Transition metal hexacyanoferrates

Among the variety of materials used for electrode modification the electroactive organic and inorganic polymers seem to be the most prominant ones. In this chapter the electroactive polycrystals of transition metals, hexacyanoferrates, will be discussed for the development of chemical and biological sensors. 

The participation of cations in redox reactions of metal hexacyanoferrates provides a unique opportunity for the development of chemical sensors for non-electroactive ions. The development of sensors for thallium (Tl+) [15], cesium (Cs+) [34], and potassium (K+) [35, 36] pioneered analytical applications of metal hexacyanoferrates (Table 13.1). Later, a number of cationic analytes were enlarged, including ammonium (NH4+) [37], rubidium (Rb+) [38], and even other mono- and divalent cations [39], In most cases the electrochemical techniques used were potentiometry and amperometry either under constant potential or in cyclic voltammetric regime. More recently, sensors for silver [29] and arsenite [40] on the basis of transition metal hexacyanoferrates were proposed. An apparent list of sensors for non-electroactive ions is presented in Table 13.1. 

Whereas detection of electroinactive ions was principally worked out at the end of last century, the use of transition metal hexacyanoferrates as sensors for various electroactive compounds still attracts particular interest of scientists. Although the cross-selectivity of such compounds must be low, a number of them have been successfully used for analysis of real objects. 

In contrast to a variety of oxidizable compounds, only a few examples for the detection of strong oxidants with transition metal hexacyanoferrates were shown. Among them, hydrogen peroxide is discussed in the following section. Except for H202, the reduction of carbon dioxide [91] and persulfate [92] by Prussian blue-modified electrode was shown. The detection of the latter is important in cosmetics. It should be noted that the reduction of Prussian blue to Prussian white occurs at the lowest redox potential as can be found in transition metal hexacyanoferrates. 

The possibility for electropolymerization on the top surface of Prussian blue films was probably first shown in [126] describing the high oxidizing ability of Berlin green, the fully oxidized form of Prussian blue. Afterwards non-conducting polymers were synthesized on the top surface of transition metal hexacyanoferrate-modified electrodes for immobilization of the enzyme [127],... 

Application of transition metal hexacyanoferrates for development of biosensors was first announced by our group in 1994 [118]. The goal was to substitute platinum as the most commonly used hydrogen peroxide transducer for Prussian blue-modified electrode. The enzyme glucose oxidase was immobilized on the top of the transducer in the polymer (Nation) membrane. The resulting biosensor showed advantageous characteristics of both sensitivity and selectivity in the presence of commonly tested reductants, such as ascorbate and paracetamol. 

Except for Prussian blue activity in hydrogen peroxide, reduction has been shown for a number of transition metal hexacyanoferrates. The latter were cobalt [151], nickel [152], chromium [150], titanium [153], copper [154], manganese [33], and vanadium [28] hexacyanoferrates. However, as was shown in review [117], catalytic activity of the mentioned inorganic materials in H202 reduction is either very low, or is provided by impurities of Prussian blue in the material. Nevertheless, a number of biosensors based on different transition metal hexacyanoferrates have been developed. 

P.J. Kulesza and Z. Galus, Polynuclear transition metal hexacyanoferrate films. In-situ electrochemical determination of their composition. J. Electroanal. Chem. 267, 117-127 (1989). 

Transition metal hexacyanoferrates These metals are very effective in extracting radioactive cesium from solutions. In India, potassium cobalt(II) hexacyanoferrate(II) has been prepared in a column-usable granular form that needs no resin support (IAEA, 2002). 

---