Preparation and characterization of branched and linear sulfonated poly(ether ketone sulfone) proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications

Branched sulfonated poly(ether ketone sulfone)s (Br‐SPEKS) were prepared with bisphenol A, bis(4‐fluorophenyl)sulfone, 3,3′‐disodiumsulfonyl‐4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone, and THPE (1,1,1‐tris‐p‐hydroxyphenylethane), respectively, at 180 °C using potassium carbonate in NMP (N‐methylpyrrolidinone). THPE, as a branching agent, was used with 0.4 mol % of bisphenol A to synthesize branched copolymers. Copolymers containing 10–50 mol % disulfonated units were cast from dimethylsulfoxide solutions to form films. Linear sulfonated poly(ether ketone sulfone)s (SPEKS) were also synthesized without THPE. The films were converted from the salt to acid forms with dilute hydrochloric acid. A series of copolymers were studied by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Sorption experiments were conducted to observe the interaction of sulfonated polymers with water and methanol. The ion‐exchange capacity (IEC), a measure of proton conductivity, was evaluated. The synthesized Br‐SPEKS and SPEKS membranes exhibit conductivities (25 °C) from 1.04 × 10^?3 to 4.32 × 10^?3 S/cm, water swell from 20.18 to 62.35%, IEC from 0.24 to 0.83 mequiv/g, and methanol diffusion coefficients from 3.2 × 10^?7 to 4.7 × 10^?7 cm²/S at 25 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1792–1799, 2008     

Electrochemical Determination of 2‐Nitrophenol in Water Samples Using Mg‐Al‐SDS Hydrotalcite‐Like Clay Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with Mg‐Al‐SDS hydrotalcite‐like clay (SDS‐HTLC) was used for the sensitive voltammetric determination of 2‐nitrophenol (2‐NP) utilizing the oxidation process. The results indicate the prepared modified electrode has an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward 2‐NP oxidation, lowering the oxidation overpotential and increasing the oxidation current. Under optimal conditions, the oxidation current was proportional to 2‐NP concentration in the range from 1.0×10^?6 to 6.0×10^?4 M with the detection limit of 5.0×10^?7 M by DPV (S/N=3). The fabricated electrode was applied for 2‐NP determination in water samples and the recovery for these samples was from 95.6 to 103.5%.     

Electrocatalytic Determination of Ascorbic Acid at the Surface of 2,7‐Bis(ferrocenyl ethyl)fluoren‐9‐one Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A chemically modified carbon paste electrode with 2,7‐bis(ferrocenyl ethyl)fluoren‐9‐one (2,7‐BFEFMCPE) was employed to study the electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The diffusion coefficient (D=1.89×10^?5 cm² s^?1), and the kinetic parameter such as the electron transfer coefficient, α (=0.42) of ascorbic acid oxidation at the surface of 2,7‐BFEFMCPE was determined using electrochemical approaches. It has been found that under an optimum condition (pH 7.00), the oxidation of ascorbic acid at the surface of such an electrode occurs at a potential about 300 mV less positive than that of an unmodified carbon paste electrode. The catalytic oxidation peak currents show a linear dependence on the ascorbic acid concentration and linear analytical curves were obtained in the ranges of 8.0×10^?5 M–2.0×10^?3 M and 3.1×10^?5 M–3.3×10^?3 M of ascorbic acid with correlation coefficients of 0.9980 and 0.9976 in cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, respectively. The detection limits (2δ) were determined to be 2.9×10^?5 M and 9.0×10^?6 M with cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, respectively. This method was also examined for determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Determination of Sulfide by Hematoxylin Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

This study investigates a new approach for the amperometric determination of sulfide using a hematoxylin multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified carbon paste electrode (HM‐MWCNTs/CPE). The experimental results show that HM‐MWCNTs/CPE significantly enhances the electrocatalytic activity towards sulfide oxidation. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that the peak potential of sulfide shifted from +400 mV at unmodified CPE to +175 mV at HM‐MWCNTs/CPE. The currents obtained from amperometric measurements at optimum conditions were linearly correlated with the concentration of sulfide. The calibration curve was obtained for sulfide concentrations in the range of 0.5–150×10^?6 mol L^?1. The detection limit was found to be 0.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 for the amperometric method. The proposed method was successfully applied to a river water sample in Pardubice, Czech Republic.     

A Monolithic Hybrid Cellulose‐2.5‐Acetate/Polymer Bioreactor for Biocatalysis under Continuous Liquid–Liquid Conditions Using a Supported Ionic Liquid Phase

Mesoporous monolithic hybrid cellulose‐2.5‐acetate (CA)/polymer supports were prepared under solvent‐induced phase separation conditions using cellulose‐2.5‐acetate microbeads 8–14 μm in diameter, 1,1,1‐tris(hydroxymethyl)propane and 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) as monomers as well as THF and n‐heptane as porogenic solvents. 4‐(Dimethylamino)pyridine and dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL), respectively, were used as catalysts. Monolithic hybrid supports were used in transesterification reactions of vinyl butyrate with 1‐butanol under continuous, supported ionic liquid–liquid conditions with Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) and octylmethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([OMIM⁺][BF₄^?]) immobilized within the CA beads inside the polymeric monolithic framework and methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) as the continuous phase. The new hybrid bioreactors were successfully used in dimensions up to 2×30 cm (V=94 mL). Under continuous biphasic liquid–liquid conditions a constant conversion up to 96 % was achieved over a period of 18 days, resulting in a productivity of 58 μmol mg^?1(CALB) min^?1. This translates into an unprecedented turnover number (TON) of 3.9×10⁷ within two weeks, which is much higher than the one obtained under standard biphasic conditions using [OMIM⁺][BF₄^?]/MTBE (TON=2.7×10⁶). The continuous liquid–liquid setup based on a hybrid reactor presented here is strongly believed to be applicable to many other enzyme‐catalyzed reactions.     

Flash photolysis study for reactions of NO3· with sulfur compounds in acetonitrile solution

The rate constants for the reaction of NO₃· with sulfur compounds in acetonitrile have been determined by the flash photolysis method. The rate constant for dimethyl sulfone (2.7 × 10⁴ M^?1s^?1 at ?10°C) is larger than that of the deuterium derivative, indicating that NO₃· abstracts the hydrogen atom from dimethyl sulfone. In the case of dimethyl sulfide, the rate constant was evaluated to be 1.5 × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 at ?10°C; the transient absorption band attributable to the cation radical was observed after the decay of NO₃·, suggesting the electron transfer reaction from the sulfide to NO₃·. For diphenyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, the electron transfer reactions were also confirmed. For dimethyl sulfoxide, the reaction rate constant of 1.2 × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1 (at ?10°C) was not practically affected by the deuterium substitution, suggesting that NO₃· adds to sulfur atom forming (CH₃)₂?(O)-ONO₂. On the other hand, for diphenyl sulfoxide, the electron transfer reaction occurs. By the comparison of these rate constants in acetonitrile solution with the reported rate constants in the gas phase, the change of the reaction paths was revealed.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation and Voltammetric Determination of Hydrazine on the Tetrabromo‐p‐Benzoquinone Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

The electrochemical properties of hydrazine studied at the surface of a carbon paste electrode spiked with p‐bromanil (tetrabromo‐p‐benzoquinone) using cyclic voltammetry (CV), double potential‐step chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in aqueous media. The results show this quinone derivative modified carbon paste electrode, can catalyze the hydrazine oxidation in an aqueous buffered solution. It has been found that under the optimum conditions (pH 10.00), the oxidation of hydrazine at the surface of this carbon paste modified electrode occurs at a potential of about 550 mV less positive than that of a bar carbon paste electrode. The electrocatalytic oxidation peak current of hydrazine showed a linear dependent on the hydrazine concentrations and linear analytical curves were obtained in the ranges of 6.00×10^?5 M–8.00×10^?3 M and 7.00×10^?6 M–8.00×10^?4 M of hydrazine concentration with CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods, respectively. The detection limits (3σ) were determined as 3.6×10^?5 M and 5.2×10^?6 M by CV and DPV methods. This method was also used for the determination of hydrazine in the real sample (waste water of the Mazandaran wood and paper factory) by standard addition method.     

Carbon Paste Electrode Incorporating 1‐[4‐(Ferrocenyl Ethynyl) Phenyl]‐1‐Ethanone for Electrocatalytic and Voltammetric Determination of Tryptophan

A carbon paste electrode spiked with 1‐[4‐ferrocenyl ethynyl) phenyl]‐1‐ethanone (4FEPE) was constructed by incorporation of 4FEPE in graphite powder‐paraffin oil matrix. It has been shown by direct current cyclic voltammetry and double step chronoamperometry that this electrode can catalyze the oxidation of tryptophan (Trp) in aqueous buffered solution. It has been found that under optimum condition (pH 7.00), the oxidation of Trp at the surface of such an electrode occurs at a potential about 200 mV less positive than at an unmodified carbon paste electrode. The kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient, α and rate constant for the chemical reaction between Trp and redox sites in 4FEPE modified carbon paste electrode (4FEPEMCPE) were also determined using electrochemical approaches. The electrocatalytic oxidation peak current of Trp showed a linear dependent on the Trp concentrations and linear calibration curves were obtained in the ranges of 6.00×10^?6 M–3.35×10^?3 M and 8.50×10^?7 M–6.34×10^?5 M of Trp concentration with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods, respectively. The detection limits (3σ) were determined as 1.80×10^?6 M and 5.60×10^?7 M by CV and DPV methods. This method was also examined as a selective, simple and precise new method for voltammetric determination of tryptophan in real sample.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation and Voltammetric Determination of L‐Cysteic Acid at the Surface of p‐Bromanil Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

The electrochemical properties of L ‐cysteic acid studied at the surface of p‐bromanil (tetrabromo‐p‐benzoquinone) modified carbon paste electrode (BMCPE) in aqueous media by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and double step potential chronoamperometry. It has been found that under optimum condition (pH 7.00) in cyclic voltammetry, the oxidation of L ‐cysteic acid at the surface of BMCPE occurs at a half‐wave potential of p‐bromanil redox system (e.g., 100 mV vs. Ag|AgCl|KCl_sat), whereas, L ‐cysteic acid was electroinactive in the testing potential ranges at the surface of bare carbon paste electrode. The apparent diffusion coefficient of spiked p‐bromanil in paraffin oil was also determined by using the Cottrell equation. The electrocatalytic oxidation peak current of L ‐cysteic acid exhibits a linear dependency to its concentration in the ranges of 8.00×10^?6 M–6.00×10^?3 M and 5.2×10^?7 M–1.0×10^?5 M using CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods, respectively. The detection limits (2σ) were determined as 5.00×10^?6 M and 4.00×10^?7 M by CV and DPV methods. This method was used as a new, selective, rapid, simple, precise and suitable voltammetric method for determination of L ‐cysteic acid in serum of patient's blood with migraine disease.     

Doubly Modified Electrodes for the Selective Determination of Dopamine in the Presence of Interfering Species

In this paper, we describe the double modification of the glassy carbon electrode surface with two polymer layers for the selective determination of dopamine. The first layer was the electropolymerized macrocyclic nickel complex acting as an electrocatalyst for the dopamine oxidation and the second layer the polyurethane benzyl L ‐glutamate (PUBLG) for screening interfering species. Hydrolyzed PUBLG (PU‐C) showed a better screening effect. Thus prepared GC/Ni(II) complex film/PU‐C electrodes exhibited improved selectivity and better performance than unmodified counterparts, with minimum passivation even in the presence of large excess of interferents. Under optimal conditions, these electrodes showed a linear response over a dopamine concentration range of 2.5×10^?7 and 3.0×10^?5 M with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and detection limit (at S/N=3) of 8.0×10^?8 M. The recoveries of dopamine in the 5‐fold diluted human urine sample were 96.9% for 4 measurements. The rate constant for the dopamine oxidation measured by the rotating disk electrode was found to be 1.1×10^?3 cm s^?1.     

Electrochemical Behaviors of Adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate on Molecular Wire Modified Carbon Paste Electrode and Its Sensitive Detection

A new electrochemical method was proposed for the determination of adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) based on the electrooxidation at a molecular wire (MW) modified carbon paste electrode (CPE), which was fabricated with diphenylacetylene (DPA) as the binder. A single well‐defined irreversible oxidation peak of ATP appeared on MW‐CPE with adsorption‐controlled process and enhanced electrochemical response in a pH 3.0 Britton‐Robinson buffer solution, which was due to the presence of high conductive DPA in the electrode. The electrochemical parameters of ATP were calculated with the electron transfer coefficient (α) as 0.54, the electron transfer number (n) as 1.9, the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) as 2.67 × 10^?5 s^?1 and the surface coverage (Γ_T) as 4.15 × 10^?10 mol cm^?2. Under the selected conditions the oxidation peak current was proportional to ATP concentration in the range from 1.0 × 10^?7 mol L^?1 to 2.0 × 10^?3 mol L^?1 with the detection limit as 1.28 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 (3σ) by sensitive differential pulse voltammetry. The proposed method showed good selectivity without the interferences of coexisting substances and was successful applied to the ATP injection samples detection.     

Electrochemical Characterization of Epigallocatechin Gallate Using Square‐Wave Voltammetry

Electrochemical oxidation of (?)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main monomer flavanol found in green tea, has been investigated over a wide pH range at a glassy‐carbon electrode using square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). Square‐wave voltammograms of (?)‐epigallocatechin (EGC) and gallic acid have been studied as well. The I–E profile of EGCG, i.e. the oxidation potentials and the current responses of the first and the second peak, is pH dependent. The oxidation of EGCG is a quasireversible process over the studied pH range, which was also confirmed by the non‐linear relationship between the peak currents and squre root of frequency. The best SWV responses for EGCG were obtained at pH 2.0, frequency of 100 Hz, step of 2 mV and amplitude of 50 mV. Under these conditions, linear responses for EGCG were obtained for concentrations from 1×10^?7 M to 1×10^?6 M, and calculated LOD and LOQ for the first oxidation peak were 6.59×10^?8 M and 2.19×10^?7 M, respectively. The proposed electroanalytical procedure was applied for the determination of EGCG content in green tea. Developed SWV methodology represents a potential analytical tool in determination of catechins in tea samples.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Acyclovir on Poly(p‐Aminobenzene Sulfonic Acid) Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Acyclovir is an antiviral effective drug active compound. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with an electropolymerized film of p‐aminobenzene sulfonic acid (p‐ABSA) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The polymer film‐modified electrode was used to electrochemically detect acyclovir. Polymer film showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of acyclovir. The anodic peak potential value of the acyclovir at the poly(p‐ABSA) modified glassy carbon electrode was 950 mV obtained by DPV. A linear calibration curve for DPV analysis was constructed in the acyclovir concentration range 2×10^?7–9×10^?6 mol L^?1. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were obtained as 5.57×10^?8 and 1.85×10^?7 mol L^?1 respectively. The proposed method exhibits good recovery and reproducibility.     

Atmospheric chemistry of isopropyl formate and tert‐butyl formate

Formates are produced in the atmosphere as a result of the oxidation of a number of species, notably dialkyl ethers and vinyl ethers. This work describes experiments to define the oxidation mechanisms of isopropyl formate, HC(O)OCH(CH₃)₂, and tert‐butyl formate, HC(O)OC(CH₃)₃. Product distributions are reported from both Cl‐ and OH‐initiated oxidation, and reaction mechanisms are proposed to account for the observed products. The proposed mechanisms include examples of the α‐ester rearrangement reaction, novel isomerization pathways, and chemically activated intermediates. The atmospheric oxidation of isopropyl formate by OH radicals gives the following products (molar yields): acetic formic anhydride (43%), acetone (43%), and HCOOH (15–20%). The OH radical initiated oxidation of tert‐butyl formate gives acetone, formaldehyde, and CO₂ as major products. IR absorption cross sections were derived for two acylperoxy nitrates derived from the title compounds. Rate coefficients are derived for the kinetics of the reactions of isopropyl formate with OH (2.4 ± 0.6) × 10^?12, and with Cl (1.75 ± 0.35) × 10^?11, and for tert‐butyl formate with Cl (1.45 ± 0.30) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Simple group additivity rules fail to explain the observed distribution of sites of H‐atom abstraction for simple formates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 479–498, 2010     

Nanomolar Determination of Methyldopa in the Presence of Large Amounts of Hydrochlorothiazide Using a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Graphene Oxide Nanosheets and 3‐(4′‐Amino‐3′‐hydroxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)‐acrylic Acid

A novel electrochemical sensor for sensitive detection of methyldopa at physiological pH was developed by the bulk modification of carbon paste electrode (CPE) with graphene oxide nanosheets and 3‐(4′‐amino‐3′‐hydroxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)‐acrylic acid (3,′AA). Applying square wave voltammetry (SWV), in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 7.0, the oxidation current increased linearly with two concentration intervals of methyldopa, one is 1.0×10^?8–1.0×10^?6 M and the other is 1.0×10^?6–4.5×10^?5 M. The detection limit (3σ) obtained by SWV was 9.0 nM. The modified electrode was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the determination of methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide in some real samples.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel nano size electroactive poly 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulphone

The modification of electrodeposited polyaniline film by subsequent electrodeposition of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) leads to a new material having nanostructure. The coated polymer films were treated with various pH solutions. The film adherent characteristics and surface morphology were studied using SEM. The electrochemically synthesized polyDDS revealed good redox behavior. The DDS was also polymerized by the chemical oxidation method using potassium persulphate. The polymer was characterized by UV‐Vis and FTIR spectral studies. The formation of polymer through the N? H group was understood from the single N? H stretching vibrational frequency at 3459 cm^?1. The X‐ray diffraction studies revealed the formation of nano sized (28 nm) crystalline polymer. The conductivity of the polymer was determined to be 1.07 × 10^?4 S.cm^?1. The solubility of the chemically polymerized powder was ascertained, and polyDDS showed good solubility in DMF and DMSO. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1702–1707, 2005     

An experimental and theoretical method for determination of standard electrode potential for the redox couple diphenyl sulfone/diphenyl sulfide

DFT calculations were performed for diphenyl sulfide and diphenyl sulfone. The electrochemistry of diphenyl sulfide on the gold electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammety and the results show that standard electrode potential for redox couple diphenyl sulfone/diphenyl sulfide is 1.058 V, which is consistent with that of 1.057 calculated at B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)-IEFPCM level. The front orbit theory and Mulliken charges of molecular explain well on the oxidation of diphenyl sulfide in oxidative desulfurization. According to equilibrium theory the experimental equilibrium constant in the oxidative desulfurization of H₂O₂, is 1.17 × 10⁴⁸, which is consistent with the theoretical equilibrium constant is 2.18 × 10⁴⁸ at B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)-IEFPCM level.     

Electrochemical Study of Interaction Between Clozapine and DNA and Its Analytical Application

Abstract

The interaction between clozapine (CLZ) as an orally administrated antipsychotic drug with double stranded calf thymus DNA (dsDNA) was investigated at electrode surface using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Activated carbon paste electrode (CPE) was modified with dsDNA and used for monitoring the changes of the characteristics peak of CLZ in 0.05 M acetate buffer (pH 4.3). The adsorptive stripping voltammetry on dsDNA‐modified carbon paste electrode (dsDNA‐CPE) was used for determination of very low concentration of CLZ. Under optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current is proportional to CLZ concentration in the range of 7×10^?9?1.2×10^?6 mol l^?1 with a detection limit of 1.5×10^?9 mol l^?1 for 180 s accumulation time by DPV. The proposed dsDNA‐CPE was successfully used for determination of CLZ in human serum samples with recovery of 97.0±2.5%.     

Electrochemical Behavior and Determination of L‐Tyrosine at Single‐walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Based on single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE/SWCNTs), a novel method was presented for the determination of L ‐tyrosine. The GCE/SWCNTs exhibited remarkable catalytic and enhanced effects on the oxidation of L ‐tyrosine. In 0.10 mol/L citric acid‐sodium citrate buffer solution, the oxidation potential of L ‐tyrosine shifted negatively from +1.23 V at bare GCE to +0.76 V at GCE/SWCNTs. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the linear range of the modified electrode to the concentration of L ‐tyrosine was 5.0×10^?6–2.0×10^?5 mol/L (R₁=0.9952) and 2.7×10^?5–2.6×10^?4 mol/L (R₂=0.9998) with a detection limit of 9.3×10^?8 mol/L. The kinetic parameters such as α (charge transfer coefficient) and D (diffusion coefficient) were evaluated to be 0.66, 9.82×10^?5 cm² s^?1, respectively. And the electrochemical mechanism of L ‐tyrosine was also discussed.     

Nanostructured Alpha‐Nickel Hydroxide Electrodes for High Performance Hydrogen Peroxide Sensing

Nanostructured alpha‐nickel hydroxide (α‐Ni(OH)₂) immobilized on a Fluorine‐doped Tin Oxide (FTO) surface was explored for the construction of hydrogen peroxide amperometric Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) sensors. Their notable electrocatalytic activity and heterogeneous electron‐transfer rate were confirmed by the appearance of a broad and intense peak associated with the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide and the enhancement of sensibility in hydrodynamic conditions. The α‐Ni(OH)₂ electrodes exhibited a broad dynamic range (5×10^?6 to 1×10^?3 mol L^?1), low detection limit (2×10^?7 mol L^?1), good repeatability (RSD=1.29 % for 20 successive analyses), and a sensitivity greater than 500 µA mmol^?1 L^?1 cm^?2.