Electrochemistry and charge transport in sporopollenin particle arrays

Electrochemical oxidation of hollow sporopollenin particles immobilised on an electrode surface is investigated in aqueous acidic solution. Redox activity is demonstrated to occur via a mixture of 2e^?–2H⁺ and 2e^?–1H⁺ processes, likely due to the oxidation of conjugated phenolics embedded within the surface-shell of the polymer particles. Charge transport over the surface is suggested to be fast based on comparison with an approximate physicochemical model.     

Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin Immobilized in a Polymeric Ionic Liquid Film

A polymer film based on polymeric ionic liquid, which was poly(1‐vinyl‐3‐butylimidazolium chloride) (poly(ViBuIm⁺Cl^?)for short), was firstly used as matrix to immobilize hemoglobin (Hb). FTIR and UV‐vis spectra demonstrated that the native structure of Hb was well preserved after entrapped into the polymer film. The Hb immobilized in the poly(ViBuIm⁺Cl^?) film showed a fast direct electron transfer for the Hb‐Fe^III/Fe^II redox couple. Based on the direct electron transfer of the immobilized Hb, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Hb/poly(ViBuIm⁺Cl^?)/GC electrode displayed good sensitivity and wide linear range for the detection of H₂O₂. The linear range of the PVA/Hb/poly(ViBuIm⁺Cl^?)/GC electrode to H₂O₂ is from 3.5 to 224 μM with a limit of detection of 1.17 μM. Such an avenue, which integrated polymeric ionic liquid and redox protein via a simple method, may provide a novel and efficient platform for the fabrication of biosensors, biofuel cells and other bioelectrochemical devices.     

Uptake of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions into electrochemically pretreated glassy carbon fibres by flow-through electrolysis

When glassy carbon fibres are used, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions are adsorbed in the micropores which are created or activated by oxidative treatment of the fibres. The average pore radius was estimated to be 2 nm by nitrogen adsorption experiments. Uptake was studied with a flow system consisting of a flow-through carbon-fibre electrode; a dropping mercury electrode at the end of the flow line monitored changes in the metal ion concentrations. The ions were taken up at negative potentials and released at positive potentials. The amount taken up increased in the sequence Na⁺ < Li⁺ < H⁺, suggesting that the ions were desolvated before entering the pore system.     

Monitoring the Light-induced Isomerisation of the Prototypical Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons C10H8+ through Ion-Molecule Reactions

Structural rearrangements in ions are essential for understanding the composition and evolution of energetic and chemically active environments. This study explores the interconversion routes for simple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely naphthalene and azulene radical cations (C₁₀H₈⁺), by combining mass spectrometry and vacuum ultraviolet tunable synchrotron radiation through the chemical monitoring technique. Products of ion-molecule reactions are used to probe C₁₀H₈⁺ structures that are formed as a function of their internal energies. Isomerisation from azulene radical cation towards naphthalene radical cation in a timescale faster than 80 μs was monitored, whereas no reverse isomerisation was observed in the same time window. When energising C₁₀H₈⁺ with more than 6 eV, the reactivity of C₁₀H₈⁺ unveils the formation of a new isomeric group with a contrasted reactivity compared with naphthalene and azulene cations. We tentatively assigned these structures to phenylvinylacetylene cations.     

Cover Feature: Are the Accompanying Cations of Doping Anions Influential in Conducting Organic Polymers? The Case of the Popular PEDOT (Chem. Eur. J. 63/2019)

Conducting organic polymers (COPs) are made of a conjugated polymer backbone supporting a certain degree of oxidation. These positive charges are compensated by the doping anions that are introduced into the polymer synthesis along with their accompanying cations. In this work, the influence of these cations on the stoichiometry and physicochemical properties of the resulting COPs have been investigated, something that has previously been overlooked, but, as here proven, is highly relevant. As the doping anion, metallacarborane [Co(C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]⁻ was chosen, which acts as a thistle. This anion binds to the accompanying cation with a distinct strength. If the binding strength is weak, the doping anion is more prone to compensate the positive charge of the polymer, and the opposite is also true. Thus, the ability of the doping anion to compensate the positive charges of the polymer can be tuned, and this determines the stoichiometry of the polymer. As the polymer, PEDOT was studied, whereas Cs⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, and H⁺ as cations. Notably, with the [Co(C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]⁻ anions, these cations are grouped into two sets, Cs⁺ and H⁺ in one and Na⁺, K⁺, and Li⁺ in the second, according to the stoichiometry of the COPs: 2:1 EDOT/[Co(C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]⁻ for Cs⁺ and H⁺, and 3:1 EDOT/[Co(C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]⁻ for Na⁺, K⁺, and Li⁺. The distinct stoichiometries are manifested in the physicochemical properties of the COPs, namely in the electrochemical response, electronic conductivity, ionic conductivity, and capacitance.     

Arginine Determination with Ion-Selective Membrane Electrodes

Abstract

A new method for the determination of the amino acid arginine utilizes a dual enzyme catalyzed reaction monitored with an ammonium ion selective membrane electrode of the antibiotic type. The technique gives a linear correlation between arginine concentration and electrode response over the 3 × 10^?3 M to 3 × 10^?5 M range and a useful, but non-linear, response over a wider range. Major interferences are urea, K⁺, and NH₄ ⁺, but Na⁺ does not interfere in the physiological concentration range.     

Study of complexation of phenylaza-15-crwon-5, 4-nitrobenzo- 15-crown-5, and benzo-15-crown-5 with Ag+, Tl+ and Pb2+ ions in methanol by competitive potentiometry

The complexation reaction of phenylaza-15-crwon-5, 4- nitrobenzo- 15-crown-5, and benzo-15-crown-5 with Ag⁺, Tl⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in methanol solution have been studied by a competitive potentiometric method. The Ag⁺/Ag electrode used both as an indicator and reference electrode in a concentration cell. The emf of cell monitored as the crown ethers concentration varies through the titration. The stoichiometry and stability constants of resulting complexes have been evaluated by MINIQUAD. The stoichiometry for all resulting complexes was 1:1. The stability of these metal ions with derivatives of 15-crown-5 are in order phenylaza-15-crown-5 > Benzo-15-crown-5 > 4-nitrobenzo-15-crown-5, and for the each used crown ethers are as Pb²⁺ > Ag⁺ > Tl⁺. The effect of the substituted group on the stability of resulting complexes was considered. The obtained results are novel and interesting.     

Potentiostatische Makroelektrolyse einer Reihe von Aryl-polyenketonen und spektroskopischer Nachweis der Produkte

Using data from preparative potentiostatic macroelectrolysis, IR spectroscopy of the isolated products and polarographic data, conclusions are drawn concerning the mechanism of electrode reduction of a series of ,-diphenyl polyene ketones.Electrolysis was carried out in 60% bufferedDMF at three typical pH values causing changes in the mechanism of the electrode process.The data obtained indicate the following scheme for the mechanism of the electrode process: (a) in the strongly acidic region: H⁺, e, H⁺, e; (b) in the intermediate region: H⁺, e, e, H⁺; (c) in the strongly alkaline region: e, H⁺, H⁺, e, H⁺, e.

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Mit 2 Abbildungen     

Thermodynamics of ion exchange of H<Superscript>+</Superscript> by Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> or NH<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript> on ion-exchange resins based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-tetramethylcalix[4]resorcinarene

The corrected selectivity coefficients of the ion exchange H⁺-Na⁺ and H⁺-NH₄ ⁺ on ion-exchange resins based on C-tetramethylcalix[4]resorcinarene were calculated from the experimental data obtained from studying ion-exchange equilibria. The preference of the ion-exchange resins for cations increases in the sequence: Na⁺ < NH₄ ⁺ < < H⁺, and the ion-exchange resin based on (2-furyl)hydroxymethyltetramethylcalix[4]resorcinarene has a higher preference for ammonium cations. According to the results of microcalorimetric measurements, the exchange H⁺-Na⁺ on this ion-exchange resin is accompanied by the highest change in the differential enthalpy. It follows from the quantum-chemical calculations that the introduction of a (2-furyl)hydroxymethyl group into the structure of the polymer induces additional electrostatic interactions between an ammonium cation and an elementary unit of the ion-exchange resin.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2560–2563, December, 2004.     

Energy-saving seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production

The change in the polarization potentials of anode and cathode due to pH change on electrode surfaces during galvanostatic polarization was examined in 0.5 M NaCl solutions of different pH. On the basis of these results, feeding of the anolyte after oxygen evolution to the cathode compartment for hydrogen production was examined for energy-saving seawater electrolysis. This was assumed to prevent the occurrence of a large pH difference on cathode and anode in electrolysis of neutral solution if sufficient H⁺ is permeated through the membrane. The cell performance was examined using Nafion 115 or Selemion HSF membranes for separation of anode and cathode compartments. The permeation fraction of H⁺ with Nafion 115 was 45–65% in 0.5 M NaCl and was about 90% in 0.25 M Na₂SO₄. These values were smaller than 97% necessary for prevention of the occurrence of pH difference on cathode and anode. The permeation fraction of H⁺ with Selemion HSF became more than 97% during electrolysis of 0.025 M Na₂SO₄, and the cell voltage was kept at low values. These results indicate the effectiveness of our seawater feeding system if the 97% H⁺ permeation fraction through the membrane is attained. Contribution to the Fall Meeting of the European Materials Research Society, Symposium D: 9th International Symposium on Electrochemical/Chemical Reactivity of Metastable, Warsaw, 17th-21st September, 2007.     

The electrodissolution of magnetite: Part I. The electrochemistry of Fe3O4/C discs-potentiodynamic experiments

A simple technique is reported for the preparation of Fe₃O₄ compact electrodes by cold pressing of powdered magnetite admixed with carbon. The electrochemical behaviour of these compacts was shown to be similar with that of polycrystalline magnetite in respect of their potentiodynamic polarisation response. The variation of rest potential with solution composition is complex and indicates that there is oxidation of the surface to Fe₂O₃. Linear potentiodynamic polarisation curves are reported corresponding to unit concentration of ions for the pH range 3–9. The results provide evidence of an electrode process which is an irreversible single electron redox reaction. The current passing through the electrode is generally controlled by a solid-state diffusion process. It is postulated that the diffusing species is the H⁺ ion.     

Proton diffusion reaction in a protein polyelectrolyte membrane and the kinetics of electromechanical forces

A theoretical model is developed for proton transport in a charged, protein polyelectrolyte membrane. Protons bind to fixed charge groups of the membrane. This binding process also modulates electromechanical tensile forces in the membrane, due to the change in the electrostatic interactions between the charged membrane molecules. We used this force as an experimental measure of the space—time evolution of proton transport inside the membrane. A step change in the bath pH produced a measurable change in the isometric tensile force of the membrane. H⁺ ion transport was modelled by a diffusion reaction theory. The kinetics of the measured force were compared to the H⁺ diffusion reaction dynamics predicted by the theory. Experimental and theoretical time constants were in good agreement for reasonable values of the H⁺ diffusivity, the equilibrium dissociation reaction constant and the number of available binding sites. This suggests that the diffusion reaction of H⁺ into the membrane is rate-limiting in force generation. Other nonequilibrium processes, including molecular reconformation and osmotic swelling, must be proceeding at least as rapidly as H⁺ transport. The combination of theory and experiment provides a useful, non-destructive technique for characterizing the kinetics of binding, and other transport processes, in charged polymers and in certain biological tissues.     

Pneumatopotentiometric determination of nanogram amounts of cyanide

Hydrogen cyanide is liberated from aqueous samples by reaction with sulphuric acid and transferred by a stream of nitrogen to a silver porous membrane electrode. Some HCN passes through the membrane into an alkaline dicyanoargentate solution; the cyanide ion produced causes a decrease in the equilibrium Ag⁺ concentration and the change of potential is related to the amount of cyanide in the sample. The detection limit is 3.0 ng ml^?1 cyanide in the injected solution; the relative standard deviation is 0.82% for 17 ng of cyanide. Sulphide interferes (as H₂S) but can be removed on a lead acetate column.     

Zundel‐like and Eigen‐like Hydrated Protons on a Platinum Surface

The nature of hydrated protons is an important topic in the fundamental study of electrode processes in acidic environment. For example, it is not yet clear whether hydrated protons are formed in the solution or on the electrode surface in the hydrogen evolution reaction on a Pt electrode. Using mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy, we show that hydrogen atoms are converted into hydrated protons directly on a Pt(111) surface coadsorbed with hydrogen and water in ultrahigh vacuum. The hydrated protons are preferentially stabilized as multiply hydrated species (H₅O₂⁺ and H₇O₃⁺) rather than as hydronium (H₃O⁺) ions. These surface‐bound hydrated protons may play an important role in the interconversion between adsorbed hydrogen atoms and solvated protons in solution.     

Behaviors of H2TPP and CoTPPCl in Nafion® film and the catalytic activity for nitric oxide oxidation

The behavior of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂TPP) and its Co(III)-complex (CoTPPCl) in Nafion® film has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and visible spectroscopy. Buffer titration of H₄TPP²⁺ in the film showed only the dication–free-base equilibrium (H₄TPP²⁺H₂TPP + 2H⁺) and the apparent equilibrium constant, pK_3,4, was determined to be 4.12. Insertion of cobalt(III) into the H₂TPP core in the film has been realized at room temperature by immersion of H₂TPP-containing Nafion® film into CoCl₂ solution. The electrocatalytic activity of the resulting film toward NO oxidation at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode has been monitored in comparison with other Nafion® films doped with H₂TPP or free CoCl₂. A GC electrode coated with Nafion® film doped with CoTPPCl exhibited the highest catalytic activity, confirming the involvement of the Co site in a catalytic cycle of NO oxidation. In amperometric detection of NO in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 this electrode demonstrated a linear response to the NO concentration increment. The detection limit at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was 1.2 nM.     

Acid–base chemistry at the single ion limit

We present the results of acid–base experiments performed at the single ion (H⁺ or OH⁻) limit in ∼6 aL volume nanopores incorporating electrochemical zero-mode waveguides (E-ZMWs). At pH 3 each E-ZMW nanopore contains ca. 3600H⁺ ions, and application of a negative electrochemical potential to the gold working electrode/optical cladding layer reduces H⁺ to H₂, thereby depleting H⁺ and increasing the local pH within the nanopore. The change in pH was quantified by tracking the intensity of fluorescein, a pH-responsive fluorophore whose intensity increases with pH. This behavior was translated to the single ion limit by changing the initial pH of the electrolyte solution to pH 6, at which the average pore occupancy 〈n〉_pore ∼3.6H⁺/nanopore. Application of an electrochemical potential sufficiently negative to change the local pH to pH 7 reduces the proton nanopore occupancy to 〈n〉_pore ∼0.36H⁺/nanopore, demonstrating that the approach is sensitive to single H⁺ manipulations, as evidenced by clear potential-dependent changes in fluorescein emission intensity. In addition, at high overpotential, the observed fluorescence intensity exceeded the value predicted from the fluorescence intensity-pH calibration, an observation attributed to the nucleation of H₂ nanobubbles as confirmed both by calculations and the behavior of non-pH responsive Alexa 488 fluorophore. Apart from enhancing fundamental understanding, the approach described here opens the door to applications requiring ultrasensitive ion sensing, based on the optical detection of H⁺ population at the single ion limit.

Visualizing dynamic change in the number of protons during electroreduction of protons in attoliter volume zero-mode waveguides.     

Simultaneous Determination of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl− in Unstimulated and Stimulated Human Saliva Using All Solid State Multisensor Platform

Human saliva is one of the body fluids which collection method is relatively simple and non‐invasive. The article is dedicated to assess concentration (activity) of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻ in fresh, unstimulated or stimulated human saliva samples using single solid contact ion‐selective electrodes with conventional reference electrode and self‐made multisensor platform (MP) equipped with ion‐selective membranes for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻ and reference electrode made in solid state technology, based on dispersed KCl in the polymer. Both kind of electrodes, single ISE and miniaturized electrodes in multisensor platform (ISE‐MP) were made of glassy carbon. The electrode surfaces have been modified by conductive polymer (PEDOT) layer deposition; with the exception of Cl⁻ electrode, in which conducting polymer was not applied. Potentiometric measurements were used to compare the changes of the ionic composition in various samples of saliva.     

Reversible Ammonium Ion Intercalation/de-intercalation with Crystal Water Promotion Effect in Layered VOPO4⋅2 H2O**

The non-metal NH₄⁺ carrier has attracted tremendous interests for aqueous energy storage owing to its light molar mass and fast diffusion in aqueous electrolytes. Previous study inferred that NH₄⁺ ion storage in layered VOPO₄⋅2 H₂O is impossible due to the removal of NH₄⁺ from NH₄VOPO₄ leads to a phase change inevitably. Herein, we update this cognition and demonstrated highly reversible intercalation/de-intercalation behavior of NH₄⁺ in layered VOPO₄⋅2 H₂O host. Satisfactory specific capacity of 154.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and very stable discharge potential plateau at 0.4 V based on reference electrode was achieved in VOPO₄⋅2 H₂O. A rocking-chair ammonium-ion full cell with the VOPO₄⋅2 H₂O//2.0 M NH₄OTf//PTCDI configuration exhibited a specific capacity of 55 mAh g⁻¹, an average operating voltage of about 1.0 V and excellent long-term cycling stability over 500 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of ≈99 %. Theoretical DFT calculations suggest a unique crystal water substitution process by ammonium ion during the intercalation process. Our results provide new insight into the intercalation/de-intercalation of NH₄⁺ ions in layered hydrated phosphates through crystal water enhancement effect.     

The autoprotolysis constant of liquid anhydrous hydrogen fluoride

The autoprotolysis constant of HF K: [H⁺][F^?] = 10^?12.50 ( I : 0.1, KSbF₆, 0° C ) has been evaluated from potentiometric titrations of solutions of H⁺ with F^?. The F^? concentrations were determined with the help of an Ag electrode acting in the presence of HCl and AgCl as a F^? electrode.     

Pulsed NMR studies of translational mobility of polymer molecules in polydialkylphosphate gels

The translational mobility of polypropylenephosphate (PPP) molecules has been studied by the NMR pulsed field gradient technique. The translational diffusion of long chain polymer molecules of polymerization degree ¯m > 20 may be neglected, in NMR measurements, on account of their rigidity. The self-diffusion coefficient of short chain polymer molecules (¯m=8) in PPP gels (¯D_s=3 · 10^–8 cm²/s) is about two orders of magnitude lower than that of water molecules in gels.Two hydrates, i. e. PPP(H⁺) · 3H₂O and PPP(H⁺, Mg²⁺) · 5H₂O represent the most stable structures, at temperature 293 K.