Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of transition-metal tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines: Part VI. The adsorption of iron tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine on single crystal silver electrodes

The influence of the underpotential deposition of Pb, Tl and Bi on the oxidation of ammonia and on the reduction and oxidation processes of hydroxylamine on platinum has been studied in alkaline solutions. Pronounced inhibition effects caused by underpotential metal adsorbates have been detected for either the oxidation of ammonia or the reduction of hydroxylamine. On the other hand, the same metal adsorbates markedly increase the electrocatalytic activity of the Pt electrode for hydroxylamine oxidation. The observed negative and positive catalytic effects have been interpreted in terms of the electronic and adsorption properties of the Pt substrate, which are strongly modified by the underpotential metal adsorbates.     

Ultra‐small Palladium Nanoparticle Decorated Carbon Nanotubes: Conductivity and Reactivity

Carbon nanotubes decorated with ultra‐small metal nanoparticles are of great value in catalysis. We report that individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with ultra‐small palladium nanoparticles can be detected by using the nano‐impacts method. The high conductivity and reactivity of each decorated carbon nanotube is directly evidenced; this is achieved through studying the proton‐reduction reaction for the underpotential deposition of hydrogen onto the nanoparticles decorated on the carbon nanotube walls. The reductive spikes from current amplification are analyzed to estimate the approximate length of the decorated carbon nanotubes, revealing that the decorated carbon nanotubes are electroactive along its entire length of several micrometers.     

Evaluation of Electrochemically Reduced Gold Nanoparticle—Graphene Nanocomposites for the Determination of Dopamine

Two gold nanoparticle-graphene nanocomposites were electrochemically obtained by the one-step constant potential coreduction of graphene oxide and gold ions or the electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles on graphene oxide followed by electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide. The surface morphology, electron transfer rate, and electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of dopamine on these nanocomposites were systematically studied. The results showed that both preparations synthesized gold nanoparticle-graphene nanocomposites. The nanocomposite obtained by the one-step synthesis showed higher electron transfer kinetics and electrocatalytic activity toward dopamine than the material obtained by the two-step synthesis. Consequently, the one-step nanocomposite was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode to form a dopamine sensor. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to detect dopamine with a detection limit of 0.1 micromolar and a linear dynamic range from 0.2 to 20 micromolar. The sensor displayed good stability, high reproducibility, and was used for the determination of dopamine in human urine.     

Synthesis of mesoporous PtCu film modified with Ru submonolayer as catalyst for methanol electrooxidation

A mesoporous PtCu catalyst modified with a Ru submonolayer is successfully synthesized by a facile electrochemical process of electrodeposition, dealloying and Ru underpotential deposition. The material has a large specific surface area comparable to nanoparticles (11 m(2) g(-1)) and exhibits a promising catalyst activity for the methanol oxidation reaction.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of nanoparticulate intermetallic Ga-Pd compounds

A two-step synthesis for the preparation of single-phase and nanoparticulate GaPd and GaPd(2) by coreduction of ionic metal-precursors with LiHBEt(3) in THF without additional stabilizers is described. The coreduction leads initially to the formation of Pd nanoparticles followed by a Pd-mediated reduction of Ga(3+) on their surfaces, requiring an additional annealing step. The majority of the intermetallic particles have diameters of 3 and 7 nm for GaPd and GaPd(2), respectively, and unexpected narrow size distributions as determined by disk centrifuge measurements. The nanoparticles have been characterized by XRD, TEM, and chemical analysis to ensure the formation of the intermetallic compounds. Unsupported nanoparticles possess high catalytic activity while maintaining the excellent selectivity of the ground bulk materials in the semihydrogenation of acetylene. The activity could be further increased by depositing the particles on α-Al(2)O(3).     

Underpotential deposition and anodic stripping voltammetry at mesoporous microelectrodes

Using the technique of liquid crystal templating a series of high surface area mesoporous platinum microelectrodes was fabricated. The underpotential deposition of metal ions at such electrodes was found to be similar to that at conventional platinum electrodes. The phenomena of underpotential deposition, in combination with the intrinsic properties of mesoporous microelectrodes (i.e. a high surface area and efficient mass transport) was exploited for the purpose of anodic stripping voltammetry. In particular the underpotential deposition of Ag(+), Pb(2+) and Cu(2+) ions was investigated and it was found that mesoporous microelectrodes were able to quantify the concentration of ions in solution down to the ppb range. The overall behaviour of the mesoporous electrodes was found to be superior to that of conventional microelectrodes and the effects of interference by surfactants were minimal.     

Underpotential deposition of Li in a molten LiCl–Li2O electrolyte for the electrochemical reduction of U from uranium oxides

Reactive metal oxides are conventionally reduced to metal by metallothermic reduction. This paper presents on the efficient reduction method based on the electrochemical reaction in a molten LiCl–Li₂O electrolyte at 650 °C. An underpotential deposition of Li on uranium oxides was observed that enabled the mass electrochemical reduction of U₃O₈ to U. An advantage of using in-situ generated Li as a reductant is that a high-speed electrochemical reduction could be achieved with a wider operating voltage window when compared to a direct electrochemical reduction.     

Formation of multishell Au@Ag@Pt nanoparticles by coreduction method: a microscopic study

Metallic nanoparticles of Ag–Pt double-shell on Au-core (Au@Ag@Pt core@multishell NPs) with a hollow-granular shell structure were synthesized by coreduction method, a combination of galvanic replacement reaction with a coreducing agent. Their nanostructures were examined in detail at different reduction reaction periods to gain insights into the mechanism of Ag–Pt double-shell formation on Au-core, as well as the competitive role of each reduction reaction. The multishell NPs were found to contain a degree of hollows with the inner surface composed of both Ag and Pt, while the outer surface composed of granular Pt. The coreduction method contributed to the success of increasing Pt surface area that will further benefit catalytic applications of the NPs.     

Synthesis and characterization of platinum monolayer oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts with Co–Pd core–shell nanoparticle supports

We synthesized Pt monolayer electrocatalysts for oxygen-reduction using a new method to obtain the supporting core–shell nanoparticles. They consist of a Pt monolayer deposited on carbon-supported Co–Pd core–shell nanoparticles with the diameter of 3–4 nm. The nanoparticles were made using a redox-transmetalation (electroless deposition) method involving the oxidation of Co by Pd cations, yielding a Pd shell around the Co core. The quality of the thus-formed core–shell structure was verified using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, while cyclic voltammetry was employed to confirm the lack of Co oxidation (dissolution). A Pt monolayer was deposited on the Co–Pd core–shell nanoparticles by the galvanic displacement of a Cu monolayer obtained by underpotential deposition. The total noble metal mass-specific activity of this Pt monolayer electrocatalyst was ca. 3-fold higher than that of commercial Pt/C electrocatalysts.     

Selective electrodesorption based atomic layer deposition (SEBALD): a novel electrochemical route to deposit metal clusters on Ag(111)

The possibility of synergic effects of some metals on the catalytic activity of silver led us to study the way to perform controlled deposition on silver. In fact, many metals of technological interest such as Co, Ni, and Fe cannot be deposited at underpotential on silver, and any attempt to control the deposition at overpotential, even at potentials slightly negative of the Nernst value, did not allow an effective control. However, due to the favorable energy gain involved in the formation of the corresponding sulfides, these metals can be deposited at underpotential on sulfur covered silver. The deposition is surface limited and the successive electrodesorption of sulfur leaves confined clusters of metals. The method can also be used to obtain metal clusters of different size. In fact, the alternate underpotential deposition of elements that form a compound is the basis of the electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (ECALE), and the reiteration of the basic cycle allows us to obtain sulfide deposits whose thickness increases with the number of cycles. Therefore, the successive selective desorption of sulfur leaves increasing amounts of metals.     

One-step synthesis of FePt nanoparticles with tunable size

A one-step synthesis of FePt nanoparticles is reported. The size, composition, and shape of the particles are controlled by varying the synthetic parameters such as molar ratio of stabilizers to metal precursor, addition sequence of the stabilizers and metal precursors, heating rate, heating temperature, and heating duration. An assembly of large (6 nm or greater) FePt nanoparticles, especially oxide-coated FePt nanoparticles, can sustain higher temperature (up to 650 degrees C) annealing without noticeable particle sintering. Room temperature coercivity of an assembly containing discrete FePt dots can reach as high as 1.3 T, a value that is suitable for hard magnetic applications.     

One-step synthesis of gold and silver hydrosols using poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) as a reducing agent

Synthesis of gold and silver hydrosols was carried out in a one-step process by reduction of aqueous solutions of metal salts using poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP). Both kinds of metal nanoparticles were obtained without the addition of any other reducing agent, at low temperatures and using water as the synthesis solvent. Shape, size, and optical properties of the particles could be tuned by changing the employed PVP/metal salt ratio. It is proposed that PVP acts as the reducing agent suffering a partial degradation during the nanoparticles synthesis. Two possible mechanisms are proposed to explain the reduction step: direct hydrogen abstraction induced by the metal ion and/or reducing action of macroradicals formed during degradation of the polymer. Initial formation of the macroradicals might be associated with the metal-accelerated decomposition of low amounts of peroxides present in the commercial polymer.     

Electrocatalysis by foreign metal monolayers: Oxidation of formic acid on platinum

It was demonstrated that some foreign metal monolayers formed by underpotential deposition have pronounced catalytic effects on the oxidation of formic acid on platinum. The explanation of these effects was sought within the framewor of existing data on the formic acid oxidation and the underpotential deposition. It was found that the catalytic effect of foreign metal monolayers originates in the decrease of hydrogen adsorption thus preventing the formation of the main poisoning species COH. At the same time these experiments confirm the previously postulated mechanism of formation of the poisoning species involving adsorbed hydrogen.     

Stripping voltammetry of copper and lead using gold electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers

One problem associated with using bare solid metal electrodes, such as gold and platinum, in stripping analysis to determine heavy metal ions such as lead and copper ions in dilute solutions is that underpotential deposition (UPD) gives multiple stripping peaks in the analysis of mixtures. These peaks are often overlapped and cannot be conveniently used for analytical purposes. Bifunctional alkylthiols, such as 3-mercaptopropionic acid, with an ionizable group on the other terminal end of the thiol can form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the surface of the gold electrode. It is shown that such an SAM-modified gold electrode minimizes the UPD effects for the stripping analysis of lead and copper. The anodic peak potential shifts and the peak shape changes, indicating that the SAM changes the deposition and stripping steps of these heavy metal ions. Thus, the sensitivity levels for both single species and mixtures can be significantly improved for the conventional solid electrodes. The mechanism of the deposition reaction at the SAM-modified gold electrodes is discussed. Received: 29 May 1997 / Accepted: 24 June 1997     

Characterization of the surface structure of gold nanoparticles and nanorods using structure sensitive reactions

The surface structure of gold nanorods has been determined by studying the behavior of electrochemical reactions sensitive to the structure and compared to that obtained by other structure characterization techniques. Lead underpotential deposition (UPD) reveals that the surface of the nanorods is composed by (111) and (110) domains, while (100) domains are practically absent from the surface. In the case of the oxygen reduction reaction, the formation of hydrogen peroxide as a final product of the reaction in the whole potential range also indicates that (100) domains are absent on the surface of the nanoparticles, corroborating the previous result. These results are compared with other surface structure information provided by other techniques.     

Fabrication of Ag/Au bimetallic nanoparticles by UPD-redox replacement: Application in the electrochemical reduction of benzyl chloride

The bimetallic Ag/Au nanoparticles were prepared by underpotential deposition-redox replacement technique on the basis of Au nanoparticles modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The as-prepared Ag/Au nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The Ag/Au bimetallic nanoparticles modified GC electrode with low-Ag loading exhibits much better catalytic activity for the reduction of benzyl chloride than Ag nanoparticles modified GC electrode. The result is attributed to the synergic effect between Ag and Au in the reduction process. The chronoamperometry test shows that the Ag/Au nanoparticles possess long-term performance in the electrolysis.     

一步法制备钯纳米粒子修饰的多孔金电极及其对溶解氧的电催化

建立了只需一步操作即可完成在抛光洗净的金微盘阵列电极上进行多孔化处理和钯纳米粒子修饰的方法。通过对金微盘电极连续施加3个电位,分别实现金的氧化、金的还原和电沉积钯纳米粒子。利用扫描电镜和电化学方法监控制备过程,得到的结果证实了本方法的可行性和有效性。考察了溶液pH值与氧化时间对结果的影响,在磷酸盐缓冲溶液(pH7)中氧化90s,得到的修饰电极的电化学活性面积是裸电极的42倍。同时,由于整个过程不需要更换溶液,且只需开启一次仪器,大大简化了实验操作。将制备的修饰电极用于溶解氧的电催化,对溶解氧的灵敏度达到0.1mA·L/(cm2·mg),优于文献报道结果。     

Electrochemistry of metal adlayers on metal chalcogenides

Electrodeposition of metal adlayers on semiconductor metal chalcogenides (CdSe, CdS, PbTe, PbSe, PbS, Bi₂Te₃) is reviewed. Cathodic underpotential deposition of metal adlayer on metal chalcogenide is the electrochemically irreversible surface limited reaction. The irreversibility of the upd increases in the row from tellurides to selenides and further to sulfides. The underpotential shift on chalcogenide nanoparticles increases with particle size. Metal upd on chalcogenides is applied as a means of measurement of electroactive surface area of chalcogenide electrodes. The method is especially advantageous for multicomponent systems with other component not supporting upd, such as CdSe-TiO₂, CdSe-ZnO. Differences of voltammetric profiles of Pb upd on Bi₂Te₃ and Te are applied for detection of Bi₂Te₃ surface contamination by elemental tellurium. The further tasks in the electrochemistry of metal adlayers are their incorporation as interlayers in layered chalcogenides and electrodeposition of superlattices.

Graphical abstract

     

Photoinduced thermal copper reduction onto gold nanocrystals under potentiostatic control

We study the photoreduction of adsorbed copper ions onto Au nanoparticles, on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode in an aqueous electrochemical cell, as a function of applied voltage and laser intensity. The photocurrent is a nonlinear function of laser intensity and increases sharply with cathodic voltage in the underpotential deposition region. The photoreduction is attributed to laser heating of the Au nanoparticles rather than "hot electron" processes. Numerical simulation of the Butler-Volmer kinetic equation using experimental parameters predicts a several orders of magnitude increase in current for a temperature rise of a few Kelvin.     

Voltammetric behaviour at gold electrodes immersed in the BCR sequential extraction scheme media: Application of underpotential deposition-stripping voltammetry to determination of copper in soil extracts

The development of mercury-free electroanalytical systems for in-field analysis of pollutants requires a foundation on the electrochemical behaviour of the chosen electrode material in the target sample matrices. In this work, the behaviour of gold working electrodes in the media employed in the BCR sequential extraction protocol, for the fractionation of metals in solid environmental matrices, is reported. All three of the BCR sequential extraction media are redox active, on the basis of acidity and oxygen content as well as the inherent reducing or oxidising nature of some of the reagents employed: 0.11 M acetic acid, 0.1 M hydroxylammonium chloride (adjusted to pH 2) and 1 M ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 2) with added trace hydrogen peroxide. The available potential ranges together with the demonstrated detection of target metals in these media are presented. Stripping voltammetry of copper or lead in the BCR extract media solutions reveal a multi-peak behaviour due to the stripping of both bulk metal and underpotential metal deposits. A procedure based on underpotential deposition-stripping voltammetry (UPD-SV) was evaluated for application to determination of copper in 0.11 M acetic acid soil extracts. A preliminary screening step in which different deposition times are applied to the sample enables a deposition time commensurate with UPD-SV to be selected so that no bulk deposition or stripping occurs thus simplifying the shape and features of the resulting voltammograms. Choice of the suitable deposition time is then followed by standards addition calibration. The method was validated by the analysis of a number of BCR 0.11 M acetic acid soil extracts. Good agreement was obtained been the UPD-SV method and atomic spectroscopic results.