Electrochemical investigation of the dimeric oxo-bridged ruthenium complex in aqueous solution and its incorporation within a cation-exchange polymeric film on the electrode surface for electrocatalytic activity of hydrogen peroxide oxidation

Electrochemical behavior of oxo-bridged dinuclear ruthenium(III) complex ([(bpy)2(H₂O)Ru^III-O-Ru^III(H₂O)(bpy)2]⁴⁺) has been studied in aqueous solution (KCl 0.5 mol L⁻¹) by both cyclic and rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry in order to identify and elucidate the reaction mechanism. Modified electrode containing the oxo-bridged ruthenium complex incorporated into a cation-exchange polymeric film deposited onto platinum electrode surface was studied. Cyclic voltammetry at the modified electrode in KCl solution showed a single-electron reduction/oxidation of the couple Ru^III-O-Ru^III/Ru^III-O-Ru^IV. The modified electrode exhibited electrocatalytic property toward hydrogen peroxide oxidation in KCl solution with a decrease of the overpotential of 340 mV compared with the platinum electrode. The Tafel plot analyses have been used to elucidate the kinetics and mechanism of the hydrogen peroxide oxidation. The first at low overpotential region there is no significant change in the Tafel slope (∼0.130 V dec⁻¹) with varying peroxide concentration. The second region at higher overpotential the slope values (0.91–0.47 V dec⁻¹) were depended on the peroxide concentration. The apparent reaction order for H₂O₂ varies from 0.16 to 0.50 in function of the applied potential. The apparent reaction order (at constant potential) with respect to H⁺ concentration of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ was 0.25. A plot of the anodic current vs. the H₂O₂ concentration for chronoamperometry (potential fixed = +0.61 V) at the modified electrode was linear in the 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ concentration range.     

Amperometric bienzyme glucose biosensor based on carbon nanotube modified electrode with electropolymerized poly(toluidine blue O) film

The amperometric bienzyme glucose biosensor utilizing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized in poly(toluidine blue O) (PTBO) film was constructed on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) modified glassy carbon electrode. The HRP layer could be used to analyze hydrogen peroxide with toluidine blue O (TBO) mediators, while the bienzyme system (HRP + GOx) could be utilized for glucose determination. Glucose underwent biocatalytic oxidation by GOx in the presence of oxygen to yield H₂O₂ which was further reduced by HRP at the MWNT-modified electrode with TBO mediators. In the absence of oxygen, glucose oxidation proceeded with electron transfer between GOx and the electrode mediated by TBO moieties without H₂O₂ production. The bienzyme electrode offered high sensitivity for amperometric determination of glucose at low potential, displaying Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The bienzyme glucose biosensor displayed linear response from 0.1 to 1.2 mM with a sensitivity of 113 mA M⁻¹ cm⁻² at an applied potential of −0.10 V in air-saturated electrolytes.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotube-supported tungsten oxide-containing multifunctional hybrid electrocatalytic system for oxygen reduction in acid medium

Combination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, cobalt porphyrin and tungsten oxide in the film (deposited onto glassy carbon electrode substrate) produces an electrocatalytic system capable of effective reduction of oxygen in such acid medium as 0.5 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄.Co-existence of cobalt porphyrin and tungsten oxide, together with dispersed carbon nanotubes, leads to the enhancement effect evident from some positive shift in the oxygen reduction voltammetric potential and the significant increase of voltammetric currents (relative to those characteristic of the system free of carbon nanotubes and WO₃). The multi-component electrocatalytic film has also exhibited relatively higher activity towards reduction of hydrogen peroxide. It is reasonable to expect that the reduction of oxygen is initiated at the cobalt porphyrin redox centers, and the undesirable hydrogen peroxide intermediate is further reduced at the tungsten oxide support. An important function of carbon nanotubes is to improve transport of electrons within the electrocatalytic multi-component film.     

Effect of temperature-controlled poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) on morphology of self-assembled Prussian Blue electrode and its high detection sensitivity of hydrogen peroxide

Based on positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) layer providing nucleation sites for the growth of PB via self-assemble process, regular Prussian Blue (PB) nanocubes was obtained on the Pt electrode by simply adjusting adsorption temperatures of PDDA. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was applied to study the coverage and electrical resistance of PDDA on the electrode with different adsorbed temperatures. The evolutions of PB morphology with temperature-controlled PDDA were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Investigation on the electrochemical property of the modified electrodes was also carried out using Chronoamperometry. Control of temperature could optimize the charge density distribution of PDDA on electrode and further construct the regular growth of PB crystal. At the PDDA adsorbed temperature of 30 °C, the as-fabricated PB modified electrode showed an excellent sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide response of about 1179.6 mA M⁻¹ cm⁻², a rapid response time within 2 s, and a wide linear range up to 600 μM H₂O₂. In addition, the sensor exhibited good reproducibility and stability.     

A hydrogen peroxide sensor based on a horseradish peroxidase/polyaniline/carboxy-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube modified gold electrode

We have developed a polyaniline/carboxy-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (PAn/MWCNTCOOH) nanocomposite by blending the emeraldine base form of polyaniline (PAn) and carboxy-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in dried dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at room temperature. The conductivity of the resulting PAn/MWCNTCOOH was 3.6 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, mainly as a result of the protonation of the PAn with the carboxyl group and the radical cations of the MWCNT fragments. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized within the PAn/MWCNTCOOH nanocomposite modified Au (PAn/MWCNTCOOH/Au) electrode to form HRP/PAn/MWCNTCOOH/Au for use as a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor. The adsorption between the negatively charged PAn/MWCNTCOOH nanocomposite and the positively charged HRP resulted in a very good sensitivity to H₂O₂ and an increased electrochemically catalytical current during cyclic voltammetry. The HRP/PAn/MWCNTCOOH/Au electrode exhibited a broad linear response range for H₂O₂ concentrations (86 μM–10 mM). This sensor exhibited good sensitivity (194.9 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²), a fast response time (2.9 s), and good reproducibility and stability at an applied potential of −0.35 V. The construction of the enzymatic sensor demonstrated the potential application of PAn/MWCNTCOOH nanocomposites for the detection of H₂O₂ with high performance and excellent stability.     

A new amperometric glucose biosensor based on platinum nanoparticles/polymerized ionic liquid-carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

A new amperometric glucose biosensor has been developed based on platinum (Pt) nanoparticles/polymerized ionic liquid-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites (PtNPs/PIL-CNTs). The CNTs was functionalized with polymerized ionic liquid (PIL) through directly polymerization of the ionic liquid, 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([VEIM]BF₄), on carbon nanotubes and then used as the support for the highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles. The electrochemical performance of the PtNPs/PIL-CNTs modified glassy carbon (PtNPs/PIL-CNTs/GC) electrode has been investigated by typical electrochemical methods. The PtNPs/PIL-CNTs/GC electrode shows high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. Taking glucose oxidase (GOD) as the model, the resulting amperometric glucose biosensor shows good analytical characteristics, such as a high sensitivity (28.28 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²), wide linear range (up to 12 mM) and low detection limit (10 μM).     

Graphene nanosheets-tungsten oxides composite for supercapacitor electrode

Graphene nanosheets-tungsten oxides (tungsten oxide/tungsten oxide hydrate mixture) (GNS-W) composite was successfully synthesized using a facile approach. WO₃/WO₃·H₂O mixtures were deposited on the graphene nanosheets (GNS) to form the GNS-W composite. The GNS-W composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The as-prepared GNS-W composite was directly fabricated into a supercapacitor electrode for potential energy storage application, and electrochemically tested by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The GNS-W composite electrode exhibits a better electrochemical performance than that of the WO₃/WO₃·H₂O mixtures electrode. A high specific capacitance of about 143.6 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹ for the GNS-W composite delivers significant improvement than that for the WO₃/WO₃·H₂O mixtures and GNS electrodes. The impedance studies also suggest that the GNS-W composite electrode shows the lower resistance and high conductivity due to the good interaction between the graphene nanosheets and the WO₃/WO₃·H₂O mixtures. The good electrochemical performance for the GNS-W composite may be attributed to the interaction between the WO₃/WO₃·H₂O mixtures and the edges of graphene nanosheets, which increases the ion diffusion rate as well as the conductivity.     

Electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen peroxide at a bromine adatom-modified gold electrode in alkaline media

Bromine (Br)-adatom (Br_(ads)) was in situ fabricated onto polycrystalline gold (Au (poly)) electrode in Br⁻-containing alkaline media. The surface coverage of Br_(ads) (Γ_Br) varied only in the submonolayer coverage within the investigated potential window under potentiodynamic condition because of the coadsorption of hydroxyl ion (OH⁻) in alkaline media. The in situ fabricated Br_(ads)-submonolayer-coated Au (poly) electrode was successfully used for the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). About five times higher oxidation current was achieved at the modified electrode as compared with the bare electrode. The enhancement of the electrode activity towards the electrochemical oxidation of H₂O₂ was explained based on the enhanced electrostatic attraction between the anionic HO₂⁻ molecules and Br_(ads)-adlayer-induced positively polarized Au (poly) electrode surface.     

Electrochemical sensing based on graphene oxide/Prussian blue hybrid film modified electrode

A novel graphene oxide (GO)/Prussian blue (PB) hybrid film was constructed by electropolymerizing Prussian blue onto the GO modified glassy carbon electrode, and its electrochemical behaviors were studied. Raman spectra were used to investigate the successful formation of the GO/PB hybrid film. Electrochemical experiments showed that the graphene oxide greatly enhanced electrochemical reactivity of the PB. Moreover, a much higher Prussian blue (PB) loading (6.388 × 10⁻⁸ mol cm⁻²) is obtained as compared to the bare glass carbon surface (3.204 × 10⁻⁹ mol cm⁻²). The GO/PB hybrid film modified electrode was used for the sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide. The sensor exhibited a wide linearity range from 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.2 × 10⁻³ M with a detection limit of 1.22 × 10⁻⁷ M (S/N = 3), high sensitivity of 408.7 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² and good reproducibility. Furthermore, with glucose oxidase (GOD) as a model, the GO/PB/GOD/chitosan composite-modified electrode was also constructed.The resulting biosensor exhibited good amperometric response to glucose with linear range from 0.1 to 13.5 mM at 0.1 V, good reproducibility and detection limit of 3.43 × 10⁻⁷ M (S/N = 3). In addition, the biosensor presented high selectivity and long-term stability. Therefore, the PB/GO hybrid films-based modified electrode may hold great promise for electrochemical sensing and biosensing applications.     

Electrochromic WO3−x films with reduced lattice deformation stress and fast response time

Electrochromic properties of electrochemically deposited and etched (EDE) WO_3−x films have been investigated using voltammetry and nanogravimetry to elucidate the amount of residual stress associated with lattice polarization and deformation in WO_3−x nanoparticles. The cathodic WO_3−x deposition from pertungstic acid solution and unusual properties of the cathodic electroetching of the oxide in tetraethyl ammonium chloride solution are reported and elucidated on the basis of Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Nanogravimetry (EQCN) measurements. The stress enhanced resonant frequency shift was observed upon WO_3−x film coloration. However, the stress enhancement appeared to be much lower (up to 4-6 times) than that measured for films synthesized by other methods. The stress reduction in WO_3−x films under study has been attributed to the stress relaxing propensity of EDE film to suppress the compressive stress wave. A considerable isotopic effect has been observed in nanogravimetry of the H⁺ and D⁺ ion intercalation into WO_3−x films. We have found that the isotopic effect is primarily due to the true mass loading difference between hydrogen and deuterium ions, for the same concentration of color centers (2.65 × 10²¹ cm⁻³), since EQCN frequency shifts associated with stress in the film for H⁺ and D⁺ are very close to each other.     

Hydrogen peroxide determination by carbon ceramic electrodes modified with pyrocatechol violet

A pyrocatechol violet (PCV) modified carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) prepared by sol-gel technique was reported for the first time in this paper. By immersing the CCE in aqueous solution of PCV for only a short time, a thin film of PCV was rapidly formed on the surface of the electrode because of strong adsorption of PCV. The resulting modified electrode exhibit a well-defined redox couple attributed to reduction and oxidation of quinine-hydroquinone functionalities. The PCV-modified CCE exhibited catalytic activity toward the electro-reduction of hydrogen peroxide, with the sensitivity of 11.2 nA μM⁻¹ and the response time was less than 3 s. In addition, the PCV-modified CCE exhibited a distinct advantage of simple preparation, surface renewal, good stability and reproducibility.     

A novel non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor based on single walled carbon nanotubes–manganese complex modified glassy carbon electrode

A simple procedure was developed to prepare a glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and phenazine derivative of Mn-complex. With immersing the GC/CNTs modified electrode into Mn-complex solution for a short period of time 20–100 s, a stable thin layer of the complex was immobilized onto electrode surface. Modified electrode showed a well defined redox couples at wide pH range (1–12). The surface coverages and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (k_s) of immobilized Mn-complex were approximately 1.58 × 10⁻¹⁰ mole cm⁻² and 48.84 s⁻¹. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward H₂O₂ reduction. Detection limit, sensitivity, linear concentration range and k_cat for H₂O₂ were, 0.2 μM and 692 nA μM⁻¹ cm⁻², 1 μM to 1.5 mM and 7.96(±0.2) × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. Compared to other modified electrodes, this electrode has many advantageous such as remarkable catalytic activity, good reproducibility, simple preparation procedure and long term stability.     

Development of a new biosensor for mediatorless voltammetric determination of hydrogen peroxide and its application in milk samples

A new biosensor for the voltammetric detection of hydrogen peroxide was developed based on immobilization of catalase on a clinoptilolite modified carbon paste electrode using bovine serum albumin and glutaraldehyde. The biosensor response was evaluated according to electrode composition, reaction time, solution pH and temperature. The voltammetric signals were linearly in proportion to H₂O₂ concentration in the range 5.0 × 10⁻⁶–1.0 × 10⁻³ M with a correlation coefficient of 0.9975. The detection limit is 8.0 × 10⁻⁷ M and the relative standard deviation for 4.0 × 10⁻⁴ M hydrogen peroxide was 1.83% (n = 6). The biosensor exhibited high sensitivity, and it was determined that it could be used for more than 2 months. In addition, the biosensor was successfully applied for the determination of hydrogen peroxide in milk samples.     

Passivity and passivity breakdown of a zinc electrode in aerated neutral sodium nitrate solutions

The passivation and pitting corrosion behaviour of a zinc electrode in aerated neutral sodium nitrate solutions was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry techniques, complemented by ex situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) examinations of the electrode surface. Measurements were conducted under different experimental conditions. The potentiodynamic anodic polarization curves do not exhibit active dissolution region due to spontaneous passivation. The passivity is due to the presence of thin film of ZnO on the anode surface. The passive region is followed by pitting corrosion as a result of breakdown of the passive film. SEM images confirmed the existence of pits on the electrode surface. The breakdown potential decreases with an increase in NO₃⁻ concentration and temperature, but increases with increasing potential scan rate. Addition of SO₄²⁻ ions to the nitrate solution accelerates pitting corrosion, while addition of WO₄²⁻ and MoO₄²⁻ ions inhibits pitting corrosion. The chronopotentiometry measurements show that the incubation time for pitting initiation decreases with increasing NO₃⁻ concentration, temperature and applied anodic current density. Addition of SO₄²⁻ ions decreases the rate of passive film growth and the incubation time, while the reverse changes produced by addition of either WO₄²⁻ or MoO₄²⁻ ions.     

Electrochemical biosensors utilizing the electron transfer of hemoglobin immobilized on cobalt-substituted ferrite nanoparticles–chitosan film

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (Co_xFe_3−xO₄) and chitosan (CS) film were used to immobilize/adsorb hemoglobin (Hb) to create a protein electrode to study the direct electron transfer between the redox centers of the proteins and the electrode. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the Co_xFe_3−xO₄ particles were nanoscale in size and formed an ordered layered structure. The native structure of the immobilized Hb was preserved as indicated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The Hb-Co_xFe_3−xO₄–CS modified electrode showed a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks at −0.373 V (vs. SCE) and exhibited appreciable electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂. The catalysis currents increased linearly with H₂O₂ concentration in a wide range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) and had long-term stability. Finally, the proposed method was applied to investigate the coexistence of hydrogen peroxide with the interfering substances. Experimental results showed that the ascorbic acid, glucose, l-cysteine, uric acid, and dopamine at corresponding concentrations did not influence the detection of H₂O₂.     

Electronic-level interactions of tungsten oxide with unsupported Se/Ru electrocatalytic nanoparticles

Se/Ru nanoparticles - a potent non-platinum catalyst towards oxygen reduction reaction - were modified by hydrated WO₃ and investigated using the rotating disk/ring electrode methods and by synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The modification resulted in an enhanced catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Our data indicate that the oxygen reduction current starts ca. 70 mV more positive and formation of undesirable hydrogen peroxide has significantly decreased following the modification of Se/Ru with WO₃. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that WO₃ interacts electronically with Se/Ru as the W 4f and Se 3d line-shapes change. We therefore conclude that the electronic interactions between Se/Ru and WO₃ are primarily responsible for the increase in activity and selectivity of the WO₃-modified Se/Ru towards ORR.     

Iron-enriched natural zeolite modified carbon paste electrode for H2O2 detection

This work demonstrates that iron-enriched natural zeolitic volcanic tuff (Paglisa deposit, Cluj county, Transilvania, Romania) resulting from a previous use as adsorbent in wastewater treatment can be recycled into effective electrode modifier applied to the electrocatalytic detection of hydrogen peroxide. After physico-chemical characterization of tuff samples using various techniques such as chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, BET analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the electrochemical response of the iron-enriched zeolites was studied on the basis of solid carbon paste electrodes modified with these samples. The results indicate that iron centers in the zeolite are electroactive and that they act as electrocatalysts in the voltammetric and amperometric detection of H₂O₂. Best performance was achieved in phosphate buffer at pH 7, showing a sensitivity of 0.57 mA M⁻¹ cm⁻², a detection limit down to 60 μM, and a linear domain up to 100 mM H₂O₂.     

Amperometric hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on a modified gold electrode with silver nanowires

A novel amperometric biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was prepared by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on highly dense silver nanowire (Ag-NW) film. The modified electrode was characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical performances of the electrode were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The HRPs immobilized on the surface of Ag-NWs exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic response toward reduction of H₂O₂. The resulting Ag-NW modified sensor showed a sensitivity of ~2.55 μA μM⁻¹ (correlation coefficient r = 0.9969) with a linear range of 4.8 nM–0.31 μM. Its detection limit was 1.2 nM with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The Michaelis–Menten constant K_M^app and the maximum current density I _max of the modified electrode were 0.0071 mM and 8.475 μA, respectively. The preparation process of the proposed biosensor was convenient, and the resulting biosensor showed high sensitivity, low detection limit and good stability.     

Anodic formation of low-aspect-ratio porous alumina films for metal-oxide sensor application

Thin nanoporous anodic alumina films, of low aspect ratio (1:1), with two distinctive pore sizes and morphologies were prepared by two-step constant-current anodising of aluminium layers on SiO₂/Si substrates in 0.4 mol dm⁻³ tartaric (TA) and malonic acid (MA) electrolytes and then modified by open-circuit dissolution. The anodic films were employed as a support material for sputtering-deposition of thin WO₃ layers in view of exploiting their gas sensing properties. The films and deposits were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electric resistance measurements at fixed temperatures in the range of 100-300 °C upon NH₃ and CO gas exposures. Test sensors prepared from the annealed and stabilized alumina-supported WO₃ active layers were insensitive to CO but showed considerably enhanced responses to NH₃ at 300 °C, the sensitivity depending upon the anodic film nature, the pore size and the surface morphology. The increased sensor sensitivity is due to the substantially enlarged film surface area of the TA-supported WO₃ films and the nanostructured, camomile-like morphology of the MA-supported WO₃ films. Sensing mechanisms in the alumina-supported WO₃ active layers are discussed.     

Electrochemical behavior of cysteine at a CuGeO3 nanowires modified glassy carbon electrode

A CuGeO₃ nanowire modified glassy carbon electrode was fabricated and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveal that electron transfer through nanowire film is facile compared with that of bare glassy carbon electrode. The modified electrode exhibited a novel electrocatalytic behavior to the electrochemical reactions of l-cysteine in neutral solution, which was not reported previously. Two pairs of semi-reversible electrochemical peaks were observed and assigned to the processes of oxidation/reduction and adsorption/desorption of cysteine at the modified electrode, respectively. The electrochemical response of cysteine is poor in alkaline condition and is enhanced greatly in acidic solution, suggesting that hydrogen ions participate in the electrochemical oxidation process of cysteine. The intensities of two anodic peaks varied linearly with the concentration of cysteine in the range of 1 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, which make it possible to sensitive detection of cysteine with the CuGeO₃ nanowire modified electrode. Furthermore, the modified electrode exhibited good reproducibility and stability.