The experimental work discussed in this thesis examines the effect of voltammetry of nanoparticle arrays with a specific focus on the effect of nanoparticle size and surface coverage on the substrate electrode. These effects are investigated in relation to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, 4-nitrophenol and the hydrogen evolution reaction. In each case, the experimental data obtained is subsequently fitted using numerical simulations to extract quantitative kinetic data. Distinct differences are noted between macro – and nano – scale. The reduction of H₂O₂ reveals the absence of autocatalysis at the nano – scale. Furthermore, peak potential shifts positively with surface coverage under Case 3 diffusion conditions. On the other hand, at essentially isolated particles (Case 1) E_p varies logarithmically with nanoparticle radius. By decreasing nanoparticle size, we promote convergent diffusion and enhance irreversibility of the process. The shift in E_p with surface coverage can be accounted for as the diffusion layers begin to overlap heavily, tending towards more macro – disk type behaviour. We also study the hydrogen evolution reaction at an array of AgNPs. By fitting of the experimental data with numerical simulations we demonstrate altered kinetics between the macro – and nano – scale. Voltammetry at AgNP – arrays also display dependence between surface coverage and current. We attribute this to increased electro – active surface area and decrease in irreversibility of the process, with increasing surface coverage. Numerical simulations are also used to fit experimental data obtained for the reduction of 4 – nitrophenol in acidic media. The AgNP – arrays exhibit significantly different electrode kinetics compared to a macro – disk. Examination of the data obtained for AgNP – arrays at two different acid concentrations implies the rate - determining step is likely the electron transfer process. We therefore infer a change in α the mechanism of the rate – determining step between macro – and nano – scale. An unusually low value of α at the NP – array may indicate that adsorption plays some role in the process. Furthermore, we discuss the size – dependent adsorption behaviour exhibited by silver nanoparticle arrays, such that small particles with diameters below ~ 50 nm do not display the typical underpotential deposition characteristics of corresponding bulk materials or larger nanoparticles. This phenomenon is reported for the deposition of heavy metals (thallium, lead and cadmium) at silver nanoparticle arrays. The stripping voltammetry of arrays of silver nanoparticles has also been investigated. The stripping peak potential is dependent on the degree of surface coverage. Modelling of this system has shown that a one – dimensional diffusion model is appropriate for high surface coverage; essentially it is experiencing planar diffusion. However, for an array of widely dispersed particles, the individual nanoparticle size and convergent diffusion begin to dominate behaviour. A detailed overview of the literature is first discussed, relating to the synthesis of a wide variety of metallic nanoparticles and their practical applications, such as the determination of pH using platinum nanoparticles as covered in Chapter 7. We also discuss the fundamental principles governing the voltammetric behaviour of nanoparticles.

The work presented in this thesis involves the use of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as solvents in electrochemical experiments for the detection of hydrogen sulfide. The fundamentals of electrochemistry are presented, followed by an overview of RTILs in terms of their properties, applications and their behaviour as electrochemical solvents compared to conventional solvents. This is followed by an outline of electrochemical detection of various gases in aqueous, organic and ionic solvents. The results of 8 original studies are then presented as follows: <ul><li>The study of the electrochemical window of twelve different room temperature ionic liquids using cyclic voltammetry vs. an internal redox couple for two defined current densities, and observation of water uptake of different ionic liquids under different conditions using a Karl Fischer titrator.</li><li>The reduction of hydrogen sulfide in various room temperature ionic liquids at a platinum electrode, measured using cyclic voltammetry. Also, solubilities and diffusion coefficients of hydrogen sulfide determined by potential step chronoamperometry.</li><li>The oxidation of hydrogen sulfide in various room temperature ionic liquids at a platinum electrode measured using cyclic voltammetry and the simulation of the electrochemical signal using experimentally defined parameters.</li><li>The disproportionation of N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) in room temperature ionic liquids using cyclic voltammetry, and computational simulation of the voltammetry of DMPD using experimentally defined parameters to elucidate kinetic and thermodynamic data. DMPD was examined as a mediating species for hydrogen sulfide detection.</li><li>The oxidation of catechol and dopamine in ionic liquids using cyclic voltammetry and observing adsorption effects when varying solvent anion. Catechol was examined as a mediating species for hydrogen sulfide detection.</li><li>The electrochemical oxidation of NADH in ionic liquids using cyclic voltammetry and observing the ”switching on or off” of the electrochemical signal when varying the solvent anion. NADH was examined as a mediating species for hydrogen sulfide detection.</li><li>The mediated detection of hydrogen sulfide utilizing various mediating species in several ionic liquids using cyclic voltammetry, and the elucidation of the mediating mechanism of hydrogen sulfide in 3,5-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone.</li><li>The observation of the diffusion of ferrocene in an ionic liquid at ring-recessed disc microelectrode arrays in generator-collector mode using potential step chronoamperometry.</li><ul> The results presented show that room temperature ionic liquids perform well as solvents in gas sensors, and could be viable alternatives to traditional organic solvents. Ionic liquids have also been observed to be tuneable in their reactions with analytes depending on the constituent cations and, in particular, anions. This tuneability is advantageous as specific combinations of cations and anions can be chosen to suit particular experiments.

FABRICATION OF NANOPOROUS GOLD AND BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS By Badharinadh Uppalapati A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014 Major Director: Maryanne M. Collinson, Professor, Department of Chemistry Fabrication of nanoporous gold electrodes by dealloying Au:Ag alloys has attracted much attention in sensing applications. In the first part of this work, the electrochemical response of the redox active molecule, potassium ferricyanide, in a solution of bovine serum albumin in buffer, serum or blood was studied using nanoporous gold and comparisons made to planar gold. Nanoporous gold electrodes with different surface areas and porosity were prepared by dealloying Au:Ag alloy in nitric acid for different dealloying times, specifically, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 20 minutes. Characterization was done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Using cyclic voltammetry, planar gold electrodes exposed to bovine serum albumin in buffer showed a decrease in Faradaic peak current and an increase in peak splitting for potassium ferricyanide. The time required for the peak Faradaic current to drop to one-half of its original value was 3 minutes. At nanoporous gold electrodes, however, no significant reduction in Faradaic peak current or increase in peak splitting was observed. Nanoporous gold electrodes having the smallest pore size and largest surface area showed ideal results to biofouling. These electrodes are believed to impede the mass transport of large biomolecules while allowing small redox molecules to exchange electrons effectively with the electrode. In the second part of this work, the open circuit potential (OCP) of biologic solutions (e.g., blood) was measured using nanoporous gold electrodes. Historically, the measurement of blood redox potential has been hindered due to significant fouling and surface passivation of the metal electrodes. As nanoporous gold electrodes retained electrochemical activity of redox probes like potassium ferricyanide in human serum and rabbit blood, they were used to measure the OCP of blood and plasma from various animals like pig, rabbit, rat, monkey and humans. Comparisons were made to planar gold electrodes. The OCP values at both the planar gold and nanoporous gold electrodes were different from each other and there was variability due to different constituents present in blood and plasma. The OCP of rabbit blood and crashed rabbit blood was measured and the values were found to be different from each other indicating that ORP helps in measuring the animal condition. Ascorbic acid was added to rabbit and sheep blood and OCP measured at the nanoporous electrodes. Addition of reducing agent to blood at different intervals and different concentrations showed a change in potential with concentration.

Propyl gallate (PG) is a significant synthetic antioxidant and preservative. Its determination has been studied at carbon paste electrode (CPE) using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) and with UV spectrometric detection (HPLC-UV). Concentration dependences were measured in the media of Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 5) and methanol (20 %, v/v) by DPV and the limit of detection 0,6110-7 moldm-3 was obtained. Using HPLC with a mobile phase consisting of 0,01 moldm-3 phosphate buffer (pH 4) and methanol (50 %, v/v) with potential of working electrode E = +0,8 V and detection wavelength λ = 280 nm, concentration dependences were measured. Limit of detection was determined to 0,39 moldm-3 for HPLC-ED and 4,95 moldm-3 for HPLC-UV. After verification of the extraction procedure PG was determined in vegetable oil. The resulting value of 3,2 mgkg-1 corresponds with permited limits.

4 ABSTRACT Development and testing of novel non-toxic electrode materials, detection arrangements and analytical methods applicable in determination of selected agrochemicals is the main aim of this Ph.D. Thesis. New working electrodes based on silver solid amalgam paste (AgSA-PE) with organic pasting liquid and other based on crystallic silver amalgam (CAgAE) were developed, their electrochemical behaviour investigated and further used in voltammetric determination of widespread and toxic environmental pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). This analyte could be determined by DPV at AgSA-PE with limit of detection (LD) 1×10í6 mol lí1 and using CAgAE with LD 4×10í7 mol lí1 , both in 0.2 mol lí1 acetate buffer pH 4.8. Attempts to decrease LDs by utilization of adsorptive stripping voltammetry were not successful in either case. Crystallic silver amalgam was also successfully used for construction of microcylindric flow-through cell and tested for amperometric determination of nitrophenol mixture in HPLC-ED system. Both novel electrodes were found to be suitable alternatives to toxic mercury electrodes and the CAgAE seems to be promising working electrode for flowing systems. Method for sample preparation and voltammetric determination of broad-spectrum herbicide Glyphosate in contaminated soil samples was also...

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The motivation to determine H2O2 lies in the fact that this chemical species plays a crucial role in diverse fields of practise such as cosmetic, food, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, clinical and environmental protection industries. Several methods such as chromatography, colorimetry, titrimetry and spectrophotometry have been developed for its detection. However, these methods are known to manifest underlying disadvantages such as high cost, time consuming, instability and complicated immobilization procedures. In this present study an enzyme-less electrochemical sensor based on Ag-Fe2O3/POM/RGO nanocomposite (POM stands for polyoxometalate and RGO stands for reduced graphene oxide) was successfully synthesised via a hydrothermal method and a photochemical reduction method for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Orientador: Devaney Ribeiro do Carmo / Resumo: Neste trabalho, novos nanocompósitos híbridos a base de silsesquioxano e nitroprussiato de cobalto e zinco foram preparados, seguindo dois métodos de síntese. Os materiais preparados foram caracterizados empregando diferentes técnicas: Espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Espectroscopia Raman, Espectroscopia de Reflectância Difusa UV/Vis, Ressonância Magnética Nuclear (RMN), Difração de Raios-X (DRX), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X (EDX), Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (MET) e Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA). Após a obtenção dos nanocompósitos com complexos metálicos de nitroprussiato (ACCoN e ACZnN), realizou-se um estudo sistemático sobre o comportamento voltamétrico desses materiais, empregando técnicas eletroquímicas, tais como: Voltametria Cíclica (VC) e Voltametria de Pulso Diferencial (VPD), utilizando eletrodos de pasta de grafite. O eletrodo de pasta de grafite contendo ACCoN mostrou-se sensível a concentrações de hidrazina e isoniazida. Já o eletrodo de pasta de grafite contendo ACZnN foi aplicado na detecção de N-acetilcisteína e isoniazida com sucesso. Após os testes de eletro-oxidação catalítica dessas substâncias, realizou-se uma investigação da influência dos principais interferentes, de forma que a interferência observada não se mostrou significativa. Avaliou-se também a recuperação destas substâncias a partir de amostras de água da torneira e urina sint... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In this work, new nanocomposites based on silsesquioxane and cobalt and zinc nitroprusside were prepared, following two synthetic methods. The prepared materials were characterized by different techniques: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy, UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). After obtaining the nanocomposites with metallic nitroprusside complexes, it was carried out a systematic study on the voltammetric behavior of these materials, using electrochemical techniques, such as: Cyclic Voltametry (CV) and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV), using graphite paste electrodes. The graphite paste electrode containing ACCoN was sensitive to concentrations of hydrazine and isoniazid. The graphite paste electrode containing ACZnN was applied to the detection of N-acetylcysteine and isoniazid, with success. After catalytic electrooxidation tests of these substances, it was investigated the influence of the main interferents, so that the noticed interferences were not significant. Also, it was evaluated the recovery of these substances from samples of tap water and synthetic urine. By this way, the binuclear hybrid nanocomposites formed (ACCoN and ACZnN) are potential candidates for the construction of electrochemical sensors in the hydrazi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Nesse estudo foi sintetizado e caracterizado o óxido de grafeno (OG) a partir do método de Hummers modificado. O OG foi utilizado como suporte para nanopartículas de paládio para uso como eletrocatalisador em células a combustíveis abastecidas diretamente a etanol. O uso de carbono grafite como suporte de nanopartículas metálicas é deteriorado com mais rapidez, levando a diminuição do tempo de vida útil da célula a combustível. O objetivo principal foi a incorporação do paládio no óxido de grafeno via feixe de elétrons, e a comparação com o catalisador incorporado por via química, utilizando o borohidrato de sódio. Foram utilizadas técnicas de caracterização tais como: termogravimetria (TG), difração de raios-X (DRX), as espectroscopias de Raman e infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), microscopia de transmissão eletrônica (MET), Espectroscopia de fotoelétrons por raios- X (XPS) e estudos voltamétricos como a voltametria cíclica e cronoamperometria. Os resultados indicaram que para a dose de 288 kGy, houve a incorporação, porém, não foi suficiente para que houvesse a redução dos grupos oxigenados, estudos com o oxido de grafeno previamente reduzido via térmica e incorporado via feixe de elétrons foram comparados na mesma dose. / In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized by the modified Hummers method and characterized. GO was used as support for palladium nanoparticles as an electrocatalyst on direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). One of the drawbacks using carbon graphite as a support for metal nanoparticles was because it deteriorates more quickly, leading to shortened fuel cell life. The main objective was the incorporation of Pd on the graphene oxide by the electron beam and was compared with the chemical incorporation, using sodium borohydride. Characterization techniques such as thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), electron transmission microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and voltammetric studies such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results indicated that at a dose of 288 kGy, there was an incorporation, however, it was not enough for there to be a decrease in the groups of oxygenates, studies with the graphene oxide downloaded through the thermal and through electron beams were compared in the same dose.

A primaquina (PQ), um derivado 8-aminoquinolínico [8-(4-amino-1-metilbutilamino)-6metoxiquinolina], é um fármaco normalmente usado contra a malária, mas tem sido, também empregado no tratamento da doença de Chagas, agindo, muito eficazmente, como agente tripanomicida, por intermédio de seus metabólitos. O metabólito 5hidroxiprimaquina (5-HPQ), formado pela oxidação da primaquina dentro do organismo humano, foi identificado em fluídos biológicos e é considerado o principal produto com ação citotóxica sobre o Trypanosoma cruzi. Técnicas eletroquímicas foram empregadas para estudar o mecanismo de oxidação da PQ in vitro na tentativa de correlacionar os resultados obtidos, com os dados disponíveis de estudos in vivo. Utilizou-se eletrodo de carbono vítreo (ECV) e diferentes tipos de técnicas, como voltametria cíclica, voltametria de pulso diferencial e cronoamperometria, trabalhando-se em meio aquoso, tampão Britton-Robson, pH 7,40, para determinação do número de elétrons envolvidos na etapa determinante da reação. O mecanismo eletroquímico de oxidação da PQ, envolveu a perda de 1 elétron em um processo irreversível, registrado em Epa,1 a +0,788 V, resultando na formação de cátion radical durante a primeira varredura no sentido positivo de potencial. Após a inversão da varredura de potencial, registrou-se um pico catódico, Epc,1 a -0,160 V, dependente do processo principal. Voltamogramas cíclicos realizados em meio não aquoso indicaram que a etapa eletroquímica inicial é seguida de uma etapa química envolvendo a captura nucleofílica do cátion radical. No segundo ciclo de varredura, registrou-se um segundo pico anódico, Epa,2, a -0,079 V, componente anódico de Epc,1. Assim, um novo par redox passou a ser observado, dependente da oxidação primária da PQ, mas registrado em potencial muito menos positivo do que a oxidação da PQ, composto de partida. Este novo processo redox, típico do par quinonalhidroquinona, está envolvido em vários outros processos descritos na literatura, e pressupõe que, após a captura nucleofílica do cátion radical, ocorra outra etapa eletroquímica, no potencial aplicado, envolvendo a perda de 3 elétrons e 3 prótons, com formação de uma quinona-i mina. A subseqüente hidrólise da imina produz o derivado quinoidal e diamina primária. Voltamogramas cíclicos registrados em solução de 5-HPQ e m-anisidina confirmaram o mecanismo proposto. Devido à ausência de fenõmenos de adsorção, utilizou-se com sucesso o eletrodo de diamante dopado com boro (EDDB), no formato pIano, para a determinação analítica de PQ em formulação farmacêutica comercial, empregando-se a voltametria de pulso diferencial. Enquanto o ECV foi mais efetivo para a proposição do mecanismo, principalmente devido às características de adsorção superficial, o EDDB permitiu o desenvolvimento de um método analítico para a quantificação de PQ, devido à ausência de adsorção superficial. / Primaquine (PQ), an 8-aminoquinolinic compound, is the clinical drug of choice for the radical cure of relapsing malaria. This drug has also been being used against the Chagas disease, acting very efficiently, through their metabolites, which present trypanosomicide action. The metabolite 5-hydroxyprimaquine (5-HPQ) was identified in human biological fluids, during in vivo studies, as the main oxidation product of PQ, with cytotoxic action against Trypanosoma cruzi. Electrochemical techniques were used to study, in vitro, the PQ oxidation redox mechanism and the goal was to try correlating the electrochemical data to the biological information, previously reported. Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) associated to cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry and cronoamperommetry in aqueous media, pH 7.40, were used to determine de number of electrons involved in the determinant step of PQ electrochemical oxidation. The primary oxidation of PQ involved the loss of 1 electron in an irreversible process recorded at Epa,1 = +0,788 V, to produce a cation radical, during the first anodic scan. Reverting the potential sweeping a cathodic peak, Epc,1, was recorded at -0,160 V, which was dependent of Epa,1. Cyclic voltammograms recorded in DMF showed that the initial electrochemical step is followed by a chemical reaction involving the nucleophilic capture of the cation radical. During the second scan, a new anodic peak (Epa,2) was recorded at -0,079 V and corresponds to the anodic component of Epc,1. Therefore a new redox couple, recorded at less positive potential than the PQ oxidation was always observed and shows similar characteristics to those observed for quinoneJhydroquinone redox couple, which is involved is several another electrochemical processes described in the literature. The process presupposes that the nucleophilic capture of the cation radical is followed by another electrochemical step involving the loss of 3 electrons and 3 protons to produce a quinone-imine structure. The further imine hydrolysis produces the quinoidal compound and primary diamine. The purposed mechanism was confirmed by the cyclic voltammograms recorded in 5-HPQ solutions as well as in the solutions of similar compound such as m-anisidine. PQ was determined in commercial pharmaceutical formulations by using differential pulse voltammetry at boron doped diamond electrode (BDDE) associated to the standard addition method. While the GCE was more effective for the mechanism proposition, mainly due its superficial adsorption characteristics, the BDDE, due low superficial adsorptive effects, permitted the development of analytical method for the PQ quantification.

A capacidade de ligação de prótons e metais por células vivas da microalga Tetraselmis gracilis (Kylin) butcher foi estudada por titulação potenciométrica e voltametria de redissolução anódica, respectivamente. Dados da titulação alcalimétrica obtidos com uma suspensão de microalga suspensa em NaCl 0,60 mol L-1 a 25,0 ± 0,1 &#186;C foram tratados por um modelo de distribuição discreta de sítios baseado na linearização das curvas de titulação por funções de Gran modificadas. A concentração total de sítios ionizáveis foi 3,4 x 10-3 mmol g-1, divididos em quatro classes de grupos com pKa 4,4; 5,2; 7,0 e 9,3, cujas abundâncias relativas foram 13, 5,8, 8,2 e 73%, respectivamente. Ligação de Cd(II) e Zn(II) foi estudada em água do mar (pH 8,2) por adições de soluções dos cátion metálicos em soluções simples ou misturas binárias. O cálculo das concentrações dos metais a partir dos dados voltamétricos considerou o agregado célula-metal tendo difusão muito menor do que a do íon livre. Capacidades de adsorção e o logaritmo das constantes de equilíbrio condicionais foram 7,9 ± 0,9 &#181;mol g-1 e 6,9 ± 0,3 L g-1 para Cd(II) e 18,1 ± 0,4 &#181;mol g-1 e 8,8 ± 0,2 L g-1 para Zn(II). Nas titulações com misturas binárias as capacidades de adsorção foram 0,129 ± 0 ,008 e 18,1 ± 0,4 &#181;mol g-1 de Cd(II) e Zn(II), respectivamente, sugerindo que a ligação de Zn(II) inibe a de Cd(II). Entretanto, mesmo na presença de Zn(II) a superfície de alga possui sítios minoritários que se ligam a Cd(II) (log Kads = 7,7 ± 0,2), o que pode causar a bioacumulação desse íon metálico tóxico. / Proton and metal binding capacities of living cells of the microalgae Tetraselmis gracilis (Kylin) butcher were determined by potentiometric titration and anodic stripping voltammetry, respectively. Data of alkalimetric titration of the microalgae suspension obtained in 0.60 mol L-1 NaCl at 25.0 ± 0.1&#186;C was treated by a discrete site distribution model based on the linearization of the titration curve by modified Gran functions. A total of 3.4 x 10-3 mmol g-1 ionizable sites were determined, divided in four classes of groups with pKa 4.4, 5.2, 7.0 and 9.3, whose relative abundances were 13, 5.8, 8.2 and 73%, respectively. Binding of Cd(II) and Zn(II) was studied in seawater (pH 8.2) by additions of either single metallic species or binary mixtures. Computation of free metal concentrations from the voltammetric data considered the cell-metal aggregates with diffusion coefficient significantly lower than that of free metal ions. Adsorption capacities and the logarithm of the conditional equilibrium constants were 7.9 ± 0.9 &#181;mol g-1 and 6.9 ± 0.3 L g-1 for Cd(II) and 18.1 ± 0.4 &#181;mol g-1 and 8.8 ± 0.2 L g-1 for Zn(II). For titrations with binary mixtures of Cd(II) and Zn(II ) the adsorption capacity of Cd(II) were 0.129 ± 0.008 &#181;mol g-1 and 18.1 ± 0.4 &#181;mol g-1, respectively. The results suggest that binding of Zn(II) inhibits that of Cd(II). However, even in the presence of Zn(II), the alga surface has some minor sites that can bind Cd(II) (log Kads = 7.7 ± 0.2), a process that can lead to bioaccumulation of this toxic metal ion.