All-solid-state reference electrodes based on conducting polymers

A novel construction of solution free (pseudo)reference electrodes, compatible with all-solid-state potentiometric indicator electrodes, has been proposed. These electrodes use conducting polymers (CP): polypyrrole (PPy) or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Two different arrangements have been tested: solely based on CP and those where the CP phase is covered with a poly(vinyl chloride) based outer membrane of tailored composition. The former arrangement was designed to suppress or compensate cation- and anion-exchange, using mobile perchlorate ions and poly(4-styrenesulfonate) or dodecylbenzenesulfonate anions as immobilized dopants. The following systems were used: (i) polypyrrole layers doped simultaneously by two kinds of anions, both mobile and immobilized in the polymer layer; (ii) bilayers of polypyrrole with anion exchanging inner layer and cation-exchanging outer layer; (iii) polypyrrole doped by surfactant dodecylbenzenesulfonate ions, which inhibit ion exchange on the polymer/solution interface. For the above systems, recorded potentials have been found to be practically independent of electrolyte concentration. The best results, profound stability of potentials, have been obtained for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or polypyrrole doped by poly(4-styrenesulfonate) anions covered by a poly(vinyl chloride) based membrane, containing both anion- and cation-exchangers as well as solid potassium chloride and silver chloride with metallic silver. Differently to the cases (i)-(iii) these electrodes are much less sensitive to the influence of redox and pH interferences. This arrangement has been also characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronopotentiometry.     

Sensitivity and Selectivity of Polypyrrole Based AC‐Amperometric Sensors for Electroinactive Ions – Frequency and Applied Potential Influence

Oxidation/reduction of polypyrrole films coupled with ion exchange on the polymer/solution interface can be utilized for amperometric sensing of electroinactive ions. Anion or cation exchanging films (polypyrrole doped by chloride or poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) ions, respectively) can be used to determine common anions (as Cl^?, NO , SO etc) or cations (K⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) under conditions of alternating current (AC) amperometry in the range 10^?4–1 M. A sensitivity can be tuned by choosing appropriate electrode potential, corresponding to polypyrrole oxidation (anion‐exchanging films) or reduction (cation‐exchangers). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and AC‐voltammetry studies have shown that applied frequency and potential could also affect the observed dependence of the signal (admittance or AC‐current) on ion concentration. For high frequency the sensitivity is higher but selectivity lower, due to influence of solution conductivity on the response. For low frequencies the sensitivity is lower; however, a selectivity increase was observed due to diverse mobility of ions in the polymer film. Selectivity of AC‐amperometric responses was studied both in separate and mixed solutions.     

Metallic and non-metallic redox response of conducting polymers

The potentiometric response of electrodes coated with polypyrrole or poly(N-methylpyrrole) films with different doping anions was studied in solutions containing the redox couples: Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−, Ru(NH₃)₆^3+/2+ and Fe(Ill)/Fe(II). The stable potential measured with the electrodes was the potential of the redox couple. The response time was instant for polypyrrole doped with dodecylsulphate ions, PPy(DS) and slow for the polymers doped with mobile anions. On the basis of electrochemical measurements and chemical analysis by EDAX spectroscopy it was found that with the PPy(DS) electrode the potentiometric response was of the ‘metallic’ type, with no change in the oxidation state of the bulk polymer. With the other polymer systems studied reduction or oxidation of the polymer bulk took place when it was in contact with a redox couple in the solution.     

Electrochemical Interrogation and Sensor Applications of Nanostructured Polypyrroles

The polymerization of pyrrole in β‐naphthalene sulfonic acid (NSA) gave nanotubules, nanomicelles or nanosheets of polypyrrole (PPy) depending on the amount of NSA in the polymer and the temperature of the reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements showed that the diameters of the nanostructured polypyrrole‐β‐naphthalene sulfonic acid (PPyNSA) composites were 150–3000 nm for the tubules, 100–150 nm for the micelles and 20 nm for the sheets. A red shift in the UV‐vis absorption spectra of PPy was observed for PPyNSA which indicates the involvement of bulky β‐naphthalene sulfonate ion in the polymerization process. The UV‐vis also showed the existence of polaron and bi‐polaron in the polymer which may be responsible for the improved solubility of PPyNSA compared to PPy. All the characteristic IR bands of polypyrrole were observed in the FTIR spectra of PPyNSA, with slight variation in the absolute values. However, the absence of N? H stretching at 3400 cm^?1 and 1450 cm^?1 usually associated with neutral polypyrrole confirms that the polymer is not in the aromatic state but in the excited polaron and bipolaron defect state. Electrochemical analysis of PPyNSA reveals two redox couples: a/a′ – partly oxidized polypyrrole‐naphthalene sulfonate radical cation/neutral polypyrrole naphthalene sulfonate; b/b′ – fully oxidized naphthalene sulfonate radical cation/partly reduced polypyrrole‐naphthalene sulfonate radical anion. The corresponding formal potentials measured at 5 mV/s, E°′_{(5 mV/s)}, are 181 mV and 291 mV, respectively. Amperometric phenol sensor constructed with PPyNSA on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) gave a sensitivity of 3.1 mA M^?1 and a dynamic linear range of 0.65–139.5 μM. The data for the determination of phenol on the GCE/PPyNSA electrode was consistent with the electrocatalytic Michaelis‐Menten model, giving an apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant (K_M′) value of 160 μM.     

Preparation of a miniaturised iodide ion selective sensor using polypyrrole and pencil lead: effect of double-coating, electropolymerisation time, and current density

Polypyrrole (PPy) is a conducting polymer which can be used for producing different ion-selective electrodes. An iodide-doped (PPy-iodide) was prepared electrochemically by anodic polymerisation of pyrrole in the presence of an iodide ion in an aqueous solution on the surface of a pencil lead. Polymerisation was investigated under galvanostatic conditions. The effects of electropolymerisation conditions on the characteristics of the potential response of the sensor were examined. Concentrations of pyrrole, iodide ions, and conditioning solution plus current density and the time of electropolymerisation were optimised in relation to the slope and linearity of calibration graphs. This electrode showed a Nernstian behaviour of 61.1 mV per decade for I^? ion over a wide concentration range from 1.0 × 10^?5 M to 1.0 × 10^?1 M, with the limit of detection of 9.3 × 10^?6 M. The response time of the electrode was from 3–5 s. The selectivity coefficients of the prepared sensors over a wide spectrum of interference anions were also evaluated, revealing that selectivity improves as a result of double-coating with PPy. A similar improvement was observed under lower current density and longer electropolymerisation time. This sensor was applied in the determination of iodide ions using titration potentiometry. This electrode can be used for the determination of iodide in drug preparations.     

Preparation of a solid-state ion-selective electrode based on polypyrrole conducting polymer for magnesium ion

In this study, a potentiometric sensor based on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) coated with polypyrrole doped with Titan yellow dye (PPy/TY) was prepared for potentiometric determination of magnesium ion in aqueous solutions. The structural characteristics of magnesium sensor electrode (PGE/PPy/TYMg) were studied using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared along with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Under the optimal conditions, the electrode reveals a good Nernstian behavior with slope of 28.27 ± 0.40 mV per decade over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10^?5–5.0 × 10^?2 M and a detection limit of 6.28 × 10^?6 M. The potentiometric response of fabricated electrode toward magnesium ion was found to be independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range of 4.5–8.0. The electrode showed fast response time (<10 s) and good shelf lifetime (>2 months). The prepared magnesium sensor electrode can also be used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Mg²⁺ with EDTA with distinguished end point. The electrode revealed good selectivity with respect to many cations including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The introduced magnesium electrode was used for measurement of Mg²⁺ ion in real samples without any serious interferences from other ions.     

A Selective Cholesterol Biosensor Based on Composite Film Modified Electrode for Amperometric Detection

An amperometric cholesterol biosensor based on immobilization of cholesterol oxidase in a Prussian blue (PB)/polypyrrole (PPy) composite film on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode was fabricated. Hydrogen peroxide produced by the enzymatic reaction was catalytically reduced on the PB film electrode at 0 V with a sensitivity of 39 μA (mol/L)^?1. Cholesterol in the concentration range of 10^?5 ? 10^?4 mol/L was determined with a detection limit of 6 × 10^?7 mol/L by amperometric method. Normal coexisting compounds in the bio‐samples such as ascorbic acid and uric acid do not interfere with the determination. The excellent properties of the sensor in sensitivity and selectivity are attributed to the PB/PPy layer modified on the sensor.     

Effect of Electrolytes on Redox Reactivity of Polypyrrole

Doping and dedoping characteristics of polypyrrole (PPy) formed electrochemically have been examined by means of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Dodecylsulfate ions (DS⁻) and perchlorate ions (ClO⁻₄) were embedded simultaneously in PPy when both ions were present on the polymerization of pyrrole. Sequential formation of PPy in the single dopant system allowed PPy/ClO₄ to grow in the bulk of PPy/DS but not vice versa. DS⁻ was embedded not to leave the polymer on reduction but ClO⁻₄ moved in and out of the polymer on redox reaction. Cyclic voltammetry was employed to determine the redox reactivity of PPy in different electrolyte systems. NaClO₄ was a better electrolyte for cyclic redox reaction than LiClO₄ or KClO₄. NaCl was a good electrolyte for cyclic redox reaction but Cl⁻ failed to penetrate in the PPy/DS bulk on reoxidation. The cyclic redox reactivity lasted longest when PPy/DS was redox-cycled sequentially in the NaCl electrolyte system and then in the NaClO₄ system. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid-state ion selective electrode based on polypyrrole conducting polymer nanofilm as a new potentiometric sensor for Zn2+ ion

A pencil graphite electrode (PGE) electrodeposited by a polypyrrole conducting polymer doped with tartrazine (termed as PGE/PPy/Tar) was prepared and used as a zinc (II) solid-state ion-selective electrode. For the preparation of the zinc sensor electrode, electrodeposition of a polypyrrole nanofilm was carried out potentiostatically (E _app?=?0.75 V vs SCE) in a solution containing 0.010 M pyrrole and 0.001 M tartrazine trisodium salt. A pencil graphite and Pt wire were used as working and auxiliary electrodes, respectively. The introduced electrode in the current paper can be fabricated simply and was found to possess high selectivity, exhibited wide working concentration range, sufficiently rapid response, potential stability, and very good sensitivity to Zn (II) ion. The sensor electrode showed a linear Nernstian response over the range of 1.0?×?10^?5 to 1.0?×?10^?1 M with a slope of 28.23 mV per decade change in zinc ion concentration. A detection limit of 8.0?×?10^?6 M was obtained. The optimum pH working of the electrode was found to be 5.0.     

Formation of PPy/Ta2O5/Ta structure by electropolymerization

Electropolymerization of pyrrole on tantalum (Ta) electrodes was carried out in buffer solutions (0.04 M phosphoric acid, 0.04 M acetic acid, 0.04 M boric acid and 0.2 M sodium hydroxide) containing 0.1 M sodium ptoluenesulfonate (TsONa) under galvanostatic conditions and it was found that a polypyrrole (PPy) and a tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅) layer are formed on a Ta electrode by an electrochemical oxidation process. The conditions of this simultaneous formation were studied in respect to current density (i_d), pyrrole concentration ([Py]), pH and the amount of electricity. Under certain conditions ([Py] = 0.25 M, pH = 1.8, i_d = 10–20 mA cm^?2, the amount of electricity = 1 C), 6–8 μm thick PPy films were efficiently formed on homogeneous 30–50 nm thick Ta₂O₅ layers. The PPy film showed a high electrical conductivity (110 s cm^?1), adhered well and covered the Ta₂O₅ layer. The resulting PPy/Ta₂O₅/Ta system is therefore proved to have excellent properties as a capacitor.     

Electroconductive Hydrogels: Electrical and Electrochemical Properties of Polypyrrole‐Poly(HEMA) Composites

Composites of inherently conductive polypyrrole (PPy) within highly hydrophilic poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐based hydrogels (p(HEMA)) have been fabricated and their electrochemical properties investigated. The electrochemical characteristics observed by cyclic voltammetry suggest less facile reduction of PPy within the composite hydrogel compared to electropolymerized PPy, as shown by the shift in the reduction peak potential from ?472 mV for electropolymerized polypyrrole to ?636 mV for the electroconductive composite gel. The network impedance magnitude for the electroconductive hydrogel remains quite low, ca. 100 Ω, even upon approach to DC, over all frequencies and at all offset potentials suggesting retained electronic (bipolaronic) conductivity within the composite. In contrast, sustained application of +0.7 V (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3 M Cl^?) for typically 100 min. (conditioning) to reduce the background amperometric current to <1.0 μA, resulted in complete loss of electroactivity. Nyquist plots suggest that sustained application of such a modest potential to the composite hydrogel results in impedance characteristics that resembles p(HEMA) without evidence of the conducting polymer component. PPy composite gels supported a larger ferrocene monocarboxylate diffusivity (D_appt=7.97×10^?5 cm² s^?1) compared to electropolymerized PPy (D_appt=5.56×10^?5 cm² s^?1), however a marked reduction in diffusivity (D_appt=1.01×10^?5 cm² s^?1) was observed with the conditioned hydrogel composite. Cyclic voltammograms in buffer containing H₂O₂ showed an absence of redox peaks for electrodes coated with PPy‐containing membranes, suggesting possible chemical oxidation of polypyrrole by the oxidant     

Membrane-dialyzer injection loop for enhancing the selectivity of anion-responsive liquid-membrane electrodes in flow systems Part 2. A selective sensing system for salicylate

An electrode-based flow-injection system suitable for the direct determination of salicylic acid is described. The system utilizez a tubular polymer membrrane electrode based on manganese(III) tetraphenylporphyrin chloride to sense salicylate ions formed in a recipient buffer solution held within the upper channel of a flow-through membrane dialyzer assembly. Samples containing salicylic acid are manually intoduced into the lower channel of the dialysis unit, in which a thin silicone rubber membrane separates the two channels. The analyte is trapped across the membrane as salicylate ions within a static layer of an appropriate recipient buffer. After a fixed trapping time, the recipient plug is flushed to the electrode in a conventional flow-injection manner. Peak potentials observed are logarithmically related to the salicylic acid concentrations in the original sample. Without the dialysis unit, the electrode response to salicylate is nearly Nernstian over the range 2 × 10^?6?10^?2 M. In the complete flow/dialysis system, near Nernstian response was achieved for 10^?4?10^?2 M salicylate with a 2-min trapping time. Detection limits can be altered by changing the trapping time. Anionic salicylate can be determined by acidifying the sample. The resulting system offers very high selectivity for salicylate (as salicylic acid) over most inorganic and organic anions normally found in blood. Preliminary studies demonstrate the practical application of this system for the determination of salicylate in serum.     

Electron impact,chemical ionization and negative chemical ionization mass spectra,and mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry–collision-induced dissociation fragmentation pathways of some deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) derivatives

Mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry (MIKES) with collision-induced dissociation (CID) has been used to study the fragmentation processes of a series of deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrobenzylchloride (TNTCI) derivatives. Typical fragment ions observed in both groups were due to loss of OR′ (R′ = H or D) and NO. In TNT, additional fragment ibns are due to the loss of R₂′O and 3NO₂, whilst in TNTCI fragment ions are formed by the loss of OCI and R₂′OCI. The TNTCI derivatives did not produce molecular ions. In chemical ionization (Cl) of both groups. MH⁺ ions were observed, with [M – OR′]⁺ fragments in TNT and [M – OCI]⁺ fragments in TNTCI. In negative chemical ionization (NCI) TNT derivatives produced M^?′, [M–R′]^?, [M–OR′]^? and [M–NO]^? ions, while TNTCI derivatives produced [M–R]^?, [M–Cl]^? and [M – NO₂]^? fragment ions without a molecular ion.     

Construction of a new solid-state U(VI) ion-selective electrode based on polypyrrole conducting polymer

In this study, a potentiometric sensor based on a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) coated with polypyrrole doped with uranyl zinc acetate (termed PGE/PPy/U) have been prepared for potentiometric determination of uranyl in aqueous solutions. Electropolymerization reaction for preparing of U(VI) sensor electrode was carried via applying a constant current of 1.0 mA on PGA working electrode in a solution containing 8.0 mM pyrrole and 0.8 mM ZnUO₂(CH₃COO)₄ salt. The constructed electrode displayed a linear and near Nernstian response (22.60 ± 0.40 mV/decade) to U(VI) ions in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10^?6–1.0 × 10^?2 M. A detection limit of 6.30 × 10^?7 M and a fast response time (≤12 s) was observed during measurements. The working pH range of the electrode was 4.0–8.0 and lifetime of the sensor was at least 60 days. The electrode revealed good selectivity with respect to many cations including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The introduced uranyl electrode was used for measurement of U(VI) ion in real samples without any serious inferences from other ions.     

A Novel Bioelectrochemical Sensor Based on Immobilized Urease on the Surface of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticle and Polypyrrole Composite Modified Pt Electrode

Nickel oxide nanoparticle (NiO?NP) and polypyrrole (PPy) composite were deposited on a Pt electrode for fabrication of a urea biosensor. To develop the sensor, a thin film of PPy?NiO composite was deposited on a Pt substrate that serves as a matrix for the immobilization of enzyme. Urease was immobilized on the surface of Pt/PPy?NiO by a physical adsorption. The response of the fabricated electrode (Pt/PPy?NiO/Urs) towards urea was analyzed by chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. Electrochemical response of the bio‐electrode was significantly enhanced. This is due to electron transfer between Ni²⁺ and Ni³⁺ as the electro‐catalytic group and the reaction between polypyrrole and the urease‐liberated ammonium. The fabricated electrode showed reliable and demonstrated perfectly linear response (0.7–26.7 mM of urea concentration, R²= 0.993), with high sensitivity (0.153 mA mM^?1 cm^?2), low detection of limit (1.6 μM), long stability (10 weeks), and low response time (～5 s). The developed biosensor was highly selective and obtained data were repeatable and reproduced using PPy‐NiO composite loaded with immobilized urease as urea biosensors.     

A solid state Cr(VI) ion-selective electrode based on polypyrrole

We report on a graphite electrode onto which polypyrrole was electrodeposited and then doped with chromate ion. This electrode can serve as a Cr(VI)-selective solid-state electrode. Electropolymerization of pyrrole was performed potentiostatically at 0.80?V (vs. SCE) using battery graphite as the working electrode in a solution containing 0.10?M of pyrrole and 20?mM of chromate. A platinum wire was used as an auxiliary electrode. The new electrode displays high selectivity, a very wide dynamic range, a sufficiently fast response time and a good shelf lifetime. It shows a linear Nernstian response over 1.0?×?10^?6 to 1.0?×?10^?1?M concentration range (with a slope of 26.55?±?0.20?mV per log of concentration). The detection limit is 0.5?μM, and the pH optimum is 7.0.

Bifunctional Ion‐Selective Electrode Based on C60‐Cryptand 22 for Silver and Iodine Ions

Fullerence C60‐cryptand 22 was prepared and successfully applied as the electric carrier in the PVC electrode membrane of a bifunctional ion‐selective electrode for cations, e.g., Ag⁺ ions as well as anions, e.g., I^? ions. The bifunctional ion‐selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 can be applied as a Silver (Ag⁺) ion selective electrode with an internal electrode solution of 10^?3 M AgNO₃ in water (pH = 6.3), or as an Iodide (I^?) ion selective electrode with an acidic internal electrode solution of 10^?4 M KI_(aq) (pH = 2) in which the cryptand 22 is protonated, and the C60‐cryptand 22 is changed to C60‐Cryptand22–H⁺ and becomes an anionic electro‐carrier to absorb the I^? ion. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 gave a linear response with a near‐Nernstian slope (59.5 mV decade^?1) within the concentration range 10^?1‐10^?3 M Ag⁺_(aq). The Ag⁺ ion electrode exhibited comparatively good selectivity for silver ions, over other transition‐metal ions, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode with good stability and reproducibility was successfully used for the titration of Ag⁺_(aq) with Cl^? ions. The Iodide (I^?) Ion selective electrode based on protonated C60–cryptand22‐H⁺ also showed a linear response with a nearly Nernstian slope (58.5 mV decade^?1) within 10^?1 ‐ 10^?3 M I^? _(aq) and exhibited good selectivity for I^? ions and had small selectivity coefficients (10^?2–10^?3) for most of other anions, e.g., F^? , OH^?, CH₃COO^?, SO₄^2?, CO₃^2?, CrO₄^2?, Cr₂O₇^2? and PO₄^3? ions.     

Study on the preparation and multiproperties of the polypyrrole films doped with different ions

Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) films doped with p‐toluene solfonate (pTS^?), perchlorate (ClO₄^?) and polyphosphate (PP^?) were electrochemically synthesized on the stainless steel SS‐304 and the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) glass substrates successfully. The conducting polymer composite films were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectra, integrated thermal analysis system and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Four‐point probe measurements and in situ nanotribolab system equipped with a nanoscale electrical contact resistance package were employed to analyze their electrical and mechanical properties. Results indicate that the film doped with PP^? ion showed the best thermal stability. For the ClO₄^? ion doped films, the glass transition occurred at 274.8 °C. The pTS^? ion doped film on the SS‐304 steel had a good conductivity, and there was a voltage barrier that ranged from ?1.25 to 1.9 V according to the current–voltage curves. Nanoindentation tests show that the mechanical properties of the PPy/pTS^? film and the PPy/PP^? film were better than that of PPy/ClO₄^? films. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preconcentration of copper(II) on immobilized 8-quinolinol in a flow-injection system with an ion-selective electrode detector

A column containing 8-quinolinol, immobilized on porous glass, is used for preconcentration and medium exchange in a flow-injection system with a copper ion-selective electrode detector. The metal ions are bound to the chelating ion exchanger while the anions and inert sample components pass to waste without contacting the electrode. Acid is then injected to elute the ions into a neutralizing buffer passing the electrode. Matrix effects are thus reduced because all measurements are made in the same buffer. The detection limits are 10^?7 and 3 × 10^?8 M copper(II) for sample volumes of 5 and 25 ml, respectively. The maximum throughput is 12 and 5 samples h^?1 for the two stated injection volumes.     

Fe(CN)64−‐Doped‐Glutaraldehyde‐Cross‐Linked Poly‐L‐Lysine Film Electrode. Part 2: Stability Improvement and Selective Detection of Dopamine in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid

Highly stable Nafion‐covered hexacyanoferrate‐doped‐glutaraldehyde‐cross‐linked poly‐L ‐lysine (PLL‐GA‐Fe(CN)₆^4?/Naf) film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE), for the selective detection of dopamine (DA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA), was prepared by first ion‐exchanging Fe(CN)₆^4? into PLL‐GA coating on GCE then sealing it with a Nafion outer layer. The Nafion over layer is crucial in preventing leaching of Fe(CN)₆^4? ions from the inner layer. The first layer was acting as electrocatalyst for DA oxidation and the outer coating acted as discriminating layer for selective permeation of DA in the presence of interfering anionic species. More than 90% of the initial response was retained after coating with the Nafion protecting layer compared to a huge loss (>60%) without Nafion outer layer. 5% Nafion coating was identified as optimum thickness for the selective detection of DA in the presence of AA.