On reproducibility of preparation of basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode surface

The basal plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG) electrode is widely used as a “standard” electrode for studies of electrochemical activity of graphite, graphene and carbon nanotubes. We compared here different methods for preparation of the surface of BPPG using statistical analysis of the data. We showed that including/omitting of polishing step or including/omitting of acetone washing step in the preparation procedure exhibits statistically significant difference. However, using acetone of different purities does not lead into statistically significant results. In addition, all methods with BPPG provided RSD < 10% and did not produce any outlying results.     

Abrasive immobilization of carbon nanotubes on a basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode: application to the detection of epinephrine

The performance of a basal plane pyrolytic graphite (bppg) electrode modified with carbon nanotubes is described. Abrasive immobilization of multiwall carbon nanotubes on a bppg electrode was achieved by gently rubbing the electrode surface on a filter paper supporting carbon nanotubes. The resulting electrode showed excellent mediation of epinephrine oxidation: a decrease in the overvoltage of the epinephrine electro-oxidation (200-500 mV) was observed as well as a dramatic increase in the peak current (4 times) compared to that seen at a bare bppg electrode. The oxidation peaks of epinephrine and ascorbic acid which overlap on bare bppg electrode were separated successfully (by ca. 220 mV) at the surface of the modified bppg electrode. The modified electrode showed good stability in comparison to most modified carbon nanotubes electrodes prepared by alternative methods.     

Electrocatalytic detection of thiols using an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode

The first example of using an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode in electroanalysis is reported as the determination of homocysteine, N-acetylcysteine, cysteine and glutathione is studied. The response of the electrode in the direct oxidation of thiol moieties is explored and found to be electrocatalytic producing a reduction in the overpotential while having enhanced signal-to-noise characteristics compared to glassy carbon and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes. The effectiveness of the methodology is examined in the determination of cysteine species in a growth tissue media that contains a high number of common biological interferences. The advantageous properties of this electrode for thiol determination lie in its excellent catalytic activity, sensitivity and simplicity.     

Edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode covalently modified with 2-anthraquinonyl groups: theory and experiment

An edge plane pyrolitic graphite (EPPG) electrode was modified by electrochemical reduction of anthraquinone-2-diazonium tetrafluoroborate (AQ2-N(2)(+)BF(4)(-)), giving an EPPG-AQ2-modified electrode of a surface coverage below a monolayer. Cyclic voltammograms simulated using Marcus-Hush theory for 2e(-) process assuming a uniform surface gave unrealistically low values of reorganisation energies, λ, for both electron transfer steps. Subsequently, two models of surface inhomogeneity based on Marcus-Hush theory were investigated: a distribution of formal potentials, E', and a distribution of electron tunneling distances, r(0). The simulation of cyclic voltammograms involving the distribution of formal potentials showed a better fit than the simulation with the distribution of tunneling distances. Importantly the reorganization energies used for the simulation of E' distribution were similar to the literature values for adsorbed species.     

Exploring the electrocatalytic sites of carbon nanotubes for NADH detection: an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode study

The electrocatalytic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube modified electrodes toward the oxidation of NADH are critically evaluated. Carbon nanotube modified electrodes are examined and compared with boron-doped diamond and glassy carbon electrodes, and most importantly, edge plane and basal pyrolytic graphite electrodes. It is found that CNT modified electrodes are no more reactive than edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes with the comparison with edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes allowing the electroactive sites for the electrochemical oxidation of NADH to be unambiguously determined as due to edge plane sites. Using these highly reactive edge plane sites, edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes are examined with cyclic voltammetry and amperometry for the electroanalytical determination of NADH. It is demonstrated that a detection limit of 5 microM is possible with cyclic voltammetry or 0.3 microM using amperometry suggesting that edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes can conveniently replace carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrodes for biosensing applications with the relative advantages of reactivity, cost and simplicity of preparation. We advocate the routine use of edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes in studies utilising carbon nanotubes particularly if 'electrocatalytic' properties are claimed for the latter.     

Investigation of modified basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes: definitive evidence for the electrocatalytic properties of the ends of carbon nanotubes

The basis of the electrocatalytic nature of multi-wall carbon nanotubes is suggested to reside in electron transfer from the ends of nanotubes, which structurally resemble the behaviour of edge plane (as opposed to basal plane) graphite, and is demonstrated via the comparison of the electrochemical oxidation of epinephrine and the electrochemical reduction of ferricyanide at nanotube-modified electrodes using different types of graphite electrodes and with C(60)-modified electrodes.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotube modified basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes: Exploring heterogeneity, electro-catalysis and highlighting batch to batch variation

We highlight the heterogeneity and electro-catalysis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes which is shown to be dependant on batch to batch variation via the use of cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Batch to batch variation is often an overlooked parameter which may limit their use in electrochemistry, and in particular, in the development and realisation of commercial electroanalytical sensors and therefore needs to be considered.     

Simultaneous determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine in human blood plasma and urine samples using nanotubes modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode

The simultaneous determination of catecholamines - epinephrine and norepinephrine by square wave voltammetry (SWV) at physiological pH 7.2 is reported using multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (MWNT/EPPGE). A broad bump at ∼250 mV is appeared for the oxidation of epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NE) at bare EPPGE whereas at MWNT/EPPGE two well-separated peaks at ∼150 and ∼215 mV are appeared for the oxidation of EP and NE, respectively. The oxidation peak current of both the neurotransmitters also increased significantly along with the negative shift of peak potentials using MWNT/EPPGE. The oxidation of both compounds occurred in a pH dependent, 2e and 2H⁺ process and the electrode reaction followed diffusion controlled pathway. Linear calibration curves were obtained for epinephrine and norepinephrine in the range 0.5-100 nM with limits of detection 0.15 × 10⁻⁹ and 0.90 × 10⁻¹⁰ M, respectively. The developed protocol is implemented for the simultaneous determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine in blood plasma and urine samples of smokers as well as in athletes.     

Exploration of gas sensing possibilities with edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes: nitrogen dioxide detection

The voltammetric response of nitrogen dioxide in aqueous sulfuric acid using an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode has been explored and contrasted with that from basal plane pyrolytic graphite, glassy carbon or boron-doped diamond electrodes. Edge plane graphite electrode is found to produce an excellent voltammetric signal in comparison with other carbon-based electrodes exhibiting a well-defined analytically useful voltammetric redox couple in 2.5 M sulfuric acid which is absent on the alternative electrodes.     

Sensitive amperometric detection of omeprazole and pantoperazole at electrodeposited nickel oxide nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode

Glassy carbon electrode modified with electrodeposited nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiOxNPs) was used as electrocatalyst for oxidation of omeprazole and pentoperazole in alkaline solution. The modified electrode exhibited efficient electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of omeprazole and pentoperazole with relatively high sensitivity, excellent stability, and long lifetime. Hydrodynamic amperometric method is used for determination of selected analytes. Under optimized condition, the linear concentration range, detection limit, and sensitivity of modified electrode toward omeprazole detection are 4.5–120 μM, 0.4 μM (at signal to noise 3), and 40.1 nA μM⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively. For pantoperazole, hydrodynamic amperometric determination yielded calibration curve with linear range of 2.5–180 μM, detection limit of 0.2 μM, and sensitivity of 39.2 nA μM⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to pentoperazole and omeprazole determination in drug samples.     

Selective electrochemical sensing of calcium dobesilate based on the nano-Pd/CNTs modified pyrolytic graphite electrode

A new palladium nanoparticle functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (nano-Pd/CNTs) modified pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) has been fabricated for electrochemical sensing of calcium dobesilate (CD) in pharmaceutical capsules. The nano-Pd/CNTs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nano-Pd/CNTs composite showed a strong electrocatalytic property for CD. The anodic peak current is 6-fold than that obtained in bare PGE and the oxidation potential has an obvious shift to negative. The anodic peak current is proportional to the concentration of CD in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹, with a linear relative coefficient r = 0.999 and a detection limit 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). This kind of electrode shows good stability, sensitivity, reproducibility, large linear range and low detection limit towards electrochemical determination of CD. The proposed method provides a selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor of calcium dobesilate.     

Simultaneous voltammetric detection of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid using a pyrolytic graphite electrode modified into dopamine solution

Pyrolytic graphite electrodes (PGE) were modified into dopamine solutions using phosphate buffer solutions, pH 10 and 6.5, as supporting electrolyte. The modification process involved a previous anodization of the working electrode at +1.5 V into 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH followed by other anodization step, in the same experimental conditions, into dopamine (DA) solutions. pH of the supporting electrolyte performed an important role in the production of a superficial melanin polymeric film, which permitted the simultaneous detection of ascorbic acid (AA), (DA) and uric acid (UA), ΔE_AA-DA = 222 mV; ΔE_AA-UA = 360 mV and ΔE_DA-UA = 138 mV, avoiding the superficial poisoning effects. The calculated detection limits were: 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ for uric acid, 1.3 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ for ascorbic acid and 1.1 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ for dopamine, with sensitivities of (7.7 ± 0.5), (0.061 ± 0.001) and (9.5 ± 0.05) A mol⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively, with no mutual interference. Uric acid was determined in urine, blood and serum human samples after dilution in phosphate buffer and no additional sample pre-treatment was necessary. The concentration of uric acid in urine was higher than the values found in blood and serum and the recovery tests (92-102%) indicated that no matrix effects were observed.     

Detection of V-type nerve agent degradation products at electrodes modified by PPy/PQQ using CaCl2 as supporting electrolyte

Electrochemical detection without derivatization was used to detect thiol-containing degradation products of V-type nerve agents. Electropolymerization of pyrrole was used for entrapment of the biocatalyst PQQ to produce a sensor. Various parameters which affect the detection processes such as the type of the supporting electrolyte used during electrodeposition and the thickness of the polypyrrole film were examined and optimized. Electocatalytic oxidation of thiols by the PPy/PQQ electrode was strongly affected by the presence of Ca²⁺ cations during electrodeposition of the PPy/PQQ. Cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and amperometry have been used for electrode characterization. Amperometric detection of the V-type nerve agent thiol degradation products 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol (DMAET) and 2-(diethylamino)ethanethiol (DEAET) was performed at 0.38 V. Linear calibration plots were observed for these compounds. The detection limits of 4.5 and 3 μM were obtained for DMAET and DEAET respectively, with sensitivities of 1.18 and 1.37 nA μM⁻¹ cm⁻².     

Theoretical study on the electrochemical behavior of norepinephrine at Nafion multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified pyrolytic graphite electrode

DFT-B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) and HF/6-31G (d, p) calculations are performed for deoxidized norepinephrineat (NP(R)) and its oxidized form (NP(O)). The electrochemistry of norepinephrineat (NP) was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) at a pyrolytic graphite electrode modified by Nafion multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in phosphate buffers at pH 6.0, showing that the standard electrode potential of half reaction for NP(O), H+/NP(R) is 0.75l V. This experimental standard electrode potential of half reaction is consistent with that calculated using the energies of solvation and sum of electronic and thermal free energies of NP(R) and NP(O). The frontier orbital theory and Mülliken charges of molecular explain the electrochemical behavior of CV at modified electrode well. The singlet vertical excited states for NP(R) and NP(O) are also discussed.     

Electroanalytical determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) using an in-situ bismuth film modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode.

A highly sensitive and simple electroanalytical methodology is presented using an in-situ bismuth film modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (BiF-EPPGE) which is exemplified with the simultaneous determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II). Square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry is utilised with the effects of several experimental variables studied. Simultaneous additions of cadmium(II) and lead(II) were investigated where two linear ranges between 0.1-100 and 0.1-300 microg/L and also detection limits of 0.062 and 0.084 microg/L were obtained, respectively. The method was then successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) in spiked river water, where recoveries of 100.5 and 98% were obtained, respectively. This electroanalytical protocol using edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes is one of the simplest methodologies to date using non-mercury based electrodes and is simpler and cheaper than alternatives such as carbon nanotube electrode arrays, suggesting the use of edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode for routine sensing.     

Electrochemical determination of piroxicam on the surface of pyrolytic graphite electrode modified with a film of carbon nanoparticle-chitosan

The electrochemical behavior of the anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam is studied at the surface of a plain pyrolytic graphite electrode modified with chitosan-doped carbon nanoparticles. An electroactive surface was produced by drop-casting a suspension of the modifier and characterized by atomic force microscopy. A remarkable enhancement is found in studies on the cyclic voltammetric response towards piroxicam. This is described on the basis of the thin-layer mass transport regimes within the porous films, which leads to a considerable increase in the active surface area of the electrode. The electrode shows a linear response to piroxicam in the range of 0.05–50 μM, with a detection limit of 25 nM (at S/N of 3). The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of piroxicam in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations with satisfactory accuracy and precision.     

Electron transport in biological processes: Electrochemical behaviour of ubiquinone Q,10 adsorbed on a pyrolytic graphite electrode

The E-pH diagram has enabled us to obtain the acid-base constant of ubiquinone and the equilibrium potential at pH = 0 for the different couples participating in the process of quinone adsorption on a pyrolytic graphite electrode in aqueous buffered media. The electrochemical behaviour found for ubiquinone may explain in part the in vivo ubiquinone processes. The molecular contour of deoxyribonucleic acid changes the stability of the semiubiquinone intermediate, as shown by chemiluminescence and binding experiments.     

Voltammetric studies of sumatriptan on the surface of pyrolytic graphite electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with silver nanoparticles

Multi-walled carbon nanotube decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-MWCNT) is used as an effective strategy for modification of the surface of pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE). This modification procedure improved colloidal dispersion of the decorated MWCNTs in water, affording uniform and stable thin films for altering the surface properties of the working electrode. Robust electrode for sensing applications is obtained in a simple solvent evaporation process. The electrochemical behavior of sumatriptan (Sum) at the bare PGE and AgNPs-MWCNT modified PGE is investigated. The results indicate that the AgNPs-MWCNT modified PGE significantly enhanced the oxidation peak current of Sum. A remarkable enhancement in microscopic area of the electrode together with strong adsorption of Sum on the surface of the modified electrode resulted in a considerable increase in the peak current of Sum. Experimental parameters, such as scan rate, pH, accumulation conditions and amount of the modifier used on the PGE surface are optimized by monitoring the CV responses toward Sum. It is found that a maximum current response can be obtained at pH 7.4 after accumulation at open circuit for 150 s. Further experiments demonstrated that the oxidative peak currents increased linearly with Sum concentration in the range of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸-1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The modified electrode showed high sensitivity, selectivity, long-term stability and remarkable voltammetric reproducibility in response to Sum. These excellent properties make the prepared sensor suitable for the analysis in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations. The modified electrode was successfully applied for the accurate determination of trace amounts of Sum in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Understanding the electrochemistry of “water-in-salt” electrolytes: basal plane highly ordered pyrolytic graphite as a model system

A new approach to expand the accessible voltage window of electrochemical energy storage systems, based on so-called “water-in-salt” electrolytes, has been expounded recently. Although studies of transport in concentrated electrolytes date back over several decades, the recent demonstration that concentrated aqueous electrolyte systems can be used in the lithium ion battery context has rekindled interest in the electrochemical properties of highly concentrated aqueous electrolytes. The original aqueous lithium ion battery conception was based on the use of concentrated solutions of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, although these electrolytes still possess some drawbacks including cost, toxicity, and safety. In this work we describe the electrochemical behavior of a simple 1 : 1 electrolyte based on highly concentrated aqueous solutions of potassium fluoride (KF). Highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) is used as well-defined model carbon to study the electrochemical properties of the electrolyte, as well as its basal plane capacitance, from a microscopic perspective: the KF electrolyte exhibits an unusually wide potential window (up to 2.6 V). The faradaic response on HOPG is also reported using K₃Fe(CN)₆ as a model redox probe: the highly concentrated electrolyte provides good electrochemical reversibility and protects the HOPG surface from adsorption of contaminants. Moreover, this electrolyte was applied to symmetrical supercapacitors (using graphene and activated carbon as active materials) in order to quantify its performance in energy storage applications. It is found that the activated carbon and graphene supercapacitors demonstrate high gravimetric capacitance (221 F g⁻¹ for activated carbon, and 56 F g⁻¹ for graphene), a stable working voltage window of 2.0 V, which is significantly higher than the usual range of water-based capacitors, and excellent stability over 10 000 cycles. These results provide fundamental insight into the wider applicability of highly concentrated electrolytes, which should enable their application in future of energy storage technologies.

The stability of water-in-salt electrolyte systems is investigated using highly concentrated solutions of KF(aq) with graphite as a model system.     

A simple electroanalytical methodology for the simultaneous determination of dopamine,serotonin and ascorbic acid using an unmodified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode

A simple method using an unmodified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPGE) is reported for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), serotonin (ST) and ascorbic acid (AA). The performance of this electrode is superior to other unmodified carbon-based electrodes and also to many modified electrodes in terms of detection limit, sensitivity and peak separation for determination of DA, ST and AA. Using this method, detection limits of 90 nM, 60 nM and 200 nM were obtained for DA, ST and AA respectively. No electrode fouling is observed during a set of experiments and good sensitivity is obtained for the simultaneous determination of DA, ST and AA. The peaks for the three species are well resolved from each other and the electrode is successfully utilised for their determination in standard and real samples.