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Particle Collision Electrochemistry (PCE) has gained considerable attention in heterogeneous catalysis, petroleum chemistry and pharmaceutical fields. The PCE refers to a phenomenon in which a particle strikes on an inert electrode surface as a consequence of its Brownian motion and produces a spike of current for the direct oxidation/reduction of the individual particle. This method allows us characterization of individual particles and in-situ study of electrochemical reactions coupled to the particle. Herein, emulsion droplets were studied by PCE where toluene droplets contained hydrophobic tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (Q). This was investigated as a model system to study the molecular effects that arise due to hydrogen bonding reagents (oleic acid, acetic acid) inside and outside of the droplets. The emulsions were prepared by sonicating toluene-quinone solution with the water phase containing an ionic liquid to provide conductivity to the droplet. Each droplet produced a current spike while colliding with the electrode surface that was held at a potential to reduce tetrachoro-1,4-benzoquinone. In bulk acetonitrile and toluene, tetrachoro-1,4-benzoquinone undergoes a two electron reduction process to form the tetrachloro phenolate di-anion (Q2-). It was shown that the hydrogen bonding affinity of Q2- for acetic acid (pKa = 4.8) was higher than for oleic acid (pKa = 9.9) for both bulk systems (as acetic acid is stronger hydrogen bonding donor than oleic acid). However, the reversed trend was observed in emulsified toluene droplets when studied by PCE. This was attributed to the preferential partition of the carboxylic acids between the two phases in the emulsion. Oleic acid stays inside the droplets due its hydrophobic nature and hydrogen bonding with Q2- takes place inside the droplet. In contrast, solvation of acetic acid by the surrounding water, causes the hydrogen bonding with Q2- to occur significantly less inside the droplet. Another redox system studied by PCE was hydrophobic ferrocene (Fc) trapped in the toluene droplet to determine the effect of surfactant on the particle size. The diameter determined electrochemically was compared with Dynamic Light Scattering (DSL) measurements. The presence of nonionic surfactant (triton X-100) was observed to affect the droplet’s size easily monitored by PCE. The mediated oxidation of cysteine by the oxidized Fc inside the droplet was investigated at different concentrations of cysteine.

xv, 116 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Aqueous solutes next to hydrophobic interfaces arc prevalent in a multitude of chemical and biological systems throughout the world. Their presence ranges from environmental processes such as soil and water remediation to biological processes such as ion transport, membrane formation, and enzyme activity. In these and other examples, the interface is an integral part of the system. Understanding these chemically complex systems requires that a molecular level picture be built as a starting basis. In this dissertation, vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS), a surface selective non-linear optical technique, is used to obtain a fundamental understanding of the interfacial properties of carboxylic acid based surfactants and polymers at the oil-water interface. Interfacial studies of the solvating environment around a carboxylate headgroup surfactant are presented first. By utilizing different VSFS polarization schemes, the carboxylate vibrational stretching region was used to monitor the headgroup environment. Results showed the oil-water interface provides a unique environment for adsorption and structuring, and distinct differences exist from the air-water and solid-water interface. With the information gained in the first study, the binding of metal ions to carboxylate headgroups is investigated using VSFS. Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Zn 2+ were used to perturb the headgroup vibrations to further our understanding of the types of interactions and the binding strength between the ion and headgroup. The results show each ion to have a different interaction characteristics with the strongest being bi-dentate in nature and the weakest having ionic character. The final work presented involves moving VSFS studies towards macromolccular assemblies at the oil-water interface to model inherently complex biomolecular systems. These studies present adsorption structure and dynamics of poly(acrylic-acid) as a function of pH, molecular weight, concentration, and the presence of mono and divalent salts. Poly(acrylic-acid) was found to have ordered adsorption characteristics that were highly dependent on the pH and the presence of aqueous salts. This dissertation includes unpublished co-authored materials. / Committee in charge: Thomas Dyke, Chairperson, Chemistry; Geraldine Richmond, Advisor, Chemistry; John Hardwick, Member, Chemistry; Jeffrey Cina, Member, Chemistry; 1. Andrew Berglund, Member, Chemistry; John Conery, Outside Member, Computer & Information Science

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Hugo Barbosa Suffredini / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia/Química, 2018. / O presente trabalho apresenta estudos que utilizam a eletroquímica como ferramenta principal para a detecção de aditivos alimentares em amostras reais, sem a realização de pré-tratamentos trabalhosos, muitas vezes necessários para a execução desse tipo de trabalho. Para tanto, a determinação do antioxidante BHA (tercbutil-4-hidroxianisol) foi realizada em um sistema interfacial do tipo óleo/água, utilizando um eletrodo de Diamante Dopado com Boro (DDB) em conjunto com a técnica de voltametria de onda quadrada. Testes preliminares indicaram que a oxidação do BHA é um processo irreversível, do qual o produto gerado também é eletroativo. A determinação desta espécie foi feita a partir de uma solução de BHA em óleo de soja inserida diretamente na interface óleo/ eletrólito de suporte (Tampão BR), utilizando um eletrodo de DDB pré-tratado catodicamente. O particionamento do BHA para fase aquosa, atingindo o equilíbrio, demorou em torno de 15 minutos para ser completado. Destacam-se nesse trabalho as adaptações implementadas no sistema interfacial, como a utilização de um anel de isolamento para fase óleo e o controle do posicionamento do eletrodo de trabalho. Essas melhorias na célula eletroquímica utilizada permitiram demonstrar a relação direta da resposta eletroquímica da oxidação do BHA com a distância do eletrodo de DDB da interface óleo/água. O sistema apresentou uma boa linearidade nas detecções realizadas em fase aquosa, na faixa de concentração de 1,47x10-6 a 1,47x10-5 mol L-1. As detecções feitas diretamente na interface não apresentaram linearidade semelhante, ficando na faixa de 9,6x10-3 a 1,2x10-1 mol L-1. Concluiu-se que o sistema proposto se mostrou viável para determinação de BHA em amostras de alimento comercial, mas são necessários estudos adicionais para a realização da técnica diretamente em amostras reais. / Electrochemistry was used as main tool to promote the detection of BHA (tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole) directly at an interface oil/water, without the necessity to promote complicated pre-treatment steps in the samples. The determination of the antioxidant BHA was performed with a Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) electrode, in conjunction with the square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. Preliminary tests indicated that BHA oxidation is an irreversible process and the generated oxidation product is also electroactive. Determination of the species was made from an oil solution of BHA inserted directly at the oil/support-electrolyte interface, using a cathodically pretreated BDD electrode. The equilibrium of partitioning of BHA reach this situation at around 15 minutes. Some adaptations implemented in this work, such as the use of an insulation module for the oil phase and control of the positioning of the working electrode have improved the results. These improvements in the electrochemical cell demonstrated a direct relation of the electrochemical response of BHA oxidation and the distance of the BDD electrode of the oil/water interface. The system showed good linearity in all detections performed in aqueous phase, in a concentration range from 1.47x10-6 to 1.47x10-5 mol L-1. However, the proposed system showed a different type of linearity, in the range comprehended of 9.6x10-3 to 1.2x10-1 mol L-1. Additional studies are necessary to better understand this type of interfacial system.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Hugo Barbosa Suffredini / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência & Tecnologia - Química, 2015. / Este trabalho buscou aplicar a tecnica de voltametria de onda quadrada em uma interface envolvendo dois liquidos imisciveis, sendo uma fase oleosa, contendo vitaminas lipossoluveis e outra aquosa, formada por solucoes-tampao em dois valores de pH (5,5 e 7,0). Foram realizados testes de interacao entre o tocoferol (lipossoluvel) e o acido ascorbico (hidrossoluvel adicionada a fase aquosa), de aplicacao direta da tecnica em um balsamo pos-barba e de microscopia eletroquimica de varredura. Com o uso de eletrodos de carbono impresso, foram obtidos valores numa escala relativa de potenciais de oxidacao para a vitamina A proximos de 0 V, no caso da vitamina K de -0,1 V e para a vitamina E os potencias foram de 0,1 V aproximadamente (todos em relacao ao potencial de Ag). Em relacao ao teste do balsamo, foi identificado um pico com o perfil e o potencial de oxidacao caracteristico do ¿¿-tocoferol, enquanto que na avaliacao da interacao entre as vitaminas E e C na interface, dados comprovaram o descrito na literatura. / This work applied the square wave voltammetry technique on an interface between two immiscible liquids, one being the oily one, containing the fat soluble vitamins and another one, aqueous, corresponding to a buffer solution on two pH values 5,5 and 7,0. Besides it, tests of tocopherol (vitamin E, fat soluble) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C, water soluble interaction, a direct application on an after shaving balm and scanning microscopy electrochemistry tests were carried out. By applying screen printed carbon electrodes, the relative oxidation potential to Vitamin A was determined as being next to 0 V. In the case of vitamin K the oxidation potential was measured as -0,1 V and to vitamin E, the values were close to 0,1 V (all potential data was measured versus Ag potential). Concerning the balm, a peak was detected exactly with the same profile and potential of the á-tocopherol. Also, the interaction between vitamins C and E was measured directly on the interface with results near from what was expected by the literature.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Hugo Barbosa Suffredini / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia/Química, Santo André, 2018. / Este trabalho descreve a realizacao de estudos eletroquimicos fundamentais em interfaces do tipo liquido/liquido. Primeiramente, pretendeu-se compreender as diferencas na oxidacao de uma molecula modelo (ferroceno) por meio de estudos eletroquimicos relacionados a cinetica e termodinamica em diferentes situacoes. A primeira situacao enfoca a oxidacao direta do ferroceno em um eletrolito de suporte convencional aquoso e a segunda e relacionada ao ferroceno sendo adicionado diretamente em oleo mineral que quando em contato com o eletrolito de suporte aquoso, forma uma interface do tipo oleo/agua. Experimentos adicionais tambem foram conduzidos em uma emulsao, que foi constituida por ferroceno em oleo misturados com eletrolitos convencionais e cloreto de tetrabutilamonio (CTBA). Uma placa de diamante dopado com boro (DDB) foi usada como eletrodo de trabalho. Observou-se um deslocamento de aproximadamente 0,07 V quando a oxidacao do ferroceno foi conduzida na interface oleo/agua em comparacao com a oxidacao direta na fase aquosa convencional. Esta mudanca de potencial tambem foi calculada usando a Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT) como ferramenta teorica. Uma comparacao adicional foi realizada em relacao a interface e as emulsoes, constatando que a forca ionica e um fator determinante nesses tipos de estudos. Finalmente, as curvas de Tafel indicaram que as coordenadas da reacao do ferroceno sao diferentes quando o eletrodo e colocado na interface versus diretamente na fase aquosa, sendo que a energia de ativacao obtida para o ferroceno na agua foi de 129 kJ mol L-1 e na interface igual a 53,0 kJ mol L-1. Posteriormente, mostrou-se o uso da microextracao liquido-liquido dispersiva (DLLME) combinada com a eletroquimica de interface oleo/agua, utilizando ferroceno como molecula- modelo. Uma mistura de 150 ¿ÊL de etanol (solvente dispersante) e 50 ¿ÊL de 1-undecanol (solvente de extracao) foi injetada em 9 mL de uma solucao aquosa de ferroceno preparada em H2SO 4 1,0 x10 -3 mol L -1. Uma gota da fase organica contendo ferroceno foi inserida diretamente na superficie de um eletrodo de carbono impresso, e uma curva analitica foi obtida, ponto a ponto, com boa linearidade. O eletrodo de DDB foi utilizado para promover o calculo do coeficiente de particao, em que foi possivel calcular as concentracoes finais de ferroceno nas fases aquosa e organica como sendo iguais a 4,2 ~ 10 -4 mol L-1 e 0,15 mol L -1, respectivamente. Ao usar estes valores, o coeficiente de particao (log P) de 2,5 foi calculado. Por fim, a eletroquimica de interface oleo/agua foi aplicada para estudar a influencia do acido naftenico na corrosao do aco API-5L-X70 a temperatura ambiente a partir de um sistema bifasico constituido por petroleo/solucao aquosa. Um estudo in-situ baseou-se na espectroscopia de impedancia eletroquimica (EIS), enquanto medidas localizadas de impedancia eletroquimica (LEIS) e microscopia eletroquimica de varredura (SECM) foram utilizadas para estudar o efeito da pre-exposicao do aco ao sistema bifasico. Os resultados de LEIS e SECM mostraram que a pre-exposicao ao petroleo com acido naftenico produz uma superficie mais ativa do que apenas a solucao de sulfato. A adicao de acido naftenico ao oleo provoca corrosao. A morfologia da corrosao e caracterizada por tres regioes: i) na fase de oleo; ii) na fase aquosa e iii) em torno da interface. A corrosao foi mais evidente em torno da interface. Propoe-se um mecanismo no qual as moleculas de acidos naftenicos se auto-organizam na interface oleo/agua, gerando acidificacao local no contato trifasico entre oleo / fase aquosa / metal. / This work describes the realization of fundamental electrochemical studies at a liquid / liquid interface. Firstly, it was intended to understand the differences in the oxidation of a model molecule (ferrocene) through electrochemical studies related to kinetics and thermodynamics in different situations. The first situation focuses the direct oxidation of ferrocene in an aqueous conventional support electrolyte and the second one is when ferrocene is directly placed in mineral oil, subsequently placed in contact with an aqueous support electrolyte thereby forming an oil/water interface. Additional experiments were also conducted in an emulsion, which was constituted by ferrocene in oil and mixed with conventional electrolytes and tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC). A Boron-Doped Diamond Electrode (BDD) was used as the working electrode. We observed an approximately 0.07 V shift when the ferrocene oxidation was conducted at the oil/water interface compared with the direct oxidation in the conventional aqueous phase. This potential shift was also calculated using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) as a theoretical tool. An additional comparison was conducted related to the interface and emulsions, finding that the ionic strength is determining factor in these types of studies. Finally, Tafel plots indicated that reaction coordinates of the ferrocene are different when the electrode is placed at the interface versus directly in the aqueous phase, in which the activation energy obtained for ferrocene in water was 129 kJ mol L-1 and at the interface equal to 53.0 kJ mol L-1. Posteriorly, we showed the use of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) combined with organic/water interface electrochemistry by using ferrocene as a model-molecule. A mixture of 150 ¿ÊL of ethanol (disperser solvent) and 50 ¿ÊL of 1-undecanol (extractant solvent) was injected into 9 mL of a ferrocene aqueous solution prepared in 1.0~10.3 mol L.1 H2SO4. Afterward, a drop of the organic phase containing ferrocene was directly inserted on a screen-printed carbon electrode and the analytical curve was obtained, point-to-point, with a good linearity. Besides that, a BDD electrode was used to promote the partition coefficient calculation, and it was possible to calculate the final concentrations of ferrocene in the aqueous and organic phases as being equal to 4.2~10.4 mol L.1 and 0.15 mol L.1, respectively. By using these values, the partition coefficient (log P) was calculated as 2.5. Finally, the oil/water interface was applied to study the role of naphthenic acid in the API.5L.X70 steel corrosion at room temperature from a biphasic system consisting of petroleum/aqueous solution. An in-situ study was based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, while localized measures of electrochemical impedance (LEIS) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) were used for the effect of pre-exposure from steel to biphasic system. The results LEIS and SECM showed that the pre-exposure to oil with acid produces a more active surface than just sulfate medium. Corrosion morphology is characterized by three regions: i) in oil phase; ii) in the aqueous phase, and iii) around the interface. Naphthenic acid corrosion was restricted to the area around the interface. A mechanism is proposed in which naphthenic acids self-assemble at the oil/water interface, generating local acidification at the oil/aqueous phase/metal three-phase contact.

Monolayers of the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium halide (CTAX, where X = F¯, Cl¯, Br¯, and I¯) have been studied at the air-water and oilwater interfaces. At the air-water interface, the effects of the halide counterion and the addition of counterion were investigated. Sum-frequency spectroscopy (SFS), ellipsometry, and surface tensiometry indicated that the counterion changed the efficiency and effectiveness of the surfactant, both decreasing in the order of Br¯> Cl¯>F¯. The addition of salt in the form of 0.1 M KX was found to reduce the cmc but had little effect on the limiting area per molecule attained at the cmc, which increased from 44 Ų for CTAB to 65 Ų for CTAC and ca. 94 Ų for CTAF. Neither SFS nor ellipsometry provided any firm evidence for specific effects of the halide ions on the structure of the surfactant monolayers. For CTAB monolayers in the absence of excess electrolyte, the effect of area per molecule on the sum-frequency (SF) spectra was studied. Mixed monolayers of CTAB and tetradecane at the air-water interface exhibit a first-order phase transition from a conformationally disordered to a conformationally ordered state as the temperature is lowered. The phase transition occurs ca. 11 °C above the bulk melting point of tetradecane. A new experimental arrangement is described for acquiring SF spectra from surfactants at the oil-water interface. The key features of this approach are the stabilisation of a thin oil film between a sapphire prism and an aqueous phase, and the use of total internal reflection to enhance the total signal and discriminate against signals from other interfaces in the system. With this new methodology, the first SF vibrational spectra of surfactant monolayers at an alkane-water interface were obtained. Surface tensiometry was used to characterise the monolayers further. The structure of CTAB monolayers at the hexadecane-water interface was determined by SFS and compared with monolayers of CTAB at the air-water interface. At low concentrations, CTAB/hexadecane showed the expected features in the C-H stretching region, characteristic of a conformationally disordered monolayer. As the bulk concentration approached the critical micelle concentration, the spectra changed to one characteristic of a more ordered, upright conformation. Ellipsometric measurements supported this conclusion. This qualitative structural change is not observed in analogous monolayers at the air-water interface or CCl₄-water interface, or in surfactant solutions in contact with a hydrophobic solid surface.