Electrochemical behavior of electrodes containing nanostructured carbon of various morphology in the cathodic region of potentials

Voltammograms for electrodes containing nanostructured carbon of various morphology (single-walled carbon nanotubes, filament, columnar structures) are obtained in neutral aqueous electrolytic solutions. Experimental proofs for the existence of injection of solvated electrons into electrolytic solutions at moderate cathodic potentials are presented for all the electrodes. It is established that this effect is connected with the presence of atomically sharp areas on the electrode surfaces. It is assumed that the reason for the appearance of solvated electrons is the autoelectron emission at the interface between the conducting surface of the carbon material and the electrolytic solution. By studying the nitrate anion reduction it is shown that the reduction over-voltage of stable compounds may be lowered by substituting a fast homogeneous reaction of solvated electrons with the initial substance for the hindered heterogeneous stage of the first electron transfer.     

Influence of high vacuum annealing treatment on some properties of carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method. The properties of CNTs before and after vacuum annealing treatment were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Field emission characteristics of the raw and vacuum heated (up to 650°C) carbon nanotube films (CNTFs) were measured in a diode system. Emissive properties of the CNTFs depend on an annealing process during which structural changes in the nanotube walls take place. The structural changes, related to saturation of dangling bonds, influence a rate of oxidation process and also improve the emissive field properties.     

Direct electron transfer of PQQ-glucose dehydrogenase at modified carbon nanotubes electrodes

In order to establish efficient enzyme-electrode-contacts for the pyrroloquinoline quinone dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) different immobilisation strategies are investigated. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on gold electrodes are modified by chemical treatment and by (poly)-aniline derivatives. The electropolymerisation of methoxy-m-anilinesulfonic acid and m-aminobenzoic acid on the MWCNTs allows the covalent coupling of the PQQ-GDH. Such a poly-[ASA-ABA]/MWCNT/Au electrode can achieve current densities of up to 500 μA/cm² at a potential of 100 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Furthermore investigations with small amounts of free PQQ indicate direct electron transfer between enzyme and electrode.     

Manufacture and evaluation of carbon nanotube modified screen-printed electrodes as electrochemical tools

Carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) dissolved in a mixture of DMF:water were used to modify the surfaces of commercially available screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). The morphology of the MWCNT-COOH and the modified SPEs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. SEM analysis showed a porous structure formed by a film of disordered nanotubes on the surface of the working electrode.The modification procedure with MWCNT-COOH was optimised and it was applied to unify the electrochemical behaviour of different gold and carbon SPEs by using p-aminophenol as the benchmark redox system. The analytical advantages of the MWCNT-COOH-modified SPEs as voltammetric and amperometric detectors as well as their catalytic properties were discussed through the analysis, for instance, of dopamine and hydrogen peroxide. Experimental results show that the electrochemical active area of the nanotube-modified electrode increased around 50%. The repeatability of the modification methodology is around 6% (R.S.D.) and the stability of MWCNT-COOH-modified SPEs is ensured for, at least, 2 months.     

Detection of aniline at boron-doped diamond electrodes with cathodic stripping voltammetry

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes were used to investigate the possibility of detecting aniline by linear-sweep cathodic stripping voltammetry. It was found that the dimeric species (p-aminodiphenylamine and benzidine) formed by anodic oxidation of aniline during the accumulation period are involved in electrochemically reversible redox processes and, in acidic media, the shape of the stripping voltammetric response is suitable for aniline detection in the micromolar concentration range. The low background current of conductive diamond is an advantage compared to other electrode materials and allows a detection limit of 1 μM. Weak adsorption properties and the extreme electrochemical stability are additional advantages of BDD and it was found that, even after long-time measurements, the electrode surface can regain its initial activity by an anodic polarization in the potential region of water decomposition.     

嵌入式碳纳米管石墨电极测定灯盏花素的研究

制备嵌入式多壁碳纳米管修饰石墨电极,利用循环伏安法(CV)研究灯盏花素在嵌入式多壁碳纳米管修饰石墨电极(ESCFE)上的电化学氧化行为,结果表明,灯盏花素在修饰电极上出现一对明显的准可逆氧化还原峰,峰电位分别为Epa=0.17 V和Epc=0.05 V(△E=0.12 V),峰电流分别为ipa=42.79μA,ipc=...     

多壁碳纳米管修饰电极上阿替洛尔电化学行为的研究及其测定

基于多壁碳纳米管修饰玻碳电极对阿替洛尔的催化作用,建立了测定阿替洛尔的电化学分析方法。多壁碳纳米管修饰玻碳电极与裸玻碳电极相比,显著提高了阿替洛尔的氧化峰电流,降低了氧化峰电位,提高了测定的灵敏度。该电极测定阿替洛尔的线性范围为4.9×10-6~6.3×10-4mol/L,检出限为2×10-6mol/L。对1.3×10-4mol/L阿替洛尔进行11次平行测定,相对标准偏差为4.4%。此法可用于阿替洛尔片剂中阿替洛尔的测定。     

Determination of trace heavy metals in herbs by sequential injection analysis-anodic stripping voltammetry using screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrodes

A method for the simultaneous determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) at low μg L⁻¹ concentration levels by sequential injection analysis-anodic stripping voltammetry (SIA-ASV) using screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrodes (SPCNTE) was developed. A bismuth film was prepared by in situ plating of bismuth on the screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrode. Operational parameters such as ratio of carbon nanotubes to carbon ink, bismuth concentration, deposition time and flow rate during preconcentration step were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the linear ranges were found to be 2-100 μg L⁻¹ for Pb(II) and Cd(II), and 12-100 μg L⁻¹ for Zn(II). The limits of detection (S_bl/S = 3) were 0.2 μg L⁻¹ for Pb(II), 0.8 μg L⁻¹ for Cd(II) and 11 μg L⁻¹ for Zn(II). The measurement frequency was found to be 10-15 stripping cycle h⁻¹. The present method offers high sensitivity and high throughput for on-line monitoring of trace heavy metals. The practical utility of our method was also demonstrated with the determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) by spiking procedure in herb samples. Our methodology produced results that were correlated with ICP-AES data. Therefore, we propose a method that can be used for the automatic and sensitive evaluation of heavy metals contaminated in herb items.     

Mechanism of activation of glassy carbon electrodes by cathodic pretreatment

The performance of carbon electrodes depends on the surface pretreatment methods. An exclusively cathodically pretreated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) shows very good activity towards monomeric molybdate(VI) ion adsorption and its reduction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies reveal the creation of >C–O– surface groups on cathodisation. A strong interaction between the Mo(VI) ion and these >C–O– surface groups with the formation of Mo(V) is responsible for the activation of the cathodically pretreated GCE surface. Received: 5 January 1998 / Accepted: 10 January 1999     

多壁碳纳米管修饰电极检测盐酸氯丙嗪的研究

制备了多壁碳纳米管修饰玻碳电极,采用循环伏安法(CV)研究了盐酸氯丙嗪在修饰电极上的电化学特性,发展了一种新的检测盐酸氯丙嗪的电化学分析方法。在最佳实验条件下,用循环伏安法检测盐酸氯丙嗪,其响应电流与盐酸氯丙嗪的浓度在8.0×10-5~1.0×10-3mol/L范围内有很好的线性关系,线性方程为Ip(A)=0.0106c(mol/L)-8×10-8(R2=0.999,n=6),检出限为6.2×10-6mol/L(S/N=3)。方法可用于盐酸氯丙嗪片的测定。     

Determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by a multi-wall carbon nanotubes-modified glassy carbon electrode

A multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (MWNT-GCE) was used to study the electrochemical behaviour of1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and applied to its determination. The results showed that the modified electrode had a strong adsorptive ability to 1-OHP and enhances its electrochemical signal. By square wave voltammetry, the linear relationship of 1-OHP was 6?×?10^?9???8?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1 with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.996, and the detection limit was 1?×?10^?10?mol?L^?1. Compared with other published methods, this newly proposed method possesses many advantages such as very low detection limit, fast response, low cost and simplicity. And this method was applied successfully in the determination of 1‐OHP in real human urine samples.     

多壁碳纳米管修饰金电极测定维生素B12

抗贫血药物维生素B12(VB12)俗称(氰)钴胺素,维生素B12是DNA合成的必需物质,若体内缺乏它,就会引起巨幼细胞贫血,高同型半胱氨酸血症和神经系统损害。因此,检测维生素B12可为血液系统和神经系统一些疾病的诊治提供依据[1],建立快捷简便的检测方法,在药物分析和医学检验中有应用价值。测定VB12的方法有高效液相色谱法[2]、荧光法[3]、毛细管电泳法[4]、伏安法[5]等。作者研究了VB12在碳纳米管修饰金电极上的电化学行为,并用以测定了VB12样品的含量,结果令人满意。1实验部分1.1仪器与试剂CHI618B电化学工作站(上海辰华仪器公司);KQ?400…     

非对称笼间电子迁移异构体与电场诱导电子迁移

基于密度泛函理论研究了非对称双笼型单分子溶剂化电子e^-@C₂₄F₂₂(NH)₂C₂₀F₁₈(1、2 和3), 进一步展示了我们提出的一种新型电子异构体——(非对称型的)笼间电子迁移异构体. 1、2 和3 具有显著不同的偶极矩. 由于都存在两个氧化还原中心, 它们属于一种非金属型的新型Robin-Day II-III 分子. 对于1 和3, 额外电子分别定域在C₂₄F₂₂和C₂₀F₁₈笼里(Robin-Day II); 对于2, 额外电子则离域于两个非对称的笼中(Robin-Day III). 值得注意的是, 在y 轴方向上外加-0.0004和-0.0008 a.u.的临界电场(E_c)时可分别使1 的额外电子从C₂₄F₂₂笼中部分和全部地迁移到C₂₀F₁₈笼中, 即实现从1 到2 再到3 的转化; 当E_c为0.0004 a.u.时, 3 的额外电子从C₂₀F₁₈笼中全部迁移到了C₂₄F₂₂笼中, 即3 未经过2 直接转化成了1.     

Electrocatalytic detection of insulin at RuOx/carbon nanotube-modified carbon electrodes

A bilayer surface coating, prepared by electrodepositing ruthenium oxide (RuOx) onto a carbon nanotube (CNT) layer, offers dramatic improvements in the stability and sensitivity of voltammetric and amperometric measurements of insulin compared to the individual (CNT or RuOx) coated electrodes. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards insulin is indicated from lowering the potential of the oxidation process (starting around 0.35 versus Ag/AgCl) and the substantially higher sensitivity over the entire potential range. A wide linear dynamic range (10-800 nM) was achieved with a detection limit of 1 nM. The marked electrocatalytic activity of the RuOx/CNT coating towards insulin is coupled with a greatly enhanced stability. For example, the insulin amperometric response of the RuOx/CNT-coated electrodes is highly stable, with 97% of the initial activity remaining after 60 min stirring of 2 × 10⁻⁶ M solution (compared to significantly faster current diminutions at the RuOx- or CNT-coated surfaces). The results suggest great promise for miniaturized sensors and detectors for monitoring insulin.     

Electron promotion by surface functional groups of single wall carbon nanotubes to overlying metal particles in a fuel-cell catalyst

A remarkable promotion: Functional groups added onto single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) can significantly influence the activity of a noble metal for formic acid oxidation. Phenolate groups on SWNTs under alkaline conditions can double the activity of 20 % w/w Pd compared to unmodified SWNTs. This catalyst has 14 times higher activity than the commercial benchmark catalyst (10 % w/w Pd on Vulcan).     

Electrochemistry and voltammetric determination of tannic acid on a single-wall carbon nanotube-coated glassy carbon electrode

The voltammetric behavior of tannic acid (TA) on a single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. TA can generate a well-defined anodic peak on the modified electrode at around 0.42 V (vs. SCE) in 0.10 M phosphate buffer solutions (pH = 4.0). The electrochemical reaction involves 1e transfer, accompanied by one proton. The electrode process is controlled by adsorption. The parameters affecting the response of TA, such as solution pH, accumulation time and accumulation potential are optimized for the determination of TA. Under the optimum conditions, the peak current changes linearly with the TA concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M. The lowest detectable concentration of TA is 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ M after 180 s accumulation. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of TA in tea and beer samples. In addition, the influence of potential interferents is examined. In the presence of bovine serum albumin, the peak current of TA decreases linearly due to the formation of a super-molecular complex.     

Relationship between Carbon Nanotube Structure and Electrochemical Behavior: Heterogeneous Electron Transfer at Electrochemically Activated Carbon Nanotubes

The electrochemical activation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (at potentials of 1.5–2.0 V vs Ag/AgCl for 60–360 s) results in significantly increased rate constants ( ) for heterogeneous electron‐transfer with [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? (from 8.34×10^?5 cm s^?1 for as‐received MWCNTs to 3.67×10^?3 cm s^?1 for MWCNTs that were electrochemically activated at 2.0 V for 180 s). The increase in the value of arises from the introduction of wall defects exposing edge planes of the MWCNTs, as observed by high‐resolution TEM. The density of the edge plane defects increases from almost zero (for as‐received MWCNTs) to 3.7 % (for MWCNTs electrochemically activated at 2.0 V for 180 s). High‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR‐XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to gain a better understanding of the phenomena. HR‐XPS revealed that the increase in electrochemical activation potential increases the number of oxygen‐containing groups on the surface of carbon nanotubes.     

Detection of homocysteine at carbon nanotube paste electrodes

The use of a carbon-nanotube paste (CNTP) electrode provides an effective means for the determination of homocysteine. A decrease of ca. 120 mV in the overpotential for the oxidation of homocysteine compared to a traditional carbon paste electrode, is reported along with greatly enhanced signal-to-noise characteristics. The analytical parameters have been assessed with a linear range from 5 to 200 μM and a detection limit of 4.6 μM. Furthermore, the generic nature of this increased reactivity of the CNTP surface towards thiol moieties has been demonstrated with cysteine, glutathione and n-acetylcysteine, providing a greatly enhanced electrochemical response compared to the carbon paste electrode.