Determination of hydroquinone in a square wave voltammetry procedure using a graphite-polyurethane composite electrode

In order to a better characterization of a graphite-polyurethane composite intended to be used as a voltammetric sensor, the performance in a square wave voltammetric procedure was investigated. Using hydroquinone (HQ) as a probe, the electrode showed to be useful in square wave voltammetry with limit of detection of 0.28 µmol L-1, with recoveries between 99.1 and 101.5%. The results of the proposed method agreed with HPLC ones within 95% confidence level.

Estudo eletroquímico e químico-quântico da oxidação do antidepressivo tricíclico amitriptilina

This work presents the electrochemical and quantum chemical studies of the oxidation of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline (AM) employing a carbon-polyurethane composite electrode (GPU) in a 0.1 mol L-1 BR buffer. The electrochemical results showed that the oxidation of AM occurs irreversibly at potentials close to 830 mV with the loss of one electron and one proton and is controlled by reagent and product adsorption. According to the PM3 results, the atom C16 is the region of highest probability for the oxidation of AM since it has the largest charge variation.

Eletrodo compósito à base de grafite-araldite®: aplicações didáticas

A composite electrode prepared by mixing a commercial epoxy resin Araldite® and graphite powder is proposed to be used in didactic experiments. The electrode is prepared by the students and applied in simple experiments to demonstrate the effect of the composite composition on the conductivity and the voltammetric response of the resulting electrode, as well as the response in relation to the scan rate dependence on mass transport. The possibility of using the composite electrode in quantitative analysis is also demonstrated.

Electrocatalysis in wastewater treatment: recent mechanism advances

Over 50 years, several scientists and industries have developed new alternatives for wastewater treatment and remediation. Recently, electrochemical technology has been largely developed mainly because of its versatility and environmental compatibility. Scientific contributions about role of the electrode material have allowed determining that the influence of material in the selectivity is an important parameter. However, to interpret this behavior, comprehensive physical chemistry models for organics destruction, related to electrochemical phenomena and material surfaces, were proposed in the last decades. So, this paper presents a critical and comprehensive review about the principles and recent mechanism advances in electrocatalysis for wastewater treatment.

Determinação de peróxido de hidrogênio em antisséptico bucal usando um microdispositivo contendo partículas de Azul da Prússia

A simple flow-injection amperometric procedure using a three-electrode-integrated sensor for the determination of H2O2 in antiseptic mouthwash is reported. This method involves the use of a working composite electrode modified with Prussian Blue (PB) particles that was easily adapted as detector in FIA. The best amperometric response was observed for a composite containing 30% of graphite modified with PB particles (GAP) and 70% of pure graphite (GR). The proposed method presents a linear response in the range of 10 to 200 μmol L-1. The detection and quantification limits were 0.8 and 2.6 μmol L-1, respectively.

Tratamento de resíduos de corante por eletrofloculação: um experimento para cursos de graduação em química

This paper describes the use of a simple experiment of electroflocculation for classroom in Chemistry. Parameters such as electrode material, current density and temperature direct influence the process efficiency. Due to the process low cost and efficient color removal, the methodology proposed has shown good potential for use in wastewater treatment. In addition, the proposed experiment allows discussion about environmental electrochemistry, introduction to concepts of water contamination by industry and university, and also about different alternatives in wastewater treatment used nowadays. Finally, the very easy operation make possible to easy adapt this experiment for high school and elementary school.

Eletrodo compósito à base de grafite-Araldite®: aplicações didáticas - parte II

This work proposes the use of a graphite-Araldite® 70% (graphite, m/m) composite electrode in didactic experiments, specifically in the quantitative determination of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) in a sample of pharmaceutical formulation. The goal is to demonstrate the possibility of using voltammetric techniques in quality control of medicines, besides covering some concepts such as the influence of pH on the redox process, the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique, the optimization of experiments and comparison with an official method described in the United States Pharmacopoeia.

Obtenção de um material adsorvente para íons de metais pesados, através da eletropolimerização de 2-mercaptobenzimidazol à superfície de carbono vítreo reticulado

Electrochemical methods applied to organic species transformation has been used as excellent synthesis tools. C-C bonds can be established, making possible polymer synthesis by both anodic and cathodic reactions of suitable monomer species at the working electrode surface. In this study, anodic procedure was used to electropolymerization of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole at reticulated glassy carbon (RGC) surface. 2-mercaptobenzimidazole presents ligand sites towards Hg2+, Ag+ and Cu2+ ions. The obtained material has been able to adsorb the above mentioned ions in aqueous solution.

Determinação de manganês em material particulado atmosférico de ambientes de trabalho utilizando eletrodo de diamante dopado com boro e voltametria de onda quadrada com redissolução catódica

A boron-doped diamond electrode is used for determination of Mn(II) in atmospheric particulate matter by square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry. The analytical curve was linear for Mn(II) concentrations between 5.0 and 37.5 µg L-1, with quantification limit of 3.6 µg L-1. The precision was evaluated by the relative standard deviation, with values between 5.1% and 9.3%. The electrode is free of adsorption, minimizing memory effects. Samples collected in the workplace atmosphere of a foundry had Mn(II) concentrations between 0.4 and 4 µg m-3. No significant differences were observed between the proposed method and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.

Propriedades redox da matéria orgânica isolada de material ultrafiltrado das águas do rio Paraíba do Sul

Previous studies indicated that free radicals control organic matter redox activities. In the present study, organic matter of an ultra-filtrated material collected from seven samples taken seasonally from the Paraiba do Sul River for two years were titrated with an oxidizer (I2) in an inert atmosphere. Standard formal potential values for the electrode MO Ox, MO Red ranged from 0.754 to 0.786 V at a 25 ºC temperature. Organic matter oxidation capacity (COx) per carbon mass varied according to pH values, and changes in COx were related to rainfall and river flow intensities.

Desenvolvimento, caracterização e aplicação eletroanalítica de um compósito fluido de adesivo epóxi, grafite e ciclo-hexanona

A fluid conducting composite material prepared from graphite powder, commercial epoxy resin Araldite®, and cyclohexanone has been developed. The composition was optimized considering the mechanical properties as conductivity and adhesiveness using response surface methodology. This work employed cyclic voltammetry and amperometry to investigate the characteristics of such composite electrodes without and with the insertion of Prussian blue in the electrode body (bulk modified electrode). The composite electrodes were also successfully used for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide at 0.0V vs Ag/AgCl.

Eletrodos positivos tubulares para baterias chumbo ácidas produzidas com material ativo nanométrico

Conventional stationary lead acid batteries positive tubular plates have a specific capacity of about 120 Ah/kg. This value represents an active material utilization coefficient of 50%. The production of these plates includes some initial processes to generate the active PbO2 from a precursor material. In the present work it will be presented a proper and novel methodology to assemble tubular plates directely with nanometric powder of PbO2 particles. The utilization coefficient of these plates was about 80%, and they were able to endure more than 130 severe duty cycles. This high utilization coefficient is a higly desirable feature for electric vehicles batteries.

Potentiometric determination of Nickel (II) ion using 2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene-N-cyanoacetohydrazone as electroactive material

A potentiometric Nickel sensor was prepared using 2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene-N-cyanoacetohydrazone as electro-active material and epoxy resin as a binding material. A membrane composed of 40% Schiff's base and 60% epoxy resin exhibited the best performance. The membrane showed excellent response in the concentration range of 0.15 ppm to 0.1 mol L- 1 Ni+2 ions with non-Nernstian slope of 22.0 mV/decade, had a rapid response time (less than 10 s), and can be used for three months without any considerable loss of potential. The sensor was useful within the pH range of 1.3 to 9.6, and was able to discriminate between Ni2+ and a large number of alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The practical utility of the sensor has been demonstrated by using it successfully as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Ni2+ with EDTA and oxalic acid.

SÍNTESE E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE COMPÓSITOS ORGÂNICO-INORGÂNICOS MACROPOROSOS PARA O SENSORIAMENTO DE H2O2

Electrodes modified with poly(5-amino-1-naphthol)/Prussian blue (poly(5-NH2-1-NAP)/PB) hybrid films are able to electrochemically reduce H2O2 in medium containing an excess of Na+ cations. This is an important advantage for biosensing applications over electrodes in which only conventionally (electro) deposited Prussian blue is present. Consequently, the aim of this work was to examine the application of templates of ordered arrays of colloidal poly(styrene) spheres (800, 450 and 100 nm in diameter) to produce inverse opal structures of poly(5-NH2-1-NAP)/PB hybrid platforms, in an effort to study the influence of the increase in surface area/volume ratio and higher exposition of the mediator active sites on material performance during H2O2 determination employing the different sized porous structures. Moreover, since the accentuated hydrophilic character of poly(5-NH2-1-NAP)/PB also allows H2O2 electrochemical reduction in inner active sites, issues concerning the amount of mediator electrodeposited on the electrode were also reflected in the observed results.

NOVEL SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL COMPOSITE BASED ON POLY(ACRYLAMIDE-CO-ACRYLATE)/NONTRONITE: CHARACTERIZATION AND SWELLING PERFORMANCE

A novel superabsorbent hydrogel (SH) composite based on a poly(acrylamide-co-acrylate) matrix filled with nontronite (NONT), a Fe(III)-rich member of the smectite group of clay minerals, is described in this manuscript. A variety of techniques, including FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM/EDX, were utilized to characterize this original composite. Experimental data confirmed the SH composite formation and suggested NONT was completely dispersed in the polymeric matrix. Additionally, NONT improved the water uptake capacity of the final material, which exhibited fast absorption, low sensitivity to the presence of salt, high water retention and a pH sensitive properties. These preliminary data showed that the original SH composite prepared here possesses highly attractive properties for applications in areas such as the agriculture field, particularly as a soil conditioner.