The main tasks of this thesis were to evaluate a number of amperometric enzyme electrode chemistries for the selective and sensitive detection of L-lactate, and apply mass fabrication technologies to reproducibly manufacture sensors in a controllable manner. The sensors studied were based on the use of lactate oxidase with a range of modified-carbon electrodes. Noble metals, hexacyanoferrate (111) or Prussian Blue were used to modify carbon electrodes for the electro-catalytic determination of hydrogen peroxide, the product of the reaction of lactate oxidase with L-lactate. Tetrathiafulvalene was employed as an artificial mediator between the enzyme and the electrode. Polypyrrole was tested as a means of immobilising lactate oxidase and to achieve direct charge transfer to the underlying carbon electrode. The characteristics of the sensor responses to hydrogen peroxide, L-lactate and ascorbate were compared, in relation to the electrochemical electrode area. From this investigation, it was confirmed that screen-printed electrodes were more reproducible to manufacture than hand-fabricated electrodes. For screen-printed rhodinised-carbon electrodes, an operating potential of +400 mV (SCE) was selected. Interference from ascorbic acid and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide were determined to be 26 μA.mM⁻¹.cm⁻² and 27 μA.mM⁻¹.cm⁻², respectively. Screen-printed carbon electrodes modified with platinum, rhodium or palladium were selected for further investigation. Rhodium on carbon performed the best in ten-ns of sensitivity and selectivity at low potentials, and different formations of rhodium-carbon complexes were studied. Although rhodium electroplated onto carbon screen-printed electrodes was examined, printing inks made from a preformed powder of rhodium on carbon-graphite proved to be the preferred route of electrode fabrication. Screen printing, ink-jet printing and Cavro solution deposition were employed to fabricate the amperometric enzyme electrodes. These sensors were composed of rhodinised carbon and lactate oxidase in a water-based electrode ink with a protective outer membrane layer. Each stage, from ink preparation to membrane composition, was developed empirically. The sensitivity, stability and reproducibility of the working electrode was improved by altering it to a homogeneous ink, consisting of carbon graphite powder, rhodinised carbon powder (5% Rh by weight), hydroxyethyl cellulose (2% w/v) and lactate oxidase in the weight ratio of 2:8:18:1. A layer of cellulose acetate (2% w/v in a 1:1 solution of acetone to cyclohexanone) and an outer coating of a polyurethane called Pellethane (1% to 4% w/v in dimethyl formamide and tetrahydrofuran) improved the selectivity, sensitivity and detection range of the sensor, allowing it to operate in physiological solutions with reduced passivation from protein adsorption. The sensor design was revised to allow its passage through a catheter and operation within a blood vessel; it was manufactured on flexible material using screen printing and Cavro solution deposition techniques. These miniature sensors, with a working surface of 0.5 x 15 mm, were capable of linearly measuring lactate up to 3 mM in buffer solutions with an average sensitivity of 44.8 nA.mM⁻¹ L-lactate. To test the sensor operation in physiological solutions, a flow injection system was employed. A planar three-electrode card used in this system was manufactured using screen printing and Cavro solution deposition techniques. L-lactate concentrations up to 6.4 mM were sensitively and, after minor correction, accurately determined in undiluted plasma and whole blood samples. This thesis has therefore made progress toward mass fabricating an amperometric enzyme electrode device suitable for the determination of L-lactate concentrations in vitro.

Les travaux de cette thèse portent sur l'élaboration de capteurs électrochimiques pour la détection de micropolluants mis sous surveillance par la Directive Cadre sur l'Eau (DCE/200/60/CE) tels que Ni(II) et Pb(II). Actuellement, le contrôle des eaux est effectué par prélèvements cependant les méthodes d'analyses sont longues et coûteuses et les seuils de concentration très faibles imposés par la loi, nécessitent d’avoir recourt à d’autres types d’équipements, tels que les capteurs électrochimiques. L'amélioration indispensable de leur sensibilité et de leur sélectivité peut être atteinte par le choix du matériau d'électrode et de sa fonctionnalisation de surface. Ces capteurs ont pour objectif, à terme, d’analyser la qualité des eaux sur site en continu ou semi-continu. Dans le cas de l'étude de la sélectivité, les sels de diazonium ont été choisis pour le greffage des fonctions benzamides oximes, complexantes du Ni(II). Cette molécule n'ayant jamais été étudiée électro-chimiquement, son domaine d'électro-activité et les mécanismes d'oxydation ont été étudiés. Les électrodes greffées ont permis la détection électrochimique et montrent une sélectivité pour le Ni(II), en présence d'interférents comme Pb(II) et Cu(II). Cette étude a prouvé que les amines aromatiques et aliphatiques peuvent être greffées par oxydation en milieux aqueux. Les électrodes ainsi fonctionnalisées ont montré que la mobilité des fonctions complexantes, via la structure et la longueur du squelette carboné, influence la limite de détection des capteurs, les chaînes aliphatiques complexant particulièrement bien les cations métalliques. Enfin, l’influence de différentes formes allotropiques du carbone, utilisées en tant que phases actives d’électrodes sérigraphiées, a été étudié. Des électrodes composées de différentes formes allotropiques de carbones ont été fonctionnalisées par des sels de diazonium et utilisées pour la détection du Pb(II). Les résultats montrent que certains matériaux carbonés, comme les nanotubes de carbone, améliorent les propriétés électro-catalytiques des capteurs. / This work is focused on the elaboration of electrochemical sensors for Ni(II) and Pb(II) micropollutants detection, targeted by the Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000/60/CE). Currently, water supervision is carried out by sampling and analytical equipments, however these methods are too long and too expensive, the very low concentration limits imposed by laws, needed to be reached using other kind of equipments such as electrochemical sensors. The sensitivity and selectivity of these sensors can be improved by the choice of the electrode materials and their surface functionalization. The aim of these sensors is to make possible the water quality analysis on site, continuously or semi-continuously. The selectivity was reached by grafting diazonium salts composed of benzamide oxime functions, complexing Ni(II). The electro-activity area and the oxidation mechanisms of this molecule were investigated. It is to be underlined that the electrochemical behavior of this molecule has never been studied in the litterature. The grafted electrodes were used for the electrochemical detection, and they turned out to be selective for Ni(II) detection in the presence of both Pb(II) and Cu(II). To improve the sensitivity of these sensors, the mobility of the complexing function is important. This study shows the possibility to graft aliphatic and aromatic amines via oxidation reactions in aqueous media. These electrodes revealed better analytical performances for the sensors grafted by aliphatic amines through the mobility of the carbon chains complexing metallic cations. Finally, the influence of the different allotropic kind of carbons, used as screen printing electrodes, were compared. These electrodes, functionalized with diazonium salts and used for the detection of the Pb (II) showed that some carbonaceous materials such as carbon nanotubes, improve the electro-catalytic properties of the sensors.

In this research various techniques were used to study surface groups on carbon electrodes, including the spectroscopic techniques UV-Vis-NIR, FTIR, PAS, XPS and XAS, as well as the Boehm titration. The methods determined to give the best insight to the surface functionalities on the carbon were XPS, XAS and the Boehm titration. The Boehm titration methodology was standardized before use. An in situ method of examining surface groups using spectroscopy during electrochemistry was attempted. Spectroelectrochemistry is a useful way to gain information on how electrochemistry affects electrodes during experimentation; however, it was unsuccessful for the carbon used and remains to be developed. Polymerization of the copolymer of PANI and PPy as a potential electrode material for ECs was achieved by electrochemical cycling and was studied through spectroelectrochemical measurements. Overall, the research completed included the initial stages to studying electrodes for electrochemical capacitors using analytical, non-electrochemistry techniques in conjunction with electrochemistry.

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a phenomenon whereby electrochemical reactions generate a product that is capable of emitting light. ECL’s high sensitivity, selectivity, extremely low background, and relatively simple instrumentation make it particularly well-suited for chemical sensing and biosensing strategies. Here we report a simple ECL imaging system based on a camera interfaced with a zoom lens to compare pencil graphite electrode (PGE) and screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) arrays as ECL platforms. With this system, ECL signals generated from tris(2,2′- bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chloride hexahydrate ([Ru(bpy)3]2+) using co-reactant tri-n-propylamine (TPA) were linear with respect to [Ru(bpy)3]2+ concentrations from 9 to 450 μM. Detection limits for [Ru(bpy)3]2+ were found to be 1.8 μM with PGEs and 0.9 μM with SPCEs. Immobilization of a thin polyvinylpyridine (PVP) film ECL reporter [Ru(bpy)2(PVP)10]2+ on SPCEs was also investigated. Overall, the combination of PGEs or SPCEs with the simple ECL imaging system offers a cost-effective approach to ECL-based sensing and biosensing.

Eletrodos à base de carbono, como os eletrodos de troca iônica, entre outros, têm aplicação principalmente no tratamento de efluentes industriais e rejeitos radioativos. Carbono é também amplamente utilizado em células a combustível como substrato para os eletrocatalisadores, por possuir elevada área superficial, que supera a sua área geométrica. O conhecimento desta superfície ativa total é importante na determinação das condições de operação de uma célula eletroquímica no que diz respeito às correntes a serem aplicadas (densidade de corrente). No presente estudo foram utilizadas duas técnicas eletroquímicas na determinação da área superficial ativa de eletrodos de carbono vítreo e poroso e eletrodos de troca iônica: espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE) e voltametria cíclica (VC). Os experimentos foram realizados com soluções de KNO3 0,1 mol.L-1 em célula eletroquímica de três eletrodos: eletrodo de trabalho à base de carbono, eletrodo auxiliar de platina e eletrodo de referência de Ag/AgCl. Os eletrodos de carbono vítreo e de carbono poroso utilizado possuíam uma área geométrica de 3,14 x 10-2 cm2 e 2,83 10-1 cm2, respectivamente. O eletrodo de troca iônica foi preparado misturando-se grafite, carbono, resina de troca iônica e um aglutinante, sendo esta mistura aplicada em três camadas sobre feltro de carbono, utilizando-se nos experimentos uma área geométrica de 1,0 cm2. Por EIE determinou-se diretamente a capacitância dos materiais dos eletrodos (Cd) utilizando-se os diagramas de Bode. O valor de 172 μF.cm-2 encontrado para o carbono vítreo está de acordo com a literatura (~200 μF.cm-2). Por VC, variando a velocidade de varredura de 0,2 a 2,0 mV.s-1, determinou-se a capacitância CdS (S=área superficial ativa) na região da dupla camada elétrica (DCE) para cada um dos materiais, Por EIE, foram determinados os valores de Cd de 3,0 x 10-5 μF.cm-2 e de 11,0 x 103 μF.cm-2 para os eletrodos de carbono poroso e de troca iônica, respectivamente, o que possibilitou a determinação das áreas superficiais ativas de 3,73 x 106 cm2 e 4,72 cm2. Portanto, o uso combinado das técnicas de EIE e VC mostra-se promissor para o cálculo das áreas superficiais ativas de eletrodos à base de carbono. / Carbon-based electrodes as well the ion exchange electrodes among others have been applied mainly in the treatment of industrial effluents and radioactive wastes. Carbon is also used in fuel cells as substrate for the electrocatalysts, having high surface area which surpasses its geometric area. The knowledge of the total active area is important for the determination of operating conditions of an electrochemical cell with respect to the currents to be applied (current density). In this study it was used two techniques to determine the electrochemical active surface area of glassy carbon, electrodes and ion exchange electrodes: cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The experiments were carried out with KNO3 0.1 mol.L-1 solutions in a three-electrode electrochemical cell: carbon-based working electrode, platinum auxiliary electrode and Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The glassy carbon and porous carbon electrodes with geometric areas of 3.14 x 10-2 and 2.83 10-1 cm2, respectively, were used. The ion exchange electrode was prepared by mixing graphite, carbon, ion exchange resin and a binder, and this mixture was applied in three layers on carbon felt, using a geometric area of 1.0 cm2 during the experiments. The capacitance (Cd) of the materials was determined by EIS using Bode diagrams. The value of 172 μF.cm-2 found for the glassy carbon is consistent with the literature data (~200 μF.cm-2). By VC, varying the scan rate from 0.2 to 2.0 mV.s-1, the capacitance CdS (S = active surface area) in the region of the electric double layer (EDL) of each material was determined. By EIS, the values of Cd, 3.0 x 10-5 μF.cm-2 and 11 x 103 μF.cm-2, were found for the porous carbon and ion exchange electrodes, respectively, which allowed the determination of active surface areas as 3.73 x 106 cm2 and 4.72 cm2. To sum up, the combined use of EIS and CV techniques is a valuable tool for the calculation of active surface areas of carbon-based electrodes.

Sistemas químicos capazes de produzir radicais livres OH• e O2•-, responsáveis por danos no DNA, foram estudados em diversos tipos de eletrodos de carbono previamente modificados. Nitrofural, RNO2, foi reduzido mono eletronicamente ao seu respectivo nitro ânion radical, RNO2•-, em eletrodo de pasta de carbono modificado superficialmente com um filme de guanina. O nitro ânion radical atacou a guanina imobilizada na superfície do eletrodo e, esta interação in situ, resultou na formação de cátions radicais de guanina (G+•), que ao interagirem com a guanina (G), foram identificados pelo pico de oxidação em voltametria pulso diferencial, VPD, nas formas diméricas de guanina na região positiva de potencial. Os outros sistemas estudados se referem ao desenvolvimento de novos eletrodos de carbono modificados ou ainda a utilização procedimentos de modificações desenvolvidas anteriormente, para a detecção de várias moléculas de importância biológica. O ácido ascórbico (AA), ácido úrico (AU), xantina (XA) e hipoxantina (HX) foram detectados simultaneamente em eletrodo de grafite pirolítico, previamente modificado em solução de dopamina (EGPD), utilizando VPD. Os picos de oxidação, obtidos por voltametria cíclica foram detectados em 51; 393; 765 e 1080 mV vs Ag / AgCl, KCl(sat) para AA, AU, XA e HX, respectivamente. O limite de detecção para XA em presença de 5,0 x10-5 mol L-1 de HX foi 2,3 x10-6 mol L-1 (com sensibilidade de 2,8 A mol-1 L cm2), enquanto que o limite de detecção para HX na presença de 5,0 x10-5 mol L-1 de XA foi de 5,6 x10-6 mol L-1 (com sensibilidade de 1,4 A mol-1 L cm-2). XA e HX foram determinadas em amostras de urina e os valores encontrados foram 0,47 µmol L-1 e 5,9 mol L-1, respectivamente. Serotonina (5-HT) e dopamina (DA) foram determinadas simultaneamente em eletrodo de carbono vítreo, previamente modificado em solução de serotonina (GCE - 5HT). A serotonina foi detectada em 379 mV vs Ag / AgCl, KCl(sat), 31 mV menos positivo daquele observado em eletrodo de carbono vítreo (410 mV), enquanto DA foi detectada a 200 mV. Nenhuma interferência foi observada na presença de (AA), tirosina (Tyr), epinefrina (EP) e noradrenalina (NE). Finalmente, na última etapa do presente trabalho lignina, extraída a partir de licor de Kraft, foi solubilizada em acetonitrila / H2SO4 e a solução resultante utilizada para dispersar nanotubos de carbono de parede múltipla, NTCPM. Esta suspensão foi empregada para modificar a superfície de um eletrodo de carbono vítreo, posteriormente utilizado na detecção de nitrito por VPD no intervalo de concentração de 4,0 x 10-6 ≤ [NO2-] ≤ 8, 0 x 10-5 mol L-1. O complexo formado entre neocuproina e Cu (I), um composto em potencial para geração de radicais livres e promoção de lesões no DNA, foi sintetizado e caracterizado. / Chemical systems, which are able to produce OH• and O2•- free radicals, responsible for damage in DNA, were studied at different carbon modified electrode surfaces. Guanine carbon paste modified electrode was used to promote the nitrofural (RNO2) monoelectronic reduction to its respective nitro anion radical, RNO2•-, which attacked guanine immobilized on the electrode surface. The interaction in situ promoted the formation of guanine cation radicals (G+•) between guanine (G), after a dimerization process, were detected in the positive potential range by Differential Pulse Voltammetry, DPV. The other studied systems refer to development of new carbon modified electrodes or utilization of carbon modified electrodes, previously described, for the detection of several important biological molecules. Ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), xanthine (XA) and hypoxanthine (HX) were simultaneously detected at pyrolytic graphite electrode, previously modified into dopamine solution (EGPD), using DPV. The oxidation peak potentials, were obtained by cyclic voltammetry at 51; 393; 0.765 and 1080 mV vs Ag/AgCl, KCl(sat) for AA, UA, XA and HX, respectively. The detection limit for XA in presence of 5.0 x10-5 mol L-1 HX was 2.3 x10-6 mol L-1 (with sensibility of 2.8 A mol-1 L cm-2), while the detection limit for HX in presence of 5.0 x10-5 mol L-1 XA was 5.6 x10-6 mol L-1 (with sensibility of 1.4 A mol-1 L cm-2). XA and HX were determined in urine samples and the values founded were 0.47 µM e 5.9 µM, respectively. Serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) were simultaneously detected at glassy carbon electrode, previously modified in serotonin solution (ECV - 5HT). Serotonin was detected at 379 mV vs Ag/AgCl, KCl (sat), 31 mV less positive potential than that observed at bare glassy carbon electrode (410 mV), while DA was detected at 200 mV. No interference was observed in presence of (AA), tyrosine (Tyr), epinephrine (EP) and noradrenaline (NE). Finally, in the last stage of this work, lignin, extracted from Kraft liqueur, was solubilized in acetonitrile/H2SO4 and used to disperse multi-wall carbon nanotubes, MWNTC. This suspension was used to modify the glassy carbon electrode surface and nitrite was detected, by DPV in the concentration range of 4,0 x 10-6≤ [NO2-] ≤ 8,0 x 10-5 mol L-1. The complex formed between neocuproina and Cu (I), a compound which can produce free radicals and thereby cause damage to DNA, was synthesized and characterized.

The focus of this thesis has been to determine the usable voltage range of carbon-based supercapacitors (SC). Supercapacitors are a relatively new type of capacitors with a vast increase in capacitance compared to capacitors which utilize a dielectric as charge separator. A SC consists of two electrodes and an electrolyte separating the electrodes. The charges are stored by electrostatic forces in the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte, forming the so called electrochemical double-layer (EDL). With porous electrodes the effective surface area of the interfacial zone can be made very large, giving SCs a large storage capacity. The limiting factors of a SC is the decomposition potential of the electrolyte and the decomposition of the electrodes. For commercially manufactured SCs the electrolyte is usually an organic solvent, which has a decomposition potential of up to 2.7-2.8 V. Compared to aqueous electrolytes with a thermodynamic limit of 1.23 V. The drawback of using non-aqueous electrolytes is that they are not environmentally friendly, and they increase the production cost. It is claimed that the voltage range can be up to 1.9 V using aqueous electrolytes. Some researchers have focused on aqueous electrolytes for these reasons. In this thesis two different electrolytes were tested to determine if the voltage range could be extended. The experiments were conducted using a three electrode cell and performing cyclic voltammogram measurements (CV). The carbon electrodes were made of  two different sources of grahite, battery graphite or exfoliated graphite, and nano fibrilated cellulose was added to increase the mechanical stability. The results show that the oxidation potential of the carbon electrode was the positive limit. A usable potential of about 1 V was shown. However, when cycling the electrodes to potentials below the decomposition limit, for hydrogen evolution, interesting effects were seen. A decrease in reaction kinetics, indicating a type of conditioning of the electrode was observed. An increase in charge storage capacitance was also observed when comparing the initial measurements with the final, probably corresponding to an increase in porosity. / KEPS projekt Sundsvall Mitt Universitet

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-01-08T10:41:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Denise Vaz Ferreira da SILVA Crispim - 2015.pdf: 1185283 bytes, checksum: 45a58d0e5020c6f20f896c9d1e286b97 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-01-08T10:46:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Denise Vaz Ferreira da SILVA Crispim - 2015.pdf: 1185283 bytes, checksum: 45a58d0e5020c6f20f896c9d1e286b97 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-08T10:46:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Denise Vaz Ferreira da SILVA Crispim - 2015.pdf: 1185283 bytes, checksum: 45a58d0e5020c6f20f896c9d1e286b97 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-30 / Paracetamol (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol or acetaminophen) is a drug with antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, stands out as one of the most consumed worldwide. Because of this demand, the development and registration of new formulations by the pharmaceutical sector is ongoing. The process control and final product is an obligatory part of quality control. The official methods for quantitative determination of paracetamol include spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques. In turn, due to the inherent electroactivity of this compound, the scientific literature involving electroanalytical methods is also large. Our objective was to demonstrate the efficiency of carbon electrodes modified with silica sonogel compared to conventional electrodes and official methods. The development and validation of an electroanalytical method for quantitative determination of paracetamol in liquid formulations. Apply the method in different product development phases, like product and reference, comparing the method developed with the official method of CLAE using conventional glassy carbon electrodes and carbon and sonogel folder. The samples consisted of a formulation drops reference (Tylenol®), 5 test formulations, standard solution of Paracetamol, all the 200 mg/mL. For differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used a potentiostat/galvanostat. Electrochemical cell with 5.0mL capacity, with three-electrode system, glassy carbon electrodes or sonogel, Pt ring and calomel (SCE), represented the electrodes working, auxiliary and reference, respectively. The VPD conditions were: 75mV pulse amplitude, pulse width of 0.4 is scanning speed of 5 mV/s. For chromatographic testing was performed using a UV detector at 272 nm, C18 column (200 mm x 4.6 mm x 10 microns) with a mobile phase flow 2 ml/min. The observed voltammetric profiles showed an anodic peak at 293 mV (vs. Ag/AgClsat, pH = 6.0), whose potential and current levels was lower than that observed for cabono of electrode. Have excipients showed no do not constitute interfering peaks. Carbon electrodes with nanostructured silica sonogel also showed good linearity and recovery rate (CV <5%) compared to standard solution and official method (CLAE). This fact combined with good selectivity, sensitivity, and low overall cost makes this very promising device for analysis of paracetamol formulations. / O paracetamol (acetaminofeno) é um fármaco com propriedades antitérmica, analgésica e anti-inflamatória, destaca-se como um dos mais consumidos mundialmente. Em virtude desta demanda, o desenvolvimento e registro de novas formulações por parte do setor farmacêutico é contínuo. O controle de processos e do produto final é parte obrigatória do controle de qualidade. Os métodos oficiais para determinações quantitativas do paracetamol englobam técnicas espectrofotométricas e cromatográficas. Igualmente, dada a sua inerente eletroatividade, o uso de métodos eletroanalíticos é vasto. No presente trabalho pretende-se demonstrar a eficiência de eletrodos de carbono modificados com sílica sonogel em comparação a eletrodos convencionais e métodos oficiais. O desenvolvimento e validação de um método eletroanalítico para determinação quantitativa de paracetamol em formulações líquidas sob diferentes fases de desenvolvimento, comparando o método desenvolvido com o método oficial de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE), usando eletrodos convencionais de carbono vítreo e pasta de carbono e sonogel. As amostras consistiram em soluções preparadas a partir de formulação gotas de referência, 5 formulações teste e padrão SQR, todas a 200mg de paracetamol/mL. Para voltametria de pulso diferencial (VPD), utilizou-se um Potenciostato/galvanostato. Uma cela eletroquímica com capacidade de 5,0 mL, com sistema de três eletrodos, eletrodos de carbono vítreo ou sonogel, anel de Pt e calomelano (SCE), representado os eletrodos de trabalho, auxiliar e de referência, respectivamente. As condições para VPD foram: amplitude de pulso 75 mV e velocidade de varredura de 5 mV/s. Para ensaios cromatográficos foi utilizado um detector ultravioleta a 272 nm, coluna C18 (200 mm X 4,6mm X 10 μm), com fluxo de fase móvel 2 mL/minuto. Os perfis voltamétricos observados apresentaram um pico anódico em 293 mV (vs. Ag/AgClsat, pH = 6,0), cujo potencial e níveis de corrente foi inferior ao observado para eletrodo de carbono não modificado. Já os excipientes, não apresentaram picos não se constituindo em interferentes. Os eletrodos de sonogel apresentaram também boa linearidade e taxa de recuperação (CV < 5%) frente a solução padrão e método oficial (CLAE). Tal fato aliado a boa seletividade, sensibilidade e baixo custo geral torna o dispositivo promissor à análise de formulações de paracetamol. Palavras-chave: Eletrodos modificados; desenvolvimento farmacêutico; formas de dosagem; controle de qualidade.

Sistemas químicos capazes de produzir radicais livres OH&#8226; e O2&#8226;-, responsáveis por danos no DNA, foram estudados em diversos tipos de eletrodos de carbono previamente modificados. Nitrofural, RNO2, foi reduzido mono eletronicamente ao seu respectivo nitro ânion radical, RNO2&#8226;-, em eletrodo de pasta de carbono modificado superficialmente com um filme de guanina. O nitro ânion radical atacou a guanina imobilizada na superfície do eletrodo e, esta interação in situ, resultou na formação de cátions radicais de guanina (G+&#8226;), que ao interagirem com a guanina (G), foram identificados pelo pico de oxidação em voltametria pulso diferencial, VPD, nas formas diméricas de guanina na região positiva de potencial. Os outros sistemas estudados se referem ao desenvolvimento de novos eletrodos de carbono modificados ou ainda a utilização procedimentos de modificações desenvolvidas anteriormente, para a detecção de várias moléculas de importância biológica. O ácido ascórbico (AA), ácido úrico (AU), xantina (XA) e hipoxantina (HX) foram detectados simultaneamente em eletrodo de grafite pirolítico, previamente modificado em solução de dopamina (EGPD), utilizando VPD. Os picos de oxidação, obtidos por voltametria cíclica foram detectados em 51; 393; 765 e 1080 mV vs Ag / AgCl, KCl(sat) para AA, AU, XA e HX, respectivamente. O limite de detecção para XA em presença de 5,0 x10-5 mol L-1 de HX foi 2,3 x10-6 mol L-1 (com sensibilidade de 2,8 A mol-1 L cm2), enquanto que o limite de detecção para HX na presença de 5,0 x10-5 mol L-1 de XA foi de 5,6 x10-6 mol L-1 (com sensibilidade de 1,4 A mol-1 L cm-2). XA e HX foram determinadas em amostras de urina e os valores encontrados foram 0,47 &#181;mol L-1 e 5,9 mol L-1, respectivamente. Serotonina (5-HT) e dopamina (DA) foram determinadas simultaneamente em eletrodo de carbono vítreo, previamente modificado em solução de serotonina (GCE - 5HT). A serotonina foi detectada em 379 mV vs Ag / AgCl, KCl(sat), 31 mV menos positivo daquele observado em eletrodo de carbono vítreo (410 mV), enquanto DA foi detectada a 200 mV. Nenhuma interferência foi observada na presença de (AA), tirosina (Tyr), epinefrina (EP) e noradrenalina (NE). Finalmente, na última etapa do presente trabalho lignina, extraída a partir de licor de Kraft, foi solubilizada em acetonitrila / H2SO4 e a solução resultante utilizada para dispersar nanotubos de carbono de parede múltipla, NTCPM. Esta suspensão foi empregada para modificar a superfície de um eletrodo de carbono vítreo, posteriormente utilizado na detecção de nitrito por VPD no intervalo de concentração de 4,0 x 10-6 &#8804; [NO2-] &#8804; 8, 0 x 10-5 mol L-1. O complexo formado entre neocuproina e Cu (I), um composto em potencial para geração de radicais livres e promoção de lesões no DNA, foi sintetizado e caracterizado. / Chemical systems, which are able to produce OH&#8226; and O2&#8226;- free radicals, responsible for damage in DNA, were studied at different carbon modified electrode surfaces. Guanine carbon paste modified electrode was used to promote the nitrofural (RNO2) monoelectronic reduction to its respective nitro anion radical, RNO2&#8226;-, which attacked guanine immobilized on the electrode surface. The interaction in situ promoted the formation of guanine cation radicals (G+&#8226;) between guanine (G), after a dimerization process, were detected in the positive potential range by Differential Pulse Voltammetry, DPV. The other studied systems refer to development of new carbon modified electrodes or utilization of carbon modified electrodes, previously described, for the detection of several important biological molecules. Ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), xanthine (XA) and hypoxanthine (HX) were simultaneously detected at pyrolytic graphite electrode, previously modified into dopamine solution (EGPD), using DPV. The oxidation peak potentials, were obtained by cyclic voltammetry at 51; 393; 0.765 and 1080 mV vs Ag/AgCl, KCl(sat) for AA, UA, XA and HX, respectively. The detection limit for XA in presence of 5.0 x10-5 mol L-1 HX was 2.3 x10-6 mol L-1 (with sensibility of 2.8 A mol-1 L cm-2), while the detection limit for HX in presence of 5.0 x10-5 mol L-1 XA was 5.6 x10-6 mol L-1 (with sensibility of 1.4 A mol-1 L cm-2). XA and HX were determined in urine samples and the values founded were 0.47 &#181;M e 5.9 &#181;M, respectively. Serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) were simultaneously detected at glassy carbon electrode, previously modified in serotonin solution (ECV - 5HT). Serotonin was detected at 379 mV vs Ag/AgCl, KCl (sat), 31 mV less positive potential than that observed at bare glassy carbon electrode (410 mV), while DA was detected at 200 mV. No interference was observed in presence of (AA), tyrosine (Tyr), epinephrine (EP) and noradrenaline (NE). Finally, in the last stage of this work, lignin, extracted from Kraft liqueur, was solubilized in acetonitrile/H2SO4 and used to disperse multi-wall carbon nanotubes, MWNTC. This suspension was used to modify the glassy carbon electrode surface and nitrite was detected, by DPV in the concentration range of 4,0 x 10-6&#8804; [NO2-] &#8804; 8,0 x 10-5 mol L-1. The complex formed between neocuproina and Cu (I), a compound which can produce free radicals and thereby cause damage to DNA, was synthesized and characterized.

Eletrodos à base de carbono, como os eletrodos de troca iônica, entre outros, têm aplicação principalmente no tratamento de efluentes industriais e rejeitos radioativos. Carbono é também amplamente utilizado em células a combustível como substrato para os eletrocatalisadores, por possuir elevada área superficial, que supera a sua área geométrica. O conhecimento desta superfície ativa total é importante na determinação das condições de operação de uma célula eletroquímica no que diz respeito às correntes a serem aplicadas (densidade de corrente). No presente estudo foram utilizadas duas técnicas eletroquímicas na determinação da área superficial ativa de eletrodos de carbono vítreo e poroso e eletrodos de troca iônica: espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE) e voltametria cíclica (VC). Os experimentos foram realizados com soluções de KNO3 0,1 mol.L-1 em célula eletroquímica de três eletrodos: eletrodo de trabalho à base de carbono, eletrodo auxiliar de platina e eletrodo de referência de Ag/AgCl. Os eletrodos de carbono vítreo e de carbono poroso utilizado possuíam uma área geométrica de 3,14 x 10-2 cm2 e 2,83 10-1 cm2, respectivamente. O eletrodo de troca iônica foi preparado misturando-se grafite, carbono, resina de troca iônica e um aglutinante, sendo esta mistura aplicada em três camadas sobre feltro de carbono, utilizando-se nos experimentos uma área geométrica de 1,0 cm2. Por EIE determinou-se diretamente a capacitância dos materiais dos eletrodos (Cd) utilizando-se os diagramas de Bode. O valor de 172 &mu;F.cm-2 encontrado para o carbono vítreo está de acordo com a literatura (~200 &mu;F.cm-2). Por VC, variando a velocidade de varredura de 0,2 a 2,0 mV.s-1, determinou-se a capacitância CdS (S=área superficial ativa) na região da dupla camada elétrica (DCE) para cada um dos materiais, Por EIE, foram determinados os valores de Cd de 3,0 x 10-5 &mu;F.cm-2 e de 11,0 x 103 &mu;F.cm-2 para os eletrodos de carbono poroso e de troca iônica, respectivamente, o que possibilitou a determinação das áreas superficiais ativas de 3,73 x 106 cm2 e 4,72 cm2. Portanto, o uso combinado das técnicas de EIE e VC mostra-se promissor para o cálculo das áreas superficiais ativas de eletrodos à base de carbono. / Carbon-based electrodes as well the ion exchange electrodes among others have been applied mainly in the treatment of industrial effluents and radioactive wastes. Carbon is also used in fuel cells as substrate for the electrocatalysts, having high surface area which surpasses its geometric area. The knowledge of the total active area is important for the determination of operating conditions of an electrochemical cell with respect to the currents to be applied (current density). In this study it was used two techniques to determine the electrochemical active surface area of glassy carbon, electrodes and ion exchange electrodes: cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The experiments were carried out with KNO3 0.1 mol.L-1 solutions in a three-electrode electrochemical cell: carbon-based working electrode, platinum auxiliary electrode and Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The glassy carbon and porous carbon electrodes with geometric areas of 3.14 x 10-2 and 2.83 10-1 cm2, respectively, were used. The ion exchange electrode was prepared by mixing graphite, carbon, ion exchange resin and a binder, and this mixture was applied in three layers on carbon felt, using a geometric area of 1.0 cm2 during the experiments. The capacitance (Cd) of the materials was determined by EIS using Bode diagrams. The value of 172 &mu;F.cm-2 found for the glassy carbon is consistent with the literature data (~200 &mu;F.cm-2). By VC, varying the scan rate from 0.2 to 2.0 mV.s-1, the capacitance CdS (S = active surface area) in the region of the electric double layer (EDL) of each material was determined. By EIS, the values of Cd, 3.0 x 10-5 &mu;F.cm-2 and 11 x 103 &mu;F.cm-2, were found for the porous carbon and ion exchange electrodes, respectively, which allowed the determination of active surface areas as 3.73 x 106 cm2 and 4.72 cm2. To sum up, the combined use of EIS and CV techniques is a valuable tool for the calculation of active surface areas of carbon-based electrodes.