Non‐destructive Patterning of Carbon Electrodes by Using the Direct Mode of Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Patterning of glassy carbon surfaces grafted with a layer of nitrophenyl moieties was achieved by using the direct mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to locally reduce the nitro groups to hydroxylamine and amino functionalities. SECM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that potentiostatic pulses applied to the working electrode lead to local destruction of the glassy carbon surface, most likely caused by etchants generated at the positioned SECM tip used as the counter electrode. By applying galvanostatic pulses, and thus, limiting the current during structuring, corrosion of the carbon surface was substantially suppressed. After galvanostatic patterning, unambiguous proof of the formation of the anticipated amino moieties was possible by modulation of the pH value during the feedback mode of SECM imaging. This patterning strategy is suitable for the further bio‐modification of microstructured surfaces. Alkaline phosphatase, as a model enzyme, was locally bound to the modified areas, thus showing that the technique can be used for the development of protein microarrays.     

Chemical versus Electrochemical Synthesis of Carbon Nano‐onion/Polypyrrole Composites for Supercapacitor Electrodes

The development of high‐surface‐area carbon electrodes with a defined pore size distribution and the incorporation of pseudo‐active materials to optimize the overall capacitance and conductivity without destroying the stability are at present important research areas. Composite electrodes of carbon nano‐onions (CNOs) and polypyrrole (Ppy) were fabricated to improve the specific capacitance of a supercapacitor. The carbon nanostructures were uniformly coated with Ppy by chemical polymerization or by electrochemical potentiostatic deposition to form homogenous composites or bilayers. The materials were characterized by transmission‐ and scanning electron microscopy, differential thermogravimetric analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, piezoelectric microgravimetry, and cyclic voltammetry. The composites show higher mechanical and electrochemical stabilities, with high specific capacitances of up to about 800 F g^?1 for the CNOs/SDS/Ppy composites (chemical synthesis) and about 1300 F g^?1 for the CNOs/Ppy bilayer (electrochemical deposition).     

Carbon Nanotube@N‐Doped Mesoporous Carbon Composite Material for Supercapacitor Electrodes

Here, carbon nanotube@N‐doped mesoporous carbon (CNT@N‐PC) composites were synthesized by using resorcinol‐formaldehyde resin as carbon source, ionic liquids (ILs) as template, and nitrogen sources and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as assistant agent. The use of ILs‐modified CNT with nitrogen and TEOS facilitated the generation of a richer mesoporous structure. The obtained CNT@N‐PC was composed of a CNT core and mesoporous carbon particles around it. CNT@N‐PC showed a 3D network structure like “dewy cobwebs” and had a high surface area of 857 m² g^?1, uniform pore size distribution (3.0 nm), and suitable N content (4.9 at.%). When used as supercapacitor electrode, the CNT@N‐PC exhibited a high specific capacitance (244 F g^?1 at 1 A g^?1), good rate capability and favorable capacitance retention (92.5 % capacitive retention after 5000 cycles), demonstrating the potential for application in high‐performance supercapacitors.     

Photopatternable Carbon Electrodes for Chip‐Based Electrochemical Detection

Presented is the preparation and initial characterization of carbonaceous electrodes prepared using photolithographic techniques. The electrodes were created using a graphite doped photoresist mixture which allowed for direct electrode patterning. The electrodes were tested using cyclic voltammetry with a Fe(CN) test solution and were found to exhibit a linear response as per the Randles–Sevick relation. The feasibility of using these electrodes to conduct biological assays was demonstrated with p‐aminophenol, a common analyte in electrochemical ELISAs, using differential pulse voltammetry.     

Magneto‐switchable Electrodes and Electrochemical Systems

This article is an overview of extensive research efforts in many laboratories in the last two decades in the area of magneto‐switchable electrochemical systems. Electrochemical reactions, including electrocatalytic and bioelectrocatalytic processes, have been reversibly activated and inhibited upon physical translocation and reorientation of different magnetic micro/nano‐species on electrode surfaces, particularly using magnetic micro/nanoparticles, adaptive nanowires and hybrid‐graphene sheets. These processes were triggered by repositioning an external magnet, thus resulting in changes in magnetic field at the electrode interfaces. Coupling of the magneto‐activated electrochemical systems with enzymatic reactions of various complexity allowed sophisticated bioelectronic devices for tunable biosensing, on‐demand power production, unconventional computing and other novel bioelectronic applications.     

Biological Nicotinamide Cofactor as a Redox‐Active Motif for Reversible Electrochemical Energy Storage

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is one of the most well‐known redox cofactors carrying electrons. Now, it is reported that the intrinsically charged NAD⁺ motif can serve as an active electrode in electrochemical lithium cells. By anchoring the NAD⁺ motif by the anion incorporation, redox activity of the NAD⁺ is successfully implemented in conventional batteries, exhibiting the average voltage of 2.3 V. The operating voltage and capacity are tunable by altering the anchoring anion species without modifying the redox center itself. This work not only demonstrates the redox capability of NAD⁺, but also suggests that anchoring the charged molecules with anion incorporation is a viable new approach to exploit various charged biological cofactors in rechargeable battery systems.     

Direct Voltammetric Determination of Redox‐Active Iron in Carbon Nanotubes

With the advances in nanotechnology over the past decade, consumer products are increasingly being incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). As the harmful effects of CNTs are suggested to be primarily due to the bioavailable amounts of metallic impurities, it is vital to detect and quantify these species using sensitive and facile methods. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the possibility of quantifying the amount of redox‐available iron‐containing impurities in CNTs with voltammetric techniques such as cyclic voltammetry. We examined the electrochemistry of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in phosphate buffer solution and discovered that its electrochemical behavior could be affected by pH of the electrolyte. By utilizing the unique redox reaction between the iron and phosphate species, the redox available iron content in CNTs was determined successfully using voltammetry.     

Nanostructured Electrodes for High‐Performance Pseudocapacitors

The depletion of traditional energy resources as well as the desire to reduce high CO₂ emissions associated with energy production means that energy storage is now becoming more important than ever. New functional electrode materials are urgently needed for next‐generation energy storage systems, such as supercapacitors or batteries, to meet the ever increasing demand for higher energy and power densities. Advances in nanotechnology are essential to meet those future challenges. It is critical to develop ways of synthesizing new nanomaterials with enhanced properties or combinations of properties to meet future challenges. In this Minireview we discuss several important recent studies in developing nanostructured pseudocapacitor electrodes, and summarize three major parameters that are the most important in determining the performance of electrode materials. A technique to optimize these parameters simultaneously and to achieve both high energy and power densities is also introduced.     

Noncovalent Substrate‐Directed Enantioselective Heck Reactions: Synthesis of S‐ and P‐Stereogenic Heterocycles

S‐ and P‐Stereogenic heterocycles were synthesized by a remarkably simple enantioselective Heck desymmetrization reaction based on the unprecedented noncovalent directing effect of S=O and P=O functionalities. Selected prochiral symmetric substrates were efficiently arylated using the recently disclosed chiral PyraBOx ligand under mild and open‐flask reaction conditions. Several five‐membered aryl‐ sulfones, sulfoxides, and phosphine oxides were synthesized in good to excellent yields, in good to high diastereoselectivity, and enantiomeric ratios up to 98:2. Theoretical calculations also support the noncovalent directing effect of the S=O and P=O functionalities during the arylation process.     

Redox‐Active Ligands in Catalysis

Nature’s use of redox‐active moieties combined with 3d transition‐metal ions is a powerful strategy to promote multi‐electron catalytic reactions. The ability of these moieties to store redox equivalents aids metalloenzymes in promoting multi‐electron reactions, avoiding high‐energy intermediates. In a biomimetic spirit, chemists have recently developed approaches relying on redox‐active moieties in the vicinity of metal centers to catalyze challenging transformations. This approach enables chemists to impart noble‐metal character to less toxic, and cost effective 3d transitional metals, such as Fe or Cu, in multi‐electron catalytic reactions.     

Irradiation‐induced grafting of acrylonitrile onto activated carbon fiber

Viscose‐based activated carbon fiber (VACF) was modified with acrylonitrile (AN) by γ‐irradiation‐induced grafting polymerization. Effects of the grafting conditions, such as concentrations of AN and divinylbenzene (DVB), pH value, and solvent on the grafting process were studied. The physicochemical properties of the fibers were characterized. The results show that AN can be effectively grafted onto the surface of VACF with the addition of DVB. The grafting yield is higher than 12% according to thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The study shows that DVB can improve the grafting degree of AN in the form of grafting chains or agglomerate materials. After grafting modification, VACF shows a small decrease in the specific surface area. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxygen Reduction on Anthraquinone Diazonium Compound Derivatised Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotube and Graphene Based Electrodes

In this work, graphene and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes were derivatised with anthraquinone (AQ) groups using spontaneous or electrochemical grafting of Fast Red AL salt. Glassy carbon (GC) electrodes were coated with AQ‐modified carbon nanomaterials to study the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). These nanomaterials were characterised by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and multilayer formation of AQ on the electrografted electrodes was observed. All the modified electrodes showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR in alkaline media. High AQ loading on the electrodes was found and the number of electrons transferred per O₂ molecule was between 2 and 4. In addition, the stability testing of AQ‐derivatised carbon nanomaterial‐coated GC electrodes was performed.     

Electrochemical Double‐Layer Capacitor Energized by Adding an Ambipolar Organic Redox Radical into the Electrolyte

Carbon‐based electrochemical double‐layer capacitors (EDLCs) generally exhibit high power and long life, but low energy density/capacitance. Pore/morphology optimization and pseudo‐capacitive materials modification of carbon materials have been used to improve electrode capacitance, but leading to the consumption of tap density, conductivity and stability. Introducing soluble redox mediators into electrolyte is a promising alternative to improve the capacitance of electrode. However, it is difficult to find one redox mediator that can provide additional capacitance for both positive and negative electrodes simultaneously. Here, an ambipolar organic radical, 2, 2, 6, 6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) is first introduced to the electrolyte, which can substantially contribute additional pseudo‐capacitance by oxidation at the positive electrode and reduction at the negative electrode simultaneously. The EDLC with TEMPO mediator delivers an energy density as high as 51 Wh kg^?1, 2.4 times of the capacitor without TEMPO, and a long cycle stability over 4000 cycles. The achieved results potentially point a new way to improve the energy density of EDLCs.     

Water‐Soluble Triazabutadienes that Release Diazonium Species upon Protonation under Physiologically Relevant Conditions

Triazabutadienes are an understudied structural motif that have remarkable reactivity once rendered water‐soluble. It is shown that these molecules readily release diazonium species in a pH‐dependent manner in a series of buffer solutions with pH ranges similar to those found in cells. Upon further development, we expect that this process will be well suited to cargo‐release strategies and organelle‐specific bioconjugation reactions. These compounds offer one of the mildest ways of generating diazonium species in aqueous solutions.     

A Sulfur Heterocyclic Quinone Cathode and a Multifunctional Binder for a High‐Performance Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Battery

We report a rational design of a sulfur heterocyclic quinone (dibenzo[b,i]thianthrene‐5,7,12,14‐tetraone=DTT) used as a cathode (uptake of four lithium ions to form Li₄DTT) and a conductive polymer [poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)=PEDOT:PSS) used as a binder for a high‐performance rechargeable lithium‐ion battery. Because of the reduced energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) caused by the introduced S atoms, the initial Li‐ion intercalation potential of DTT is 2.89 V, which is 0.3 V higher than that of its carbon analog. Meanwhile, there is a noncovalent interaction between DTT and PEDOT:PSS, which remarkably suppressed the dissolution and enhanced the conductivity of DTT, thus leading to the great improvement of the electrochemical performance. The DTT cathode with the PEDOT:PSS binder displays a long‐term cycling stability (292 mAh g^?1 for the first cycle, 266 mAh g^?1 after 200 cycles at 0.1 C) and a high rate capability (220 mAh g^?1 at 1 C). This design strategy based on a noncovalent interaction is very effective for the application of small organic molecules as the cathode of rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries.     

Trifluoromethylselenolation of Aryldiazonium Salts: A Mild and Convenient Copper‐Catalyzed Procedure for the Introduction of the SeCF3 Group

The straightforward introduction of the trifluoromethylseleno group into aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds is accomplished by the utilization of readily available aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, potassium selenocyanate, and Ruppert–Prakash reagent. The reaction tolerates a wide range of aromatic and heteroaromatic diazonium salts and is also amenable to the synthesis of pentafluoroethyl selenoethers. Furthermore, the methodology can be applied directly starting from anilines.     

Asymmetric Hybrid Polyoxometalates: A Platform for Multifunctional Redox‐Active Nanomaterials

Access to asymmetrically functionalized polyoxometalates is a grand challenge as it could lead to new molecular nanomaterials with multiple or modular functionality. Now, a simple one‐pot synthetic approach to the isolation of an asymmetrically functionalized organic–inorganic hybrid Wells–Dawson polyoxometalate in good yield is presented. The cluster bears two organophosphonate moieties with contrasting physical properties: a chelating metal‐binding group, and a long aliphatic chain that facilitates solvent‐dependent self‐assembly into soft nanostructures. The orthogonal properties of the modular system are effectively demonstrated by controlled assembly of POM‐based redox‐active nanoparticles. This simple, high‐yielding synthetic method is a promising new approach to the preparation of multi‐functional hybrid metal oxide clusters, supermolecular systems, and soft‐nanomaterials.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Gold‐Nanoparticle‐Cored Dendrimers Stabilized by Metal–Carbon Bonds

Synthesis and characterization of gold‐nanoparticle‐cored dendrimers (NCDs), in which the dendrons are attached to the gold core through gold–carbon bonds, are described. Synthesis of these materials involved the simultaneous reduction of HAuCl₄ and a Fréchet‐type dendron with a diazonium group at the focal point, all in an organic solvent such as toluene. These materials possess a nanometer‐sized gold core surrounded by a shell of polyaryl ether dendrons, which are connected radially to the core. The NCDs were characterized by TEM, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Average particle diameter of the NCDs ranged from 4.7 to 5.5 nm for the different generations. All NCDs exhibit the characteristic plasmon absorption of gold nanoparticles at 520 nm. Average numbers of dendrons per NCD in AuG_n were calculated using results from TGA and TEM studies. Multiple layering of the dendrons is proposed as a possible reason for the high dendron/NCD value.