Electrochemical study on screen-printed carbon electrodes with modification by iron nanoparticles in Fe(CN)<Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>4−/3−</Superscript> redox system

The remarkable enhancement of electron transfer on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) with modification by iron nanoparticles (Fe_nano), coupled with Fe(CN)₆ ^4−/3− redox species, was characterized with an increase of electroactive area (A _ea) at electrode surface together with a decrease of heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k°) in the system. Hence, Fe_nano-Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻ SPCEs with deposition of glucose oxidase (GOD) demonstrated a higher sensitivity to various glucose concentrations than Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻/GOD-deposited SPCEs. In addition, an inhibited diffusion current from cyclic voltammograms was also observed with an increase in redox concentration and complicated the estimation of A _ea. Further analysis by the electrochemical impedance method, it was shown that this effect might be resulted from the electrode surface blocking by the products of activated complex decomposition.     

The lead amalgam/lead sulfate electrode redesigned and reassessed

To make the (Pb)Hg‖PbSO₄‖SO ₄ ²⁻ electrode really usable and attractive for extensive application to thermodynamic studies, a new, simplified design and a convenient preparative procedure have been introduced, ensuring stable amalgams and reproducible electrode potentials. The electrode so prepared has been exhaustively characterized both thermodynamically and as a SO ₄ ²⁻ -sensing electrode, in different sulfate solutions, including H₂SO₄. The past discrepancies of standard potentials-mainly due to preparation and/or handling problems-are discussed and, for a final resolution of the question, a practical standardization procedure is proposed.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of two new complexes containing azido or dicyanamido bridges

Two new complexes, [Cu(L₁){N(CN)₂}]·ClO₄ (1) (L₁ is 1,8-dimethyl-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexa-azacyclotetradecane) and [Co(L₂)(N₃)₂]·ClO₄ (2) (L₂ is 5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane) have been synthesized and characterized. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic system P2₁ space group for 1 and P2₁/n for 2. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the compound 1 assumes a one-dimensional structure via hydrogen-bonding interactions, in which each Cu(II) ion is coordinated by four nitrogen atoms from ligand L₁ and one nitrogen atom from [N(CN)₂]⁻ anion. For compound 2, each Co(III) ion is coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of ligand L₂ and two nitrogen atoms from N₃ ⁻ anion.     

Electrochemical synthesis of Fe3O4-PB nanoparticles with core-shell structure and its electrocatalytic reduction toward H2O2

The Fe₃O₄-Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles with core-shell structure have been in situ prepared directly on a nano-Fe₃O₄-modified glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV). First, the magnetic nano-Fe₃O₄ particles were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Then, the properties of the Fe₃O₄-PB nanoparticles were characterized by CV, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device. The resulting core-shell Fe₃O₄-PB-modified electrode displays a dramatic electrocatalytic ability toward H₂O₂ reduction, and the catalytic current was a linear function with the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range of 1 × 10⁻⁷~5 × 10⁻⁴ mol/l. A detection limit of 2 × 10⁻⁸ (s/n = 3) was determined. Moreover, it showed good reproducibility, enhanced long-term stability, and potential applications in fields of magnetite biosensors.     

Electropolymerization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[RuCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(vpy)<Subscript>4</Subscript>] complex—EQCM and Raman studies

The electropolymerization of trans-[RuCl₂(vpy)₄] (vpy=4-vinylpyridine) on Au or Pt electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique, and Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry of the monomer at a microelectrode shows the typical Ru(III/II) and Ru(IV/III) waves, together with the vinyl reduction waves at −1.5 and −2.45 V and adsorption wave at −0.8 V. Electrodeposition on EQCM technique performed under potential cycling between −0.9 and −2.0 V revealed that the polymerization proceeded well in advance of the vinyl reduction waves. At potentials more positive than −0.9 V, soluble oligomers were deposited irreversibly on the electrode during the oxidative sweep. The film also showed reversible mass changes due to the oxidation and accompanying ingress of charge-balancing anions and solvent into the film. In contrast, potentiostatic growth of the polymer at −1.6 V was slower because the oligomeric material was lost completely from the electrode. Unreacted vinyl groups were detected by in situ Raman spectroscopy for films grown at −0.7, −0.9, and −1.6 V but were absent when the polymerization was carried out at −2.9 V vs Ag/Ag⁺.     

Magnetic properties of fullerene salts containing d- and f-metal cations (Co2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Eu2+, Cd2+). Specific features of the interaction between C60·? and the metal cations

The interaction between the radical anions C₆₀ ^·− and divalent d- and f-metal (Co, Fe, Ni, Mn, Eu, Cd) cations in DMF and acetonitrile-benzonitrile (AN-BN) mixture was studied. Black solid polycrystalline salts (C₆₀ ^·−)₂{(M²⁺)(DMF) _x } (x = 2.4–4, 1–6) containing the radical anions C₆₀ ^·− and metal(ii) cations solvated by DMF were prepared for the first time and their optical and magnetic properties were studied. The salts containing Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ni²⁺ are characterized by antiferromagnetic interactions between the radical anions C₆₀ ^·−, which result in unusually large broadening of the EPR signal of C₆₀ ^·− upon lowering the temperature (from 5.55–12.6 mT at room temperature to 35–40 mT at 6 K for Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺). The salts containing Mn²⁺ and Eu²⁺ form diamagnetic dimers (C₆₀ ⁻)₂, which causes a jumpwise decrease in the magnetic moment of the complexes and disappearance of the EPR signal of C₆₀ ^·− in the temperature range 210–130 K. A feature of salt 6 is magnetic isolation of the radical anions C₆₀ ^·− due to the presence of diamagnetic cation Cd²⁺. The salts prepared are unstable in air and decompose in o-dichlorobenzene or AN. Reactions of C₆₀ ^·− with metal(ii) cations in AN-BN mixture result in decomposition products of the salts that contain neutral fullerene dimers and metals solvated by BN. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1909–1919, September, 2008.     

Estimation of the specific content and nature of sorption sites of iron(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">III</Emphasis>) and zirconium(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">IV</Emphasis>) oxyhydroxides

The sorption of anions H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻, and [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ from aqueous solutions on the surface of Fe^III and Zr^IV oxyhydroxide hydrogels freshly precipitated at pH 4–13 was studied. The region of sorbate concentrations was from 0.00025 to 0.06 mol L⁻¹. The plots of the anion uptakes vs. their equilibrium concentrations are represented by isotherms of the first type, which are well described by the Langmuir equation if the quantity of the amount adsorbed is expressed as mol-site g⁻¹. The maximum uptakes and constants of the Langmuir equation were calculated. The phosphate anions occupy the same number of sorption sites on the sorbents precipitated at different pH. The average specific content of sorption sites for the ferro- and zirconogels in the metastability period is independent of the pH of their precipitation, being 3.1·10⁻³ and 3.2·10⁻³ mol-site g⁻¹, respectively. The [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ and [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ anions are sorbed only on the positively charged sites of the hydrogels and occupy not more than 2·10 mol-site g⁻¹ in the studied interval of pH of precipitation. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1736—1741, August, 2005.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of pyridoxine (vitamin B<Subscript>6</Subscript>) on aluminum electrode modified by metallic palladium particles/iron (III) hexacyanoferrate (II) film

The electrocatalytic activity of a Prussian blue (PB) film on the aluminum electrode by taking advantage of the metallic palladium characteristic as an electron-transfer bridge (PB/Pd–Al) for electrooxidation of 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-bis (hydroxyl–methyl) pyridine (pyridoxine) is described. The catalytic activity of PB was explored in terms of Fe^III [Fe^III (CN)₆]/Fe^III [Fe^II (CN)₆]¹⁻ system. The best mediated oxidation of pyridoxine (PN) on the PB/Pd–Al-modified electrode was achieved in 0.5 M KNO₃ + 0.2 M potassium acetate of pH 6 at scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹. The mechanism and kinetics of the catalytic oxidation reaction of PN were monitored by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results were explained using the theory of electrocatalytic reactions at chemically modified electrodes. The charge transfer-rate limiting reaction step is found to be a one-electron abstraction, whereas a two-electron charge transfer reaction is the overall oxidation reaction of PN by forming pyridoxal. The value of α, k, and D are 0.5, 1.2 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹, and 1.4 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹, respectively. Further examination of the modified electrodes shows that the modifying layers (PB) on the Pd–Al substrate have reproducible behavior and a high level of stability after posing it in the electrolyte or Pyridoxine solutions for a long time.     

The electrochemical polymerization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine on <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-tyrosine functionalized glassy carbon electrode and its application

The polymerization of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) on l-tyrosine (Tyr) functionalized glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and its electro-catalytic oxidation towards ascorbic acid (AA) had been studied in this report. l-Tyrosine was first covalently grafted on GCE surface via electrochemical oxidation, which was followed by the electrochemical polymerization of OPD on the l-tyrosine functionalized GCE. Then, the poly(o-phenylenediamine)/l-tyrosine composite film modified GCE (POPD-Tyr/GCE) was obtained. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), and electrochemical techniques have been used to characterize the grafting of l-tyrosine and the polymerization and morphology of OPD film on GCE surface. Due to the doping of the carboxylic functionalities in l-tyrosine molecules, the POPD film showed good redox activity in neutral medium, and thus, the POPD-Tyr/GCE exhibited excellent electrocatalytic response to AA in 0.1 mol l⁻¹ phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 6.8). The anode peak potential of AA shifted from 0.58 V at GCE to 0.35 V at POPD-Tyr/GCE with a greatly enhanced current response. A linear calibration graph was obtained over the AA concentration range of 2.5 × 10⁻⁴–1.5 × 10^–3 mol l⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The detection limit (3δ) for AA was 9.2 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹. The modified electrode showed good stability and reproducibility and had been used for the determination of AA content in vitamin C tablet with satisfactory results.     

Solid state electrochemical of the erbium hexacyanoferrate-modified carbon ceramic electrode and its electrocatalytic oxidation of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-cysteine

A kind of erbium hexacyanoferrate (ErHCF)-modified carbon ceramic electrodes (CCEs) fabricated by mechanically attaching ErHCF samples to the surface of CCEs derived from sol–gel technique was proposed. The resulting modified electrodes exhibit well-defined redox responses with the formal potential of +0.215 V [vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE)] at a scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹ in 0.5 M KCl (pH 7) solution. The voltammetric characteristics of the ErHCF-modified CCEs were investigated by voltammetry. Attractively, the ErHCF-modified CCEs presented good electrocatalytic activity with a marked decrease in the overvoltage about 400 mV for l-cysteine oxidation. The calibration plot for l-cysteine determination was linear at 5.0 × 10⁻⁶–1.3 × 10⁻⁴ M with a linear regression equation of I(A) = 0.558 + 0.148c (μM) (R ² = 0.9989, n = 20), and the detection limit was 2 × 10⁻⁶ M (S/N = 3). At last, the ErHCF-modified CCEs were used for amperometric detection of l-cysteine in real samples.     

Chromium(III) Hydroxide Solubility in the Aqueous K+-H+-OH?-CO2-HCO 3? -CO 32? -H2O System: A?Thermodynamic Model

Chromium(III)-carbonate reactions are expected to be important in managing high-level radioactive wastes. Extensive studies on the solubility of amorphous Cr(III) hydroxide solid in a wide range of pH (3–13) at two different fixed partial pressures of CO₂(g) (0.003 or 0.03 atm.), and as functions of K₂CO₃ concentrations (0.01 to 5.8 mol⋅kg⁻¹) in the presence of 0.01 mol⋅dm⁻³ KOH and KHCO₃ concentrations (0.001 to 0.826 mol⋅kg⁻¹) at room temperature (22±2 °C) were carried out to obtain reliable thermodynamic data for important Cr(III)-carbonate reactions. A combination of techniques (XRD, XANES, EXAFS, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, thermodynamic analyses of solubility data, and quantum mechanical calculations) was used to characterize the solid and aqueous species. The Pitzer ion-interaction approach was used to interpret the solubility data. Only two aqueous species [Cr(OH)(CO₃)₂²⁻ and Cr(OH)₄CO₃³⁻] are required to explain Cr(III)-carbonate reactions in a wide range of pH, CO₂(g) partial pressures, and bicarbonate and carbonate concentrations. Calculations based on density functional theory support the existence of these species. The log ₁₀ K° values of reactions involving these species [{Cr(OH)₃(am) + 2CO₂(g)⇌Cr(OH)(CO₃)₂²⁻+2H⁺} and {Cr(OH)₃(am) + OH⁻+CO₃²⁻ ⇌Cr(OH)₄CO₃³⁻}] were found to be −(19.07±0.41) and −(4.19±0.19), respectively. No other data on any Cr(III)-carbonato complexes are available for comparisons.     

A study of Co/Mo/Al2O3 hydrodesulphurization catalysts and related model compounds byxps and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs )

A detailed investigation of sulphided Co/Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts, their oxide precursors and several model oxides and sulphides of cobalt and molybdenum has been carried out using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs). Octahedrally coordinated Co(II) and Mo(IV) are shown to be present in a sulphidic environment on the surfaces of these catalysts. The surface species contain an excess of sulphur, probably involving disulphide linkages. The surface compositions of the catalysts examined conform to the general formula Co¹¹ Mo _2n ^IV (2n + 3)S ₂ ²⁻ (2n -2)S²⁻.     

Nitrite formation in aerated aqueous azide solutions: A radiation chemical study

Gamma radiolysis of oxygenated 1–10 mM azide solutions was carried out at various pH values. In oxygenated 10 mM azide solutions, H₂O₂ and NO ₂ ⁻ were observed as radiolytic products while NH3 was not. The concentration of H₂O₂ reached its maximum level at a dose of 1 kGy, whereas NO ₂ ⁻ yield increased non-linearly beyond 2 kGy in this system. Both in aerated and oxygenated systems, G(NO ₂ ⁻ ) and G(H₂O₂) were found to vary with N ₃ ⁻ concentration. The yield of NO ₂ ⁻ was found to be dependent on both dose rate and pH. On pulse radiolysis, NO ₂ ⁻ was found as a radiolytic product in aerated 1 mM azide solution at pH 6.8. In this system the intermediate generated exhibits absorbance around 250 nm. The overall results obtained during the present study reveal that in presence of both reducing radical (mainly e _aq ⁻ ) and oxygen, N ₃ ⁻ produced an intermediate possibly NH₂O ₂ ^• radical, which is the prime source for NO ₂ ⁻ generation.     

Critical phenomena in ethylbenzene oxidation in acetic acid solution at high cobalt(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">II</Emphasis>) concentrations

Critical phenomena in ethylbenzene oxidation in an acetic acid solution at high cobalt(III) concentrations (from 0.01 to 0.2 mol L⁻¹) were studied at 60–90 °C by the gasometric (O₂ absorption), spectrophotometric (Co^III accumulation), and chemiluminescence (relative concentration of radical RO₂ ^·) methods. These phenomena are as follows: (1) increase in the oxidation rate above the theoretical limiting rate of radical autooxidation (k ₃ ²[RH]²/2k ₆); (2) achievement of a maximum and a sharp decrease in the oxidation rate and concentration of radical RO₂ ^· with the further increase in the Co^II concentration (existence of critical concentrations). The oxidation rate increases due to the reaction RO₂ ^· + Co^II + H⁺ → → ROOH + Co^III, while the inhibition effect is caused by the decay of RO₂ ^· radical involving two cobalt(II) atoms: RO₂ ^· + 2 Co^II → R′CO + Co^III + Co^II (k(70 °C) ≈ 300 L² mol⁻² s⁻¹). The detailed scheme (through the formation of the complex RO₂ ^·Co^II) describing the conjugation of these reactions was proposed. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1823–1827, August, 2005.     

Fabrication of modified TiO2 nanoparticle carbon paste electrode for simultaneous determination of dopamine, uric acid, and l-cysteine

A carbon paste electrode, modified with 2, 2′-[1,7-hepthandiylbis(nitriloethylidyne)]-bis-hydroquinone and TiO₂ nanoparticles, was used for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), and l-cysteine. The study was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques. Some kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α) and heterogeneous rate constant (k_s) were also determined for the DA oxidation. A dynamic range of 8.0–1400 μM, with the detection limit of 8.4 × 10⁻⁷ M for DA, was obtained using SWV (pH = 7.0). The prepared electrode was successfully applied for the determination of DA, UA, and l-cysteine in real samples.     

Synthesis and properties of bis(biphenyl)chromium(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">i</Emphasis>) 1,4-di(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,4-dihydrofulleride and 1-(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,2-dihydrofullerene

Radical-ion salts bis(biphenyl)chromium(i) 1,4-di(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,4-dihydrofulleride [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,4-(CMe₂CN)₂C₆₀]^−· and bis(biphenyl)chromium(i) 1-(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,2-dihydrofulleride [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀]^−·, the salt bis(biphenyl)chromium(i) (2-cyanoisopropyl)fulleride [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[(CMe₂CN)C₆₀]⁻, and neutral 1-(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,2-dihydrofullerene 1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀ have been synthesized for the first time. The compounds [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,4-(CMe₂CN)₂C₆₀]^−· and [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀]^−· decompose in THF to form [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[(CMe₂CN)C₆₀]⁻, whose protonation affords 1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀. 1,4-Di(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,4-dihydrofullerene 1,4-(CMe₂CN)₂C₆₀ and 1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀ are stable in vacuo up to 513 K. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1935–1939, September, 2008.     

A novel amperometric immunosensor based on Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> magnetic nanoparticles/chitosan composite film for determination of ferritin

A novel amperometric immunosensor was developed by immobilizing ferritin antibody (FeAb) on the surface of Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles/chitosan composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). This material combined the advantages of inorganic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with the organic polymer chitosan. The stepwise assembly procedure of the immunosensor was characterized by means of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and ac impedance. The K₃Fe(CN)₆/K₄Fe(CN)₆ was used as a marker to probe the interface and to determinate ferritin. The factors that could influence the performance of the resulting immunosensor were studied in detail. After the immunosensor was incubated with ferritin for 32 min at 35 °C, the DPV current decreased linearly with the logarithm of ferritin concentration in the range from 20 to 500 ng mL⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient of 0.995 and a detection limit of 7.0 ng mL⁻¹. This immunosensor was used to analyze ferritin in human serum samples. The analytical results showed that the developed immunoassay was comparable with the radioimmunoassay (RIA), and the studied immunosensor exhibited good accuracy, high sensitivity, and long-term stability for 3 weeks, which implies a promising alternative approach for detecting ferritin in clinical diagnosis.     

Electrochemical reduction of NO on La2-x Sr x NiO4 based electrodes

The series La_2 − x Sr _x NiO₄ (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35, and 1.0) was tested for functionality as electrode materials for direct electrochemical reduction of NO. The materials were tested using cyclic voltammetry in 1% NO and 10% O₂ in Ar on a cone-shaped electrode. The best materials for the electrochemical reduction of NO are La₂NiO₄ and LaSrNiO₄, which have current densities for NO reduction 1.82 and 7.09 times higher, respectively, than for O₂ at 400 °C. Increasing the temperature decreased the ability to reduce NO before O₂ while the activity increased. The adsorbed species during direct decomposition was attempted, clarified using X-ray absorption near-edge structure experiments and thermogravimetry, but no conclusive results were obtained.     

Electrochemical reduction of NO and O2 on La2−x Sr x CuO4-based electrodes

A series of La_2 − x Sr _x CuO₄ (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.35) compounds was investigated for the use of direct electrochemical reduction of NO in an all-solid-state electrochemical cell. The materials were investigated using cyclic voltammetry in 1% NO in Ar and 10% O₂ in Ar. The most selective electrode material was La₂CuO₄, which had an activity of NO reduction that was 6.8 times higher than that of O₂ at 400 °C. With increasing temperature, activity increased while selectivity decreased. Additionally, conductivity measurements were carried out, and the materials show metallic conductivity behavior which follows an adiabatic small polaron hopping mechanism.