Physical immobilization of laccase on an electrode by means of poly(ethyleneimine) microcapsules

Microcapsules of poly(ethyleneimine) were used to immobilize laccase on the surface of an electrode and its mediated electron transfer was studied with the redox mediator p-phenylenediamine (PPD). The microcapsules consisted of a cross-linked PEI wall generated from an emulsion of an aqueous phase containing the enzyme. The reaction of encapsulated laccase with PPD was studied by spectrophotometry and oxygen consumption. We found that the encapsulation resulted in a small shift for the optimum pH and a lower K_m value when compared to free laccase. These differences are attributed to the charged micro-environment offered by the microcapsules. The microcapsules were then deposited on a glassy carbon electrode and chronoamperometry was used to evaluate the mediated electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode. No significant differences in term of optimum pH and K_m occurred upon capsules deposition on the electrode. The response time of the electrode for PPD oxidation was higher than those found in the literature, which suggests that the PEI capsule wall offers some resistance to mediator permeation, an hypothesis that was verified by RDE measurements. The charged nature of the PEI membrane appeared to affect several parameters of the laccase-mediator reaction and the effect of pH and mediator charge on this reaction are reported. The immobilization platform under study can be applied to different enzyme-mediator systems than the laccase-PPD used here and is relevant to the development of bioelectrocatalytic systems.     

Study of the pH function of a mechanically renewed graphite-quinhydrone indicator electrode

A composition of quinhydrone and spectral graphite powders and also an epoxy resin with polyethylene polyamine as a binder is studied for fabricating a solid indicator electrode, renewed by mechanically cutting a thin surface layer, intended for measurements of the pH of solutions. It is shown that after the renewal of the electrode surface, the dissolution of the components of quinhydrone occurs in the near-electrode layer and the electrode potential depends on the pH of the solution and the time of the contact of the electrode with the solution. The pH dependence of potentials (E _t ) at t = const in the pH range 2.0–7.0 is linear and close to the theoretical one. In the pH range 7.0–13.9, the results of measurements of E _t by the proposed carbon-quinhydrone electrode, in contrast to the traditional quinhydrone electrode, are well reproducible and linearly depend on pH. This opens up the possibility of using the electrode for the determination of E _t also in alkaline media.     

Influence of surface oxygen groups on V(II) oxidation reaction kinetics

The role of surface oxygen groups on the kinetics of the V(II) oxidation reaction was studied on modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The reaction was found to be sensitive to the presence of oxygen groups on the electrode surface. Higher O/C ratios determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) corresponded to higher reactivities and lower charge transfer resistances measured in a 1 M V(II) electrolyte. The stability of an oxidised GC surface was also investigated in a 1 M V(II) electrolyte by potential holding and cycling experiments. It was found that after holding and cycling to successively more negative potentials up to − 0.8 V/RHE, the electrode surface lost its initial reactivity.     

Electrochemistry and electrocatalytic activity of catechin film on a glassy carbon electrode toward the oxidation of hydrazine

A very stable electroactive film of catechin was electrochemically deposited on the surface of activated glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical behavior of catechin modified glassy carbon electrode (CMGCE) was extensively studied using cyclic voltammetry. The properties of the electrodeposited films, during preparation under different conditions, and the stability of the deposited film were examined. The charge transfer coefficient (α) and charge transfer rate constant (k _s) for catechin deposited film were calculated. It was found that the modified electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward hydrazine oxidation and it also showed a very large decrease in the overpotential for the oxidation of hydrazine. The CMGCE was employed to study electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine using cyclic voltammetry, rotating disk voltammetry, chronoamperometry, amperometry and square-wave voltammetry as diagnostic techniques. The catalytic rate constant of the modified electrode for the oxidation of hydrazine was determined by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and rotating disk voltammetry and was found to be around 10⁻³ cm s⁻¹ . In the used different voltammetric methods, the plot of the electrocatalytic current versus hydrazine concentration is constituted of two linear segments with different ranges of hydrazine concentration. Furthermore, amperometry in stirred solution exhibits a detection limit of 0.165 μM and the precision of 4.7% for replicate measurements of 40.0 μM solution of hydrazine.     

Nickel pentacyanonitrosylferrate film modified aluminum electrode for electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine

The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine at the aluminum electrode, modified by electroless deposition of nickel pentacyanonitrosylferrate (NiPCNF) on the surface of the electrode has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and rotating disk electrode voltammetry and the kinetics of the catalytic reaction were investigated. The results were explained using the theory of electrocatalytic reactions at chemically modified electrodes. It was found that a one-electron charge-transfer process is rate limiting and that the average values of the rate constant for the catalytic reaction and the diffusion coefficient, evaluated by different approaches, are 5.2×10³ M^–1s^–1 and 8.5×10^–6 cm²s^–1, respectively. Further examinations of the modified electrodes show that the modifying layers (NiPCNF) on the aluminum substrate have reproducible behavior and a high level of stability, after exposing them in air and hydrazine solutions for a long time. Electronic Publication     

Implementation of a Simple Nanostructured Bio‐electrode with Immobilized Rhus Vernicifera Laccase for Oxygen Sensing Applications

In this work a simple nanostructured direct‐electron transfer bio‐electrode based on tree laccase from Rhus vernicifera is described. The electrode was implemented on a 2 mm diameter graphite mine casted with a reduced graphene surface presenting the specific capacitance of 195.8 F g⁻¹. About 10 μl of mixture between 25 mg mL⁻¹ laccase suspension and 5 mg mL⁻¹ single‐walled carbon nanotubes in 2 % SDS is dropped over the surface followed by 5 μl of the biological friendly tetrakis(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl)‐silane monomer sol to provide physical entrapment in a silica matrix after gelation. The rigidity of enzyme encapsulation allowed to obtain a constant enzyme turnover of about 16 min⁻¹ in the extended pH range of 6.0‐7.5, being the activity almost proportional to the temperature used in the interval between 25 and 40 °C. The graphite‐graphene/SWCNT‐laccase/sol‐gel electrode enabled a proportional response to molecular oxygen up to the concentration of 0.45 mmol L⁻¹ and is capable to generate the maximum power of 4.5 μW cm⁻² at 0.250 V vs the AgCl/Ag reference electrode in quiescent oxygen saturated solution.     

Electrochemical oxidation of carbon monoxide, methanol, formic acid, ethanol, and acetic acid on a platinum electrode under hot aqueous conditions

Using a pressure cell equipped with an Ag AgCl 0.1 M KCl external pressure-balanced reference electrode (EPBRE), hydrogen, methanol, formic acid, carbon monoxide, ethanol, acetic acid, and glucose were electrochemically oxidized on a Pt electrode under hot aqueous conditions (365−525 K), and the polarization curves were obtained at a sweep rate of 1 or 10 mV s⁻¹. The potential measured versus EPBRE was corrected to the RHE scale based on the experimentally or theoretically calculated pH of the solution at high temperature. During methanol and carbon monoxide oxidation, a strongly adsorbed intermediate presumably CO, was formed but it was oxidized at a lower potential than under ambient temperature. Formic acid was rapidly oxidized around 0 V versus RHE without formation of this adsorbed intermediate. Using a gas mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, it was confirmed that the surface coverage by CO was decreased dramatically with a temperature increase from 425 to 475 K under hot aqueous conditions. Ethanol and acetic acid were also satisfactorily oxidized, but the trial to measure the electrochemical oxidation behavior of glucose was not successful due to the adhesion of char-like compounds to the electrode.     

Oxygen reduction on the Au (311) electrode surface in alkaline electrolyte

Oxygen reduction was studied for the first time using a single crystal electrode in a rotating disc-ring arrangement. The Au (311) surface shows a complex behaviour, with a very high activity in certain potential regions. The first electron transfer is rate determining in the region of 4-electron reduction. As with Au (100), a 4 e⁻ reduction changes into a 2 e⁻ process, which reverts back to a 4 e⁻reaction at very negative potentials. Based on a general reaction scheme of O₂ reduction, a map of the operating potential dependent reaction pathways was constructed. Nearly 60% of the mass flux of O₂ undergoes a direct reduction to OH⁻ in the region of mixed control. The high activity of Au (311) was ascribed to a high step density and AuOH present on its surface.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose at a Ni-curcumin modified glassy carbon electrode

The electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose was investigated on a nickel-basedchemically modified electrode (Ni(II)-curcumin) prepared by electropolymerization of Ni-curcumin complex (curcumin=1,7-bis[4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl]-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) in alkaline solution. Reaction kinetic and mechanism were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) techniques and steady-state polarization measurements. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicated that in the presence of glucose the anodic peak current of surface redox mediator was increased, followed by decrease in the corresponding cathodic current. This indicates that glucose was oxidized at the surface of this modified electrode. The results were explained based on the concept of electrocatalytic reactions that occur in this chemically modified electrode. The diffusion coefficient of glucose and the rate constant of the catalytic oxidation of glucose were found to be 6.7×10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹ and 6.5×10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. It has shown that by using the Ni-curcumin modified electrode, glucose can be determined with good response and low detection limit.     

Amperometric determination of serum lactate dehydrogenase activity using an ADP-modified graphite electrode

Graphite electrodes modified with a drop-coated layer of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) displayed an electrocatalytic response to NADH after the adenine moiety of ADP was electrochemically oxidised. NADH can be detected amperometrically in alkaline solution (pH 9.0) at low applied potentials (+50 mV (Ag/AgCl)). Using a stationary electrode arrangement, linear response for NADH concentrations between 1.0×10⁻⁸ and 1.0×10⁻⁴ M was found, with a response time of 12 s and a detection limit of 8×10⁻⁹ M. The electrode was applied to the amperometric monitoring of the reaction between lactate and NAD⁺ catalysed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). A flow injection-amperometric method for the determination of LDH activity in human serum was developed. The method allows a fast and accurate discrimination between pathological and normal LDH activity levels, with a sampling rate of 40 h⁻¹. Quantitative results for a random set of human serum samples were found to be in good agreement with the standard spectrophotometric method.     

Establishment of a Hydrogen Scale in 80 Mass % Propylene Carbonate + <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Xylene Medium

Details of the standardization of the reference electrode Hg/HgCl_2(s) versus the SHE by a potentiometric method using two acids (viz., perchloric and 2,5-dichlorobenzene-sulfonic acids) in 80 mass % propylene carbonate (PC) + p-xylene (PX), are presented. Using this reference electrode, the standard electrode potential of the quinhydrone electrode was determined in this medium. The reference electrode potential and the standard electrode potential of the quinhydrone electrode were found to be (0.277±0.003) and (0.760±0.003) V versus SHE in 80 mass % PC + PX at 25 °C, respectively. The voltammetric behavior of the quinhydrone system in this medium was investigated at a micro platinum electrode against a non-aqueous double-junction Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The standard electrode potential of the quinhydrone system was also calculated using voltammetric and chronocoulometric data that is comparable with the value obtained by potentiometry.     

Studies on the kinetics of ascorbate oxidation at a ruthenium oxide hexacyanoferrate modified electrode towards the detection at microenvironments

The electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbate on a ruthenium oxide hexacyanoferrate (RuOHCF) glassy carbon (GC) modified electrode was investigated at pH 6.9 by using rotating disc electrode (RDE) voltammetry. The influence of the systematic variation of rotation rate, film thickness, ascorbate concentration and the electrode potential indicated that the rate of cross-chemical reaction between Ru(III) centres immobilized into the film and ascorbate controls the overall process. The kinetic regime may be classified as a Sk″ mechanism and the second order rate constant for the surface electrocatalytic reaction was found to be 1.56 × 10⁻³ mol⁻¹ L¹ s⁻¹ cm. A carbon fibre microelectrode modified with the RuOHCF film was successfully used as an amperometric sensor to monitor the ascorbate diffusion in a simulated microenvironment experiment.     

Amperometric determination of paracetomol by a surface modified cobalt hexacyanoferrate graphite wax composite electrode

A stable electro active thin film of cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF) was deposited on the surface of an amine adsorbed graphite wax composite electrode using a simple method. Cyclic voltammetric experiments showed two pairs of well defined peaks for this CoHCF modified electrode which exhibited excellent electrocatalytic property for the oxidation of paracetomol at a reduced overpotential of 100 mV and over a concentration range of 3.33 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻³ M with a slope of 0.208 μA/μM with good sensitivity. The influence of the supporting electrolyte on peak current and peak potential were also obtained in addition with effects of common interference (e.g., ascorbic acid) on the response of the modified electrode. Various parameters that influence the electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode were optimized by varying scan rates and pH. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies suggested that the electrode reaction of the CoHCF film is mainly controlled by transport of counter ion. The immobilized CoHCF maintained its redox activity showing a surface controlled electrode reaction with the electron transfer rate constant (K_s) of 0.94 s⁻¹ and charge transfer coefficient of 0.42. Hydrodynamic and chronoamperometric studies were done to explore the utility of the modified electrode in dynamic systems. The results of the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using the modified electrode was applied for the determination of paracetomol in commercially available tablets. The results obtained reveal that the electrode under study could be used as an effective sensor for online monitoring of paracetomol.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol by ZSM-5 nanozeolite-modified carbon paste electrode in alkaline medium

Development of a novel modified electrode for electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol in order to decrease overvoltage is importance. In this paper, carbon paste electrode (CPE) was modified by ZSM-5 nanozeolite. The average diameter of used nanozeolite was 97 nm. Ni²⁺ ions were incorporated to the nanozeolite by immersion of the modified electrode in a 0.1 M nickel chloride solution. Then, electrochemical studies of this electrode were performed by using cyclic voltammetry(CV) in alkaline medium. This modified electrode was used as an anode for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol in 0.1 M of NaOH solution. The obtained data demonstrated that ZSM-5 nanozeolite at the surface of CPE improves catalytic efficiency of the dispersed nickel ions toward methanol oxidation. The values of electron transfer coefficient, charge-transfer rate constant, and the electrode surface coverage are obtained 0.61, 0.2342 s^?1, and 4.33 × 10^?8 mol cm^?2, respectively. Also, the mean value of catalytic rate constant between the methanol and redox sites of electrode and diffusion coefficient were found to be 2.54 × 10⁴ cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 and 1.85 × 10^?8 cm² s^?1, respectively. Obtained results from both CV and chronoamperometric techniques indicated that the electrode reaction is a diffusion-controlled process.     

Immobilization of ABTS – laccase system in silicate based electrode for biolectrocatalytic reduction of dioxygen

Voltametrically stable 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS²⁻) modified electrode was obtained by sol–gel processing of methyltrimethoxysilane based sol with dissolved ABTS²⁻ together with dispersed graphite particles. Next, extracellular laccase from Cerrena unicolor was encapsulated within a thin hydrophilic tetramethoxysilane film on the top the electrode. The obtained ABTS²⁻ modified carbon ceramic electrode exhibits stable voltammetry corresponding to the surface confined oxidation reduction process. The biocatalytic activity of this electrode is similar to that observed when ABTS²⁻ is present in solution.     

Determination of arsenate in natural pH seawater using a manganese-coated gold microwire electrode

Direct electrochemical determination of arsenate (As^V) in neutral pH waters is considered impossible due to electro-inactivity of As^V. As^III on the other hand is readily plated as As⁰ on a gold electrode and quantified by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). We found that the reduction of As^V to As^III was mediated by elemental Mn on the electrode surface in a novel redox couple in which 2 electrons are exchanged causing the Mn to be oxidised to Mn^II. Advantage is taken of this redox couple to enable for the first time the electrochemical determination of As^V in natural waters of neutral pH including seawater by ASV using a manganese-coated gold microwire electrode. Thereto Mn is added to excess (∼1 μM Mn) to the water leading to a Mn coating during the deposition of As on the electrode at a deposition potential of −1.3 V. Deposition of As⁰ from dissolved As^V caused elemental Mn to be re-oxidised to Mn^II in a 1:1 molar ratio providing evidence for the reaction mechanism. The deposited As^V is subsequently quantified using an ASV scan. As^III interferes and should be quantified separately at a more positive deposition potential of −0.9 V. Combined inorganic As is quantified after oxidation of As^III to As^V using hypochlorite. The microwire electrode was vibrated during the deposition step to improve the sensitivity. The detection limit was 0.2 nM As^V using a deposition time of 180 s.     

RuO2 electrode surface effects in electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose

We have studied the electrocatalytic activity of RuO₂-PVC film electrodes, fabricated using RuO₂ powders prepared at five different temperatures, viz., 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700°C, for the oxidation of glucose in high alkaline media, 1 to 3 M NaOH. The RuO₂-PVC film electrodes have been first characterized in 1 to 3 M NaOH solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disc electrode (RDE) techniques in a wide potential range −1,100 to 450 mV (SCE), and three redox pairs representing Ru(IV)/Ru(III), Ru(VI)/Ru(IV) and Ru(VII)/Ru(VI) transitions have been identified. The voltammetric peaks at low sweep rates have been analyzed using surface activity theory formulated for interacting electroactive adsorption sites, and interaction terms have been evaluated. The total voltammetric surface charges have been analyzed as per Trassatti’s formalism with respect to their dependence on potential sweep rate, and charges associated with less accessible and more accessible surface sites have been calculated. For glucose oxidation, the results have indicated that RuO₂ (700°C)-PVC electrode shows two oxidation peaks in contrast to RuO₂ (300°C)-PVC electrode. Also, RuO₂ (700°C)-PVC electrode exhibits higher intrinsic electrocatalytic activity than the 300°C electrode, although the former possesses lower electrochemically active surface area. Additionally, kinetic analyses made from RDE results with reference to Michealis–Menten (MM) enzyme catalysis has shown that RuO₂ (700°C) electrode possesses extended glucose-sensing range in terms of MM kinetic constant, K _M , compared to other electrodes. Possible reasons for such differences in the behavior of the electrodes of different temperatures towards glucose oxidation are identified from studies on oxidation of glucose in solutions of different pH, oxidation of different glucose derivatives, and also from physicochemical results from BET, XRD, SEM, DTGA, XPS analysis of RuO₂ powder samples.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of captopril using a carbon-paste electrode modified with copper-cobalt hexacyanoferrate

A carbon-paste electrode was modified with copper-cobalt hexacyanoferrate by consecutive potential cycling. The kinetic parameters were calculated for the electroactive species. The resulting electrode exhibited electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of captopril. The kinetics of the electrocatalytic reaction was studied. A linear relationship was observed between anodic current and the concentration of captopril in the range of 5.0 × 10^?6–3.1 × 10^?5 μM with a detection limit of 4.2 μM (S/N = 3). The modified electrode was used in the analysis of captopril tablets successfully.     

Electrochemical Characteristics of Mediated Laccase‐Catalysis and Electrochemical Detection of Environmental Pollutants

Laccase has been immobilized on the carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode surface by adsorption. As‐prepared laccase retains good electrocatalytic activity to oxygen reduction by using 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) as the mediator. It can be used as a biosensor for the determination of catechol with broad linear range. Especially, azide, one of inhibitors of laccase, shows sensitive inhibition to catalytic activity of the laccase modified electrode. In addition, the inhibition by fluoride ions has also been studied. These demonstrate that the as‐prepared electrode can be used to detect halide and some the toxic pollutants, e.g., catechol and azide based on catalytic or inhibition reaction of laccase. The simple preparation procedure makes the system can be developed as non‐inhibition or inhibition biosensor.     

Silver nanoparticle decorated poly(2-aminodiphenylamine) modified carbon paste electrode as a simple and efficient electrocatalyst for oxidation of formaldehyde

This work describes the promising activity of silver nanoparticles on the surface of a poly(2-amino diphenylamine) modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) towards formaldehyde oxidation. Electrodeposition of the conducting polymer film on the CPE was carried out using consecutive cyclic voltammetry in an aqueous solution of 2-aminodiphenylamine and HCl. Nitrogen groups in the polymer backbone had a Ag ion accumulating effect, allowing Ag nanoparticles to be electrochemically deposited on the surface of the electrode. The electrochemical and morphological characteristics of the modified electrode were investigated. The electro-oxidation of formaldehyde on the surface of electrode was studied using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry in aqueous solution of 0.1 mol/L NaOH. The electro-oxidation onset potential was found to be around -0.4 V, which is unique in the literature. The effect of different concentrations of formaldehyde on the electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode was investigated. Finally, the diffusion coefficient of formaldehyde in alkaline media was calculated to be 0.47 × 10^-6 cm²/s using chronoamperometry.