Voltammetry at a three-phase junction

When insoluble insulating crystals adhere to an electrode, the three-phase junction – where electrolyte solution, electrode and crystal meet – is the only feasible site for an electrochemical reaction. Moreover, sustained reaction is possible only if ions from the electrolyte solution are able to enter the crystal through the three-phase junction and disperse within the crystal. Here, order-of-magnitude calculations demonstrate that diffusion to the three-phase junction is well able to support voltammetry under standard experimental conditions. A model is built for cases of adherent cubes of uniform size and thereby the shapes of chronoamperograms, chronograviograms and cyclic voltammograms are predicted. The model assumes that the ion concentration at the three-phase junction plays a crucial role in the voltammetry, being determined by quasi-steady-state ion diffusion from the bulk, the thermodynamics of the electrode reaction, and the extent to which the crystal has already undergone reaction. Depending on the crystal size and scan rate, cyclic voltammograms may mimic solution-phase voltammograms from classical thin-layer experiments or from typical stripping experiments. The effect of size heterogeneity on cyclic voltammetry is simulated for lognormal distributions. Received: 5 January 1998 / Accepted: 17 April 1998     

A comparison of redox processes for polypyrrole/dodecylsulfate films in aqueous and non-aqueous media

Polypyrrole/dodecylsulfate (PPy/DDS) films were synthesized in aqueous and ethanolic solutions and investigated in aqueous, ethanolic, methanolic and acetonitrile solutions by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The amounts of anions and cations in the films before and after electrochemical treatment were determined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA); the film morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results prove that the mobility of bulky DDS^– ions in PPy increases in the order: water<acetonitrile<ethanol<methanol. It was found that dopant DDS^– ions can be easily removed from PPy matrix swollen in alcohols or acetonitrile by electrochemical reduction or by soaking in electrolyte solutions of these solvents. The influence of electrochemical treatment on the change of doping level in aqueous solution is essentially less and depends on the cations in the test solution. Although the electroneutrality of PPy/DDS films during redox cycling is realized mainly by movement of the cations in aqueous solution and by movement of the anions in organic solvents, nevertheless the participation of anions in aqueous and cations in organic solvents is also established. The redox properties of PPy/DDS are more dependent on the solvent of the test solutions than of the synthesis solutions. Electronic Publication     

Electrochemical dediazoniation of arenediazonium ions and subsequent radical polymerization at the liquid-liquid interface

Arenediazonium ions are dediazoniated through reduction by decamethylferrocene in the 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) after the electrochemical transfer of the arenediazonium ions from the aqueous side of the interface between the DCE and the aqueous phase (W). Cyclic voltammetry of the ion transfer clearly shows that this process is described as an E _r C _i process, that is, the diffusion-limited transfer of the ions across the interface followed by the irreversible dediazoniation in the DCE phase. Arene radicals formed in DCE can initiate the radical polymerization of styrene at the interface. The polystyrene formed in the interfacial region significantly impedes the transfer of tetraethylammonium ions across the DCEIW interface. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp. 80–84. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Nafion/tetraruthenated porphyrin glassy carbon-modified electrode: characterization and voltammetric studies of sulfite oxidation in water–ethanol solutions

In this work, the modification of a glassy carbon electrode with tetraruthenated porphyrins electrostatically assembled onto a Nafion film, previously adsorbed on the electrode surface, is reported. This modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroelectrochemistry, and cyclic voltammetry. The Nafion film onto the glassy carbon electrode shows a smooth disposition; when the tetraruthenated porphyrin is incorporated on the Nafion film, the complex is adsorbed in a homogeneous way. The modified electrode catalyzes HSO₃⁻ oxidation in water–ethanol solutions and shows an enhanced stability compared with the electrode modified with the dip coating method. Rotating disk electrode experiments showed a kinetic limitation to the electron transfer controlled by charge propagation in the film. I/E curves show a Tafel slope of 120 mV/decade corresponding to a first electron-transfer reaction, depending on the potential, as the determining step. Spectroelectrochemical experiments demonstrated that Ru(II) is the active site for the electrocatalysis.     

Electrosynthesis of polyaniline in ionic liquid and its electrocatalytic properties

Ionic liquid like 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluorobrate ([BMIM]BF₄) has been used as solvent and electrolyte for the electropolymerization of aniline at glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry. Electrode modified with polyaniline (PAn) has obvious electrochemical activity in ionic liquid and acid solution (pH 0–4), and has significant electrocatalytic activity for redox reaction of catechol and hydroquione. __________ Translated from Journal of East China Normal University (Natural Science), 2005, 3 (in Chinese)     

Voltammetric sensor for glutathione determination based on ferrocene-modified carbon paste electrode

The electrocatalytic oxidation of glutathione (GSH) has been studied at the surface of ferrocene-modified carbon paste electrode (FMCPE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), double potential step chronoamperometry, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were used to investigate the suitability of incorporation of ferrocene into FMCPE as a mediator for the electrocatalytic oxidation of GSH in buffered aqueous solution. Results showed that pH 7.00 is the most suitable for this purpose. In the optimum condition (pH 7.00), the electrocatalytic ability of about 480 mV can be found and the heterogeneous rate constant of catalytic reaction was calculated as . Also, the diffusion coefficient of glutathione, D, was found to be 3.61 × 10^–5 cm² s⁻¹. The electrocatalytic oxidation peak current of glutathione at the surface of this modified electrode was linearly dependent on the GSH concentration and the linear analytical curves were obtained in the ranges of 3.2 × 10^–5 M–1.6 × 10^–3 M and 2.2 × 10^–6 M–3.5 × 10^–3 M with cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods, respectively. The detection limits (3σ) were determined as 1.8 × 10^–5 M and 2.1 × 10^–6 M using CV and DPV, respectively. Finally, the electrocatalytic oxidation of GSH at the surface of this modified electrode can be employed as a new method for the voltammetric determination of glutathione in real samples such as human plasma.     

Preparation and characterization of Ca1 − x Ce x MnO3 perovskite electrodes

The electrochemical properties of Ca_1 − x Ce _x MnO₃ perovskite-type oxide electrode have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry in Na₂SO₄ aqueous solutions with pH 14. The structural and morphological characterizations have also been investigated and the information used to interpret the electrochemical behavior. An estimation of the electrode’s capacitance and roughness factor has been obtained by means of cyclic voltammetry. The specific capacitance and consequently the roughness factor values are affected by the presence of Ce ions in the oxide. These findings are in agreement with the increase of the oxide-specific surface area by the introduction of Ce ion. The open-circuit potential and the voltammetric patterns are dependent on the presence of Ce ion in the electrodes and support that the surface electrochemistry of the perovskite oxide electrodes is governed by the Mn⁴⁺–Mn³⁺ redox couple.     

Electrochemical Properties of Poly-o-Phenylenediamine Films in Solutions with Variable Concentration of Hydronium Ions

Electrochemical behavior of poly-o-phenylenediamine (PoPhD) films in lithium perchlorate and perchloric acid solutions of different pH and constant ionic strength is studied using cyclic voltammetry, low-amplitude chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, and faradaic-impedance spectroscopy. The experimental results point to the diffusion–migration kinetics of charge transfer processes in redox-active PoPhD films and show that two such processes occur during oxidation–reduction of PoPhD. The processes are separated most fully at low concentrations of hydronium ions. Effect of the electrode potential and electrolyte composition on these processes is examined. Different methods yield similar results and permit their more reliable interpretation.     

Effects of tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate as an electrolyte additive on the electrochemical behavior of lead acid battery

Tetrabutyl ammonium hydrogen sulfate is an ion-paring reagent that has similar properties with ionic liquid. Ionic liquids belong to new branch of salts with unique properties that have ever increasing applications in electrochemical systems especially lithium-ion batteries. For the first time, the effects of tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (TBAHS) as an electrolyte additive in battery’s electrolyte was studied on the hydrogen and oxygen evolution overpotential and anodic layer formation on lead–antimony–tin grid alloy of lead acid battery by using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry in aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The grid surface morphology after cyclic redox reaction was studied by using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that, by increasing TBAHS concentration in the electrolyte, hydrogen and oxygen overpotential were increased, and so the crystalline structure of PbSO₄ layer changed. Also, cyclic voltammogram on carbon–PbO paste electrode shows that with presence of TBAHS in the electrolyte, oxidation and reduction peak current intensively increased and peak potential for oxidation and reduction of PbO were dependent on TBAHS concentration.     

Influence of boric acid on the electrochemical deposition of Ni

The electrolytic deposition of Ni onto a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode from supporting chloride electrolyte (0.5 mol dm⁻³ NaCl) adjusted to the required pH using dilute HCl is investigated. The effect of electrolyte composition on the Ni electrodeposition is studied using linear sweep voltammetry in the cathodic region. An elimination voltammetry procedure was applied to evaluate the polarization curves. The aim of this work was to deduce the mechanism of Ni reduction in the chloride bath as well as the influence of boric acid on this. Positively-charged NiCl⁺ ions were found to be the electroactive particles in the Ni reduction mechanism. The strong competition between the NiCl⁺, Cl⁻ and H⁺ ions for active sites at the electrode is discussed. Kinetically-controlled adsorption/desorption processes of various species were also confirmed using elimination voltammetry with a linear scan. The evolution of gaseous hydrogen, catalyzed by the freshly-deposited Ni, accompanies the electrodeposition process. The presence of boric acid at a sufficiently high concentration inhibits the deposition of Ni and, at the same time, improves the morphology and brightness, as well as the adhesion of the deposited Ni. Elimination voltammetry with a linear scan is an efficient way to evaluate current–potential curves that reflect the electrodeposition of one-component Ni coatings. By eliminating selected currents, additional interesting and useful information can be obtained from voltammetric data.     

Direct electrochemical behavior of the Cysteamine/DNA/SWNTs-film-modified Au electrode and its interaction with taxol

The Cysteamine/DNA/SWNTs-film-modified Au electrode was successfully prepared, and its electrochemical behavior is investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified electrode exhibited a pair of stable and well-defined redox peaks, with the formal potentials (E ^0′ at about −0.032 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The dependence of E ^0′ on solution pH indicated that the direct electron transfer reaction of the Cysteamine/DNA/SWNTs film is the same electron transfer coupled with the proton participating in the reaction process. Taxol is an anticancer drug; it interacts with microtubule proteins in a manner that catalyzes the formation of microtubules from tubulin and stabilizes the resulting structures. Using the Cysteamine/DNA/SWNTs-film-modified Au electrode, we study the interaction between DNA and Taxol studied. A UV-Vis experiment is performed to confirm this interaction. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 9, pp. 1133–1139. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Voltammetric, Potentiometric and Spectrophotometric Studies of Some Hydrazones and Their Metal Complexes in Ethanolic-Aqueous Buffered Solutions

Summary. The electrochemical behavior of some hydrazones derived from 6-chloro-2-hydrazinopyridine in the Britton-Robinson universal buffer of pH 2–11 containing 35% ethanol was investigated at the mercury electrode using dc-polarography, controlled-potential coulometry, and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The examined hydrazones were reduced in solutions of pH < 9 in a single 4-electron diffusion-controlled irreversible step corresponding to both the saturation of –N=C< double bond and cleavage of the –HN–NH– single bond of the hydrazone molecule via the consumption of two electrons for each center. Whereas the starting compound, 6-chloro-2-hydrazinopyridine, was reduced in a single 2-electron diffusion-controlled irreversible step corresponding to cleavage of its –NH–NH₂ single bond. The mechanistic pathway of the electrode reaction of the studied compounds was elucidated and discussed. The pK_a values of the examined hydrazones and the stoichiometry of their complexes in solution with some transition metal ions were determined spectrophotometrically. The dissociation constants and the thermodynamic parameters of the investigated hydrazones, and the stability constants of their metal complexes in solution were determined potentiometrically.     

Electrochemical behavior of high-molecular-weight poly(ferrocenylsilane) films in aqueous electrolyte solutions

The electrochemical behavior of high-molecular-weight poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) films and poly(ferrocenylmethylphenylsilane) films, which contained about 2.8 × 10⁻⁶ mol cm⁻² ferrocene sites in eight kinds of aqueous electrolyte solutions, was investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV). In some aqueous electrolyte solutions, the CV peak currents diminished gradually with an increase in the scanning times, whereas in other aqueous electrolyte solutions, stable and repeated cyclic voltammograms were obtained. The polymer films were poor-solvent-swollen in aqueous electrolyte solutions, and this resulted in a high resistivity of mass transfer and a slow rate of electrode reaction; therefore; quasireversible or irreversible CV processes were obtained. The kinetic parameters of the film-electrode processes, such as the surface transfer coefficient, the apparent diffusion coefficient, and the standard rate constant for electron transfer, for the two films in aqueous LiClO₄ solutions were measured, and the electrode process mechanism of the films was examined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2245–2253, 2004     

Kinetics of electrode reaction coupled to ion transfer across the liquid/liquid interface

In the theoretical model it is assumed that a graphite disk electrode is covered by a thin film of solution of decamethylferrocene (dmfc) and some electrolyte CX in nitrobenzene and immersed in an aqueous solution of the electrolyte MX. Oxidation of dmfc is accompanied by the transfer of anion X ⁻ from water into nitrobenzene since it is also assumed that cations dmfc ⁺ and C ⁺ are insoluble in water and cation M ⁺ is insoluble in nitrobenzene. Kinetic parameters of the electrode reaction can be determined if the total potential difference across the nitrobenzene/water interface is maintained constant by adding the electrolytes CX and MX in concentrations which are much higher than the initial concentration of dmfc in nitrobenzene.     

Ion insertion into ionic liquid supported toluene generated by electrochemical redox reaction

Ion transfer across the toluene|water, toluene–ionic liquid mixture|water and ionic liquid|water boundary generated by electrochemical redox reaction of tert-butylferrocene (tBuFc) was studied with the glassy carbon (GC) electrode partially covered by the organic liquid deposit and immersed in the aqueous electrolyte solution. The electrooxidation of the redox probe in toluene deposit is followed by ejection of newly formed cation into the aqueous solution. The same reaction in the toluene–ionic liquid deposit promotes anion insertion. This pathway is also found at the electrode modified with ionic liquid.     

Charge transfer across the water/nitrobenzene interface by three-electrode system

A droplet of aqueous solution containing a certain molar ratio of redox couple is first attached onto a platinum electrode surface, then the resulting drop electrode is immersed into the organic solution containing very hydrophobic electrolyte. Combined with reference and counter electrodes, a classical three-electrode system has been constructed. Ion transfer (IT) and electron transfer (ET) are investigated systematically using three-electrode voltammetry. Potassium ion transfer and electron transfer between potassium ferricyanide in the aqueous phase and ferrocene in nitrobenzene are observed with potassium ferricyanide/potassium ferrocyanide as the redox couple. Meanwhile, the transfer reactions of lithium, sodium, potassium, proton and ammonium ions are obtained with ferric sulfate/ferrous sulfate as the redox couple. The formal transfer potentials and the standard Gibbs transfer energy of these ions are evaluated and consistent with the results obtained by a four-electrode system and other methods.     

Electrocatalytic Determination of Ascorbic Acid Using a Palladium Coated Nanoporous Gold Film Electrode

Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of ascorbic acid (AA) on palladium coated nanoporous gold film (PdNPGF) electrode. The deposition of palladium was done through oxidation of copper UPD layer by palladium ions. This low Pd‐loading electrode behaved as the nanostructured Pd for electrocatalytic reaction. The PdNPGF electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic behavior by enhancing the AA oxidation peak current due to synergistic influence of the Pd film and NPGF. The kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient, α, was 0.47 and the voltammetric responses of the PdNPGF electrode were linear against concentration of AA in the ranges of 2.50–33.75 mM and 0.10–0.50 mM with CV and DPV respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of a new carbon paste electrode based on ketotifen–hexacyanoferrate

A new type of carbon paste electrode (CPE) was made using ketotifen fumarate (C₂₃H₂₃NO₅S; an antiasthmatic/antianaphylactic drug) and hexacyanoferrate. This electrode was constructed using an acidic solution of ketotifen fumarate and potassium hexacyanoferrate. For this purpose, ketotifen fumarate was dissolved in acidic solution (pH 1) and hexacyanoferrate was added by agitation, resulting in ketotifen–hexacyanoferrate (Ket–HCF) precipitate. The obtained precipitate was separated and introduced into carbon paste. The electrochemical behavior of Ket–HCF CPE was studied by cyclic voltammetry. A modified electrode shows one pair of peaks with surface-confined characteristics, with a 0.1-M phosphate buffer as supporting electrolyte. The effects of pH, alkali metal cations, and anions of supporting electrolytes on the electrochemical characteristics of modified electrodes were studied. The diffusion coefficients of hydrated K⁺ in film (D), the transfer coefficient (α), and the transfer rate constant for electrons (k _s) were determined.     

The study of Ni–Co alloy deposition on iron powder particles in a fluidized bed from sulphate bath

This paper describes a process of electrolytic deposition of nickel–cobalt (Ni–Co) binary alloy on Fe powder. Electrochemical behavior of this binary alloy was studied by cyclic voltammetry with a paraffin impregnated graphite electrode as a working electrode. Deposition of individual metals (Ni, Co), as well as the simultaneous nickel–cobalt co-deposition, was performed in aqueous solutions (Watts-type electrolyte) both with and without Fe powder. Special attention was paid to the influence of suspension density on the electrode process. This density affects on the quality of iron powder electroplating. Preferential deposition of the less noble metal (Co) leading to its higher content in the deposit was observed in contrast to the more noble one (Ni) in spite of higher content of Ni in the plating solution. This anomalous phenomenon–known already for other metals (Zn, Cd, Sn)–has been confirmed and investigated for iron-group metals (Fe, Co, Ni) in this work. Electrolytic deposition of Ni–Co binary alloys, including anomalous behavior is a complicated process. Understanding the anomalous behavior would lead to better control of the deposition process and to explanation of the mechanism of Ni–Co co-deposition.     

A comparative study of the anion transfer kinetics across a water/nitrobenzene interface by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and square-wave voltammetry at thin organic film-modified electrodes

The kinetics of the transfer of a series of hydrophilic monovalent anions across the water/nitrobenzene (W/NB) interface has been studied by means of thin organic film-modified electrodes in combination with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and square-wave voltammetry. The studied ions are Cl-, Br-, I-, ClO4-, NO3-, SCN-, and CH3COO-. The electrode assembly comprises a graphite electrode (GE) covered with a thin NB film containing a neutral strongly hydrophobic redox probe (decamethylferrocene or lutetium bis(tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninato)) and an organic supporting electrolyte. The modified electrode is immersed in an aqueous solution containing a supporting electrolyte and transferring ions, and used in a conventional three-electrode configuration. Upon oxidation of the redox probe, the overall electrochemical process proceeds as an electron-ion charge-transfer reaction coupling the electron transfer at the GE/NB interface and compensates ion transfer across the W/NB interface. The rate of the ion transfer across the W/NB interface is the limiting step in the kinetics of the overall coupled electron-ion transfer reaction. Moreover, the transferring ion that is initially present in the aqueous phase only at a concentration lower than the redox probe, controls the mass transfer regime in the overall reaction. A rate equation describing the kinetics of the ion transfer that is valid for the conditions at thin organic film-modified electrodes is derived. Kinetic data measured with two electrochemical techniques are in very good agreement.