Selective penetration of liquid-phase organic probe molecules into SAM of 2-mercapto-3-n-octylthiophene

An inherently disorganized self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 2-mercapto-3-n-octylthiophene (MOT) has been formed on a gold bead electrode from its dilute ethanolic solution. The disorganization of the monolayer is attributed to the loose packing of the aliphatic chains of the MOT adsorbates, which results from a large difference in dimension/or cross-sectional area between the head (thiophene thiolate) and the tail (alkane chain) groups. Electrochemical measurements including ac impedance spectroscopy and metal underpotential deposition have shown that the monolayer is almost pinhole free. However, the MOT SAM can be penetrated by an organic probe molecule with affinity for the alkane chain part of the monolayer. Some typical probe molecules with different size and hydrophilicity have been employed to assess the permselectivity of the monolayer. Measurement results demonstrate that the ability of the employed probe molecules to penetrate into the monoalyer is mainly dominated by their hydrophilicity/or hydrophobicity. The results presented here suggest the potential application of MOT monoalyer to effectively modify the electrode surface for several research areas such as electrochemical sensors, electrocatalysis, electroanalysis, and supported hybrid bilayer membranes.

Novel tris(2,2-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) cathodic electrochemiluminescence in aqueous solution at a glassy carbon electrode

A novel approach of generating cathodic electrochemiluminescence lof Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) at -0.4 V triggered by reactive oxygen species is reported for detecting alkylamines and some organic acids.

Oxadiazole-containing material with intense blue phosphorescence emission for organic light-emitting diodes

2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole (HOXD), characteristic of excited state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT), was synthesized and found to emit strong blue phosphorescence in the solid state at room temperature and at low temperature (77 K). The photoluminescent spectrum measurement in solution showed that there are two kinds of emission: fluorescence originated from the singlet state and phosphorescence derived from the triplet state in HOXD formed by ESIPT. For the photoluminescent spectrum in the solid state, only phosphorescence emission with the lifetime of 66 mus was observed. Multiple-layer light-emitting diodes with the configuration of ITO/NPB/HOXD/BCP/Alq(3)/Mg:Ag were fabricated using HOXD as emitter and the maximum brightness of 656 cd/m(2) and the luminous efficiency of 0.14 lm/W was obtained.

Electrochemiluminescence of dichlorotris (1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium (II) with peroxydisulfate in purely aqueous solution at carbon paste electrode

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of dichlorotris (1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium (11) [Ru(phen)(3)(2+)] with peroxydisulfate (S2O82-) was first described. The use of carbon paste electrodes, organic solvent modified electrodes, allowed obtaining ECL in purely aqueous solution. The ECL produced by the reaction of electrogenerated C Ru(phen)(3)(2+) with the strongly oxidizing intermediate SO4-., was observed only when the applied potential was negative enough to reduce Ru(phen)(3)(2+). In comparison with Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)/S2O82- ECL, the Ru(phen)(3)(2+)/O-8(2-)/S2O82- ECL was more stable in aqueous solution. It was not affected by the storage of the carbon paste electrodes, and it quenched only at quite high S2O82- concentrations. The ECL intensity was a function of S2O82- concentration, increasing linearly with the S2O82- concentration from 5 X 10(-6) to 2 X 10(-3) mol l(-1), and dropping off sharply at S2O82- concentration higher than 20 mmol l(-1). The proposed ECL method with Ru(phen)(3)(2+) was sensitive and selective for the determination of S2O82-. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Matrix effects in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry by use of organic solvents

Matrix effects arising from ethanol, propanol, glycerol, acetic acid, ethylenediamine and triethanolamine in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry have been studied. Addition of ethanol, propanol, glycerol, acetic acid, ethylenediamine and triethanolamine into solution has an enhancement effect on the signal intensity of analyte with ionization potential between 9 and 11 eV. The ethylenediamine and triethanolamine have higher enhancement effect on the signal intensity of Hg than that of ethanol, propanol, glycerol and acetic acid. Addition of ethylenediamine and triethanolamine into solution has a suppression effect on the signal intensity of Ph and Sr. The mechanism of the enhancement or suppression was investigated. The signal enhancement of Hg in the presence of ethylenediamine and triethanolamine is not caused by improved degree of ionization of Hg and nebulization efficiency. The suppression effects of Ph and Sr in the presence of ethylenediamine and triethanolamine are due to decrease of atomization efficiency of these elements. A method for the determination of Hg in the biological standard samples Ly ICP-MS was developed.

Amperometric quantification of polar organic solvents based on a tyrosinase biosensor

A novel amperometric biosensor for quantification of the electrochemically inert polar organic solvents based on tyrosinase electrode was preliminarily reported. The biosensor was fabricated by simply syringing an aqueous solution of tyrosinase/PVAVP (PVAVP: copolymer of poly(vinyl alcohol) grafting with 4-vinylpyridine) onto glassy carbon electrode surface followed by drying the modified electrode at +4 degrees C in a refrigerator. The current generated from electrochemical reduction of quinone is a probe signal. The biosensor can be used for quantification of polar organic solvents, and its mechanism was characterized with in situ steady-state amperometry-quartz crystal microbalance experiments. The detection limit, sensitivity, and dynamic range for certain organic solvents are dependent on the kind and concentration of the substrate probe and the hydrophobicity of the immobilization matrix. The response time for all the tested organic solvents is less than 2 min.

Preparation, structures, and electrochemistry of a new polyoxometalate-based organic/inorganic film on carbon surfaces

The preparation, structure, and electrochemical and electrocatalytical properties of a new polyoxometalate-based organic/inorganic film, composed of cetyl pyridinum 11-molybdovanadoarsenate (CPMVA) molecules, have been studied. Cyclic potential scanning in acetone solution led to a stable CPMVA film formed on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry were used for characterizing the structure and properties of the CPMVA film. These studies indicated that self-aggregated clusters were formed on a freshly cleaved HOPG surface, while a self-organized monolayer was formed on the precathodized HOPG electrode. The CPMVA film exhibited reversible redox kinetics both in acidic aqueous and in acetone solution, which showed that it could be used as a catalyst even in organic phase. The CPMVA film remained stable even at pH > 7.0, and the pH dependence of the film was much smaller than that of its inorganic film (H4AsMo11VO40) in aqueous solution. The CPMVA film showed strong electrocatalysis on the reduction of bromate, and the catalytic currents were proportional to the square of the concentration of bromate. The new kind of polyoxometalate with good stability may have extensive promise in catalysis.

Functionalized inorganic-organic composite material derivated by sol-gel for construction of mediated amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor

A novel functionalized inorganic-organic hybrid material with cation exchange property was prepared by sol-gel method. The H2O2 biosensor was fabricated by simply dipping the horseradish peroxidase-containing functionalized membrane modified electrode into Meldola's blue (MDB) solution. MDB was adsorbed and firmly immobilized within the membrane. The electrochemical behavior of MDB incorporated in the membrane was more reversible compared with that of the solution species and suitable as mediator for the horseradish peroxidase. The response time was less than 25 s. Linear range is up to 0.6 mM (COH. coeff. 0.9998) with detection Limit of 9 x 10(-7) M. High sensitivity of 75 nA mu M cm(-2) was obtained due to high MDB-loading. The biosensor exhibited a good stability. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Potential-dependent adsorption/desorption of organic adsorbate at HOPG electrode and accompanying delamination of graphite surface

In situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, alternating current voltammetry, and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance have been employed to follow the potential-dependent adsorption/desorption processes of nucleic acid bases on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrode. The results show that (i) potential-dependent adsorption/desorption of nucleic acid bases on HOPG electrode was accompanied by delamination of the HOPG surface, and the delamination initiates from steps or kinks on the electrode surface, which provide highly active sites for adsorption; (ii) the delamination usually occurred when the electrode potential was changed or when the electrode was at potentials where the phase transition of adsorbate occurred. These results suggest that the surface stress resulting from the interaction between the substrate and adsorbate, as well as the interaction due to potential-induced surface charge distribution and the hysteresis of charge equilibrium are the main factors resulting in HOPG delamination. (C) 1999 The Electrochemical Society. S0013-4651(97)12-013-4. All rights reserved.

Study on the structure of hemoglobin in organic solvents by in situ STM

In situ STM has been used to study the structure of hemoglobin(Hb) in two kinds of organic media. In hydrophobic organic solvent such as carbon tetrachloride, the structure of Hb is almost the same as in aqueous solution, similar to its native structure. However, when in hydrophilic organic solvent such as dimethylformamide, the two dimers of Hb molecule become separate and unfold to a certain extent.

Organic acid doped polyaniline derivatives

Soluble poly (o-toluidine) (POT), poly(o-anisidine) (PAs) and poly (o-chloroaniline) (PCAn) were doped with camphorsulfonic acid (CSA). The conductivity and UV-Vis spectra of the CSA-doped POT, PAs and PCAn were studied. These properties were found to be dependent on the solvent used. The cast films from m-cresol solution exhibit more effective doping and higher conductivity.

ELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDATION OF REDUCED NICOTINAMIDE COENZYMES AT ORGANIC DYE-MODIFIED ELECTRODES

Chemically modified electrodes (CMEs) were prepared by adsorbing different dyes, including methylene blue (MB), toluidine blue (TB) and brilliant cresyl blue (BCB), onto glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) with anodic pretreatment. The electrochemical reactions of adsorbed dyes are fairly reversible at low coverages. The CMEs are more stable in acid solutions than in alkaline ones, which is mainly due to decomposition of the dyes in the latter media. They exhibit an excellent catalytic ability for the oxidation of nicotinamide coenzymes (NADH and NADPH). The formation of a charge transfer complex between the coenzyme and the adsorbed mediator has been demonstrated using a rotating disk electrode. The charge transfer complex decomposition is a slow step in the overall electrode reaction process. Some kinetic parameters are estimated. Dependence of the electrocatalytic activity of the CMEs on the solution pH is discussed.

Adsorption and Corrosion Inhibition Behavior of Mild Steel by One Derivative of Benzoic-Triazole in Acidic Solution

A newly synthesized benzoic-triazole derivative 3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid [1,2,4]triazol-l-ylmethyl ester (DBT) was investigated as a corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in 1 M HCl solution using weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, SEM, and EIS methods. The results revealed that DBT was an excellent inhibitor, and the inhibition efficiencies obtained from weight loss and electrochemical experiments were in good agreement. Using the potentiodynamic polarization technique, the inhibitor was proved to have a mixed-type character for mild steel by suppressing both anodic and cathodic reactions on the metal surface. The number of water molecules (X) replaced by a molecule of organic adsorbate was determined from the Flory-Huggins, Dhar-Flory-Huggins, and Bockris-Swinkels substitutional adsorption isotherms applied to the data obtained from the gravimetric experiments performed on a mild steel specimen in 1 M HCl solution at 298 K.

A column method for determination of soil organic partition coefficients of eight pesticides

A column method was developed to conveniently and reliably determine the soil organic partition coefficients (K-oc) of three insecticides (methiocarb, azinphos-methyl, fenthion), four fungicides (triadimenol, fuberidazole, tebuconazole, pencycuron), and one herbicide (atrazine), in which real soil acted as a stationary phase and the water solution of pesticide as an eluent. The processes of sorption equilibrium were directly shown through a breakthrough curve(BTC). The log K-oc values are 1.69, 1.95, 2.25, 2.55, 2.69, 2.67, 3.10, and 3.33 for atrazine, triadimenol, methiocarb, fuberidazole, azinphos-methyl, tebuconazole, fenthion and pencycuron, respectively.

Hybrid organic-inorganic phenyl monolithic column for capillary electrochromatography

A novel hybrid organic-inorganic silica-based monolithic column possessing phenyl ligands for reversed-phase (RP) capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is described. The monolithic stationary phase was prepared by in situ co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with phenyltriethoxysilane (PTES) via a two-step catalytic sol-gel procedure to introduce phenyl groups distributed throughout the silica matrix for chromatographic interaction. The hydrolysis and condensation reactions of precursors were chemically controlled through pH variation by adding hydrochloric acid and dodecylamine, respectively. The structural property of the monolithic column can be easily tailored through adjusting the composition of starting sol solution. The effect of PTES/TEOS ratios on the morphology of the created stationary phases was investigated. A variety of neutral and basic analytes were used to evaluate the column performance. The CEC columns exhibited typical RP chromatographic retention mechanism for neutral compounds and had improved peak shape for basic solutes.