Detection voltammetry

Key words Nitroaromatic explosives, electrochemical detection, voltammetry, sensors, microchips. 

Scale of Operation Voltammetry is routinely used to analyze samples at the parts-per-million level and, in some cases, can be used to detect analytes at the parts-per-billion or parts-per-trillion level. Most analyses are carried out in conventional electrochemical cells using macro samples however, microcells are available that require as little as 50 pL of sample. Microelectrodes, with diameters as small as 2 pm, allow voltammetric measurements to be made on even smaller samples. For example, the concentration of glucose in 200-pm pond snail neurons has been successfully monitored using a 2-pm amperometric glucose electrode. ... 

Electrochemical Detectors Another common group of HPLC detectors are those based on electrochemical measurements such as amperometry, voltammetry, coulometry, and conductivity. Figure 12.29b, for example, shows an amperometric flow cell. Effluent from the column passes over the working electrode, which is held at a potential favorable for oxidizing or reducing the analytes. The potential is held constant relative to a downstream reference electrode, and the current flowing between the working and auxiliary electrodes is measured. Detection limits for amperometric electrochemical detection are 10 pg-1 ng of injected analyte. 

The methods of investigation of metal species in natural waters must possess by well dividing ability and high sensitivity and selectivity to determination of several metal forms. The catalytic including chemiluminescent (CL) techniques and anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) are the most useful to determination of trace metals and their forms. The methods considered ai e characterized by a low detection limits. Moreover, they allow detection of the most toxic form of metals, that is, metal free ions and labile complexes. 

The method of stripping voltammetry (SV) is one of the most perspective methods in concentration range of thallium(I) determination of 10 -10 M. Achievement of high sensitivity of thallium(I) determination needs carrying out its additional concentration and sepai ation from other metals which ai e close by electrochemical properties. For these purposes it is offered to use a method of coprecipitation with collector. The combination of SV and a method of coprecipitation on a collector have shown that minimum detectable concentration can be decreased by 2-3 orders of magnitude. 

PSS-SG composite film was tested for sorption of heme proteins hemoglobin (Hb) and myoglobin (Mb). The peroxidaze activity of adsorbed proteins were studied and evaluated by optical and voltammetric methods. Mb-PSS-SG film on PG electrode was shown to be perspective for detection of dissolved oxygen and hydrogen peroxide by voltammetry with linear calibration in the range 2-30 p.M, and detection limit -1.5 p.M. Obtained composite films can be modified by different types of biological active compounds which is important for the development of sensitive elements of biosensors. 

Nitrophenyl groups covalently bonded to classy carbon and graphite surfaces have been detected and characterized by unenhanced Raman spectroscopy in combination with voltammetry and XPS [4.292]. Difference spectra from glassy carbon with and without nitrophenyl modification contained several Raman bands from the nitrophenyl group with a comparatively large signal-to-noise ratio (Fig. 4.58). Electrochemical modification of the adsorbed monolayer was observed spectrally, because this led to clear changes in the Raman spectrum. 

Potential of zero charge, 20, 23, 25, 66 Potential scanning detector, 92 Potential step, 7, 42, 60 Potential window, 107, 108 Potentiometry, 2, 140 Potentiometric stripping analysis, 79 Potentiostat, 104, 105 Preconcentrating surfaces, 121 Preconcentration step, 121 Pretreatment, 110, 116 Pulsed amperometric detection, 92 Pulse voltammetry, 67... 

The cis/trans isomerization of cw-polyacetylene, previously only disclosed from spectroscopic data, has recently been detected by cyclic voltammetry The analysis of the redox data reveals that the trans-form is thermodynamically more favorable in the charged than in neutral state. 

The presence of redox catalysts in the electrode coatings is not essential in the c s cited alx)ve because the entrapped redox species are of sufficient quantity to provide redox conductivity. However, the presence of an additional redox catalyst may be useful to support redox conductivity or when specific chemical redox catalysis is used. An excellent example of the latter is an analytical electrode for the low level detection of alkylating agents using a vitamin 8,2 epoxy polymer on basal plane pyrolytic graphite The preconcentration step involves irreversible oxidative addition of R-X to the Co complex (see Scheme 8, Sect. 4.4). The detection by reductive voltammetry, in a two electron step, releases R that can be protonated in the medium. Simultaneously the original Co complex is restored and the electrode can be re-used. Reproducible relations between preconcentration times as well as R-X concentrations in the test solutions and voltammetric peak currents were established. The detection limit for methyl iodide is in the submicromolar range. 

Data on the electrochemistry of the telluride ion in alkaline media are relatively limited. Mishra et al. [53] studied the oxidation of Te to Te° at solid electrodes, focusing on the intermediate step(s) of this process, and in particular, the possibility of detecting ditelluride Te via rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) methodology. Oxidation beyond the elemental state to TeO and TeO was also studied using cyclic and hydrodynamic voltammetry. 

C/pB estimated by both electrical (Mott-Schottky) and optical (photocurrent voltammetry) methods in the media studied, for (11 l)-oriented ZnSe electrode surfaces. A different variation was observed for the (110) orientation at pH >6. At pH 0, for both (110) or (11 l)-oriented electrode surface, the flat band potential value was -1.65 V (SHE) and the measured potential stability range (no detected current) was -0.35 to +2.65 V (SHE). A comparison of band levels with the other II-VI compounds as well as decomposition levels of ZnSe is given in Fig. 5.6. 

Pali), P and Stamford, JA (1994) Real-time monitoring of endogenous noradrenaline release in rat brain slices using fast cyclic voltammetry. 3. Selective detection of noradrenaline efflux in the locus coeruleus. Brain Res. 634 275-282. 

Under optimum conditions LPS voltammetry is an order of magnitude more sensitive than polarography (i.e., the detection limit is about 10 M). As in classical polarography, somewhat higher sensitivity and selectivity can be attained when using a differential version (i.e., when recording, as a function of potential, not the current but its derivative with respect to potential). 

Monitoring enzyme catalyzed reactions by voltammetry and amperometry is an extremely active area of bioelectrochemical interest. Whereas liquid chromatography provides selectivity, the use of enzymes to generate electroactive products provides specificity to electroanalytical techniques. In essence, enzymes are used as a derivatiz-ing agent to convert a nonelectroactive species into an electroactive species. Alternatively, electrochemistry has been used as a sensitive method to follow enzymatic reactions and to determine enzyme activity. Enzyme-linked immunoassays with electrochemical detection have been reported to provide even greater specificity and sensitivity than other enzyme linked electrochemical techniques. 

Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) has been used extensively for the determination of heavy metals in samples of biological origin, such as lead in blood. ASV has the lowest detection limit of the commonly used electroanalytical techniques. Analyte concentrations as low as 10 M have been determined. Figure 16 illustrates ASV for the determination of Pb at a mercury electrode. The technique consists of two steps. The potential of the electrode is first held at a negative value for several minutes to concentrate some of the Pb " from the solution into the mercury electrode as Pb. The electrode process is... 

As with in vivo voltammetry, a variety of electrochemical techniques have been used for the stripping step. Because of its simplicity, linear sweep voltammetry has enjoyed widespread use however, the detection limit of this technique is limited by charging current. Differential pulse has become popular because it discriminates against the charging current to provide considerably lower detection limits. 

Electrochemically active compounds can be evaluated using a potentiometer to generate a cyclic voltammogram for the analyte. Cyclic voltammetry will allow the analyst to determine whether the compound can be oxidized or reduced, to choose the appropriate potential to use in the electrochemical detector, and to establish whether oxidation or reduction is irreversible. Irreversible oxidation or reduction of the analyte could be predictive of problems with electrode poisoning and reduced sensitivity of the electrochemical detector over time. Turberg et al. used EC detection at an applied potential of -1-600 mV to analyze for ractopamine. 

The main electroanalytical techniques are electrogravimetry, potentiometry (including potentiometric titrations), conductometry, voltammetry/polarography, coulometry and electrochemical detection. Some electroanalytical techniques have become very widely accepted others, such as polarography/voltammetry, less so. Table 8.74 compares the main electroanalytical methods. 

Table 8.76 shows the main characteristics of voltammetry. Trace-element analysis by electrochemical methods is attractive due to the low limits of detection that can be achieved at relatively low cost. The advantage of using standard addition as a means of calibration and quantification is that matrix effects in the sample are taken into consideration. Analytical responses in voltammetry sometimes lack the predictability of techniques such as optical spectrometry, mostly because interactions at electrode/solution interfaces can be extremely complex. The role of the electrolyte and additional solutions in voltammetry are crucial. Many determinations are pH dependent, and the electrolyte can increase both the conductivity and selectivity of the solution. Voltammetry offers some advantages over atomic absorption. It allows the determination of an element under different oxidation states (e.g. Fe2+/Fe3+). 

---