Octacyanomolybdate-doped-poly(4-vinylpyridine) ionomer film electrode for the electrocatalytic oxidation of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-ascorbic acid

Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP)-based anion exchange polymers are not studied as much as cation exchange polymers Nafion and Eastman Kodak AQ for electroanalytical applications. Similarly, octacyanomolybdate Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻] has not been studied much as a redox mediator. This communication presents results from examinations of the behaviour of Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻-doped PVP ionomer film electrode to highlight the opportunities for realization of the application of this composite electrode for l-ascorbic acid (AH₂) estimation via electrocatalytic mediation in acidic medium. The modified electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode voltammetry. PVP coatings possess strong anion-binding capacity for Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻ mediator with an extraction coefficient of 990, and electrostatically cross-linked PVP films offer insignificant resistance to permeation of AH₂, facilitating a cross-exchange reaction between the substrate and the mediator in the entire film volume. They show effective electrocatalytic oxidation of AH₂, with the oxidation potential of AH₂ decreased by ∼200 mV in overpotential compared to that at bare electrode. Mo(CN)₈ ⁴⁻/PVP composite electrode does not respond to the more common interferents of l-ascorbic acid estimation even at high positive potentials. These and several other attractive potentialities of the modified electrode are demonstrated by direct determination of AH₂ in a commercial vitamin C tablet without any special treatment, with the value closely agreeing (±0.75%) with the reference method.