Mixed polyelectrolyte coatings on glassy carbon electrodes: Ion-exchange, permselectivity properties and analytical application of poly-l-lysine-poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)-coated mercury film electrodes for the detection of trace metals

The present work describes the preparation, optimization and characterization of mixed polyelectrolyte coatings of poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) for the modification of thin mercury film electrodes (MFEs). The novel-modified electrodes were applied in the direct analysis of trace metals in estuarine waters by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The effects of the coating morphology and thickness and also of the monomeric molar ratio PLL/PSS on the cation-exchange ability of the PLL–PSS polyelectrolyte coatings onto glassy carbon (GC) were evaluated using target cationic species such as dopamine (DA) or lead cation. Further, the semi-permeability of the PLL–PSS-coated electrodes based both on electrostatic interactions and on molecular size leads to an improved anti-fouling ability against several tensioactive species. The analytical usefulness of the PLL–PSS-mixed polyelectrolyte coatings on thin mercury film electrodes is demonstrated via SWASV measurements of trace metals (lead, copper and cadmium at the low nanomolar level; accumulation time of 180 s) in estuarine waters containing moderate levels of dissolved organic matter, resulting in a fast and direct methodology requiring no sample pretreatment.     

Poly(ester sulphonic acid) coated mercury thin film electrodes: characterization and application in batch injection analysis stripping voltammetry of heavy metal ions

Mercury-thin film electrodes coated with a thin film of poly(ester sulphonic acid) (PESA) have been investigated for application in the analysis of trace heavy metals by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry using the batch injection analysis (BIA) technique. Different polymer dispersion concentrations in water/acetone mixed solvent are investigated and are characterised by electrochemical impedance measurements on glassy carbon and on mercury film electrodes. The influence of electrolyte anion, acetate or nitrate, on polymer film properties is demonstrated, acetate buffer being shown to be preferable for stripping voltammetry applications. Although stripping currents are between 30 and 70% less at the coated than at bare mercury thin film electrodes, the influence of model surfactants on stripping response is shown to be very small. The effect of the composition of the modifier film dispersion on calibration plots is shown; however, detection limits of around 5 nM are found for all modified electrodes tested. This coated electrode is an alternative to Nafion-coated mercury thin film electrodes for the analysis of trace metals in complex matrices, particularly useful when there is a high concentration of non-ionic detergents.     

Ion-exchange and permselectivity properties of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) coatings on glassy carbon: application in the modification of mercury film electrodes for the direct voltammetric analysis of trace metals in estuarine waters

The present work describes the optimisation and characterization of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)-coated thin mercury film electrodes (PSS-TMFE) for the direct analysis of trace metals in estuarine waters by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SW-ASV). The morphology, thickness and ion exchange ability of the poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) coatings onto glassy carbon were evaluated and these features particularly favoured the incorporation of cationic species, such as dopamine or lead cation. For the case of the heavy metal cations, a simple, sensitive and very reproducible methodology for their SW-ASV analysis could be developed. In fact, with the PSS-TMFE, a significant increase in the sensitivity of the ASV determination of lead was obtained compared both to the uncoated TMFE (ca. 82%) as well as to Nafion-coated electrodes of similar thickness (ca. 43-49%). Furthermore, the permselectivity of the poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) coatings, based both on electrostatic interaction and molecular size, leads to an improved anti-fouling ability against surfactant species. The analytical usefulness of the poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)-coated thin mercury film electrodes is demonstrated by application to the direct ASV determination of trace heavy metals at the low nanomolar level, in estuarine waters with moderate contents of dissolved organic matter, where the uncoated TMFE failed due to fouling.     

Nafion/Poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) Mixed Coating Modified Bismuth Film Electrode for the Determination of Trace Metals by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

To improve the reproducibility, stability, and sensitivity of bismuth film electrode (BiFE), we studied the performances of a mixed coating of two cation‐exchange polymers, Nafion (NA) and poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS), modified glassy carbon BiFE (GC/NA‐PSS/BiFE). The characteristics of GC/NA‐PSS/BiFE were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Various parameters were studied in terms of their effect on the anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) signals. Under optimized conditions, the limits of detection were 71 ng L^?1 for Cd(II) and 93 ng L^?1 for Pb(II) with a 10 min preconcentration. The results exhibited that GC/NA‐PSS/BiFE can be a reproducible and robust tool for monitor of trace metals by ASV rapidly and environmentally friendly, even in the presence of surface‐active compounds.     

Photochromism and electrochemistry of a dithienylcyclopentene electroactive polymer

A bifunctional substituted dithienylcyclopentene photochromic switch bearing electropolymerisable methoxystyryl units, which enable immobilization of the photochromic unit on conducting substrates, is reported. The spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photochemical properties of a monomer in solution are compared with those of the polymer formed through oxidative electropolymerization. The electroactive polymer films prepared on gold, platinum, glassy carbon, and indium titanium oxide (ITO) electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thickness of the films formed is found to be limited to several monolayer equivalents. The photochromic properties and stability of the polymer films have been investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and XPS. Although the films are electrochemically and photochemically stable, their mechanical stability with respect to adhesion to the electrode was found to be sensitive to both the solvent and the electrode material employed, with more apolar solvents, glassy carbon, and ITO electrodes providing good adhesion of the polymer film. The polymer film is formed consistently as a thin film and can be switched both optically and electrochemically between the open and closed state of the photochromic dithienylethene moiety.     

Optimisation of mercury film deposition on glassy carbon electrodes: evaluation of the combined effects of pH, thiocyanate ion and deposition potential

The combined effects of pH, thiocyanate ion and deposition potential in the characteristics of thin mercury film electrodes plated on glassy carbon surfaces are evaluated. Charges of deposited mercury are used as an experimental parameter for the estimation of the effectiveness of the mercury deposition procedure. The sensitivity of the anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) method for the determination of lead at in situ and at ex situ formed thin mercury films are also examined. It was concluded that, in acidic solutions (pH 2.5-5.7) and fairly negative deposition potentials, e.g. −1.3 to −1.5 V, thiocyanate ion promotes the formation of the mercury film, in respect both to the amount of deposited mercury and to the mercury deposition rate. Also, the mercury coatings produced in thiocyanate solutions are more homogeneous, as depicted by microscopic examinations. In the presence of thiocyanate there is no obvious advantage of using high concentrations of mercury and/or high deposition times for the in situ and ex situ preparation of the mercury film electrodes. The optimised thin mercury film electrode ex situ prepared in a 5.0 mM thiocyanate solution of pH 3.4 was successfully applied to the ASV determination of lead and copper in acidified seawater (pH 2). The limit of detection (3σ) was 6×10⁻¹¹ M for lead and 2×10⁻¹⁰ M for copper for a deposition time of 5 min. Relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) of <1.2% were obtained for determinations at the nanomolar of concentration level.     

Properties of Poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate)‐Ionic Liquid Composite Film and Its Application in the Determination of Trace Metals Combined with Bismuth Film Electrode

A new kind of bismuth film modified electrode to sensitively detect trace metal ions based on incorporating highly conductive ionic liquids 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) in solid matrices at glassy carbon (GC) was investigated. Poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS), silica, and Nafion were selected as the solid matrices. The electrochemical properties of the mixed films modified GC were evaluated. The electron transfer rate of Fe(CN)₆^4?/Fe(CN)₆^3? can be effectively improved at the PSS‐BMIMPF₆ modified GC. The bismuth modified PSS‐BMIMPF₆ composite film electrodes (GC/PSS‐BMIMPF₆/BiFEs) displayed high mechanical stability and sensitive stripping voltammetric performances for the determination of trace metal cations. The GC/PSS‐BMIMPF₆/BiFE exhibited well linear response to both Cd(II) and Pb(II) over a concentration range from 1.0 to 50 μg L^?1. And the detection limits were 0.07 μg L^?1 for Cd(II) and 0.09 μg L^?1 for Pb(II) based on three times the standard deviation of the baseline with a preconcentration time of 120 s, respectively. Finally, the GC/PSS‐BMIMPF₆/BiFEs were successfully applied to the determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in real sample, and the results of present method agreed well with those of atomic absorption spectroscopy.     

脉冲溶出伏安法中汞膜碳纤维电极性能的研究

采用脉冲阳极溶出伏安法,研究了汞膜碳纤维电极测定痕量金属离子的行为,并与汞膜玻碳电极和悬汞电极进行了系统的对比,显示了碳纤维电极在静止态溶液、极稀溶液、有机溶液和双电极体系中具有特殊的优越性。本文对该电极的制作,预处理和实际测试条件进行了探讨。     

Glucose Monitoring by a Biosensor Based on Mercury Thin Film Electrodes

Abstract

Mercury film electrodes consist of a thin film of mercury deposited on an electrode surface (typically glassy carbon) by reduction of a mercury (II) salt in solution. The surface area/volume ratio is larger for the mercury film electrode, and this electrode is more stable than mercury drop electrode, which allows a faster stirring rate to be used in the deposition step. An enzyme electrode is described, based on glucose oxidase immobilized by gelatin and glutaraldehyde and held over a glassy carbon electrode coated with a thin mercury film. This biosensor responds fast and linearly to glucose in a wide concentration range, which is significant because monitoring of glucose levels is a critical component of diabetes care. Certain optimization and characterization studies were carried out. Average value, standard deviation (SD), and variation coefficient (CV) were calculated with the help of the repeatability studies. Finally, glucose content of human blood samples was monitored with the help of the biosensor presented.     

Stripping voltammetry in environmental and food analysis

The review covers over 230 papers published mostly in the last 5 years. The goal of the review is to attract the attention of researchers and users to stripping voltammetry in particular, its application in environmental monitoring and analysis of foodstuffs. The sensors employed are impregnated graphite, carbon paste, thick film carbon/graphite and thin film metallic electrodes modified in-situ or beforehand. Hanging mercury drop electrodes and mercury coated glassy carbon electrodes are also mentioned. Strip and long-lived sensors for portable instruments and flow through systems are discussed as devices for future development and application of stripping voltammetry.     

A stannum-bismuth composite film electrode for simultaneous determination of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

The development and use of 'green' electrode materials is extremely attractive for the routine use of disposable metal sensors. Bismuth is an environmentally-friendly element and a bismuth film electrode was proposed as an alternative to mercury film electrodes. Compared with bismuth, stannum is a more 'environmentally friendly' material. The stannum-bismuth composite film electrode prepared by the in situ electrodeposition of stannum and bismuth on the glassy carbon substrate is reported for the first time. Compared with bismuth film and stannum film electrodes, the stannum-bismuth composite film electrode revealed better electroanalytical performance, and can be used as a possible alternative electrode for electrochemical stripping analysis of trace heavy metals.     

Stripping voltammetry in environmental and food analysis

The review covers over 230 papers published mostly in the last 5 years. The goal of the review is to attract the attention of researchers and users to stripping voltammetry in particular, its application in environmental monitoring and analysis of foodstuffs. The sensors employed are impregnated graphite, carbon paste, thick film carbon/graphite and thin film metallic electrodes modified in-situ or beforehand. Hanging mercury drop electrodes and mercury coated glassy carbon electrodes are also mentioned. Strip and long-lived sensors for portable instruments and flow through systems are discussed as devices for future development and application of stripping voltammetry. Received: 30 March 2000 / Revised: 30 May 2000 / Accepted: 6 June 2000     

Differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry of mercury with gold-film micro-electrodes

Cylindrical gold film micro-electrodes are easily produced by plasma-sputtering of gold onto carbon fiber electrodes. The micro-electrodes produced were found to maintain their cylindrical geometry indefinitely, unlike gold wire electrodes of similar dimensions. Application of these electrodes in differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry provides a method for quantifying trace levels of mercury(II). Up to 100 μg l^?1 Hg(II) the area of the mercury stripping peak varied linearly with mercury concentration; the detection limit was 3.7 μg l^?1. With more than 100 μg l^?1 Hg(II) a new mercury stripping peak grows in at less positive potentials; its peak height is linear with Hg(II) concentration.     

Transition metal ion-substituted polyoxometalates entrapped in polypyrrole as an electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide

A conducting polymer was used for the immobilization of various transition metal ion-substituted Dawson-type polyoxometalates (POMs) onto glassy carbon electrodes. Voltammetric responses of films of different thicknesses were stable within the pH domain 2-7 and reveal redox processes associated with the conducting polymer, the entrapped POMs and incorporated metal ions. The resulting POM doped polypyrrole films were found to be extremely stable towards redox switching between the various redox states associated with the incorporated POM. An amperometric sensor for hydrogen peroxide detection based upon the POM doped polymer films was investigated. The detection limits were 0.3 and 0.6 μM, for the Cu(2+)- and Fe(3+)-substituted POM-doped polypyrrole films respectively, with a linear region from 0.1 up to 2 mM H(2)O(2). Surface characterization of the polymer films was carried out using atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.     

Evaporation induced self-assembly of templated silica and organosilica thin films on various electrode surfaces

A new one-step method is reported for the deposition of hybrid mesoporous thin films on various electrode surfaces (gold, platinum, glassy carbon). Deposition was achieved by spin-coating sol–gel mixtures in the presence of a surfactant template to get mesostructured thin layers on the various conducting substrates. Film formation occurred by evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) involving the hydrolysis and (co)condensation of silane and/or organosilane precursors on the electrode surface. Extraction of the surfactant from the ordered mesoporous films led to a large increase of mass transport rates into the materials and imparted high accessibility to the organic moieties in case of functionalized mesoporous overlayers. The electrochemical properties of the film-modified electrodes have been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and also via the chemical accumulation of mercury ions prior to their stripping analysis by differential pulse voltammetry (i.e. for thiol-functionalized thin films). Some evidences to support the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on electrodes, have been also discussed. The formation of well-adhering mesoporous thin films on solid electrode surfaces is expected to have a high impact on the development of new electrochemical sensors.     

电聚合烟酰胺制备电化学传感器：同时测定多巴胺、尿酸和抗坏血酸

用循环伏安法（CV）选择不同电位区间来电聚合烟酰胺（NA）得到了两种聚合物膜修饰电极：poly-niacinamide/GCE (poly-NA/GCE)和poly- nicotinic acid /GCE (poly-NC/GCE)。这两电极都具有显著电化学催化作用,能明显地降低多巴胺（DA）、尿酸（UA）和抗坏血酸(AA)的氧化过电位,并在混合溶液中使这些物质的氧化峰电位距离足够大,可进行三物质的同时测定。poly-NC/GCE的电催化性能更好一些,用差分脉冲伏安法（DPV）测定抗坏血酸,线性范围为75–3000 µmol L-1,电流灵敏度为5.6 mA•L•mol-1;测定多巴胺,线性范围为0.37 – 16 µmol L-1,电流灵敏度为1140 mA•L•mol-1; 测定尿酸,线性范围为0.74 – 230 µmol L-1,电流灵敏度为102 mA•L•mol-1。该电极具有很高的灵敏度、选择性和抗污染能力。     

Polymer-Mercury Coated Screen-Printed Sensors for Electrochemical Stripping Analysis of Heavy Metals

In the perspective of in-field stripping analysis of heavy metals, the use and disposal of toxic mercury solutions (necessary to plate a mercury film on a carbon electrode surface) presents a problem. The aim of this work was the development of mercury coated screen-printed electrodes previously prepared in the lab and ready to use in-field. Thus some commercially available polymers like Nafion®, Eastman Kodak AQ29®, and Methocel® were investigated as mercury entrapping systems for electrochemical stripping analysis of heavy metals. Screen-printed disposable cells with a silver pseudo-reference electrode, a graphite counter electrode, and a graphite working electrode were used. To modify the sensor, the polymer solution was cast onto the carbon working electrode surface. Detection limits of 0.8 and 1 μg/L were obtained for lead and cadmium respectively. Since Methocel® based electrodes showed the best performance, they were used for the analysis of real samples. The results were compared with those obtained using a classical thin mercury film electrode and ICP spectroscopy.

All the experiments reported here were performed in un-deareated solutions as required for in-field analysis.     

Determination of Pb and Cu by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Using Glassy Carbon Electrodes Modified with Mercury or Mercury-Nafion Films

 Two different approaches for the modification of glassy carbon electrodes using a mercury film and mercury-nafion are compared. The mixture of mercury(II) chloride solution with a nafion solution diluted in ethanol is used to coat the polished glassy carbon surface. The modified working electrodes are compared when measuring Pb and Cu in real seawater samples. An optimisation of the parameters during the formation of the films was done to obtain well-defined stripping peaks. The type of inert supporting electrolyte and the pH play an important role on the sensitivity of the measurement. Results for Pb and Cu determinations show the advantages of Hg-nafion modification as an alternative method. These advantages include a shorter modification time, the avoidance of Hg solutions during the formation of the Hg film and an improved sensitivity for Pb determination. Received March 16, 1999. Revision April 24, 2000.     

Voltammetric, chronocoulometric and spectroelectrochemical studies of electropolymerized films based on Co(III/II)- and Zn(II)-4,9,16,23-tetraaminophthalocyanine: effect of high pH

Electropolymerized thin films of Co(III/II)- and Zn(II)-4,9,16,23-tetraaminophthalocyanine, immersed in solutions of relatively high pH, have been studied electro- and spectroelectrochemically. Cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry were used to characterize films deposited on glassy carbon electrodes. Spectroelectrochemistry and ellipsometry measurements were performed on indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces coated with the zinc and cobalt complexes and correlated to the electrochemical information collected using glassy carbon electrodes. Studies at high pH are motivated by the efficient increase in luminol chemiluminescence at high OH⁻ concentration, and by potential application in luminescence sensors. Although the films are not removed, some structural changes occur when they are exposed to solutions of high pH. In addition, an estimation of the number of monolayers has also been calculated. The atomic diameters of cobalt and zinc are very close in value, but the estimated number of monolayers, based on cyclic voltammetric data, for a given number of electropolymerization cycles is approximately four-fold higher in the zinc-based film. This would correspond to three-fold thicker films when zinc is the central metal ion. Ellipsometry measurements have been correlated with cyclic voltammetric data to confirm that film thickness varies among the different complexes, even though the conditions of electropolymerization are the same.     

Potentiometric determination of potassium cations using a nickel(II) hexacyanoferrate-modified electrode

Electroactive nickel(II) hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) thin film modified electrodes are effective potentiometric sensors for the determination of potassium ions. The NiHCF films are deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes by repetitive potential cycling in K(3)Fe(CN)(6)/NaNO(3)/Ni(NO(3))(2) solution. The modified electrodes exhibit a linear response to potassium ions in the concentration range 1x10(-3) to 2.0 mol dm(-3), with a near-Nernstian slope (45-49 mV per decade) at 25 degrees C. In the determination of potassium ion in syrups used for treatment of potassium deficiency, the NiHCF-modified electrode gave comparable results to those obtained using flame emission spectrophotometry.