Factors affecting the precision of a new method for determining the reduced and oxidized forms of a redox couple by a single potentiometric titration

In a potentiometric titration of a solution that contains both the reduced form Red₂ and the oxidized form Ox₂ of a redox couple, at concentrations of c⁰_Red2M and c⁰_Ox2M, respectively, using as reagent a solution that contains the oxidized and reduced forms Ox₁ and Red₁ at concentrations of c_Ox1M and c_Red1M, respectively, the reaction that occurs is nRed₂ + n₂Ox₁ = n₁Ox₂ + n₂Red₁; K_t = exp[n₁n₂(E⁰₁′–E⁰₂′)/0.02569] if all of the reactants and products are monomeric and if the titration is done at 25°C. By applying weighted non-linear regression analysis to the data obtained in such a titration, if c_Ox1 is known, it is possible to evaluate four parameters: c⁰_Red2, c⁰_Ox2 , and the formal potentials E⁰₂′ and E⁰₁′ for the couple titrated and the reagent couple, respectively. For the common situation in which n₁ and n₂ are equal, this paper describes the ways in which the precisions of all four parameters depend, over a wide range of conditions, on their values and on the precisions of measurement of the volume of reagent and the potential of the indicator electrode.     

Metallic and non-metallic redox response of conducting polymers

The potentiometric response of electrodes coated with polypyrrole or poly(N-methylpyrrole) films with different doping anions was studied in solutions containing the redox couples: Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−, Ru(NH₃)₆^3+/2+ and Fe(Ill)/Fe(II). The stable potential measured with the electrodes was the potential of the redox couple. The response time was instant for polypyrrole doped with dodecylsulphate ions, PPy(DS) and slow for the polymers doped with mobile anions. On the basis of electrochemical measurements and chemical analysis by EDAX spectroscopy it was found that with the PPy(DS) electrode the potentiometric response was of the ‘metallic’ type, with no change in the oxidation state of the bulk polymer. With the other polymer systems studied reduction or oxidation of the polymer bulk took place when it was in contact with a redox couple in the solution.     

On the Phase Shifts in the Dynamics of the H2O2–Na2S2O3–H2SO4–CuSO4 Oscillator Revealed by Comparison of Potentiometric Responses of Different Indicator Electrodes

The dynamics of the H₂O₂–Na₂S₂O₃–H₂SO₄–CuSO₄ homogeneous pH oscillator was studied in the flow reactor potentiometrically using different sensors: platinum electrode, Cu(II) ion‐selective electrode (Cu‐ISE), and pH‐electrode. It was found that for the flow rates close to two bifurcation values, between which the oscillations exist, there is a detectable phase shift between the response of the Cu‐ISE and other electrodes, while it practically vanishes for the intermediate flow rates. To explain both the oscillations of the Cu‐ISE potential and the relevant phase shift, the system's dynamics was studied both experimentally and numerically. The literature kinetic mechanism of the pH oscillator was extended for the dynamics of the copper(II) and copper(I) species in the form of thiosulfate complexes, and kinetic parameters of the redox equilibria, ensuring the oscillations, were estimated. It was found that the phase shift at the relatively low flow rates occurs due to limited efficiency of the supply of CuSO₄ catalyst, as the species of lowest concentration, to the reactor, and therefore it can be minimized either by increasing the flow rate of all reactants or, alternatively, by enhancing the model concentration of CuSO₄ in the feeding stream, for its fixed flow rate. This work is one more proof that it is useful to monitor the dynamics of the homogeneous oscillatory systems with more than one electrode, if the experimental potential–time courses are to be explained in terms of an appropriate kinetic mechanism.     

Theoretical Aspects of a Surface Electrode Reaction Coupled with Preceding and Regenerative Chemical Steps: Square‐wave Voltammetry of a Surface CEC’ Mechanism

Large number of lipophilic substances, whose electrochemical transformation takes place from adsorbed state, belong to the class of so‐called “surface‐redox reactions”. Of these, especially important are the enzymatic redox reactions. With the technique named “protein‐film voltammetry” we can get insight into the chemical features of many lipophilic redox enzymes. Electrochemical processes of many redox adsorbates, occurring at a surface of working electrode, are very often coupled with chemical reactions. In this work, we focus on the application of square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) to study the theoretical features of a surface electrode reaction coupled with two chemical steps. The starting electroactive form Ox_(ads) in this mechanism gets initially generated via preceding chemical reaction. After undergoing redox transformation at the working electrode, Ox_(ads) species got additionally regenerated via chemical reaction of electrochemically generated product Red_(ads) with a given substrate Y. The theory of this so‐called surface CEC’ mechanism is presented for the first time under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. While we present plenty of calculated voltammograms of this complex electrode mechanism, we focus on the effect of rate of regenerative (catalytic) step to simulated voltammograms. We consider both, electrochemical reactions featuring moderate and fast electron transfer. The obtained voltammetric patterns are very specific, having sometime hybrid‐like features of voltammograms as typical for CE, EC and EC’ mechanisms. We give diagnostic criteria to recognize this complex mechanism in SWV, but we also present hints to access the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters relevant to both chemical steps, and the electrochemical reaction, too. Indeed, the results presented in this work can help experimentalists to design proper experiments to study chemical features of important lipophilic systems.     

Electroless Deposition of Thionin onto Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Single Wall and Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes: Improvement of the Electrochemical Reversibility and Stability

A simple procedure was developed to prepare a glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and thionin. Abrasive immobilization of CNTs on a GC electrode was achieved by gently rubbing the electrode surface on a filter paper supporting carbon nanotubes, then immersing the GC/CNTs‐modified electrode into a thionin solution (electroless deposition) for a short period of time (5–50 s for MWCNTs and 5–120 s for SWCNTs ). Cyclic voltammograms of the resulting modified electrode show stable and a well defined redox couple with surface confined characteristic at wide pH range 2–12. The electrochemical reversibility and stability of modified electrode prepared with incorporation of thionin into CNTs film was compared with usual methods for attachment of thionin to electrode surfaces such as electropolymerization and adsorption on the surface of preanodized electrodes. The formal potential of redox couple (E°′) shifts linearly toward the negative direction with increasing solution pH. The surface coverage of thionin immobilized on CNTs glassy carbon electrode was approximately 1.95×10^?10 mol cm^?2 and 3.2×10^?10 mol cm^?2 for MWCNTs and SWCNTs, respectively. The transfer coefficient (α) was calculated to be 0.3 and 0.35 and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (K_s) were 65 s^?1 and 55 s^?1 for MWCNTs/thionin and SWCNTs/thionin‐modified GC electrodes, respectively. The results clearly show a great facilitation of the electron transfer between thionin and CNTs adsorbed on the electrode surface. Excellent electrochemical reversibility of redox couple, high stability, technically simple and possibility of preparation at short period of time are of great advantages of this procedure for modification of electrodes.     

Preparation,Characterization, and Electrocatalytic Properties of Cobalt Oxide and Cobalt Hexacyanoferrate Hybrid Films

Polynuclear mixed‐valent films of cobalt oxide and cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoOCoHCF) have been deposited on electrode surfaces from a solution of Co²⁺ and Fe(CN)₆^3? ions by repetitive potential cycling method. Simultaneous cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements demonstrate the steady growth of modified film. The effect of type of monovalent cations as well as acidity of the supporting electrolyte on film growth and redox behavior of resulting film was investigated. In pure supporting electrolyte, electrochemical responses of modified electrode resemble with that of a surface immobilized redox couple. The hybrid film electrodes showed electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of NADH, hydrazine and hydroxylamine. The feasibility of using our modified electrodes for analytical application was also explored.     

Electrochemical,microscopic, and EQCM studies of cathodic electrodeposition of ZnO/FAD and anodic polymerization of FAD films modified electrodes and their electrocatalytic properties

Two kinds of chemically modified electrodes were prepared. In the first type of electrodes, zinc oxide (ZnO) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) molecules were deposited onto the glassy carbon-, gold-, and SnO₂-coated glass electrodes by using cyclic voltammetry from the bath solution containing aqueous 0.1 M zinc nitrate, 0.1 M sodium nitrate, and 1 × 10⁻⁴ M FAD. It was called as ZnO/FAD modified electrodes. The second type of modified electrode was prepared by the electropolymerization method. Electrochemical polymerization of FAD was carried out from the acidic solution containing 1 × 10⁻⁴ M FAD monomers onto electrode surfaces. This poly(FAD)-modified electrode yields a new redox couple in addition to the monomers redox couple. The influence of the concentrations, pH, and electrocatalytic properties of the ZnO/FAD- and poly(FAD)-modified electrodes are investigated by means of the in situ technique electrochemical quartz–crystal microgravimetry (EQCM) combined with cyclic voltammetry and the ex situ technique scanning electron microscopy. From these studies, it appears that the cathodic deposition of ZnO/FAD-modified electrodes gives only one redox couple, and the anodically polymerized FAD film-modified electrodes gives two reversible redox couples. The pH dependence of the redox responses were investigated and the kinetics of electron transfer was evaluated. In addition, the EQCM technique was employed to follow the deposition process of both kinds of modified electrodes in real time as well as the characteristics of the charge transfer associated with the surface-confined redox-active couples. The electrocatalytic activity of the poly(FAD)-modified electrode towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation of dopamine and ascorbic acid was explored. The important electrocatalytic properties of poly(FAD)-modified electrode were observed for simultaneous separation of dopamine and ascorbic acid in neutral solution. This poly(FAD)-modified electrode has several advantages than the previously reported FAD-modified electrodes.     

A Comparison of Electron Transfer Kinetics of Three Common Carbon Electrode Surfaces in Acetonitrile and in Room Temperature Ionic Liquid 1‐Butyl‐3‐Methylimidiazonium Hexafluorophosphate: Correlation to Surface Structure and the Limit of the Diffusion Domain Approximation

We report the comparison of electron transfer kinetic parameters of the ferrocene redox couple in both acetonitrile and in room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidiazonium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim] [PF₆]), using edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG), basal plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. Each electrode surface was characterized using SEM and AFM and the surface morphology was analyzed in terms of surface heterogeneity including the distribution of edge plane defects. The experimental data were modeled using both one and two dimensional simulations to correlate the electron transfer parameters obtained with the different surface structure of each electrode. Furthermore, we show that the diffusion domain approximation (commonly used to accurately simulate electron transfer kinetics at graphitic surfaces) breaks down when a BPPG electrode is used in RTIL and demonstrate the near impossibility of assigning rate constant to the basal plane surface.     

Spectrophotometric and potentiometric study of the acid—base equilibria of indophenols in aqueous media

Six indophenols, with redox and acid—base indicator properties, have been examined by spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods. By analysing the absorption spectra obtained at different pH values, three independent values were obtained for their K_Ox dissociation constants, which are closely related to their properties as acid—base indicators. Three of the indophenols have also been examined by acid—base and redox potentiometric titrations. All K_Ox and E° values agree well with polarographic values. The use of these substances as visual acid—base and redox indicators is discussed.     

Perfluoro anion-exchange polymeric films on glassy carbon electrodes

Solutions of the perfluoro anion-exchange membrane TosHex® in a solvent mixture composed of methanol + isopropanol + water (1:1:1) were prepared and applied in coating glassy carbon electrodes. The evaporated films were used to accumulate the Fe(CN) ₆ redox couple on the electrode surface. The magnitude of the electrochemical response of the loaded films is comparable with that for Nafion® incorporated cationic redox species. The multicharged Fe(CN) ₆ couple accumulated in Tosflex® film causes an ion cross-linking of the polymeric backbone, thus decreasing ion transport in the film substantially.     

Electrochemical Study of the Interactions of DNA with Redox‐Active Molecules Based on the Immobilization of dsDNA on the Sol‐Gel Derived Nano Porous Hydroxyapatite‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybrid Material Coating

A novel type of sol‐gel inorganic‐organic hybrid material coated on glassy carbon electrode used for immobilization of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) and study of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules was developed. The hybrid material coating was produced by sol‐gel method with nano hydroxyapatite (HAp)‐polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The optimum composition of the hybrid material was first examined, and the morphology of the nano HAp‐PVA coatings was investigated with the help of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). DsDNA was immobilized in/on the nano HAp‐PVA hybrid coatings by adsorption and the characteristics of the dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using the probes of Co(phen) and Fe(CN) . The results indicate that the dsDNA can be immobilized on the nano porous HAp‐PVA coating effectively and its stability can satisfy the necessity of study on the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules on the electrode surface. Co(bpy) and Co(phen) were used as the model molecule to study the interactions of dsDNA with redox‐active molecules. Information such as ratio (K_Ox/K_Red) of the binding constant for the oxidized and reduced forms of a bound species, interaction mode, including change in the mode of interaction, and “limiting” ratio K /K at zero ionic strength (μ) can be obtained using dsDNA/HAp‐PVA/GCE with about 2 μg of DNA samples.     

Electrochemical Properties of Hydroxyphenazine-Coated Electrodes

Glassy carbon and gold electrodes were coated with 1-hydroxyphenazine, and the electrochemical properties of these electrodes were tested using them as a rotating disc electrode to reduce Ru (bipy)₃³⁺, Fe³⁺, quinoxaline, O₂, and to oxidize Eu²⁺. The fixed redox couple can be reversibly reduced and oxidized, and acts as an intermediate medium for the electron transfer. For example the Ru(bipy)₃³⁺ (E_1/2= 1010 mV vs. SCE. (saturated calomel electrode) on a glassy carbon electrode in 1M H₂SO₄) is only reduced at 50 mV, whereas the oxidation of Eu²⁺ (E_1/2= ?460 mV vs. SCE. on a Hg-electrode in 1M HCl) takes place at ? 100 mV. The heterogeneous rate constant depends on the second order reaction between the attached coating and the redox couple in solution. Depending on this rate constant, selectivity of the electrode is observed.     

Electrochemistry of praseodymium in LiF–CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The electrochemical behaviour of PrF₃ was studied in the LiF–CaF₂ (79/21 molar ratio) at 1,213 K. Inert (W) and reactive (Ni) electrodes were used. Pr(III) ions are reduced in a single, three electron exchange. The redox potential of the Pr(III)/Pr couple at the inert electrode was observed very close to the decomposition potential of the LiF–CaF₂ melt. Experiments using reactive working electrode were done. The results show the potential shift connected to the alloying reactions of Pr and Ni. Deposition of Pr–Ni layer was confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis. Conclusions for the Pr separation possibilities from spent nuclear fuel were done.     

Preparation and Characterization of Mixed‐Valent Nickel Oxide/Nickel Hexacyanoferrate Hybrid Films and Their Electrocatalytic Properties

Polynuclear mixed‐valent nickel oxide and nickel hexacyanoferrate hybrid film was prepared on glassy carbon electrode by multiple scan cyclic voltammetry. The film growth was monitored using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The cyclic voltammogram of the nickel hexacyanoferrate film is characterized by single redox couple whereas nickel oxide/nickel hexacyanoferrate hybrid film exhibits two redox couples. Cyclic voltammetric features suggest that the charge transfer process in both films resembles that of surface‐confined redox species. In stronger basic solution (pH ≥9), nickel hexacyanoferrate film was gradually converted into nickel oxide film during potentiodynamic cycling. The peak potential of nickel oxide redox couple moved into more negative side with increasing pH of contacting solution whereas the peak potential of nickel hexacyanoferrate redox couple remains the same. Electrocatalytic behavior of hybrid film coated electrodes toward ascorbic acid, hydrazine and hydroxylamine was investigated using cyclic voltammetry technique. Analytical application of nickel oxide/nickel hexacyanoferrate hybrid film electrode was tested in amperometry and flow injection analysis.     

Investigation on Concentrated Ⅴ（Ⅳ）/Ⅴ（Ⅴ） Redox Reaction by Rotating Disc Voltammetry

The kinetic characteristics of the concentrated Ⅴ（Ⅳ）/Ⅴ（Ⅴ） couple have been studied at a glassy carbon electrode in sulfuric acid using rotating-disc electrode and cyclic voltammetry. The kinetics of the Ⅴ（Ⅳ）/Ⅴ（Ⅴ） redox couple reaction was found to be electrochemically quasi-reversible with the slower kinetics for the Ⅴ（Ⅴ） reduction than that for the Ⅴ（Ⅳ） oxidation. And, dependence of diffusion coefficients and kinetic parameters of Ⅴ（Ⅳ） species on the Ⅴ（Ⅳ） and H2SO4 concentration was investigated. It is shown that the concentration of active species Ⅴ（Ⅳ） should be over 1 mol·L^-1 for the redox flow battery application. Further, with increasing the Ⅴ（Ⅳ） and H2SO4 concentration, the diffusion coefficients of Ⅴ（Ⅳ） were gradually reduced whereas its kinetics was improved considerably, especially in the case of Ⅴ（Ⅳ） and H2SO4 up to 2 and 4 mol·L^-1.     

On choosing a reference redox system for electrochemical measurements: a cautionary tale

The potential of a quasi-reference electrode can be determined by introducing an internal reference redox system (IRRS) which comprises either the oxidizable or reducible form of a reversible (and, ideally, outer-sphere) redox couple and then observing the cyclic voltammetric responses. The objective is to choose the IRRS so that the cyclic voltammetric response for the simultaneously present electroactive analyte system (ANS) can be observed independently of the IRRS response. We identify three fundamental paradigms describing the relative positioning of the IRRS and ANS on the potential scale, the operative redox components for the IRRS and ANS, and the starting potential (E _start), reversing potential (E _rev), and ending potential (E _end) for the cyclic voltammetric scan as follows: paradigm A, an optimal paradigm which can produce completely independent cyclic voltammetric responses for the IRRS or for ANS; paradigm B, a less-than-optimal paradigm which can produce an independent cyclic voltammetry (CV) response for the ANS or a mixed response for the IRRS with that response on top of the ANS response; paradigm C, a problematic paradigm that can produce an independent CV response for the IRRS or a mixed response for the ANS with that response on top of the IRRS response; and any mixed response produces a thermodynamically favored redox cross-reaction which couples the IRRS and ANS systems and which can complicate the analysis of the ANS and IRRS responses. The conclusion is that paradigm C is to be avoided.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin on chitosan-room temperature ionic liquid-TiO(2)-graphene nanocomposite film modified electrode

TiO₂-graphene nanocomposite was prepared by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide in colloidal suspension of graphene oxide and in situ hydrothermal treatment. The direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin in room temperature ionic liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, chitosan and TiO₂-graphene nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode were investigated. The biosensor was examined by using UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical methods. The results indicated that hemoglobin remained its bioactivity on the modified electrode, showing a couple of well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peaks, corresponding to hemoglobin Fe^III/Fe^II couple. The kinetic parameters for the electrode reaction, such as the formal potential (E^o'), the electron transfer rate constant (k_s), the apparent coverage (Γ), and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) were evaluated. The biosensor showed good electrochemical responses to the reduction of H₂O₂ in the ranges of 1–1170 μM. The detection limit was 0.3 μM (S/N = 3). The properties of this composite film, together with the bioelectrochemical catalytic activity, could make them useful in the development of bioelectronic devices, and investigation of electrochemistry of other heme proteins at functional interface.     

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.     

Electropolymerization of iron tetra(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminophenyl)porphyrin from aqueous solution and the electrocatalytic behavior of modified electrode

Stable electroactive iron tetra(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin (FeTAPP) films are prepared by electropolymerization from aqueous solution by cycling the electrode potential between −0.4 and 1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl at 0.1 V s⁻¹. The cyclic voltammetric response indicates that polymerization takes place after the oxidation of amino groups, and the films could be produced on glassy carbon (GC) and gold electrodes. The film growth of poly(FeTAPP) was monitored by using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. The cyclic voltammetric features of Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple in the film resembles that of surface confined redox species. The electrochemical response of the modified electrode was found to be dependent on the pH of the contacting solution with a negative shift of 57 mV/pH. The electrocatalytic behavior of poly(FeTAPP) film-modified electrode was investigated towards reduction of hydrogen peroxide, molecular oxygen, and chloroacetic acids (mono-, di-, and tri-). The reduction of hydrogen peroxide, molecular oxygen, and dichloroacetic acid occurred at less negative potential on poly(FeTAPP) film compared to bare GC electrode. Particularly, the overpotential of hydrogen peroxide was reduced substantially. The O₂ reduction proceeds through direct four-electron reduction mechanism.     

Electrochemical behaviour of Ni, Cu, Ag, Pt and glassy carbon electrodes in triethylamine-tris(hydrogen fluoride) medium

Voltammetric responses of Ni, Cu, Ag, Pt and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes in triethylamine-tris(hydrogen fluoride) medium in the anodic as well cathodic potential region were investigated. AAS as well as SEM measurements were also made to ascertain the dissolution rate and surface transformation due to fluoride film formation on the electrode surfaces. On Ni, bulk NiF₂ film growth occurs only around 4.0 V following a thin NiF₂ monolayer formation around 0 V. The NiF₂ film shows very little solubility in the medium. Monolayer and bulk CuF₂ phases are formed quite close to each other on Cu during anodic polarization. The anodically formed CuF₂ dissolves to the extent of 12% in this medium. AgF formation follows a different mechanism during the first and subsequent anodic sweeps. The effect of MeCN as well as water addition on the solubility and stability of these fluoride films are also reported. Glassy carbon and Pt electrodes are relatively inert in this medium. Anodic voltammetric responses for other reactive species could be observed only on Pt and GC electrodes. On the cathodic side, all the electrodes show inert behaviour. Electrochemical reduction of PhNO₂, for example, could be observed on all the electrodes. Electronic Publication