Cyclic voltammetry at microstructured electrodes

We present the theoretical treatment of cyclic voltammograms at microstructured electrodes. Calculations of voltammograms permit the determination of electrochemical parameters of redox systems in a single cell in parallel with the determinations of the spectroscopic parameters. The structural parameters of the electrode can be determined using the theoretical treatment presented if the electrochemical parameters of the redox system are known. Furthermore, lithographic-galvanic (LIGA) structures can be used as a model for microporous electrodes. Regression analysis was used to compare experimental and calculated cyclic voltammograms as well as to determine the electrochemical and spectroscopic parameters. A modified Randles-Sevčik equation has been derived to described the peak current dependence of cyclic voltammograms at micro-structured electrodes for both reversible and quasi-reversible charge transfer.     

Voltammetry at partially covered electrodes: Part I. Chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry at model electrodes

Equations for chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry at partially covered electrodes have been derived using a model of hexagonal array of cylidrical spaces terminated, at the electrode surface, by concentric active and inactive regions. The boundary value problem was shown to be analogous to that for a charge transfer preceded by a chemical reaction. Experiments with the reduction of ferricyanide on gold model electrodes partially covered with photoresist layer showed excellent agreement with the theory. Application of the equations to estimation of coverage and size of active sites distributed on a electrode surface is discussed.     

Microband electrodes of ideal and nonideal geometries: AC impedance spectroscopy

The AC impedance behavior of microband electrode geometries which deviate from the ideal is derived via numerical modelling of the chronoamperometric response under diffusion-only conditions. Specifically attention is given to four electrode shapes in addition to the ideal microband geometry: elevated microband electrodes (with conducting supporting sides), recessed microband electrodes (with insulating pit walls), platform electrodes (with insulating supporting sides) and, for the purposes of comparison, a hypothetical line electrode without any support which permits diffusional mass transport to both sides of the infinitesimally thin electrode. Simple analytical expressions are established for the frequency dependence of the AC impedance in each case.     

A rotating-disc electrode for voltammetry and electrochemical impedance measurements: Application to the study of partially blocked electrodes

A turbulence-free RDE device has been designed for making accurate measurements with low-amplitude electrical signals. Its mechanical construction as well as the drive mechanism with a Hall-effect motor, and the rotation speed control are described in detail. Electrochemical experiments were effected on platinum electrodes in contact with a solution of ferri- and ferrocyanide in 2 M NaOH from 4 to 256 rps and, under transient conditions, for values of the Laplace parameter up to 10⁵ s^?1. Excellent agreement was found between the measured Warburg coefficient and the value calculated using diffusion coefficients derived from steady-state measurements of the limiting currents. The whole theoretical concentration impedance spectrum of the RDE was verified using the pulse technique. It is demonstrated by experiments on partially blocked model electrodes that the approximation neglecting lateral convection, which is valid for the uniformly active RDE, is no longer correct.     

Three-channel transmission line impedance model for mesoscopic oxide electrodes functionalized with a conductive coating

A three-channel transmission line (TL) impedance model is proposed to address the charge transport behavior of molecular functionalized mesoscopic oxide electrodes at different bias conditions. A full general solution of the three-channel TL for the system is provided in this paper. Selected experimental results of impedance spectroscopy of mesoscopic Al2O3 and TiO2 networks, covered with a monolayer of Ru complex cis-RuLL'(NCS)2 (L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, L' = 4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) (Z907), are briefly discussed. It shows that the model constitutes a useful tool for characterizing nanoporous electrodes functionalized with organic conducting layers in the surface. The model makes it possible to determine the separate conductivity of substrate oxide and molecular layer, and interfacial charge transfer, in the functionalized nanostructured electrodes.     

Probing Biomolecular Interactions at Conductive and Semiconductive Surfaces by Impedance Spectroscopy: Routes to Impedimetric Immunosensors,DNA‐Sensors,and Enzyme Biosensors

Impedance spectroscopy is a rapidly developing electrochemical technique for the characterization of biomaterial‐functionalized electrodes and biocatalytic transformations at electrode surfaces, and specifically for the transduction of biosensing events at electrodes or field‐effect transistor devices. The immobilization of biomaterials, e.g., enzymes, antigens/antibodies or DNA on electrodes or semiconductor surfaces alters the capacitance and interfacial electron transfer resistance of the conductive or semiconductive electrodes. Impedance spectroscopy allows analysis of interfacial changes originating from biorecognition events at electrode surfaces. Kinetics and mechanisms of electron transfer processes corresponding to biocatalytic reactions occurring at modified electrodes can be also derived from Faradaic impedance spectroscopy. Different immunosensors that use impedance measurements for the transduction of antigen‐antibody complex formation on electronic transducers were developed. Similarly, DNA biosensors using impedance measurements as readout signals were developed. Amplified detection of the analyte DNA using Faradaic impedance spectroscopy was accomplished by the coupling of functionalized liposomes or by the association of biocatalytic conjugates to the sensing interface providing biocatalyzed precipitation of an insoluble product on the electrodes. The amplified detections of viral DNA and single‐base mismatches in DNA were accomplished by similar methods. The changes of interfacial features of gate surfaces of field‐effect transistors (FET) upon the formation of antigen‐antibody complexes or assembly of protein arrays were probed by impedance measurements and specifically by transconductance measurements. Impedance spectroscopy was also applied to characterize enzyme‐based biosensors. The reconstitution of apo‐enzymes on cofactor‐functionalized electrodes and the formation of cofactor‐enzyme affinity complexes on electrodes were probed by Faradaic impedance spectroscopy. Also biocatalyzed reactions occurring on electrode surfaces were analyzed by impedance spectroscopy. The theoretical background of the different methods and their practical applications in analytical procedures were outlined in this article.     

Computer simulation of the steady state currents at enzyme doped carbon paste electrodes

The plate-gap model of porous enzyme doped electrode has been proposed and analyzed. It was suggested that reaction diffusion conditions in pores of bulk electrode resemble particular conditions in thin gap between parallel conducting plates. The model is based on the diffusion equations containing a nonlinear term related to the Michaelis–Menten kinetic of the enzymatic reaction inside gap. Steady state current was calculated for the wide range of given parameters and substrate concentrations. All dependences of current on substrate concentration were approximated by hyperbolas in order to obtain “apparent” parameters (maximal currents and apparent Michaelis constants) of modelled biosensors. Simple approximate relationships between given and apparent parameters were derived. The applicability of theoretical plate-gap model was tested for the case of carbon paste electrodes which were doped with PQQ – dependent glucose dehydrogenase. It was found, that soluble glucose dehydrogenase based biosensors exhibit characteristic features of the theoretical plate-gap biosensors.     

Electron transfer processs with excited molecules at semiconductor electrodes

In the first part of the paper, energy levels used in solid-state physics, in electrochemistry and in photochemistry are introduced and combined in a l- electron energy concept. This is also applied to excited molecules being adsorbed at semiconductor electrodes. On the basis of this concept, theoretical models concerning electron-transfer processes between molecules in their ground and excited state and semiconductor electrodes are then developed. In the last part of the paper, a number of typical results are presented and discussed. It is shown that the primary step is an electron-transfer reaction between an excited molecule and the semiconductor, whereas energy transfer plays only a minor role, which leads mostly to quenching. Most processes can be interpreted on the basis of the theoretical model mentioned above. Various phenomena, such as quantum yield, supersensitization, quenching, and influence of pH and doping of the semiconductor are discussed in detail. Finally, a brief outlook at the applications in solar-energy conversion systems is given.     

Some studies of electrodes made from single crystals of TTF /sd TCNQ

Electrodes made from single crystals of tetrathiafulvalenium tetracyanoquinodimethanide (TTF. TCNQ) have been used to study the electrochemistry of the conducting organic salt and to investigate the mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of glucose oxidase at conducting salt electrodes.The single crystal electrodes exhibit much lower non-Faradaic currents than the corresponding polycrystalline electrodes prepared as sublimed films or as pressed pellets. This leads to much lower background current levels and hence more clearly defined electrochemistry for solution species. Studies of the ac impedance behaviour and the electrochemistry of outer sphere redox species indicate that TTF·TCNQ electrodes behave as conventional metallic electrodes within their stable potential range.Results for the electrochemistry of glucose oxidase at the single crystal electrodes are inconsistent with a simple homogeneous mediation mechanism or with simple heterogeneous redox catalysis. Similarities with results obtained for TTF modified glucose oxidase suggest that the enzyme may undergo direct electrochemistry after modification by hydrophobic interaction with TTF molecules derived from the conducting salt electrode.     

Properties of Ag/AgCl electrodes fabricated with IC-compatible technologies

The purpose of this work is to fabricate and characterize Ag/AgCl electrodes made on a silicon chip at the wafer level with integrated circuit-compatible fabrication techniques. Such electrodes are useful as reference electrodes in several kinds of chemical sensors. Two types of electrode were investigated. The first type uses an evaporated AgCl layer that is patterned with lift-off photolithography. The second type is formed by exposing a selected part of the silver substrate to a KCrO₃Cl solution. Both types of electrode give the thermodynamically expected potential response to variations of Cl⁻ ion concentration. The potential generated by the KCrO₃Cl-formed electrodes was more stable, however. Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiles indicate that immersion in a KCrO₃Cl solution produces a thin layer of AgCl on top of a layer of AgO. The low electronic resistance of AgO then reduces the measured series resistance of the KCrO₃Cl-formed electrodes. Impedance plane plots and the impedance as a function of frequency were measured for both types of electrode, and the impedance of the evaporated AgCl electrodes was indeed considerably higher. The impedance measurements could be successfully modelled by assuming a Randles equivalent circuit for the AgCl/electrolyte interface. For the KCrO₃Cl-formed electrodes, the impedance was modified by the porosity these electrodes manifested.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at thick-film gold electrodes

Cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic investigations of screen-printed, thick-film gold electrodes reveal significant differences when compared with conventional polished gold disk electrodes of comparable size. The rough and porous structure of the thick-film electrode surface leads to an actual electrode area which is increased six-fold compared to polished disk electrodes. Due to the catalytic properties of these surface structures it is possible to perform the electrochemical oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at relatively low overpotentials, i.e. +0.145 V vs. SCE. By operating electrodes at this potential, electrode fouling processes and interference from electroactive species, e.g. acetaminophen, are minimized. An amperometric glucose sensor based on polymer matrix-entrapped glucose dehydrogenase with a working potential of +0.145 V vs. SCE was successfully incorporated into a flow injection analysis (FIA) system.     

Faradaic electrochemistry at microcylinder,band, and tubular band electrodes

Current-time relationships of faradaic processes at microcylinder, band, and tubular band electrodes have been evaluated. Microcylinder electrodes were fabricated from platinum wires (5 μm radius) sealed in glass capillaries. Band and tubular electrodes were constructed with platinum sheets (～ 20 μm width) or thin pieces of graphite (～ 5 μm width) sealed between insulating mateials. The temporal response of the current at a microcylinder electrode for the reduction of ferricyanide in aqueous potassium chloride solutions is in excellent agreement with that predicted by equations derived for heat flux to a cylinder. An estimation of the magnitude and temporal properties of the measured current at a band electrode can be obtained when a hemicylinder geometry is assumed. The current respone is identical at band and tubular band electrodes even for the smallest tubular radius investigated, 0.54 mm. Cyclic voltammograms at electrodes of all three geometries show significant contributions from radial diffusion at slow scan rates (< 20 mV s^?1). The current at a graphite tubular band electrode was found to be independent of flow of solution through the electrode at flow rates up to 3 ml min^?1.     

Impedance spectroscopy of lithium-tin film electrodes

A method of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to study the reversible lithium intercalation from nonaqueous electrolyte into tin films with the thickness of 0.1–1 μm. The impedance spectra of lithium-tin (Li _x Sn) electrodes have a complicated shape depending on the electrode state and prehistory; they reflect the occurrence of several consecutive and parallel processes, including the lithium migration, diffusion, and accumulation. The formation of a solid-electrolyte layer on the surface at Li intercalation into Sn is observed. Equivalent circuits are proposed that adequately model the experimental data on the Li _x Sn electrodes both freshly prepared and after prolonged cycling. Problems associated with the choice of equivalent circuits and determination of their parameters, the accuracy of the diffusion coefficient determination, the trends in the parameters’ variation with electrode potential (composition) are discussed.     

Potential shifts at electrodes coated with ion-exchange polymeric films

Voltammetry at electrodes modified with ion-exchange polymers, named "ion exchange voltammetry", has been recently developed for characterizing and determining quantitatively ionic electroactive analytes preconcentrated at the electrode surface. Like for other voltammetric techniques, characterization is based on the position of the response on the potential scale, but an appreciable difference is frequently observed between the formal half-wave potential for redox couples incorporated within ion-exchange polymeric films and those for the same redox couples in solution as measured at bare electrodes. Such a difference has been rationalized here by a generalized equation, inferred from a suitable elaboration of the Nernst equation, whose validity has been tested by a thorough investigation performed at glassy carbon electrodes modified with either cationic (Nafion) or anionic (Tosflex) polymeric films. With this purpose, the effect of both charge and concentration of the analyte and of the loading counterion, this last introduced as the cation or anion of the supporting electrolyte, of the ion-exchange selectivity coefficients of the redox partners and of their stoichiometric coefficients, as well as of the number of electrons involved in the charge transfer has been evaluated. The results obtained agree quite well with theoretical expectations and indicate that the potential shifts found are mainly conditioned by both charge and concentration of the counterion from the supporting electrolyte and by the ratio of the ion-exchange equilibrium constants for the two redox partners involved. Other parameters considered have no influence on the potential shift or lead to negligible effects, provided that the quantities of the redox partners incorporated within the ion-exchange coating represents less than 5% of the film capacity. Again in agreement with theoretical expectations, positive shifts are found for increasing supporting electrolyte concentrations when cationic redox species incorporated within cationic films are involved, while the opposite effect is found for anionic redox species incorporated within anionic films.     

Impedance analysis of the transport of counter ions at polypyrrole-Nafion composite electrodes

The ion transport accompanying the redox reactions of polypyrrole at a polypyrrole-Nafion composite electrode was investigated with systems containing specifically selected electrolytes. From the cyclic voltammetric and impedance data obtained, transport of cations was found to be responsible for the charge transfer process and parameters such as the charge transfer resistance, R_ct, the low frequency polymer resistance, R_e, the limiting capacitance, C_e and the diffusion coefficient, D_ct for the related cations were estimated. The electrochemical behaviour (i.e., electronic insulation and electronic conductance) of polypyrrole-Nafion composite electrodes was found to be the same as that of the polypyrrole electrodes, except that they appeared in regions of more negative potentials.     

Properties of the Contactless Impedance Detector with Insulated Wire Electrodes Placed Inside the Flowing Liquid Stream

The behavior of a flow cell, in which the impedance is measured between two insulated wire electrodes located within the stream of the test liquid, is described and compared with that of a semi‐quantitative theoretical model. A new approach is used to the monitoring of the impedance signal, based on connecting the cell as the input impedance of an operational amplifier in the differentiating circuit. A triangular AC voltage is fed to one of the electrodes and the other electrode is connected to the amplifier input. The square‐wave voltage at the amplifier output depends at low frequencies (from hundreds of Hz to several kHz) on the capacitive component of the overall impedance. The basic analytical parameters are in satisfactory agreement with the model and are comparable to those obtained with common contactless impedance detectors operating at higher frequencies of hundreds of kHz to a few MHz and monitoring primarily the conductance component of the impedance. The system described offers new detection possibilities, mainly for nonionic analytes of varying polarities.     

Distinction between energetic inhomogeneity and geometric non-uniformity of ion insertion electrodes based on complex impedance and complex capacitance analysis

Electrochemical insertion of Mg ions into Mo6S8 Chevrel phase is a unique, model system for studying the nature of the energetic inhomogeneity of the host sites suitable for ions accommodation. We show that the two energy state model can be successfully used for describing the very specific Mg ions insertion kinetics into the host, in particular, as relates to a drastic increase of Mg ions mobility in the vicinity of the critical potential of 1.25 V (vs Mg). This is accompanied by very pronounced changes of the impedance spectra. On the other hand, similar behavior of impedance spectra could be obtained for geometrically nonhomogeneous intercalation electrodes, comprising a distribution of thicknesses. One can frequently meet both these cases in practice for a vast variety of intercalation electrodes (e.g., for lithiated graphite, composite Li(x)MO2, M = Mn, Ni, Co, etc.). In this paper, we developed a methodology aimed at a reliable distinction between the two alternatives, based on complex impedance and complex capacitance analysis.     

Voltammetry at partially covered electrodes: Part II. Linear potential sweep and cyclic voltammetry

Effect of inhomogeneity of the electrode surface on the linear potential sweep and cyclic voltammograms is investigated theoretically and experimentally using model electrodes partially covered with photoresist layer. Good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results is obtained.     

Impedance spectroscopy of lithium-carbon electrodes

The methods of coulometric titration and electrode impedance spectroscopy are used in studying the behavior of carbon film electrodes free of binding and conducting additives in the course of reversible lithium intercalation from nonaqueous electrolytes. The electrodes with the high and low degrees of graphitization are studied. The measurements are performed in the frequency range from 10⁵ to 10^?2 Hz with the lithium concentration in intercalate varied from 0.025 mol/cm³ (corresponds to LiC₆) to a state free of lithium. The factors responsible for the hysteresis in charge-discharge curves, the versions of equivalent circuits (EC) suitable for modeling the impedance spectra of Li _x C₆ electrodes, the dependence of EC parameters and the lithium diffusion coefficient on the concentration are discussed. It is shown that all experimental impedance spectra can be adequately modeled by a common general EC. The concentration dependences are consistent with the earlier data of pulse methods. The diffusion coefficient varies approximately from 10^?12 to 10^?13 cm²/s.