Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes for Halide Detection in Aqueous Solutions

The behavior of chloride, bromide and iodide at edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes has been explored in aqueous acid solutions. The voltammetric response in each case has been compared with that of basal plane pyrolytic graphite, glassy carbon and boron‐doped diamond. The electrochemical oxidation of chloride is found to only occur on boron‐doped diamond while the electrochemical reversibility for the oxidation of bromide on edge plane pyrolytic graphite is similar to that seen at glassy carbon whilst being superior to basal plane pyrolytic graphite and boron‐doped diamond. In the case of iodide oxidation, edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite and glassy carbon display similar electrode kinetics but are all superior to boron‐doped diamond. The analytical possibilities were examined using the edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode for both iodide and bromine where is was found that, based on cyclic voltammetry, detection limits in the order of 10^?6 M are possible.     

Gas sensing using edge-plane pyrolytic-graphite electrodes: electrochemical reduction of chlorine

The voltammetric responses of chlorine in aqueous acid solutions have been explored using different carbon-based electrodes. Edge-plane pyrolytic graphite has more electrochemical reversibility than glassy carbon, basal-plane pyrolytic graphite, or boron-doped diamond electrodes. A significant reduction in the overpotential is observed on the edge-plane pyrolytic-graphite electrode in contrast with the other carbon-based electrode substrates. These results suggest that edge-plane pyrolytic graphite can be optimally used as the working electrodes in Clark-cell devices for low-potential amperometric gas sensing of Cl₂.     

The Direct Electrochemical Oxidation of Ammonia in Propylene Carbonate: A Generic Approach to Amperometric Gas Sensors

The direct electrochemical oxidation of ammonia in propylene carbonate is reported for the first time. The voltammetric responses at glassy carbon, boron‐doped diamond, edge and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes are explored and compared with the outcome indicating that the optimum electrode substrate for analytical purposes in this solvent is glassy carbon. Proof‐of‐concept is shown for the amperometric detection of ammonia using basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes abrasively modified with glassy carbon spheres. Given the significantly lower vapor pressure of propylene carbonate in comparison to water the implications for extending the life‐time of practical sensors are evident. Propylene carbonate shows a wide potential window with glassy carbon electrodes permitting this approach to be used for a potential diversity of gaseous analytes.     

Direct Electrooxidation of Ascorbic Acid at the Nanocrystaline Graphite‐like Pyrolytic Carbon Film Electrode

Pyrolytic carbon films (PCFs) were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at different deposition temperatures. As an example of using PCF electrode in electroanalysis, the direct electrooxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) at the PCF electrode was investigated and compared with common carbon‐based electrodes such as glassy carbon (GC), edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG), and basal plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG) electrodes. It was found that the PCF electrodes prepared under deposition temperatures higher than 1050 °C showed a higher sensitivity and lower overpotential compared to the other carbon electrodes. The electrode was successfully applied for determination of AA in real samples.     

Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes for Stripping Voltammetry: a Comparison with Other Carbon Based Electrodes

The first examples of using edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes for anodic and cathodic stripping voltammetry (ASV and CSV) are presented, notably the ASV of silver and the CSV of manganese. In the former example, detection limits for silver (based on 3σ) of 8.1 nM and 0.185 nM for 120 s and 300 s accumulation time, respectively, were achievable using the edge plane electrode, which were superior to those observed on glassy carbon, basal plane pyrolytic graphite and boron‐doped diamond electrodes. In the second example, a detection limit for manganese of 0.3 μM was possible which was comparable with that achievable with a boron‐doped diamond electrode but with an increased sensitivity. Comparison of the edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode with boron‐doped diamond electrodes reveals that the edge plane electrode has comparable detection limits and sensitivities whilst exhibiting a lower signal‐to‐noise ratio and large potential window for use in trace analysis suggesting boron‐doped diamond can be conveniently replaced by edge plane pyrolytic graphite as an electrode material in many applications.     

Direct Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid at an Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrode: A Comparison of the Electroanalytical Response with Other Carbon Electrodes

The direct electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid at an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPG) is investigated and compared with other common carbon‐based electrodes, specifically glassy carbon, boron doped diamond and basal plane pyrolytic graphite. It is found that the EPPG electrode shows a significantly higher degree of electrochemical reversibility than the other electrode substrates giving rise to an analytically optimized limit of detection and sensitivity of 7.1×10^?5 M and 0.065 A M^?1 respectively.     

CVD graphene vs. highly ordered pyrolytic graphite for use in electroanalytical sensing

We explore and contrast the electroanalytical performance of a commercially available CVD grown graphene electrode with that of edge- and basal-plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes constructed from highly ordered pyrolytic graphite for the sensing of biologically important analytes, namely β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and uric acid (UA). We demonstrate that for the analytes studied here, in the best case, the electroanalytical performance of the CVD-graphene mimics that of edge plane pyrolytic graphite, suggesting no significant advantage of utilising CVD-graphene in this context.     

Abrasively modified electrodes: mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of electrochemical dissolution/growth processes under cyclic voltammetric conditions

An approximate mathematical model for electrochemical dissolution/growth processes of diffusionally independent and well-separated particles randomly dispersed on an inert conducting electrode surface is presented and solved using numerical simulation. The model, mimicking abrasively modified electrodes where particles of electroactive voltammograms solid are immobilised on an electrode surface, provides clear insights into the effects of different parameters on the voltammetric response of such systems and permits the exploration of the competition taking place between mass transport and surface processes. The mathematical model is then compared with experimental data obtained with basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode abrasively modified with solid particles of perinaphthenone and studied in aqueous solution.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Alan M. Bond on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Electroanalytical determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) using an in-situ bismuth film modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode.

A highly sensitive and simple electroanalytical methodology is presented using an in-situ bismuth film modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (BiF-EPPGE) which is exemplified with the simultaneous determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II). Square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry is utilised with the effects of several experimental variables studied. Simultaneous additions of cadmium(II) and lead(II) were investigated where two linear ranges between 0.1-100 and 0.1-300 microg/L and also detection limits of 0.062 and 0.084 microg/L were obtained, respectively. The method was then successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) in spiked river water, where recoveries of 100.5 and 98% were obtained, respectively. This electroanalytical protocol using edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes is one of the simplest methodologies to date using non-mercury based electrodes and is simpler and cheaper than alternatives such as carbon nanotube electrode arrays, suggesting the use of edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode for routine sensing.     

Electroanalytical Exploitation of Nitroso Phenyl Modified Carbon‐Thiol Interactions: Application to the Low Voltage Determination of Thiols

The electrochemical generation of nitrosophenyl groups covalently attached to graphite powder (nitrosophenylcarbon) from carbon powder chemically modified with nitrophenyl groups and their subsequent reaction with thiols (glutathione, cysteine and homocysteine) has been investigated as a method by which the later can be quantified. The modified carbon powder was immobilized onto a basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode and characterized by cyclic voltammetry by scanning between 1.0 V and ?1.0 V vs. SCE in phosphate buffer (pH 7). Square wave voltammetry (SWV) was used for the determination of thiols and the SWV parameters were optimized. The nitrosophenylcarbon is electrogenerated from nitrophenylcarbon and can chemically oxidize thiols to disulfides. Subsequent reduction of nitrosophenylcarbon to phenylhydroxylaminecarbon during the square wave voltammetric process leads to a decrease in the reductive current. This can be correlated to the concentration of thiol present within the medium. The cyclic voltammetric responses of basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode, edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode, glassy carbon electrode and boron‐doped diamond electrode in the direct oxidation of thiols were also investigated and all were found to have a significantly higher overpotential compared to the described method using nitrosophenylcarbon.     

Exploring the electrocatalytic sites of carbon nanotubes for NADH detection: an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode study

The electrocatalytic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube modified electrodes toward the oxidation of NADH are critically evaluated. Carbon nanotube modified electrodes are examined and compared with boron-doped diamond and glassy carbon electrodes, and most importantly, edge plane and basal pyrolytic graphite electrodes. It is found that CNT modified electrodes are no more reactive than edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes with the comparison with edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes allowing the electroactive sites for the electrochemical oxidation of NADH to be unambiguously determined as due to edge plane sites. Using these highly reactive edge plane sites, edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes are examined with cyclic voltammetry and amperometry for the electroanalytical determination of NADH. It is demonstrated that a detection limit of 5 microM is possible with cyclic voltammetry or 0.3 microM using amperometry suggesting that edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes can conveniently replace carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrodes for biosensing applications with the relative advantages of reactivity, cost and simplicity of preparation. We advocate the routine use of edge plane and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes in studies utilising carbon nanotubes particularly if 'electrocatalytic' properties are claimed for the latter.     

Electrocatalytic detection of thiols using an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode

The first example of using an edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode in electroanalysis is reported as the determination of homocysteine, N-acetylcysteine, cysteine and glutathione is studied. The response of the electrode in the direct oxidation of thiol moieties is explored and found to be electrocatalytic producing a reduction in the overpotential while having enhanced signal-to-noise characteristics compared to glassy carbon and basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes. The effectiveness of the methodology is examined in the determination of cysteine species in a growth tissue media that contains a high number of common biological interferences. The advantageous properties of this electrode for thiol determination lie in its excellent catalytic activity, sensitivity and simplicity.     

Application of Nanocrystalline Graphite‐like Pyrolytic Carbon Film Electrode in the Electroanalytical Determination of Famotidine

Direct electro‐oxidation of famotidine at different graphitic carbon‐based electrode materials was evaluated. These materials included conventional electrodes of edge‐plane pyrolytic graphite, basal‐plane pyrolytic graphite, carbon paste, and glassy carbon as well as nano‐structured carbon‐based materials such as pyrolytic carbon film, carbon nanotube, and nano‐graphene. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were employed to analyze their structural and morphological features. It was found that the pyrolytic carbon film electrode, after a simple and fast anodic activation, shows superior electroanalytical performance. The method was successfully applied for the electroanalytical determination of famotidine in tablet dosage forms and urine samples.     

Enhanced Performance of Edge‐Plane Pyrolytic Graphite (EPPG) Electrodes over Glassy Carbon (GC) Electrodes in the Presence of Surfactants: Application to the Stripping Voltammetry of Copper

The voltammetric performance of glassy carbon (GC) and edge‐plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG) electrodes was investigated for the oxidation of potassium ferrocyanide in aqueous solution both with and without the addition of surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X‐100). The heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics were determined for all cases, and it was found that the GC electrode surface was far more sensitive to the presence of surfactant than the more hydrophilic EPPG surface. This result was then applied to the electroanalysis of copper via adsorptive stripping voltammetry in the presence of Triton X‐100 and it was observed that the EPPG electrode response was unaffected by up to 100 μM of surfactant, whilst the voltammetry on the GC electrode was significantly affected by only 10 μM.     

Electrochemical ESR and voltammetric studies of lithium ion pairing with electrogenerated 9,10-anthraquinone radical anions either free in acetonitrile solution or covalently bound to multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The influence of lithium ion pairing on the voltammetric reduction of anthraquinone in acetonitrile is reported. On gold electrodes, the single electron reduction generates a radical anion which forms a complex with lithium cations from the electrolyte. In situ ESR studies support this finding, and signal intensity measurements are used to estimate a value for the complexation equilibrium constant. Values calculated were of the of the order of 6000 mol(-1) dm3. Potential shift measurements and Digisim modeling are shown to be in support of a complexation mechanism in which a little of the complex precipitates on the electrode surface. The effect of lithium ion pairing is also demonstrated for the case in which 1-anthraquinonyl groups are covalently attached to multiwalled carbon nanotubes abrasively immobilized on a basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode.     

Using Capsaicin Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Based Electrodes and p‐Chloranil Modified Carbon Paste Electrodes for the Determination of Amines: Application to Benzocaine and Lidocaine

The utilization of the capsaicin modified carbon nanotube modified basal‐plane pyrolytic graphite electrode or p‐chloranil modified carbon paste electrodes are presented for the determination of pharmaceutical compounds containing amine functionality, such as benzocaine and lidocaine. In detection of benzocaine at a capsaicin modified electrode, the guaiacol functional group is irreversibly electrochemically oxidized to form the o‐quinone derivative which then undergoes nucleophilic attack by the aromatic amine group in benzocaine via a 1,4‐Michael addition mechanism forming a catechol‐amine adduct. The electrochemically initiated formation of the capsaicin‐benzocaine adduct causes a linear decrease in the voltammetric signal corresponding to capsaicin which correlates to the added concentration of benzocaine.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Myoglobin in DDAB-Clay Composite Films

Direct electrochemistry of redox proteins can provide a good model for the studies of redox process in biological system Electron transfer between redox metalloproteins and underlying electrodes was greatly enhanced in lamillar liquid crystal surfactant films compared to that on bare electrodes with the puoteins in solution1,because these filmsprovide a favorable biomebrane-like micuoencironment for the puwtins2 Orderedsurfactant-clay composite films in which anionic clay platelet layers sandw…     

Voltammetric microanalysis of DNA adducts with osmium tetroxide,2,2'-bipyridine using a pyrolytic graphite electrode

DNA and synthetic polynucleotides modified with a complex of osmium tetroxide with 2,2'-bipyridine (Os,bipy) produce specific voltammetric signals at pyrolytic graphite electrodes. Based on a sufficient potential separation between the peaks of Os,bipy-modified DNA (DNA-Os,bipy) and of free Os,bipy, and using an adsorptive transfer stripping voltammetric procedure involving extraction of free Os,bipy from the electrode by chloroform, DNA-Os,bipy can be determined in an excess of the free reagent. Under certain conditions, 140 pg of DNA-Os,bipy can be detected after a 5 min accumulation period. This analysis displays a more favorable sensitivity and a better selectivity for DNA structure than oxidation of DNA guanine moieties, and offers detection of osmium DNA markers at carbon electrodes.     

Simultaneous Determination of Uric Acid and Ascorbic Acid Using Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes

Edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes have been applied for the determination of uric acid and ascorbic acid. The separate determination of uric acid was found to produce three linear ranges from 100 nM to 3400 μM with a detection limit of 30 nM found to be possible. Uric acid detection was also explored in the presence of 200 μM ascorbic acid where a detection limit of 52 nM was found to be possible. The detection of ascorbic acid in the presence of uric acid was also explored over three linear ranges of ascorbic acid with a limit of detection of 80 nM. Last the simultaneous determination of both uric acid and ascorbic acid is investigated over the range 100 nM to 1000 μM where detection limits of 50 nM and 120 nM were obtained respectively. Analysis of uric acid in a growth tissue medium was found to be successful, confirming the applicability of the methodology to real matrices. This protocol is shown to provide low detection limits, easy handling (no electrode modification), good voltammetric peak separation of uric acid and ascorbic acid and a wide linear dynamic range.     

A Comparison of Electron Transfer Kinetics of Three Common Carbon Electrode Surfaces in Acetonitrile and in Room Temperature Ionic Liquid 1‐Butyl‐3‐Methylimidiazonium Hexafluorophosphate: Correlation to Surface Structure and the Limit of the Diffusion Domain Approximation

We report the comparison of electron transfer kinetic parameters of the ferrocene redox couple in both acetonitrile and in room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidiazonium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim] [PF₆]), using edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG), basal plane pyrolytic graphite (BPPG) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. Each electrode surface was characterized using SEM and AFM and the surface morphology was analyzed in terms of surface heterogeneity including the distribution of edge plane defects. The experimental data were modeled using both one and two dimensional simulations to correlate the electron transfer parameters obtained with the different surface structure of each electrode. Furthermore, we show that the diffusion domain approximation (commonly used to accurately simulate electron transfer kinetics at graphitic surfaces) breaks down when a BPPG electrode is used in RTIL and demonstrate the near impossibility of assigning rate constant to the basal plane surface.