Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-19T18:00:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaLuisaSilva.pdf: 1121605 bytes, checksum: f3ccd719e794281c4b5521801b7fe637 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-19T18:00:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaLuisaSilva.pdf: 1121605 bytes, checksum: f3ccd719e794281c4b5521801b7fe637 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-01-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The catechin compound is a phenolic that has a great oxidant action,it is found in a different kinds of food such as wine, juice and tea, its application to inhibit ultraviolet radiation, reduces the level of cholesterol, among others. Currently, techniques are used for determining catechin as a gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, although the electrochemical detection method is a promising yet, because it is less cumbersome and can distinguish between the oxidized and the reduced form of catechin. A growing number of studies has shown the necessity for a hurry procedure to availible the content of catechin and electrochemical techniques have been successfully employed. The research activities carried out in this study were the characterization and optimization of the parameters used for the determination of catechin in a printed carbon electrode modified with functionalized carbon nanotube by means of cyclic voltammetry technique and application in the quantification of this analyte in a sample of black tea. The best results were obtained at a concentration of 1x10-3 mol L-1 through catechin phosphate buffer 0.1 mol L-1 pH 7.0 using a potential sweep rate of 0.05 V s-1. From these conditions an analytical curve was obtained by linear response over the concentration range of catechin between 2.0 × 107 to 1.68 × 10-5 mol L-1, as limits of detection and quantification of 9.2 x10-8 and 3.0x10-7 mol L-1, respectively. The oxidation of catechin showed a peak located around 0.15 V vs. Ag / AgCl potential being near the peak shown in the literature. / A Catequina é um composto fenólico que têm grande ação oxidante, encontrados em diversos tipos de alimentos, sua aplicação inibi a radiação ultravioleta, reduz o nível do colesterol, dentre outros. Atualmente, técnicas analíticas são empregadas para a determinação de catequina, como a cromatografia gasosa e cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência, contudo a detecção eletroquímica é um método promissor, por exigir menos trabalho no preparo de amostra e um menor consumo de reagentes, uma vez que é possível identificar a espécie de interesse de maneira seletiva através de sua oxidação ou redução. Um número crescente de estudos vem mostrando a necessidade de um procedimento rápido para a avaliação do teor de catequina e técnicas eletroquímicas foram empregadas com sucesso. As atividades de pesquisa desenvolvidas neste trabalho foram de caracterização e otimização dos parâmetros utilizados para a determinação da catequina em eletrodo de carbono impresso modificado com nanotubo de carbono funcionalizado por meio da técnica de voltametria cíclica e aplicação na quantificação deste analito em amostra de chá preto. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos a uma concentração de 1x10-3 mol L-1 de catequina em meio de tampão fosfato 0,1 mol L-1 pH 7,0 a uma velocidade de varredura de potencial de 0,05 V s-1. A partir destas condições foi obtida uma curva analítica com comportamento linear no intervalo de concentração de catequina entre 2,0x10-7 a 1,68x10-5 mol L-1, com limites de detecção e de quantificação de 9,2x10-8 e 3,0x10-7 mol L-1, respectivamente. A oxidação da catequina apresentou um pico localizado em torno de 0,15V vs Ag/AgCl, estando próximo dos potenciais de pico mostrado na literatura.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The thesis presents a simple, sensitive, low cost and a novel graphenated polyaniline doped tungsten trioxide nanocomposite, as an electrochemical sensor for the detection and quantitative and determination of PAHs, which are ubiquitous, toxic, as well as dangerous organic pollutant compounds in the environment. The selected PAHs (anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene) in wastewater were given priority as a result of their threat to human nature and that of the environment. In order for a healthy, non-polluted and well sustainable environment, there is need for an instrument that is capable of detecting and quantifying these organic pollutants onsite and also for constant monitoring. The nanocomposites were developed by chemical and electrochemical methods of preparations, exploiting the intrinsic properties of polyaniline, graphene and tungsten trioxide semiconducting materials. Chemically, graphene-polyaniline (GR-PANI) nanocomposite was synthesised by in situ polymerisation method, then casted on a surface of glassy carbon electrode to form GR-PANI modified electrode. The properties of the prepared electrode were investigated through morphological and spectroscopic techniques, which confirmed the formation of the composite. The electroactivity of the prepared modified electrode revealed great improvement in cyclic and square wave voltammetric response on anthracene. A dynamic range of 2.0 × 10-5 to 1.0 × 10-3 M and detection limit of 4.39 x 10-7 M was established.

Electrical double-layer formed at the electrode/electrolyte interface in combination with electron-transfer reaction can lead to many important applications of electrochemistry, including energy storage devices, namely, batteries, fuel cells and electrochemical supercapacitors. Electrochemical supercapacitors are characterized by their higher power density as compared to batteries and higher energy density than the conventional electrostatic and electrolytic capacitors. Thus, supercapacitors are useful as auxiliary energy storage devices along with primary sources such as batteries or fuel cells for the purpose of power enhancement in short pulse applications. These are expected to be useful in hybrid devices together with batteries or fuel cells, in electric vehicle propulsion systems. Among the various materials studied for electrochemical supercapacitors, carbonaceous materials, transition metal oxides and conducting polymers are important. Carbon in various forms is used as a double-layer capacitor material, which stores charge by electrostatic charge separation at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The specific capacitance (SC) of high surface area activated carbon is about 100 F g-1 in aqueous electrolytes. Transition metal oxides have attracted considerable attention as electrode materials for supercapacitors because of the following merits: variable oxidation state, good chemical and electrochemical stability, ease of preparation and convenience in handling. Hydrated RuO2 prepared by sol-gel process exhibited a SC as high as 720 F g-1. However, high cost, low porosity and toxic nature of RuO2 limit its commercialization in supercapacitors. On the otherhand, MnO2 is an attractive electrode material as it is electrochemically active, cheap, environmentally benign, and its resources are abundant in nature. In an early report on the capacitance properties of MnO2 by Lee and Goodenough [J. Solid State Chem. 144 (1999) 220], amorphous hydrous MnO2 synthesized by co-precipitation method exhibited a SC of 203 F g-1 in 2 M KCl electrolyte. According to the charge-storage mechanism of MnO2 involving MnO2 + M+ + e- ↔ (MnOO)-M+ (where M+ = Li+, Na+, K+ etc.), a SC of 1110 F g-1 is expected over a potential window of 1.0 V. However, SC values in the range of 100-200 F g-1 are reported in the literature. The low values of SC are because of the charge-storage is confined to surface region of MnO2 particles or films. It is desirable to enhance the SC of MnO2 to a value close to the theoretical value. In view of this, attempts are made to enhance the SC of MnO2 by adopting different synthetic procedures such as electrochemical method for depositing MnO2 and also nanostructured mesoporous MnO2 by polyol route, hydrothermal route and sonochemical method in the present studies. As the charge-storage mechanism of MnO2 involves the surface insertion/deinsertion of cations from the electrolyte during discharge/charge processes, respectively, the capacitance properties of MnO2 are studied in various aqueous electrolytes containing monovalent (Na+), bivalent (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+) and trivalent (La3+) cations. The mass variation occurring at the electrode during the charge/discharge of MnO2 is examined by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) study. In addition to this, the kinetics of electrodeposition and capacitance properties of Mn(OH)2 are studied by employing EQCM. Also, properties of asymmetric capacitors assembled with Mn(OH)2 as the positive electrode and carbon as the negative electrode are studied and compared with symmetric Mn(OH)2 capacitors. Furthermore, attempts are made to increase the potential window of Co(OH)2 in alkaline and neutral electrolytes. The contents of the thesis by Chapter-wise are given below. Chapter 1 introduces the importance of electrochemistry in energy storage and conversion, basics of electrochemical power sources, importance of some electroactive materials in electrochemical energy storage, different synthetic procedures for MnO2 and its application in electrochemical supercapacitors. Transition metal oxides are widely studied because of their variable oxidation states, high electrochemical activity, abundance in nature and environmental compatibility. Various reports appeared in the form of open publications on supercapacitor studies of transition metal oxides such as RuO2, MnO2, Fe3O4, Co(OH)2, Ni(OH)2, NiO, etc., are briefly reviewed. The chapter ends with statements on objectives of the studies carried out and reported in the thesis. Chapter 2 provides experimental procedures and methodologies used for the studies reported in the thesis. Different experimental routes adopted for synthesis of MnO2, Mn(OH)2 and Co(OH)2 used for the studies are described. Also included are brief descriptions of various physicochemical and electrochemical techniques employed for the investigations. In Chapter 3, MnO2 samples synthesized by various routes such as electrochemical method, polyol route, hydrothermal route and sonochemical method are studied. MnO2 and Mn(OH)2 are simultaneously electrodeposited on the anode and the cathode, respectively, in a galvanostatic electrolysis cell consisting of aqueous Mn(NO3)2 electrolyte. MnO2/SS and Mn(OH)2/SS electrodes are used as the negative and the positive electrodes, respectively, in an asymmetric Mn(OH)2//MnO2 supercapacitor. MnO2 samples are prepared at room temperature and in hydrothermal method at a temperature of 140 ◦C by reduction of KMnO4 with poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PPG-PEG) or P123 as a reductant. Also, MnO2 is prepared from KMnO4 by hydrothermal method without using any reducing agent. This procedure requires a temperature of 180 ◦C and 24 h duration. MnO2 is also synthesized with an ultrasonic aided procedure. The electrochemical capacitance properties of MnO2 samples synthesized by various routes are investigated. A maximum SC of 264 F g-1 is obtained at a current density of 0.5 mA cm-2 (1.0 A g-1) for MnO2 prepared by sonochemical method. The capacitance properties of MnO2 are generally studied in neutral aqueous Na2SO4 electrolytes. In Chapter 4, electrolytes of NaNO3, Mg(NO3)2, Ca(NO3)2, Sr(NO3)2, Ba(NO3)2 and also La(NO3)3 are studied and the results are compared with Na2SO4 electrolyte. Among the alkaline earth salt solutions, higher SC values are obtained in Mg(NO3)2 and Ca(NO3)2 electrolytes than in the rest of the electrolytes. Furthermore, MnO2 exhibits capacitance behaviour in La(NO3)3 solution with enhanced SC in comparison with NaNO3 and Mg(NO3)2 solutions. The SC increases with an increase in charge on the cation (Na+, Mg2+ and La3+). The values of SC measured in Na+, Mg2+ and La3+ electrolytes are 190, 220 and 257 F g-1, respectively at a c.d. of 0.5 mA cm-2 (1.0 A g-1). Rate capabilities are also found to be different in different electrolytes. Specific energy and specific power are calculated and presented as Ragone plots. The presence of divalent and trivalent cations inserted onto MnO2 is identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. EQCM is employed to monitor the increased mass variations that accompany reversible adsorption/desorption of Na+, Mg2+ and La3+ ions onto MnO2. In Chapter 5, EQCM has been used to study the kinetics of electrochemical precipitation of Mn(OH)2 on Au-crystal and its capacitance properties. From the EQCM data, it is inferred that NO3- ions get adsorbed on Au-crystal, and then undergo reduction resulting an increase in pH near the electrode surface. Precipitation of Mn2+ occurs as Mn(OH)2, resulting an increase in mass of the Au-crystal. On charging, Mn(OH)2 undergoes oxidation to MnO2, which exhibits electrochemical supercapacitor behaviour on subjecting to cycling in aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte. EQCM data indicates the mass variations corresponding to surface insertion/extraction of Na+ ions during discharge/charge cycling of Mn(OH)2 in aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte. In Chapter 6, Mn(OH)2 synthesized by precipitation of MnSO4 with NH4OH solution is studied for capacitance properties. A SC of 141 F g-1 is obtained for the Mn(OH)2 at a c.d. of 0.66 A g-1 in 1.0 M Na2SO4 electrolyte in the potential range of 0-1.0 V vs. standard calomel electrode (SCE). Also, carbon electrode made from high surface area carbon exhibits a SC of 158 F g-1 at a c.d. of 0.81 A g-1 in the potential range of 0 to -1.0 V vs. SCE. Asymmetric capacitors are assembled by combining Mn(OH)2 as the positive and carbon as the negative electrodes. The asymmetric capacitor has a SC of 39 F g-1 at a c.d. of 0.42 A g-1 in the operating voltage of 1.8 V. However, a symmetric capacitor consisting of two Mn(OH)2 electrodes provides a SC of 11 F g-1 only at a c.d. of 0.24 A g-1 in an operating voltage of 1.2 V. In Chapter 7, MnO2 synthesized by reduction of KMnO4 using ethylene glycol is used for fabrication of large area electrodes. Stainless steel (SS) mesh of 3 cm x 3 cm with geometrical area of 18 cm2 is used as current collector. Three symmetrical electrochemical supercapacitors (capacitance of about 100 F per each at a current of 0.2 A) are assembled, each with 11 electrodes positioned in parallel. Six alternate electrodes are stacked as the negative terminal and the other five as the positive terminal. The electrochemical properties of MnO2 supercapacitors are studied by galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling and ac impedance in 1.0 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. Also, the capacitors are combined in parallel as well as in series and the capacitance is evaluated. The practical application of the electrochemical supercapacitors is shown by demonstrating the running of a toy fan connected to the charged capacitor as well as the glowing of LED cell connected to charged supercapacitors connected in series. A parallel combination of batteries and capacitors is also demonstrated. Capacitor studies of Co(OH)2 over a limited potential window in alkaline electrolytes are reported in the literature. A high potential window of a capacitor material is desirable for using in a device. In Chapter 8, experiments are conducted to understand the reason for a low potential window for Co(OH)2 as a capacitor material and also to increase its potential window. Experiments are conducted in aqueous NaOH and Na2SO4 electrolytes of various concentrations using electrochemically precipitated Co(OH)2 on stainless steel current collectors in an aqueous Co(NO3)2 electrolyte. Based on the potential window, specific capacitance and specific energy, it is found that 0.05 M NaOH electrolyte is more appropriate for capacitor properties of Co(OH)2 than the rest of the electrolytes studied. Using a Co(OH)2 electrode with a specific mass of 1.0 mg cm-2 in 0.05 M NaOH, a SC of about 380 F g-1 is obtained with a potential window of 0.85 V at a charge-discharge c.d. of 10 A g-1 (10 mA cm-2). The work presented in this thesis is carried out by the candidate as a part of Ph. D. training program and most of the results have been published in the literature. A list of publications of the candidate is enclosed below. It is hoped that the studies reported here will constitute a worthwhile contribution.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Environmental pollution is a major threat to all life, which needs to be addressed. Heavy metals are well-known environmental pollutants due to their toxicity and, persistence in the environment toxicity for living organisms and having a bioaccumulative nature. Environmentally, the most common hazardous heavy metals are: Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As. Remediation using conventional physical and chemical methods is uneconomical and generates waste chemicals in large quantities. This study focuses on the extraction and determination of heavy metals (Nickel, Copper and Cobalt) by chelating Schiff base ligands of the type [O,N,N,O] with these metal ions. Two Schiff base ligands [N,N’-ethylenebis(salicylimine)] (Salen) and ligand [1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol] (Sal-DAP) were synthesized and characterised using FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry and GC-MS techniques. Electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions in this work was achieved via ligand-metal complexation via two approaches. The in-situ method in which the metal and ligands were added to the electrochemical cell and stirred to allow complexation to occur and monitored by square wave voltammetry. While the ex-situ approach involved modifying the electrode surface by depositing a thin film of Schiff base on the electrode surface and immersed into a heavy metal solution to allow the complexation. Three modified GCE were used viz. Salen coated GCE, reduced graphene oxide-Salen coated GCE and a nafion-Salen coated GCE. The two approaches used for the electrochemical detection were successful and effective. The ex-situ approach was selected for the modification of the electrode surface since it demonstrated a higher capacity for heavy metal ion extraction.

Antimony film electrode was studied for the use in a voltammetric analysis of organic compounds. The substance chosen as an analyte was trifluralin, which is used as a pesticide. The comparison of different substrate electrodes was carried out between five electrodes, which were gold, silver, copper, polished amalgam and glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Best performance was observed on antimony film glassy carbon electrode (SbFGCE). It provided higher sensitivity and lower limit of quantification in comparison with bare GCE. The antimony film was stable and it provided good reproducibility (RSD = 5.2 %). Parameters of an electrochemical preparation of SbFGCE were optimized. Conditions for determination of concentration of trifluralin were optimized on newly prepared SbFGCE. The best conditions were in a solution of methanol and 0.1 M hydrochloric acid in 1:1 ratio measured by differential pulse voltammetry. The limit of quantification was determined as 1.2·10-6 mol·l-1 . A direct voltammetric measurement on SbFGCE was carried out in a model river sample. Lower limits of quantification were achieved with solid phase extraction (SPE). Recovery values were 86 ± 8 % in deionized water with a preconcentration factor of 125. The limit of quantification was lowered to value 1.1·10-8 mol·l-1 . The extraction...

Na presente dissertação, o comportamento eletroquímico da nitrosamina aromática N-Nitrosodifenilamina (NDPhA) foi caracterizado em eletrodo de carbono vítreo (GCE) em meio aquoso através de técnicas eletroanalíticas e espectroscópicas. Para tal, propôs-se um mecanismo de oxidação em quatro etapas envolvendo quatro elétrons e quatro prótons, assim como de redução em três ou quatro etapas, dependendo do pH do meio, também envolvendo quatro elétrons e quatro prótons no total. Diferentes eletrodos de carbono (GCE e GPUE) foram comparados e caracterizados eletroquimicamente através de técnicas cronocoulométricas e voltamétricas, e microscopia de imagem (Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura e Microscopia de Força Atômica) com objetivo de aplicá-los na quantificação de NDPhA em amostras de urina. Após otimização das condições experimentais, o GPUE demonstrou-se ser mais sensível que o GCE apresentando uma faixa linear de 2,5 a 17,5 &mu;mol L-1, com sensibilidade igual a 5,50 &mu;A L &mu;mol-1 cm-2, coeficiente de correlação igual a 0,9998 e limite de detecção igual a 0,27 /&mu;mol L-1, apresentando sensibilidade cinco vezes maior e limite de detecção calculado cerca de 20 vezes menor. O preparo do eletrodo e a resposta do mesmo se mostraram reprodutível ao longo do tempo. Ademais, o método desenvolvido foi aplicado em uma amostra de urina sintética, utilizando o método de adição e recuperação, e foi possível concluir que esse processo pode ser aplicado a essa amostra com 95% de confiança. / In the present dissertation, the electrochemical behaviour of the aromatic nitrosamine N-Nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPhA) on the Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE) in aqueous medium was characterized through electroanalytical and spectroscopic techniques. A four-step oxidation mechanism was proposed involving four electrons and four protons, as well as a reduction in three or four steps, depending on the pH of the medium, also involving four electrons and four protons in total. Different carbon electrodes (GCE and GPUE) were compared and characterized electrochemically by chronocoulometry and voltammetric techniques, and image microscopy (Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy) with the objective of applying them to the quantification of NDPhA in urine samples. After optimization of the experimental conditions, the GPUE presented to be more sensitive than the CGE with a linear range of 2.5 to 17.5 &mu;mol L-1, with sensitivity equal to <br /> 5.50 &mu;A L &mu;mol-1 cm-2, correlation coefficient equal to 0.9998 and detection limit equal to 0.27 / &mu;mol L-1, with sensitivity five times higher and detection limit calculated about 20 times lower. The preparation of the electrode and its response proved to be reproducible over time. In addition, the developed method was applied in a synthetic urine sample, using the addition and recovery method, and it was possible to conclude that this process can be applied to this sample with 95% confidence.

<p>This work reports the chemical synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles in the determination of phthalates. The other part of this work involved electrochemical polymerization of aniline doped with titanium and iron oxide nanoparticles for the sensor platform in the electrolytic determination of phthalates. The TiO2 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles were prepared by sol gel and hydrothermal methods respectively. Particle sizes of 20 nm (TiO2) and 50 nm (Fe2O3) were estimated from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) The other technical methods used in this study for the characterization of the TiO2 and iron oxide Fe2O3 NPs were SEM, XRD and UV- visible spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the electrochemical properties of the nanoparticles. These electrochemical studies of the nanoparticles were performed with a Fe2O3 or TiO2/nafion/glassy carbon membrane electrode in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and 0.1 M lithium perchlorate (pH 6.8) under an aerobic condition.</p>

<p>In this research project, nanostructured composites based on Tin dioxide (SnO2) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) with poly-4-styrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) doped polyaniline (PANI) conducting polymer has been investigated based on their structural, electrical and electrochemical properties. The synthesis of conducting polymers and their metal oxide or composites have been carried out chemically or electrochemically according to methods modified from the literature. Layer-by-layer construction of nano-Metal Oxide/PSSA doped polyaniline composites were successfully constructed by electroanalytical methods on the surface of a glassy carbon working electrode (GCE).</p>

<p>In this study two medicinal plant species, namely Galenia africana and Elytropapus rhinocerotis, the former belonging to the family Aizoceae and the latter belonging to the family Asteraceae, have been investigated and different compounds isolated and characterized. Both species are important plants used in traditional medicine in Africa and particularly in South Africa. Flavanoids are secondary metabolites found in plants. They have a protective function against UV radiation and have a defence against invading illnesses due to their important antioxidant activity. Much of the food we eat and some beverages we drink contain flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the electrochemistry of flavanoids isolated from these species.</p>

This study reports the synthesis of graphene by oxidizing graphite to graphite oxide using H2SO4 and KMnO4 and reducing graphene oxide to graphene by using NaBH4. Graphene was then characterized using FT-IR, TEM, AFM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and solid state NMR. Nafion-Graphene in combination with a mercury film electrode, bismuth film electrode and antimony film electrode was used as a sensing platform for trace metal analysis in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6) at 120 s deposition time, using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Detection limits were calculated using 3σblank/slope. For practical applications recovery studies was done by spiking test samples with known concentrations of metal ions and comparing the results to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). This was then followed by real sample analyses.