Novel Amperometric Sensor Based on Rigid Near‐Percolation Composite

A novel amperometric sensor based on a rigid graphite‐epoxy composite of which composition is near to the percolation is reported. The electrochemical response of the novel transducer material was evaluated in terms of reproducibility of the fabrication process and reproducibility and repeatability of the analytical signal. The signal to noise ratio was improved. atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was used to obtain qualitatively information. Amperometric detection of chlorine in water was carried on at a set potential of ?250 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The developed flow injection analysis (FIA) system responded linearly to chlorine concentration between 0.15 mg L^?1 and 4 mg L^?1with a sensitivity of ?0.20 μA L mg^?1. The proposed system was applied to real samples from swimming‐pool water. No significant difference was observed regarding the standard method.     

Development of a Creatinine Sensor Based on a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer‐Modified Sol‐Gel Film on Graphite Electrode

An electrochemical creatinine sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)‐modified sol‐gel film on graphite electrode was developed. The surface coating of MIP over sol‐gel was advantageous to obtain a porous film with outwardly exposed MIP cavities for unhindered selective rebinding of creatinine from aqueous and biological samples. A fast differential pulse, cathodic stripping voltammetric response of creatinine can be obtained after being preanodized the sensor in neutral medium containing appropriate amount of creatinine at +1.8 V versus SCE for 120 s. A linear response over creatinine concentration in the range of 1.23 to 100 μg mL^?1 was exhibited with a detection limit of 0.37 μg mL^?1 (S/N=3).     

A Novel Three‐Electrode System Fabricated on Polymethyl Methacrylate for On‐Chip Electrochemical Detection

A new strategy of three‐electrode system fabrication in polymer‐based microfluidic systems is described here. Standard lithography, hot embossing and UV‐assisted thermal bonding were employed for fabrication and assembly of the microfluidic chip. For the electrode design the gold working (WE) and counter electrodes (CE) are placed inside a main channel through which the sample solution passes. A silver reference electrode (RE) is embedded in a small side channel containing KCl solution that is continuously pushed into the main channel. In the present work, the overall electrochemical set up and its microfabrication is described. Conditions including silver ion concentration, cyclic voltammetry (CV) settings, and the flow rate of KCl solution in the RE channel were optimized. The electrochemical performance of the three‐electrode system was evaluated by CV and also by amperometric oxidation of ferro hexacyanide ([Fe(CN)₆]^4?) and ruthenium bipyridyl ([Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺) at 400 mV and 1200 mV, respectively. CV analysis using ferri/ferro hexacyanide showed a stable, quasi‐reversible redox reaction at the electrodes with 96 mV peak separation and an anodic/cathodic peak ratio of 1. Amperometric analysis of the electrochemical species resulted in linear correlation between analyte concentration and current response in the range of 0.5–15 µM for [Fe(CN)₆]^4?, and 0–1000 µM for [Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺. Upon the given experimental conditions, the limit of detection was found to be 3.15 µM and 24.83 µM for [Fe(CN)₆]^4? and [Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺, respectively. As a fully integrated three‐electrode system that is fabricated on polymer substrates, it has great applications in microfluidic‐based systems requiring stable electrochemical detection.     

Development of a Tubular Sensor Based on a Polypyrrole‐Doped Membrane for the Potentiometric Determination of the Dodecylsulfate Anion in a FIA System

Potentiostatic polymerization of polypyrrole doped with dodecylsulfate anion (DS^?) was carried out in situ over a tubular composite (graphite‐epoxy resin) support in order to develop a potentiometric DS^? sensor (TISE) suitable for flow injection analysis (FIA). The sensibility of the TISE was maximized using the SIMPLEX algorithm in terms of the concentration of the pyrrole monomer, the concentration of DS^?, the potential imposed and polymerization time. Response times between 2 and 4 minutes were observed. The analytical parameters obtained with the flow system were compared with those obtained in batch studies. In both, flow and batch analysis, potential vs. DS^? concentration curves displayed two linear regions with different slopes. Flow analysis for DS^? ion brings a total linear range of 1.58×10^?5 M to 3.88×10^?3 M with a maximum sensibility of 36.4 mV/concentration decade, meanwhile in batch studies the total linear range found was of 6.31×10^?6 M to 1.0×10^?3 M with a maximum sensibility of 54.49 mV. The flow system response pH range was from 5 to 8. The reproducibility in terms of the relative error of the mean of different experiments was 1.58%. Two salient features of the system designed and built are worthy of mention: the sensor presented high selectivity to the dodecyl sulfate ion as compared to other inorganic anions including other anionic surfactants. The sensor lifetime in the FIA system by means of the sensibility changes was found to be of approximately four months.     

Amperometric Detection of 4‐Chlorophenol on Two Types of Expanded Graphite Based Composite Electrodes

The assessment of an expanded graphite‐Ag‐zeolite‐epoxy composite (EG‐Z‐Ag‐Epoxy) electrode for the determination of 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP) is described and compared to the corresponding expanded graphite‐epoxy composite (EG‐Epoxy) electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize the electrochemical behavior and determination of 4‐CP at both electrodes in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ and 0.1 M NaOH supporting electrolytes. A substantial enhancement of sensitivity for the determination of 4‐CP at the EG‐Z‐Ag‐Epoxy electrode was reached by applying a chemical preconcentration step prior to voltammetric quantification. Also, under these last conditions the lowest limit of detection of 1 μM illustrates the analytical versatility of this electrode in a concentration range where aquatic 4‐chlorophenol pollution is known to occur.     

Be(II) Graphite Coated Membrane Sensor Based on a Recently Synthesized Benzo‐9‐Crown‐3 Derivative

A highly sensitive and selective membrane electrode with 9‐crown‐3 derivative (CD) as ionophore, potassium tetrakis‐(p‐chlorophenyl) borate as anionic additive (KTB), acetophenone (AP) as solvent mediator was prepared and investigated as a Be(II) sensor. The best performance was observed with the membrane having the percent ratio 30% PVC: 8% CD: 6% KTB: 56% Acetophenone. The poly(vinyl chloride) PVC membrane containing 9‐crown‐3 derivative (CD) directly coated on a graphite electrode, shows a Nernstian response for Be(II) ions over a very wide concentration range (1.0×10^?1?1.0×10^?7 M) with a detection limit of 8.0×10^?8 M (ca. 0.72 ng/mL). It has a fast response time of ca. 20 s and can be used for at least 10 weeks without any major deviation in potential. The proposed sensor exhibits very good selectivity with respect to common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The proposed sensor was used as end point indicator electrode in the titration of Be(II) ions with EDTA. It was also applied to determination of Be(II) in real sample.     

A Novel PVC‐Membrane‐Coated Graphite Sensor Based on an Anthraquinone Derivative Membrane for the Determination of Lead

A highly selective membrane electrode for the determination of ultratrace amounts of lead was prepared. The PVC membrane electrode based on 2‐(2‐ethanoloxymethyl)‐1‐hydroxy‐9,10‐anthraquinone (AQ), directly coated on graphite, exhibits a good Nernstian response for Pb(II) ions over a very wide concentration range (1.0×10^?7–1.0×10^?2 M) with a limit of detection of 8.0×10^?8 M. It has a fast response time of ca. 10 s and can be used over a period 2 months with good reproducibility (SD=±0.2 mV). The electrode revealed a very good selectivity respect to common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions and could be used in the pH range of 3.5–6.8. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of lead ions with chromate and oxalate, and in indirect determination of lead in spring water samples.     

A Graphite‐Polyurethane Composite Electrode for the Analysis of Furosemide

A graphite‐polyurethane composite electrode has been used for the determination of furosemide, a antihypertensive drug, in pharmaceutical samples by anodic oxidation. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the electrooxidation process at +1.0 V vs. SCE over a wide pH range, with the result that no adsorption of analyte or products occurs, unlike at other carbon‐based electrode materials. Quantification was carried out using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and square‐wave voltammetry. Linear ranges were determined (up to 21 μmol L^?1 with cyclic voltammetry) as well as limits of detection (0.15 μmol L^?1 by differential pulse voltammetry). Four different types of commercial samples were successfully analyzed. Recovery tests were performed which agreed with those obtained by spectrophotometric evaluation. The advantages of this electrode material for repetitive analyzes, due to the fact that no electrode surface renewal is needed owing to the lack of adsorption, are highlighted.     

Lab‐on‐a‐Chip Sensor with Evaporated Bismuth Film Electrode for Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Zinc

In this work, we report on the development of a lab‐on‐a‐chip electrochemical sensor that uses an evaporated bismuth electrode to detect zinc using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The microscale electrochemical cell consists of a bismuth working electrode, an integrated silver/silver chloride reference electrode, and a gold auxiliary electrode. The sensor exhibits a linear response in 0.1 M acetate buffer at pH 6 with zinc concentrations in the 1–30 μM range and a calculated detection limit of 60 nM. The sensor successfully detected zinc in a bovine serum extract and the results were corfirmed by independent AAS measurements. Our results demonstrate the advantageous qualities of this lab‐on‐a‐chip electrochemical sensor for clinical applications, which include small sample volume (µL scale), reduced cost, short response time and high accuracy at low concentrations of analyte.     

Facile One‐Pot Three‐Component Synthesis of Functionalized Pyridylfuran‐2‐amines

The reactive 1 : 1 zwitterionic intermediates generated in situ from the reaction between a series of isocyanides and diaroylacetylenes were trapped by pyridine carbaldehydes to yield highly functionalized 5‐pyridylfuran‐2‐amines in good yields (82–93%).     

Cathodized Gold Nanoparticle‐Modified Graphite Pencil Electrode for Non‐Enzymatic Sensitive Voltammetric Detection of Glucose

A highly sensitive enzymeless electrochemical glucose sensor has been developed based on the simply prepared cathodized gold nanoparticle‐modified graphite pencil electrode (AuNP‐GPE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments show that AuNP‐GPE is able to oxidize glucose partially at low potential (around −0.27) whereas the bare GPE cannot oxidize glucose in the entire tested potential windows. Besides, fructose and sucrose cannot be oxidized at potential lower than +0.1 V at AuNP‐GPE. As a result, the glucose oxidation peak at around −0.27 V is suitable enough for selective detection of glucose in the presence of fructose and sucrose. Cathodization of AuNP‐GPE under optimum condition (‐1.0 V for 30 s) in the same glucose solution before voltammetric measurement enhanced glucose oxidation peak current around −0.27 V to achieve an efficient electrochemical sensor for glucose with a detection limit of 12 μM and dynamic range between 0.05 to 5.0 mM with a good linearity (R²= 0.999). Almost no interference effect was observed for sensing of glucose in the presence of ascorbic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, fructose, sucrose, and NaCl.     

Preparation of Sb2O3‐loaded Activated Carbon Particle Electrode and Its Electrocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange in a Three‐dimensional Electrode Cell

Electrocatalysis on the degradation of methyl orange is investigated using Sb₂O₃‐loaded activated carbon (Sb₂O₃/AC), a new particle electrode. The electrode was prepared by an impregnation method. An orthogonal array with four factors and three levels was selected to carry out the experiment. Electrocatalysis on the degradation of methyl orange through Sb₂O₃/AC was characterized by a series of parameters, including the amount of the particle electrode, the concentration of Na₂SO₄, the cell voltage, and the electrolysis time, and the results were compared with those of a conventional AC particle electrode. The results indicate that calcination temperature has the greatest impact on the catalytic activity of the particle electrode. The optimal conditions for preparing the Sb₂O₃/AC electrode include an 8 mL SbCl₃ solution, 90 min hydrolysis time, 400 °C calcination temperature, and 180 min calcination time. As well, the degradation efficiency of the Sb₂O₃/AC electrode is consistently higher than that of the AC electrode under the same electrolysis conditions. The electrochemical oxidation of methyl orange of both electrodes conformed to pseudo first‐order kinetics, but the rate constant of the Sb₂O₃/AC electrode was 2.29 times that of the AC electrode; this is likely due to the high electrocatalytic activity of the experimental electrode. The electrocatalysis results exhibited the synergetic effects of AC and Sb₂O₃ in the new particle electrode.     

Amperometric Sensor for Hydroxylamine Based on Hybrid Nickel‐Cobalt Hexacyanoferrate Modified Electrode

Hybrid nickel‐cobalt hexacyanoferrate (NiCoHCF) particles were immobilized onto a glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry. Characterization of these particles by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and electrochemistry revealed that NiCoHCF was a substitution‐type hybrid hexacyanoferrate rather than a simple mixture system. As an important reducing agent, hydroxylamine could be electrocatalytically oxidized at the NiCoHCF modified electrode. The effects of the solution pH and the applied potential on the amperometric response of hydroxylamine were examined. Under optimum conditions, the catalytic peak current was proportional to the concentration of hydroxylamine in the range 2.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?2 mol/L with a detection limit of 2.3×10^?7 mol/L. Furthermore, detection results obtained with this sensor showed high sensitivity, fast response time, good stability and anti‐interference ability.     

Methylthiouracil‐modified Carbon Paste Electrode as a New Voltammetric Sensor Based on a 1,4‐Michael Addition Reaction for Detection of Dopamine

A sensitive dopamine sensor was constructed based on the modified carbon paste electrode with methylthiouracil as a nucleophile in the 1,4‐Michael addition reaction. An ECE mechanism was suggested for dopamine oxidation at the modified electrode. Design of experiments was used in the optimization of variables. Under the optimum conditions, calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.20–15.0 µM with a detection limit of 73 nM. The relative standard deviations (n=5) for 0.50 µM of dopamine was 3.83 %. The selectivity of the sensor was also studied. The developed sensor was applied for analysis of pharmaceutical and biological samples.     

Stripping Voltammetry with Bismuth Modified Graphite‐Epoxy Composite Electrodes

The attractive performance of graphite‐epoxy composite electrodes (GECE) surface‐modified with a bismuth film (Bi‐GECE) for simultaneous and separate stripping determination of trace amounts of heavy metals (lead, cadmium and zinc) is described. Several key parameters have been optimized. Bi‐GECEi electrode shows superior accumulation properties when compared to bare GECE or even to Hg‐GECE. Bi‐GECE exhibits well‐defined, undistorted, reproducible and sharp stripping signals with RSD of 2.99%, 1.56% and 2.19% for lead, cadmium and zinc respectively. Detection limits of 23.1, 2.2 and 600 μg/L for lead, cadmium and zinc were obtained. Sharp peaks with high resolution (of neighboring signals) that permit convenient multi‐elemental measurements resulted. The applicability of the electrodes to the real samples (tap water and soil sample) was also tested and promising results with good recoveries were obtained.     

Quantitative Analysis of Holmium Ion by a Ho3+ Ion‐Selective Sensor Based on a Symmetric Thio‐Schiff's Base

A poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane sensor for holmium ions was fabricated based on N‐[(Z)‐1‐(2‐thienyl)‐ methylidene]‐N‐[4‐(4‐{[(Z)‐1‐(2‐thienyl)methylidene]amino} phenoxy)phenyl] amine (TPA) as a new ion carrier, acetophenon (AP) as plasticizing solvent mediator and sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder. The electrode shows a good selectivity towards Ho³⁺ ions respect to other inorganic cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The constructed sensor displays a Nernstian behavior (19.5±0.3 mV/decade) over the concentration range of 1.0×10⁻⁶ to 1.0×10⁻² mol·L⁻¹ with the detection limit of the electrode being 4.6×10⁻⁷ mol·L⁻¹ and very short response time (ca. 5 s). It has a useful working pH range of 3.2–9.8 for at least 8 weeks. The electrode was successfully applied as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of a Ho³⁺ solution with EDTA and holmium determination in some alloys. The proposed sensor accuracy was studied by the determination of Ho³⁺ in mixtures of three different ions.     

One‐Pot Three‐Component Synthesis of Hantzsch 1,4‐Dihydropyridines Promoted by Dimethyl Phosphate Ionic Liquids

A one‐pot three‐component reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, AcONH₄, and different aldehydes has been successfully performed in the presence of ionic liquids (ILs) possessing a (MeO)₂PO$\rm{{_{2}^{-}}}$ counterion. The impact of electronic and steric effects of the substituents of aromatic aldehydes, as well as the influence of different anions of ILs on the product yield, have been investigated. The application of dimethyl phosphate ILs in the synthesis of Hantzsch 1,4‐dihydropyridines presents a simple method for obtaining structurally diverse products in moderate to high yields without using any additional catalyst.     

NADH Electrocatalytic Oxidation on Gold Nanoparticle‐Modified PVC/TTF‐TCNQ Composite Electrode. Application as Amperometric Sensor

We herein report on the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of NADH of a PVC/TTF‐TCNQ composite electrode modified with gold nanoparticles. This electrocatalytic property allows proposing this system as a new alternative for amperometric determination of NADH, without need to add another mediator. The sensor shows a linear response to NADH over a concentration range from 5.0×10^?6 M up to 5.0×10^?4 M, with a sensitivity of 11.22±0.5 mA M^?1 and a detection limit (S/N=3) of 4.0×10^?6 M for measurements in batch and similar data in FIA.     

Development of a Novel Closed Loop UHV‐Apparatus for Coulometric Titrations of Oxygen by Means of λ‐Probes in Three‐Electrode‐Arrangement

A novel apparatus is described that does not only allow a very wide range of oxygen concentrations to be tuned in and gauged but also facilitates a direct observation of ongoing reactions within. It is principally built up of tubular lambda‐probes made of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and resembles a closed loop installation, enabling a total control of the inside atmosphere. Long term reactions inside the installation may be observed optically. First results of observed reactions are shown.