Potentiostatic voltammetry at spherical electrodes and microelectrodes in the presence of product

An explicit analytical solution for the complete anodic–cathodic I–E–t response of a reversible electrode process in presence/absence of amalgamation under potentiostatic conditions is presented. To obtain this solution we have taken into account the electrode curvature, using in the case of amalgamation, Koutecký’s approximation (i.e. the finite electrode volume has not been considered). Explicit expressions for the concentration profiles and the surface concentrations have been also deduced. All the results are applicable to electrodes of any radius including ultramicroelectrodes when both species are soluble in the electrolytic solution for any value of the ratio D_O/D_R. When amalgamation takes place, analytical results were compared with the numerical ones deduced by using the rigorous condition of null net flux in the electrode centre, pointing out that Koutecký’s approximation remains valid even for electrode radius and time values at which the diffusion layer reaches the electrode centre. For high electrode sphericities the I–t curves present a cross-linking for applied potential values higher than the equilibrium potential which is the cause of the appearance of a “peak” near to the anodic limit of the I–E curve.     

Internal reflectance spectroscopy associated with cyclic staircase voltammetry using a microcomputer

In order to obtain extensive information on electrode-solution interfaces, a rapid-scan internal reflectance spectroscopic system is combined with cyclic staircase voltammetry; the staircase wave generated by computer software is applied to an optically transparent tin oxide electrode. The internal reflectance spectrum is measured at each step of the applied staircase voltage simultaneously with the instantaneous current.     

Square wave voltammetry at disc microelectrodes for characterization of two electron redox processes

Analytical explicit solutions are presented for the use of square wave voltammetry (SWV) at disc microelectrodes to study two-electron reversible redox processes. This combines the advantages of SWV (minimization of capacitative effects, peak-shaped response and quick experiments) with those of microelectrodes (reduction of capacitative and ohmic drop effects, enhanced mass transport and measurements of small volumes). Further, the analytical expressions are very easy to implement in comparison with the numerical methods usually employed for simulation of electrochemical experiments at microdisc electrodes. From the theory, the effects of the technique parameters (frequency, pulse amplitude) are examined and procedures are given for the characterization of the redox system from the values of the peak current, peak potential and half-peak width. Finally, the theory is applied to the experimental study of the two-electron reduction of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate in aqueous media. For this system, the formal potentials of the redox centres in aqueous solutions can be tuned by means of the electrolyte cation.     

超微盘电极上阶梯示差脉冲伏安法可逆波理论及验证

本文提出了超微电极上阶梯示差脉冲伏安法可逆波理论,利用自制的微机多功能电分析仪进行了验证,实验结果与理论相符.     

The surface catalytic mechanism: a comparative study with square-wave and staircase cyclic voltammetry

A pseudo-first-order catalytic mechanism in which both reactant and product of a redox reaction are strongly immobilized on an electrode surface is theoretically analysed under conditions of square-wave (SWV) and staircase cyclic voltammetry (SCV). A mathematical procedure is developed under diffusionless conditions. The relationships between the properties of the voltammetric response and both the kinetic parameters of the redox reaction and the parameters of the excitation signal are studied. The phenomenon of the quasi-reversible maximum is discussed. A comparative study between SWV and SCV is presented and the limitations and advantages of both techniques, from analytical and kinetic points of view, are discussed. The theoretical predictions are experimentally confirmed by the redox reaction of azobenzene in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent. Electronic Publication     

Reactant adsorption in pulse polarography: Part IV. Influences of product adsorption

The influences of the reactant adsorption on maxima in pulse polarograms for quasi-reversible redox reactions at a stationary, planar electrode have been analysed theoretically. Some criteria for the estimation of the reversibility of the redox reaction from the adsorbed state are proposed.     

Pulse radiolysis and cyclic voltammetry studies of redox properties of phenothiazine radicals

One-electron transfer equilibria between seven phenothiazines were characterized by pulse radiolysis, producing radical-cations via oxidation by Br₂^·− or (SCN)₂^·− radicals. The reduction potentials of the phenothiazine radicals were determined by cyclic voltammetry. As an independent check, the redox equilibrium between one phenothiazine and the redox indicator ABTS was investigated. The data establish phenothiazines as useful indicators for radical redox properties. However, there are potential problems of aggregation, additional reactions with Br⁻/Br₂^·− and reactivity of the radicals towards buffers or other nucleophiles.     

Mass transport at electrodes of arbitrary geometry. Reversible charge transfer reactions in square wave voltammetry

The basis for mass transport of the electroactive species in different diffusion fields is examined, pointing out important insights in relation to the value of the surface concentrations for the case of fast electrode processes. Moreover, a general analytical solution for the transient current is given for several geometries, when an arbitrary sequence of potentials pulses is applied to macroelectrodes (planar), spheres, cylinders, discs and bands. The results are particularized for Square Wave Voltammetry. Explicit solutions for the net current and the forward and backward components are given. The effects of frequency, pulse amplitude and electrode size or shape on the peak current are studied. Moreover, the conditions for the attainment of the steady state response are analyzed in the different geometries as well as the characteristics of this response.     

Chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry at conical electrodes, microelectrodes, and electrode arrays: theory

The finite difference method is used to simulate chronoamperometry, linear sweep voltammetry, and cyclic voltammetry at conical electrodes and microelectrodes. Techniques for the numerical simulation of these processes at microdiscs are adapted and extended to accurately model diffusion to the electroactive cone surface. Simulated results are analyzed, and trends are rationalized in terms of the cone apex angle, alpha. The diffusion domain approximation is used to extend the theory to regular and random arrays of conical electrodes.     

Reversible adsorption of spherical particles from binary mixtures: long-time behaviour

Formation of monolayers of spherical particles in processes with reversible adsorption from mixtures of large and small particles was simulated in computer experiments. Computer program was based on an algorithm that took into account random sequential adsorption, desorption and lateral diffusion of adsorbed particles (RSA–DLD model). Computer experiments were performed for systems with rate constants of particle adsorption at least 10³ times higher than rate constants of desorption. In processes with very fast adsorption and slow desorption, formation of monolayer can be divided into two stages. During the first stage, the total surface coverage (the coverage with particles of both types) increases very fast and becomes very close to that at equilibrium. During the second stage, the total coverage changes very slowly and the system approaches equilibrium mainly by the replacement of large particles with the small ones. A simple kinetic model for evolution of the monolayer composition during the second stage has been proposed. Kinetic equations related to this model allow the determination of large particles’ desorption rate constants on the basis of changes in the surface concentrations of adsorbed large and small microspheres. The validity of the model has been tested comparing large particles’ desorption rate constants values that had been used for simulations with values of the corresponding rate constants determined using analytical equations, with a view to analysing the simulation results. To cite this article: S. Slomkowski et al., C. R. Chimie 6 (2003).     

Chemometrics assisted resolving of net faradaic current contribution from total current in potential step and staircase cyclic voltammetry

Total current in the electroanalytical data is assumed to be consisting of three main constituents: faradaic current, step charging current and induced charging current. Both charging currents can cause an interfering effect on precise determination of faradaic currents, and hence insert direct effects on sensitivity and detection limit of the electroanalytical techniques. Despite the widespread techniques introduced until now, the extraction of the net faradaic current from total current still remains a challenge. In this work, by using multivariate curve resolution-alternating least square (MCR-ALS) as a powerful curve resolution-based chemometrics method, a straightforward method has been introduced for resolving faradaic current from the two types of charging currents (step charging current and induced charging current) in single potential step and staircase cyclic voltammetric methods. By simultaneous analyses of the current data matrices for different electrochemical systems, the three sources of current were successfully identified and their contributions in the total signal were easily calculated. Also, in this manner, the cell time constant can be obtained easily. Contrary to the previously reported methods, the present method does not need any pre-determined mathematical method; particularly there is no need to know the cell time constant.     

Fickian diffusion constrained on spherical surfaces: voltammetry.

A model is developed for the voltammetric response due to surface charge injection at a single point on the surface of a sphere on whose surface the electroactive material is confined. Accordingly, charge diffusion is constrained to the spherical surface and thus mimicks the voltammetric response of immobilised microparticles derivatised with electroactive material. The full cyclic voltammetric response is investigated, and the peak currents, the peak-to-peak separation and the symmetry of the voltammetric wave are shown to be indicative of the heterogeneous kinetics and the geometry of the adsorbed microparticle. The results show strong deviations from the responses expected for planar diffusion.     

Application of thin-shielded mercury microelectrodes in anodic stripping voltammetry

The performance in anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) of hemispherical mercury microelectrodes, fabricated by electrodeposition of liquid mercury on the surface of Pt microdisks which were surrounded by a rather thick or thin insulating shield, was compared. The Pt microdisks were produced by sealing a wire of 25 μm diameter into a glass capillary, and by coating the cylindrical length of the Pt wire with a cathodic electrophoretic paint. The ratio of the overall tip radius b, to the basal radius of the electrode a, so-called RG = b/a, was equal to 110 ± 10 and 1.52 ± 0.01 for the thick- and thin-shielded microdisk, respectively. The mercury microelectrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry at 1 mV s⁻¹, in 1 mM Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ aqueous solution. The steady-state voltammogram recorded with the thin-shielded mercury microelectrode displayed less hysteresis, while the steady-state current was about 30% higher than that of the thicker one. This was a consequence of the additional flux due to diffusion from behind the plane of the electrode. The flux enhancement, which was operative at the thin-shielded mercury microelectrode during the deposition step in the ASV experiments, allowed recording stripping peaks for Cd and Pb, which resulted about 32% larger than those recorded at the thicker shielded mercury microelectrode, under same experimental conditions.The usefulness of the thin-shielded mercury microelectrode for ASV measurements in real samples was verified by determining the content of heavy metal ions released in the pore water (pH 4.5) of a soil slurry.     

Simultaneous raman and cyclic voltammetry study of the redox behavior of 4,4′-bipyridine on silver

The advantage of using an optical multichannel Raman spectrometer to record vibrational spectra of adsorbates simultaneously with electrochemical studies is considerable. In this study, Ag(I)-4,4′-bipyridine complex formation was monitored during the anodization of silver. At negative potentials the reduction of adsorbed bipyridine was found to depend upon the bulk bipyridine concentration. Surface enhanced Raman scattering enabled the surface redox reactions to be distinguished from those of bipyridine in solution.     

Modified carbon-containing electrodes in stripping voltammetry of metals. Part II. Composite and microelectrodes

The second part of the review, which covers modified carbon-containing electrodes, describes composite and microelectrodes. Electrodes made of commercial and laboratory carbon-containing composite materials are discussed. Impregnated and thick-film electrodes and microelectrodes made of carbon fibers form a separate group. Various modifiers and methods of electrode modification are presented. Prospects for the future development of solid-state modified electrodes are considered.     

Stripping voltammetry of trace metals in resistive solutions with mercury microelectrodes

Mercury-coated microcylindrical carbon-fiber electrodes (7-μm diameter) are suitable for anodic-stripping voltammetric quantitation of trace metals in non-aqueous solvents. The stripping voltammograms show no distortion resulting from uncompensated ohmic drops when traces of lead, cadmium, and zinc are quantified in acetonitrile, methanol or ethylene glycol. In contrast, analogous measurements at macro-sized electrodes exhibit severe ohmic effects. Organic solutions containing extremely dilute electrolyte (or no deliberately added electrolyte) can be assayed. A two-electrode configuration yields virtually undistorted stripping voltammograms in methanol and acetonitrile. High sensitivity and good precision are obtained by using quiescent solutions.     

A semi-hierarchic computer network for data acquisition and control in staircase voltammetry

A simple computer system designed for controlling voltammetric experiments has been implemented. The system connects a Hewlett-Packard 2100A minicomputer with a Texas Instruments 9900 microcomputer by means of a bidirectional serial transmission link. Experimental parameters are down-loaded from the host to the satellite which supervises the experiments at a remote location. The data collected are transmitted back to the host at 2400 baud for reduction and plotting. Through this division of labor, each system is used to its best advantage. Although the software developed is specifically for staircase voltammetry, the system hardware is of general-purpose design which is suited for other types of pulse experiment.     

Thin layer cyclic voltammetry: an efficient tool to determine the redox characteristics of large dendrimers

Dendrimers with an electroactive bis(phenanthroline) copper(I) core have been prepared and thin layer cyclic voltammetry (TLCV) found to be an efficient tool to determine their redox characteristics in spite of the slow electron transfer kinetics observed for the largest compounds.