Toluidine blue modified self-assembled silica gel coated gold electrode as biosensor for NADH

A toluidine blue modified gold electrode was constructed using self-assembled silica gel technique. Firstly, toluidine blue was encapsulated within 3D network of silica self-assembly monolayer on the surface of gold electrode. Secondly, another layer of silica sol was further assembled to protect from leaching of mediator or possible contamination. The electrochemical characteristics of toluidine blue immobilized within self-assembled silica gel were studied in detail. The modified electrode was applied for electrochemical oxidation of NADH with satisfactory results.

Effect of properties of active carbon supports on performance of Pt/C catalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

The Pt/C catalysts were prepared with pine active carbon and Vulcan XC-72 active carbon as the supports. The performances of the Pt/C catalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell were compared. The result indicates that the performance of Pt/Vulcan XC-72 is better than that of Pt/pine. The physical and chemical properties of the two active carbons were measured using several analysis techniques. It was found that the pore size, specific conductivity and the surface function group significantly influence the performance of the electrocatalyst.

Carbon ceramic electrodes bulk-modified with nanoparticles of ferrocenebutyrate-intercalated Mg-Al layered double hydroxide

Ferrocenebutyrate-intercalated layered double hydroxide (FcLDH) was prepared by the coprecipitation method and characterized by PXRD, FTIR, TEM and elemental analysis. FcLDH nanoparticles in deionized water were deposited onto the surface of graphite powder to yield graphite powder-supported FcLDH, which was subsequently dispersed into methyltrimethoxysilane-derived gels to fabricate surface-renewable, stable, rigid carbon ceramic electrodes containing the electroactive ferrocenyl group. Cyclic voltammetric study revealed that peak currents of the FcLDH-modified electrode were diffusion-con trolled in 0.1 mol l(-1) KCl aqueous solution. In addition, the formal potential of the modified electrode is related to the activity of chloride ion with a Nernst slope of 56 mV per decade.

Carbon ceramic electrodes modified with sub-micron particles of new methylene blue (NMB) intercalated alpha-zirconium phosphate

New methylene blue-intercalated a-zirconium phosphate (NMBZrP) was synthesized in the presence of n-butylamine and characterized by powder XRD, FTIR, TEM and elemental analysis. Sub-micron particles of NMBZrP in deionized water were apt to deposit onto the surface of graphite powder to yield graphite powder-supported NMBZrP, which was subsequently dispersed into methyltrimethoxysilane-derived gels to fabricate surface-renewable, stable, rigid carbon ceramic electrodes containing new methylene blue. Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed that peak currents of the NMBZrP-modified electrode were surface-confined at low scan rates but diffusion-controlled. at high scan rates. In addition, NMBZrP immobilized in a carbon ceramic matrix presented a two-electron, three-proton redox process in acidic aqueous solution in the pH range from 0.52 to 3.95.

Sol-gel-derived alpha(2)-K7P2W17VO62/graphite/organoceramic composite as the electrode material for a renewable amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor

The conductive alpha (2)-K7P2W17VO62/graphite/organoceramic composite was prepared by dispersing alpha (2)-K7P2W17VO62 and graphite powder in a propyltrimethoxysilane-based sol-gel solution; it was used as the electrode material for an amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor. The modified electrode had a homogeneous mirror-like surface and showed well defined cyclic voltammograms. Square-wave voltammetry was employed to study the pH-dependent electrochemical behavior of c alpha (2)-K7P2W17VO62 doped in the graphite organoceramic matrix, and the experiment showed that both protons and sodium cations participated in the odor process. A hydrodynamic voltammetric experiment was performed to characterize the electrode as an amperometric sensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide. The sensor can be renewed easily in a repeatable manner by a mechanical polishing step and has a long operational lifetime. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

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.

Electrochemical synthesis of Ag nanoparticles on functional carbon surfaces

In this paper, we present a new method of fabricating metal nanoparticles on carbon substrates through molecular design. Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements show that the electrochemically synthesized Ag nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed on the modified highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface with a narrow particle size distribution. Moreover, the size and number density of Ag nanoparticles on the grafted HOPG surface can be easily changed through control of the experimental conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrocatalytic mechanism for formaldehyde oxidation on the highly dispersed gold microparticles and the surface characteristics of the electrode

Electrocatalytic mechanism for the electrochemical oxidation of formaldehyde (HCHO) on the highly dispersed Au microparticles electrodeposited on the surface of the glass carbon (GC) electrode in the alkaline Na2CO3/NaHCO3 solution and the surface characteristics of the Au microparticle-modified glass carbon (Au/GC) electrode were studied with in situ FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the final products of HCHO oxidation is HCOO- at the Au/GC electrode and CO2 at the bulk Au electrode. The difference may be ascribed to the different surface characteristics between the Au/GC electrode and the bulk Au electrode. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

End-column amperometric detection of 5-fluorouracil by capillary zone electrophoresis with a carbon fiber microelectrode

A rapid and sensitive detection method for the determination of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) in real samples such as human urine and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was described. A carbon fiber microdisk electrode was used to perform end-column amperometric detection in capillary zone electrophoresis. The detection limit was as low as 2.5x10(-7) M and the wider linear range for the concentration was between 5x10(-6) and 1x10(-4) M with a correlation coefficient of 0.995.

Determination of isoniazid and hydrazine by capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection at a Pt-particle modified carbon fiber microelectrode

Capillary electrophoresis (CE)/electrochemical detection (EC) for the simultaneous determination of hydrazine and isoniazid has been developed. The electrochemical method uses a novel modified electrode dispersed with ultrafine platinum particles on the surface of a 30 mu m carbon fiber microelectrode. The unique characteristic of the Pt-particles modified carbon fiber microelectrode is its excellent stability. The current measurement for hydrazine is more sensitive than that of isoniazid. Selective determination of trace amount of free hydrazine in isoniazid and its formulation can be achieved at applied potential of 0.5 V.

Orientation and electrocatalysis of riboflavin adsorbed on carbon substrate surfaces

Based on scanning tunnelling microscopy and electrochemical measurements, orientation and electrocatalytic function of riboflavin adsorbed on carbon substrates have been described for the first time. Scanning tunnelling micrographs show clearly that tip induction may result in an orientation change of the adsorbed riboflavin molecule on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite from the initially vertical orientation to the stable flat form. The adsorbed riboflavin as an effective mediator can accelerate the reduction of dioxygen which accepts two electrons from the reduced riboflavin to generate hydrogen peroxide. The rate constants of the electrocatalytic reaction in various pH solutions were determined using a rotating disc electrode modified with riboflavin. The pH effect and possible catalytic mechanism are discussed in detail.

Electrochemical study of isopoly- and heteropoly-oxometallates film modified microelectrodes .6. Preparation and redox properties of 12-molybdophosphoric acid and 12-molybdosilicic acid modified carbon fiber microelectrodes

The redox behaviours of 12-molybdophosphoric acid (12-MPA) and 12-molybdosilicic acid (12-MSA) in aqueous acid media are characterized at the carbon fiber (CF) microelectrode. The preparation of CF microelectrode modified with 12-MPA or 12-MSA monolayer and the oxidation-reduction properties of the modified electrode in aqueous acid media or 50% (v/v) water-organic media containing some inorganic acids are studied by cyclic voltammetry. 12-MPA or 12-MSA monolayer modified CF microelectrode with high stability and redox reversibility in aqueous acidic media can be prepared by simple dip coating. The cyclic voltammograms of 12-MPA and 12-MSA and their modified CF microelectrodes in aqueous acid solution exhibit three two-electron reversible waves with the same half-wave potentials, which defines that the species adsorbed on the CF electrode surface are 12-MPA and 12-MSA themselves. The acidity of electrolyte solution, the organic solvents in the electrolyte solution, and the scanning potential range strongly influence on the redox behaviours and stability of 12-MPA or 12-MSA monolayer modified electrodes. On the other hand, the catalytic effects of the 12-MPA and 12-MSA and chlorate anions in aqueous acidic solution on the electrode reaction processes of 12-MPA or 12-MSA are described.

VOLTAMMETRY OF CYTOCHROME-C ENTRAPPED IN HYDROGEL MEMBRANE ON GRAPHITE ELECTRODE

The voltammetric behavior of cytochrome c entrapped in hydrogel membranes at paraffin wax-impregnated spectroscopic graphite electrodes (WISGE) was studied in this paper. A pair of well-defined peaks appeared at +70 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl). Beside these two peaks, another pair of peaks emerged at around +225 mV. Further investigations suggested that at least three states of cytochrome c existed in the membranes due to the special structure of the hydrogel. The native conformation of cytochrome c molecules was stabilized by the hydrophilic environment that was formed by the hydroxyl structure of the membranes and facilitated the cytochrome c electron transfer reaction at +70 mV. The molecules directly adsorbed on the surface of the graphite electrode were responsible for the redox peaks at around +225 mV. Whether the adsorption peaks were detectable or not was related to the thickness of membranes and the pre-retaining time before the formation of membranes.

DETERMINATION OF HYDRAZINES BY CAPILLARY ZONE ELECTROPHORESIS WITH AMPEROMETRIC DETECTION AT A PLATINUM PARTICLE-MODIFIED CARBON-FIBER MICROELECTRODE

A novel modified electrode dispersed with ultrafine platinum particles on the surface of a 30-mu m carbon fibre microelectrode was investigated as an amperometric detector in capillary zone electrophoresis (CEEC) for determining hydrazines. The unique cha

ELECTROCHEMICAL STUDY OF ISOPOLY-OXOMETALLATES AND HETEROPOLY-OXOMETALLATES FILM MODIFIED MICROELECTRODES .3. FURTHER STUDY OF ELECTRODE PROCESS OF ISOPOLYMOLYBDIC ANION DOPED IN POLYANILINE FILM

The isopolymolybdic anion-polyaniline film modified carbon fiber (CF) microelectrode with high stability and electroactivity in aqueous acid solution has been successfully prepared by cycling the potential between -0.15 V and +0.85 V vs. sce at 100 mV s-1 or applying constant potential (+0.85 V) for electropolymerization in a 0.5 M H2SO4 solution containing 5.0 x 10(-2) M aniline and 5.0 x 10(-3) M H4Mo8O26. The electrochemical behaviour of the isopolymolybdic anion entrapped in the polyaniline film is strongly influenced by the sweep-potential range besides the acidity of electrolyte solution. In some acidic electrolyte solution (eg 0.5 M H2SO4), the change of the sweep-potential range causes the structure alternation of the isopolymolybdic anion and resulting in a new electrode process. The cyclic voltammogram of Mo8O264- in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution exhibits three two-electron reversible waves between +0.70 and -0.20 V. However, when the potential sweeps to the lower-limit of -0.3 V, where the fourth four-electron cathodic wave appears, the redoxidation process of the reduction product of Mo8O264- becomes relatively complicated. The 10-electron reduction product seems to change into other isopolyanion (this unknown structure isopolyanions are simply called [Mo-O]), which can be reoxidized to Mo8O264- by five successive two-electron oxidation steps from -0.30 to +0.70 V. However, when the lower-limit of the cycling potential is maintained at -0.30 V and the upper-limit reduces to +0.40 V from +0.70 V, the [Mo-O] in the film exhibits four two-electron reversible waves. We have presented a novel explanation about its electrode reaction mechanism on the basis of our experimental results.