Electrochemical behavior of new electrode material: Compact of boron-doped synthetic diamond

Electrochemical properties of new electrode material—compact of boron-doped synthetic diamond—is studied for the first time. Cylindrical samples 3.5–4 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm in height were obtained by thermobaric processing of graphite–boron carbide mixtures in the diamond thermodynamic stability region (at the pressure of 8–9 GPa and temperature of ~2500 K). Their electrode behavior is studied using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The cyclic voltammograms of the compact samples showed that their electrode characteristics are similar to those of traditional thin-film diamond electrodes obtained by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. In particular, they demonstrate rather wide potential window, low background current in indifferent electrolytes, and good reproducibility. It can be concluded that the diamond compacts practically are not inferior to the thin-film CVD-diamond electrodes and can serve as indicator electrodes, e.g., in electroanalysis. At the same time their compact form may be a convenience in the designing of electrolyzers and other electrochemical devices.     

Synthetic boron-doped carbonado,a new electrode material: synthesis in C–metal–B growth systems aimed at the lowering of the synthesis temperature without loss of electrochemical activity

New electrode material—boron-doped synthetic carbonado (bulk polycrystalline diamond)—was synthesized at high pressures and high temperatures in the C–metal (Co, Ni, or Fe) –B growth systems. The metal borides were used as the growth medium-forming substances for graphite-to-diamond transformation at a temperature of ~?1300 °C and pressure of 8 GPa. For comparison, etalon carbonado-type electrode with nearly limiting concentration of boron in diamond was synthesized by subjecting the mixture of amorphous boron with graphite to much higher temperatures (2200–2500 °C) under the same pressure. Despite the lower content of boron in diamond synthesized in the presence of metal borides, these new boron-doped carbonado electrodes are not inferior to the etalon compact in their electrochemical activity, as judging by the onset potential of anodic chlorine evolution from KCl solution. The presence of metal-containing structural defects in boron-doped diamond matrix is supposed to be responsible for the somewhat enhanced catalytic activity of the electrodes. High-pressure synthesis of bulk metal-modified boron-doped diamond opens a new avenue in the development of superior functional electrode materials.     

Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes for Halide Detection in Aqueous Solutions

The behavior of chloride, bromide and iodide at edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes has been explored in aqueous acid solutions. The voltammetric response in each case has been compared with that of basal plane pyrolytic graphite, glassy carbon and boron‐doped diamond. The electrochemical oxidation of chloride is found to only occur on boron‐doped diamond while the electrochemical reversibility for the oxidation of bromide on edge plane pyrolytic graphite is similar to that seen at glassy carbon whilst being superior to basal plane pyrolytic graphite and boron‐doped diamond. In the case of iodide oxidation, edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite and glassy carbon display similar electrode kinetics but are all superior to boron‐doped diamond. The analytical possibilities were examined using the edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode for both iodide and bromine where is was found that, based on cyclic voltammetry, detection limits in the order of 10^?6 M are possible.     

Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes for Stripping Voltammetry: a Comparison with Other Carbon Based Electrodes

The first examples of using edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes for anodic and cathodic stripping voltammetry (ASV and CSV) are presented, notably the ASV of silver and the CSV of manganese. In the former example, detection limits for silver (based on 3σ) of 8.1 nM and 0.185 nM for 120 s and 300 s accumulation time, respectively, were achievable using the edge plane electrode, which were superior to those observed on glassy carbon, basal plane pyrolytic graphite and boron‐doped diamond electrodes. In the second example, a detection limit for manganese of 0.3 μM was possible which was comparable with that achievable with a boron‐doped diamond electrode but with an increased sensitivity. Comparison of the edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode with boron‐doped diamond electrodes reveals that the edge plane electrode has comparable detection limits and sensitivities whilst exhibiting a lower signal‐to‐noise ratio and large potential window for use in trace analysis suggesting boron‐doped diamond can be conveniently replaced by edge plane pyrolytic graphite as an electrode material in many applications.     

Direct Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid at an Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrode: A Comparison of the Electroanalytical Response with Other Carbon Electrodes

The direct electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid at an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPG) is investigated and compared with other common carbon‐based electrodes, specifically glassy carbon, boron doped diamond and basal plane pyrolytic graphite. It is found that the EPPG electrode shows a significantly higher degree of electrochemical reversibility than the other electrode substrates giving rise to an analytically optimized limit of detection and sensitivity of 7.1×10^?5 M and 0.065 A M^?1 respectively.     

The Direct Electrochemical Oxidation of Ammonia in Propylene Carbonate: A Generic Approach to Amperometric Gas Sensors

The direct electrochemical oxidation of ammonia in propylene carbonate is reported for the first time. The voltammetric responses at glassy carbon, boron‐doped diamond, edge and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes are explored and compared with the outcome indicating that the optimum electrode substrate for analytical purposes in this solvent is glassy carbon. Proof‐of‐concept is shown for the amperometric detection of ammonia using basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes abrasively modified with glassy carbon spheres. Given the significantly lower vapor pressure of propylene carbonate in comparison to water the implications for extending the life‐time of practical sensors are evident. Propylene carbonate shows a wide potential window with glassy carbon electrodes permitting this approach to be used for a potential diversity of gaseous analytes.     

Electrochemical Response of Cobalt(II) in the Presence of Ammonia

The electrochemical oxidation of cobalt(II) at gold, boron‐doped diamond, basal and edge plane pyrolytic graphite, and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite electrodes in aqueous solutions containing NH₃ has been studied using cyclic voltammetry, with subsequent chemical and electrochemical processes explained in detail. Furthermore, the electro‐reduction of [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ in the presence of different electrolytes has also been studied to obtain a better understanding of the oxidation pathway of the Co(II)‐ammine complexes. In aqueous solution the mechanism can be described by the following scheme:     

Electron transfer kinetics on composite diamond (sp3)–graphite (sp2) electrodes

The concept of non-diamond sp² impurity states as charge transfer mediators on boron-doped diamond (BDD) surface was suggested as an explanation for the electrochemical behavior of synthetic diamond based electrodes. In order to verify this concept, graphite particles (sp²) were deposited on diamond electrodes (sp³) by mechanical abrasion. The behavior of the so prepared diamond–graphite composite electrodes were compared with those of as-grown (BDD_ag) and those after mild anodic polarization (BDD_mild).Outer-sphere electron transfer processes such as ferri/ferrocyanide (Fe(CN)₆III/II) and inner-sphere charge transfer reactions such as 1,4-benzoquinone/hydroquinone (Q/H₂Q) were chosen in order to investigate the electrochemical properties of these composite electrodes. Both redox systems became more reversible as the graphite (sp²) loading increased. A strong analogy existed between as-grown diamond electrodes and diamond–graphite composite electrodes.Finally a model is proposed which describes the BDD electrode surface as a diamond matrix in which non-diamond (sp²) impurity states are dispersed. These non-diamond sp² states on BDD surface acts as charge mediators for both inner-sphere and outer-sphere reactions.     

Characterization and fabrication of disposable screen printed microelectrodes

We report the fabrication of disposable and flexible screen printed microelectrodes which are characterised with microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. These new type of screen printed electrochemical platforms consist of micro-sized graphite typically with radii of 60 to 100 microns are defined by an inert dielectric. The advantage of this type of electrochemical sensing platform is that each microelectrode is disposable and cost effective and thus does not require extensive cleaning or electrode pre-treatment between measurements. Prior to measurements the screen printed microelectrode needs only to be calibrated with a suitable redox probe, as is typically the case with microelectrodes. We show proof of concept that the screen printed microelectrodes are advantageous for electro-analytical measurements with the example of determination of lead via cathodic stripping voltammetry. The use of graphite screen printed microelectrodes allows comparable detection limits to that obtained in the literature at insonated boron doped diamond electrodes, without the need for power ultrasound – which otherwise limits the widespread applicability and ease of measurement.     

Comparison of sample preparation methods for determination of free carbon in boron carbide by X-ray powder diffraction

Several sample preparation methods were evaluated for determination of free carbon in boron carbide powders by quantitative X-ray diffraction method, including ultrasonication, wet ball milling and dry ball milling–wet mixing. Quantitation was based on measuring the integral peak area ratio of the diffraction lines of graphite (002) to boron carbide (012) in samples spiked with pure graphite. The dry milling–wet mixing method provided the best precision and accuracy in all the measurements as well as in determination of free carbon in a boron carbide reference material. There was a linear relationship between the integral peak area ratios and graphite added to boron carbide samples which were purified from their free carbon content. The method provided a low detection limit of 0.05 wt% free carbon.     

The Influence of Doping Levels and Surface Termination on the Electrochemistry of Polycrystalline Diamond

The influence of surface chemistry and boron doping density on the redox chemistry of Fe(CN) at CVD polycrystalline diamond electrodes is considered. It is demonstrated that for this couple both the doping density and the surface chemistry are important in determining the rate of charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface. For hydrogen terminated CVD diamond metallic electrochemical behavior is always observed, even at boron doping densities as low as 7×10¹⁸ cm^?3. In contrast, the electrochemical behavior of oxygen terminated CVD diamond varies with doping density, a metallic response being observed at high doping density and semiconductor behavior at low doping density. It is shown that the results attained may be explained by a surface state mediated charge transfer mechanism, thus demonstrating the importance of controlling surface chemistry in electroanalytical applications of diamond.     

Synthetic Semiconductor Diamond Electrodes: Electrochemical Characteristics of Homoepitaxial Boron-doped Films Grown at the (111), (110), and (100) Faces of Diamond Crystals

Electrode behavior of homoepitaxial (single-crystal) boron-doped diamond films deposited onto differently orientated faces of dielectric diamond single crystals is studied by the electrochemical impedance and potentiodynamic curve methods. It is shown that the acceptor concentration determined from the slope of Mott–Schottky plots decreases, in the epitaxial films grown under the same conditions, in the series: (111) > (110) > (100). This is explained by different intensity of boron incorporation, from gas phase, into differently orientated faces of the diamond crystals during their growth. The rate of electrode reactions in the Fe(CN)₆ ^3–/4– and Ru(NH₃)₆ ^2+/3+ redox systems decreases in the above series, which obeys the earlier found interrelationship between the electrochemical kinetics at diamond electrodes and their doping level.     

The electrochemistry of activated carbonaceous materials: past, present, and future

Carbonaceous materials are widely used in electrochemistry. All allotropic forms of carbons??graphite, glassy carbon, amorphous carbon, fullerenes, nanotubes, and doped diamond??are used as important electrode materials in all fields of modern electrochemistry. Examples include graphite and amorphous carbons as anode materials in high-energy density rechargeable Li batteries, porous carbon electrodes in sensors and fuel cells, nano-amorphous carbon as a conducting agent in many kinds of composite electrodes (e.g., cathodes based on intercalation inorganic host materials for batteries), glassy carbon and doped diamond as stable robust and high stability electrode materials for all aspects of basic electrochemical studies, and more. Amorphous carbons can be activated to form very high specific surface area (yet stable) electrode materials which can be used for electrostatic energy storage and conversion [electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLC)] and separation techniques based on electro-adsorption, such as water desalination by capacitive de-ionization (CDI). Apart from the many practical aspects of activated carbon electrodes, there are many highly interesting and important basic aspects related to their study, including transport phenomena, molecular sieving behavior, correlation between electrochemical behavior and surface chemistry, and more. In this article, we review several important aspects related to these electrode materials, in a time perspective (past, present, and future), with the emphasis on their importance to EDLC devices and CDI processes.     

Gas sensing using edge-plane pyrolytic-graphite electrodes: electrochemical reduction of chlorine

The voltammetric responses of chlorine in aqueous acid solutions have been explored using different carbon-based electrodes. Edge-plane pyrolytic graphite has more electrochemical reversibility than glassy carbon, basal-plane pyrolytic graphite, or boron-doped diamond electrodes. A significant reduction in the overpotential is observed on the edge-plane pyrolytic-graphite electrode in contrast with the other carbon-based electrode substrates. These results suggest that edge-plane pyrolytic graphite can be optimally used as the working electrodes in Clark-cell devices for low-potential amperometric gas sensing of Cl₂.     

Exploring the electrocatalytic sites of carbon nanotubes for NADH detection: an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode study

The electrocatalytic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube modified electrodes toward the oxidation of NADH are critically evaluated. Carbon nanotube modified electrodes are examined and compared with boron-doped diamond and glassy carbon electrodes, and most importantly, edge plane and basal pyrolytic graphite electrodes. It is found that CNT modified electrodes are no more reactive than edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes with the comparison with edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes allowing the electroactive sites for the electrochemical oxidation of NADH to be unambiguously determined as due to edge plane sites. Using these highly reactive edge plane sites, edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes are examined with cyclic voltammetry and amperometry for the electroanalytical determination of NADH. It is demonstrated that a detection limit of 5 microM is possible with cyclic voltammetry or 0.3 microM using amperometry suggesting that edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes can conveniently replace carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrodes for biosensing applications with the relative advantages of reactivity, cost and simplicity of preparation. We advocate the routine use of edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes in studies utilising carbon nanotubes particularly if 'electrocatalytic' properties are claimed for the latter.     

Electrochemistry of Methyl Viologen and Anthraquinonedisulfonate at Diamond and Diamond Powder Electrodes: The Influence of Surface Chemistry

The electrochemical behaviour of methyl viologen and anthraquinonedisulfonate was studied at electrodes produced from differing forms of diamond, including microcrystalline boron doped diamond, boron doped diamond powder and detonation nanodiamond powder. Two types of electrode pretreatment were employed to produce two dissimilar surface terminations: hydrophobic H‐terminated and hydrophilic O‐terminated. In the case of methyl viologen, it was found that the reduced neutral molecule adsorbed on all three electrodes if they were hydrogen terminated, but not if they were oxygen terminated. For anthraquinonedisulfonate, no adsorption was found on the solid diamond electrode, although again significant adsorption was noted on the powder electrodes, provided they were hydrogen terminated. The reasons underlying these observations are discussed in terms of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions and the electrode morphology. The work provides information into the likely occurrence of adsorption and concomitant electrode fouling, which may be experienced in electroanalytical applications using solid and powdered forms of diamond.     

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, uric acid and neurotransmitters with a carbon ceramic electrode prepared by sol-gel technique

A sol-gel carbon composite electrode (CCE) has been prepared by mixing a sol-gel precursor (e.g. methyltrimethoxysilane) and carbon powder without adding any electron transfer mediator or specific reagents. It was demonstrated that this sensor can be used for simultaneous determination ascorbic acid, neurotransmitters (dopamine and adrenaline) and uric acid. Direct electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid, uric acid and catecholamines at a carbon composite electrode was investigated. The experimental results were compared with other common carbon based electrodes, specifically, boron doped diamond, glassy carbon, graphite and carbon paste electrodes. It was found that the CCE shows a significantly higher of reversibility for dopamine. In addition, in comparison to the other electrodes used, for CCE the oxidation peaks of uric acid, ascorbic acid and catecholamines in cyclic and square wave voltammetry were well resolved at the low positive potential with good sensitivity. The advantages of this sensor were high sensitivity, inherent stability and simplicity and ability for simultaneous determination of uric acid, catecholamines and ascorbic acid without using any chromatography or separation systems. The analytical performance of this sensor has been evaluated for detection of biological molecules in urine and serum as real samples.     

The influence of surface preparation on the electrochemistry of boron doped diamond: A study of the reduction of 1,4-benzoquinone in acetonitrile

The reduction, at boron doped diamond electrodes, of 1,4-benzoquinone dissolved in acetonitrile is investigated. It is shown that the mechanism of reduction is dependent on electrode pre-treatment. Whilst the response at an oxygenated diamond electrode surface resembles that at platinum and carbon electrodes, the i–E curve at a hydrogenated diamond surface is indicative of protonation of intermediates. The cyclic voltammograms obtained suggest that the sub-surface hydrogen present in the hydrogenated diamond lattice is able to participate in electrochemical processes.     

Scanning electron microscopy in the analysis of the activity of graphite electrodes

Copper deposition patterns on graphite electrodes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The deposition patterns correlate very well with the electrochemical activity of different graphites. The results indicate that treatment of graphite by electroactivation, laser irradiation of polishing on 600-grit silicon carbide paper produces active sites on the surface. The density of the sites directly reflects the electrochemical reactivity of the surface.     

Hot filament chemical vapour deposition of diamond ultramicroelectrodes

The hot filament chemical vapour deposition of boron-doped diamond was optimised for the fabrication of diamond ultramicroelectrodes. Applications of ultramicroelectrodes require thin, conformal and non-porous diamond coatings, which display electrochemical properties similar to those associated with good quality doped diamond electrodes. The growth conditions to attain these goals are elucidated. The influence of the use of nanodiamond ultrasonic seeding prior to growth, in order to promote nucleation, and varying the negative electrical bias and methane concentration during growth, to control the growth chemistry, are explored. Although Raman spectroscopy shows a deterioration of diamond phase quality with increased negative bias voltage during growth, cyclic voltammetry indicates an improved electrochemical performance due to decreased porosity at reduced grain size under moderate bias voltage. At even higher bias voltage, the electrochemical properties deteriorate due to aggregation of sp(2) hybridised carbon at grain boundaries. By combining efficient nucleation methods and appropriate methane concentrations and electrical bias during growth, small grain polycrystalline diamond coatings can be obtained, which show optimal electrochemical properties most suitable for ultramicroelectrode applications.