Interfacial electrochemistry of cytochrome c at tin oxide,indium oxide,gold, and platinum electrodes

Cyclic voltammetry has been used to study the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics of horse heart cytochrome c in pH 7 tris/cacodylate media at several electrode surfaces. Reversible voltammetric responses (formal heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant>10^?2 cm/s) were observed at bare gold electrodes and at tin-doped indium oxide semiconductor electrodes for certain experimental conditions. Quasireversible voltammetric responses were more typically observed at fluorine-doped tin oxide semiconductor electrodes, bare platinum electrodes, and at the indium oxide electrodes. Reaction rates at bare metal electrodes were strongly dependent on pretreatment procedures and experimental protocol. Reaction rates at metal oxide electrodes were strongly dependent on solution conditions, pretreatment procedures, and on the hydration state of the electrode surface. A general mechanistic scheme involving both interfacial electrostatic and chemical interactions is proposed for cytochrome c electrode reactions. The asymmetric distribution of surface charges on cytochrome c appears to play a dominant role in controlling electron transfer rates by its interaction with the electric field at the electrode surface. Electron transfer distances are also considered, and it is concluded that electron transfer between an electrode surface and the exposed heme edge of properly oriented cytochrome c molecules involves maximum distances of ca. 0.6–0.9 nm.     

Polymer films on electrodes: Part III. Digital simulation model for cyclic voltammetry of electroactive polymer film and electrochemistry of poly(vinylferrocene) on platinum

The electrochemistry of electrodeposited poly(vinylferrocene) (PVF) and poly(vinylferrocene acrylonitrile) (PVFAN) films on platinum electrodes was studied in acetonitrile solutions using perchlorate or p-toluenesulfonate as the counter ion by cyclic voltammetry. A model is proposed for the cyclic voltammetric behavior of polymeric films on electrode surfaces. The model incorporates non-equivalent redox sites with interconversion between such sites, electron-transfer kinetics at substrate/film interface and diffusion within the film. Parameters are obtained which yield a good fit to the experimental results.     

Experimental study of platinized poly-2,5-dimethoxyaniline electrodes

In the domains of chemical catalysis and analytical chemistry, the modification of metal electrodes by the deposition of multilayers was developed about twenty years ago. The purpose of our work was to compare the behavior of an electrode prepared with a substituted polyaniline with that of electrodes regularly used in analytical chemistry: platinum, platinized platinum and glassy carbon. We initially present results obtained with poly-2,5-dimethoxyaniline (PDMAn) on two classic systems: the couple Fe(CN)₆^3–/Fe(CN)₆^4– and the couple O₂/OH^–. The first example is often studied during training in electrochemistry because of the good results generally obtained. Levich’s equation is effectively well verified. On the other hand, reduction of oxygen and oxidation of OH^– ions are always limited by the rate of the electron transfer reactions. It seems to us that the study of the behavior of these two systems with platinum electrodes covered with PDMAn, platinized or not, could be interesting. The oxidation of isopropanol in a weakly acid medium was also investigated. In the field of analytical chemistry, a more detailed study is mandatory before deciding on the possibility of using electrodes modified with films of substituted polyaniline. An electrode, which would not be platinized, does not seem useful; the use of electrodes prepared with platinized polymers deposited on substrates less expensive than platinum, (glassy carbon for example), may be more interesting. It seems that H₂O₂ formation over a wide domain of potential would be the best result for oxidations and new experiments will be investigated.     

Effect of Electrode Material on Electrodeposition of Tungsten Oxide

Influence exerted by the nature of an electrode-substrate on the electrochemical deposition of tungsten oxides from a metastable acid solution of isopolytungstate was studied. As substrates for obtaining tungsten oxide deposits served metallic electrodes made of gold and platinum, films of mixed indium-tin oxide on glass (ITO-electrodes) and also glassy carbon electrodes and glassy carbon electrodes coated with films of conducting polymers: polyaniline, polypyrrole, and poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene. It was shown that the nature of a substrate noticeably affects the electrochemical properties of tungsten oxide deposits. These differences are attributed to the adsorption of hydrogen on platinum in the range of the deposition potentials of tungsten oxide and to the chemical interaction of polytungstate ions with the thiophene sulfur of the polymer.

     

Surface characterization of Pt electrodes using underpotential deposition of H and Cu: Part I. Pt(100)

This paper is the first in a series describing the in situ surface characterization of platinum electrodes using H and Cu deposited at underpotentials. The surface of a Pt(100) electrode pretreated by simple flame annealing and quenching in aqueous sulfuric acid is shown to contain a high concentration of defects such as vacancies and self-adsorbed Pt atoms. Adsorbed hydrogen is more strongly bound at these defects than on a uniform Pt(100) surface. Potential cycling in 1 M HCl produces a higher concentration of defects, while oxide formation and reduction in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ has the opposite effect. The nature of (100)-like sites at a polycrystalline platinum electrode is also discussed.     

Theoretical analysis of the influence of the adsorption process on the voltammetric curves in the case of a second order adsorption step followed by a first order charge transfer reaction: Part III. Variation of the transfer coefficient and application to semiconductor electrodes in l.p.s.v. and s.s.c.v.

The kinetic behaviour of a two-step sequential reaction including a 2nd order adsorption process is treated theoretically in the case of semiconductor electrodes. It is shown that the electronic structure of the semiconductor can be taken into account in some simplified cases by introducing a formal transfer coefficient comprised between 0 and 1 and potential independent. In both linear potential sweep voltammetry and steady state cyclic voltammetry, the usual characteristic features (E_M, _M, i_M) of the voltammetric curves are calculated as a function of the sweep rate for different values of the transfer coefficient.     

Catalysis of quinone-hydroguinone redox reactions at polypyrrole benzenesulphonate-coated platinum electrodes

The two-electron two-proton redox reaction of the benzoquinone-hydroquinone (Q/QH₂) couple in aqueous solution has been studied by cyclic voltammetry at platinum electrodes coated with polypyrrole benzensulphonate. In contrast to the behaviour on bare platinum, the voltammetric response of the Q/QH₂ couple on polypyrrole is close to the Nernstian behaviour within pH range from 1 to 7. The heterogeneous rate constant k_s determined from the peak separations is in the range of 10⁻³ cm s⁻¹. It is independent of the film thickness in a wide range and slightly pH-dependent, with a minimum at pH 4. Compared with related results based on polypyrrole perchlorate-coated gold electrodes, less aging of the catalytic efficiency is observed. Higher peak currents with increasing polypyrrole coverage suggest partial diffusion of the substrate into the bulk of the film. Preliminary studies on more complex quinones, ubiquinone-1, plastoquinone-1 and the bis-quinone of dibenzo [18] crown-6 demonstrate similar catalytic effects of polypyrrole layers. Potential applications of polypyrrole-coated electrodes in organic electrochemistry and bioelectroanalytical chemistry are discussed.     

Synthesis and electroconductivities of poly(2-methoxy-5-methythio-1,4-phenylene vinylene) and copolymers

Poly(2-methoxy-5-methylthio-1,4-phenylene vinylene), PMTPV, and copolymers containing both unsubstituted or 2,5-dimethoxy-substituted and 2-methoxy-5-methylthio-1,4-phenylene vinylene units were prepared in thin films from their water-soluble, sulfonium salt precursor polymers. Doping of drawn and undrawn films of PMTPV with I₂ vapor led to conductivities of 10^?4–10^?3 S cm^?1, which is significantly lower than those reported for poly(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene vinylene). Conductivity of I₂-doped copolymer films ranges from 10^?3–10⁰ S cm^?1 depending on composition.     

Electrochemical storage properties of polyaniline-, poly(N-methylaniline)-, and poly(N-ethylaniline)-coated pencil graphite electrodes

Three types of conducting polymers, polyaniline (PANI), poly(N-methylaniline) (PNMA), poly(N-ethylaniline) (PNEA) were electrochemically deposited on pencil graphite electrode (PGE) surfaces characterized as electrode active materials for supercapacitor applications. The obtained films were electrochemically characterized using different electrochemical methods. Redox parameters, electro-active characteristics, and electrostability of the polymer films were investigated via cyclic voltammetry (CV). Doping types of the polymer films were determined by the Mott-Schottky method. Electrochemical capacitance properties of the polymer film coating PGE (PGE/PANI, PGE/PNMA, and PGE/PNEA) were investigated by the CV and potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods in a 0.1 M H₂SO₄ aqueous solution. Thus, capacitance values of the electrodes were calculated. Results show that PGE/PANI, PGE/PNMA, and PGE/PNEA exhibit maximum specific capacitances of 131.78 F g^?1 (≈ 436.50 mF cm^?2), 38.00 F g^?1 (≈ 130.70 mF cm^?2), and 16.50 F g^?1 (≈ 57.83 mF cm^?2), respectively. Moreover, charge-discharge capacities of the electrodes are reported and the specific power (SP) and specific energy (SE) values of the electrodes as supercapacitor materials were calculated using repeating chronopotentiometry.     

Synthesis of poly(tert-butoxycarbonyl-p-phenylene): precursor to poly(p-phenylene)

Poly[2-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-1,4-phenylene] ( 2 ) was prepared by the Ni-catalyzed polymerization of tert-butyl 2,5-dichlorobenzoate ( 1 ). The microstructure of polymer 2 was probably alternating head-to-head and tail-to-tail. This polymer was soluble in dipolar aprotic solvents, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and dichloromethane. Polymer 2 was saponified easily by thermal or acid treatment to yield poly[2-carboxy-1,4-phenylene] ( 3 ). Decarboxylation of polymer 3 in quinoline in the presence of copper(II) oxide produced poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) ( 4 ).     

Influence of the Molecular Polyimide Brush on the Gas Separation Properties of Polyphenylene Oxide

A new hybrid gas separation membrane was prepared from poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) modified with graft copolyimide with side poly(methyl methacrylate) chains. The changes in the membrane structure on introducing up to 15 wt % modifier were evaluated by atomic force microscopy and density measurements. The microphase separation in modified polyphenylene oxide films was demonstrated. Introduction of graft copolyimide leads to an increase in the density of the hybrid films. The gas transport properties of the membranes were evaluated for H₂, CO₂, O₂, O₄, and N₂. Introduction of up to 10 wt % modifier does not noticeably alter the permeability of the hybrid membranes to all the gases but increases the selectivity in gas separation.

     

Electrochemical Codeposition of Platinum and Molybdenum Oxides: Formation of Composite Films with Distinct Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection

The electrochemical properties of gold electrode surfaces modified by molybdenum oxide films intercalated with platinum microparticles have been described. The incorporation of Pt microparticles at the oxide film was characterized by PIXE (particle induced X‐ray emission) spectroscopy. The modified electrode showed electrochemical activity at around ?0.5 V in 50 mmol L^?1 Na₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte (pH 3), corresponding to the reduction of protons at platinum sites and further transfer of hydrogen atoms to form reduced molybdenum oxides (bronzes). At 0.1 V, the MoO₃ / Pt electrode showed a better performance for hydrogen peroxide oxidation than on platinized gold electrodes. The solution pH has a marked effect on the voltammetric profile and best responses for hydrogen peroxide were obtained at the 5.0 to 6.0 pH range. The activation of the electrode by polarization at negative potentials was also studied and a mechanism by which more platinum sites are available as a consequence of this process was proposed. Calibration plots for hydrogen peroxide were highly linear (r=0.9989) in the 0.2 to 1.6 mmol L^?1 concentration range, with a relative standard deviation (RSD)<1%.     

Catalytic square-wave voltammetric detection of DNA with reversible metallopolymer-coated electrodes

Pyrolytic graphite electrodes with adsorbed poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP) with attached Ru(bpy)₂²⁺ gave reversible voltammetry, facilitating reusable DNA sensors. These electrodes gave catalytic voltammetric responses to poly(guanylic) acid and DNA at about 0.75 V vs SCE caused by catalytic oxidation of guanine moieties in these polynucleotides. ss-DNA gave twice the square-wave voltammetric catalytic current compared to an equivalent amount of ds-DNA, suggesting that the [Ru(bpy)₂–PVP]²⁺ polymer may be useful for detection of DNA hybridization and damage.     

Preconcentration and electroanalysis of silver at pt electrode modified with poly(2-aminothiazole)

Conducting poly(2-aminothiazole) (PAT) films were electrodeposited on a platinum disc electrode surface by constant potential electrolysis of 2-aminothiazole (AT) for the stripping voltammetric determination of Ag(I). Ag(I) was preconcentrated on the polymer matrix by dipping the modified Pt electrode (PAT-Pt electrode) into Ag(I)(aq) solution. Effects of the film thickness, reduction potential, pH, preconcentration time, Ag(I) concentration and the interference of some other metal ions on the oxidation peak current of silver were studied. Cu(II) interference observed to be significant for the stripping voltammetric determination of Ag(I). The detection limit was calculated on the basis of signal to noise ratio of 3 as 2 × 10^?7 mol L^?1.     

Voltammetric behavior of the iron(II)-(III) and cerium(III)-(IV) couples in potentiometric titrations at constant current and amperometric titrations with two indicator electrodes

The voltammetric behavior at the rotated platinum electrode of the iron(II)-(lII) and cerium (III)-(IV) couples in sulfuric and hydrochloric acids has been investigated The iron and cerium couples are not reversible at a platinum electrode when current flows in the system, and the current-potential curves deviate considerably from those predicted on the basis of reversibility Titration curves for potentiometric titrations at constant current using one and two indicator electrodes are predicted from the current-potential curves and compared with the experimental curves.The degree of reversibility of the iron couple depends greatly on the pretreatment of the electrode The current-potential curves of the iron couple at a platinum electrode coated with a monomolecular film of platinum oxide approach reversibility while those at a clean electrode are highly irreversible Experimental and calculated titration lines for amperometric titrations using two indicator electrodes are compared, and the effects of medium and applied e.m.f. upon the characteristics of the titration curves are considered.     

Analysis of a quasi-reversible two-electron cyclic voltammetric wave for an organometallic ir(III)/ir(I) couple at platinum and mercury electrodes

^*CpIr(η-C₆Me₆)^2+/0 (^*Cpη⁵-C₅Me₅) displays Nernstian two-electron voltammetry at a Hg electrode, but quasi-reversible charge transfer kinetics at solid electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) peak shapes and separations change drastically from one solvent to another at Pt, ΔE_p values being as small as 170 mV in acetone and as large as 350 mV in CH₃CN (v = 0.03 V/s). These variations arise from changes in the relative E° values of the one-electron Ir(III)/Ir(II) and Ir(II)/Ir(I) couples, and from changes in charge-transfer rates. It is concluded that the Ir(II)/Ir(I) couple has a significantly lower charge-transfer rate than the Ir(III)/Ir(II) couple at platinum electrodes. The sensitivity of the CV curves to the relative E° values allows the approximate determination of the individual E° values for each one-electron process. In contrast, Nernstian conditions allow only the average of the two one-electron E° potentials to be determined. Solvents with higher solvating power are shown to facilitate the thermodynamics of the two-electron transfer process by moving E°₂ positive with respect to E°₁. Possible reasons for the abnormally slow charge transfer rates at Pt electrodes are discussed.     

Thermotropic copolyesters containing the 1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene spacer

Poly[oxy(2-methyl-1,4-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl-co-oxy(2-methyl-1,4-phenylene)oxy-1,4-cyclohexanediacetoyl] (I), poly[oxy(2-chloro-1,4-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl-co-oxymethylene-1,4-cyclohexylenemethyleneoxyterephthaloyl] ( II ), and poly[oxy(2-methyl-1,4-phenylene)oxyterephthaloyl-co-oxymethylene-1,4-cyclohexylenemethyleneoxyterephthaloyl] ( III ) were synthesized and shown to form birefringent fluid states in the melt.     

Light-emitting diodes based on poly(2,3-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene vinylene)

In this paper we report polymer light-emitting diodes based on (2,3-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (DP-PPV), a novel π-conjugated polymer made by using the chlorine precursor route (CPR). Thin films of the precursor polymer were formed by spin-casting on indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates, followed by thermal conversion to give DP-PPV thin films. Single layer DP-PPV LEDs were completed by thermally evaporating magnesium (Mg) electrodes. The electroluminescent characteristics of ITO/DP-PPV/Mg devices as well as variations between precursor polymer batches are presented. Bilayer LEDs were also made, for which tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq₃) was thermally sublimed on the fully converted DP-PPV films in vacuum, followed by Mg deposition. Both significant improvement in the quantum efficiency (up to 0.7% ph/el) and a reduction in the turn-on voltage of the device were found upon incorporation of the Alq₃ layer. These observations suggest that Alq₃ enhances the injection of electrons and also participates in the recombination process. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Perchlorate selective membrane electrodes based on a platinum complex

Three platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and studied to characterize their ability as an anion carrier in a PVC membrane electrode. The polymeric membrane electrodes (PME) and also coated glassy carbon electrodes (CGCE) prepared with one of these complexes showed excellent response characteristics to perchlorate ions. The electrodes exhibited Nernstian responses to ClO₄ ⁻ ions over a wide concentration range from 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.7 × 10⁻¹ M for PME and 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.9 × 10⁻¹ M for CGCE with low detection limits (9.0 × 10⁻⁷ M for PME and 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ M for CGCE). The electrodes possess fast response time, satisfactory reproducibility, appropriate lifetime and, most importantly, good selectivity toward ClO₄ ⁻ relative to a variety of other common anions. The potentiometric response of the electrodes is independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 2.0–9.0. The proposed sensors were used in potentiometric determination of perchlorate ions in mineral water and urine samples. Correspondence: Ahmad Soleymanpour, Department of Chemistry, Damghan Basic Science University, Damghan, Iran.