Electrochemical behaviour of Pt(100), Pt(111) and Pt polycrystalline surfaces in hydrogencarbonate solution

It was demonstrated that adsorbed CO is obtained from the reduction of NaHCO₃ solution when Pt(100), Pt(110), disordered Pt(111) and polycrystalline electrodes are employed. Reduction of CO₂ coming from the dissociation of the hydrogencarbonate anion is proposed as the reaction that produces CO. By using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, linear and multi-bonded CO were detected on polycrystalline platinum electrodes. The shape of the band associated with linearly adsorbed CO is monopolar as a consequence of the partial overlapping, at lower wavenumbers, of the absolute bands at both potentials (0.05 and 0.35 V).     

Comparison of pulsed amperometric detection and integrated voltammetric detection for inorganic sulfur compounds in liquid chromatography

A Variety of potential–time waveforms are useful in pulsed electrochemical detection (PED) when applied for the amperometric detection of numerous polar organic compounds following their separation by liquid chromatography (LC). Here, we compare the waveforms for pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) and integrated voltammetric detection (IVD) applied for detection of organosulfur compounds at Au electrodes in acidic media. In PAD waveforms, electrodes response is measured at a constant detection potentials. In IVD waveforms, electrodes current is integrated throughout a fast cyclic scan of the detection potential. As a consequence of this difference in detection strategy, the background signal for IVD is significantly smaller for PAD in the detection of organosulfur compounds whose response mechanisms require the concomitant formation of surface oxides on Au electrodes. Furthermore, in comparison to Pad, IVD has a larger sensitivity and a diminished system peak from 0₂ dissolved in the sample. Use of a preadsorption step increases detection sensitivity in both PAD and IVD. The limit of detection (S/N=3)for cysteine in LC-IVD is ca. 6 nM for a 50-μl injection (i.e., 300 fmol) using a detection waveform that includes a 1000-ms preadsorption period.     

Electroanalytical sensors for nonconducting media based on electrodes supported on perfluorinated ion-exchange membranes

Electroanalytical sensors, suitable for the analysis and monitoring of electroactive analytes present in gaseous phase or low-conductive liquid media, and based on electrodes in close contact with perfluorinated ion-exchange polymers are reviewed. The basic operative mechanism of these sensors, in which ion-exchange polymers act as solid polymer electrolytes (SPE's), is thoroughly discussed, while stressing the fundamental reasons why their behavior differs from that of conventional membrane electrodes. The procedures for preparing composite working electrodes by coating one side of ion-exchange membranes with stable porous films of conductive materials are described, along with the most common strategies followed to assemble this type of sensors. Useful examples of measurements in electrolyte-free media of inorganic and organic electroactive species of interest mainly for environmental analysis are given. Future prospects for the development of these sensors are also discussed.     

纳米荧光小球标记在蛋白质微阵列检测中的应用研究

研究了不经分离、一次性制备氨基化联吡啶钌掺杂的双层二氧化硅纳米小球的方法。实验证明该纳米小球尺寸均匀,光稳定性、水溶性好,分散稳定。通过简单的偶联反应后,它能有效的和蛋白质结合,结合后的蛋白能保持其生物活性。以此纳米荧光小球为标记物,应用于蛋白质微阵列的定量检测,结果发现其效果明显优于相同条件下以异硫氰酸荧光素(FITC)为标记物的定量结果,检出限可以达到3.5 mg/L。     

Voltammetric Behavior of Osmium‐Labeled DNA at Mercury Meniscus‐Modified Solid Amalgam Electrodes. Detecting DNA Hybridization

The complex of osmium tetroxide with 2,2′‐bipyridine has been utilized as a probe of DNA structure and an electroactive marker of DNA in DNA hybridization sensors. It produces several voltammetric signals, the most negative of them has been observed only at mercury electrodes. This signal is of catalytic nature affording a high sensitivity of DNA determination. The catalytic current due to evolution of hydrogen in voltammetry of DNA modified by complex of osmium tetroxide with 2,2′‐bipyridine (DNA‐Os,bipy) was studied. Solid amalgam electrodes (modified with mercury menisci) of silver (m‐AgSAE), copper (m‐CuSAE), gold, and of combined bismuth and silver, were used as possible substitutes for mercury electrodes. Besides the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), the catalytic current was observed only on m‐AgSAE and m‐CuSAE. Electrodes of gold and bismuth amalgams did not give the catalytic current. The detection limit of DNA‐Os,bipy on HMDE was 0.1 ng mL^?1 (RSD=2.3 %, N=11), and on m‐AgSAE 0.2 ng mL^?1 (RSD=3.1%, N=11). The m‐AgSAE was successfully applied as a detection electrode in double‐surface DNA hybridization experiments offering highly specific discrimination between complementary (target) and nonspecific DNAs, as well as determination of the length of a repetitive DNA sequence. The m‐AgSAE has proved a convenient alternative to the HMDE or carbon electrodes used for similar purposes in previous work.     

Stripping Voltammetry of Mercury(II) with a Chemically Modified Carbon Paste Electrode Containing Silica Gel Functionalized with 2,5‐Dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole

The accumulation voltammetry of mercury(II) was investigated at a carbon paste electrode chemically modified with silica gel functionalized with 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole (DTTPSG‐CPE). The repetitive cyclic voltammogram of mercury(II) solution in the potential range ?0.2 to +0.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), (0.02 mol L^?1 KNO₃ ; v=20 mV s^?1) show two peaks one at about 0.0 V and other at 0.31 V. However, the cathodic wave peak, around 0.0 V, is irregular and changes its form in each cycle. This peak at about 0.0 V is the reduction current for mercury(II) accumulated in the DTTPSG‐CPE. The anodic wave peak at 0.31 V is well‐defined and does not change during the cycles. The resultant material was characterized by cyclic and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry performed with the electrode in differents supporting electrolytes. The mercury response was evaluated with respect to pH, electrode composition, preconcentration time, mercury concentration, “cleaning” solution, possible interferences and other variables. The precision for six determinations (n=6) of 0.05 and 0.20 mg L^?1 Hg(II) was 2.8 and 2.2% (relative standard deviation), respectively. The method was satisfactory and used to determine the concentration of mercury(II) in natural waters contaminated by this metal.     

Elimination of SAS Interferences in Catalytic Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Cr(VI) by Means of Fumed Silica

In the work the procedure of chromium(VI) determination by catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (CAdSV) with application of fumed silica, is presented. Two variants of the method are proposed: in the first fumed silica is put directly to the electrolytic cell containing tested solution, in the second the silica is shaken with the sample and next centrifuged. The effectiveness of many surface‐active substances removal from synthetic solutions as well as natural water samples, is studied. In the experiments the fumed silica (Sigma‐Aldrich) of the specific surface area in the range 200–390 m² g^?1 was used. Two types of the working electrodes were applied, i.e., hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) and cyclic renewable mercury film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE). In the silica presence i) the relative standard deviation (RSD) for 0.1 μg L^?1 Cr(VI) is <2% (HMDE) and <5% (Hg(Ag)FE), n=7, ii) the detection limits estimated deposition time 20 s were respectively 14 ng L^?1 (HMDE) and 22 ng L^?1 (Hg(Ag)FE). The accuracy of the method was tested by studying the recovery of Cr(VI) from spiked natural water samples.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine at cobalt hexacyanoferrate- modified glassy carbon, Pt and Au electrodes

The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine has been studied on glassy carbon, Pt and Au electrodes modified by cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF) using cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc techniques. It has been shown that the oxidation of hydrazine to nitrogen occurs at the potential coinciding with that of Co(II) to Co(III) transformation in a CoHCF film, where no oxidation signal is observed at a bare glassy carbon electrode. A Tafel plot, derived from RDE voltammograms, exhibits a slope of 150 mV, indicating a one-electron charge transfer process to be the rate-limiting step. The electrocatalytic efficiency of the modified electrode towards hydrazine oxidation depends on solution pH, and the optimum range was found to be located between pH 5 and pH 7. The kinetic behaviour and location of the electrocatalytic process were examined using the W.J. Albery diagnosis table, and it was concluded that the reaction has either a “surface” or a “layer” reaction mechanism. Pt- and Au-CoHCF-modified electrodes show no significant electrocatalytic activity towards hydrazine oxidation. Received: 25 April 1997 / Accepted: 12 August 1997     

Phosphate-selective electrodes containing immobilised ionophores

Phosphate selective electrodes have been produced based upon rubbery membranes containing heterocylic macrocycles as sensors covalently bound to a cross-linked polystyrene-block–polybutadiene-block–polystyrene (SBS) polymer. The membranes were robust and the best HPO₄²⁻-selective membrane fabricated was composed of 7.1% (m/m) dicumyl peroxide, 28.3% (m/m) 2-nitrophenyloctylether, 9.8% (m/m) 3-(10-undecenyl)-1,5,8-triazacyclodecane-2,4-dione, 31.0% (m/m) SBS and 23.8% (m/m) PoleStar™ 200R (clay-based filler). The characteristics of this electrode were a linear Nernstian range of 3.9×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻ with a limit of detection of 1.0×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻, a slope of −29.7±0.9 mV per activity decade and a pH range from 6 to 8. Selectivity coefficients for phosphate against various interfering anions (chloride, sulfate and nitrate) were determined. Response times were 2 min or under, stability of response and electrode lifetime in continuous use were also very satisfactory. The response behavior of HPO₄²⁻-ISEs based upon mobile and bound ionophores was comparable and suggests that mobility of the ionophore is not necessary to obtain a working ISE and that covalent binding of ionophores can be used to produce ISEs of increased stability and robustness.     

Computer simulation of electron transfer processes across the electrode|electrolyte interface: a treatment of solvent and electrode polarizability

A polarizable molecular dynamics model for adiabatic electron transfer across the electrode|electrolyte interface is presented. The electronic polarizability of the water and of the metal electrode is accounted for by a dynamical fluctuating charge algorithm, image charges, and the Ewald summation adapted for a conducting interface. The effects of the solvent electronic polarizability are studied by computing the diabatic and adiabatic free energy curves for both polarizable and non-polarizable water models. This represents the first effort to compute the adiabatic free energy curves from simulation for a fully polarizable electrochemical system.