Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrite Using a Carbon Nanotube Electrode in the Presence of Cupric Ions

A simple, inexpensive method for determining nitrite is presented. With a carbon nanotube modified glass carbon electrode (GC), the overpotential for reduction of nitrite decreased, and direct reduction could be achieved in acid solution. Sensitivity, however, was not very high. When cupric ions were added to the solution, the reduction peak current increased significantly, and in particular the presence of multiple nitrate did not interfere. Experimental conditions were optimized, and preliminary studies were performed on the electrochemical mechanism of nitrite reduction in the presence of cupric ions on the carbon nanotube modified electrode. Under optimized conditions, the peak current of reduction achieved with the differential pulse voltammetric method was proportional to the concentration of nitrite in the ranges of 2.0×10^–6–1.0×thinsp;10^–5molL^–1 and 2.0×10^–5–1.0×10^–3molL^–1. The detection limit reached 5.0×10^–7molL^–1, and most of the inorganic ions did not interfere. The determination of nitrite in samples of rain water and river water was satisfactory.     

Determination of Salbutamol, Amikacin and Paromomycin Sulfate by a Novel Sulfate Polymeric Membrane Sensor Based on 2,6-diphenyl 4-(4-methoxyphenyl) pyrylium perchlorate

A novel sulfate polymeric membrane sensor based on 2,6-diphenyl 4-(4-methoxyphenyl) pyrylium perchlorate (DMPP) as a sensing material is presented. The electrode displays a very low detection limit (4.0×10^–7M) and wide working concentration range (8.0×10^–7–1.0×10^–1M). The sensor shows remarkable selectivity toward sulfate over most common organic and inorganic anions, including chloride, acetate, nitrate, nitrite, bromide, iodide, thiocyanate, phosphate, fluoride, sulfite, hydrogen sulfite, hydrogen carbonate, citrate, tartarate and oxalate. The sensor reveals a Nernstian behavior (slope of –29.7±0.5mV per decade) in a wide pH range (3.0–9.5). The proposed sensor shows a short response time over the entire working range (15s) and was successfully applied to the direct determination of salbutamol, amikacin and paromomycin sulfate.     

Application of a Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrode in Anodic Stripping Voltammetry for Determination of Trace Amounts of 6-Benzylaminopurine

Carbon nanotubes were modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GC) and initially applied in semi-derivative anode stripping voltammetry for the determination of 6-benzylaminopurine. The experiments demonstrated that the presence of the carbon nanotube greatly increased the current of the oxidation peak of benzylaminopurine. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and semi-derivative voltammetry were used in a comparative investigation into the electrochemical oxidation of benzylaminopurine with the modified electrode. Studies on the effect of pH on the peak current and potential were carried out over the pH range of 9.013.0 with the NH₃–NH₄Cl buffer solution. A pH of 10.0 was chosen as the optimum pH. Other experimental parameters, such as film thickness, accumulation potential, temperature etc. were optimized. The anodic peak current was found to be linearly related to the concentration of benzylaminopurine over the range of 4.0×10^–8 to 1.0×10^–5mol·L^–1 with a detection limit of 5.0×10^–9mol·L^–1 in an accumulation time of 5min. Interferences of some inorganic and organic species on the response have been studied.     

The New Fluorescence Enhancement System Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-ARADE-HMTM-Al<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and its Analytical Application

A new bis-Schiff base ligand, N,N-bis-(4-N-aminothiourea-2-amylidene)-4,4-diaminodiphenyl ether (ARADE), was synthesized. Its complex with Eu³⁺ in DMF emits the intrinsic fluorescence of Eu³⁺. The fluorescence intensity of the Eu³⁺-ARADE system was enhanced about 60-fold by the addition of hexamethylene tetramine (HMTM) and potash alum. This is a new fluorescence enhancement phenomenon. The excitation and emission wavelengths are 375nm and 615nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensities vary linearly with the concentration of Eu³⁺ in the range of 7.8×10^–9–1.75×10^–5mol·L^–1 with a detection limit of 5.2×10^–9mol·L^–1, or with the concentration of Al³⁺ in the range of 3.1×10^–7–9.7×10^–5mol·L^–1 with a detection limit of 2.7×10^–7mol·L^–1. The interferences of some rare earth metals and other inorganic ions were described. This method was applied to the determination of Eu³⁺ in high purity yttrium oxide and the analysis of Al³⁺ in alloy steel standard samples. The mechanism of fluorescence enhancement was also studied.     

All-Solid-State PVC Membrane Ag+-Selective Electrodes Based on Diaza-18-Crown-6 Compounds

Two diaza-crown ether compounds were synthesized and evaluated as Ag⁺-selective carriers in polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane electrodes of solid-state type. The all-solid-state PVC membrane electrode based on N,N-Dibenzyl-dibenzo-diaza-18-crown-6 exhibited a super-Nernstian response (75±10mV per decade) over the concentration range of 1×10^–1 to 7×10^–6M of Ag⁺ ion and a detection limit of 3×10^–6M, at a wide range of pH (pH 4–7). The response time of the electrode was fast (less than 10s), and it can be used for three months without any significant deviation in potential. The proposed all-solid-state PVC membrane electrodes revealed high selectivity toward Ag⁺ ion with respect to alkali, alkaline earth, heavy and transition metal ions. A flow-through cell of all-solid-state PVC membrane Ag⁺-selective electrode based on N,N-Dibenzyl-dibenzo-diaza-18-crown-6 has also been prepared and applied for flow-injection analysis of Ag⁺ ion in solution.     

Potentiometric Flow Injection Analysis of Anionic Surfactants in Industrial Products and Wastes

A new sensor for anionic surfactants with a membrane consisting of 33wt% poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), 66wt% dioctylphthalate (DOP) plasticizer, and 1wt% tridodecylmethylammonium chloride (TDMAC) is developed and used for flow injection analysis. The sensor displays a working response range of 5×10^–7–5×10^–3M dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBS^–) with a Nernstian slope of 58.5±0.2mV decade^–1, a response time of 30s and a detection limit of 1.5×10^–7M DBS^–. Selectivity measurements with different anionic species indicate good membrane selectivity towards DBS^–. The sensor is used to measure anionic surfactants (DBS^–) in different wastewater samples, commercial detergent products, and for monitoring the rate of surfactant biodegradation in sewage treatment plants. The results obtained agree fairly well with data obtained by the standard extraction-spectrophotometric method. The proposed potentiometric method offers the advantages of simplicity, accuracy, automation feasibility, and applicability to turbid and colored sample solutions.     

Novel Coated-Wire Membrane Sensor Based on Bis(Acetylacetonato) Cadmium(II) for the Determination of Chromate Ions

A new electrode based on a complex of chromate ions with bis(acetylacetonato) cadmium(II) as a carrier was developed for detection of chromate in aqueous solution. The electrode exhibited linear response with Nernstian slopes of –28.8±0.5mVper decade for chromate within the concentration range of 2.5×10^–6–0.1M. The limit of detection as determined from the intersection of the extrapolated linear segments of the calibration plots was almost 1.0×10^–6M. The electrodes exhibited good selectivities for chromate. The response time of the electrode was <25s over the entire concentration range. The electrode can be used in the pH range 8.0–12.0 for chromate. It was used as an indicator electrode in titration with Pb(NO₃)₂ and for the determination of chromate ion in wastewater samples.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Nitric Oxide on an Electrode Modified with Fullerene Films

Fullerene was immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode and reduced by an electrochemical method to form a partially reduced fullerene film. The films on the electrode showed stable electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO). The catalytic current was proportional to the concentration of nitric oxide. Based on this property, a method for the detection of nitric oxide in aqueous solution is proposed. The detection conditions, such as supporting electrolyte, scan rate and thickness of the film were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the catalytic currents increase linearly with the concentration of NO in the range of 3×10^–71.0×10^–4M, and the detection limit is 7.4×10^–8M. In addition, the modified electrode is very selective with respect to interferences including ascorbic acid, dopamine, and nitrite when further modified by a Nafion film on the surface of the electrode. The experimental results indicate that the partially reduced fullerene can act as an NO sensor featuring fast response and high stability.     

Electrochemical Properties and Analytical Applications of Keggin-type Phosphomolybdic Anions in Electrostatically Linked 2-Aminoethanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers

A composite film containing a heteropolyanion was prepared on a 2-aminoethanethiol (AT) self-assembled monolayer film-modified gold electrode by attaching the Keggin-type phosphomolybdic anion. The surface structures and electrochemical properties of the composite films were characterized by using ATR-FTIR, AC impedance, cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry. FTIR studies indicated that there was some electrostatic interaction between Pmo₁₂O₄₂^7– and surface NH₃⁺. Three reversible redox couples were observed in 1.0molL^–1 H₂SO₄ in the potential range of 0–0.7V for the composite film modified electrode, which were attributed to two-electron and two-proton electrochemical processes of PMo₁₂O₄₂^7–. The diffusion coefficient is determined to be 2.04×10^–7cm²s^–1. The composite film shows good catalytic activities for the reduction of nitrite (NO₂^–) in acidic solution and the catalytic mechanisms are described. The modified electrode provides a linear response for NO₂^– in the concentration range of 1.0×10^–4 to 1.0×10^–7molL^–1 by differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry with a correlation coefficient of 0.9965. The detection limit (three times the signal blank/slope) was 2.0×10^–8molL^–1. The modified electrode was used for the determination of NO₂^– in wastewater.     

Nickel Ion-Selective PVC Membrane Electrode Based on a New t-Octyl-Calix[6]arene Derivative

This study presents a PVC membrane based on 5,11,17,23,29,35-Hexakis-t-octyl-37,38,39,40,41,42-hexakis(N-phenylthiocarbamoylmethoxy)calix[6]arene which is used as an electroactive substance. The electrode reveals a Nernstian response for Ni²⁺ over a wide pH range with a slope of linear portion (5×10^–6–1×10^–2M, R=0.988) of 29.75±0.2mV·decade^–1 at 25°C. The electrodes sensitivity is enhanced upon the introduction of sodium tetraphenylborate into the membrane as a negatively charged lipophilic additive. The selectivity coefficients of various interfering ions were determined using the fixed interference method (FIM). The membrane reveals good selectivity for nickel ions over the other metal ions investigated. The lifetime of this electrode is about one month. This electrode has been applied to the determination of nickel ions in wastewater from the electroplating industry.     

Electrocatalysis of Tryptophan at Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrode

Acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode to form an MWNT-modified electrode. The electrocatalytic response of the modified electrode towards tryptophan (Trp) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The results demonstrated that the modified electrode exhibited a high degree of catalytic activity towards the oxidation of Trp. An oxidation peak was obtained in Trp solution at the MWNT-modified electrode. Compared with a bare electrode, the peak current had obviously increased, and the peak potential had shifted in a negative direction. However, under the same conditions, no response was observed for other amino acids. The oxidation peak currents were proportional linearly to the concentration of Trp, a property which could be utilized to detect Trp. The determination conditions, such as the concentration, the composition and the pH values of the supporting electrolyte, accumulation time, as well as scan rate etc. were optimized. Under the chosen conditions, the DPV peak current is linear to the concentration of Trp in the range of 2.5×10^–7 to 1.0×10^–4molL^–1, and the detection limit is 2.7×10^–8molL^–1. Moreover, the detection is free of interference from other amino acids. The modified electrode has been successfully applied to determine the concentration of Trp in composite amino acid injections, and it displays excellent repeatability and higher sensitivity.     

Carbon Paste Electrode for the Potentiometric Flow Injection Analysis of Drotaverine Hydrochloride in Serum and Urine

A carbon paste electrode for drotaverine hydrochloride (DvCl) was prepared and fully characterized in terms of composition, life span, usable pH range, response time and temperature. The electrode was applied to the potentiometric determination of drotaverinium ions in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids in steady state and flow injection conditions (FIA). The electrode is based on a mixture of two ion exchangers, namely, drotaverinium-silicotungestate and drotaverinium-tetraphenylborate dissolved in tricresyl phosphate as pasting liquid. The modified electrode showed a near-Nernstian slope of 59.34±2mV over the concentration range of 5.0×10^–7–1.0 × 10^–2M. The electrode exhibits good selectivity for DvCl with respect to a large number of inorganic cations, organic cations, sugars and amino acids. Potentiometric titrations of DvCl with several titrants have been monitored using this modified carbon paste electrode as an end-point indicator electrode. The proposed electrode offers the advantages of simplicity, accuracy, automation feasibility and applicability to turbid and colored samples.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Epinephrine at a Penicillamine Self-Assembled Gold Electrode,and its Analytical Application

The fabrication and electrochemical characteristics of a penicillamine (PCA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode were investigated. The self-assembled electrode shows obvious electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of epinephrine (EP). In phosphate buffer (pH 7.73), a sensitive oxidation peak was observed at 0.190V with the PCA modified Au electrode. The peak current is proportional to the concentration of EP in the range of 2.0×10^–56.0×10^–4molL^–1 and 5.0×10^–6 2.0×10^–4molL^–1 for cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with the detection limits of 1.8×10^–7 and 1.3×10^–7molL^–1, respectively. The possible reaction mechanism is also discussed. The PCA self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode is highly stable and can be applied to the determination of EP in practical injection samples. Application is simple, rapid and produces accurate results.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p-Aminophenol at a ω-Mercaptopropionic Acid Self-Assembled Gold Electrode

A -mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer modified electrode (MPA/SAM/Au) on a gold electrode has been fabricated. The characterization of the MPA/SAM/Au was investigated using attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and A.C. impedance. The electrochemical behaviors of p-aminophenol (p-AP) were studied at the MPA/SAM/Au by cyclic voltammetry and semi-derivative voltammetry (SDV) in BR buffer solution. The modified electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic activity for the redox of p-AP and accelerates the electron transfer rate. The diffusion coefficient (D) is 4.55×10^–6cm²s^–1. The oxidative peak current increases linearly with the concentration of p-AP in the range of 4.0×10^–88×10^–6molL^–1 and 1.0×10^–52×10^–4molL^–1 by square wave voltammetry response, respectively. The detection limit (three times the signal blank/slope) is up to 1.2×10^–8molL^–1. The modified electrode is able to eliminate the interference of p-benzenediol, o-benzenediol and o-AP at a 40-, 90- or 70-fold concentration of p-AP, and it has been satisfactorily used for the determination of the real sample.     

Electrochemical Determination of Cinnamtannin B1 with a Pyrolytic Graphite Electrode

Cinnamtannin B1 (trimeric proanthocyanidin), which is identified and isolated from the effective fraction of the root of Lindera aggregata (Sims) Kosterm, is one kind of condensed tannin used as an effective antipyrotic and antitumor agent. Its electrochemical response can be obtained at a pyrolytic graphite electrode. Consequently, an easily performed and sensitive method for the determination of cinnamtannin B1 is developed. The detection limit is estimated to be 1.0×10^–7M with the linear determination range of 2.0×10^–7M to 1.8×10^–6M. Five replicate analyses of 1.0×10^–6M cinnamtannin B1 yields an RSD value of 2.1%. Since the working electrode does not need to be modified with any other species, it is very stable, repeatable and easily treated, and this method therefore potentially useful in real sample analysis.     

Energy Transfer Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence for the Determination of Sulfite

A simple and novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) method for the determination of sulfite has been developed based on the energy transfer ECL process. It was found that a weak ECL signal of sulfite was electrochemically generated on a platinum electrode in neutral aqueous solution. The signal was strongly enhanced by rhodamine B as an energy receptor and further enhanced by the neutral surfactant Tween 80. In 0.10M phosphate buffer solution (pH=7.5) containing 2.0×10^–6gmL^–1 rhodamine B and 0.4% (v/v) Tween 80, the ECL response to the concentration of sulfite at a potential of 0.82V was linear over a range of 1.0×10^–7gmL^–1 to 8.0×10^–6gmL^–1, and the detection limit was 5×10^–8gmL^–1. The relative standard deviation (n=11, 1.0×10^–6gmL^–1) was 3.8%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of sulfite in pharmaceutical injections and white sugar samples.     

Voltammetric Determination of Bismuth in Water and Nickel Metal Samples with a Sodium Montmorillonite (SWy-2) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A simple and reliable electrochemical method for the determination of bismuth in water and nickel metal samples using a sodium montmorillonite (SWy-2) modified carbon paste electrode was described. Due to its strong cation-exchange ability and adsorptive characteristics, SWy-2 significantly enhances the sensitivity of determination for Bi³⁺. Bi³⁺ is firstly preconcentrated and then reduced on the modified electrode surface at –0.50V. After that, reduced bismuth is stripped from the electrode surface during the positive potential sweep of –0.50V to 0.20V, and a well-defined stripping peak at –0.12V appears. The stripping peak current is proportional to the concentration of Bi³⁺ from 4×10^–9molL^–1 to 1×10^–6molL^–1. The detection limit (signal-to-noise=3) is 1×10^–10molL^–1 after 5min. accumulation. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of bismuth in water and nickel metal samples.     

Determination of Dopamine in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid Using a Poly(Amidosulfonic Acid) Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with electropolymerized films of amidosulfonic acid in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytical effect on the oxidation of dopamine (DA). In pH 7.0 PBS, the anodic peak current increased linearly with the concentration of DA in the range of 5.0×10^–7 1.0×10^–4moldm^–3, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9932, and a detection limit (S/N=3) of 1.0× 10^–7moldm^–3. The relative standard deviation of 10 successive scans was 2.5% for 1.0×10^–6moldm^–3 DA. The interference of ascorbic acid (AA) with the determination of DA could be eliminated because of the very distinct attracting interaction between DA cations and the negatively poly(amidosulfonic acid) film in pH 7.0 PBS. The proposed method exhibited good recovery and reproducibility.     

Determination of Iron in Tap and Waste Water Using Liquid–Liquid Extraction in a Flow-Injection System

A flow-injection procedure for the determination of iron(III) in water is described. The procedure is based on the formation of an ion pair between the tetraphenylarsonium (Ph₄As⁺) (TPA) or tetrabutylammonium (But₄N⁺) (TBA) cations and the tetrathiocyanatoferrate(III) complex (TTF). This ion pair is extracted with chloroform, and the absorbance of the organic phase is measured at 503nm (for Ph₄As⁺) or 475nm (for But₄N⁺). Iron concentrations higher than 0.9×10^–6molL^–1 (50µgL^–1) can be detected in the first case, with a relative standard deviation of 1.9% (n=12), a linear application rangeof between 1.34 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1 (75–3015µgL^–1), and a sampling frequency of 30h^–1. For the ion pair with But₄N⁺, the detection limit is 0.52×10^–6molL^–1 (29µgL^–1), with a relative standard deviation of 1.6% and a linear application range between 0.73 and 54.0×10^–6molL^–1. Under the proposed working conditions, only Pd(IV), Cu(II) and Bi(III) interfere. With the application of the merging zones technique, considerable amounts of organic reagent can be saved. The TBA method was applied to the analysis of iron(III) in tap and industrial waste waters.     

Adsorptive Voltammetric Study of Thorium–Alizarin Complexon Complex at a Carbon Paste Electrode

A new sensitive adsorptive voltammetric procedure is described for trace measurement of thorium. It is based on the cathodic stripping peak of the thorium–alizarin complexon (ALC) complex at a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The complex of Th(IV) with alizarin is adsorbed at a CPE in a mixed buffer solution (pH 5.0) which consists of 0.1mol·L^–1 sodium acetate and 0.04mol·L^–1 potassium biphthalate, yielding a sensitive cathodic voltammetric peak corresponding to the reduction of alizarin in the complex at –0.57V (vs. SCE). The second-order derivative peak current of the complex is linearly dependent upon the concentration of Th(IV) over the range of 3.0×10^–9 8.0×10^–7mol·L^–1. The detection limit is 1.0×10^–9mol·L^–1 for 180s accumulation. The molar ratio of each component in the complex was estimated as n_Th(IV):n_ALC=1:1 by a continuous variation method. The electrode processes of the Th(IV)–alizarin complex at a CPE were investigated. The procedure was successfully applied to the trace determination of thorium in ore and clay samples.