Adsorption of urea on a polycrystalline silver electrode; comparison of electrochemical and radiometric methods

The adsorption of urea on a polycrystalline silver electrode was studied by radiometry and impedance spectroscopy. The differential capacity of the silver electrode in 0.01 M NaClO₄ solution containing urea in concentrations from 10^–6 to 5×10^–4 M has been determined. The isotherms of urea adsorption, found from the capacitance and radiometric measurements have been compared. The experimental data were described by the Langmuir isotherm, and the Gibbs energy of adsorption was calculated. The urea adsorption takes place in the entire range of the applied potential. The process is reversible with respect to the electrode potential and the bulk urea concentration.Dedicated to Professor Gyorgy Horanyi on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Influence of purine on copper behavior in neutral and alkaline sulfate solutions

The effect of purine (concentration range of 1.00 × 10^?6?C1.00 × 10^?2 M) on the behavior of copper in a 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ solution (pH 7 and pH 9) was studied using the open circuit potential measurement, potentiodynamic polarization, and chronoamperometry. Potentiodynamic polarization shows that purine acts as a copper corrosion inhibitor in both alkaline and neutral sulfate solutions. The efficiency of inhibition increases as the purine concentration increases. Chronoamperometric results follow the same trend as the results of potentiodynamic polarization. The inhibition effect can also be observed visually by microscopic examination of the electrode surface. Purine is adsorbed on copper surface according to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.     

The potential dependence and kinetics of HCOOH adsorption on rhodium electrodes

The formic acid adsorption on an electrochemically prepared rhodium electrode has been studied by the radiochemical method. Electrochemical properties of the rhodium electrode surface in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. It has been shown that starting from E=0.20 V the rate of HCOOH adsorption is markedly potential dependent being practically independent of the electrode potential up to E=0.20 V. It seems that the HCOOH adsorption process may be explained on the basis of the two-sites kinetics model. The data obtained for HCOOH adsorption on a rhodium electrode have been compared with those for a platinum electrode reported previously.     

Adsorption of Biologically Active Carboxylic Acids on a Copper Electrode

The adsorption of salicylic, acetylsalicylic, ascorbic, and nicotinic acids on a copper electrode has been studied in the cathodic range of potentials. These acids are adsorbed as either anions or neutral molecules, depending on the electrode potential. The characteristics of the adsorption process are connected with the structure and degree of dissociation of the acids and also on the presence of oxygen in the solution.     

Corrosion of Copper in Presence of Acetic Acid Derivatives

The anodic corrosion of copper in presence of acetic acid derivatives were determined by measuring the limiting current. It is found that the rate of corrosion increased by decreasing H₃PO₄ concentration and electrode height. The experimental results showed that the inhibition efficiency increased with increasing concentration of the investigated compounds at a fixed temperature, but decreases with increasing temperature. Values of activation energy indicate that the reaction is diffusion controlled. The isotherm Langmuir, Temkin, and Flory Huggins are applied. The values of free energy of adsorption (ΔG_ads) obtained indicate the spontaneous adsorption of the inhibitor. The overall mass transfer correlations under the present conditions have been obtained using dimensional analysis method. The results agreed with the previous studies of mass transfer to rotating cylinder in turbulent flow.At the end of the corrosion process the morphology of the specimens after experiment is monitored using scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM examination of the copper surface revealed that these compounds inhibited copper from corrosion by adsorption on its surface to form protective film. The presence of these organic compounds adsorbed on the electrode surface was confirmed by SEM investigations.     

Nanostructured Platinum‐iridium Alloy Microelectrode for Ammonia Determination

Nanostructured platinum‐iridium alloy microelectrode with high surface area was successfully prepared by applying successive potential cycles to a conventional PtIr microdisc in ionic liquid electrolyte containing ZnCl₂ at elevated temperature. Scanning‐electron microscope studies show that a very thin nanostructured film was created on the electrode upon 20 potential cycles between −2.0 and 0.75 V versus a Ag pseudo‐reference electrode. The film nanostructures are characteristic of regular hill‐like nano‐spacings separated by valley‐like nano‐cracks, and a roughness factor of approximately 40. The nanostructured electrode is highly active towards electrochemical oxidation of ammonia, and generates a linear relation between voltammetric peak currents (or chronoamperometric currents), and logarithm of ammonia concentration in a range of approximately 1 ppm to 10000 ppm. It has been proposed that the Temkin adsorption of ammonia from the bulk solution onto the electrode surfaces was involved in its electrochemical oxidation and could be responsible for the linear current‐logarithmic concentration relation.     

Effect of anions and pH on the adsorption and oxidation of methanol on a platinum electrode

The influence of various anions and pH on methanol oxidation as well as its products of chemisorption on platinum has been studied by voltammetric and radiometric methods. It was found that the rate of methanol oxidation from the bulk solution was lowest for Na₂CO₃ and highest for NaOH solutions. The influence of anions on the chemisorbed species of methanol on a platinum electrode has also been investigated.     

In situ radiotracer study of thiourea adsorption on n-Si (100) and p-Si (100) electrodes

The application of a radiotracer method to in situ studies of the adsorption of thiourea labelled with either C-14 or S-35 nuclides on smooth n-type and p-type Si (100) electrodes and on rough p-Si electrodes is described. The adsorption takes place over the whole potential range studied, i.e. −0.5 to 1.2 V. It was found that during the interaction of thiourea with the silicon surface, two different products are formed. The dependence of the surface concentration of the adsorbates on the electrode potential and on the bulk concentration of thiourea was determined. Two different species are proposed to be present on the electrode surface as a result of surface processes: physically adsorbed thiourea molecules and sulphur atoms which are chemically bonded to the surface. Different activities of smooth and rough silicon electrodes towards the adsorption of thiourea were demonstrated.     

Square‐Wave Voltammetry of Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin on Glassy‐Carbon and Paraffin‐Impregnated Graphite Electrode

Electrochemical oxidation of sodium copper chlorophyllin (CHL) has been investigated at a glassy‐carbon (GC) and paraffin‐impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) using square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). Square‐wave voltammograms of other two chlorin‐type compounds, namely chlorin e₆ and chlorophyll a, have been studied as well. The measurements were performed in the pH range between 7 and 11. The square‐wave frequency was changed between 8 and 1000 Hz. The oxidation of studied chlorins is a complex, pH‐independent, reversible or quasireversible process, followed by the chemical transformation of the product. The product of the EC reaction of CHL is an electroactive π? π dimer, which strongly adsorbs on the electrode surface and undergoes further oxidation at more positive potential. The electrooxidation of the adsorbed dimer is a pH‐independent irreversible process with the formation of an electroinactive film. The voltammetric behaviour of chlorin e₆ on PIGE was qualitatively similar to that of CHL. The SW voltammograms of chlorin e₆ recorded on GCE and of chlorophyll a recorded on PIGE consisted of only one peak. The SW responses of studied compounds strongly depend on the stabilization of the reaction intermediate by adsorption to the electrode surface.     

Adsorption of dicarboxylic acids on lithiated nickel oxide electrode

Adsorption of dicarboxylic acids on NiO electrodes was studied by means of the galvanostatic transient method, mainly for oxalic acid. The oxalate or hydrogen oxalate anion or both were concluded to adsorb on the electrode. The adsorption was maximal at a potential less positive than the flat-band potential of the electrode, owing to preferential adsorption of hydroxyl anion in the region above the maximum adsorption potential. The quantity of adsorption was dependent on carrier concentration of the electrode, and high for the electrode of high carrier concentration. This phenomenon is connected to the charged condition of the electrode that when the maximum adsorption takes place, positively charged sites remain on the surface of the electrode which is charged negatively as a whole and the amount of the sites is much more different between the electrodes of different N than their bulk carrier concentrations. Adsorptions of malonic and succinic acid were distinctly low compared with that of oxalic acid. The adsorbability was in the order; oxalic acid>malonic acid>succinic acid. This order was in accord with the stability constants of nickel dicarboxylic acid chelates.     

硒碳糊电极微分电位溶出法测定铜和铋

建立了掺杂硒碳糊电极同时测定铜和铋的微分电位溶出法。在HCl(0.05mol/L)中,在-0.3V(vs.Ag/AgCl)下,Cu2+和Bi3+电沉积在电极表面,再在溶液中溶解氧的作用下,铜和铋从电极表面溶出,分别于0.30V和0.02V获得灵敏的电位溶出峰。微分电位溶出峰高(dt/dE)与铜和铋的浓度成线性关系,线性范围为5.0×10-9～1.55×10-7mol/L,检出限分别为4.0×10-9和2.5×10-9mol/L(S/N=3)。方法用于实际样品中铜和铋的测定,结果令人满意。     

固定化脲酶催化作用下双醛纤维素对尿素氮的吸附平衡和动力学

研究了在固定化脲酶催化作用下双醛纤维素对尿素氮的吸附平衡和动力学. 吸附过程符合Langmuir方程, 为单分子层化学吸附. 考察了双醛纤维素的氧化度、初始尿素氮浓度、双醛纤维素与固定化脲酶的质量比和温度等对双醛纤维素吸附尿素氮的影响, 结果表明上述因素对尿素氮的吸附均有较显著的影响. 实验数据能很好地拟合准二级吸附速率方程, 说明该吸附过程遵从二级动力学模型. 当氧化度为88%的双醛纤维素与固定化脲酶的质量比为10∶1, 尿素氮浓度为638.3 mg•L^－1时, 由Arrhenius方程求得表观吸附活化能为6.0 kJ•mol^－1, 该吸附过程为吸热反应.     

Contribution from the ion-exchange factor to the potential of a copper-containing electron-ion exchanger

The process of formation of the electrode potential of EI-21 electron-ion exchanger, composed of ultrafine copper particles and KU-23 sulfocationite, was studied. The potentials of a EI-21 powdery electrode with a platinum lead in copper(II) sulfate solutions of various concentrations (0.005–1.0 M) were measured using currentless-mode potentiometry. The potential of this electrode first shifted by 0.02–0.15 V in the negative direction with respect to a compact copper electrode, after which the shift eventually decreased to ?0.010 ± 0.003 V. It was demonstrated that the time evolution of the potential is determined by the interplay of electron and ion exchange. When EI-21 is placed onto a platinum lead, the role of the potential-determining reaction passes from Cu²⁺ + e^? ? Cu⁺ to Cu²⁺ + 2e^? ? Cu. At the same time, H⁺-Cu²⁺ ion exchange gives rise to a change in the ratio of the concentration of copper(II) ions in the internal and external solutions. The Donnan potential, which arises at the boundary between the electron-ion exchanger and the external solution, maintains a high concentration of copper(II) ions in the internal solution, a factor that facilitates the recrystallization of the particle distributed over the bulk of the exchanger. The process of recrystallization slows down with time to such an extent that the electrode potential stops changing, remaining at a level close to the equilibrium potential of the Cu²⁺/Cu pair. It was concluded that the internal stability of the system makes the potential of the EI-21 electrode sensitive to the dispersity of the metal component and the concentration of potential-determining metal ions in the external solution.     

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of azurin adsorption onto an alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer on gold

A quartz crystal microbalance coupled with electrochemistry was used to examine the adsorption of azurin on a gold electrode modified with a self-assembled monolayer of octanethiol. Azurin adsorbed irreversibly to form a densely packed monolayer. The rate of azurin adsorption was related to the bulk concentration of azurin in solution within the concentration range studied. At a high azurin concentration (2.75 muM), adsorption was rapid with a stable adsorption maximum attained in 2-3 min. At a lower azurin solution concentration (0.35 muM), the time to reach a stable adsorption maximum was approximately 30 min. Interestingly, the maximum surface concentration attained for all solution concentrations studied by the QCM method was 25 +/- 1 pmol cm-2, close to that predicted for monolayer coverage. The dissipation was monitored during adsorption, and only small changes were detected, implying a rigid adsorption model, as needed when using the Sauerbrey equation. Cyclic voltammetric data were consistent with a one-electron, surface-confined CuII/CuI azurin process with fast electron-transfer kinetics. The electroactive surface concentration calculated using voltammetry was 7 +/- 1 pmol cm-2. The differences between the QCM and voltammetrically determined surface coverage values reflect, predominantly, the different measurement methods but imply that all surface-confined azurin is not electrochemically active on the time scale of cyclic voltammetry.     

Kinetics and mechanism of nitrate and nitrite electroreduction on Pt(100) electrodes modified by copper adatoms

Kinetics and mechanism of nitrate and nitrite reduction on Pt(100) electrode modified by Cu adatoms have been studied in solutions of sulfuric and perchloric acids by means of cyclic voltammetry and in situ IR-spectroscopy. It has been shown that the surface redox process with participation of ammonia or hydroxylamine at 0.5–0.9 V occurs only on the Cu-free platinum. The causes of this effect could be low adsorption energy of nitrate reduction products on copper or changes in the composition of the products (ammonia for Pt(100) and N₂O for Pt(100)+Cu). Nitrate reduction on Pt(100)+Cu electrode is much faster in the perchloric acid solution (by several orders of magnitude) as compared with unmodified platinum as a result of induced adsorption of nitrate anions in the presence of partly charged Cu atoms. In the solutions of sulfuric acid the rate of nitrate reduction is considerably lower as copper adatoms facilitate adsorption of sulfate anions, which block the adsorption sites for the nitrate.     

Adsorption of adenine derivatives on a gold electrode studied by specular reflectivity measurement

The adsorption of adenine, deoxyadenosine, deoxyadenosine-5′-monophosphate,-diphosphate and-triphosphate on a gold electrode has been studied by specular reflectivity measurement in 0.1 M NaClO₄ solution. In the presence of these compounds, a marked decrease in reflectivity was found on reflectivity-potential curves in the potential region more positive than ?0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the decrease being ascribed to the adsorption of them. The magnitude of change in reflectivity was dependent on both the concentration and the electrode potential. The reflectivity change observed in the negative potential region was analyzed quantitatively according to the procedure previously described. The results were elucidated on the basis of the same isotherm as used by Green and Dahms in their adsorption study of aromatic hydrocarbons, and the number of solvent molecules being replaced through the adsorption of one organic molecule and the free energy change of adsorption were obtained. The former is suggestive of a flat orientation of the adsorbed molecule in contact with its adenine moiety on the electrode surface. It is also suggested from the latter that the presence of phosphate groups leads to a decrease in ΔG_ad⁰ resulting from their hydrophilic properties and a repulsive interaction between these groups and the negative charges on the surface.     

Spectroelectrochemical study of the corrosion of a copper electrode in deaerated 1.0 M HCl solutions containing Fe(III): Effect of the corrosion inhibitor benzotriazole

The corrosion rate of a copper electrode in deaerated 1.0 M HCl by Fe(III) ions, in the absence and presence of benzotriazole (BTAH), has been evaluated through weight-loss experiments using a rotating disk electrode (RDE). The corrosion process is controlled by transport of the Fe(III) ions to the electrode surface both in the absence and presence of BTAH. The inhibiting action is initiated at BTAH concentrations around 10 mM and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm is obeyed in the BTAH concentration range from 10 to 45 mM with an apparent equilibrium adsorption constant of 10 M⁻¹. Above this concentration, the Langmuir plot is not obeyed due to the formation of a multilayer. The surface films formed during the corrosion process have been investigated by “in situ” and “ex situ” fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy and characterized as being composed of the polymeric [Cu(I)BTA] complex and [Cu(I)CIBTAH]₄, the former as an inner layer response for the corrosion inhibition process.     

Morphological aspects of sulfate-induced reconstruction of Cu(1 1 1) in sulfuric acid solution: in situ STM study

Using in situ STM the atomic structure and the morphology of a Cu(1 1 1) surface exposed to a dilute sulfuric acid solution have been studied depending on the applied electrode potential. At anodic potentials near the onset of copper dissolution the electrode surface is reconstructed (expanded) caused by the specific adsorption of sulfate anions. The extent of the surface reconstruction strongly depends on the sulfate adsorption rate. Fast sulfate adsorption results in a mainly disordered sulfate adlayer on an unreconstructed copper surface. Conversely, slow sulfate adsorption produces a mainly reconstructed copper surface with a highly ordered sulfate/water coadsorption layer. This adsorbate structure shows an additional long-range Moiré modulation, due to a misfit between the first reconstructed and the second unreconstructed copper layer. This is verified by spectroscopy-like STM experiments, which allow the imaging not only of the adsorbate overlayer, but also of the underlying reconstructed substrate. This type of adsorbate-induced reconstruction is characterized by an expansion of the topmost copper layer. The kinetically slow process of reconstruction can be easily followed by dynamic STM measurements revealing a mass transport out of the topmost copper layer during the slow sulfate adlayer formation. Characteristically, new copper islands nucleate and grow, while the sulfate Moiré adlayer expands over the electrode surface. At cathodic electrode potentials the desorption of the sulfate adlayer is accompanied by the lifting of the surface reconstruction and the massive formation of surface defects, such as small pits and vacancy islands. A continuous cycling of the electrode potential leads to an enormous roughening of the surface morphology.     

Kinetics of silver anodic dissolution in thiosulfate electrolytes

The regularities of silver anodic dissolution are studied by using the voltammetry (at the potential scan rates from 5 to 1000 mV/s) on the electrode, which was renewed immediately in the solution by cutting-off a thin surface metal layer, and quartz microgravimetry, for various concentrations of sodium thiosulfate (0.05–0.2 M). It is shown that, in the potential range from 0 to 0.4 V (normal hydrogen electrode), the polarization curves reflect the silver dissolution, whereas the contribution of oxidation of S₂O₃²⁻ ions is insignificant. At low potential scan rates, the process kinetics is of mixed nature. The kinetics and mechanism of anodic process are studied by using the measurements at high potential scan rates (100–200 mV/s) and the calculations of equilibrium composition of near-electrode layer. It is found that the exchange current in the electrolytes studied is 5 × 10⁻⁵ A/cm², the transfer coefficient α is approximately 0.5, and both parameters are virtually independent of the concentration of S₂O₃²⁻ ions. The reaction order of silver dissolution with respect to the ligand $ \left. {\frac{{\partial logi}} {{\partial logc}}} \right|_E $ \left. {\frac{{\partial logi}} {{\partial logc}}} \right|_E is close to unity and is independent of potential. With regard for the literature data on the adsorption of thiosulfate ions on silver, this result is interpreted as the evidence for the involvement of one S₂O₃²⁻ ion from bulk solution, along with adsorbed ligands, in the elementary act of metal dissolution.     

Studies on human insulin adsorption kinetics at an organic-aqueous interface determined using a label-free electroanalytical approach

Protein adsorption represents a considerable challenge in the development and production of macromolecular drugs. From an analytical point of view the adsorption process is difficult to study in an efficient way using currently available techniques. In this work potential and time dependent adsorption and adsorption kinetics of human insulin at an 1,2-dichloroethane-aqueous interface were studied using a novel electroanalytical approach based on measurements of interfacial capacitance. Two different types of measurements were performed; potential scans and time scans. In the potential scans, the capacitance was measured over a range of applied potential differences across the interface. The interfacial potential difference is linked to the charge at the interface. Adsorption of human insulin was detectable at a bulk phase insulin concentration as low as 0.1 μM as a negative shift in the potential of zero charge (pzc). Adsorption kinetics were further studied using time scans in which the interfacial capacitance was measured at a fixed applied interfacial potential difference. Using this approach it was possible to study how the adsorption kinetics and the shape of the time scan curves were related to the bulk concentration of insulin and the interfacial potential difference. The changes in capacitance could be described phenomenologically by pseudo-first-order kinetics at low concentrations of insulin except at positive interfacial potential differences and high insulin concentrations (≥0.25 μM) where a more complex shape of the time scans curves was observed.