Improvement of the electrochemical properties of “as-grown” boron-doped polycrystalline diamond electrodes deposited on tungsten wires using ethanol

The electrochemical properties of boron-doped diamond (BDD) polycrystalline films grown on tungsten wire substrates using ethanol as a precursor are described. The results obtained show that the use of ethanol improves the electrochemistry properties of “as-grown” BDD, as it minimizes the graphitic phase upon the surface of BDD, during the growth process. The BDD electrodes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The boron-doping levels of the films were estimated to be ∼10²⁰ B/cm³. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated using the and redox couples and dopamine. Apparent heterogeneous electro-transfer rate constants were determined for these redox systems using the CV and EIS techniques. values in the range of 0.01–0.1 cm s⁻¹ were observed for the and redox couples, while in the special case of dopamine, a lower value of 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ was found. The obtained results showed that the use of CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) as a carbon source constitutes a promising alternative for manufacturing BDD electrodes for electroanalytical applications.     

Mechanism of the catalyzed by cysteine electroreduction of the insoluble in water cobalt(II) salt as a component of carbon paste electrode

The mechanism of the Co(II) catalytic electroreduction of water insoluble CoR₂ salt in the presence of cysteine was developed. CoR₂ = cobalt(II) cyclohexylbutyrate is the component of a carbon paste electrode. Electrode surface consecutive reactions are: (a) fast (equilibrium) reaction of the complex formation, (b) rate-determining reversible reaction of the promoting process of CoR(Ac⁺) complex formation, (c) rate-determining irreversible reaction of the electroactive complex formation with ligand-induced adsorption, and (d) fast irreversible reaction of the electroreduction. Reactions (a,b) connected with CoR₂ dissolution and reactions (c,d) connected with CoR₂ electroreduction are catalyzed by . Regeneration of (reactions “b,d”) and accumulation of atomic Co(0) (reaction “d”) take place. Experimental data [Sugawara et al., Bioelectrochem Bioenergetics 26:469, 1991]: i _a vs E (i _a is anodic peak, E is cathodic accumulation potential), i _a vs , and i _a vs pH have been quantitatively explained.     

Polypyrrole coating doped by molybdo-phosphate anions for corrosion prevention of carbon steels

The polypyrrole coating was prepared from phosphoric acid aqueous solution containing the hetero-polyanion and pyrrole monomer to make new coating for corrosion prevention of carbon steels. The coating thus formed in the phosphate acid solution was doped by and by . The coating was flexible enough to cover the steel homogeneously without cracks, although many cracks were observed on the coating formed in a neutral aqueous solution of Na₂MoO₂. The 5.1-μm-thick polypyrrole coating makes the steel maintain the passive state for 48 h in neutral 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at pH 5.3 and for 80 h in acidic 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at pH 1.9. The coating decreased the corrosion rate of the steel by 1/200 in the neutral NaCl solution and by 1/340 in the acidic NaCl solution, if compared with the rate of the bare steel. The dissolution current of the steel during the immersion remained at the level of the typical passive current in the respective solutions.     

Effect of the mediator in feedback mode-based SECM interrogation of indium tin-oxide and boron-doped diamond electrodes

Indium tin-oxide (ITO) and polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (BDD) have been examined in detail using the scanning electrochemical microscopy technique in feedback mode. For the interrogation of electrodes made from these materials, the choice of mediator has been varied. Using ferrocene methanol (FcMeOH), and approach curve experiments have been performed, and for purposes of comparison, calculations of the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rates (k _app) have been made using these data. In general, it would appear that values of k _app are affected mainly by the position of the mediator reversible potential relative to the relevant semiconductor band edge (associated with majority carriers). For both the ITO (n type) and BDD (p type) electrodes, charge transfer is impeded and values are very low when using FcMeOH and as mediators, and the use of results in the largest value of k _app. With ITO, the surface is chemically homogeneous and no variation is observed for any given mediator. Data is also presented where the potential of the ITO electrode is fixed using a ratio of the mediators and In stark contrast, the BDD electrode is quite the opposite and a range of k _app values are observed for all mediators depending on the position on the surface. Both electrode surfaces are very flat and very smooth, and hence, for BDD, variations in feedback current imply a variation in the electrochemical activity. A comparison of the feedback current where the substrate is biased and unbiased shows a surprising degree of proportionality.Dedicated to Alan, a good friend and colleague on his 60th birthday.     

Photoelectrode characteristics of an organic bilayer in water phase containing a redox molecule

We have recently reported that the organic bilayer of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxyl-bisbenzimidazole (PTCBI, n-type semiconductor) and 29H,31H-phthalocyanine (H₂Pc, p-type semiconductor), which is a part of a photovoltaic cell, acts as a photoanode in the water phase (Abe et al., ChemPhysChem 5:716, [2004]); in that case, the generation of the photocurrent involving an irreversible thiol oxidation at the H₂Pc/water interface took place to be coupled with hole conduction through the H₂Pc layer, based on the photophysical character of the bilayer. In the present work, the photoelectrode characteristics of the bilayer were investigated in the water phase containing a redox molecule , where the photo-induced oxidation and reduction for the couple were found to take place at the bilayer. The photoanodic current involving the oxidation efficiently occurred at the interface of H₂Pc/water, similar to the previous example. In the view of the voltammograms obtained, it was noted that there are pin-holes in the H₂Pc layer of the bilayer, leading to a cathodic reaction with at the PTCBI surface especially in the dark; that is, the band bending at the PTCBI/water interface can essentially be reduced by applying a negative potential [e.g., < ∼ 0 V (vs Ag/AgCl)] to the PTCBI, when the cathodic reaction may take place through the conduction band of the PTCBI. Moreover, under that applied potential condition of irradiation, the photogenerated electron carrier part can move to the PTCBI surface, thus enhancing the reduction of .     

Nonlinear magneto-optical effects and photomagnetism of electrochemically synthesized molecule-based magnets

This article describes novel optical functionalities such as photomagnetic effects and magnetization-induced second harmonic generation (MSHG) in several cyano-bridged metal assemblies. Single crystal- and film-types of a cyano-bridged Cu–Mo bimetallic assembly, , were electrochemically prepared. When this compound was irradiated with light, spontaneous magnetization with a Curie temperature (T _C) of 23 K was observed. Electrochemically prepared Fe^II[Cr^III(CN)₆]_2/3·5H₂O thin film, which was a ferromagnet with T _C=21 K, showed photoreduced magnetization. This photomagnetism is due to the change of ferromagnetic coupling between Fe^II and Cr^III. MSHG was observed in Cs^ICo^II[Cr^III(CN)₆]·0.5H₂O. This -type Prussian blue analog-based magnet is proven to be a piezoelectric ferromagnet, i.e., condensed matter with both piezoelectric and ferromagnetism. This MSHG is due to the coupling between a piezoelectric structure of and ferromagnetism with a T _C of 46 K.

On the charge storage mechanism at RuO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/0.5 M H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> interface

Comparative study of capacitative properties of RuO₂/0.5 M H₂SO₄ and Ru/0.5 M H₂SO₄ interfaces has been performed with a view to find out the nature of electrochemical processes involved in the charge storage mechanism of ruthenium (IV) oxide. The methods of cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed for the investigation of electrochemical behavior and surface morphology of RuO₂ electrodes. It has been suggested that supercapacitor behavior of RuO₂ phase in the potential E range between 0.4 and 1.4 V vs reference hydrogen electrode (RHE) should be attributed to double-layer-type capacitance, related to non-faradaic highly reversible process of ionic pair formation and annihilation at RuO₂/electrolyte interface as described by following summary equation:

Electrochemical study of multilayer films built on glassy carbon electrode with polyoxometalate anions and two multi-charged molecular cationic species

Electrochemical results are reported on complex films built onto glassy carbon electrodes. Each film involves one polyoxometalate and one or two cations : methyl viologen and meso-tetra(4N-methylpyridyl porphyrin). In a given film, layers of polyoxometalate anions alternate with layers made of one of the two cations. Electrochemical studies indicate the effective building of films with polyoxometalate and both cations present. They also demonstrate that, in the film building process, the electrochemical response of every new layer is influenced by coulombic interactions and conducting properties with the immediately underlying layer.     

Thermokinetic characteristics of lithium chloride

The characterisation of the ionic compound of lithium chloride, LiCl, through XRD, SEM, DSC, TG, DTG and TG-MS analysis is reported. The results show that nominally anhydrous LiCl particles can readily absorb water from the ambient atmosphere to form a surface layer of lithium chloride mono-hydrate, LiCl·H₂O. Solid surface-hydrated LiCl is de-dehydrated via a two-stage mechanism at low heating rates and via a single-stage mechanism at high heating rates. Molten LiCl exhibits substantial evaporation at temperatures below its nominal boiling point, with the rate of evaporation increasing significantly before complete evaporation occurs. The melting process of de-hydrated LiCl is marginally affected by the heating rate; whilst the evaporation process is strongly affected by the heating rate and also dependent on the quantity of material used and the flow rate of the gas passed over it. Heating of surface-hydrated LiCl up to the point of evaporation under a flow of argon and under a flow of ambient air gives identical results, proposing the possibility of performing LiCl-based processes in an air environment. The enthalpies and activation energies for the processes of surface de-hydration, melting, and high-temperature evaporation are determined. The results are consistent with the following thermal phase evolution:

$ [{\text{LiCl + LiCl}} \cdot {\text{H}}_{{\text{2}}} {\text{O}}]_{{{\text{solid}}}} \to [{\text{LiCl}}]_{{{\text{solid}}}} \to [{\text{LiCl}}]_{{{\text{liquid}}}} \mathop\rightarrow\limits^{{{{\text{H}}_{{\text{2}}} {\text{O}} \downarrow {\text{ HCl}} \uparrow}}}[{\text{LiCl-LiOH}}]_{{{\text{liquid}}}} \mathop\rightarrow\limits^{{{{\text{H}}_{{\text{2}}} {\text{O}} \uparrow}}}[{\text{LiCl-Li}}_{{\text{2}}} {\text{O}}]_{{{\text{liquid}}}} \to {\text{Gas}} $

     

Mixed-Valence 24-Vanadophosphate Decorated with Six RuII(dmso)3 Groups: [{RuII3(dmso)9PVV11VIVRuIIIO37(OH)3}2]8?

The mixed-valence 24-vanadophosphate (1) has been synthesized and characterized in the solid state by IR, magnetism, EPR, XPS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on (Na-1), which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group , with a = 17.168(3) ?, b = 18.1971(14) ?, c = 20.1422(13) ?, α = 114.753(3)°, β = 99.390(4)°, γ = 95.124(4)°, and Z = 2. Polyanion 1 has an unusual, open structure composed of 2 Ru^IIIO₆ octahedra, 2 V^IVO₆ octahedra, 14 V^VO₅ square-pyramids, 8 V^VO₄ tetrahedra, and 2 PO₄ tetrahedra which are all directly linked via edges and corners. The outer surface of 1 is decorated with six Ru^II(dmso)₃ groups. XPS studies on Na-1 confirm the presence of 2 Ru^III and 6 Ru^II as well as 22 V^V and 2 V^IV centers. Magnetic susceptibility data on Na-1 show that the V^IV–Ru^III pairs are coupled antiferromagnetically, with J ₁ = −13 K and J ₂ ∼ −3 K. We did not detect any peak in our EPR measurements on Na-1, thus supporting the conclusion that Na-1 is diamagnetic in its ground state. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. In Memoriam Prof. F. A. Cotton     

Intramolecular Nonvalent Interactions in the $${\text{Eu}}_{{\text{2}}}^{{{\text{II}}}}$$ EuIII(μ-ORF)2(μ2-ORF)3(μ3-ORF)2(DME)2 Complex

Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry - A quantum chemical study of fluorinated europium alcoholate $${\text{Eu}}_{{\text{2}}}^{{{\text{II}}}}$$...     

Electrochemical study of the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrophilic ion transfers across water | <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-octanol interface

Thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrophilic ion transfers across water|n-octanol (W|OCT) interface have been electrochemically studied by means of novel three-phase and thin-film electrodes. Three-phase electrodes used for thermodynamics measurements comprise edge plane pyrolytic graphite, the surface of which was partly modified with an ultrathin film of OCT, containing hydrophobic lutetium bis(tetra-tert-butylphthalocyaninato) (Lu[tBu₄Pc]₂) as a redox probe. The transfers of anions and cations from W to OCT were electrochemically driven by reversible redox transformations of Lu[tBu₄Pc]₂ to chemically stable lipophilic monovalent cation and anion , respectively. Upon reduction of Lu[tBu₄Pc]₂, the transfers of alkali metal cations from W to OCT have been studied for the first time, enabling estimation of their Gibbs transfer energies. For kinetic measurements, a thin-film electrode configuration has been used, consisting of the same electrode covered completely with a thin layer of OCT that contained the redox probe and a suitable electrolyte. Combining the fast and sensitive square-wave voltammetry with thin-film electrodes, the kinetics of , , and Cl⁻ transfers have been estimated. Dedicated to Professor Dr. Yakov I. Tur’yan on the occasion of his 85th birthday.     

Electrical and electro-chemical characterisation of La0.99Fe1−x Ni x O3−δ perovskites

(LFN, 0<x<0.6) perovskites were synthesised by a solid-state route and were characterised by powder XRD, dilatometry, four-point DC conductivity measurements and electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on cone-shaped electrodes using a Ce_1.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (CGO10) electrolyte. All the compounds were of single phase, and they belong to either the cubic or the hexagonal crystal system. The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) was in the range 10.7*10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ to 13.4*10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, which continued to increase with increasing nickel content. The highest electronic conductivity was measured for the composition giving a value of 670 S/cm at 380 °C. The highest electro-chemical performance was measured for the composition giving an area specific resistance as low as 5.5 Ωcm² at 600 °C based on EIS measurements on a cone-shaped electrode. Composite cathodes made from and CGO10 revealed a rather low performance due to an un-optimised micro-structure.

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Electrodeposition of metals on anodized thin Nb films

The influence of the electronic properties of oxidized Nb surfaces on the electrodeposition of metals (Me=Co, Cu, Ag) with different equilibrium potentials is studied by conventional electrochemical techniques and atomic force microscopy. The results show that relatively thin anodic Nb₂O₅ films (thickness <11 nm) present a frequency-dependent n-type semiconductor behavior, which can be described by the theory of amorphous semiconductor. The Schottky barrier, formed at the a-Nb₂O₅/electrolyte interface, affects the deposition rate of metals with equilibrium potentials more positive than the flat band potential Then, the dependence of density of states on the oxide thickness and anodization conditions leads to different extents of the band bending, affecting directly the rate of electron transfer.     

System Zn–Rh–O: heat capacity and Gibbs free energy of formation using differential scanning calorimeter and electrochemical cell

The standard molar Gibbs free energy of formation of ZnRh₂O₄(s) has been determined using an oxide solid-state electrochemical cell wherein calcia-stabilized zirconia (CSZ) was used as an electrolyte. The oxide cell can be represented by: . The electromotive force was measured in the temperature range from 943.9 to 1,114.2 K. The standard molar Gibbs energy of formation of ZnRh₂O₄(s) from elements in their standard state using the oxide electrochemical cell has been calculated and can be represented by: . Standard molar heat capacity C ^o _p,m(T) of ZnRh₂O₄(s) was measured using a heat flux-type differential scanning calorimeter in two different temperature ranges, from 127 to 299 and 307 to 845 K. The heat capacity in the higher temperature range was fitted into a polynomial expression and can be represented by: . The heat capacity of ZnRh₂O₄(s), was used along with the data obtained from the oxide electrochemical cell to calculate the standard enthalpy and entropy of formation of the compound at 298.15 K.     

The sources of thermal energy exchange accompanying microbial anabolism

Calculations are made of the thermal energy exchanges accompanying the anabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae of four substrates using the equations and . Contrary to a previous postulate cited in the Discussion, the free-energy changes accompanying anabolism are not zero, but can be either positive or negative. However, their magnitude with either sign is small compared to that of catabolism of the same substrates, so that even with free energy changes that are negative it is unlikely anabolism can be considered a spontaneous process.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide by the octacyanotungstate(V) ion in alkaline aqueous media

Summary The oxidation of H₂O₂ by [W(CN)₈]^3– has been studied in aqueous media between pH 7.87 and 12.10 using both conventional and stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The reaction proceeds without generation of free radicals. The experimental overall rate law, , strongly suggests two types of mechanisms. The first pathway, characterized by the pH-dependent rate constant k _s, given by , involves the formation of [W(CN)₈· H₂O₂]^3–, [W(CN)₈· H₂O₂·W(CN)₈]^6– and [W(CN)₈· HO]^3– intermediates in rapid pre-equilibria steps, and is followed by a one-electron transfer step involving [W(CN)₈·HO]^3– (k _a) and its conjugate base [W(CN)₈·O]^4– (k _b). At 25 °C, I = 0.20 m (NaCl), the rate constant with H _a =40±6kJmol^–1 and S _a =–151±22JK^–1mol^–1; the rate constant with H _b =36±1kJmol^–1 and S _b =–136±2JK^–1mol^–1 at 25 °C, I = 0.20 m (NaCl); the acid dissociation constant of [W(CN)₈·HO]^3–, K ₅ =(5.9±1.7)×10^–10 m, with and is the first acid dissociation constant of H₂O₂. The second pathway, with rate constant, k _f, involves the formation of [W(CN)₈· HO₂]^4– and is followed by a formal two-electron redox process with [W(CN)₈]^3–. The pH-dependent rate constant, k _f, is given by . The rate constant k ₇ =23±6m ^–1 s ^–1 with and at 25°C, I = 0.20 m (NaCl).     

Formation,characterization and stabilization of water-soluble colloidal MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the oxidation of methionine,thiourea and thioacetamide by permanganate

Stabilization and characterisation of water soluble colloidal MnO₂ during the oxidation of sulphur-containing organic reductants “thiourea, thioactamide and methionine” by permanganate in aqueous neutral media are reported for the first time. Upon addition of permanganate to a solution of methionine, a transient species appears within the time of mixing, which is stable for several weeks. On the other hand, the transient species is unstable in the presence of thiourea and thioacetamide, respectively. The nature of manganese (IV) species present in the solution was characterized by spectrophotometric and coagulation measurements. On addition of HClO₄, there is a decrease in the absorbance of the reaction mixture. Under pseudo first-order conditions ([reductants] > []), the reduction rate was very fast up to the formation of water soluble colloidal MnO₂. The effect of various parameters, such as hydrogen ion concentration, amount of and concentration of reductants were investigated. Mechanisms consistent with the observed results have been proposed and discussed.     

Kinetic method for acetylsalicylic acid determination based on its inhibitory effect upon the catalytic decomposition of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The catalytic reaction of catalase was investigated, by means of a Clark oxygen sensor, in the presence of various concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid. Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters were determined from Lineweaver-Burk plots, obtained in the absence and in the presence of the inhibitor. The inhibition pattern, suggested by the Lineweave-Burk plots, corresponds to a fully mixed inhibition mechanism. A kinetic method, based on the indicator reaction: , was developed for the quantitative determination of acetylsalicylic acid. Calibration graphs of the reciprocal value of first-order rate constant versus acetylsalicylic concentration covered the concentration range (2.99–19.98)×10^–4 mol/L, while the detection limit was 4.12×10^–4 mol/L acetylsalicylic acid with a standard deviation of 2.1×10^–5 mol/L.     

Oxygen permeation in La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.9Ga0.1O3 – δ dense membrane: effects of surface microstructure

The use of perovskite mixed ionic–electronic conducting membranes for industrial applications, such as oxygen dissociation from air and methane conversion into syngas, requires high oxygen permeation fluxes. In this regard, the improvement of the permeation rates through a (LSFG) membrane was performed by modifying the surface by controlling the average grain size of the perovskite material or by coating its surface with a thin layer of . In both cases, the permeation-limiting regime was determined and the oxygen surface coefficient k _s and diffusion coefficient D _v were evaluated. The low value of k _s was found to be the most critical parameter for the performance of these LSFG membranes.