In this Diploma Thesis, an interaction of genotoxic environmental pollutant 2-nitrofluorene with a double-stranded calf thymus DNA has been studied using a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) as an electrochemical sensor. Two types of DNA damage were investigated and electrochemically detected (using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry): (i) The DNA damage caused by the direct interaction with 2-nitrofluorene and (ii) the DNA damage caused by short-lived radicals generated by the electrochemical reduction of the nitro group in 2-nitrofluorene. For the study of direct interaction, HMDE was modified by DNA and the interaction of DNA with 2-nitrofluorene was studied, after their incubation, right at the HMDE surface (adsorptive transfer stripping technique) or the DNA was preincubated with 2-nitrofluorene and, subsequently, the interaction was studied voltammetrically (DNA titration technique). Using both detection techniques, the formation of DNA - 2-nitrofluorene complex was observed and the mutual interaction was interpreted as an intercalation between the DNA base pairs, although such interaction was not clearly confirmed by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. An electrostatic binding of 2-nitrofluorene on DNA sugar-phosphate backbone was partially formed at low concentrations of...

This thesis is concentrated on the optimization of conditions for determination of genotoxic environmental pollutants whitch belong to derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons − 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 1-aminopyrene (1-AP) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP). All three compounds were determined by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at boron-doped diamond film electrode in water-methanolic solutions. Further, 1-AP and 1-HP were determined in a model sample of urine. For this purpose, effective separative techniques such as solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography with reverse phase and amperometric detection at above mentioned type of electrode were used. Limits of detection of all tested compounds in water-methanolic solutions are 9⋅10−8 −3⋅10−7 mol dm−3 using DPV and 1⋅10−8 mol dm−3 for 1-HP and 1-AP in model sample of urine determined by HPLC with amperometric detection.

Цель работы состояла в определении оптимальных значений диаметра и массы углеродных нанотрубок (УНТ) в нафионсодержащей модифицирующей пленке для получения наилучших электрохимических и аналитических характеристик толстопленочных углеродсодержащих электродов (ТУЭ). В ходе работы синтезированы многостенные УНТ со средним диаметром dср ≈ 23 нм методом каталитического пиролиза этанола и проведена кислотная очистка полученного материала от металлических частиц катализатора и других модификаций углерода. Аналогичным способом обработаны коммерческие УНТ с dср ≈ 147 и 16 нм от Sigma-Aldrich. Успешно изготовлены 36 типов ТУЭ без УНТ и на основе УНТ в условиях варьирования массового содержания УНТ в диапазоне MУНТ = 0,3-10,0 мкг на поверхности ТУЭ. Аттестация поверхностей электродов проведена методами оптической и электронной микроскопии. Изучены электрохимические характеристики изготовленных ТУЭ методами циклической вольтамперометриии и импедансной спектроскопии. Выполнено определение ионов железа (III) в модельном растворе методом адсорбционной инверсионной вольтамперометрии. Установлены оптимальные значения среднего диаметра УНТ dср ≥ 23 нм и массы УНТ MУНТ = 5,0-10,0 мкг на поверхности ТУЭ для получения наилучших электрохимические и аналитические характеристики. Разработанные ТУЭ на основе УНТ могут применяться для определения ионов тяжелых металлов в реальных водах с концентрацией меньшей предельно-допустимых значений, установленных нормативными документами. / The aim is to determine the optimal values of the diameter and weight of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in modifier film containing Nafion for the best electrochemical and analytical characteristics of the thick film of carbon-containing electrodes (TFCE). Multi-walled CNT with an average diameter dav ≈ 23 nm were synthesized by the catalytic pyrolysis of ethanol and purified from the metal catalyst particles and other modifications of carbon, using mixture of concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids. Commercial CNT with dav ≈ 147 and 16 nm from Sigma-Aldrich were treated by a similar procedure. The batch of 36 types of TFCE without CNT and based on CNT varied by weight of CNT (MCNT) on TFCE surface in the range of 0,3-10,0 μg was made. The electrode surfaces were studied by optical and electron microscopy. The electrochemical characteristics of obtained TFCE by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were investigated. The detection of Fe (III) ions in a model solution was carried out by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The optimal values of the average diameter of CNT dav ≥ 23 nm and a weight of CNT on TFCE surfaces MCNT = 5,0-10,0 μg were determined. These parameters allow us to reach the best electrochemical and analytical characteristics of modified TFCE. Developed TFCE based on CNT may be used for the detection of heavy metal ions in real water with a concentration of less maximum permissible values, established by regulations.

No description available.

In this work the gallium and bismuth film plating in situ and ex situ processes were investigated. The metal film plating conditions for determination of heavy metals in water samples were optimized. When depositing Bi films on glassy carbon electrode it was found, that the addition of Br-1 changes the BiFE morphology making it more uniform and forming crystalline aggregates. The reoxidation peak of Bi was shifted to more negative potentials showing the electrocatalytic effect of bromide for the bismuth film. The addition of the other metal ions to the deposition solutions caused changes in the morphology of the Bi film It has been shown, that Cd was slowing the Bi film deposition and Pb was catalyzing this deposition. Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions were determined in the water samples using bismuth film electrode. The linear calibration curve of each metal was obtained. Good linear responses of the peak area vs. concentration were obtained for Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu (II) with correlation coefficients of 0.997, 0.997, 0.999 and 0.998 respectively. The possibilities of gallium film plating were studied. The glassy carbon substrate was chosen for optimization. The optimized deposition conditions were: supporting electrolyte 0.1 M acetate buffer, deposition potential -1.7 V, deposition time 120 s, deposition temperature 40oC. The gallium influence on Pb(II) and Cd(II) deposition at the glassy carbon electrode was studied. It has been shown that Pb(II) and Cd(II)... [to full text] / Šiame darbe tiriama galio ir bismuto plėvelinių elektrodų formavimo in situ ir ex situ metodais ypatumai skirtingose sistemose. Optimizuotos bismuto ir galio plėvelinių elektrodų panaudojimo sąlygos sunkiųjų metalų koncentracijos nustatymui. Atliekant bismuto plėvelės nusodinimą ant stikliškosios anglies elektrodo nustatyta, kad papildomas Br- pridėjimas į tiriamąjį tirpalą keičia bismuto plėvelės morfologines savybes ir formuojasi tolygesnė bismuto plėvelė sudarydama kristalines struktūras. Reoksidacinė bismuto smailė pasislenka į neigiamesnių potencialo verčių pusę, kas rodo elektrokatalizinį Br- efektą bismuto plėvelės formavimuisi. Nustatyta, kad Cd(II) pridėjimas į tiriamąjį tirpalą lemia lėtesnį bismuto plėvelės nusodinimą, o Pb(II) pridėjimas katalizuoja bismuto plėvelės nusodinimą. Taip pat nustatyta, kad Pb(II) katalizuoja ir kitų metalų jonų nusodinimą. Bismuto plėvelinis elektrodas sėkmingai pritaikytas sunkiųjų metalų Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) koncentracijos nustatymui pramoniniuose vandens mėginiuose. Gautos Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) ir Pb(II) kalibravimo kreivės, kurių korealiacijos koeficientai atitinkamai yra 0,997, 0,997, 0,999 ir 0,998. Optimizuotos galio plėvelės nusodinimo sąlygos ant stikliškosios anglies elektrodo. Geriausi rezultatai gauti atliekant galio plėvelės nusodinimą 0,1 M acetatiniame buferyje (pH = 4,5) 40o C temperatūroje. Optimizuotas nusodinimo laikas ir potencialas atitinkamai yra 120 s ir -1,7 V. Tiriant galio jonų įtaką Pb(II) ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Šiame darbe tiriama galio ir bismuto plėvelinių elektrodų formavimo in situ ir ex situ metodais ypatumai skirtingose sistemose. Optimizuotos bismuto ir galio plėvelinių elektrodų panaudojimo sąlygos sunkiųjų metalų koncentracijos nustatymui. Atliekant bismuto plėvelės nusodinimą ant stikliškosios anglies elektrodo nustatyta, kad papildomas Br- pridėjimas į tiriamąjį tirpalą keičia bismuto plėvelės morfologines savybes ir formuojasi tolygesnė bismuto plėvelė sudarydama kristalines struktūras. Reoksidacinė bismuto smailė pasislenka į neigiamesnių potencialo verčių pusę, kas rodo elektrokatalizinį Br- efektą bismuto plėvelės formavimuisi. Nustatyta, kad Cd(II) pridėjimas į tiriamąjį tirpalą lemia lėtesnį bismuto plėvelės nusodinimą, o Pb(II) pridėjimas katalizuoja bismuto plėvelės nusodinimą. Taip pat nustatyta, kad Pb(II) katalizuoja ir kitų metalų jonų nusodinimą. Bismuto plėvelinis elektrodas sėkmingai pritaikytas sunkiųjų metalų Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) koncentracijos nustatymui pramoniniuose vandens mėginiuose. Gautos Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) ir Pb(II) kalibravimo kreivės, kurių korealiacijos koeficientai atitinkamai yra 0,997, 0,997, 0,999 ir 0,998. Optimizuotos galio plėvelės nusodinimo sąlygos ant stikliškosios anglies elektrodo. Geriausi rezultatai gauti atliekant galio plėvelės nusodinimą 0,1 M acetatiniame buferyje (pH = 4,5) 40o C temperatūroje. Optimizuotas nusodinimo laikas ir potencialas atitinkamai yra 120 s ir -1,7 V. Tiriant galio jonų įtaką Pb(II) ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In this work the gallium and bismuth film plating in situ and ex situ processes were investigated. The metal film plating conditions for determination of heavy metals in water samples were optimized. When depositing Bi films on glassy carbon electrode it was found, that the addition of Br-1 changes the BiFE morphology making it more uniform and forming crystalline aggregates. The reoxidation peak of Bi was shifted to more negative potentials showing the electrocatalytic effect of bromide for the bismuth film. The addition of the other metal ions to the deposition solutions caused changes in the morphology of the Bi film It has been shown, that Cd was slowing the Bi film deposition and Pb was catalyzing this deposition. Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions were determined in the water samples using bismuth film electrode. The linear calibration curve of each metal was obtained. Good linear responses of the peak area vs. concentration were obtained for Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu (II) with correlation coefficients of 0.997, 0.997, 0.999 and 0.998 respectively. The possibilities of gallium film plating were studied. The glassy carbon substrate was chosen for optimization. The optimized deposition conditions were: supporting electrolyte 0.1 M acetate buffer, deposition potential -1.7 V, deposition time 120 s, deposition temperature 40oC. The gallium influence on Pb(II) and Cd(II) deposition at the glassy carbon electrode was studied. It has been shown that Pb(II) and Cd(II)... [to full text]

SPM, optical microscopy, and electrochemical techniques are used to study a range of electrochemical deposition processes on carbon electrodes, particularly those associated with diffusion-controlled multiple nucleation. Anodic stripping voltammetry for analytical measurements using solid electrodes is addressed in the light of limitations arising from electrode heterogeneity, electrode morphology, inhibited electrodeposition, and incomplete stripping of deposited metal. It is shown, using direct imaging of electrode surfaces, that each of the preceding factors may produce significant deviations from ideal electrode behaviour. The electrochemical nucleation of silver on BDD is examined. Data are obtained for the nucleation rate by interpretation of the deposition voltammetry, and by inspection of in-situ optical microscopic images. The particle distributions are analyzed and a stochastic model of nucleation developed. A model for the potentiostatic nucleation and three dimensional growth of deposits on an electrode surface under hydrodynamic conditions is examined. A wall-tube and stirred cell are used to generate conditions in which the diffusion layer thickness is in the range 10 – 40 μm. It is shown that the model provides excellent fits to the experimental data. A previously unrecognised correlation between the morphology of the PbO2 deposits and their electrocatalytic activity is established. The morphology of the films are observed as a function of time and potential using in-situ AFM. Nanotrench arrays are fabricated on HOPG surfaces. Cyclic voltammetry in simple redox couples is used to provide experimental evidence that the voltammetric response of a graphite electrode is solely due to the edge plane sites, with the basal plane sites having no measurable contribution. Nanotrenches are used as templates in a simple method for generating random assemblies of metal nanobands. This method is shown to be effective for generating gold, silver and copper nanowires. The electrochemical properties of the array are investigated via cyclic voltammetry.

This thesis is concerned with dynamic electrochemistry experiments in which faradaic processes are driven by the application of potential to an electrode immersed in an electrolyte solution. In particular, experimental methods are considered which could be used to study electrochemical systems in a more informative way if the processes occurring at the electrode were better understood. The work develops the theoretical models which describe these experiments, and details the approximations made in each model and the conditions under which they are appropriate. Numerical simulations are reported which demonstrate how the models can be used to infer quantitative details of chemical behaviour from experimentally recorded data. The first system studied in detail is linear sweep voltammetry at a microband electrode array. The diffusional behaviour of an electroactive species is shown to depend on the configuration of the microband array and on the potential scan rate used. Details are given on how experimental conditions can be optimised for the study of electrochemical systems. The next area of work develops the theory of nanoparticle-modified electrodes. Experiments are considered in which an electron transfer reaction is catalysed only at the site of the nanoparticles, whilst the supporting planar electrode remains electrochemically inert. Numerical simulations show how the current measured at these modified electrodes depends on the size and shape of the particles, on the distribution of the particles on the electrode surface, and on the timescale of the experiment. The final theme of work is on electrochemical experiments in poorly conducting solutions. A theoretical model is developed which takes into account the effects of an electric field on the mass transport of electroactive species and on the charge transfer kinetics at the electrode. The model is then used to rationalise the unusual current behaviour that is observed in the anodic stripping of thallium from an amalgam.

This thesis is concerned with dynamic electrochemical experiments with different concentrations of supporting electrolyte. Normally supporting electrolyte is added to a solution in order to avoid undesirable effects as migration and potential drop in solution. However, in the present thesis we focus on the study and understanding of such effects as the concentration of supporting electrolyte decreases. First a theoretical treatment is proposed, based on numerical simulation using the Nernst-Planck- Poisson system of equations. The theoretical treatment is compared with previous works as electroneutrality, the differences between both models are explained. The model is also compared with theoretical results to validate the theoretical treatment. Experimental results of chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammograms are compared with theoretical results obtaining remarkable agreement. Is noteworthy that to the best of the author’s knowledge this is the first time that experimental dynamic voltammetry under weakly supported conditions has been successfully modeled by a theoretical treatment. The electrochemical reaction of a non-charged electroactive species is presented for the system ferrocene/ferrocenium in acetonitrile in which the oxidized and reduced species are soluble in solution, the reaction is studied at different concentrations of supporting electrolyte. Comparison is presented between theoretical simulations and experimental results, for which potential drop in solution is studied. Then systems involving charged electroactive species are treated, in these cases the decrease of supporting electrolyte influence the mass transport of the electroactive species due to migration, comparison between different experimental systems as hexaammineruthenium (III)/(II), cobaltoceniun/cobaltocene and hexacyanoferrate (III)/(II) are presented in comparison with theoretical simulations. More complex mechanistic paths are also investigated, such as deposition and stripping, in which it is established that the level of support required to achieve ‘diffusion only’ voltammetry is on dependence of the concentration of amalgamated electroactive species prior to the stripping step. Comparison between theoretical simulation and experimental results of the deposition and stripping of thallium at a mercury hemisphere are presented, and found to be in good agreement for either chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry Simulations are also presented showing the necessary required amount of supporting electrolyte required to achieve ‘diffusion only’ cyclic voltammetry. This is obtained by comparison between diffusion only software and the simulation described in the present thesis. The required amount of supporting electrolyte is shown to depend on the concentration of the electroactive species and supporting electrolyte in the media, the electrode radius, the diffusion coefficient of species and the scan rate. Finally, the cyclic voltammetry in weakly supporting media is used to obtain mechanistic information, by using the migration of electroactive species to differentiate the mass transport of electroactive species to the electrode. The two single electron reductions of anthraquinone in acetonitrile is presented, and the comproportionation mechanistic path is observed in weakly supported media, diffusion only voltammetry is normally unable to present whether this mechanism path takes place, due to the similarity in diffusion coefficients of the electroactive species. In contrast in weakly support conditions the diffusion controlled comproportionation mechanistic path is observed experimentally and constraints for the rate constant are discussed.

Synucleins are highly conserved presynaptic proteins with unknown function. α-synuclein plays a key role regulating dopamine homeostasis and is intimately involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. However, the normal/pathological role of α-synuclein remains unidentified. Studies exploring its function are limited as current transgenic mouse models do not fully recapitulate PD pathology. This thesis reports the functional characterisation of two novel synuclein-based mouse models. I report the molecular and functional characterisation of transgenic mouse lines with wild-type or A30P-mutant human α-synuclein genomic locus carried within a bacterial artificial chromosome. SNCA-A30P^+Snca-/- mice exhibited a highly physiologically relevant expression pattern of the transgene, including expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and a specific, age-related loss of TH^+ cells in the SNpc, the key region of preferential cell loss in PD, compared with non-transgenic Snca -/- littermate controls. Analysis of dopamine signalling using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FCV) showed young adult SNCA-A30P^+Snca-/- mice had an approximately 20% lower evoked extracellular dopamine concentration ([DA]o) compared with non-transgenic Snca -/- littermate controls, a decrease specific to the dorsal striatum. This difference diminished with age and could not be attributed to changes in dopamine reuptake/content. I detail the behavioural and neurochemical phenotype in mice lacking all three synucleins (α/β/γ). Functional compensation between synucleins emphasises the importance of studying their effects by removing all three proteins simultaneously. Triple-null mice exhibited hyperactivity in a novel environment reminiscent of a hyperdopaminergic-like phenotype, but showed no phenotype in anxiety or motor related tests. FCV revealed synuclein triple-null mice had a two-fold increase in [DA]o, specific to the dorsal striatum and not attributable to changes in dopamine reuptake/content, changes in striatal nicotinic receptor activity nor calcium-dependent changes in dopamine exocytosis. Together, the analysis from these two novel mouse models reveal synucleins play an important role in altering synaptic function in the dorsal striatum (the region selectively affected in PD) and contributes to growing evidence suggesting synucleins are negative regulators of synaptic dopamine release.