Fluoride-selective electrode with internal redox reference electrode

The potential response of a symmetrical configuration in which the LaF₃-membrance is placed between two solutions is discussed. The electrode body provides contact with the inner surface of the fluoride membrane, with a solution containing Fe(CN) ₆ ^3– -Fe(CN) ₆ ^4– redox couple and a Pt wire as internal reference electrode. The electrode was examined in terms of potentialconcentration curves and potential-time response and shown to behave similarly to the commencal Orion fluoride electrode. The advantage of the proposed redox reference system is that the electrode has minimal drift immediately after assembly.     

The Electrochemical Behavior in Aqueous Media of Conducting Polymers: I: The Methanol Soluble Fraction Obtained on the Cu(II) Catalyzed Polymerization of 2,5-Dibromo-3-Methylthiphene

Abstract

The methanol soluble amorphous fraction obtained on the CuCl₂ induced polymerization of 2,5-dibromo-3-methylthiophene exhibits redox waves on cyclic voltammetric potential polarization for a copper redox couple (for the metal ion incorporated in the polymer matrix) and a redox couple associated with the polymer matrix itself. Furthermore, when used as an electrode for the ferri/ferrocyanide couple in the electrolyte phase it acts as a well behaved electrode surface. Electrodes made from this material show a remarkable stability in aqueous media.     

Characterization and application of an electrode modified by mechanically immobilized copper hexacyanoferrate

A newly modified electrode was prepared by mechanical immobilization of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) on a graphite electrode. The modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetric experiments. The effect of different background electrolytes, pHs and scan rates on the electrochemical behaviour of the electrode has been evaluated. In NH₄Cl two reversible redox peaks were observed. The first redox peak corresponding to Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ is observed only in this medium. The second redox peak corresponds to the Fe(CN)₆ ^4–/Fe(CN)₆ ^3– couple. Both anodic peaks were used for catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid. As the anodic current for catalytic oxidation was proportional to the amount of ascorbic acid, an analytical method was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid in commercial samples.     

Self electro-catalysis of hydroquinone on gold electrode in aqueous un-buffered media

Redox behavior of hydroquinone (H₂Q) in an un-buffered aqueous medium at gold electrode is reported. In multiple scanned cyclic voltammograms, appearance of a new redox couple, splitting of H₂Q oxidation peak and anodic shift of original H₂Q redox peak were observed. Comparative studies of quinone (Q) under similar conditions establish the formation of surface confined Q as an intermediate. Electro-catalysis by the electro-generated Q monolayer is proposed to be responsible for the splitting of H₂Q oxidative wave in the cyclic voltammetry.     

Characterization and application of an electrode modified by mechanically immobilized copper hexacyanoferrate

A newly modified electrode was prepared by mechanical immobilization of copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) on a graphite electrode. The modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetric experiments. The effect of different background electrolytes, pHs and scan rates on the electrochemical behaviour of the electrode has been evaluated. In NH₄Cl two reversible redox peaks were observed. The first redox peak corresponding to Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ is observed only in this medium. The second redox peak corresponds to the Fe(CN)₆ ^4–/Fe(CN)₆ ^3– couple. Both anodic peaks were used for catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid. As the anodic current for catalytic oxidation was proportional to the amount of ascorbic acid, an analytical method was developed for the determination of ascorbic acid in commercial samples. Received: 26 May 1998 / Revised: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 20 March 1999     

Selective detection and recovery of gold at tannin-immobilized non-conducting electrode

A tannin-immobilized glassy carbon electrode (TIGC) was prepared via electrochemical oxidation of the naturally occurring polyphenolic mimosa tannin, which generated a non-conducting polymeric film (NCPF) on the electrode surface. The fouling of the electrode surface by the electropolymerized film was evaluated by monitoring the electrode response of ferricyanide ions as a redox marker. The NCPF was permselective to HAuCl₄, and the electrochemical reduction of HAuCl₄ to metallic gold at the TIGC electrode was evaluated by recording the reduction current during cyclic voltammetry measurement. In the mixed electrolyte containing HAuCl₄ along with FeCl₃ and/or CuCl₂, the NCPF remained selective toward the electrochemical reduction of HAuCl₄ into the metallic state. The chemical reduction of HAuCl₄ into metallic gold was also observed when the NCPF was inserted into an acidic gold solution overnight. The adsorption capacity of Au(III) on tannin-immobilized carbon fiber was 29 ± 1.45 mg g⁻¹ at 60 °C. In the presence of excess Cu(II) and Fe(III), tannin-immobilized NCPF proved to be an excellent candidate for the selective detection and recovery of gold through both electrochemical and chemical processes.     

Spectroelectrochemical study of the corrosion of a copper electrode in deaerated 1.0 M HCl solutions containing Fe(III): Effect of the corrosion inhibitor benzotriazole

The corrosion rate of a copper electrode in deaerated 1.0 M HCl by Fe(III) ions, in the absence and presence of benzotriazole (BTAH), has been evaluated through weight-loss experiments using a rotating disk electrode (RDE). The corrosion process is controlled by transport of the Fe(III) ions to the electrode surface both in the absence and presence of BTAH. The inhibiting action is initiated at BTAH concentrations around 10 mM and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm is obeyed in the BTAH concentration range from 10 to 45 mM with an apparent equilibrium adsorption constant of 10 M⁻¹. Above this concentration, the Langmuir plot is not obeyed due to the formation of a multilayer. The surface films formed during the corrosion process have been investigated by “in situ” and “ex situ” fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy and characterized as being composed of the polymeric [Cu(I)BTA] complex and [Cu(I)CIBTAH]₄, the former as an inner layer response for the corrosion inhibition process.     

On the interpretation of the potentiometric response of the inert solid electrodes in the monitoring of the oscillatory processes involving hydrogen peroxide

Solid inert electrodes are frequently used in potentiometry. However, potentiometric responses may significantly depend on the inert electrode material, a fact which may manifest itself particularly distinctly for the dynamical chemical systems—oscillating processes. We found that for the homogeneous oscillators involving hydrogen peroxide and either thiocyanates or thiosulfates, the periodic variations of the platinum and palladium indicator electrode potential are both not in phase with the variations of the potential of the gold and glassy carbon electrodes, the latter two exhibiting in turn concordant, in-phase responses. Potentiometric responses were compared with the impedance characteristics of the electrodes during the oscillations. In spite of high mechanistic complexity of the studied homogeneous oscillatory systems, we explain different responses of inert electrodes in terms of the concept of the mixed electrode potential, i.e., determined by more than one redox couple of different kinetic characteristics (exchange current densities). In our model explanation, two coupled Ox₁/Red₁ and Ox₂/Red₂ redox systems are considered. It is suggested that for Au or glassy carbon electrodes, the mixed potential is largely determined by the Ox₁/Red₁ couple. For Pt or Pd electrodes, due to the catalytic effect of their surfaces on the Ox₂/Red₂ couple, its exchange current largely controls the measured mixed potential. Our concept is supported by numerical calculations involving the classical Brusselator as the model generator of chemical oscillations. The proper interpretation of potentiometric kinetic data is crucial for the diagnosis of the correct reaction mechanism.     

Elaboration of carbon paste electrode containing pentadentate Nickel-(II) Schiff base complex: Application to electrochemical oxidation of thiosulfate in alkaline medium

A Nickel Schiff base complex, insoluble in water, was synthesized and used as modifier. A Nickel Schiff base modified carbon paste electrode MCPE was build. The electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDXS), cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The modifier is elctroactive, a well defined redox couple of Ni^III/Ni^II in alkaline medium was made in evidence. It presents a quasi-reversible system with electron transfer coefficient (0.38) and electron transfer rate of 4.5 s⁻¹. The electrogenerated Ni^III species on the surface of the electrode act as an excellent catalyst toward thiosulfate oxidation reaction with a chemical rate constant K_h equal to 23,6 M⁻¹s⁻¹. The different techniques involved in this study qualify our modified electrode as sensitive, reliable and very stable for thiosulfate analysis.     

Use of scanning reference electrode technique for characterizing pitting and general corrosion of carbon steel in neutral media

The scanning reference electrode technique (SRET) was used to characterize the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in the NaNO₂-containing chloride solution and tap water. In 10⁻³ MNaNO₂+10⁻³ MNaCl+10⁻³ MNa₂SO₄ solution, the passivated carbon steel surface suffered the pitting. In this case, the size of anodic and cathodic areas on the corroding surface varied with the exposed time, but anodic and cathodic sites did not change. On the contrary, the carbon steel was corroded generally in the tap water. The localized anodes and cathodes on the corroding surface were not fixed but movable with the exposed time during the whole corrosion process, and the “movable anodes” can be in situ monitored and momentarily identified by SRET measurements.     

The self-assembly, characterization and application of hemoglobin immobilized on Fe3O4@Pt core-shell nanoparticles

Direct electron transfer is demonstrated to occur between an electrode and hemoglobin that was immobilized on a film of Fe₃O₄@Pt-chitosan (Fe₃O₄@Pt-CS). Magnetic nanoparticles composed of Fe₃O₄ were prepared by a chemical coprecipitation method, and platinum nanoparticles were deposited on the Fe₃O₄ surface to form novel core-shell nanocomposites. In phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.0, the hemoglobin-Fe₃O₄@Pt-CS assembly on a modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited a couple of well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peaks. The formal potential E^0′ was about ?0.35 V. The electrode displayed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen and hydrogen peroxide reduction without the need for an electron mediator.     

Investigations of electrode surfaces in acetonitrile solutions using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The discovery of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has resulted in a new tool for the elucidation of phenomena occurring at the electrode/solution interface. Our long term objective is to use this technology to identify species adsorbed at the electrode surface and to determine the dependence of the Raman intensity from these species on such variables as solvent, concentration, pH, electrode potential and laser exciting wavelength. The phenomenon is described in the introduction, to provide background for those not familiar with this topic. This is followed by a presentation of recent data from our laboratory, with a focus on nonaqueous solvents. Bands of the solvated Li⁺ and Na⁺ cations at the electrode surface are reported. Bands from trace H₂O (D₂O and HOD) and OH^– (OD^–) have been observed. At sufficiently negative potentials CN^– is generated from acetonitrile. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of photoelectrochemical reduction. Some preliminary results are given for propylene carbonate solvent which support this interpretation.Session lecture, IX International Conference on Non-Aqueous Solutions, Pittsburgh, PA, August 1984.     

Polymer wiring of insulating electrode materials: An approach to improve energy density of lithium-ion batteries

The poor electronic conductivity of LiFePO₄ has been one of the major issues impeding it from achieving high power and energy density lithium-ion batteries. In this communication, a novel polymer-wiring concept was proposed to improve the conduction of the insulating electrode material. By using a polymer with tethered “swing” redox active molecules (S) attached on a polymer chain, as the standard redox potential of S matches closely the Fermi level of LiFePO₄, electronic communication between the redox molecule and LiFePO₄ is established. Upon charging, S is oxidized at the current collector to S⁺, which then delivers the charge (holes) to the LiFePO₄ particles by intermolecular hopping assisted by a “swing” – type motion of the shuttle molecule. And Li⁺ is extracted. Upon discharging, the above process is just reversed. Preliminary studies with redox polymer consisting of poly (4-vinylpyridine) and phenoxazine moiety tethered with a C₁₂ alkyl chain have shown promising result with carbon-free LiFePO₄, where effective electron exchange between the shuttle molecule and LiFePO₄ has been observed. In addition, as the redox polymer itself could act as binder, we anticipate that the polymer-wiring concept would provide a viable approach to conducting-additive and binder free electrode for high energy density batteries.     

Ultrathin free-standing electrospun carbon nanofibers web as the electrode of the vanadium flow batteries

Ultrathin free-standing electrospun carbon nanofiber web(ECNFW) used for the electrodes of the vanadium flow battery(VFB) has been fabricated by the electrospinning technique followed by the carbonization process in this study to reduce the ohmic polarization of the VFB. The microstructure, surface chemistry and electrochemical performance of ECNFW carbonized at various temperatures from 800 to 1400 °C have been investigated. The results show that ECNFW carbonized at 1100 °C exhibits the highest electrocatalytic activity toward the V~(2+)/V~(3+)redox reaction, and its electrocatalytic activity decreases along with the increase of carbonization temperature due to the drooping of the surface functional groups.While for the VO~(2+)/VO_2~+redox couple, the electrocatalytic activity of ECNFW carbonized above 1100 °C barely changes as the carbonization temperature rises. It indicates that the surface functional groups could function as the reaction sites for the V~(2+)/V~(3+)redox couple, but have not any catalytic effect for the VO~(2+)/VO_2~+redox couple. And the single cell test result suggests that ECNFW carbonized at 1100 °C is a promising material as the VFB electrode and the VFB with ECNFW electrodes obtains a super low internal resistance of 250 mΩ cm~2.     

Non-electroactive electrode coatings formed by electrochemical polymerization

Platinum and gold electrodes are coated with thin, adherent polymer layers by the oxidation of divinylbenzene, 4-vinylpyridine, or phenol, and by the reduction of N-methyl-4-vinylpyridinium salts. All depositions are performed in acetonitrile electrolytes. The neutral polymer coatings derived from the first three monomers affect the cyclic voltammetry of reversible redox couples by controlling the rate of diffusion to the electrode surface. The neutral form of a redox couple penetrates the coating more rapidly than the charged form. Extreme negative potentials cause a marked swelling of the coatings; the swelling is partially reversible. An anomalous prewave appears for ferrocene oxidation. The cationic polymer coating derived from N-methyl-4-vinylpyridinium traps ferrocyanide electrostatically.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Some Carbohydrates by Nickel/Poly(o‐Aminophenol) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

This study investigates the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose and some other carbohydrates on nickel/poly(o‐aminophenol) modified carbon paste electrode as an enzyme free electrode in alkaline solution. Poly(o‐aminophenol) was prepared by electropolymerization using a carbon paste electrode bulk modified with o‐aminophenol and continuous cyclic voltammetry in HClO₄ solution. Then Ni(II) ions were incorporated to electrode by immersion of the polymeric modified electrode having amine group in 1 M Ni(II) ion solution. Cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric experiments were used for the electrochemical study of this modified electrode; a good redox behavior of Ni(OH)₂/NiOOH couple at the surface of electrode can be observed, the capability of this modified electrode for catalytic oxidation of glucose and other carbohydrates was demonstrated. The amount of α and surface coverage (Γ*) of the redox species and catalytic chemical reaction rate constant (k) for each carbohydrate were calculated. Also, the electrocatalytic oxidation peak currents of all tested carbohydrates exhibit a good linear dependence on concentration and their quantification can be done easily.     

MnWO4/生物质衍生碳纳米复合催化剂的制备及催化性能

通过共沉淀法合成了双金属氧化物MnWO₄镶嵌生物质衍生碳（MnWO₄/BC）纳米复合催化剂,并将其作为对电极（counter electrode,CE）催化剂组装了染料敏化太阳能电池（dye-sensitized solar cell,DSSC）,探究了MnWO₄/BC在非碘体系中的催化性能和光伏性能。结果表明：在铜氧化还原（Cu²⁺/Cu⁺）电对DSSC中获得的光电能量转换效率（power conversion efficiency,PCE）为3.57%（D35）和1.59%（Y123）,高于Pt电极的PCE（3.12%,1.16%）;50次连续循环伏安测试表明,MnWO₄/BC催化剂具有较好的电化学稳定性。     

Cyclic voltammetric and computational study of a 4-bromophenyl monolayer on a glassy carbon electrode

A glassy carbon (GC) surface modified with monolayer of 4-bromophenyl was examined as voltammetric electrode for some redox systems. The modified electrode exhibited very slow electron transfer in comparison to the unmodified surface by factors which varied with the redox systems. However, after scanning the modified electrode in 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF₄) in acetonitrile from 0.4 to −1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl for 20–25 cycles, the modified electrode showed much faster electron transfer kinetics, e.g., the results for Fe(CN)₆ ^3−/4− were approaching those observed with unmodified surfaces. The effect is attributed to an apparently irreversible structural change in the 4-bromophenyl monolayer, which increases the rate of electron tunneling. The transition to the conducting state is associated with electron injection into the monolayer and causes a significant decrease in the calculated HOMO-LUMO gap for the monolayer molecule. Once the monolayer is switched to the conducting state, it supports rapid electron exchange with the redox system, but not with dopamine, which requires adsorption to the electrode surface. A conductive surface modified electrode may have useful properties for electroanalytical applications and possibly in electrocatalysis. Correspondence: Abbas A. Rostami, Department of Chemistry, Faculty Basic of Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.     

Silver UPD ultra-thin film modified nanoporous gold electrode with applications in the electrochemical detection of chloride

Nanoporous noble metals are usually expected to exhibit much higher surface areas than smooth ones, making them of particular importance in many electrochemical applications. This paper describes a simple electrochemical method to modify a nanoporous Au (NPG) surface by using an under potentially deposited (UPD) Ag adlayer. The NPG electrode was obtained by the dealloying of Zn from Au_xZn_1−x in a 40-60 mol% zinc chloride-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (ZnCl₂-EMIC) ionic liquid. The Ag UPD modified nanoporous gold (NPG/Ag(UPD)) electrode possessed dual properties, including an intrinsic high surface area from the nanoporous structure and the characteristics of the Ag UPD adlayer. The potential utility of using NPG/Ag(UPD) for sensors was demonstrated by its excellent sensitivity and selectivity in the electrochemical determination of chloride ions. An atomic scale metal monolayer obtained in the UPD process was selected as a sensing agent. The long-term storability and operational stability of the electrode were strongly demonstrated. Specifically, two couples of redox waves at ∼552 mV and ∼272 mV, respectively, were observed in the cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the NPG/Ag(UPD) after the adsorption of chloride ions. The first couple of redox waves was related to the UPD and silver stripping and the second couple of redox waves was induced by the adsorption of Cl⁻. The Cl⁻ adsorption process on the NPG/Ag(UPD) electrode followed the transient Langmuir adsorption kinetic model. The ratio of the integrated charges for these two anodic stripping peaks was selectively used to determine dilute chloride ion levels. The calibration curve was linear in the Cl⁻ concentration range of 0.5-30.0 μM.