Compacts of Boron-Doped Synthetic Diamond: Lowering of Synthesis Temperature and Its Effect on the Doping Level and Electrochemical Behavior

Substituting of metal (Co, Ni) borides for boron carbide in the boron carbide–graphite growth system for the process of diamond growth in the region of diamond thermodynamic stability allowed lowering the synthesis temperature for the electrodes of this new electrode material―boron-doped diamond compacts―significantly (by ~1000°C) without any deterioration of their electrochemical properties. On the other hand, using of amorphous boron with finer grain as compared with the boron carbide, mixed with graphite, results in a marked increase of the electrodes’ electrochemical efficiency, due to increase in their roughness after the chemical removing of boron-containing inclusions from their surfaces. Thus obtained compact electrodes have wide potential window and low background current in supporting electrolytes, they are well reproducible. Special features of their electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are similar to those of the recently studied compacts synthesized on the basis of boron carbide.     

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

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

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

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

Detection of metal ions in aqueous solution by voltohmmetry

A new electrochemical detection principle is described for the trace analysis of dissolved species which can be deposited at polycrystalline thin-film metal electrodes and which change the surface resistance of the electrode. Because the latter parameter is measured in dependence on the applied electrode potential this method is called voltohmmetry. The preparation of the required thin-film electrodes and the experimental set-up is introduced and discussed. Typical voltohmmetric experiments are illustrated by measurements of Tl+/Tl at polycrystalline gold electrodes with a thickness of 15 nm. The analytical capabilities of this new approach are discussed. It is already possible to determine heavy metals such as Tl+, Pb2+ or Cd2+ in the range of a few microgram/L by surface resistance-potential measurements at thin-film electrodes with a simple cyclic technique. Further developments of voltohmmetry are envisaged.     

掺硼多晶金刚石膜的电化学性能研究

采用EACVD(Electron Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition)方法制备了掺硼金刚石膜, 并用扫描电镜、拉曼光谱及霍尔效应等测试方法对其表面形貌、生长特性、载流子浓度以及导电性能进行了分析. 测试结果表明, 掺硼金刚石膜是由微米级晶粒组成的多晶膜, 其载流子浓度为4.88×1020 cm-3, 电阻率为0.03 Ω·cm, 是高品质金刚石膜. 用该金刚石膜制作电化学电极, 利用循环伏安法分别测量了金刚石膜电极在氯化钾空白底液、亚铁氰化钾溶液和左旋半胱氨酸溶液中的循环伏安曲线, 发现该金刚石膜电极在水溶液中具有宽的电化学窗口(约为3.7 V)和接近零的背景电流, 在生物制剂的检测中具有很高的灵敏度和良好的稳定性, 是一种理想的电化学电极材料.     

Disposable Gold Electrodes with Reproducible Area Using Recordable CDs and Toner Masks

The fabrication and characterization of very cheap disposable gold disk electrodes with reproducible area is reported. The innovation of the proposed procedure is the use of toner masks to define reproducible areas on uniform gold surfaces obtained from recordable compact disks (CD‐R). Toner masks are drawn in a laser printer and heat transferred to gold surfaces, defining exactly the electrodes area. The electrochemical behavior of these disposable electrodes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in Fe(CN)₆^4? solutions. The relative standard deviation for signals obtained from 10 different gold electrodes was below 1 %. The size of the disk electrodes can be easily controlled, as attested by voltammetric responses recorded by using electrodes with radii varying from 0.5 to 3.0 mm. The advantages of using this kind of electrode for analytical measurements of substances that strongly adsorb on the electrode surface such as cysteine are also addressed.     

Electrooxidation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at a polycrystalline boron-doped diamond anode

Electrooxidation of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at a thin-film boron-doped polycrystalline diamond anode is studied by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. It is shown that diamond electrodes can be used in the analytical determination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid: they have low background current; the detection limit is also rather low.     

丹皮酚的电化学氧化及其反应机理研究

研究了在碱性磷酸盐缓冲溶液体系中,丹皮酚在固体电极上的电化学吸附氧化行为。与苯酚的电化学性质比较表明,碱性溶液中丹皮酚在电极表面上发生类似的不可逆的氧化。氧化产物发生随后化学反应,在电极表面生成致密的不导电聚合物膜。利用超微电极技术研究了丹皮酚电化学氧化的动力学过程,并用时间分辨快速扫描现场红外光谱电化学证明了电极表面的聚合物膜是芳醚类聚合物。     

Voltammetric characterization of a fully integrated, patterned single walled carbon nanotube three-electrode system on a glass substrate

A single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based three-electrode system was fully integrated on glass substrates using a standard microfabrication process and electrochemically characterized using cyclic voltammetry. O(2) plasma functionalization of the SWCNT film working electrode for achieving high sensitivity was voltammetrically optimized with respect to the plasma power and treatment time. Chlorination of a Ag thin-film was done in an acidic solution for different dip times to form a thin-film Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The Nernstian behavior of as-prepared and seven-day-aged Ag/AgCl thin-film electrodes was investigated for seeking the optimum reference electrode with long-term stability and was compared to a commercial reference electrode. A quality control evaluation and a performance assessment of the fully integrated SWCNT-transferred sensing systems were performed using cyclic voltammetry. The proposed SWCNT-based three electrode device exhibited clear electrochemistry under voltammetric conditions, and is therefore a candidate for use in all electrochemical biosensors.     

Use of nickel implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode coupled to HPLC system for the determination of tetracyclines

The electrochemical analysis of tetracyclines was investigated using nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (Ni-DIA) by cyclic voltammetry and high performance liquid chromatographic with amperometry. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical oxidation of tetracyclines. Comparison experiments were carried out utilizing as-deposited BDD and glassy carbon electrodes. Ni-DIA electrode provided well-resolved oxidative irreversible cyclic voltammograms and the highest current signals among the electrode studied. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with amperometric detection was also studied. The chromatography was performed using a commercially available Inertsil C18 column, with the mobile phase being: 80% phosphate buffer (pH 2.5)-20% acetonitrile and detected at 1.55 V. The methods were validated over the concentration range 0.05-100 ppm with the overall average recoveries from 83.3 to 102.5% and R.S.D. of less than 10%. The proposed method was further applied to analyse shrimp samples.     

集成化金膜阵列电极的制作研究

以聚乙烯不干胶掩膜版法结合金属溅射沉积技术在FR-4玻璃纤维版上制作了由6个金膜工作电极(1 mm×2 mm)、1个大面积金膜对电极(2 mm×13 mm)和1个厚膜Ag/AgCl参比电极构成的集成化金膜阵列电极系统,并利用电化学手段对阵列电极系统进行了考察。研究结果表明,K3Fe(CN)6在厚膜Ag/AgCl/1.0 mol/L NaCl参比电极上的式电位与商业Ag/AgCl/3.0 mol/L NaCl参比电极相差0.067 V;参比电极放置1个月后,测量电位未发生明显变化。利用扫描电化学显微镜对工作电极表面平整度进行考察,结果表明工作电极表面具有较好的平整度。通过测量H2SO4还原峰面积评价了工作电极电化学面积的批内、批间一致性;通过K3Fe(CN)6在电极上的Ipa/Ipc比值评价了工作电极电化学特性的批内、批间一致性。结果表明,阵列电极面积和电化学特性具有良好的批内和批间一致性。对集成化金膜阵列电极系统的研究结果表明,聚乙烯不干胶掩膜版法结合金属溅射沉积技术制作的阵列电极能够满足电化学电极的要求,可作为电化学生物传感器的基础电极。     

Electrocatalytic dimerisation of benzyl bromides and phenyl bromide at silver cathode in ionic liquid BMIMBF4

A simple and eco-friendly electrochemical route was developed by using silver as the cathode, magnesium as the anode and ionic liquid BMIMBF₄ as solvent for the electrochemical dimerisation of aromatic bromides. The electrochemical behaviour was studied at different electrodes (Ag, Cu, Ni and Ti) by cyclic voltammetry, which shows significant electrocatalytic effect of the silver electrode towards the reductive dimerisation of aromatic bromides. Biaryls were obtained in moderate to good yield (12–68%). A recycling study confirmed that the solvent can be reused multiple times without activity loss.     

Metal ion analysis in contaminated water samples using anodic stripping voltammetry and a nanocrystalline diamond thin-film electrode

Boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond thin-film electrodes were employed for the detection and quantification of Ag (I), Cu (II), Pb (II), Cd (II), and Zn (II) in several contaminated water samples using anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV). Diamond is an alternate electrode that possesses many of the same attributes as Hg and, therefore, appears to be a viable material for this electroanalytical measurement. The nanocrystalline form has been found to perform slightly better than the more conventional microcrystalline form of diamond in this application. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPASV) was used to detect these metal ions in lake water, well water, tap water, wastewater treatment sludge, and soil. The electrochemical results were compared with data from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) and or atomic absorption spectrometric (AAS) measurements of the same samples. Diamond is shown to function well in this electroanalytical application, providing a wide linear dynamic range, a low limit of quantitation, excellent response precision, and good response accuracy. For the analysis of Pb (II), bare diamond provided a response nearly identical to that obtained with a Hg-coated glassy carbon electrode.     

三种碳基电极材料的电化学性质对比研究(英文)

对硼掺杂纳米金刚石(BDND),硼掺杂微米金刚石(BDMD)和玻碳(GC)电极的电化学性质做了对比研究.利用扫描电子显微镜表征了BDMD和BDND电极,其表面粒子大小分别为1-5μm和20-100nm.利用Raman光谱对两种金刚石薄膜的成分进行了表征,结果表明利用热丝化学气相沉积法得到了高质量的BDND和BDMD薄膜.采用0.5mol·L-1H2SO4溶液测定了三种电极的电化学窗口,BDND和BDMD电极的电化学窗口分别为3.3和3.0V,远比GC电极(2.5V)的要宽.[Fe(CN)6]3-/[Fe(CN)6]4-溶液的循环伏安和交流阻抗测定表明,在BDND、BDMD和GC电极上的峰间距(△Ep)分别为73、92和112mV,且其电子传递电阻(Ret)分别为(98±5)、(260±19)和(400±25)Ω.我们也研究了0.1mmol·L-1双酚A在三种电极上的电化学氧化行为.上述的电化学测定结果表明,两种金刚石电极均比GC电极表现出了更宽的电化学窗口、更好的电化学可逆性质、更快的电子传递速度和更高的电化学稳定性,更为重要的是与BDMD相比BDND的电化学性质有进一步的提高.     

Electroanalysis of tetracycline using nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode applied to flow injection system.

The electrochemical analysis of tetracycline was investigated using nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry with a flow injection system. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemical oxidation of tetracycline. Comparison experiments were carried out using as-deposited boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (BDD). Nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (Ni-DIA) provided well-resolved oxidation irreversible cyclic voltammograms. The current signals were higher than those obtained using the as-deposited BDD electrode. Results using nickel-implanted boron-doped diamond thin film electrode in flow injection system coupled with amperometric detection are presented. The optimum potential for tetracycline was 1.55 V versus Ag/AgCl. The linear range of 1.0 to 100 microM and the detection limit of 10 nM were obtained. In addition, the application for drug formulation was also investigated.     

Nanodiamond pretreatment for the modification of diamond electrodes by platinum nanoparticles

The preparation of Pt-modified diamond electrodes by electrodeposition is known to be hampered by poor particle adhesion and a lack of uniformity in the spatial distribution of the deposit over the electrode surface. Here we demonstrate the results can be improved significantly if the electrode is given a simple ultrasonic treatment in the presence of diamond powders prior to electrodeposition. An improvement in spatial distribution and a higher Pt dispersion are seen and, especially, a greater Pt particle stability is observed. Application of these Pt modified diamond electrodes in the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen peroxide is demonstrated.     

Comparison of different conductivity detector geometries on an isotachophoresis PMMA-microchip

Conductivity detection is one of the most often employed means of detection in isotachophoresis. In microanalytical devices, thin-film platinum electrodes can be used for conductivity detection and for other electrochemical methods of detection. The design and the performance of different electrode geometries for on-column contact conductivity detection with thin-film platinum electrodes integrated on an isotachophoresis PMMA-microchip is described. Three different electrode geometries for direct conductivity detection were used for the investigation of isotachophoretic separations. The influence of the width of the electrodes and their positioning relative to the separation channel was investigated. The performance of the different detectors is compared for the analysis of organic carboxylic acid anions.     

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

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

Ta/BDD薄膜电极电化学催化氧化硝基酚

研究了热丝化学气相沉积法(HFCVD)制备得到钽衬底掺硼金刚石膜电极(Ta/BDD)的物理性质和电势窗口, 并考察了其用于电化学催化氧化硝基酚过程中的性能及各种影响因素. 扫描电镜和拉曼光谱表明, Ta/BDD电极具有良好的物理性能, 通过测试Ta/BDD电势窗口发现, 该电极具有较高的析氧过电位. 在Ta/BDD电化学催化氧化硝基酚过程中, 化学需氧量(COD)和高效液相色谱测试表明, 硝基酚能够有效降解, 电流密度、支持电解液及浓度对降解过程影响较大, 温度影响不明显. 强化寿命实验表明, Ta/BDD电极具有较好的稳定性. 实验结果表明, Ta/BDD电极是一种适于硝基酚降解和COD去除的优良电极.     

苯甲酸在疏水性复合电极上的电化学还原行为

以铜片和锌片为基材,复合电镀制得Cu-PTFE(聚四氟乙烯)和Zn-PTFE疏水性复合电极,并将复合电极应用于苯甲酸的电化学还原行为研究。测定了复合电极在电解液中的Tafel极化曲线、循环伏安、电极稳定性和交流阻抗等电化学参数。结果表明,在苯甲酸电还原制备苯甲醛中,Cu-PTFE复合电极相对于Zn-PTFE复合电极具有较高的催化活性,其电还原产率分别为88.4%和79.2%,因此,Cu-PTFE复合电极有望成为苯甲酸电化学还原制备苯甲醛的电极材料。电化学行为的研究结果显示,苯甲酸在疏水性复合电极上的电还原过程可能只受电子迁移过程控制。