Presented Diploma Thesis deals with the study of electrochemical behavior of 5-nitroimidazole (5-NI), with the search for optimal conditions for its determination using techniques of DC voltammetry (DCV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a mercury meniscus modified silver solid amalgam electrode (m-AgSAE) and at a boron-doped diamond film electrode (BDDFE), and with the comparison of reached limits of quantification (LQs). The optimal conditions found for measuring calibration dependences of 5-NI at the m-AgSAE in deionized water were as follows: Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 7.0 and 10.0 for DCV and DPV, respectively. At both thechniques, it is advisable to use an electrochemical regeneration of the electrode surface by the application of a couple of regeneration potentials Ereg,1 = 0 mV and Ereg,2 = −800 mV. The calibration dependences were measured in the concentration range from 1·10−6 to 1·10−4 mol·l−1 , with the LQs of 1.0·10−6 mol·l−1 for DCV at the m-AgSAE and 1.5·10−6 mol·l−1 for DPV at the m-AgSAE. The concentration dependences of 5-NI at the BDDFE were measured using the DCV technique in the BR buffer of pH 3.0. For the DPV technique, the optimal medium seemed to be the BR buffer of pH 2.0, however, because of the presence of an interfering peak in the supporting electrolyte,...

This thesis deals with electrochemical behaviour of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) at silver solid amalgam electrode modified by mercury meniscus (m-AgSAE), polished silver solid amalgam electrode (p-AgSAE) and hanging mercury dropping electrode (HMDE). This thesis is a part of a bigger scientific research that deals with synthesis and characterization of supramolecular systems based on natural steroid compounds and its conjugates. TUDCA offers one reduction peak at m-AgSAE in the environment of Britton - Robinson buffer in range of pH 6.0 - 13.0. The potential of this peak is around −1200 mV. Using cyclic voltammetry was determined that the process on the electrode surface is quasireversible, the reduction is controlled by diffusion and the anodic process is controlled by adsorption. Concentration dependence measured at HMDE by direct current voltammetry in 0.04 mol∙l-1 borat buffer (pH 9.1) is linear in two concentration intervals - 1∙10-3 - 2∙10-4 mol∙l-1 and 1∙10-4 - 8∙10-6 mol∙l-1 of TUDCA. There was no linear dependence between the increase of concentration of TUDCA and the height of the peak obtained on amalgam electrodes by methods DC, DP, cyclic and "square-wave" voltammetry. On HMDE was in several short concentration intervals measured by a CV method a linear dependence of cathodic and...

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell generates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen (from air) through electrocatalytic reactions in an electrochemical cell. The Pt/C catalyst, commonly used in PEM fuel cells, is very sensitive to impurities that can interact with the active catalyst sites and limit fuel cell performance. Unfortunately, most hydrogen is currently produced from fossil sources, and inevitably contains impurities. The subject of this thesis is the effect of hydrogen impurities on the operation of a PEM fuel cell using a Pt/C anode. The impurities studied are carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and selected hydrocarbons. Particular focus is given to the interaction between the impurities studied and the anode catalyst. The main method used in the study involved performing cyclic voltammetry and mass spectrometry, simultaneously. Other electrochemical techniques are also employed. The results show that all the impurities studied adsorb to some extent on the Pt/C catalyst surface, and require potentials comparable to that of CO oxidation, i.e., about 0.6V, or higher to be removed by oxidation to CO2. For complete oxidation of propene, and toluene, potentials of above 0.8, and 1.0V, respectively, are required. The unsaturated hydrocarbons can be desorbed to some extent by reduction, but oxidation is required for complete removal. Adsorption of ethene, propene, and CO2 is dependent on the presence of adsorbed or gaseous hydrogen. Hydrogen inhibits ethene and propene adsorption, but facilitates CO2 adsorption. Adsorption of methane and propane is very limited and high concentrations of methane cause dilution effects only. The adlayer formed on the Pt/C anode catalyst in the presence of CO2, or moderate amounts of hydrocarbons, is found to be insffuciently complete to notably interfere with the hydrogen oxidation reaction. Higher concentrations of toluene do, however, limit the reaction. / Polymerelektrolytbränslecellen genererar elektricitet fran vätgas och syrgas (fran luft) genom elektrokatalytiska reaktioner i en elektrokemisk cell. Den platina-baserade katalysator som oftast används i dessa bränsleceller är känslig mot föroreningar, då dessa kan interagera med katalysatorns aktiva yta, och därmed begränsna bränslecellens prestanda. Tyvärr produceras dagens vätgas huvudsakligen fran fossila källor och innehåller därför oundvikligen föroreningar. Denna avhandling behandlar hur olika vätgasföroreningar påverkar katalysatorns aktivitet och bränslecellens drift. De föroreningar som studeras är kolmonoxid (CO) och koldioxid (CO2), samt ett antal mindre kolväten. Störst fokus ligger på hur dessa föroreningar interagerar med anodens Pt/C katalysator. Den metod som huvudsakligen används är cyklisk voltammetri kombinerat med masspektrometri, men flera elektrokemiska metoder har använts. Resultaten visar att alla undersökta föroreningar adsorberar på Pt/C katalysatorns yta i större eller mindre utstreckning. For att avlägsna det adsoberade skiktet genom oxidation till CO2 krävs potentialer jämförbara med CO oxidation, dvs ca 0,6V, eller högre. Fullständig oxidation av propen eller toluen kräver potentialer högre än 0,8V respektive 1,0V. De omättade kolvätena kan delvis avlägsnas genom reduktion, men fullständig avlägsning kräver oxidation. Närvaron av väte, i gasform eller adsorberat pa katalysatorn, hämmar adsorptionen av eten och propen, men främjar CO2 adsorption. Metan och propan adsorberar i mycket begränsad utstreckning på Pt/C katalysatorns yta. De prestandaförluster som uppstår av höga koncentrationer av metan förklaras av utspädning av vätgasen. Det adsorberade skiktet som bildas när Pt/C katalysatorn exponeras för CO2 eller måttliga koncentrationer av studerade kolväten, är inte tillräckligt heltäckande for att märkbart påverka vätgasreduktionen. Däremot kan höga koncentrationer av toluen begränsa reaktionen. / <p>QC 20161010</p>

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) are important enzymes for the development of amperometric enzyme linked immunosensors. The selectivity of each enzyme towards its analyte deepens its importance in determining the sensitivity of the resultant immunosensor. In designing immunosensors that have customized transducer surfaces, the incorporation with FAD and iron based enzymes ensures that electron kinetics remains optimal for electrochemical measurement. Various different immobilization strategies are used to produce response signals directly proportional to the concentration of analyte with minimal interferences. The combination of self-assembled monolayers and supramolecular chemistry affords stability and simplicity in immunosensor design. In this work, two electrochemical strategies for the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) is presented. This involves the modification of a gold surface with a thiolated β-cyclodextrin epichlorohydrin polymer (βCDPSH) to form a supramolecular inclusion complex with ferrocene (Fc)-functionalised carboxymethyl cellulose polymer (CMC). Cyclic voltammetry indicated that ferrocene is in close proximity to the electrode surface due to the supramolecular complex formed with βCDPSH. Furthermore, strategy (a) for the detection of hCG used α-antihCG labelled (HRP) as reporter conjugate. Strategy (b) maintained the CMC bifunctionalised with Fc and recognition antibody for hCG hormone. However, the system was functionalised with a HRP enzyme and detection is done by using GOx reporter conjugates for in situ production of hydrogen peroxide. The reduction of H2O2 was used for the amperometric detection of hCG by applying a potential of 200 mV. The sensitivity and limit of detection of both strategies were calculated from calibration plots. For strategy (a) the LOD was found to be 3.7283 ng/mL corresponding to 33.56 mIU/mL and a sensitivity of 0.0914 nA ng-1 mL-1. The corresponding values for strategy (b) are 700 pg/mL (6.3 mIU/mL) and 0.94 nA ng-1 mL-1.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a common DNA damaging agent. Major DNA lesions, such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine-(6-4)-pyrimidone (6-4PPs) photoproducts, are carcinogenic and mutagenic. UV induced DNA damage was investigated using a simple electrochemical DNA biosensor based on an ultra-trace graphite electrode (UTGE) and low molecular weight doble-stranded DNA (dsDNA) from salmon sperm. Biosensor was prepared using adsorption of dsDNA on a surface of the UTGE and then used to detect UV-induced DNA damage. Effects of UV radiation were investigated using a combination of several electrochemical technics: square-wave voltammetry (SWV) for direct monitoring of DNA base oxidation and cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), as non-direct methods, using redox-active indicator [Fe(CN)6]4-/3- . CV and EIS, which allow characterization of electrode surface, were used to optimize preparation of the dsDNA/UTGE biosensor. Prepared dsDNA/UTGE biosensor was exposed to UV radiation using UV lamp with two set wavelengths: UVC of 254 nm and UVA of 365 nm. UVC radiation was used to damage DNA. Relative signal decrease was 50% after 20 minutes of exposure to UVC radiation. UVA radiation was used to compare effects of different types of UV radiation. Obtained...

Moléculas de L-cisteína (CSH) e L-glutationa (GSH) foram ancoradas na superfície de eletrodos de ouro, previamente modificados com uma camada autoarranjada de ácido 3-mercaptopropiônico (MPA). Esta arquitetura molecular foi importante para preservar a atividade redox dos grupos tiólicos da CSH e GSH na interface eletrodo/solução. A identificação do par redox R-S-S-R/R-SH, bem como a determinação do pKa dos grupos -SH superficiais, foram efetuadas usando voltametria cíclica em soluções de eletrólito em diferentes pH contedo ferricianeto de potássio. A presença dos grupos -SH e -S-S- na superfície dos eletrodos modificados foi ainda confirmada por Espectroscopia Raman de Superfície. Determinaram-se as constantes de velocidade de transferência de carga do processo quase reversível R-S-S-R / R-SH. Estes eletrodos modificados apresentaram resposta eletrocatalítica para a redução de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS), como peróxido de hidrogênio e para a oxidação de compostos com atividade antioxidante como a quercetina. Demonstrou-se que a presença de íons Cu2+ na superfície destes eletrodos é capaz de deslocar o equilíbrio do par R-SS-R/R-SH, no sentido oxidativo. Métodos de quantificação para estes compostos foram desenvolvidos por amperometria hidrodinâmica e voltametria cíclica. / L-cysteine molecules (CSH) and L-glutathione (GSH) were anchored on the surface of gold electrodes, previously modified with a self assembled monolayer of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA). This molecular architecture was important to preserve the redox properties of the thiol groups of CSH and GSH in the interface electrode / solution. The identification of the redox couple RSSR / R-SH and the determination of the pKa of -SH groups surface were made using cyclic voltammetry in electrolyte solutions at different pH contents potassium ferricyanide. The presence of the -SH and -SS- modified electrode surface was further confirmed by Raman spectroscopy of surface. It was determined the rate constants of direct electron transfer of quasi-reversible coupled R-SS-R/R-SH. The modified electrodes showed electrocatalytic response to the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation of compounds with antioxidant activity such as quercetin. It was demonstrated that presence of Cu2+ ions on the electrode surface can shift the equilibrium of the RSSR/R-SH redox coupled into oxidative direction. Hydrogen peroxide and Quercetin were detected at these modified electrodes using amperometry and hydrodynamic cyclic voltammetry.

Moléculas de L-cisteína (CSH) e L-glutationa (GSH) foram ancoradas na superfície de eletrodos de ouro, previamente modificados com uma camada autoarranjada de ácido 3-mercaptopropiônico (MPA). Esta arquitetura molecular foi importante para preservar a atividade redox dos grupos tiólicos da CSH e GSH na interface eletrodo/solução. A identificação do par redox R-S-S-R/R-SH, bem como a determinação do pKa dos grupos -SH superficiais, foram efetuadas usando voltametria cíclica em soluções de eletrólito em diferentes pH contedo ferricianeto de potássio. A presença dos grupos -SH e -S-S- na superfície dos eletrodos modificados foi ainda confirmada por Espectroscopia Raman de Superfície. Determinaram-se as constantes de velocidade de transferência de carga do processo quase reversível R-S-S-R / R-SH. Estes eletrodos modificados apresentaram resposta eletrocatalítica para a redução de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS), como peróxido de hidrogênio e para a oxidação de compostos com atividade antioxidante como a quercetina. Demonstrou-se que a presença de íons Cu2+ na superfície destes eletrodos é capaz de deslocar o equilíbrio do par R-SS-R/R-SH, no sentido oxidativo. Métodos de quantificação para estes compostos foram desenvolvidos por amperometria hidrodinâmica e voltametria cíclica. / L-cysteine molecules (CSH) and L-glutathione (GSH) were anchored on the surface of gold electrodes, previously modified with a self assembled monolayer of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA). This molecular architecture was important to preserve the redox properties of the thiol groups of CSH and GSH in the interface electrode / solution. The identification of the redox couple RSSR / R-SH and the determination of the pKa of -SH groups surface were made using cyclic voltammetry in electrolyte solutions at different pH contents potassium ferricyanide. The presence of the -SH and -SS- modified electrode surface was further confirmed by Raman spectroscopy of surface. It was determined the rate constants of direct electron transfer of quasi-reversible coupled R-SS-R/R-SH. The modified electrodes showed electrocatalytic response to the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation of compounds with antioxidant activity such as quercetin. It was demonstrated that presence of Cu2+ ions on the electrode surface can shift the equilibrium of the RSSR/R-SH redox coupled into oxidative direction. Hydrogen peroxide and Quercetin were detected at these modified electrodes using amperometry and hydrodynamic cyclic voltammetry.

Ce travail s'inscrit dans les thématiques matériaux carbonés et matériaux pour l'énergie. Il s'agit d'une part de remplacer tout ou partie du platine, catalyseur de la pile à combustible basse température, par des matériaux moins coûteux et plus abondants ; et d'autre part d'optimiser l'accessibilité des sites catalytiques aux réactifs. WCl6 est imprégné en phase gazeuse en présence de dichlore sur un support dérivé du graphite expansé, avant d'être réduit/carburé afin d'obtenir des dérivés du tungstène (tungstène, carbures de tungstène). La taille et la nature des nanoparticules dépendent de la composition du gaz utilisé (H2 ou mélange H2/CH4) et de la température de réaction. En présence de H2, la réduction est complète à partir de 550°C. L'utilisation d'un mélange gazeux H2/CH4 (90/10, 85/15 ou 80/20) conduit à l'élaboration de nanoparticules de W2C et WC. L'augmentation de la température favorise le frittage des particules mais pas la carburation complète. Les tests en demi-pile effectués sur ces catalyseurs révèlent qu'ils sont peu performants. Des catalyseurs mixtes Pt-W2C sont obtenus en déposant successivement PtCl4 et WCl6. La réduction - carburation est réalisée à 900°C en présence d'un mélange H2/CH4 (85/15). Ces matériaux possèdent des performances électrocatalytiques bien supérieures à celles d'un catalyseur commercial pour un taux de platine équivalent. Ce travail concerne également la fonctionnalisation du support carboné par des groupements sulfonate. Le greffage de polystyrène sulfonate est efficace car il permet de diminuer la quantité de Nafion utilisée dans les électrodes et d'améliorer les performances catalytiques / This work is implicated in the development of carbon materials and of materials for energy applications. In the first part, we aim to totally or partially replace the platinum catalyst of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell by less expensive and more abundant materials. In the second part, we optimize the catalytic sites accessibility for the reactants. WCl6 was impregnated on the Expanded Graphite derivated substrate by gaseous transport under chlorine pressure before being reduced and/or carburized in order to obtain tungsten derivatives (tungsten, tungsten carbides). The nature and size of the nanoparticles depend on the reducing or carburizing gas composition (H2 or H2/CH4 mixture) and the reaction temperature. Reduction is not complete until 500°C when using H2. W2C and WC mixtures are formed when using H2/CH4 mixtures (90/10, 85/15 or 80/20). The temperature increasing favours the sintering effect but not the complete carburization. All these obtained catalysts show low electrocatalytic performances when tested on a half-cell system. Platinum-tungsten hemicarbides catalysts were obtained by a successive deposition of PtCl4 and WCl6 while the reduction-carburization step was realized at 900°C under H2/CH4 mixture (85/15). These materials show higher electrocatalytic performances than a commercial platinum catalyst for an equivalent platinum ratio. The final part of this work concerns the carbon support functionnalization with sulfonate groups. Polystyrene sufonate grafting seems efficient for it helps to reduce the Nafion quantities used in the electrodes and to increase the electrocatalytic performances

<p>The main thesis hub was on development of two electrochemical biosensors for the determination of 17&beta / -estradiol: an estrogenic endocrine disrupting compound. Endocronology have significantly shown that the endocrine disruptors contribute tremendously to health problems encountered by living species today, problems such as breast cancer, reproductive abnormalities, a decline in male population most significant to aquatic vertebrates, reduced fertility and other infinite abnormalities recurring in the reproductive system of mostly male species. The first biosensor developed for the detection of 17&beta / -estradiol endocrine disrupting compound / consisted of an electro-active polymeric 3-mercaptoprorionic acid capped zinc selenide quantum dots cross linked to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme as a bio-recognition element. The second biosensor developed was comprised of cysteamine self assembled to gold electrode, with 3-mercaptopropionic acid capped zinc selenide quantum dots cross linked to cytochrome P450-3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3- dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride and succinimide.</p>

<p>In this work, a simple, less time consuming electrochemical method in the form of an electrochemical sensor has been developed for the detection of PAHs. The sensor was fabricated by the deposition of silver-gold (1:3) alloy nanoparticles (Ag-AuNPs) on ultrathin overoxidized polypyrrole (PPyox) film which formed a PPyox/Ag-AuNPs composite on glassy carbon electrode (PPyox/Ag-AuNPs/GCE). The silver-gold alloy nanoparticles deposited to form the composite were chemically prepared by simultaneous reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) using sodium citrate and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy technique which confirmed the homogeneous formation of the alloy nanoparticles.</p>