Typescript. / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University (Division of Environmental & Life Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry & Biomolecular Sciences), 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. / Microelectrode voltammetry -- Experimental -- Microelectrode fabrication -- Characterisation of the carbon film surface: Surface stability - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy - Raman spectroscopy - Capacitance - Edge plane concentration - Potential window - Surface concentration of alkenes and alkynes - Outer sphere electron transfer using hexaamineruthenium (III) chloride - Reduction of potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) - Anodic oxidation: diol to dione; dopamine and ascorbic acid - Surface oxidation - Ferrocene in a non aqueous solvent -- Selectivity: Formation of carboxylic acid groups on a carbon film surface by ferrous II sulfate complex oxidation - Ethanol modified carbon film surface - Modification of carbon film microelectrode surface using aromatic amines - Modification of carbon film surfaces to form a dual functional ascorbic acid barrier -- In vivo anti fouling properties of surface modified carbon film microelectrodes -- Conclusion. / In this thesis a procedure is presented for the fabrication of a microelectrode to monitor the neurotransmitter dopamine in vivo. The microelectrodes are fabricated by in situ pyrolysis of acetylene under a nitrogen blanket onto a quartz capillary. The carbon film was then anodically oxidised in the presence of 2,4-dinitroaniline. These microelectrodes are stable, provide the physical strength to penetrate brain tissue, have a low capacitance, are resistant to fouling in vivo and selectively suppress the endogenous ascorbic acid which oxidises at the same potential as dopamine. With such properties the carbon film microelectrode appears ideally suited for fast scanning cyclic voltammetric studies of cationic neurotransmitters such as dopamine in vivo. / xxviii, 323 p. ill

An electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma source which couples microwave to the plasma using an internal antenna was developed. The use of internal antenna provides a "windowless" power coupling method that can eliminate the issues of contamination which require frequent source maintenance. Antenna structure, magnetic configuration and plasma parameters were modified for carbon film deposition by chemical sputtering. The ECR source generated low-plasma-potential (10 V), high-plasma-density (10^16 m^-3) discharges at low gas pressures (10^-1 Pa) and low input power (100 W). The antenna realized stable operation for more than 5 h and can be utilized for carbon film deposition. / 博士(工学) / Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

This work focuses on optimization and application of voltammetric methods for determination of 5-nitroquinoline in model samples of drinking and river water using carbon film electrode (CFE). The advantages of carbon film electrode are primarily its wide potential window in both cathodic and anodic regions and also low environmental stress compared to mercury electrodes. In this contribution, CV and AdSV were used to observe electrochemical processes. For determination of 5-nitroquinoline DPV and FIA were used. Solid phase extraction was investigated as a method for preliminary separation and preconcentration for DPV. Determination of 5-nitroquinoline at CFE is based on cathodic reduction of nitrogroup. This work demonstrates the application of carbon film electrode for determination of 5-nitroquinoline in submicromolar concentrations in model samples of water.

本研究では比較的安価な設備を用い、低温で量産性のある炭素膜を得ることが出来る溶融塩電気化学プロセスに着目し、電解条件が炭素膜に及ぼす影響、浴温が炭素膜に及ぼす影響、基材前処理における酸活性が炭素膜と基材の密着性に及ぼす影響等を明らかにしたものである。 / 博士(工学) / Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

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...

Presented Diploma Thesis is focused on the development, characterization, and utilization of simple and inexpensive electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. The initial part of the work is devoted to preparation and characterization of a large-surface carbon film electrode (ls-CFE) modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT/ls-CFE). Carbon nanotubes improve electrochemical properties of the transducer and increase the amount of adsorbed DNA on the electrode surface. Testing of the electrode surface modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using a redox system [Fe(CN)6]4-/3- and using square wave voltammetry without any redox indicator. Carbon nanotubes have proved to be unsuitable material for our type of biosensor, but it can be used inanalytical chemistry for the determination of electroactive substances. The second part of this Thesis deals with the application of the prepared DNA biosensor for the detection of DNA damage by oxidative stress. The biosensor based on the ls-CFE was chosen for this purpose, having several advantages, such as its fast preparation, a simple mechanical renewal of the electrode surface, a good reproducibility of measurements,...