Impedance Analysis of Inherently Redox‐Active Ionic‐Liquid‐Based Photoelectrochemical Cells: Charge‐Transfer Mechanism in the Presence of an Additional Redox Couple

An intensive electrochemical impedance study was carried out to understand the charge‐transfer processes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells based on ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes. Three different electrolytes were utilized to understand the role of redox species as well as the medium on the charge‐transfer mechanism. The negligible diffusion resistance, despite the presence of two different redox species in the case of Fe(CN)₆^?4/?3 in IL, was explained on the basis of charge transfer between species of two different redox couples. Accordingly, the redox species are not required to travel through the bulk of the electrolyte for the removal of accumulated charges, as short‐range charge transfer between the IL and the Fe(CN)₆^?4/?3 species facilitates the removal of accumulated charges. It is also shown that PEC cells utilizing dual redox couples are highly stable with larger photoelectrochmeical windows, >3 V.     

Redox Properties of Ferricyanide Ion on Layer‐by‐Layer Thin Film‐Coated Gold Electrodes; Effects of Type of Polycationic Components in the Film

The surface of a gold (Au) electrode was coated with layer‐by‐layer (LbL) thin films composed of poly(vinyl sulfate) (PVS) and different type of poly(amine)s including poly(allylamine) (PAH), poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and redox properties of ferricyanide ion ([Fe(CN)₆]^3?) on the LbL film‐coated Au electrodes were studied. The LbL film‐coated electrodes exhibited redox response to [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ion when the outermost surface of the LbL film was covered with the cationic poly(amine)s while virtually no response was observed on the LbL film‐coated electrodes whose outermost surface was covered with PVS due to an electrostatic repulsion between [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ion and the negatively‐charged PVS layer. The redox properties of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ion on the LbL film‐coated electrodes significantly depended on the type of polycationic materials in the LbL film. The LbL film‐coated electrodes which had been immersed in the [Fe(CN)₆]^3? solution for 15 min exhibited redox response even in a [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ion‐free buffer solution, suggesting that [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ion is confined in the films. In the buffer solution, redox peaks were observed between +0.1 and 0.4 V depending on the type of polycations in the film. Thus, [Fe(CN)₆]^3? ion can be confined in the film and the redox potential is polycation‐dependent.     

Electrochemical Behavior of K3[Fe(CN)6] on the Electrode Coated with Modified Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The electrochemical behavior of K₃[Fe(CN)₆] was studied on an ITO electrode that was coated with β‐cyclodextrin (CD) modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and with carboxyl modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT‐COOHs). MWNT‐COOHs showed an excellent electrocatalytic effect on the redox of K₃[Fe(CN)₆] while MWNT‐CDs had a subdued effect on the electrochemical response of K₃[Fe(CN)₆]. It is probably due to mismatching between K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and cyclodextrin, which hampers the contact of K₃[Fe(CN)₆] with carbon nanotubes. Moreover, the electrochemical behavior of K₃[Fe(CN)₆] on the MWNT‐COOHs coated ITO electrode at various scan rates also was measured. The results indicated that both potential difference between redox peaks and peak current of K₃[Fe(CN)₆] increased with increasing scan rate. A good linearity of peak current versus scan rate was observed.     

Polymers containing quaternary ammonium groups based on poly(N-vinylimidazole)

A poly(N-vinylimidazole) (PNVI)—based poly(carboxybetaine) with two methylene groups between the opposite charges was achieved by the nucleophilic addition reaction of the mentioned aminic polymer to the carbon-carbon double bond of acrylic acid (AA). Treatment of poly(carboxybetaine) with concentrated HCl (2 N) for long time leads to the corresponding cationic polyelectrolyte. The poly(carboxybetaine) is soluble in both water and aqueous solutions of salts such as: LiCl, NaCl, NaHCO₃, CaCl₂, Na₂SO₄. In water and in the first three salts, poly(carboxybetaine) exhibits a non-polyelectrolyte behaviour (a linear dependence of reduced viscosities on polymer or salt concentration), while in the remaining two salts, a slight polyelectrolyte behaviour is observed. The cationic polyelectrolyte is soluble in water and aqueous solutions of LiCl, NaCl, CaCl₂ and NaHCO₃, except Na₂SO₄. It has a polyelectrolyte behaviour in all solutions. Also, the binding trends of the added salts by polymers are discussed.     

Influence of sulfide and cyanide ions on the electrochemical behavior of the Fe(II)/Fe(Hg) system in thiocyanate solutions at mercury electrodes

The reduction and reoxidation processes of the Fe(II)/Fe(Hg) system in thiocyanate solutions at stationary mercury electrodes have been investigated by cyclic voltammetric, anodic stripping and controlled potential electrolysis methods. In 0.1 M NaSCN and 0.4 M NaClO₄ solution containing 1×10^?3M Fe(II), the voltammogram on the first cycle at. 0.05 V s^?1 gives two consecutive cathodic peaks near ?1.2 and ?1.39 V with a hysteresis on the reversal, and an anodic wave with two large peaks near ?0.58 and ?0.05 V and two small peaks near ?0.52 and ?0.43 V, respectively. The multicyclic voltammogram under the same conditions in the potential region between 0.00 and ?1.50 V gives a cathodic wave with a principal peak near ?1.02 V and two small peaks near ?0.02 and ?0.53 V, respectively, and an anodic wave with a principal peak near ?0.72 V, three small peaks near ?0.64, ?0.52 and ?0.40 V, and with a shoulder near ?0.05 V, respectively. The variation of the shape of the voltammogram on the second and subsequent runs is due to the formation of S^2? and CN^? during the process of electroreduction of Fe(II). A mechanism is proposed which involves an initial reduction of Fe(II)?SCN^? produced in an activation step at a mercury electrode, followed by the chemical redox reaction of a part of Fe(0)?SCN^? in the species giving FeS and CN^?, and takes into account the influence of FeS and CN^? on the further reduction and reoxidation of iron. Both FeS and CN^? stimulate further reduction, and reoxidation of iron. The hysteresis of the cathodic wave on the first cycle arises from the fact that Fe(II) is reduced more easily at the mercury electrode covered with FeS than at a pure mercury electrode.     

Rapid and interference free determination of ultra trace level of uranium in potable water originating from different geochemical environments by ICP-OES

Direct determination of uranium in the concentration range of 8 μg L⁻¹ to mg L⁻¹ in water samples originating from different geochemical environments has been done using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Uranium detection with 2–3% RSD (relative standard deviation) has been achieved in water samples by optimizing the plasma power, argon and sheath gas flow. These parameters were optimized for three different emission lines of uranium at 385.958, 409.014 and 424.167 nm. Interference arising due to the variation in concentration of bicarbonate, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, Fe and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on the determination of uranium in water samples was also cheeked as these are the elements which vary as per the prevailing geochemical environment in groundwater samples. The concentration of NaHCO₃, CaCl₂ and NaCl in water was varied in the range 0.5–2.0%; whereas Fe ranged between 1 and 10 μg mL⁻¹ and DOC between 0.1–1%. No marked interference in quantitative determination of uranium was observed due to elevated level of NaHCO₃, CaCl₂ and NaCl and Fe and DOC in groundwater samples. Concentration of uranium was also determined by other techniques like adsorptive striping voltametry (AdSv); laser fluorimetry and alpha spectrometry. Results indicate distinct advantage for uranium determination by ICP-OES compare to other techniques.     

Electrochemical noise analysis of pitting corrosion of J55 steel in NaCl + NaHCO3 electrolytes

Electrochemical noise (EN) was used to study the pitting corrosion of J55 steel in NaCl/NaHCO₃ electrolytes. Below critical ratio for Cl^? to HCO^?, the corrosion rate increased with added NaCl, and conversely, decreased above that level. Also, the critical ratio was between 1 and 1.66. The PSD for potential and current noise were linear and rather gently sloped. J55 casing steel was quite sensitive to NaCl/NaHCO₃ electrolytes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A High‐Voltage Molecular‐Engineered Organic Sensitizer–Iron Redox Shuttle Pair: 1.4 V DSSC and 3.3 V SSM‐DSSC Devices

The development of high voltage solar cells is an attractive way to use sunlight for solar‐to‐fuel devices, multijunction solar‐to‐electric systems, and to power limited‐area consumer electronics. By designing a low‐oxidation‐potential organic dye ( RR9 )/redox shuttle (Fe(bpy)₃^3+/2+) pair for dye‐sensitized solar‐cell (DSSC) devices, the highest single device photovoltage (1.42 V) has been realized for a DSSC not relying on doped TiO₂. Additionally, Fe(bpy)₃^3+/2+ offers a robust, readily tunable ligand platform for redox potential tuning. RR9 can be regenerated with a low driving force (190 mV), and by utilizing the RR9 /Fe(bpy)₃^3+/2+ redox shuttle pair in a subcell for a sequential series multijunction (SSM)‐DSSC system, one of the highest known three subcell photovoltage was attained for any solar‐cell technology (3.34 V, >1.0 V per subcell).     

Study on Effect and Catalytic Mechanism of the Catalysts for Coal Oxidation in Alkaline Medium

Coal electro‐oxidation in sodium hydroxide solution with catalysts, K₃Fe(CN)₆, sodium hypochlorite and supported FeS, were investigated, respectively. Gas produced from electro‐analysis of coal slurry was collected by drainage‐method and I‐t curves were recorded to testify the catalysis of each catalyst for coal oxidation. The results show that the three kinds of catalysts can obviously improve the coal oxidation current. Furthermore, K₃Fe(CN)₆ and sodium hypochlorite played an indirect oxidation role in the electrolysis process. Catalysts bridge the coal particles and the solid electrode surface, thus increase the coal oxidation rates. The changes of catalyst content during the electrolysis were further determined by quantitative titration to discuss the catalytic Mechanism. The dynamic transition of K₃Fe(CN)₆/K₄Fe(CN)₆ and ClO⁻/Cl⁻ are proposed by iodometric method.     

Electrochemical Behavior and Multilayer Assembly Films with Fine Functional Activities of the Sandwich‐Type Polyoxometallate [Sb2W20Fe2O70(H2O)6]8−

The iron‐substituted sandwich‐type polyoxometalate (POM), comprised of the main group element Sb(III) as the central heteroatom, [Sb₂W₂₀Fe₂O₇₀(H₂O)₆]^8? (Sb₂W₂₀Fe₂), is one of the Krebs‐type derivatives. For the first time, the POMs' redox electrochemistry has been elucidated under acidic conditions employing cyclic voltammetry. It exhibited what is believed to be a bielectronic redox couple associated with the two Fe(III) centers followed by four‐electron and two‐electron redox processes, respectively, with these being attributed to redox processes of the tungsten‐oxo framework. The oxidized form of this POM was found to be stable from pH 1.5 to pH 6. Release of the iron centers from the complex, namely demetallization, was observed upon reduction of the Fe(III) sites at room temperature, with an influence of the solution pH being observed. Through the technique of layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly, the POM was successfully immobilized on both quartz and glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surfaces by alternate deposition with the polyelectrolyte poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). Thus‐prepared multilayer films have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), UV‐vis spectroscopy (UV‐vis) and XPS. The electrocatalytic activities of the multilayer films containing Sb₂W₂₀Fe₂ have been investigated towards the reduction of NO₃^? and IO₃^?. With an increase in the number of Sb₂W₂₀Fe₂ monolayers within the assembly, the catalytic current towards the reduction of IO₃^? was enhanced.     

Sodium‐Ion Storage Properties of FeS–Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Powder with a Crumpled Structure

The sodium‐ion storage properties of FeS–reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Fe₃O₄‐rGO composite powders with crumpled structures have been studied. The Fe₃O₄‐rGO composite powder, prepared by one‐pot spray pyrolysis, could be transformed to an FeS‐rGO composite powder through a simple sulfidation treatment. The mean size of the Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals in the Fe₃O₄‐rGO composite powder was 4.4 nm. After sulfidation, FeS nanocrystals of size several hundred nanometers were confined within the crumpled structure of the rGO matrix. The initial discharge capacities of the FeS‐rGO and Fe₃O₄‐rGO composite powders were 740 and 442 mA h g^?1, and their initial charge capacities were 530 and 165 mA h g^?1, respectively. The discharge capacities of the FeS‐rGO and Fe₃O₄‐rGO composite powders at the 50th cycle were 547 and 150 mA h g^?1, respectively. The FeS‐rGO composite powder showed superior sodium‐ion storage performance compared to the Fe₃O₄‐rGO composite powder.     

Competition between dissolution and redox reactions in the electrochemistry ofn-GaP

The lowering of the photocorrosion ofn-GaP in 1M KOH in the presence of several redox systems was investigated using neutron activation analysis. After thermal neutron irradiation of GaP and annihilation of irradiation induced defects by annealing processes the photodissolution was investigated by measuring the activity of the corresponding electrolyte solutions. The dependence of the stabilization of the photoelectrode on concentration and redox potential of the reduced form of the redox couples I^–, Fe (CN) ₆ ^4– and SO ₃ ^2– was measured. It was found that the stabilization is growing with growing concentration and lowering of the redox potential of the corresponding redox couple.     

Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin in ZnO Nanoparticle/Ionic Liquid Composite Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A nanobiocompatible composite containing hemoglobin (Hb), ZnO nanoparticles (nano‐ZnO) and ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆) was fabricated and further modified on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical behaviours of Hb in the composite film were carefully studied and a pair of quasi‐reversible redox peaks appeared in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution, which was attributed to the electrode reaction of Hb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. The presences of nano‐ZnO and BMIMPF₆ in the film can retain the bioactivity of Hb and greatly enhance the direct electron transfer of Hb. The immobilized Hb showed high stability and good electrocatalytic ability to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and O₂.     

Sorption of [Fe(CN)6]3− and [Fe(CN)6]4− ions on the surface of Fe(III), Cr(III), and Zr(IV) oxyhydroxide hydrogels from aqueous solutions

The sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and [Fe(CN)₆]^4? anions on the surface of Fe(III), Cr(III), and Zr(IV) oxyhydroxide hydrogels at various pH values of hydrogel precipitation from solutions without a support electrolyte and from NaCl and Na₂SO₄ solutions with an ionic strength of 0.5 was studied. It was found that isotherms of sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and [Fe(CN)₆]^4? anions from solutions without a support electrolyte and from NaCl solutions and those of sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^4? from Na₂SO₄ solutions are described by the Langmuir equation. It was established that the sulfate background suppresses the sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? on Fe(III) and Zr(IV) oxyhydroxides. Both anions are sorbed only when the surface of the oxyhydroxides is charged positively; the Langmuir equation parameters A _max and K tend to decrease to the point of zero charge as the pH value of oxyhydroxide precipitation increases. An electrostatic mechanism of the sorption of [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and [Fe(CN)₆]^4? anions was suggested.     

Voltammetric Detection of a Specific DNA Sequence of Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 Using HS‐ssDNA Probe Deposited onto Gold Electrode

The working principle of a genosensor is based on the mechanism of ion‐channel mimetic sensors. The analytical signals generated upon hybridization processes were recorded by a redox active marker [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? present in the sample solution using voltammetric techniques. The developed genosensor was suitable for determination of 20‐mer complementary oligonucleotide sequence, and also of the PCR products containing the complementary 20‐mer sequence in various positions, with detection limits in the 10 pM range. The noncomplementary 20‐mer oligonucleotide sequence as well as the PCR product without complementary region generated very weak response. The good discrimination of the position of the complementary part in the PCR products was observed.     

Separation of Iron(III) with Ammonium Thiocyanate‐H2O‐n‐Propyl Alcohol Extraction System in the Presence of Sodium Chloride

The behavior and conditions of liquid‐liquid extraction‐separation of Fe(III) by ammonium thiocyanate‐H₂O‐n‐propyl alcohol system in the presence of NaCl were studied, and the possible reactive mechanism of extraction of Fe(III) was deduced. The study showed that, in the presence of a given amount of NaCl, phases were separated thoroughly between n‐propyl alcohol and water. In the process of phase separation, the complex [Fe(SCN)_n]^(3‐n) formed by NH₄SCN and Fe(III) was quantitatively extracted into the n‐propyl alcohol phase. The extracted Fe(III) exists in the n‐propyl alcohol phase mainly as the forms of Fe(SCN)₂⁺ and Fe(SCN)₃. Also, the relationship between extraction yield of Fe(III) and the amount of NH₄SCN agreed well with the quadratic equation E = 0.54 + 58.14x ? 8.39x² (E and x represent the recovery rate of Fe(III) and the volume (mL) of 0.1 M NH₄SCN respectively). The quadratic R‐Square is 0.9990. With this method, Fe(III) can be completely separated from Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Al(III), Bi(III) and Cd(II) at pH 1.0?2.0. The present method was applied in determining Fe(III) in samples with satisfactory results such as relative standard deviation from 2.06% to 2.89% and recovery rate in the range of 98.4?101.4%.     

Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Myoglobin with Ionic Liquid through Multilayers Film on Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode

Multilayers of myoglobin (Mb) with ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMIM]BF₄) was assembled on carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) based on the electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged Mb and the positively charged imidazolium ion of IL. The CILE was fabricated with 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([EMIM]EtOSO₃) as the modifier, which exhibited imidazolium ion on the electrode surface. Then Mb molecules were assembled on the surface of CILE step‐by‐step to get a {IL/Mb}_n multilayer film modified electrode. UV‐Vis adsorption and FT‐IR spectra indicated that Mb remained its native structure in the IL matrix. In deaerated phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) a pair of well‐defined quasi‐reversible redox peaks appeared with the apparent formal potential (E^0′) as ‐0.212 V (vs. SCE), which was the characteristic of Mb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couples. The results indicated that the direct electron transfer of Mb was realized on the modified electrode. The {IL/Mb}_n/CILE displayed excellent electrocatalytic ability to the trichloroacetic acid reduction in the concentration range from 2.0 to 22.0 mmol/L with the detection limit of 0.6 mmol/L (3σ). The proposed method provides a new platform to fabricate the third generation biosensor based on the self‐assembly of redox protein with ILs.     

Preparation of porous ultrafine polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers by electrospinning

A facile method for the preparation of porous ultrafine nanofibers was demonstrated. The PAN/NaHCO₃ composite nanofibers were electrospun, and then NaHCO₃ was removed by a selective dissolution and reaction with the solution of hydrochloric acid (10 wt%). The obtained PAN fibers showed highly porous surfaces after the extraction of NaHCO₃. The structure and properties of ultrafine PAN nanofibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetry (TG). The results indicated that NaHCO₃ could be introduced into the PAN solution and successfully electrospun. CO₂ is released and pores are formed on the fibers. The morphology image of the fibers was detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and showed that many pores aligned the nanofibers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Redox‐Filled Carbon‐Fiber Microelectrodes for Single‐Cell Exocytosis

Carbon‐fiber microelectrodes (CFEs) are the primary electroanalytical tool in single‐cell exocytosis and in vivo studies. Here we report a new study on the kinetic properties of electrolyte‐filled CFEs in single‐cell measurements and demonstrate that the addition of outer sphere redox species, such as Fe(CN)₆^3? and Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺, in the backfill electrolyte solution can greatly enhance the kinetic response of CFEs. We show that at 750 mV, a voltage normally applied for detection of dopamine, the presence of fast outer sphere redox species in the backfilling solution significantly enhances the kinetic response of CFEs toward fast dopamine detection at single PC12 cells. Moreover, we also demonstrate that the use of Fe(CN)₆^3? in the backfilling solution has enabled direct measurement of dopamine at applied voltages as low as 200 mV. This kinetic enhancement is believed to be due to faster electron‐transfer kinetics on the coupling pole as compared to the sluggish reduction of oxygen. We anticipate that such redox‐filled CFE ultramicroelectrodes will find many useful applications in single cell exocytosis and in vivo sensing.     

Microwave-enhanced electrochemical processes in micellar surfactant media

High intensity microwave radiation effects are demonstrated for electron transfer processes at 25 or 50-μm diameter platinum electrodes immersed in micellar sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) solutions. First, a solution containing 2 mM Fe(CN)₆³⁻ and 2 mM Fe(CN)₆⁴⁻ in aqueous 0.1 M NaCl with and without SDS is employed to calibrate the electrode temperature and mass transport conditions. Addition of 0.1 M SDS has only a small effect on the microwave enhanced voltammetry for the Fe(CN)₆^3-/4− system. Next, two highly water-insoluble redox systems are studied. A solution of 1 mM tert-butylferrocene in aqueous 0.1 M NaCl containing 0.1 M SDS is shown to give no current response in the absence of microwaves. In the presence of focused microwaves at a platinum disc electrode, a strong current for the one electron oxidation of tert-butylferrocene is detected presumably due to localized disruption of the micellar solution. Concentrations of tert-butylferrocene down to the micromolar level are detected. α-Tocopherol, a lipophilic vitamin and antioxidant, is soluble in aqueous 0.1 M SDS/0.1 M NaCl. In the presence of microwave radiation, a strong and concentration dependent anodic current response consistent with the two-electron oxidation of α-tocopherol is observed. A heptode array of seven individual 50 μm diameter platinum microelectrodes placed in ca. 720 μm distance of each other is shown to allow microwave enhanced currents to be increased sevenfold with each electrode exhibiting the same microwave effect.