Electrochemical behavior of hydrazine at mechanically renewed solid electrodes

The electrooxidation of hydrazine was studied at metallic wire electrodes made of Co, Ni, Ag, Cu, and a graphite-epoxy composite by anodic and cyclic voltammetry with a linear potential sweep in alkaline-supporting electrolytes. Electrode working surfaces were regenerated by mechanically cutting a thin 0.5-μm layer in situ before each polarization cycle. The effects of the electrode material and the renewal of its surface on the parameters of anodic voltammograms of hydrazine were demonstrated. Hydrazine anodic peaks obtained at clean surfaces of electrodes fabricated from Ni, Ag, and a graphite-epoxy composite and also peaks at the potentials of the oxide formation on Ni and Cu electrodes can be used as analytical signals for the voltammetric determination of hydrazine.     

Electrochemical behavior of 2-thiouracil on silver electrodes

The reactions of 2-thiouracil with a silver electrode during anodic deposition and cathodic stripping were investigated using a rotating silver disk electrode and linear potential scan voltammetry.The formation of two different insoluble silver salts with 2-thiouracil and its dimerization product (2-thiouracil disulfide) and the dependence of the stripping peak current on the concentration of 2-thiouracil and the potential range are discussed.It has been found that these sparingly soluble silver compounds of 2-thiouracil formed during anodic deposition can be stripped by scanning the potential in a negative direction. The influence of parameters on the shape and the height of the stripping peaks has been determined.For concentrations of 2-thiouracil less than 6×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³, one stripping peak was observed. Two stripping peaks are observed in the intermediate concentration range 1×10⁻⁵–5×10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³.A random stripping process with repulsive lateral interactions in the film was observed at concentrations of 2-thiouracil ∼ 10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³.Experimental data were found to fit a Frumkin isotherm with a Temkin coefficient, g, of 5.     

Cathodic stripping voltammetry of cysteine using silver and copper solid amalgam electrodes

Silver and copper solid amalgam electrodes (modified with mercury meniscus and based on amalgamation of fine metallic powder) have been successfully tested for cathodic stripping voltammetry of cysteine. In the case of the silver solid amalgam electrode AgSAE the relative standard deviation (RSD) and the detection limit (3 SD) reached +/-2.3% and 3x10(-9) mol l(-1) cysteine, respectively.     

Electrochemical behavior of tartaric acid at solid electrodes in aqueous and mixed solutions

Electrochemical behavior of D-tartaric acid at the Pt-, Cu-, Ta-, Cu-Hg-electrodes and the Cd-alloys with Sn, Ni, Hg, and In in aqueous and mixed solutions (water mixtures with acetone, ethanol, dimethylformamide, and pyridine) is studied by voltammetry. It is shown that the tartaric acid voltammograms always show waves related to the hydrogen ion discharge. A method recently suggested by authors allowed calculating the dissociation degrees at different stages, the concentrations of ionized and not ionized forms in dilute solutions of stereoisomers: DL-tartaric, L-tartaric, D-tartaric, and meso-tartaric acids. Simple empiric equations are suggested for the approximate calculating of some dissociation parameters for these acids.     

Electrochemical study of carminomycin at solid electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of carminomycin at carbon-paste, glassy-carbon and composite carbon—polymer electrodes has been compared. Three electroactive sites on the molecule have been identified. Two sites are involved in the oxidation processes, the first corresponding to the hydroquinone structure in the C-6/C-11 positions, the second attributed to the C-4 phenolic function. Applying a negative-going scan allows reduction of the quinone moiety in the C-5/C-12 positions. Both the quinone and hydroquinone functions exhibit quasi-reversible electrochemical reactions in acidic medium, becoming irreversible in alkaline solution. Adsorption phenomena accompany both the oxidation and reduction processes, primarily in neutral and alkaline media. The adsorption can be decreased by using the composite electrode, which is less sensitive to surface phenomena. This working electrode is proposed as the most suitable for the determination of carminomycin at pH 1. A linear calibration plot can be obtained over the range 1 × 10⁻⁶-1 × 10⁻⁴M, with a limit of detection of 6 × 10⁻⁸M.     

The effect of composition of solid silver amalgam electrodes on their electrochemical response

The main purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of the silver to mercury ratio on the voltammetric responses of silver solid amalgam electrodes (AgSAE’s). For this, the AgSAE were prepared by mechanical mixing the metals in the following mass ratios of silver to mercury: 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, and 70/30. The resulting AgSAE’s were physically characterized by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, confirming the mass percentages of the silver and mercury, the total absence of liquid mercury and a globular structure of all AgSAE’s. Furthermore, it was observed that the AgSAE 30/70 contained only one single phase (Ag₂Hg₃), and no metallic silver or mercury oxides. Additionally, the resulting AgSAE’s were chemically characterized with respect to the influence of the electrode composition on the reproducibility and electrochemical signals of a hexamine-ruthenium (III) chloride solution by use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The separation between anodic and cathodic peaks, and consequently, the charge transfer resistance across the electrode/solution interface, and the electroactive area were calculated demonstrating that the 30/70 composition is the best surface for practical applications. Finally, square-wave voltammetry experiments were performed in 4-nitrophenol solution, with a previous optimization of the experimental and voltammetric parameters. The calculated detection limit shows that the AgSAE 30/70 is suitable for determining any contamination by p-nitrophenol, minimizing the toxic residues in case of using liquid mercury electrodes.     

Electrochemical study and voltammetric determination of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate using silver nanoparticles solid amalgam electrode

We report in this work, for the first time, the voltammetric study and the development of an electroanalytical method for the determination of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (Na-DDC) using solid amalgam electrode fabricated with silver nanoparticles. The experimental parameters were studied and the best voltammetric response was reached when using 0.02 mol L^–1 Britton–Robinson buffer (pH = 5.5). Cyclic voltammograms of the substance presented two voltammetric signals: one cathodic peak at E_p = – 0.55 V and one anodic peak at E_p = – 0.49 V. The redox process of Na-DDC showed itself as an adsorption-controlled and quasi-reversible system. A mechanism for this electrochemical reaction was proposed. The analytical studies employed square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV) and were based on the cathodic signal given by Na-DDC. Good linearity was observed in the concentration range from 2.83 × 10^–7 mol L^–1 to 6.89 × 10^–6 mol L^–1. The obtained limit of detection was 7.26 × 10^–8 mol L^–1. The electroanalytical approach described here was successfully employed for the determination of Na-DDC in river water at levels of concentration from 1.46 × 10^–7 mol L^–1 to 1.46 × 10^–6 mol L^–1 with good repeatability and reproducibility (RSD values of 4.2% and 5.9%, respectively). The values found during these determinations presented good concordance when compared with the expected values. According to the data presented here, the solid amalgam electrode fabricated with silver nanoparticles may be seen as an effective and green tool for the electrochemical analysis of Na-DDC and also other reducible compounds that usually require mercury-based electrode surfaces.     

Electrochemical determination of 6-mercaptopurine at silver microdisk electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) at a microdisk electrode is investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicate that 6-MP can be strongly adsorbed on the surface of the static mercury drop electrode (SMDE) and reacts with Ag+ ions which are produced at positive potentials. 6-MP yields a well-defined cathodic stripping signal during the negative scan at about -0.812 V (vs. SCE) in pH 9.0 phosphate buffer solution. The electrode has hence been used for the determination of 6-MP by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The linear range is between 2.0x10(-7) and 5.0x10(-5) mol/l, with the calculated detection limit (S/N=3) of 8.0x10(-8) mol/l. The relative standard deviation is 3.0% for eight successive determinations of 4.0x10(-5) mol/l 6-MP. The determination of 6-MP in tablets has also been carried out and satisfactory results have been obtained.     

Anodic behavior of ephedrine at solid electrodes

The electrooxidation of the alkaloid ephedrine at solid electrodes in a wide range of concentrations and pH values of solutions has been studied by the methods of potentiodynamic voltammetric curves, preparative electrolysis, and quantum-chemical calculations by the SCF MO LCAO method in the MINDO/3 approximation. A quantitative basis has been given for the sequence of stages in the electrooxidation of ephedrine proposed previously by the authors of one of the cited papers. Good agreement has been established between the values found theoretically and experimentally. Institute of Organic Synthesis and Colloid Chemistry, Kazakh SSR Academy of Sciences, Karaganda. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 523–526, July–August, 1989.     

Electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization using methylene blue and electro-deposited zirconia thin films on gold electrodes

A novel electrochemical DNA biosensor based on methylene blue (MB) and zirconia (ZrO₂) thin films modified gold electrode for DNA hybridization detection is presented. Zirconia thin films were electrodynamically deposited onto the bare gold electrode in an aqueous electrolyte of ZrOCl₂ and KCl by cycling the potential between −1.1 and +0.7 V (versus Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹. Oligonucleotide probes with phosphate group at the 5′ end were attached onto the zirconia thin films because zirconia is affinity for phosphoric group. The surface density of the immobilized DNA molecules at the zirconia interface was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy method. Hybridization was induced by exposure of the ssDNA-containing Au electrode to complementary ssDNA in solution. The decreases in the peak currents of MB, an electroactive label, were observed upon hybridization of probe with the target. The cathodic peak current (i_p) of MB after hybridization with the target DNA was linearly related to the logarithmic value of the target DNA concentration ranging from 2.25×10⁻¹⁰ to 2.25×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹. A detection limit of 1.0×10⁻¹⁰ mol l⁻¹ of oligonucleotides can be estimated.     

Electrochemical behavior of marcellomycin at lipid-modified carbon-paste electrodes

A lipid-modified carbon-paste electrode is prepared by mixing phospholipids with the carbon-paste matrix. The resulting electrodes have polar head-groups which allow interactions with positively charged drugs and improved preconcentration/extraction steps. The accumulation of the antitumor drug, marcellomycin, is enhanced in the presence of lipids, giving an 8-fold enhancement of current. The electrode response has been optimized with respect to paste composition, nature of the lipid, pH, temperature, and stirring time. A mechanism for marcellomycin accumulation is proposed, based on electrochemical and UV-visible spectrometric measurements as a function of pH. The electrode response is linearly related to the marcellomycin concentration within the range 1 x 10(-8)-6 x 10(-6)M. Known amounts of marcellomycin added to a urine sample diluted sixfold with water have been measured by use of the medium-exchange technique.     

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions at methylene blue adsorbed nafion and clay coated electrodes

Nafion and montmorillonite clay adsorbed methylene blue coated onto platinum electrode were prepared. These dye modified electrodes were used as photoelectrodes in a photogalvanic cell in the presence of Fe²⁺ ions. The photoelectrochemical investigations showed that the dye coated electrodes behaved as cathode upon irradiation whereas the plain platinum electrode dipped in a homogeneous solution containing methylene blue and Fe²⁺ ions behaved as anode. It is suggested that the intermediate complex formed between the photoreduced methylene blue and ferric ion lead to the reductive reaction at the coated electrode.     

Electrochemical behavior of hydrogen peroxide sensor based on new methylene blue as mediator

A novel amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor was proposed by co-immobilizing new methylene blue (NMB) and Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on glassy carbon electrode through covalent binding. The electrochemical behavior of the sensor was studied extensively in 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffering solution (pH = 7.0). The experiments showed NMB could effectively transfer electrons between hydrogen peroxide and glassy carbon electrode. The electron transfer coefficient and apparent reaction rate constant were determined to be 0.861 and 1.27 s⁻¹. The kinetic characteristics and responses of sensor on H₂O₂ were investigated. The Michaelis constant is 8.27 mol/L and the linear dependence of current on H₂O₂ is in the range of 2.5–100 μmol/L. At the same time, the effects of solution pH, buffer capacity, and temperature on the sensor were examined. Translated from Chemistry, 2006, 23(8): 916–920 [译自: 化学通报]     

Electrochemical detection of hybridization using peptide nucleic acids and methylene blue on self-assembled alkanethiol monolayer modified gold electrodes

An electrochemical hybridization biosensor based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes is presented. PNA probes were attached covalently through a competition of free amines on the guanine bases and also at the 5^′ end of the probe, using N-(3-dimethylamino)propyl)-N^′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) onto a carboxylate terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) preformed on a gold electrode (AuE). The covalently immobilized probe could selectively hybridize with the target DNA to form a hybrid on the surface despite the bases being attached to the SAM. The changes in the peak currents of methylene blue (3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazin-5-ium chloride, MB), an electroactive label, were observed upon hybridization of probe with the target. Effective discrimination against point mutation was also obtained. Performance characteristics of the sensor are described, along with future prospects.     

Electrochemical behavior of benzenepolycarboxylic acids on solid electrodes in aqueous and mixed solutions

Electrochemical behavior of biologically active benzenepolycarboxylic (trimellitic, trimesic, pyromellitic, mellitic) acids is studied by a voltammetry method on Pt, Cu, Ta, and Cu-Hg in aqueous media and water mixtures with ethanol and pyridine. In all cases, voltammograms for the acids display waves corresponding to the discharge of hydrogen ions. In the case of Cu-Hg, voltammograms for trimellitic, trimesic, and pyromellitic acids additionally exhibit poorly pronounced prewaves. Concentrations of ionized and non-ionized forms in dilute solutions of the acids are calculated. Apparent dissociation constants K _a ^II and K _a ^III for mellitic acid are calculated from the voltammetry data.     

Brdicka-type processes of cysteine and cysteine-containing peptides on silver amalgam electrodes

Silver solid amalgam electrode (AgSAE) was used for differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) measurements of cysteine and cysteine-containing peptides, glutathione, gamma-Glu-Cys-Gly and phytochelatin (gamma-Glu-Cys)(3)-Gly (PC3), in the presence of Co(II) ions. It had been established earlier that cysteine-containing peptides and proteins catalyze hydrogen evolution at mercury electrodes in presence of cobalt salts; these processes are known as the Brdicka reaction. DPV signals measured with the AgSAE, the surfaces of which had been modified by mercury meniscus or mercury film, were qualitatively the same as those obtained with the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). With these electrodes the number and the intensity of Brdicka signals of cysteine, glutathione and PC3 differed, making a distinction among them possible. On the other hand, with the polished silver solid amalgam electrode (the surface of which was completely free of liquid mercury) all three compounds produced only one but strikingly intense peak in the region of Brdicka reaction. Using this signal, cysteine, glutathione as well as PC3 could be determined at 10(-8)M level, representing sensitivity up to 2 orders of magnitude better than attained with the mercury-modified AgSAEs or HMDE.     

Direct electron transfer reaction of glucose oxidase at bare silver electrodes and its application in analysis

The direct electron transfer reaction of glucose oxidase (GOx) at a bare silver electrode is verified. The electron transfer number n = 2, electron transfer coefficient α = 0.45 and rate constant of the electrochemical reaction K_s = 0.1 s⁻¹ are obtained. This communication presents a multimolecular adsorption model to explain the properties of the direct electron reaction between GOx and bare silver electrodes. The residual valence force may be an important factor to ensure a direct electron transfer reaction on the bare electrode. On the basis of the experimental fact that only biologically active GOx exhibits electrochemical activity in solution, a facile analytical method for analyzing the active GOx concentration is developed. The results determined correspond very well to that of a spectrometric method.     

The detection of DNA deamination by electrocatalysis at DNA-modified electrodes

The method of electrocatalysis based on using a methylene blue (MB) as an electrochemical indicator and ferricyanide ions [Fe(CN)6]3- as an electron acceptor was applied in screening DNA for lesions caused by deamination of nucleobases. The damaged DNA was modeled by short 18-mer oligonucleotides containing the different number of mismatched target bases (uracil instead of cytosine residues). The hybridization capacity of these oligomers with complementary probes (immobilized on gold electrodes or free) was investigated by both electrochemical methods and UV spectroscopy. We have shown that the amplitude of the reduction signal corresponding to ferricyanide ions considerably increases in the presence of MB. This electrocatalytic effect allowed us to detect the changes in electrochemical properties of DNA caused by dU.dG mismatches. Using differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry, we showed that the electron transport from the electrode through the double-stranded DNA to MB and then to ferricyanide ions is suppressed by the mismatches in duplex structure. According to UV-monitored melting data, single or multiple wobble dU.dG base pairs destabilize 18-mer DNA duplex by 9-27 degrees C.