Covalent attachment of alkene and alkyne groups on carbon surfaces by electrochemical oxidation of unsaturated aliphatic carboxylates

The covalent modification of glassy carbon electrodes by oxidation of unsaturated aliphatic carboxylates is reported in this work. It is shown that the presence of π-bonds on the hydrocarbon structure is essential to develop the grafting process, which does not occurs with totally saturated carboxylates. In this way, the glassy carbon surface modification with aliphatic chains containing alkene and alkyne groups was performed and the presence of such groups was demonstrated through a Heck and a Click reaction, allowing respectively a further functionalization with nitrobenzene and ferrocene groups.     

Determination of sulfonamides in milk samples by HPLC with amperometric detection using a glassy carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A sensitive and accurate method for determining five sulfonamides based on HPLC with amperometric detection and using a glassy carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes is proposed. Optimal conditions for the quantitative separation of selected sulfonamides were studied, and glassy carbon electrodes with and without modification with carbon nanotubes were systematically investigated as electrodic materials. Statistical analysis of the obtained results demonstrated that these modified electrodes achieved considerably better stability and sensitivity than the conventional unmodified ones. Detection limits were in the 1.2–6.0 ng/mL range. The usefulness of the method was demonstrated by the analysis of milk samples, taking into account the European legislation on residues in food products, following both a screening method to classify the samples and a confirmation method to provide more detailed information in the case of positive samples.     

Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes catalyzed by substituted ferrocenes

A range of substituted ferrocenes were used as catalysts for the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon fibers (CFs). These products were obtained in the temperature range 800-1000 °C, in a reducing atmosphere of 5% H₂ by pyrolysis of (CpR)(CpR′)Fe (R and R′ = H, Me, Et and COMe) in toluene solution. The effect of pyrolysis temperature (800-1000 °C), catalyst concentration (5 and 10 wt.% in toluene) and solution injection rate (0.2 and 0.8 ml/min) on the type and yield of carbonaceous product synthesized was investigated. Carbonaceous products formed include graphite film (mostly at high temperature; 900-1000 °C), carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers. The carbonaceous materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The ferrocene ring substituents influenced both the CNT diameter and the carbon product formed.     

Characterization of PEDOT film functionalized with a series of automated synthesis ferrocenyl-containing oligonucleotides

In previous works we have described a fully automated synthesis of new ferrocene labelled oligonucleotides (Fc-ODNs) probes with one or more electroactive markers at different position in the chain. These Fc-ODNs have shown good properties to detect ODN target in solution. Here we describe the post-functionalization of a conducting co-polymer based on ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) derivatives by a series of Fc-ODNs. The grafting of the Fc-ODNs probes resulted in the appearance of the ferrocene redox couple which directly confirm the effectiveness of the ODN anchoring compared to traditional approach based on IR spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence of the films. Moreover, the electrochemical response of the modified electrodes analysed in organic media before and after hybridization with ODN target confirm that properties obtain in solution for Fc-ODNs already exist in the film. The changes in the current intensity were found to be dependant on the structure of the grafted ODN that validate our strategy to synthesize an optimal Fc-ODNs.     

pHh-dependent permselectivity of the fibrinogen-modified carbon paste electrode

The modification of carbon paste matrices with fibrinogen is reported. The effect of the pH of the solution on the CV peak currents of positively or negatively charged redox analytes was examined at the fibrinogen-modified carbon paste electrode. In the presence of the coating, pH-dependent selectivity in electrochemical detection of charged species was demonstrated depending on the sign of the supported charge. Above the isoelectric pH attributed to the immobilized protein (5.5), the current response of anionic redox probes [Fe(CN)/Fe(CN)] was impeded while the response was almost totally restored below this pH. Opposite trends were observed with the Ru(NH₃)/Ru(NH₃) cationic redox analytes.     

Plasma modification of polypropylene surfaces and grafting copolymerization of styrene onto polypropylene

The surface of polypropylene(iPP) is modified with glow discharge plasma of Ar,so that the modified surfaces of iPP films are obtained.The studies of scanning electron microscopy(SEM) show the surface etching pattern of iPP films. The chemical structures of iPP films are confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy.The wetting properties of modified surfaces of iPP films are characterized by contact angle, and the free energy of surfaces is calculated.The free radical of modification surfaces of iPP is measured by chemical method.The surfaces of iPP are achieved with Ar plasma treatment followed by grafting copolymerization with styrene(St) in St.The grafting polymer of St onto iPP is characterized by FTIR.The grafting rate is dependent on plasma exposure time and discharge voltage.The studies show that homopolymerization of St is undergone at the same time during the grafting-copolymerization of St onto iPP.     

Modifications of carbon nanotubes with polymers

The chemical functionalizations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could enhance their chemical compatibility and dissolution properties, which enable both a more extensive characterization and subsequent chemical reactivity. The modifications with polymers could not only improve CNTs’ solubility and dispersibility but also the interfacial interaction to polymeric matrices in its composites. The main methods for the modification of CNTs with polymers are noncovalent attachment (polymer wrapping and absorption) and covalent attachment (“grafting to”and “grafting from”). The current states of the literatures in the field are presented in this review.     

A Siloxane Homopolymer with Interacting Ferrocenes as a New Material for the Preparation of Sensors Based on the Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

The electrochemical characterization of a hydrogen peroxide sensor based on a ferrocene‐containing polymer electrochemically deposited onto a platinum electrode is described. The redox polymer consists of a siloxane‐based homopolymer, with pendant electronically communicated ferrocenyl moieties. The electrodes were used as the transducer for glucose and lactate‐sensing enzyme sensors. Amperometric biosensors were prepared by immobilization of glucose oxidase (Gox) or lactate oxidase (Lox) onto these modified electrodes. The steady‐state amperometric response of the sensors is investigated as a function of the applied potential and substrate concentration. Interferences, sensitivity and stability of the sensors were also studied.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine at cobalt hexacyanoferrate- modified glassy carbon, Pt and Au electrodes

The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine has been studied on glassy carbon, Pt and Au electrodes modified by cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF) using cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc techniques. It has been shown that the oxidation of hydrazine to nitrogen occurs at the potential coinciding with that of Co(II) to Co(III) transformation in a CoHCF film, where no oxidation signal is observed at a bare glassy carbon electrode. A Tafel plot, derived from RDE voltammograms, exhibits a slope of 150 mV, indicating a one-electron charge transfer process to be the rate-limiting step. The electrocatalytic efficiency of the modified electrode towards hydrazine oxidation depends on solution pH, and the optimum range was found to be located between pH 5 and pH 7. The kinetic behaviour and location of the electrocatalytic process were examined using the W.J. Albery diagnosis table, and it was concluded that the reaction has either a “surface” or a “layer” reaction mechanism. Pt- and Au-CoHCF-modified electrodes show no significant electrocatalytic activity towards hydrazine oxidation. Received: 25 April 1997 / Accepted: 12 August 1997     

Caffeic acid modified glassy carbon electrode for electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)

A new modified electrode was prepared by electrodeposition of caffeic acid (CFA) at the surface of an activated glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the redox properties of this electrode at various solution pH values and at various scan rates. The pH dependence of the electrode response was found to be 58.5 mV/pH, which is very close to the expected Nernstian value. The electrode was also employed to study electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and rotating disk voltammetry as diagnostic techniques. It was found that the modified electrode exhibits potent and persistent electrocatalytic properties toward NADH oxidation in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) with a diminution of the overpotential of about 450 mV compared to the process at an unmodified electrode. The electrocatalytic current increases linearly with NADH concentration in the range tested from 0.05 to 1.0 mM. The apparent charge transfer rate constant and transfer coefficient for electron transfer between the electrode surface and immobilized CFA were calculated as 11.2 s⁻¹ and 0.43, respectively. The heterogeneous rate constant for oxidation of NADH at the CFA-modified electrode surface was also determined and found to be about 3 × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Finally, the diffusion coefficient of NADH was calculated as 3.24 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹ for the experimental conditions, using chronoamperometric results. Received: 6 January 1999 / Accepted: 11 May 1999     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH at carbon paste electrodes modified with meldola blue adsorbed on zirconium phosphate: effect of Ca2+ and polyethyleneimine

The basic electrochemistry of carbon paste electrodes modified with Meldola Blue adsorbed on zirconium phosphate (MB-ZP-CPEs) and their ability to oxidize NADH have been investigated. Three types of carbon powder (graphite and glassy carbon-type Sigradur K and G) were used to obtain MB-ZP-CPEs. On comparing cyclic voltammograms recorded at MB-ZP-CPEs, similarly prepared from the three different carbon powders, those made with Sigradur K exhibited the lowest background current, and the best MB electrochemistry, seen as the highest peak intensities and smallest peak separation. Using MB-ZP-CPEs based on Sigradur K a study on NADH oxidation was done focusing on the effect of the Ca²⁺ concentration in the contacting solution and on the addition of polyethyleneimine (PEI) into the paste. It can be stated that MB-ZP-CPEs based on Sigradur K and containing 1.23% (w/w) PEI exhibited the best behavior for NADH oxidation, measured by the highest electrocatalytic rate constant (8.2×10³ M^–1 s^–1).     

Catalytic oxidation of thiols at preheated glassy carbon electrode modified with abrasive immobilization of multiwall carbon nanotubes: applications to amperometric detection of thiocytosine, l-cysteine and glutathione

The performance of preheated glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon nanotubes is described. First glassy carbon electrode is heated for 5 min at 50 °C, then abrasive immobilization of multiwall carbon nanotubes on a preheated glassy carbon electrode was achieved by gentle rubbing of electrode surface on a filter paper supporting carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-modified glassy carbon electrodes exhibit strong and stable electrocatalytic response toward thiols oxidation in wide pH range. These properties permit an important decrease in over voltage for the oxidation of thiocytosine, glutathione and l-cysteine, as well as a dramatic increase in the peak currents in comparison with bare glassy carbon electrode. Furthermore, the thiols amperometric response of the coated electrodes is extremely stable, with more than 95% of the initial activity after 30 min stirring of 0.1 mM thiols. The electrocatalytic behavior is further exploited as a sensitive detection scheme for thiols detection by hydrodynamic amperometry. The substantial decrease in the overvoltage of the thiols oxidation associated with a stable amperometric response and antifouling properties of nanotubes films allow the development of highly sensitive thiols sensor without using any redox mediator. Such ability of carbon nanotubes to promote the thiols electron transfer reaction, short response time (5 s) and long-term stability, low detection limit, extended linear concentration range, high sensitivity suggest great promise for thiols amperometric sensors and detector for chromatographic analysis of thiol derivatives.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of some biologically important compounds at conducting polymer electrodes modified by metal complexes

Conducting poly(3-methylthiophene) electrodes were electrochemically prepared. The resulting polymer films were modified with an inorganic complex, ferrocene. The incorporation of the ferrocene/ferrocenium moiety into the polymer film resulted in enhanced charge transfer towards the oxidation of some organic molecules of biological interest. The electrochemical response of the complex-containing polymer electrode was compared to that of the unmodified polymer electrode and that of the substrate. Apparent diffusion coefficients of the redox species were estimated from the cyclic voltammetric data for different biological molecules at the ferrocene-containing polymer electrode. Infra-red spectroscopic measurements for the “as-grown” films revealed the presence of the inorganic complex within the polymer. The modified polymer electrode showed noticeable enhancement for the charge transfer across the film interface and can be used as an electrochemical sensor for biological compounds. Received: 3 June 1997 / Accepted: 7 July 1997     

Surface-enhanced oxidation and detection of Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine using multi-walled carbon nanotubes film-modified electrode

The insoluble multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) was successfully dispersed into water in the presence of hydrophobic surfactant. After that, MWNT film-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was achieved via dip-coating and evaporating water. Owing to huge surface area, high sorption capacity and subtle electronic properties, MWNT film exhibits highly efficient accumulation efficiency as well as considerable surface enhancement effects to Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine. As a result, the oxidation peak currents of Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine remarkably increase at the MWNT film-modified GCE. Based on this, a novel electrochemical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine. The limits of detection are 10.0 ng mL⁻¹ (2.2 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹) and 0.1 μg mL⁻¹ (1.88 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹) for Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine. Finally, the proposed method was successfully used to detect Sunset Yellow and Tartrazine in soft drinks.     

Electrochemical behavior of glassy carbon electrodes modified by electrochemical oxidation

Glassy carbon electrodes were modified electrochemically by pretreatment in sulfate, phosphate or carbonate solutions by means of cycling the potential well into the positive limit of the solvent. Electrodes treated in this manner were then used to incorporate and concentrate a variety of redox species that were either cations or aromatic containing compounds, including Ru(bpy)²⁺₃, Ru(NH₃)³⁺₆, Cu(NH₃)²⁺₄, ferrocene, methylviologen, 1,4-benzoquinone, anthraquinone-2-sulfonate, riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Surface-equivalent concentrations ranged from 5 × 10^?9 to 1 × 10^?7 mol cm^?2 for electrodes pretreated for 10 min in sulfuric acid. An E_1/2 vs. pH study of 1,4-benzoquinone, riboflavin, FMN and FAD in modified electrodes shows that the pK_a values shift toward higher pH (nearly 2 pH units). Results concerning the incorporation of redox compounds detected only by mediation with other electroactive complexes and the study of the modified electrodes in electrocatalysis are also discussed.     

掺杂硒碳糊电极阳极溶出法测定铋

建立了一种测定痕量铋的新方法,即利用掺杂硒碳糊电极作为工作电极的阳极溶出法.在0.1 mol/L的HCl底液中,Bi3+于+0.05V(vs.Ag/AgCl)出现灵敏的氧化溶出峰,铋离子的浓度在1.0×10-5～1.0×10-9 mol/L范围内其对数值lgc与铋的氧化峰电流值呈线性关系,检出限达1.0×10 -10 ...     

Carbon felt electrode design: application to phenol electrochemical determination by direct oxidation

In this paper, electrochemical behaviour of phenol in a carbon felt electrode is studied. An adsorption process on electrode surface that inhibits polymer formation after oxidation of phenol was confirmed. In this work we propose a phenol determination method based on direct electrochemical oxidation on carbon felt electrodes after an accumulation process.     

Preparation and characterization of hydrophobic calcium hydroxyapatite particles grafting oleylphosphate groups

Grafting of oleylphosphate (OP) molecules to the surface of calcium hydroxyapatite particles (HAP) was carried out by a coprecipitation method with a Ca(OH)₂–H₃PO₄ system in the presence of disodium oleylphosphate (DSOP). All the particles exhibited a single-crystal nature with rod-like shape and were elongated along c-axis from 36 to 122 nm in particle length with an increase in the concentration of DSOP. It was suggested that 084% of the phosphate ions exposed on the ac or bc faces of the HAP particles are exchanged with phosphate ions of DSOP molecules directing oleyl groups outward. The hydrophobicity of OP-grafted HAP particles was enhanced with an increase in the DSOP concentration. This high surface hydrophobicity was further confirmed by water adsorption experiments. The materials with the surface oleyl groups adsorbed much less water than the HAP particles produced without DSOP.     

Mercury-free simultaneous determination of cadmium and lead at a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

A multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was described for the simultaneous determination of trace levels of cadmium and lead by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). In pH 4.5 NaAc-HAc buffer containing 0.02 mol/l KI, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ first adsorb onto the surface of a MWNT film coated GCE and then reduce at −1.20 V. During the positive potential sweep, reduced cadmium and lead were oxidized, and two well-defined stripping peaks appeared at −0.88 and −0.62 V. Compared with a bare GCE, a MWNT film coated GCE greatly improves the sensitivity of determining cadmium and lead. Low concentration of I⁻ significantly enhances the stripping peak currents since it induces Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ to adsorb at the electrode surface. The striping peak currents change linearly with the concentration of Cd²⁺ from 2.5×10⁻⁸ to 1×10⁻⁵ mol/l and with that of Pb²⁺ from 2×10⁻⁸ to 1×10⁻⁵ mol/l. The lowest detectable concentrations of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ are estimated to be 6×10⁻⁹ and 4×10⁻⁹ mol/l, respectively. The high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of this MWNT film coated electrode demonstrated its practical application for a simple, rapid and economical determination of trace levels of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in water samples.