Electrocrystallization of rhodium clusters on thiolate-covered polycrystalline gold

This study reports on the electrochemical deposition of rhodium metal clusters on a polycrystalline gold electrode, modified with a monolayer of dodecanethiol through self-assembly from solution. The deposition process was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. It is shown that the presence of the thiol monolayer drastically alters the nucleation and growth mechanism compared with the mechanism on the bare gold electrode. The small uncovered gold domains, located at the imperfections in the thiolate monolayer which are induced by the gold nanoroughness, act as nucleation sites for small rhodium clusters. At longer times, these clusters can outgrow the organic monolayer. The resulting surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Rhodium electrocrystallization on the bare gold substrate resulted in an ensemble of a very large amount of very small clusters that are difficult to distinguish from the gold roughness. In contrast, in the presence of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of dodecanethiol covalently attached to the gold electrode, the resulting deposit consisted of an ensemble of hemispherical particles. The size distribution of the rhodium particles obtained by using double step chronoamperometry was compared to the ones obtained with cyclic voltammetry and "classical" chronoamperometry. It is shown by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy that the SAM is still present after rhodium deposition on the thiolate-covered gold substrate. Because the rhodium clusters are directly attached to the gold substrate and can thus easily be electrified, the resulting interface could be used as a composite electrode consisting of a random array of gold supported rhodium nano/microparticles separated from each other by an organic phase. On the other hand, it is shown that the SAM is easily removed by electrochemical oxidation without dissolving the rhodium clusters and, thus, leaving a different array of rhodium clusters on the gold surface compared with the topography obtained in the absence of the SAM. From this point of view, substrate modification with such "removable" organic monolayers was found to be an interesting tool to tune the nano- or microtopography of electrochemically deposited rhodium.     

Mechanism of coadsorption of two organic substances on electrodes at strong attractive interaction between their molecules in the adsorption layer

Based on the model of three parallel capacitors, the differential capacitance and the surface concentration of two organic compounds coadsorbed on an electrode are calculated as a function of the potential. It is shown that for the strong attractive interaction of two different adsorbed molecules that occupy equal areas on the surface and for different combinations of the other adsorption parameters is well described by the model of two parallel capacitors with a simple Frumkin isotherm. However, in this case, the effective attraction constant in this isotherm should depend on the electrode potential. The obtained results show that the good agreement of experimental data with the calculations based on the model of two parallel capacitors is insufficient for assuming that the orientation of adsorbed molecules of a given organic compound is potential-independent. On the other hand, if the adsorbate molecule in two different orientations occupies different areas on the electrode surface, then the model of two parallel capacitors does not allow one to describe the dependence of the total surface concentration on the electrode potential even under the conditions where this model adequately describes the differential capacitance curves.     

Nickel electrodes as a cheap and versatile platform for studying structure and function of immobilized redox proteins

Practical use of many bioelectronic and bioanalytical devices is limited by the need of expensive materials and time consuming fabrication. Here we demonstrate the use of nickel electrodes as a simple and cheap solid support material for bioelectronic applications. The naturally nanostructured electrodes showed a surprisingly high electromagnetic surface enhancement upon light illumination such that immobilization and electron transfer reactions of the model redox proteins cytochrome b₅ (Cyt b₅) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) could be followed via surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy. It could be shown that the nickel surface, when used as received, promotes a very efficient binding of the proteins upon preservation of their native structure. The immobilized redox proteins could efficiently exchange electrons with the electrode and could even act as an electron relay between the electrode and solubilized myoglobin. Our results open up new possibility for nickel electrodes as an exceptional good support for bioelectronic devices and biosensors on the one hand and for surface enhanced spectroscopic investigations on the other hand.     

The adsorption of quinizarin on boron-doped diamond

The voltammetric response of the quinone species 'quinizarin' (QZ) and its electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen are studied at a boron doped diamond electrode (BDD). It is demonstrated that, contrary to the widespread belief that adsorption of organic molecules on BDD is minimal, not only does QZ readily adsorb to the electrodes surface but this adsorption is also influenced at low surface coverages by the pre-exposure of the electrode to organic solvents. Furthermore, the nature of this adsorbed QZ species is investigated and a potential dependent phase transition is observed. This is to the authors knowledge the first system to exhibit a phase transition of an adsorbed species on a boron doped diamond surface. At low scan rates the system is found to oscillate; these oscillations are ascribed to the presence of a 'negative differential resistance'.     

Nebenreaktionen der Chloraminherstellung

Subreactions in the Chloramine Preparation. In the preparation of chloramine from solutions of ammonia and sodium hypochlorite there is considerable overchlorination, resulting in the formation and subsequent decomposition of dichloramine. Nitrogen, chloride ion, and hypochlorite ion are formed in the decomposition of dichloramine; in the presence of certain organic compounds the products of chlorination via radicals are observed. Chloramine is obtained in over 90% yield by neutralizing the alkali formed in the reaction of ammonia with hypochlorite. Etheral solutions of dichloramine are prepared from chloramine solutions by treatment with phosphate buffer.     

Photodegradation study of the antifouling booster biocide dichlofluanid in aqueous media by gas chromatographic techniques

The aquatic photochemical behavior of the biocide dichlofluanid has been studied under natural sunlight conditions as well as under artificial solar irradiation in different types of natural waters (sea, river and lake water) as well as in distilled water. In order to examine the effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the photodegradation of the tested biocide was investigated also in the presence of various concentrations of humic and fulvic acids. It was found that the photodegradation proceeds via first-order reaction in all cases and that the presence of various concentrations of DOM inhibits the photolysis reaction. Kinetic experiments are monitored with GC–ECD with half-lives varied between 8 and 83 h. The major photodecomposition products identified by GC–MS were dichlorofluoromethane, aniline, and DMSA. Based on this byproduct identification a possible degradation pathway is proposed for the photolysis of dichlofluanid in aqueous media.     

Electrochemical rectification by redox-labeled bioconjugates: molecular building blocks for the construction of biodiodes

In the present work, we describe the properties of a bifunctional redox-labeled bioconjugate at electrode surfaces mediating the electron transfer across the electrode-electrolyte interface. We show that the assembly of ferrocene-labeled streptavidin on biotinylated electrodes results in a reproducible unidirectional current flow in the presence of electron donors in solution. Such rectifying films were built up by spontaneous binding of tetrameric streptavidin molecules to biotin centers immobilized on the electrode surface. Due to the high affinity of biotin to streptavidin, such bifunctional films completely bind any biotinylated compounds. The charge transport between donors in solution and the Au electrode is mediated by the ferrocene moieties, allowing us to develop a molecular rectifier. Our experimental results suggest that such redox-labeled proteins with a high binding capacity constitute a promising alternative to organic compounds used in molecular electronics.     

Electrochemical immobilization of redox active molecule based ionic liquid

The electrochemical immobilization of redox active molecule based ionic liquid onto glassy carbon electrode has been performed. 1-Nitrophenylethyl-3-methylferrocenylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide was synthesized and characterized by electrochemistry showing the presence of two redox couples. Following that, the electrochemical reduction of this molecule in acidic media containing sodium nitrite leads to the in situ formation of the corresponding diazonium, in the vicinity of the electrode, and subsequently the grafting of redox based ionic liquid molecule onto the electrode surface. The surface analysis of the attached layer confirms the formation of organic thin film strongly attached to the electrode surface, and evidences the presence of the components of the imidazolium ring, ferrocenyl unit, and TFSI anion. In addition, the modified electrode was electrochemically characterized by following the electrochemical signal of the attached ferrocenyl unit. Finally, the electrochemical reversible wettability of the modified electrode upon oxidation and reduction process was demonstrated.     

Deactivation efficiency of stabilized bactericidal emulsions

Biocide emulsions stabilized with various stabilizing agents were prepared and characterized, and their efficiency in bacteria deactivation was evaluated. A number of stabilizing agents were tested for their stabilizing effect on emulsions of thiocyanomethylthiobenzothiazole (TCMTB) biocide. Two agents, the most successful in stabilizing the biocide, were chosen for further studies: high molecular weight polyethyleneimine (PEI) and an amphiphilic block copolymer of poly(caprolactone)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PCL(33)-b-PAA(33)). The emulsion droplet sizes varied between 325 and 500 nm. Deactivation of bacteria was studied by exposing E. coli ATCC 11229 bacteria dispersions to emulsions stabilized by positively charged PEI or negatively charged PCL-b-PAA micelles and by measuring their absorbance; E. coli do not grow with time in the presence of biocide emulsions. PEI molecules alone act as biocide and deactivate the bacteria. PCL-b-PAA micelles as stabilizing agent do not affect the growth of the E. coli ; bacteria are deactivated by TCMTB released from the emulsion droplets. The kinetics of emulsion dissolution studies revealed for both stabilizing agents a decrease in droplet size with time while the emulsions were subjected to dialysis. The biocide was released from the emulsions within ～250 min; the droplet shells consist mostly of PEI or PCL-b-PAA insoluble complexes with the biocide, which do not dissolve during dialysis. SEM images confirm the presence of residual crumbled shells with holes after 24 h of dialysis.     

Determination of ammonia with chloramine T

Chloramine T in the presence of an excess of potassium bromide and pH 5.9 ± 0.05 is used for oxidation of ammonia. The excess of chloramine T is determined iodometrically with potassium iodide and sodium thiosulfate. The method can be used for 30–300 μg of inorganic as well as organic nitrogen.     

Screen-printed electrode based on AChE for the detection of pesticides in presence of organic solvents

A screen-printed biosensor for the detection of pesticides in water miscible organic solvents is described based on the use of p-aminophenyl acetate as acetylcholinesterase substrate. The oxidation of p-aminophenol, product of the enzymatic reaction was monitored at 100 mV vs. Ag/AgCl screen-printed reference electrode. Miscible organic solvents as ethanol and acetonitrile were tested. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was immobilised on a screen-printed electrode surface by entrapment in a PVA-SbQ polymer and the catalytic activity of immobilised AChE was studied in the presence of different percentages of organic solvents in buffer solution. The sensor shows good characteristics when experiments were performed in concentrations of organic solvents below 10%. No significant differences were observed when working with 1 and 5% acetonitrile in the reaction media. Detection limits as low as 1.91x10(-8) M paraoxon and 1.24x10(-9) M chlorpyrifos ethyl oxon were obtained when experiments are carried out in 5% acetonitrile.     

IrO2电极在含有机小分子水溶液中的电化学活性

通过循环伏安（CV）与电化学阻抗谱（EIS）测试研究了Ti基IrO2系活性涂层电极在含甲醇、甲酸及甲醛三种有机小分子的Na2SO4溶液中的电化学活性,其中以电极/溶液界面的双电层电容来表征电极的活性.结果表明,与同浓度H2SO4溶液相比,该电极在Na2SO4溶液中的电化学活性发生明显下降.有机小分子的加入降低了电极的活性表面积.发现有机物能在较宽的电位范围内发生氧化反应,但在该种电极上的电氧化速率较慢.然而,伴随着析氧反应的发生,有机物的氧化也随之加快.     

Brdicka-type processes of cysteine and cysteine-containing peptides on silver amalgam electrodes

Silver solid amalgam electrode (AgSAE) was used for differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) measurements of cysteine and cysteine-containing peptides, glutathione, gamma-Glu-Cys-Gly and phytochelatin (gamma-Glu-Cys)(3)-Gly (PC3), in the presence of Co(II) ions. It had been established earlier that cysteine-containing peptides and proteins catalyze hydrogen evolution at mercury electrodes in presence of cobalt salts; these processes are known as the Brdicka reaction. DPV signals measured with the AgSAE, the surfaces of which had been modified by mercury meniscus or mercury film, were qualitatively the same as those obtained with the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). With these electrodes the number and the intensity of Brdicka signals of cysteine, glutathione and PC3 differed, making a distinction among them possible. On the other hand, with the polished silver solid amalgam electrode (the surface of which was completely free of liquid mercury) all three compounds produced only one but strikingly intense peak in the region of Brdicka reaction. Using this signal, cysteine, glutathione as well as PC3 could be determined at 10(-8)M level, representing sensitivity up to 2 orders of magnitude better than attained with the mercury-modified AgSAEs or HMDE.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Zn(II) Ions Electroreduction Catalyzed by Organic Compounds

The paper describes the results of the studies of organic substances catalytic activity on Zn(II) ions electroreduction on mercury in perchlorate solutions. Zn(II) ions electroreduction in the presence of catalyzing substance proceeds in two one‐electron stages. The first electron transfer is the stage determining the process rate. All catalyzing substances increase the rate of first electron transfer. The acceleration effect is connected with the stability of active complexes formed on the electrode surface. The rate of the second electron transfer depends mainly on the adsorption of the catalyzing substance on the electrode surface – of the surface excess and the structure of the adsorption layer. Hence the second electron transfer can be inhibited or catalyzed. The mechanism of the organic substance catalytic activity is also given.     

Enhancing the fouling resistance of biocidal urethane coatings via surface chemistry modulation

A group of novel cross-linked polyurethane materials with varying ratios of hydroxyl-terminated macrodiols and tethered quaternary ammonium biocides have been prepared. The resulting materials had a wide range of thermal, mechanical, and surface properties, dictated by the macrodiol composition and biocide concentration. The complex interplay between surface chemistry and biocide concentration was shown to have a profound effect on the fouling resistance of these materials. While the combination of quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) diols with poly(tetramethylene oxide) macrodiols did not result in any enhancement of fouling resistance, addition of biocides to poly(ethylene glycol)-containing urethanes resulted in up to a 90% increase in biocidal activity compared to control materials while reducing the ability for microbes to adhere to the surface by an additional 60%. Materials prepared with polybutadiene macrodiols underwent a thermally induced oxidation, resulting in partial decomposition of the quaternary ammonium salt biocide and joint antimicrobial activity arising from remaining QAS and peroxide compounds.     

Piezo electric sensor for endocrine-disrupting chemicals using receptor-co-factor interaction.

In vitro screening assays are useful techniques for the determination of receptor-mediated activities in environmental samples. In order to define whether environmental chemicals act as an agonist or antagonist to the human estrogen receptor (hER), we have constructed a biosensor based on ligand-inducible interactions between hER and relative proteins on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The his-tagged proteins, which were expressed in E. coli by recombinant DNA technology, were immobilized on an Au-electrode with Ni(II)-mediated chemisorption using the histidine tag and thiol-modified iminodiacetic acid. The resonance-frequency change of the protein-modified electrode was caused by association or dissociation with the hER relative proteins on the surface in the presence of estrogen. These results suggest that this sensor is applicable as a large-scale screening tool for estrogenic compounds.     

The influence of the adsorption of surface active substance on the rate constant of the electrode reaction

The electrode reaction of copper-EDTA complex was studied polarographically in the presence of polyvinylalcohol. The d.c. polarographic current-time curves were analyzed by using the equation given by Matsuda for the diffusion process of the depolarizer influenced by the adsorbates. The rate constants affected by the adsorption are assumed to be composed of two parts at relatively high coverage, i.e., one is the rate constant of the electrode reaction at free surface of DME and the other the rate constant of the electrode reaction through the adsorded layer. The rate constant at the uncovered surface was analyzed by a formula analogous to that proposed by Parsons and it was shown that one of the parameters involved in the formula depends on the electrode potential. On the other hand, it was shown that the electrode reaction at the covered surface is irreversible, and its cathodic rate constant depends on the electrode potential exponentially.     

Modulation of direct electron transfer of cytochrome c by use of a molecularly imprinted thin film

We describe the preparation of a molecularly imprinted polymer film (MIP) on top of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on gold, where the template cytochrome c (cyt c) participates in direct electron transfer (DET) with the underlying electrode. To enable DET, a non-conductive polymer film is electrodeposited from an aqueous solution of scopoletin and cyt c on to the surface of a gold electrode previously modified with MUA. The electroactive surface concentration of cyt c was 0.5 pmol cm^?2. In the absence of the MUA layer, no cyt c DET was observed and the pseudo-peroxidatic activity of the scopoletin-entrapped protein, assessed via oxidation of Ampliflu red in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, was only 30 % of that for the MIP on MUA. This result indicates that electrostatic adsorption of cyt c by the MUA–SAM substantially increases the surface concentration of cyt c during the electrodeposition step, and is a prerequisite for the productive orientation required for DET. After template removal by treatment with sulfuric acid, rebinding of cyt c to the MUA–MIP-modified electrode occurred with an affinity constant of 100,000 mol^?1 L, a value three times higher than that determined by use of fluorescence titration for the interaction between scopoletin and cyt c in solution. The DET of cyt c in the presence of myoglobin, lysozyme, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) reveals that the MIP layer suppresses the effect of competing proteins.     

Loading and release mechanisms of a biocide in polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer micelles

The kinetics of loading of polystyrene197-block-poly(acrylic acid)47 (PS197-b-PAA47) micelles, suspended in water, with thiocyanomethylthiobenzothiazole biocide and its subsequent release were investigated. Loading of the micelles was found to be a two-step process. First, the surface of the PS core of the micelles is saturated with biocide, with a rate determined by the transfer of solid biocide to micelles during transient micelle-biocide contacts. Next, the biocide penetrates as a front into the micelles, lowering the Tg in the process (non-Fickian case II diffusion). The slow rate of release is governed by the height of the energy barrier that a biocide molecule must overcome to pass from PS into water, resulting in a uniform biocide concentration within the micelle, until Tg is increased to the point that diffusion inside the micelles becomes very slow. Maximum loading of biocide into micelles is approximately 30% (w/w) and is achieved in 1 h. From partition experiments, it can be concluded that the biocide has a similar preference for polystyrene as for ethylbenzene over water, implying that the maximum loading is governed by thermodynamics.     

Amperometmc immunoassays

When an electrode is placed in an electrolyte solution an electrical double layer is formed at the surface which functions electrically as a capacitor. An applied oscillating potential causes a certain current flow depending on the capacitance of this double layer. Carbon electrodes were prepared with immobilized antibodies (or antigens). When a specific antigen (or antibody) is added to the solutions, an antigen/antibody complex is formed at the electrode surface, which perturbs the electrical double layer and results in a current change. Dose-response curves can be obtained by measuring these current changes. Under the proper conditions this dose response is specific in the presence of non-specific proteins (e.g. serum). The method has been demonstrated, and dose-response curves obtained, for IgG, anti-IgG, anti-ferritin and S. Aureus cells. No labelled tag is required with this method.