Improvement of the electrochemical properties of “as-grown” boron-doped polycrystalline diamond electrodes deposited on tungsten wires using ethanol

The electrochemical properties of boron-doped diamond (BDD) polycrystalline films grown on tungsten wire substrates using ethanol as a precursor are described. The results obtained show that the use of ethanol improves the electrochemistry properties of “as-grown” BDD, as it minimizes the graphitic phase upon the surface of BDD, during the growth process. The BDD electrodes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The boron-doping levels of the films were estimated to be ∼10²⁰ B/cm³. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated using the and redox couples and dopamine. Apparent heterogeneous electro-transfer rate constants were determined for these redox systems using the CV and EIS techniques. values in the range of 0.01–0.1 cm s⁻¹ were observed for the and redox couples, while in the special case of dopamine, a lower value of 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ was found. The obtained results showed that the use of CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) as a carbon source constitutes a promising alternative for manufacturing BDD electrodes for electroanalytical applications.     

Effect of the mediator in feedback mode-based SECM interrogation of indium tin-oxide and boron-doped diamond electrodes

Indium tin-oxide (ITO) and polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (BDD) have been examined in detail using the scanning electrochemical microscopy technique in feedback mode. For the interrogation of electrodes made from these materials, the choice of mediator has been varied. Using ferrocene methanol (FcMeOH), and approach curve experiments have been performed, and for purposes of comparison, calculations of the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rates (k _app) have been made using these data. In general, it would appear that values of k _app are affected mainly by the position of the mediator reversible potential relative to the relevant semiconductor band edge (associated with majority carriers). For both the ITO (n type) and BDD (p type) electrodes, charge transfer is impeded and values are very low when using FcMeOH and as mediators, and the use of results in the largest value of k _app. With ITO, the surface is chemically homogeneous and no variation is observed for any given mediator. Data is also presented where the potential of the ITO electrode is fixed using a ratio of the mediators and In stark contrast, the BDD electrode is quite the opposite and a range of k _app values are observed for all mediators depending on the position on the surface. Both electrode surfaces are very flat and very smooth, and hence, for BDD, variations in feedback current imply a variation in the electrochemical activity. A comparison of the feedback current where the substrate is biased and unbiased shows a surprising degree of proportionality.Dedicated to Alan, a good friend and colleague on his 60th birthday.     

System Zn–Rh–O: heat capacity and Gibbs free energy of formation using differential scanning calorimeter and electrochemical cell

The standard molar Gibbs free energy of formation of ZnRh₂O₄(s) has been determined using an oxide solid-state electrochemical cell wherein calcia-stabilized zirconia (CSZ) was used as an electrolyte. The oxide cell can be represented by: . The electromotive force was measured in the temperature range from 943.9 to 1,114.2 K. The standard molar Gibbs energy of formation of ZnRh₂O₄(s) from elements in their standard state using the oxide electrochemical cell has been calculated and can be represented by: . Standard molar heat capacity C ^o _p,m(T) of ZnRh₂O₄(s) was measured using a heat flux-type differential scanning calorimeter in two different temperature ranges, from 127 to 299 and 307 to 845 K. The heat capacity in the higher temperature range was fitted into a polynomial expression and can be represented by: . The heat capacity of ZnRh₂O₄(s), was used along with the data obtained from the oxide electrochemical cell to calculate the standard enthalpy and entropy of formation of the compound at 298.15 K.     

Photoelectrode characteristics of an organic bilayer in water phase containing a redox molecule

We have recently reported that the organic bilayer of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxyl-bisbenzimidazole (PTCBI, n-type semiconductor) and 29H,31H-phthalocyanine (H₂Pc, p-type semiconductor), which is a part of a photovoltaic cell, acts as a photoanode in the water phase (Abe et al., ChemPhysChem 5:716, [2004]); in that case, the generation of the photocurrent involving an irreversible thiol oxidation at the H₂Pc/water interface took place to be coupled with hole conduction through the H₂Pc layer, based on the photophysical character of the bilayer. In the present work, the photoelectrode characteristics of the bilayer were investigated in the water phase containing a redox molecule , where the photo-induced oxidation and reduction for the couple were found to take place at the bilayer. The photoanodic current involving the oxidation efficiently occurred at the interface of H₂Pc/water, similar to the previous example. In the view of the voltammograms obtained, it was noted that there are pin-holes in the H₂Pc layer of the bilayer, leading to a cathodic reaction with at the PTCBI surface especially in the dark; that is, the band bending at the PTCBI/water interface can essentially be reduced by applying a negative potential [e.g., < ∼ 0 V (vs Ag/AgCl)] to the PTCBI, when the cathodic reaction may take place through the conduction band of the PTCBI. Moreover, under that applied potential condition of irradiation, the photogenerated electron carrier part can move to the PTCBI surface, thus enhancing the reduction of .     

On the charge storage mechanism at RuO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/0.5 M H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> interface

Comparative study of capacitative properties of RuO₂/0.5 M H₂SO₄ and Ru/0.5 M H₂SO₄ interfaces has been performed with a view to find out the nature of electrochemical processes involved in the charge storage mechanism of ruthenium (IV) oxide. The methods of cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed for the investigation of electrochemical behavior and surface morphology of RuO₂ electrodes. It has been suggested that supercapacitor behavior of RuO₂ phase in the potential E range between 0.4 and 1.4 V vs reference hydrogen electrode (RHE) should be attributed to double-layer-type capacitance, related to non-faradaic highly reversible process of ionic pair formation and annihilation at RuO₂/electrolyte interface as described by following summary equation:

Electrochemical study of the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrophilic ion transfers across water | <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octanol interface

Thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrophilic ion transfers across water|n-octanol (W|OCT) interface have been electrochemically studied by means of novel three-phase and thin-film electrodes. Three-phase electrodes used for thermodynamics measurements comprise edge plane pyrolytic graphite, the surface of which was partly modified with an ultrathin film of OCT, containing hydrophobic lutetium bis(tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninato) (Lu[tBu₄Pc]₂) as a redox probe. The transfers of anions and cations from W to OCT were electrochemically driven by reversible redox transformations of Lu[tBu₄Pc]₂ to chemically stable lipophilic monovalent cation and anion , respectively. Upon reduction of Lu[tBu₄Pc]₂, the transfers of alkali metal cations from W to OCT have been studied for the first time, enabling estimation of their Gibbs transfer energies. For kinetic measurements, a thin-film electrode configuration has been used, consisting of the same electrode covered completely with a thin layer of OCT that contained the redox probe and a suitable electrolyte. Combining the fast and sensitive square-wave voltammetry with thin-film electrodes, the kinetics of , , and Cl⁻ transfers have been estimated. Dedicated to Professor Dr. Yakov I. Tur’yan on the occasion of his 85th birthday.     

Electrodeposition of metals on anodized thin Nb films

The influence of the electronic properties of oxidized Nb surfaces on the electrodeposition of metals (Me=Co, Cu, Ag) with different equilibrium potentials is studied by conventional electrochemical techniques and atomic force microscopy. The results show that relatively thin anodic Nb₂O₅ films (thickness <11 nm) present a frequency-dependent n-type semiconductor behavior, which can be described by the theory of amorphous semiconductor. The Schottky barrier, formed at the a-Nb₂O₅/electrolyte interface, affects the deposition rate of metals with equilibrium potentials more positive than the flat band potential Then, the dependence of density of states on the oxide thickness and anodization conditions leads to different extents of the band bending, affecting directly the rate of electron transfer.     

Nonlinear magneto-optical effects and photomagnetism of electrochemically synthesized molecule-based magnets

This article describes novel optical functionalities such as photomagnetic effects and magnetization-induced second harmonic generation (MSHG) in several cyano-bridged metal assemblies. Single crystal- and film-types of a cyano-bridged Cu–Mo bimetallic assembly, , were electrochemically prepared. When this compound was irradiated with light, spontaneous magnetization with a Curie temperature (T _C) of 23 K was observed. Electrochemically prepared Fe^II[Cr^III(CN)₆]_2/3·5H₂O thin film, which was a ferromagnet with T _C=21 K, showed photoreduced magnetization. This photomagnetism is due to the change of ferromagnetic coupling between Fe^II and Cr^III. MSHG was observed in Cs^ICo^II[Cr^III(CN)₆]·0.5H₂O. This -type Prussian blue analog-based magnet is proven to be a piezoelectric ferromagnet, i.e., condensed matter with both piezoelectric and ferromagnetism. This MSHG is due to the coupling between a piezoelectric structure of and ferromagnetism with a T _C of 46 K.

Thermodynamic studies on Pr2TeO6

The standard Gibbs energy of formation of Pr₂TeO₆ $ (\Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ,\;{\text{s}}} \right)) $ was derived from its vapour pressure in the temperature range of 1,400–1,480 K. The vapour pressure of TeO₂ (g) was measured by employing a thermogravimetry-based transpiration method. The temperature dependence of the vapour pressure of TeO₂ over the mixture Pr₂TeO₆ (s) + Pr₂O₃ (s) generated by the incongruent vapourization reaction, Pr₂TeO₆ (s) = Pr₂O₃ (s) + TeO₂ (g) + ½ O₂ (g) could be represented as: $ { \log }\left\{ {{{p\left( {{\text{TeO}}_{ 2} ,\;{\text{g}}} \right)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{p\left( {{\text{TeO}}_{ 2} ,\;{\text{g}}} \right)} {{\text{Pa}} \pm 0.0 4}}} \right. \kern-0em} {{\text{Pa}} \pm 0.0 4}}} \right\} = 19. 12- 27132\; \left({\rm{{{\text{K}}}}/T} \right) $ . The $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \;\left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} } \right) $ could be represented by the relation $ \left\{ {{{\Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ,\;{\text{s}}} \right)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{^\circ } \left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} ,\;{\text{s}}} \right)} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}} \pm 5.0} \right\} = - 2 4 1 5. 1+ 0. 5 7 9 3\;\left(T/{\text{K}}\right) .$ Enthalpy increments of Pr₂TeO₆ were measured by drop calorimetry in the temperature range of 573–1,273 K and heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs energy functions were derived. The $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{{298\;{\text{K}}}}^{^\circ } \;\left( {{ \Pr }_{ 2} {\text{TeO}}_{ 6} } \right) $ was found to be $ {{ - 2, 40 7. 8 \pm 2.0} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{ - 2, 40 7. 8 \pm 2.0} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\left( {{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} } \right)}} $ .     

Behavior of (La,Sr)CoO3- and La2NiO4-based ceramic anodes in alkaline media: compositional and microstructural factors

The behavior of dense ceramic anodes made of perovskite-type (x = 0.30–0.70; y = 0–0.05; z = 0–0.20) and K₂NiF₄-type (Me = Co, Cu; x = 0–0.20) indicates significant influence of metal hydroxide formation at the electrode surface on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics in alkaline solutions. The overpotential of cobaltite electrodes was found to decrease with time, while cyclic voltammetry shows the appearance of redox peaks characteristic of Co(OH)₂/CoOOH. This is accompanied with increasing effective capacitance estimated from the impedance spectroscopy data, because of roughening of the ceramic surface. The steady-state polarization curves of in the OER range, including the Tafel slope, are very similar to those of model Co(OH)₂–La(OH)₃ composite films where the introduction of lanthanum hydroxide leads to decreasing electrochemical activity. La₂NiO₄-based anodes exhibit a low electrochemical performance and poor stability. The effects of oxygen nonstoichiometry of the perovskite-related phases are rather negligible at high overpotentials but become significant when the polarization decreases, a result of increasing role of oxygen intercalation processes. The maximum electrocatalytic activity to OER was observed for A-site-deficient , where the lanthanum content is relatively low and the Co⁴⁺ concentration determined by thermogravimetric analysis is highest compared to other cobaltites. Applying microporous layers made of template-synthesized nanocrystalline leads to an improved anode performance, although the effects of microstructure and thickness are modest, suggesting a narrow electrochemical reaction zone. Further enhancement of the OER kinetics can be achieved by electrodeposition of cobalt hydroxide- and nickel hydroxide-based films. Dedicated to Professor Dr. Yakov I. Tur’yan on the occasion of his 85th birthday.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide by the octacyanotungstate(V) ion in alkaline aqueous media

Summary The oxidation of H₂O₂ by [W(CN)₈]^3– has been studied in aqueous media between pH 7.87 and 12.10 using both conventional and stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The reaction proceeds without generation of free radicals. The experimental overall rate law, , strongly suggests two types of mechanisms. The first pathway, characterized by the pH-dependent rate constant k _s, given by , involves the formation of [W(CN)₈· H₂O₂]^3–, [W(CN)₈· H₂O₂·W(CN)₈]^6– and [W(CN)₈· HO]^3– intermediates in rapid pre-equilibria steps, and is followed by a one-electron transfer step involving [W(CN)₈·HO]^3– (k _a) and its conjugate base [W(CN)₈·O]^4– (k _b). At 25 °C, I = 0.20 m (NaCl), the rate constant with H _a =40±6kJmol^–1 and S _a =–151±22JK^–1mol^–1; the rate constant with H _b =36±1kJmol^–1 and S _b =–136±2JK^–1mol^–1 at 25 °C, I = 0.20 m (NaCl); the acid dissociation constant of [W(CN)₈·HO]^3–, K ₅ =(5.9±1.7)×10^–10 m, with and is the first acid dissociation constant of H₂O₂. The second pathway, with rate constant, k _f, involves the formation of [W(CN)₈· HO₂]^4– and is followed by a formal two-electron redox process with [W(CN)₈]^3–. The pH-dependent rate constant, k _f, is given by . The rate constant k ₇ =23±6m ^–1 s ^–1 with and at 25°C, I = 0.20 m (NaCl).     

Nickel surface anodic oxidation and electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution

The processes of nickel surface anodic oxidation taking place within the range of potentials preceding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in the solutions of 1 M KOH, 0.5 M K₂SO₄, and 0.5 M H₂SO₄ have been analyzed in the present paper. Metallic nickel, thermally oxidized nickel, and black nickel coating were used as Ni electrodes. The methods of cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed. The study was undertaken with a view to find the evidence of peroxide-type nickel surface compounds formation in the course of OER on the Ni electrode surface. On the basis of experimental results and literature data, it has been suggested that in alkaline solution at E ≈ 1.5 V (RHE) reversible electrochemical formation of Ni(IV) peroxide takes place according to the reaction as follows: This reaction accounts for both the underpotential (with respect to ) formation of O₂ from NiOO₂ peroxide and also small experimental values of dE/dlgi slope (<60 mV) at low anodic current densities, which are characteristic for the two-electron transfer process. It has been inferred that the composition of the γ-NiOOH phase, indicated in the Bode and revised Pourbaix diagrams, should be ∼5/6 NiOOH + ∼1/6 NiOO₂. The schemes demonstrating potential-dependent transitions between Ni surface oxygen compounds are presented, and the electrocatalytic mechanisms of OER in alkaline, acid, and neutral medium have been proposed.     

FT-IR Investigation of the State of Iron(III) Chloride Clusters Confined in AOT Reverse Micelles Dispersed in Carbon Tetrachloride

The state of the water-soluble salt iron(III) chloride in AOT reverse micelles dispersed in carbon tetrachloride has been investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy. Interestingly, while the entrapment of a lot of water-soluble inorganic salts in AOT reverse micelles requires preliminarily the presence of significant amounts of water within the micellar core, solubilization of FeCl₃ occurs without the need to add water in the micellar solution reaching the very high solubility value, expressed as the maximum salt-to-surfactant molar ratio, of 1.30. The analysis of the spectral features of the investigated samples leads to hypothesize that iron(III) chloride is confined within the reverse micellar core as small size melted clusters of ionic species arising from the reactions

Oxygen transport and thermomechanical properties of SrFe(Al)O3-δ –SrAl2O4 composites: microstructural effects

Measurements of oxygen permeation through dense composite membranes showed a considerable influence of processing conditions on the surface exchange kinetics, while the bulk ambipolar conductivity is almost unaffected by microstructural factors. Compared to the materials prepared via the glycine–nitrate process (GNP), the surface limitations to oxygen transport are significantly higher for dual-phase made of a commercial powder synthesized by spray pyrolysis. This difference in behavior may be related to compositional inhomogeneities in the grains of A-site deficient perovskite phase and an enhanced surface concentration of grain boundaries in the case of GNP-synthesized composite, which has also smaller grain size, slightly higher thermal expansion and lower total conductivity. No essential effects on Vickers hardness, varying in the range 6.3–6.5 GPa, were found. The deposition of porous catalyst layers onto the composite surface exposed to reducing environment leads to membrane decomposition. For the fabrication of tubular membranes, the cold isostatic pressing technique was, hence, combined with mechanical treatment to increase the specific surface area without incorporation of catalytically active components.     

Thermodynamic properties of the ternary oxides in the Eu–Ru–O system by using solid-state electrochemical cells

The Gibbs free energies of formation of Eu₃RuO₇(s) and Eu₂Ru₂O₇(s) have been determined using solid-state electrochemical technique employing oxide ion conducting electrolyte. The reversible electromotive force (e.m.f.) of the following solid-state electrochemical cells have been measured:

Thermochemical properties of the coordination complex of 8-hydroxyquinolinato-bis-(salicylato) praseodymium (III)

The product, [Pr(C₇H₅O₃)₂(C₉H₆NO)], which was formed by praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate, salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃), and 8-hydroxyquinoline (C₉H₇NO), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV spectra, IR spectra, molar conductance, and thermogravimetric analysis. In an optimalizing calorimetric solvent, the dissolution enthalpies of [Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O(s)], [2 C₇H₆O₃(s) + C₉H₇NO(s)], [Pr(C₇H₅O₃)₂(C₉H₆NO)(s)], and [solution D (aq)] were measured to be, by means of a solution-reaction isoperibol microcalorimeter, $ \begin{gathered}\Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta}\left[ {{ \Pr }\left( {{\text{NO}}_{ 3} } \right)_{ 3} \cdot 6{\text{H}}_{ 2} {\text{O}}\left( {\text{s}} \right), 2 9 8. 1 5{\text{ K}}} \right] \, = - ( 20. 6 6 { } \pm \, 0. 29)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} , \\\Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } \left[ { 2 {\text{C}}_{7} {\text{H}}_{ 6} {\text{O}}_{ 3} \left( {\text{s}} \right) +{\text{ C}}_{ 9} {\text{H}}_{ 7} {\text{NO}}\left( {\text{s}}\right),{ 298}. 1 5 {\text{ K}}} \right] \, = \, ( 4 2. 2 7 { }\pm \, 0. 3 1)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} , \\\Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } \left[ {{\text{solutionD }}\left( {\text{aq}} \right), 2 9 8. 1 5 {\text{ K}}} \right] \,= - \left( { 8 9. 1 5 { } \pm \, 0. 4 3}\right)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} , \\\end{gathered} $ Δ s H m θ [ Pr ( NO 3 ) 3 · 6 H 2 O ( s ) , 2 9 8.1 5 K ] = ? ( 20.6 6 ± 0.2 9 ) kJ mol ? 1 , Δ s H m θ [ 2 C 7 H 6 O 3 ( s ) + C 9 H 7 NO ( s ) , 298.1 5 K ] = ( 4 2.2 7 ± 0.3 1 ) kJ mol ? 1 , Δ s H m θ [ solution D ( aq ) , 2 9 8.1 5 K ] = ? ( 8 9.1 5 ± 0.4 3 ) kJ mol ? 1 , and $ \Updelta_{\text{s}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta } \left\{ {\left[ {{\Pr }\left( {{\text{C}}_{ 7} {\text{H}}_{ 5} {\text{O}}_{ 3} }\right)_{ 2} \left( {{\text{C}}_{ 9} {\text{H}}_{ 6} {\text{NO}}}\right)} \right]\left( {\text{s}} \right),{ 298}. 1 5 {\text{ K}}}\right\} \, = - \left( { 4 1.0 4 { } \pm \, 0. 3 3}\right)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} $ Δ s H m θ { [ Pr ( C 7 H 5 O 3 ) 2 ( C 9 H 6 NO ) ] ( s ) , 298.1 5 K } = ? ( 4 1.0 4 ± 0.3 3 ) kJ mol ? 1 , respectively. Through an improved thermochemical cycle, the enthalpy change of the designed coordination reaction was calculated to be $\Updelta_{\text{r}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta} = \, ( 2 1 3. 1 8\pm0. 6 9)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} $ Δ r H m θ = ( 2 1 3.1 8 ± 0.6 9 ) kJ mol ? 1 , the standard molar enthalpy of the formation was determined as $ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{\text{m}}^{\theta} \left\{ {\left[ {{\Pr }\left( {{\text{C}}_{ 7} {\text{H}}_{ 5} {\text{O}}_{ 3} }\right)_{ 2} \left( {{\text{C}}_{ 9} {\text{H}}_{ 6} {\text{NO}}}\right)} \right]\left( {\text{s}} \right), 2 9 8. 1 5 {\text{K}}}\right\} \, = \, - \, ( 1 8 7 5. 4\pm 3.1)\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} $ Δ f H m θ { [ Pr ( C 7 H 5 O 3 ) 2 ( C 9 H 6 NO ) ] ( s ) , 2 9 8.1 5 K } = ? ( 1 8 7 5.4 ± 3.1 ) kJ mol ? 1 .     

Palladized aluminum as a novel substrate for electrosynthesis of polyaniline in sulfuric acid solutions

The electropolymerization of aniline on a palladized aluminum electrode (Pd/Al) by potentiodynamic as well as potentiostatic methods is described. The effect of the monomer concentration between 0.01 and 0.4 M on the polyaniline (PANI) formation and its growth on the Pd/Al electrode was investigated and a suitable concentration of 0.2 M is suggested. A similar study was carried out to investigate the effect of sulfuric acid concentration and 0.1 M sulfuric acid was chosen. A study on the influence of electropalladization time on the polymer formation and its growth suggested a convenient time of 40 s. The stability of the PANI film on the Pd/Al electrode was studied as function of the potential imposed on the electrode. For applied electrode potentials of 0.1–0.7 V, the first-order degradation rate constant, k, of PANI film varies between 1×10⁻⁶ and 2×10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, and a relatively low slope (i.e., 2.2) was obtained for the plot of log k versus E. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetric behavior of the PANI-deposited Pd/Al electrode is discussed. The electrocatalytic activity of the PANI-deposited Pd/Al electrode against para-benzoquinone/hydroquinone (Q/H₂Q) and redox systems were investigated and on the basis of of the corresponding cyclic voltammograms and the redox systems were identified as the reversible and quasi-reversible systems, respectively.     

Mixed-Valence 24-Vanadophosphate Decorated with Six RuII(dmso)3 Groups: [{RuII3(dmso)9PVV11VIVRuIIIO37(OH)3}2]8?

The mixed-valence 24-vanadophosphate (1) has been synthesized and characterized in the solid state by IR, magnetism, EPR, XPS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on (Na-1), which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group , with a = 17.168(3) ?, b = 18.1971(14) ?, c = 20.1422(13) ?, α = 114.753(3)°, β = 99.390(4)°, γ = 95.124(4)°, and Z = 2. Polyanion 1 has an unusual, open structure composed of 2 Ru^IIIO₆ octahedra, 2 V^IVO₆ octahedra, 14 V^VO₅ square-pyramids, 8 V^VO₄ tetrahedra, and 2 PO₄ tetrahedra which are all directly linked via edges and corners. The outer surface of 1 is decorated with six Ru^II(dmso)₃ groups. XPS studies on Na-1 confirm the presence of 2 Ru^III and 6 Ru^II as well as 22 V^V and 2 V^IV centers. Magnetic susceptibility data on Na-1 show that the V^IV–Ru^III pairs are coupled antiferromagnetically, with J ₁ = −13 K and J ₂ ∼ −3 K. We did not detect any peak in our EPR measurements on Na-1, thus supporting the conclusion that Na-1 is diamagnetic in its ground state. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. In Memoriam Prof. F. A. Cotton     

Thermal investigations of SmFeTeO6 and SmCrTeO6 compounds

SmFeTeO₆ and SmCrTeO₆ were synthesized by heating the respective oxides in molar quantities and characterized by X-ray technique. Thermogravimetric studies suggested that SmFeTeO₆ and SmCrTeO₆ vapourize incongruently according to the reactions: $$ \begin{aligned} {\text{SmFeTeO}}_{ 6}{({\text{s}})} & \to {\text{SmFeO}}_{ 3} {( {\text{s}})} + {\text{TeO}}_{ 2} {( {\text{g}})} + \left( { 1/ 2} \right){\text{O}}_{ 2}{( {\text{g}})} \\ {\text{SmCrTeO}}_{ 6} {( {\text{s}})} & \to {\text{SmCrO}}_{ 3} {( {\text{s}})} + {\text{TeO}}_{ 2}{( {\text{g}})} + \left( { 1/ 2} \right){\text{O}}_{ 2}{( {\text{g}})}. \\ \end{aligned} $$ X-ray diffraction data of both the compounds have been indexed on the hexagonal system. Partial pressures of TeO₂(g) were measured over SmFeO₃(s) and SmCrO₃(s) by employing the Knudsen effusion mass loss technique. The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of (Δ_f G°) SmFeTeO₆(s) and SmCrTeO₆(s) were obtained from partial pressures and represented by the following relations: $$\Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{\circ} \left( {{\text{SmFeTeO}}_{6}{( {{\text{s}},\,T})}} \right) \pm 2 5\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mol}}^{ - 1} = - 1 5 1. 6 5+ 0. 1 5\left(T \right)\quad \left( 1 ,0 90{-} 1,1 80\,{\text{K}} \right) \\ \Updelta_{\text{f}} G^{\circ } \left( {{\text{SmCrTeO}}_{ 6} {( {{\text{s}},\,T})}} \right) \pm 2 5\,{\text{kJ}}\,{\text{mole}}^{ - 1} = - 2 5 2. 8 6+ 0. 1 2(T)\quad \left( { 1,100 {-} 1 , 1 7 5\,{\text{K}}} \right).$$      

Electron transfer at Au surfaces modified by Tethered Osmium bipyridine–pyridine complexes

Chemically modified electrodes by the osmium complex tethered to Au surfaces by (1) reaction of cysteamine with the aldehyde (X=CHO), (2) mercapto alkanoic acid reaction with amine [X=(CH₂)₂NH₂], and (3) reduction of the diazonium salt of p-aminobenzoic acid and further amidation reaction with the amine derivative of the osmium complex [X=(CH₂)₂NH₂] were performed to explore the electron transfer properties of these redox-modified surfaces. The modified Au surfaces were characterized by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and resonant Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical properties of the osmium complexes covalently attached to the surface as a function of the type and length of the tether. Dedicated to the memory of Professor Francisco (Chico) Nart.