Fast visualization of the mass transfer processes at the electrode/electrolyte interface with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer

A Mach-Zehnder interfeometer is employed to visualize the mass transfer processes at the electrode/electrolyte interface during the potentiodynamic sweep of the Pt electrode in 0.1 mol dm^?3 K₄Fe(CN)₆ with 0.5 mol dm^?3 KCl solution at 20 mV s^?1. The changes of solution??s refractive index, brought about by the mass transfer during the reaction, can be recorded in situ in interferograms. The distributions of the optical path difference are obtained by numerical reconstruction of interferograms to reflect changes of solution??s refractive index and the mass transfer processes. The mass transfer of [Fe(CN)₆]^4? and [Fe(CN)₆]^3? is presented visually. This method provides a new approach to detect the mass transfer processes at the electrode/electrolyte interface in real-time.     

Solvent effects on the redox potentials of tetraethylammonium hexacyanomanganate(III) and hexacyanoferrate(III)

Tetraethylammonium hexacyanomanganate(III) was studied in formamide, N-methylformamide, methanol, propylenecarbonate, N,N-dimethylthioformamide, N-methylthiopyrrolidinone(2), butyrolactone, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone(2), nitromethane and tetramethylenesulfone employing polarographic and voltammetric techniques. Reversible or nearly reversible behaviour for the reaction Mn(CN)₆^3?/Mn(CN)₆^2? was observed in most solvents on the stationary platinum electrode. The reaction Mn(CN)₆^3?/Mn(CN)₆^4? was studied on both the dropping mercury electrode and the stationary platinum electrode. Besides the reaction Mn(CN)₆^3?/Mn(CN)₆^4? several anodic waves due to successive reactions of mercury with the cyano-ligand of the complex occurred at the dropping mercury electrode. No redox reaction for (et₄N)₃Mn(CN)₆ was found in nitromethane. The polarographic behaviour of tetraethylammonium hexacyanoferrate(III) was studied in formamide, N-methylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone(2) and butyrolactone. The variation of E_1/2 and 1/2 (E_pa+E_pc) values versus bisphenylchromium(I)/bisbiphenylchromium(0) as reference redox system of the processes Mn(CN)₆^3?/Mn(CN)₆^2?, Mn(CN)₆^3?/Mn(CN)₆^4? and Fe(CN)₆^3?/Fe(CN)₆^4? with the nature of the solvent is discussed within the donor-acceptor concept. Correlations between the E_1/2 and 1/2(E_pa+E_pc) values and the acceptor properties of the solvent have been observed. The preparation of tetraethyl- and tetrabutylammonium hexacyanomanganate(III) is described.     

Novel potentiometric sensor for the determination of Cd2+ based on a new nano-composite

A novel ion selective carbon paste electrode for Cd²⁺ ions based on 2,2′-thio-bis[4-methyl(2-amino phenoxy) phenyl ether] (TBMAPPE) as an ionophore was prepared. The carbon paste was made based on a new nano-composite including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanosilica and room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF₆). The constructed nano-composite electrode showed better sensitivity, selectivity, response time, response stability and lifetime in comparison with typical Cd²⁺ carbon paste sensor for the successful determination of Cd²⁺ ions in water and in waste water samples. The best performance for nano-composite sensor was obtained with an electrode composition of 18% TBMAPPE, 20% BMIM-PF₆, 48% graphite powder, 10% MWCNT and 4% nanosilica. The new electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (29.95?±?0.10?mV?decade^?1) toward Cd²⁺ ions in the range of 3.0?×?10^?8 to 1.0?×?10^?1?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.5?×?10^?9?mol?L^?1. The potentiometric response of prepared sensor was independent of the pH of test solution in the pH range 3.0 to 5.5. It had a quick response with a response time of about 6?s. The proposed electrode showed fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Cathodic materials $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ (x?=?0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) with K₂NiF₄-type structure, for use in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), have been prepared by the glycine?Cnitrate process and characterized by XRD, SEM, AC impedance spectroscopy, and DC polarization measurements. The results have shown that no reaction occurs between an $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ electrode and an Sm_0.2Gd_0.8O_1.9 electrolyte at 1,200?°C, and that the electrode forms a good contact with the electrolyte after sintering at 1,000?°C for 2?h. In the series $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ (x?=?0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0), the composition $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{1}.0}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_{{{1}.0}}}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ shows the lowest polarization resistance and cathodic overpotential, 2.75????cm² at 700?°C and 68?mV at a current density of 24.3?mA?cm^?2 at 700?°C, respectively. It has also been found that the electrochemical properties are remarkably improved the increasing Sr content in the experimental range.     

Microfabrication of thermoelectric modules by patterned electrodeposition using a multi-channel glass template

A microfabrication process has been developed to elaborate microscale thermoelectric modules with high-aspect-ratio pillars assembled in a glass micromold, whose multi-channels are formed by combining mechanical machining and hot-pressing processes. This paper describes how to fill the multi-channel glass molds with thermoelectric materials by introducing a patterned electrochemical deposition method, in which a deposition cathode with two series of interdigital electrodes is designed. A reverse-pulsed electrodeposition method is found effective to overcome the difficulty for deep-filling that is required for fabricating thermoelectric pillars with high aspect ratios. A pulse circle of ?200?mV for 4?s, +500?mV for 1?s, and 0?mV for 3?s (vs. saturated calomel electrode) was determined for preparing N-type Bi₂Te₃ arrays with a high aspect ratio exceeding ten from a solution containing 0.0075?M Bi³⁺ and 0.01?M HTeO ₂ ⁺ . The as-deposited pillars show reasonable electrical resistivity as compared with common bulk Bi₂Te₃ materials.     

Effects of carbon nanofiber composites on electrode processes involving liquid|liquid ion transfer

Composite electrodes were prepared from chemical vapor deposition grown carbon nanofibers consisting predominantly of ca. 100 nm diameter fibers. A hydrophobic sol–gel matrix based on a methyl-trimethoxysilane precursor was employed and composites formed with carbon nanofiber or carbon nanofiber—carbon particle mixtures (carbon ceramic electrode). Scanning electron microscopy images and electrochemical measurements show that the composite materials exhibit high surface area with some degree of electrolyte solution penetration into the electrode. These electrodes were modified with redox probe solution in 2-nitrophenyloctylether. A second type of composite electrode was prepared by simple pasting of carbon nanofibers and the same solution (carbon paste electrode). For both types of electrodes it is shown that high surface area carbon nanofibers dominate the electrode process and enhance voltammetric currents for the transfer of anions at liquid|liquid phase boundaries presumably by extending the triple-phase boundary. Both anion insertion and cation expulsion processes were observed driven by the electro-oxidation of decamethylferrocene within the organic phase. A stronger current response is observed for the more hydrophobic anions like ClO₄⁻ or PF₆⁻ when compared to that for the more hydrophilic anions like F⁻ and SO₄²⁻. Presented at the 4th Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Greifswald, March 13–16, 2005     

Darstellung und spektroskopische Charakterisierung von Di(halogeno)phthalocyaninato(1–)rhodium(III), [RhX2Pc1−] (X = Cl,Br, I)

Synthesis and Spectroscopical Characterization of Di(halo)phthalocyaninato(1–)rhodium(III), [RhX₂Pc^1?] (X = Cl, Br, I) Bronze-coloured di(halo)phthalocyaninato(1–)-rhodium(III), [RhX₂Pc^1?] (X = Cl, Br) and [RhI₂Pc^1?] · I₂ is prepared by oxidation of (ⁿBu₄N)[RhX₂Pc^2?] with the corresponding halogene. Irrespective of the halo ligands, two irreversible electrode reactions due to the first ringreduction (E_R = ?0,90 V) and ringoxidation (E_O = 0,82 V) are present in the cyclovoltammogram of (ⁿBu₄N)[RhX₂Pc^2?]. The optical spectra show typical absorptions of the Pc^1?-ligand at 14.0 kK and 19.1 kK. Characteristic vibrational bands are at 1 366/1 449 cm^?1 (i. r.) and 569/1 132/1 180/1 600 cm^?1 (resonance Raman (r. r.)). The antisym. (Rh? X)-stretching vibration is observed at 294 cm^?1 (X = Cl), 240 cm^?4 (Br) and 200 cm^?1 (I). Only the sym. (Rh? I)-stretching vibration at 133 cm^?1 is r. r. enhanced together with a strong line at 170 cm^?1, which is assigned to the (I? I)-stretching vibration of the incorporated iodine molecule. Both modes show overtones and combinationbands.     

Fabrication of AAO films with controllable nanopore size by changing electrolytes and electrolytic parameters

In this paper, we fabricate two kinds of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films with controllable nanopore size by changing electrolytes and electrolytic parameters. The first AAO film with a four-layer structure was fabricated by sequential anodization of aluminum in aqueous solution of H₂SO₄, H₂C₂O₄, malonic acid, and tartaric acid at different anodic oxidation voltages. The average pore diameter of the as-prepared AAO film is 25 nm in the first layer, 54 nm in the second layer, 68 nm in the third layer, and 88 nm in the fourth layer, respectively. The pore densities of each layer decrease downwards to Al substrate, which are 300?×?10⁸, 100?×?10⁸, 21?×?10⁸, and 6.9?×?10⁸ cm^?2, respectively. Furthermore, another AAO film with periodically changed pore diameter was fabricated by alternating anodization of aluminum in aqueous solution of H₃PO₄ and tartaric acid under galvanostatic mode. The anodization processes present approximately identical best ordering voltage (195 V) in H₃PO₄ and tartaric acid under galvanostatic mode. The pore diameter with periodic change can be enlarged through a pore-widening treatment. Both AAO films with special nanopore structures can be used not only as templates for preparing nano-array materials whose pore diameter presents periodic change or gradual increase, but also as nanofilters to separate materials in some special media.     

An Ethanol Biosensor Based on Simple Immobilization of Alcohol Dehydrogenase on Fe3O4@Au Nanoparticles

An ethanol biosensor based on alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) attached to Au seeds decorated on magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@Au NPs) is presented. ADH was immobilized on Fe₃O₄@Au NPs, which were subsequently fixed by a magnet on a carbon paste electrode modified with 5 % (m : m) MnO₂. Optimum conditions for the amperometric determination of ethanol with the biosensor were as follows: working potential +0.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl); supporting electrolyte: 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.8 containing 0.25 mM of the coenzyme (NAD⁺); working electrode: carbon paste with magnetically attached Fe₃O₄@Au NPs (0.012 mg ? cm^?2 electrode area) with immobilized alcohol dehydrogenase (120 units per cm² of electrode area). Linearity between signal and concentration was found for the range from 0.1 to 2.0 M ethanol (r²=0.995) with a detection limit of 0.07 M, a sensitivity of 0.02 µA ? mM^?1 ? cm^?2, a reproducibility of 4.0 % RSD, and a repeatability of 2.7 % RSD. The results for the determination of ethanol in alcoholic beverages showed good agreement with gas chromatography (GC) with recovery of 96.0 – 108.8 %.     

Carbon paste electrode modified with a binuclear manganese complex as a sensitive voltammetric sensor for tryptophan

We report on a carbon paste electrode that was modified with a binuclear manganese(II) complex by the drop-coating method. A study on the mechanism of the electro-oxidation of tryptophan (Trp) at this electrode indicated that it enables Trp to be determined with good sensitivity and selectivity. Second-order derivative linear sweep voltammetry at pH 4.1 revealed that a sensitive anodic peak appears at 812?mV (vs. SCE) whose current is proportional to the concentration of Trp in the concentration range from 0.1 to 1.0???mol?L^?1 and 1.0 to 80???mol?L^?1, with a detection limit (S/N?=?3) of 0.08???mol?L^?1 (60?s of accumulation). The method was applied to the determination of Trp in amino acid injection solutions with satisfactory results.

Titanium Anodes with Active Coatings Based on Iridium Oxides: The Corrosion Resistance and Electrochemical Behavior of Anodes Coated by Mixed Iridium,Ruthenium, and Titanium Oxides

A study of the corrosion resistance and electrochemical behavior of titanium anodes with active coatings prepared from mixed oxides iridium, ruthenium, and titanium (OIRTA) is continued. The dependence of the catalytic activity, selectivity, and corrosion resistance of these anodes with x mol % RuO₂ + (30 ? x ) mol % IrO₂ + 70 mol % TiO₂ is studied in conditions of chlorine electrolysis on the ratio of concentrations of IrO₂ and RuO₂ in them at a constant loading of iridium in the coatings. It is established that the maximum corrosion resistance and selectivity is inherent in OIRTA with the RuO₂ concentration close to 4 mol %. Partial curves, which describe the dependence of the rates of dissolution of iridium out of OIRTA and the evolution of chlorine and oxygen in them on the electrode potential, are obtained. The dependence of the rates of these processes on the solution pH, the concentration of NaCl in it, and the thickness of the active layer is studied. It is shown that the rate of dissolution of iridium out of OIRTA and the concentration of oxygen in chlorine at a constant potential increase approximately proportionally to the coating thickness, from whence it follows that the said processes proceed over the entire depth of the coating. An assumption is put forth that the chlorine evolution on OIRTA of the optimum composition, with a loading of iridium equal to 2.5 g m^?2, at high anodic currents occurs in an outer-kinetics regime in the presence of diffusion limitations on the removal of chlorine out of the coating's depth.     

Electrode kinetics of the metal complexes with aminopolycarboxylic acids: Part II. Cadmium-ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate (EDTA) complexes

The d.c. polarographic current-potential curves of Cd(II)-EDTA complexes were examined in the pH range 0.5–10.0, to elucidate the mechanism of their electrode processes and to determine the relevant electrochemical kinetic parameters. It was shown that the first wave observed below pH 3 at ?0.58 to ?0.65 V vs. SCE is the reversible reduction wave of Cd(II) aquo-ion with kinetically-controlled limiting current, and the second wave observed above pH 1.5 at ?0.75 to ?1.21 V vs. SCE corresponds to the simultaneous irreversible reduction of four complex species, CdH₃L⁺, CdH₂L, CdHL^? and CdL^2?, where CdH_pL^(p?2)+ and L^4? denote the protonated complex species with p protons and the unprotonated EDTA ion, respectively. Analysis of the dependence of limiting current on the hydrogen ion concentration led to the conclusion that the preceding reaction determining the behaviour of limiting current is CdH₃L⁺?Cd²⁺+H₃L^? with k₃^d=6.3×10² s^?1 and k₃^f=3.3×10⁶ s^?1M^?1, where k₃^d and k₃^f are the dissociation and formation rate constants, respectively. On the other hand, from analysis of the dependence of half-wave potentials of the second wave on the hydrogen ion concentration, the kinetic parameters of the four complex species were evaluated, and are given in Table 1. Further, it was shown that the cathodic rate constants of these four charge transfer processes at some reference potential together with those of Cd(II)-HEDTA complexes fulfil the linear free energy relationship.     

Meso-macroporous Co3O4 electrode prepared by polystyrene spheres and carbowax templates for supercapacitors

Meso-macroporous Co₃O₄ electrode is synthesized by drop coating with a mixed solution containing Co(OH)₂ colloid, polystyrene spheres, and carbowax (namely polyethylene glycol), followed by calcining at 400?°C to remove polystyrene spheres and carbowax. For comparison, nonporous Co₃O₄ and mesoporous Co₃O₄ electrodes are prepared by drop coating with Co(OH)₂ colloid and with a mixed solution containing Co(OH)₂ colloid and carbowax under the same condition, respectively. Capacitive property of these electrodes is measured by cyclic voltammetry, potentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that meso-macroporous Co₃O₄ electrode exhibits larger specific capacitance than those of nonporous Co₃O₄ electrode and mesoporous Co₃O₄ electrode at various current densities. The specific capacitance of meso-macroporous Co₃O₄ electrode at the current density of 0.2?A?g^?1 is 453?F?g^?1. Meanwhile, meso-macroporous Co₃O₄ electrode possesses the highest specific capacitance retention ratio at the current density ranging from 0.2 to 1.0?A?g^?1, indicating that meso-macroporous Co₃O₄ electrode suits to high-rate charge?Cdischarge.     

Interfacial Electrochemical Behavior of RuS2 Single Crystal Electrodes in Sulfuric Acid Medium

The electrochemical behavior of RuS₂ has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Cyclic voltammograms reveal one major anodic peak and two major cathodic peaks on the reverse sweep; these peaks are attributed to the electroadsorption/desorption of OH^? groups on the electrode surface. It is proposed that the electroadsorption of the OH^? group on RuS₂ is due to the presence of Ru 4d electrons in the uppermost part of the valence band. Thus, OH^? is oxidized by holes on Ru 4d states in the first step. These groups are transferred to S₂^2?sites in the second step. EDX surface analysis reveals preferential release of S₂^2? from the pyrite lattice. A mechanism for the anodic dissolution of RuS₂ is proposed, according to which elemental sulfur is not a direct product, but rather the end product which forms from thiosulfate.     

Sensitive Nonenzymatic Electrochemiluminescence Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide in Dental Products using a Polypyrrole/Polyluminol/Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite

A layer-by-layer assembled of a polypyrrole and polyluminol was synthesized through the electrodeposition of pyrrole and luminol in acidic medium on a graphite electrode. The electrode was then modified by casting titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on its surface for enhancing electrochemiluminescence of luminol. The properties of this electrochemiluminescence sensor were studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the modification of this electrochemiluminescence sensor shows sensitive response for the determination of hydrogen peroxide. Figures of merit include broad linearity from 1?pmol L^?1 to 4?µmol L^?1 (R²?=?0.996) with a limit of detection as low as 0.40?pmol L^?1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of three and good reproducibility with relative standard deviation of 4% for the determination of a 400?nmol L^?1 hydrogen peroxide solution (n?=?4), along with favorable long-term stability. The presence of glucose, citric acid, uric acid, dopamine, and ascorbic acid at concentrations as high as 100?nmol L^?1 of H₂O₂ did not produce any electrochemiluminescence signals, which demonstrates the selective nature of this modified electrode. The sensor was also used for the determination of H₂O₂ in mouthwash formulations and dental whitelight gels.     

Porphyrin Nanorods Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Electrocatalysis of Dioxygen,Methanol and Hydrazine

Porphyrin nanorods (PNR) were prepared by ionic self‐assembly of two oppositely charged porphyrin molecules consisting of free base meso‐tetraphenylsulfonate porphyrin (H₄TPPS₄^2?) and meso‐tetra(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl) porphyrin (MTMePyP⁴⁺M=Sn, Mn, In, Co). These consist of H₄TPPS₄^2?? SnTMePyP⁴⁺, H₄TPPS₄^2?? CoTMePyP⁴⁺, H₄TPPS₄^2?? InTMePyP⁴⁺ and H₄TPPS₄^2?? MnTMePyP⁴⁺ porphyrin nanorods. The absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of these structures were obtained. These porphyrin nanostructures were used to modify a glassy carbon electrode for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, and the oxidation of hydrazine and methanol at low pH. The cyclic voltammogram of PNR‐modified GCE in pH 2 buffer solution has five irreversible processes, two distinct reduction processes and three oxidation processes. The porphyrin nanorods modified GCE produce good responses especially towards oxygen reduction at ?0.50 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M KCl). The process of electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol using PNR‐modified GCE begins at 0.71 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M KCl). The electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine began at around 0.36 V on H₄TPPS₄^2?? SnTMePyP⁴⁺ modified GCE. The GCE modified with H₄TPPS₄^2?? CoTMePyP⁴⁺ H₄TPPS₄^2?? InTMePyP⁴⁺ and H₄TPPS₄^2?? MnTMePyP⁴⁺ porphyrin nanorods began oxidizing hydrazine at 0.54 V, 0.59 V and 0.56 V, respectively.     

The π‐Bonding Trend in VIB M(CO)6 Observed by NMR Spectroscopy — A Natural Bond Orbital View

Analysis of carbonyl's 2π orbital populations, [2π], obtained by NMR relaxation time experiments of VIB M(CO)(?⁶‐C₆H₆) reveals the 3d < 4d < 5d trend for M r? CO back‐donation, as reported values of [2π] for VIB M(CO)₅(quinuclidine). The same analysis performed on Mn(CO)₃(?⁵C₅H₅) and Re(CO)₃(?⁵‐C₅H₅) also gives 3d < 5d order of back‐donation. The distinctive 3d ～ 5d > 4d trend reported for VIB M(CO)₆ has been investigated by second‐order perturbation theory analysis within the natural bond orbital (NBO) scheme to search for orbital‐based explanations. Besides the conventional d_π r? 2π donor‐acceptor (DA) interaction in the trend 3d < 4d < 5d, the other DA interaction arising from three‐center‐hyperbond (3CHB) hyperconjugation has been found in the trend 3d >> 5d ～ 4d. Within the VIB M(CO)₆ family, this 3CHB hyperconjugation is so much higher in Cr(CO)₆ than in W(CO)₆ as to render the overall 2π populations exhibiting the 3d ～ 5d > 4d trend.     

An Exfoliated Graphite Based Electrochemical Sensor for As(III) in Water

In this work, we present the application of an exfoliated graphite electrode modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the detection of As(III) in acidic media. Gold nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of an exfoliated graphite electrode by electrodeposition at a potential window of ?0.2 V to 1.2 V. This was followed by activation in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ with 10 cycles from 0.6 V to 1.4 V. The modification of exfoliated graphite (EG) showed an increased electroactive surface area of the electrode and improved peak current output in a Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? redox probe. EG‐AuNPs electrode was used to detect As(III) in 1.0 M HNO₃ using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) technique at optimum conditions of pH 3, deposition potential of ?0.8 V, deposition time of 180 s, frequency of 5 Hz and pulse amplitude of 50 mV. The EG‐AuNPs electrode detected As(III) in solution to a limit of 0.58 ppb with regression of 0.9993. The method reported is simple, cheap and possesses good reproducibility. The developed electrochemical sensor was applied in the detection of As (III) in an industrial real water sample. The results of the real water sample analysis from the developed method are comparable with the inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) results.     

Electrochemical oxidation determination and voltammetric behaviour of 4-nitrophenol based on Cu2O nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode

Cu₂O nanoparticles (nano-Cu₂O) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), chronocoulometry (CC) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Compared with GCE, a remarkable increase in oxidation peak current was observed. It indicates that nano-Cu₂O exhibits remarkable enhancement effect on the electrochemical oxidation of 4-NP. Under the optimised experimental conditions, the oxidation peak currents were propotional to 4-NP concentration in the range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to 4.0?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 5.0?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1 (S/N?=?3). The fabricated electrode presented good repeatability, stability and anti-interference. Finally, the proposed method was applied to determine 4-NP in water samples. The recoveries for these samples were from 94.60% to 105.5%.     

η1‐Allypalladium Complexes with Tridentate PNP’ Ligand for the Assembly of Modified Screen Printed Electrodes: an Electrochemical Study

Specific Pd‐based organometallic complex, in particular the [Pd(η¹‐CH₂? CH=CH₂)(P? N? P’)]BF₄ was used for the assembly of chemically modified Screen Printed Electrodes (SPEs) and their electrochemical reactivity was also investigated. For this purpose potassium ferricyanide, hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride, sodium hexachloroiridate‐(III) hydrate, ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), acetaminophen (Ac), guanine (G) and adenine (A) were used to study the electron‐transfer processes, which occurred at modified SPEs, fabricated by using the [Pd(η¹‐CH₂? CH=CH₂)(P? N? P’)]BF₄, applying the drop casting procedure. Interesting results were obtained in the case of the guanine (G) quantitative detection, especially in terms of a wide range of concentration (2.5–40 nM), an high sensitivity (of 49.0 A M^?1 cm^?2), a low detection limit (LOD=1.0 nM) and a fast response time (of t=2 s). The intra‐electrode reproducibility (RSD%) was <1 % for the same SPE used for each point of the calibration plot. The inter‐electrode reproducibility (RSD%), estimated by using different SPEs for each single point of the quantitative calibration graph, ranging from 5 to 10 %, better than that exhibited by other different chemical sensors, described in literature, and reported in this work for comparison. In addition, the high selectivity of the chemically modified sensors toward the oxidation of guanine, exhibited in presence of a mixture of G+A, in the same electrochemical bath solution, could be related to the different electro‐catalytic mechanisms, as demonstrated by the XPS study. This chemical sensor prototype could be very promising for bio‐medicine applications.