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The work presented in this thesis examines the electrochemical behaviour of a number of species, both surface-bound and in the solution phase, in various room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), in order to identify systems which show altered reactivities in room-temperature ionic liquids, compared to that in conventional, molecular, aprotic solvents. The fundamentals of electrochemistry are outlined and an introduction to room-temperature ionic liquids is given, after which the results of six original investigations are presented, as follows; The electrochemical response of surface-bound anthraquinonyl films was investigated as a function of RTIL cation size. The reduction of oxygen to superoxide in the [C₂mim][NTf₂] RTIL was studied at different carbon electrodes. The mechanisms of electrodeposition and stripping of Zn(II) onto bulk zinc deposits, on glassy carbon electrodes, in the [C₄mPyrr][NTf₂] RTIL were investigated. A novel and successful method for the fabrication of zinc microdisk electrodes was developed and the electrochemical behaviour of these electrodes was investigated. The mechanisms for the electrochemical reductions of some bromo- and nitrobenzenes at platinum microelectrodes were determined in the [C₄mPyrr][NTf₂] ionic liquid, in order to identify systems which displayed changed reactivities in RTILs compared to those in molecular aprotic solvents. The altered reactivity of 1-bromo-4-nitrobenzene in the [C₄mPyrr][NTf₂] ionic liquid was utilised via electrochemical reduction at zinc microelectrodes in order to form arylzinc compounds. The work presented in this thesis shows that the oft-taken view that the reactivity of a given species in an ionic liquid will mimic that in conventional aprotic solvents is not always the case. Reactivities can be markedly different between RTILs and aprotic solvents and can also be highly dependent on the specific ionic liquid employed.

Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία γίνεται χρήση λεπτών υμενίων TiO2 ως στερεό υπόστρωμα για την ακινητοποίηση πρωτεϊνών με απώτερο σκοπό την ανάπτυξη ενός αμπερομετρικού βιοαισθητήρα με ευαισθησία στο υπεροξείδιο του υδρογόνου (H2O2). Αρχικά περιγράφεται η λειτουργία των βιοαισθητήρων καθώς και οι σημαντικότεροι τύποι βιοαισθητήρων που έχουν κατασκευαστεί μέχρι σήμερα. Σημαντικό ρόλο στην επιτυχή κατασκευή ενός βιοαισθητήρα παίζει η επιλογή του υλικού που θα χρησιμοποιηθεί ως υπόστρωμα / ηλεκτρόδιο (υμένια TiO2) καθώς και ο τρόπος που ακινητοποιείται το βιομόριο πάνω σε αυτό, γι’ αυτό και έχει δοθεί έμφαση στην ανάλυση των παραπάνω πληροφοριών. Επίσης περιγράφεται η δομή και η φυσική λειτουργία της πρωτεΐνης, (κυτόχρωμα c), που χρησιμοποιήθηκε ως το βιομόριο επιλογής για την ανάπτυξη του βιοαισθητήρα. Αναλύθηκαν επίσης οι κρυσταλλικές δομές του διοξειδίου του τιτανίου, οι βασικές φυσικοχημικές τους ιδιότητες και οι λόγοι που επιλέξαμε την ανατάση για τη συγκεκριμένη εργασία. Περιγράφεται η πειραματική διαδικασία εναπόθεσης των υμενίων του TiO2 σε υποστρώματα αγώγιμου υάλου. Στη συνέχεια περιγράφονται οι πειραματικές διατάξεις που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τόσο για τον χαρακτηρισμό των υμενίων διοξειδίου του τιτανίου (TiO2) όσο και για την αναλυτική μελέτη της ακινητοποίησης του κυτοχρώματος c πάνω σε αυτά. Τέλος περιγράφεται η ηλεκτροχημική κυψελίδα 3 ηλεκτροδίων και η τεχνική της κυκλικής βολταμετρίας που επιλέχθηκαν τόσο για τη μελέτη των ηλεκτροχημικών ιδιοτήτων των υμενίων TiO2 με ή χωρίς ακινητοποιημένη πρωτεΐνη όσο και για την ανάπτυξη ενός αμπερομετρικού βιοαισθητήρα με ευαισθησία στο H2O2. / In the present study, the use of thin nanocrystalline TiO2 films as solid substrates for protein immobilization and for the development of an electrochemical biosensor for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are investigated. First of all, a general description of biosensors and their most important types that have been developed to date is given. For the successful development of a biosensor, the choice of material/substrate used as the surface/electrode (thin film of TiO2) for the attachment of the bio-molecule of interest, as well as the manner in which the bio-molecule is immobilized upon it are critical and therefore emphasis is given for the analysis of this information. Furthermore, a description of the structure and basic functions of the bio-molecules (cytochrome c and hemoglobin), used for the immobilization studies and for the development of the biosensor is presented. Additionally, the crystalline structures of titanium dioxide have been analyzed, along with its basic physicochemical properties and the reasons for choosing its anatase structure for the specific project. In the experimental part, the deposition of the colloidal TiO2 paste on conducting glass for the preparation of the thin mesoporous TiO2 films is described in detail. Also described are the experimental techniques used for the characterization of these films as well as a thorough analysis of the binding of cytochrome c upon them and the parameters that influence its adsorption. Finally, description of the 3-elecrode electrochemical cell used in this study of perform of cyclic voltammetry experiments in order to investigate the electrochemical properties of the TiO2 thin films with or without immobilized protein is given. The same setup is also used for the development of an electrochemical biosensor for H2O2.

Ce mémoire décrit la synthèse, la caractérisation spectroscopique et l’étude de la réactivité catalytique d’une nouvelle série de complexes pinceurs de Ni(II) formés à partir du ligand POCOPPh (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H4), très peu étudié dans le cas du nickel. Les études décrites dans ce mémoire examinent l’effet des substituants des phosphines sur les propriétés spectroscopiques et électrochimiques ainsi que les activités catalytiques. La synthèse du ligand a été améliorée par rapport à la procédure connue dans la littérature en diminuant le temps de réaction à 30 min et la température jusqu'à température ambiante. Les composés pinceur (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H3)NiX ont été obtenus avec des rendements variant entre 60% et 88%. Le premier complexe a été synthétisé en faisant réagir le précurseur NiBr2(NCCH3)x avec le ligand POCOPPh pour donner (POCOPPh)NiBr. Ce dernier réagit par la suite avec les sels d’argent et de potassium pour donner 4 nouveaux complexes soient : (POCOPPh)NiCN, (POCOPPh)NiOTf, (POCOPPh)NiOAc et (POCOPPh)NiONO2 (OTf = triflate et OAc = acetate). Vu la réactivité limitée du dérivé bromure, le dérivé (POCOPPh)NiOTf a été utilisé pour la préparation du composé (POCOPPh)NiCCPh. Le dérivé Ni-OTf a été utilisé également pour la synthèse des complexes (POCOPPh)NiR qui ont été détectés par RMN. Ces complexes (POCOPPh)NiR ont montré une stabilité trop faible et donnent des nouveaux complexes de type (POCOPPh)NiX en échangeant l’halogène avec le Mg ou de type (POCOPPh)NiOH en s’hydrolysant. Les espèces cationiques [(POCOPPh)NiNCR][OTf] (R= Me, CHCH2, CHCHMe, C(Me)CH2, NCCH2CH2N(Ph)H) ont été obtenues facilement et avec des bon rendements à partir du (POCOPPh)NiOTf. Tous les composés obtenus ont été caractérisés par la spectroscopie RMN (1H, 13C{1H}, 31P{1H}, 19F{1H}), la spectroscopie IR et la spectroscopie UV-vis. L’analyse élémentaire et l’analyse par la diffraction des rayons X, dont le but est de résoudre la structure à l’état solide, ont été utilisées pour la plupart des complexes. Des études de voltampérométrie cyclique ont été menées pour déterminer la densité électronique des centres métalliques et l’effet des phosphines sur cette propriété électrochimique. Dans le but de déterminer l’effet des substituants des phosphines sur l’activité catalytique des complexes, nous avons évalué les réactivités catalytiques des deux complexes (POCOPPh)NiOTf et (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf dans la réaction d’hydroamination des oléfines activés et plus spécifiquement l’acrylonitrile. Après optimisation des conditions expérimentales, on a constaté que la réactivité des deux composés sont similaires mais une grande différence apparaît après l’ajout des additifs. En effet, le complexe (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf donne une bonne activité catalytique en présence de la triéthylamine, tandis que cette activité diminue considérablement en présence d’eau, contrairement au complexe (POCOPPh)NiOTf qui est plus actif en présence d’eau. Dans le cas du complexe (POCOPPh)NiOTf, on a pu montrer que la base se coordonne au nickel dans le produit formé après la réaction d’hydroamination, ce qui diminue l’activité de ce complexe dans certains cas. Également on a exploré la réaction de l’addition du lien O-H sur l’acrylonitrile, et étonnamment le complexe (POCOPPh)NiOTf est beaucoup plus actif que son homologue (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf dans le cas des alcools aromatiques. Par contre, les alcools aliphatiques restent un défi majeur pour ce genre de complexe. Le mécanisme de cette réaction qui a été proposé montre que l’alcoolyse passe par les deux intermédiaires (POCOPPh)NiOAr et [(POCOPPh)NiOAr][HOAr] mais l’isolation de ces intermédiaires observés par RMN semble être difficile. / This thesis describes the synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and the catalytic activities of a new family of pincer complexes of Ni (II) starting from the ligand POCOPPh (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H4) for which very few nickel complexes have been reported previsouly. We discuss the influence of P-substituents on the spectroscopic, electrochemical and catalytic activities of these complexes. The synthesis of POCOPPh has been improved comparatively to the procedure reported in the literature by reducing the reaction time to 30 minutes and the temperature to room temperature. The complex (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H3)NiBr was obtained with 88% yield by reacting the precursor NiBr2(NCCH3)x with POCOPPh . This complex was then reacted with various silver and potassium salts to give the following complexes (POCOPPh)NiCN, (POCOPPh)NiOTf, (POCOPPh)NiOAc and (POCOPPh)NiONO2 (OTf = triflate et OAc = acetate). The limited reactivity of the bromo derivative led us to use (POCOPPh)NiOTf for the preparation of some of the desired derivatives, such as (POCOPPh)NiCCPh. Attempts to prepare the desired alkyl derivatives (POCOPPh)NiR were not successful, but we were able to detect these derivatives using NMR. The thermal instability of (POCOPPh)NiR led to formation of new (POCOPPh)NiX complexes by halogen exchange with MgX2 or (POCOPPh)NiOH by hydrolysis. The cationic species [(POCOPPh)NiNCR][OTf] (R = Me, CHCH2, CHCHMe, C(Me)CH2, NCCH2CH2N(Ph)H) also were obtained easily from the (POCOPPh)NiOTf with good yields. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C{1H} 31P{1H}, 19F{1H}), IR spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. For most complexes analysis by X-ray diffraction allowed us to establish their solid state structures. A few studies by cyclic voltammetry have been done to determine the electronic density of the metal center and the P-substituent influence on this characteristic. In order to investigate the effect of phosphine substituents on the catalytic activities of this type of complexes, catalytic studies were undertaken with the following two complexes (POCOPPh)NiOTf and (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf in hydroamination of activated olefins specifically acrylonitrile. After optimization of experimental conditions, it was found that both complexes have similar activities but what makes a huge difference is the use of additives. Indeed, (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf showed good catalytic activity in the presence of triethylamine as base but this activity decreased significantly in the presence of water. The opposite was observed with (POCOPPh)NiOTf complex: it was shown that triethylamine coordinates to the nickel center in this complex and hence reduces its activity in some cases. We Also explored other reactions such as the addition of the O-H bond in aromatic alcohols to acrylonitrile, and it was surprising that (POCOPPh)NiOTf is much more active than its homologous (POCOPi-Pr)-NiOTf. However aliphatic alcohols remain a major challenge for this kind of complex. Mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction passes through the following intermediates (POCOPPh)NiOAr and [(POCOPPh)NiOAr][HOAr]. These species were observed by NMR but not isolated.

Electrochemistry is the science of electron transfer. The subject is of great importance and appeal because detailed information can be obtained using relatively simple experimental techniques. In general, the raw data is sufficiently complicated to preclude direct interpretation, yet is readily rationalised using numerical procedures. Computational analysis is therefore central to electrochemistry and is the main topic of this thesis. Chapters 1 and 2 provide an introductory account to electrochemistry and numerical analysis respectively. Chapter 1 explains the origin of the potential difference and describes its relevance to the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of a redox process. Voltammetry is introduced as an experimental means of studying electrode dynamics. Chapter 2 explains the numerical methods used in later chapters. Chapter 3 presents a review of the use of nanoparticles in electrochemistry. Chapter 4 presents the simulation of a random array of spherical nanoparticles. Conclusions obtained theoretically are experimentally confirmed using the Cr³⁺/Cr²⁺ redox couple on a random array of silver nanoparticles. Chapter 5 presents an investigation into the concentration of supporting electrolyte required to make a voltammetric experiment quantitatively diffusional. This study looks at a wide range of experimental conditions. Chapter 6 presents an investigation into the deliberate addition of insufficient supporting electrolyte to an electrochemical experiment. It is shown that this technique can be used to fully study a stepwise two electron transfer. Conclusions obtained theoretically are experimentally confirmed using the reduction of anthracene in acetonitrile. Chapter 7 presents a new method for simulating voltammetry at disc shaped electrodes in the presence of insufficient supporting electrolyte. It is shown that, under certain conditions, the results obtained from this complicated simulation can be quantitatively obtained by means of a much simpler ‘hemispherical approximation’. Conclusions obtained theoretically are experimentally confirmed using the hexammineruthenium ([Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺/[Ru(NH₃)₆]²⁺) and hexachloroiridate ([IrCl₆]²⁻/[IrCl₆]³⁻) redox couples. Chapter 8 presents an investigation into the voltammetry of stepwise two electron processes using ionic liquids as solvents. It is shown that these solvents can be used to fully study a stepwise two electron transfer. Conclusions obtained theoretically are experimentally confirmed using the oxidation of N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C₄ mim][BF₄]). The work presented in this thesis has been published as 7 scientific papers.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

L'oxydoréduction des monocouches auto-assemblées («Self-assembled monolayers ou SAMs) de ferrocenyldodecanethiolates sur une surface d'or (Fc(CH2)12SAu) dans des solutions aqueuses de n-alkyle sulfate de sodium (6, 8, 10 et 12 atomes de carbone) est étudiée par spectroscopie de résonance des plasmons de surface («Surface Plasmons Resonance ou SPR) couplée avec de la voltampérométrie cyclique (VC). La technique SPR est utilisée pour suivre en temps réel l'adsorption des tensioactifs en fonction du potentiel appliqué. Elle permet de quantifier l'épaisseur et le recouvrement des molécules adsorbées pour déterminer l'organisation des tensioactifs anioniques sur la SAM. La VC est utilisée afin de caractériser l'oxydation du groupement ferrocène en présence des n-alkyle sulfate de sodium qui s'associent à la SAM grâce à l'appariement entre le ferrocénium et le groupement sulfate. Des mélanges binaires d'alkylesulfates de différentes compositions sont utilisés dans le but de déterminer l'organisation induite par une réaction d'oxydoréduction. L'effet de la longueur de la chaîne d'hydrocarbures sur la quantité de tensioactifs anioniques adsorbés ainsi que les affinités relatives d'appariement des anions alkyle sulfate aux ferrocéniums sont rapportés dans ce mémoire. Ces surfaces électrosensibles permettront la détection de molécules amphiphiles et la compréhension du comportement de mélanges binaires de tensioactifs. Ainsi, ces travaux apporteront une avancée sur la modulation électrochimique de l'organisation de matériaux sur des substrats solides basée sur l'appariement d'ions. / The redox-induced pairing from aqueous solution of a homologous series of sodium n-alkyl sulfate (6, 8, 10 and 12 carbon atoms) to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of ferrocenyldodecanethiolates on a gold surface (Fc(CH2)12SAu) is investigated by spectroscopy of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) coupled with the cyclic voltammetry (CV). The SPR technique is used to monitor in real time the adsorption of surfactant in function of the applied potential. It quantifies the adsorbed layer thickness and surface coverage to determine the organization of anionic surfactants on SAM. CV is used to characterize the oxidation of ferrocene group in the presence of sodium n-alkyl sulfates that associate with SAM through matching between the ferrocenium and sulfate group. Binary mixtures of alkylesulfates of different compositions are used to determine the structure induced by a redox reaction. The effect of the length of the hydrocarbon chain on the amount of anionic surfactants adsorbed and the relative affinities of matching the ferroceniums alkyl sulfate anions are reported in this thesis. These electrosensitive surfaces allow the detection of amphiphilic molecules and the understanding the behavior of binary mixtures of surfactants. Thus, this work will result in progress on the electrochemical modulation organizing materials on solid substrates based on the ion-pairing.

This diploma thesis is focused on the determination of chloramphenicol by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), DC voltammetry (DCV), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) on a meniscus modified silver solid amalgame electrode (m- AgSAE). For the determination of chloramphenicol the optimum conditions were found and under these conditions concentration dependences were measured and then limits of quantification were determined. The influence of pH of BR buffer was tested. For determination of chloramphenicol by DCV pH 7 was chosen as an optimum background and pH 8 was chosen as an optimmum for DPV determination. Under these conditions linear dependences were obtained in the concentration range of 1·10-6 - 1·10-4 mol·l-1 . The limit of detection of chloramphenicol by DCV was 2.3·10-6 mol·l-1 . The limit of detection of chloramphenicol by DPV was 2.1·10-6 mol·l-1 in distilled water, 2.9·10-6 mol·l-1 in river water and 4.2·10-6 mol·l-1 in drinking water. Electrochemical behavior of chloramphenicol was studied by cyclic voltammetry in BR buffer with pH 2, 6, 8, 12 and then mechanism of reduction of chloramphenicol was propose based on available literature. Chloramphenicol was determined in drug Spersadex by DPV in BR buffer with pH 8. The optimal conditions for determining...

This work was focused on study of a behaviour of the food additivum butylated hydroxyanisole on modified carbon electrodes by the voltammetric techniques - cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Glassy carbon and carbon paste electrode were used. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in combination with three different binders (acetonitrile, nafione or chitosane) were employed for the electrode modification. Carbon paste electrode was unable to modificate with film containing carbon nanotubes and acetonitrile, its active surface was treated only with nafione and chitosane film. All three mentioned modifications were applied in case of glassy carbon electrode. Butylated hydroxyanisole provided a significantly higher signal using electrodes modified with carbon nanotubes with all three binders in contrast to electrodes without any surface modification. The glassy carbon electrode with carbon nanotube / acetonitrile film on its surface appeared to be the most effective for analytical purposes. Voltammetric determination of butylated hydroxyanisole using this electrode provided a better defined and higher analytical signal and lower relative standard deviations in comparison with other ways of modification. The limit of detection of butylated hydroxyanisole obtained by cyclic voltammetry on glassy...

of the Diploma Thesis In this Diploma Thesis, the electrochemical behavior of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was studied at a newly prepared large-surface carbon film electrode (ls-CFE) using techniques of DC voltammetry (DCV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with the aim to develop sensitive analytical methods for its determination. Voltammetric behavior of 4-NP was investigated in the region of anodic potentials, in dependence on the pH of the medium used (realized using Britton-Robinson buffer). The optimum pH values for the determination of 4-NP were chosen as follows: pH 3.0 (for DCV) and pH 7.0 (for DPV). During anodic oxidation of 4-NP on the ls-CFE at the concentration of the analyte of 1·10-4 mol/l, the passivation of the electrode surface occurred. Thus, it was decided to record series of measurements always at a new carbon film. Using the sample of 4-NP (at the concentration of 1·10-4 mol/l), the repeatability of the application of individual carbon films was tested, with obtained RSD values of 3.7% and 3.6% for DCV and DPV, respectively. Under optimum conditions, the calibration dependences of 4-NP were measured in the concentration range from 1·10-6 to 1·10-4 mol/l, with the limits of quantification (LQs) of 1.5·10-6 mol/l (for DCV at the ls-CFE) and 4.6·10-7 mol/l (for DPV at the...