for computing standard hydrogen electrode and redox potentials

The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) potential in aqueous solution was evaluated with new computational procedure that provides the Gibbs energy of a proton in aqueous solution from the experimental pK_a value and the Gibbs energy change by deprotonation reactions of several neutral alcohol molecules. With our computational scheme, the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ method provides the SHE potential of 4.52 V, which is almost the same as the experimental SHE potential. This scheme also reproduces well the redox potentials of several typical reactions within almost 0.1 V. B3LYP also gives excellent redox potentials of the same reactions with almost the same accuracy with our new computational scheme. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Biamperometric and Differential Pulse Polarographic Methods for the Assay of Nomifensine Maleate

Abstract

Biamperometric titration and differential pulse polarography (DPP) are described for the analysis of nomifensine maleate powder and commercial capsules (Merital^R -50 mg). The biamperometric method involved the titration in cold dil. HCl medium against 0.01 M - NaN0₂ and electrometric detection of end point. The mean percent recoveries obtained were 100.0 ± 0.87 and 99.2 ± 0.95 for the authentic powder and capsules, respectively. The DPP method was performed by measuring the peak current, i_P, obtained from the recorded differential polarogram under constant 50mV modulation amplitude. The peak current was measured at the peak potential of ? 1.02 V on the dropping mercury electrode (DME) versus Ag/AgCl/KCl (sat.) reference electrode at pH 5.0 (acetate buffer). A linear relationship between peak current and concentration was demonstrated in the range 3 to 30μg ml^?1. The mean percent recovery for the capsules was 103.1 ± 1.26.     

Redox buffering in an electrospray ion source using a copper capillary emitter.

An electrospray ion source used in electrospray mass spectrometry is a two-electrode, controlled-current electrochemical flow cell. Electrochemical reactions at the emitter electrode (oxidation and reduction in positive and negative ion modes respectively) provide the excess charge necessary for the quasi-continuous production of charged droplets and ultimately gas-phase ions with this device. We demonstrate here that a copper capillary emitter, in place of the more commonly used stainless-steel capillary emitter, can be utilized as a redox buffer in positive ion mode. Anodic corrosion of the copper capillary during normal operation liberates copper ions to solution and in so doing maintains the interfacial potential at this electrode near the equilibrium potential for the copper corrosion process [E degrees = 0.34 V versus standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)]. Fixing the interfacial potential at the emitter electrode provides control over the electrochemical reactions that take place at this electrode. It is shown that the oxidation of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine to N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediimine (E(p/2) = 0.48 V versus SHE) can be completely avoided using the copper emitter, whereas this analyte is completely oxidized with a stainless-steel capillary emitter under the same conditions. Moreover, using N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediimine, we demonstrate that reduction reactions can occur at the copper emitter electrode in positive ion mode. Emitter corrosion, in addition to redox buffering, provides a convenient means to introduce metal ions into solution for analytical use in electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Voltammetric measurement of trace amount of glutathione using multiwall carbon nanotubes as a sensor and chlorpromazine as a mediator

In this work, we propose chlorpromazine as a new mediator for the rapid, sensitive, and highly selective voltammetric determination of glutathione (GSH) using multiwall carbon nanotubes paste electrode (MWCNTPE). The experimental results showed that the carbon nanotubes paste electrode has a highly electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of GSH in the presence of chlorpromazine as a mediator. Cyclic voltammetry, double potential step chronoamperometry, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) are used to investigate the suitability of chlorpromazine at the surface of MWCNTPE as a mediator for the electrocatalytic oxidation of GSH in aqueous solutions. It is shown that chlorpromazine can catalyze the oxidation of GSH in an aqueous buffer solution to produce a sharp oxidation peak current at about +0.70 versus Ag/AgCl as a reference electrode. Kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient and catalytic reaction rate constant, k/h, are also determined. Using DPV and under the optimum conditions at pH 4.0, the electrocatalytic oxidation peak current of GSH shows a linear dependence on GSH concentration in the GSH concentration range of 0.3 to 18.3 µM. The detection limit (3σ) is determined to be 0.16 µM. The relative standard deviation for 1.5 and 5.0 µM GSH are found to be 3.7% and 2.5%, respectively. The proposed method may, thus, also be used as a novel, selective, simple, and precise method for the voltammetric determination of GSH in such real samples as hemolyzed erythrocyte.     

Self-assembled sensor based on boron-doped diamond and its application in voltammetric analysis of picloram

A self-assembled sensor based on a boron-doped diamond was investigated as a sensitive tool for voltammetric analysis of a member of a pyridine herbicide family - picloram. A cyclic voltammetry and a differential pulse voltammetry were applied for investigation of the voltammetric behaviour and quantification of this herbicide. Picloram yielded one well-developed irreversible oxidation signal at a very positive potential about +1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl/3 mol L^?1 KCl electrode in an acidic medium and 1 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ was chosen as a suitable supporting electrolyte. Operating parameters of differential pulse voltammetry were optimized and the proposed voltammetric method provided a high repeatability (a relative standard deviation of 20 repeated measurements at a concentration level of picloram of 50 µmol L^?1 equaled to 2.58%), a linear concentration range from 2.5 to 90.9 µmol L^?1 and a low limit of detection (LD = 1.64 µmol L^?1). Practical usefulness of the ‘environmentally-green’ electrochemical sensor was verified by an analysis of spiked water samples with satisfactory recoveries.     

Creating a Low‐Potential Redox Polymer for Efficient Electroenzymatic CO2 Reduction

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions have resulted in greater motivation to find novel carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction technologies, where the reduction of CO₂ to valuable chemical commodities is desirable. Molybdenum‐dependent formate dehydrogenase (Mo‐FDH) from Escherichia coli is a metalloenzyme that is able to interconvert formate and CO₂. We describe a low‐potential redox polymer, synthesized by a facile method, that contains cobaltocene (grafted to poly(allylamine), Cc‐PAA) to simultaneously mediate electrons to Mo‐FDH and immobilize Mo‐FDH at the surface of a carbon electrode. The resulting bioelectrode reduces CO₂ to formate with a high Faradaic efficiency of 99±5 % at a mild applied potential of ?0.66 V vs. SHE.     

Improved Voltammetric Response of L‐Tyrosine on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐Ionic Liquid Composite Coated Glassy Electrodes in the Presence of Cupric Ion

L ‐Tyrosine can exhibit a small anodic peak on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). At pH 5.5 its peak potential is 0.70 V (vs. SCE). When an ionic liquid (i.e., 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [omim][PF₆]) is introduced on the MWCNT coat, the peak becomes bigger. Furthermore, in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion the anodic peak of L ‐tyrosine increases further due to the formation of Cu²⁺‐L ‐tyrosine complex, while the peak potential keeps unchanged. Therefore, a sensitive voltammetry based on the oxidation of Cu²⁺‐L ‐tyrosine complex on MWCNTs‐[omim][PF₆] composite coated electrode is developed for L ‐tyrosine. Under the optimized conditions, the anodic peak current is linear to L ‐tyrosine concentration in the range of 1×10^?8–5×10^?6 M, and the detection limit is 8×10^?9 M. The modified electrode shows good reproducibility and stability. In addition, the voltammetric behavior of other amino acids is explored. It is found that among them tryptophan (Trp) and histidine (His) can also produce sensitive anodic peak under same experimental conditions, and their detection limits are 4×10^?9 M and 4×10^?6 M, respectively.     

Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Selenocystine and Selenomethionine Using SAM nanoSe0/Vc/SeCys‐Film Modified Au Electrode

The SAM nanoSe⁰/Vc/SeCys‐film modified Au electrode has been prepared to determine selenocystine and selenomethionine. The AFM and SEM showed the special three‐dimensional (3D) network structure of the sol‐gel films. The affinity between nanoparticles and biomolecules created special chemical characters analyzed by the XRD and fluorescence. The modified electrode was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified films partly had resistance in the charge transduction of Fe(CN) , but the less electron‐transfer resistance. Differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) determination of selenoamino acids using SAM nanoSe⁰/Vc/SeCys‐film modified Au electrode was presented. In PBS (pH 7.0)+0.1 mol L^?1 NaClO₄ solution, selenoamino acids yielded a sensitive reduction peak at about +400±50 mV. The peak current had a linear relationship with the concentration of selenoamino acids in the range of 5.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?5 mol L^?1, and a 3σ detection limit of selenoamino acids was 1.2×10^?8 mol L^?1. The relative standard deviation of DPV signals of 0.50×10^?6 mol L^?1 selenoamino acids was 3.8% (n=8) using the same electrode and was 4.4% (n=5) when using three modified electrodes prepared at different times. The content of selenoamino acids in the organo‐selenium powder were determined by DPV. The results showed 71.5 μg g^?1 of SeCys and 65.1 μg g^?1 of SeMet in the organo‐selenium powder.