Voltammetric studies on the electrochemical determination of methylmercury in chloride medium at carbon microelectrodes

Electroanalytical techniques have been used to determine methylmercury at low levels in environmental matrices. The electrochemical behaviour of methylmercury at carbon microelectrodes in a hydrochloric acid medium using cyclic, square wave and fast-scan linear-sweep voltammetric techniques has been investigated. The analytical utility of the methylmercury reoxidation peak has been explored, but the recorded peak currents were found to be poorly reproducible. This is ascribed to two factors: the adsorption of insoluble chloromercury compounds on the electrode surface, which appears to be an important contribution to hinder the voltammetric signal of methylmercury; and the competition between the reoxidation of the methylmercury radical and its dimerization reaction, which limits the reproducibility of the methylmercury peak. These problems were successfully overcome by adopting the appropriate experimental conditions. Fast-scan rates were employed and an efficient electrochemical regeneration procedure of the electrode surface was achieved, under potentiostatic conditions in a mercury-free solution containing potassium thiocyanate—a strong complexing agent. The influence of chloride ion concentration was analysed. Interference by metals, such as lead and cadmium, was considered. Calibration plots were obtained in the micromolar and submicromolar concentration ranges, allowing the electrochemical determination of methylmercury in trace amounts. An estuarine water sample was analysed using the new method with a glassy carbon microelectrode.     

聚氯乙烯膜修饰碳微电极的研制及应用

采用浸涂流延法制得ＰＶＣ膜修饰碳微电极,用Ｋ３Ｆｅ（ＣＮ）６的循环伏安图考察了电极的电化学性能,并用此电极建立了环境水样中痕量汞的阳极溶出伏安法测定。在０．０６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ ＫＳＣＮ＋０．０１ｍｏｌ／ＬＫＣｌ介质中,富集电位－０．８０Ｖ,搅拌富集时间３００ｓ,扫描电压范围－０．２０～０．４０Ｖ,扫描速率３１４ｍＶ／ｓ,咄峰电流与Ｈｇ＾２＋浓度在０．０１～２．０ｍｇ／Ｌ的范围内有良好的线性关系,本电极     

Anodic behavior of gold in acid thiourea solutions: A cyclic voltammetry and quartz microgravimetry study

It is shown that at potentials E < 0.5 V (NHE) gold undergoes practically no dissolution in thiourea solutions containing no catalytically active species. The dissolution at a perceptible rate (> 100 μA cm^?2) starts at E ≥ 0.65 V, with the primary process being the oxidation of thiourea, which gives rise a current peak at E ? 1.0 V. The thiourea oxidation at E ≥ 1.1 produces the appearance of catalytically active species, which drastically accelerate the gold dissolution process in the potential region extending from a steady-state value to 0.6 V, where the current efficiency for gold approaches 100% and a peak emerges at E ? 0.55 V. The peak’s height is commensurate with the value of the limiting diffusion current associated with the ligand supply. The species in question make no discernible impact on the thiourea oxidation process. Formamidine disulfide, which forms during the anodic oxidation of thiourea or which is added in solution on purpose, exerts no noticeable catalytic influence on the anodic gold dissolution. The catalytically active species is presumably the S^2? ion, product of decomposition and deep oxidation of thiourea and formamidine disulfide. Indeed, adding sulfide ions in solution has a strong catalytic effect on the gold dissolution, whose character is identical to that of the effect exerted by products of anodic oxidation of thiourea at E ≥ 1.1 V μA cm^?2.     

Square wave voltammetry of nitrofurans in aqueous media using a carbon fiber microelectrode

The nitrofuran compounds exhibit a wide spectrum of biological action, and the understanding of their reduction mechanism can contribute to a better comprehension of their biological action. In this sense, the electrochemical reduction of nitrofurans has been studied through square wave voltammetry (SWV) in aqueous media, having a carbon fiber microelectrode as working electrode. One single cathodic peak in acidic media is registered for all studied drugs (nitrofurazone, nitrofurantoin, and furazolidone), being the hidroxylamine derivative formation linearly dependent on pH. In alkaline media, the peaks reduction is not pH-dependent, but a split of the original into two distinct peaks is observed. The evaluation of the results obtained in unprecedented form by SWV for different alkaline pH media, suggests that the charge transfer process for the R-NO₂ ^?? formation is followed by irreversible chemical reaction, which chacraterizes an EC mechanism.     

Electrochemical and Spectroelectrochemical Studies on Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Using a Poly(methylene blue) Modified Electrode

The electrochemical redox processes of pyridoxine hydrochloride (VB₆) at a poly(methylene blue) film modified glass carbon electrode (PMBE) in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 8.0) were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The VB₆ electrode reaction with quasi‐reversible characteristics was diffusion‐controlled at low scan rates and adsorption‐controlled at high scan rates. The anodic peak current positive to 0.6 V (vs. SCE) was found to be proportional to the concentration of VB₆ in the range of 0.010 to 1.03 mg?mL^?1 with a detection limit of 1.34 μg mL^?1. Fluorescence and UV‐vis absorption spectroelectrochemical measurements suggest that the pyridine ring was not destroyed over the potential range from ?0.8 to 1 V (vs. SCE), and the electrocatalytic generation of pyridoxal was anodically started at 0.57 V.     

Influence of sulfide and cyanide ions on the electrochemical behavior of the Fe(II)/Fe(Hg) system in thiocyanate solutions at mercury electrodes

The reduction and reoxidation processes of the Fe(II)/Fe(Hg) system in thiocyanate solutions at stationary mercury electrodes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetric, anodic stripping and controlled potential electrolysis methods. In 0.1 M NaSCN and 0.4 M NaClO₄ solution containing 1×10^?3M Fe(II), the voltammogram on the first cycle at. 0.05 V s^?1 gives two consecutive cathodic peaks near ?1.2 and ?1.39 V with a hysteresis on the reversal, and an anodic wave with two large peaks near ?0.58 and ?0.05 V and two small peaks near ?0.52 and ?0.43 V, respectively. The multicyclic voltammogram under the same conditions in the potential region between 0.00 and ?1.50 V gives a cathodic wave with a principal peak near ?1.02 V and two small peaks near ?0.02 and ?0.53 V, respectively, and an anodic wave with a principal peak near ?0.72 V, three small peaks near ?0.64, ?0.52 and ?0.40 V, and with a shoulder near ?0.05 V, respectively. The variation of the shape of the voltammogram on the second and subsequent runs is due to the formation of S^2? and CN^? during the process of electroreduction of Fe(II). A mechanism is proposed which involves an initial reduction of Fe(II)?SCN^? produced in an activation step at a mercury electrode, followed by the chemical redox reaction of a part of Fe(0)?SCN^? in the species giving FeS and CN^?, and takes into account the influence of FeS and CN^? on the further reduction and reoxidation of iron. Both FeS and CN^? stimulate further reduction, and reoxidation of iron. The hysteresis of the cathodic wave on the first cycle arises from the fact that Fe(II) is reduced more easily at the mercury electrode covered with FeS than at a pure mercury electrode.     

Linear-sweep polarographic determination of active chlorine in aqueous solutions containing phenylthiourea

The linear-sweep polarographic determination of active chlorine is based on its reaction with phenylthiourea in acidic phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) containing potassium chloride. The product, C,C-diphenyldithiodiformamidine, is strongly adsorbed and then reduced at a mercury electrode with two peaks at about ?0.35 V and ?0.87 V (vs. SCE). In the presence of 0.05 M potassium chloride, the potential of the first peak shifts positively to ?0.31 V. This peak provides high sensitivity and selectivity for the determination of traces of active chlorine. The linear range is 1×10^?7?2.5×10^?5 M and the detection limit is 5×10^?8 M (3.6 μg l^?1). The method is used for the direct determination of active chlorine in tap water. The mechanism of the reaction was studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrolysis and potentiometric titration. The first peak (?0.35 V) is ascribed to the reduction of a mercury (II) sulfide film produced by reaction of the adsorbed dithio product with mercury. In the presence of 0.05 M chloride, the formation of a mixed HgS·xHg₂Cl2 film shifts the peak to ?0.31 V.     

Development of polyaniline microarray electrodes for cadmium analysis

Disposable screen-printed electrodes (SPCE) were modified using a cosmetic product to partially block the electrode surface in order to obtain a microelectrode array. The microarrays formed were electropolymerized with aniline. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the modified and polymerized electrode surface. Electrochemical characteristics of the constructed sensor for cadmium analysis were evaluated by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. Optimized stripping procedure in which the preconcentration of cadmium was achieved by depositing at ?1.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) resulted in a well defined anodic peak at approximately ?0.7 V at pH 4.6. The achieved limit of detection was 4 × 10^?9 mol dm^?3. Spray modified and polymerized microarray electrodes were successfully applied to quantify cadmium in fish sample digests.     

Hemin-adsorbed carbon felt for sensitive and rapid flow-amperometric detection of dissolved oxygen

Hemin was physically adsorbed onto porous carbon felt (CF), a microelectrode ensemble of micro-carbon fiber (ca. 7 μm in diameter) and possessing a three-dimensional random structure. The hemin-CF exhibited a well-defined redox wave that is due to Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox process in hemin, with a formal potential of ?0.32 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in deoxygenated buffer solution of pH 7.0. The surface coverage of the electroactive hemin molecules on the surface of the CF was calculated to be 5.0?×?10^?11 mol cm^?2, and the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant is 3.35 s^?1. The hemin-CF electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of dissolved oxygen (DO), and the magnitude of the cathodic current increases with increasing concentrations of DO in the sample solution. The electrode was used as a flow-through detector for sensitive and rapid consecutive determination of DO. Deoxygenated pH 7.0 solutions were analyzed at a flow rate of 8.0 mL min^?1 at an applied potential of ?0.2 V, and highly reproducible cathodic peak current responses to DO were observed in the 0.72 to 13.3 mg L^?1 concentration range. The maximum throughput is 170 samples h^?1. The hemin-CF-based amperometric flow-sensor was applied to determine the concentration of DO in environmental water samples.

Anodic square-wave stripping voltammetric analysis of epinephrine using carbon fiber microelectrode

The behavior of epinephrine on a carbon fiber microelectrode (CFME) was studied with cyclic voltammetry and square-wave (SW) stripping voltammetry in order to find optimum conditions for its analysis using the CFME. An anodic stripping peak at about 0.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) was utilized. Under optimum conditions for anodic stripping (a pH value of 7.4, a deposition potential of − 0.5 V, a deposition time of 90 s, a final potential of 0.8 V, a SW frequency of 20 Hz, a step potential of 5 mV, and an amplitude of 45 mV), the calibration was linear in the concentration range of 0.0∼0.4 mg/L, and the detection limit was found to be 0.009 mg/L with a relative standard deviation 0.18% (n = 12) at 0.2 mg/L. The analytical performance of the CMFE, which is unmodified, is comparable to or better than other voltammetric results with various modified electrodes.     

Integrated gold-disk microelectrode modified with iron(II)-phthalocyanine for nitric oxide detection in macrophages

An integrated gold-disk microelectrode (IGME) was fabricated and modified with Fe(II)-phthalocyanine (Fe(II)-PC) for NO detection in biological media. Microanalysis of NO using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) in 0.01 M HClO₄ was optimal at the initial potential of 0.1 V, frequency of 100 Hz, pulse amplitude of 25 mV, and a scan rate of 200 mV/s. When the electrode was modified with Fe(II)-phthalocyanines, the anodic peak current and sensitivity of NO were remarkably increased due to the catalytic oxidation of NO. The calibration curve had good linearity in the range from 3.6×10⁻⁵ to 7.2×10⁻⁷ M, and the detection limit was (5.7±1.2)×10⁻⁷ M. Fe(II)-phthalocyanine modified gold-disk microelectrode coated with Nafion was applied to determination of NO released from macrophage cell.     

Electrochemical solid-phase nanoextraction of copper(II) on a magnesium oxinate-modified carbon paste electrode by cyclic voltammetry

Solid-phase nanoextraction is a sample preparation technique, which combines nanotechnology with analytical chemistry, and brings analytical chemistry to a higher level, particularly for complex system analysis. This paper describes a typical example of electrochemical solid-phase nanoextraction and electrochemical detection. Trace amounts of copper (5.0?×?10^?13?mol/L) were extracted by electrochemical solid-phase nanoextraction on to the magnesium oxinate nanoparticle-modified carbon paste electrode surface in a pH?7.2 phosphate buffer system at ?0.50 V for 100 s. The extraction is achieved by the cation exchange between copper(II) in the aqueous solution and magnesium(II) from the magnesium oxinate nanoparticles on the electrode surface. The extracted copper shows an irreversible anodic peak at about 0.2 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode). The peak current is proportional to the scan rate, which shows this to be a surface-controlled process. The oxidation peak current is proportional to the logarithm of the copper concentration in the range 5.0?×?10^?13?～?5.0?×?10^?7?M with a slope of 2.215. This powerful method uses the carbon paste electrode to combine extraction with electrochemical analysis.     

Influence of cyanide and sulphide ions on the reduction and reoxidation of cobalt(II) in thiocyanate solution at mercury electrodes

The process of reduction and reoxidation of cobalt(II) in thiocyanate solution at hanging mercury drop electrode has been investigated by cyclic voltammetric, chronoamperometric and anodic stripping methods. In 0.1 M NaSCN and 0.4 M NaClO₄ solution containing 1×10^?3M cobalt(II), the voltammogram on the first cycle at 0.05 V s^?1 gives a cathodic peak at ?1.06 V with hysteresis on reversal, and an anodic wave with a peak potential of ?0.28 V and with two shoulders near ?0.38 and ?0.45 V, respectively. Multicyclic voltammograms under the same conditions give a cathodic peak at ?0.90 V and an anodic peak at ?0.45 V. The reduction and reoxidation of cobalt(II) in thiocyanate solution is accelerated by the reduction products of thiocyanate ion, cyanide and sulphide ions, which are produced during the electroreduction of cobalt(II).A mechanism of reduction and reoxidation of cobalt(II) which involves a chemical reduction of thiocyanate ion by electroreduced metallic cobalt and takes into account cyanide and sulphide ions is proposed. The hysteresis on the cathodic wave is caused by the difference in reduction potentials of cobalt(II)-thiocyanate and-cyanide complexes. Cyclic voltammetric study of cobalt(II) in perchlorate solution containing trace amounts of cyanide and sulphide ions supports these conclusions.     

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of silver ion at a carbon paste electrode modified with carbon nanotubes

A carbon paste electrode (CPE) was modified with multi-wall carbon nanotubes and successfully applied to the determination of silver ion by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Compared to a conventional CPE, a remarkably improved peak current response and sensitivity is observed. The analytical procedure consisted of an open circuit accumulation step for 2?min in ?0.4?V, this followed by an anodic potential scan between +0.2 and?+?0.6?V to obtain the voltammetric peak. The oxidation peak current is proportional to the concentration of silver ion in the range from 1.0?×?10^?8 to 1.0?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1, with a detection limit of 1.8?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1 after an accumulation time of 120?s. The relative standard deviation for 7 successive determinations of Ag(I) at 0.1???M concentration is 1.99%. The procedure was validated by determining Ag(I) in natural waters.

Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Lead（Ⅱ） Using Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Novel Calix[4] arene

A new glassy carbon electrode modified with novel calix[4]‐arene derivative was prepared and then applied to the selective recognition of lead ion in aqueous media by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. A new anodic stripping peak at ? 0.92 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) in square wave voltammogram can be obtained by scanning the potential from ? 1.5 to ? 0.6 V, of which the peak current is proportional to the concentration of Pb²⁺. The modified electrode in 0.1 mol/L HNO₃ solution showed a linear voltammetric response in the range of 2.0 × 10–⁸–1.0 × 10–⁶ mol/L and a detection limit of 6.1 × 10–⁹ mol/L. In the modified glassy carbon electrode no significant interference occurred from alkali, alkaline and transition metal ions except Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, which can be eliminated by the addition of KSCN. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine lead in aqueous samples.     

Voltammetric and amperometric determination of uric acid at a carbon-ceramic electrode modified with multi walled carbon nanotubes

The voltammetric behavior of uric acid (UA) was studied at a carbon-ceramic electrode modified with multi walled carbon nanotubes; which was developed via a simple procedure. UA can be effectively oxidized at the surface of the electrode and produced an anodic peak at about 0.29 V in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solutions. The experimental parameters such as pH, accumulation time, and amount of multi walled carbon nanotubes were optimized for determination of UA. Under the optimum conditions, the anodic peak current in differential pulse voltammetry is linear to the UA concentration over the range from 2.5×10?7M to 1.0×10?4 M with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The electrode exhibited good stability and could be easily regenerated. The relative standard deviation of the peak current obtained for a 5.0?×?10^?5 M UA solution was 1.0%. The influence of dopamine and ascorbic acid on the anodic peak current of UA was examined. This method was successfully applied for the determination of uric acid in human urine sample, and the recovery was 99.9%.     

Direct GC determination of methylmercury chloride on HBr-methanol-treated capillary columns

Summary Gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) for the analysis of methylmercury choloride (MMC) using a packed column and a capillary column has been investigated. The columns were 2% silicone OV-227 Uniport HP glass column and a DB-17 capillary column, each pretreated by about ten injections of HBr-methanol solution. MMC was separated as a sharp peak by the HBr-teated column and determined directly by ECD without derivatisation. The mass spectrum of MMC indicated that halide exchange from chloride to bromide proceeded during separation. The minimum detectable concentrations were approximately 5 ng mL⁻¹ on the packed column, and 2 ng mL⁻¹ on the capillary. Calibration curves showed good linearity between 5–200 ng mL⁻¹ for the packed column, and between 2–200 ng mL⁻¹ for the capillary. Relative standard deviations of peak areas were 0.95% for the packed column and 0.43% for the capillary at the level of 100 ng mL⁻¹ in both cases. The column treatment technique was applicable to determination of methylmercury in fish samples.     

Carbon fiber microelectrodes modified with carbon nanotubes as a new support for immobilization of glucose oxidase

Carboxylated carbon nanotubes were coated onto carbon microfiber electrodes to create a micron-scale bioelectrode. This material has a high surface area and can serve as a support for immobilization of enzymes such as glucose oxidase. A typical carbon nanotube loading of 13???g?cm^?1 yields a coating thickness of 17???m and a 2000-fold increase in surface capacitance. The modified electrode was further coated with a biocatalytic hydrogel composed of a conductive redox polymer, glucose oxidase, and a crosslinker to create a glucose bioelectrode. The current density on oxidation of glucose is 16.6?mA?cm^?2 at 0.5?V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in oxygen-free glucose solution. We consider this approach to be useful for designing and characterizing surface treatments for carbon mats and papers by mimicking their local microenvironment.

Catalytic generation of chlorine with slight overpotential by micellar ferrocene

Ferrocene solubilized with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) in aqueous KCl solution exhibited a well-defined voltammetric peak at 1.33 V vs. Ag∣AgCl at a platinum electrode. The wave was attributed to the oxidation of chloride to chlorine, demonstrated by smell of chlorine, by a view of formation of gas bubbles, by coloration through the reaction with diethyl-p-phenylene diamine, and by the increase in the anodic current with the concentration of chloride. Since no wave was observed in the ferrocene-free solution or KCl-free solution in this potential domain, the reaction mechanism was suggested to be the oxidation of chloride into chlorine catalyzed by micellar ferrocene. The potential at the foot of the wave (1.08 V) was less positive that the standard potential of Cl₂/Cl⁻, and hence the reaction may be useful for enhancing the energetic efficiency at chlor-alkali industry. The value of the peak current was one-sixth the theoretical diffusion-controlled current, and was proportional to the square-root of the potential scan rate.     

Combining Theory and Experiment to Characterize the Voltammetric Behavior of Nickel Anodes in the Simons Process

The Simons process, otherwise known as the electrochemical fluorination (ECF) method, is widely used in industry to electrolytically synthesize chemicals for various purposes. Even to this day, the exact mechanism of the ECF reaction remains unknown, but is believed to involve the formation of an anodic nickel fluoride film with highly oxidized nickel centers. In this study, experiments and density functional theory calculations are combined to characterize the initial anodic peak occurring at potentials typically required in an ECF cell. NiF₂ is believed to form a passivating layer at low potentials. The calculations show that a potential of +3.1 V is required to oxidize surface Ni²⁺ centers to Ni³⁺. This is in good agreement with the measured anodic peak at +3.57 V.