Thin-layer electrode system

At present the ESA Coulochem is the only commercially available coulometric detector. Several different types of cell are now available, most of which contain two analytical electrodes in series. The standard cell (Model 5010) contains equal sized PGEs, but in the high sensitivity cell (Model 5011) the surface area of the second electrode is reduced with the aim of producing a better S/N ratio. Despite the argument that the increased surface area available in PGE systems only increases the noise in proportion to the increased signal," such systems do appear to give an enhanced S/N ratio in certain applications, as compared to glassy carbon electrodes in thin-layer or wall-jet assemblies, and may offer more flexibility in routine use. Even better S/N ratios are claimed for the Model 5014 cell, which has been developed specifically for use with microdialysis samples. 

Notes Ii(A) limiting current, cj (moIm ) bulk concentration of the reactant A, for other quantities see Table 6 R, Rj (m) radius of the disc or tubular electrode S (m ) surface of the working electrode in thin-layer, rotating disc and wall-jet system respectively b (m) dimension of the electrode perpendicular to the liquid-flow F (m s ) sample inlet rate a (m) diameter of the inlet nozzle of the wall-jet detector = laminar convection, 1 streaming perpendicular to the electrode R a is assumed. 

The system developed by O Grady is reproduced in Fig. 9. A key element of this arrangement is the electrochemical thin layer cell, using a combined Pd-hydrogen reference and counter electrode, thus minimizing the amount of electrolyte necessary for the electrochemical treatment. This type of cell is particularly useful for double layer studies but cannot be used for gas evolution or corrosion experiments at higher current densities. For a collection and discussion of other transfer systems the reader is referred to the review article by Sherwood [43]. 

Bergstrom et al. [63] used HPLC for determination of penicillamine in body fluids. Proteins were precipitated from plasma and hemolyzed blood with trichloroacetic acid and metaphosphoric acid, respectively, and, after centrifugation, the supernatant solution was injected into the HPLC system via a 20-pL loop valve. Urine samples were directly injected after dilution with 0.4 M citric acid. Two columns (5 cm x 0.41 cm and 30 cm x 0.41 cm) packed with Zipax SCX (30 pm) were used as the guard and analytical columns, respectively. The mobile phase (2.5 mL/min) was deoxygenated 0.03 M citric acid-0.01 M Na2HP04 buffer, and use was made of an electrochemical detector equipped with a three-electrode thin-layer cell. The method was selective and sensitive for mercapto-compounds. Recoveries of penicillamine averaged 101% from plasma and 107% from urine, with coefficients of variation equal to 3.68 and 4.25%, respectively. The limits of detection for penicillamine were 0.5 pm and 3 pm in plasma and in urine, respectively. This method is selective and sensitive for sulfhydryl compounds. 

This system was subsequently investigated by Christensen et at. (1990) also using in situ FTIR, who observed identical product features (see Figure 3.48). In order first to compare directly the IR spectrum of oxalate generated in situ, the authors took advantage of the surface reactivity of Pt and the poor diffusion of species to and from the thin layer. Thus, a solution of oxalic acid in the electrolyte was placed in the spectroelectrochemical cell, the potential of the platinum working electrode stepped to successively lower values and spectra taken at each step. The spectra were all normalised to the reference spectrum collected at the base potential of 0 V vs. SCE. As a result of the deprotonation of adventitious water ... 

Fig. 3. Diagrams of electrochemical cells used in flow systems for thin film deposition by EC-ALE. A) First small thin layer flow cell (modeled after electrochemical liquid chromatography detectors). A gasket defined the area where the deposition was performed, and solutions were pumped in and out though the top plate. Reproduced by permission from ref. [ 110]. B) H-cell design where the samples were suspended in the solutions, and solutions were filled and drained from below. Reproduced by permission from ref. [111]. C) Larger thin layer flow cell. This is very similar to that shown in 3A, except that the deposition area is larger and laminar flow is easier to develop because of the solution inlet and outlet designs. In addition, the opposite wall of the cell is a piece of ITO, used as the auxiliary electrode. It is transparent so the deposit can be monitored visually, and it provides an excellent current distribution. The reference electrode is incorporated right in the cell, as well. Adapted from ref. [113],...

Aniline, methyl aniline, 1-naphthylamine, and diphenylamine at trace levels were determined using this technique and electrochemical detection. Two electrochemical detectors (a thin-layer, dual glassy-carbon electrode cell and a dual porous electrode system) were compared. The electrochemical behavior of the compounds was investigated using hydrodynamic and cyclic voltammetry. Detection limits of 15 and 1.5nmol/l were achieved using colourimetric and amperometric cells, respectively, when using an in-line preconcentration step. 

Case II Reversible or Ouasi-Reversible Redox Species. If the tip-sample bias is sufficient to cause the electrolysis of solution species to occur, i.e., AEt > AEp, ev, the proximity of the STM tip to the substrate surface (d < 10 A) implies that the behavior of an insulated STM tip-substrate system may mimic that of a two-electrode thin-layer cell (TLC)(63). At the small interelectrode distances required for tunneling, a steady-state concentration gradient with respect to the oxidized (Ox) and and reduced (Red) electroactive species should be established between the tip and the substrate, and the resulting steady-state current will augment that present as a result of the convection of electroactive species from the bulk solution. In many cases, this steady state current is predicted to overwhelm the convective currents, so this situation is of concern when STM imaging under electrochemical conditions (64). 

While the structure of nonredox polymer and polyelectrolytes thin layers has received much attention in the past [116, 117], only recently has a molecular theory able to treat, from a molecular point of view, redox polyelectrolytes adsorbed on electrodes, been presented [118-120]. The formulation of the theory, its scope, advantages and limitations will be discussed in detail in Section 2.5.2, and therefore we will limit ourselves to show here some predictions that are relevant for the understanding of the structure of polyelectrolyte-modified electrodes. The theory was applied to study the particular system depicted in Figure 2.5, which consists of a single layer of PAH-Os adsorbed on a gold surface thiolated with negatively charged mercapto... 

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