Facile Electrochemical Oxidation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons to Surface-Confined Redox-Active Quinone Species on a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Surface

Edge and Basal Plane Anisotropy of a Preanodized Pencil Graphite Electrode Surface Revealed Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and Electrocatalytic Dopamine Oxidation as a Molecular Probe

Pencil graphite (PGE), an ultralow-cost and ready-to-use disposable-type electrode, has been used for various electrochemical and electroanalytical applications after its surface anodization (PGE*, * means preanodized surface). Indeed, systematic studies on mechanistic and surface features of PGE* have not yet been explored. Herein, we report anodized pencil graphite as a model system to study molecular level insights into the surface using a scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) technique and dopamine (DA) electrocatalytic oxidation reaction as a molecular probe. The as-prepared PGE* showed an appreciable electronic conductivity similar to the edge-plane graphitic sites (EPPG) of the highly pyrolytic graphitic electrode (HOPG) but without any surface deterioration that occurs with HOPG due to the instability of the EPPG. Physicochemical characterizations by FESEM, FTIR, Raman, and XPS techniques revealed a flake-like exfoliated PGE* surface with higher contents of carbon-oxygen especially phenolic/alcoholic functional groups than the PGE surface. Based on the chronocoulometric experiment, the number of functional groups formed on the PGE* was calculated as 10.9 × 10-10 mol cm-2. An independent SECM technique using ferricyanide as a redox probe showed the existence of a heterogeneous surface and exhibited an improved electron transfer activity due to the flake-like graphitic island on the PGE* surface. Investigated DA electrochemical oxidation on PGE* yielded about three times enhancement in the peak current signal and about 200 mV reduction in the oxidation potential over the PGE without any serious surface fouling feature that is related to the intermediate polydopamine formation on the basal-plane graphitic surface of the underlying electrode. As an independent electroanalytical study, a prototype electrochemical sensor using PGE* as a working electrode for instant detection of DA-containing pharmaceutical samples in a 1 mL Eppendorf vial has been demonstrated.

Voltammetry of Carbon Nanotubes and the Limitations of Particle-Modified Electrodes: Are Carbon Nanotubes Electrocatalytic?

The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electrocatalysts is summarized; the limitations of using voltammetry based on CNT-modified electrodes is explained; and the role of mass transport, as well as electrode kinetics, with respect to dictating the voltammetric responses is discussed. The use of single-entity electrochemistry to at least complement, if not replace, ensemble voltammetry is advocated along with other caveats, notably purity, with respect to CNT voltammetry.

The laccase mediator system at carbon nanotubes for anthracene oxidation and femtomolar electrochemical biosensing

We investigated the use of POXA1b laccase from Pleurotus ostreatus for the oxidation of anthracene into anthraquinone. We show that different pathways can occur depending on the nature of the redox mediator combined to laccase, leading to different structural isomers. The laccase combined with 2,2'-azine-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) leads to the formation of 1,4-anthraquinone and/or 1,2-anthraquinone. The unprecedented role of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as redox mediators for oxidation of anthracene into 9,10-anthraquinone is shown and corroborated by density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. Owing to the efficient adsorption of anthraquinones at CNT electrodes, anthracene can be detected with low limit-of-detection using either laccase in solution, CNT-supported laccase or laccase immobilized at magnetic beads exploiting the adhesive property of a chimeric hydrophobin-laccase.

Insights into carbon nanotube-assisted electro-oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for mediated bioelectrocatalysis

A series of polycyclic aromatics, naphthalene, phenanthrene, perylene, pyrene, 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (pyrene NHS) and coronene, were immobilized via π stacking on carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes and electro-oxidized in aqueous solutions. The obtained quinones were characterized and evaluated for the mediated electron transfer with FAD dependent glucose dehydrogenase during catalytic glucose oxidation.

Multi-Redox Active Carbons and Hydrocarbons: Control of their Redox Properties and Potential Applications

Precise control over redox properties is essential for high-performance organic electronic devices such as organic batteries, electrochromic devices, and information storage devices. In this context, multi-redox active carbons and hydrocarbons, represented as C_x H_y molecules (x≥1, y≥0), are highly sought after, because they can switch between multiple redox states. Herein, we outline the redox properties of C_x H_y molecules as solutes and adsorbed species. Furthermore, the limitations of evaluating their redox properties and the possible solutions are summarized. Additionally, the theoretical capacity (mAh/g) and gravimetric energy density (Wh/kg) of secondary batteries were estimated based on the redox properties of 185 C_x H_y molecules, which have primarily been reported in the last decade. Among them, seven C_x H_y molecules were found to have the potential to surpass the energy density of LiNi_0.6 Mn_0.2 Co_0.2 O₂ /graphite batteries. The use of C_x H_y molecules in multielectrochromic devices and multi-bit memory is also explained. We believe that this review will encourage further utilization of C_x H_y molecules thereby promoting its applications in organic electronic devices.

Mesoporous Carbon/α-Fe2O3 Nanoleaf Composites for Disposable Nitrite Sensors and Energy Storage Applications

In this work, we report a novel hydrothermal synthesis of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoleaf-incorporated mesoporous carbon-chitosan (α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit) as a versatile disposable sensor for selective electrochemical detection of nitrite and for supercapacitor applications. The newly synthesized α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, UV, and Raman spectroscopy. The extensive physicochemical characterization reveals the strong immobilization of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoleaves within the MPC-chit composite. The electrochemical characterization with cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy using [Fe(CN)₆)]^3-/4- as a redox probe concludes good electron conductivity and efficient electron transfer behavior of α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit. The α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit modified electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward nitrite oxidation. The amperometric method of nitrite detection showed a linear range of up to 200 μmol L^-1 _. The current sensitivity and detection limit were found to be 0.913 μA μM^-1 and 31 nM cm^-2, respectively. The improved catalytic activity of the proposed electrode was endorsed by the synergistic effect of α-Fe₂O₃ with the MPC-chit composite. The ability of the proposed electrode was demonstrated by the successful detection of nitrite present in tap water, river water, and industrial samples with extensive recovery values. Furthermore, the α-Fe₂O₃@MPC-chit modified stainless-steel electrode showed high-performance supercapacitor application and exhibited a large specific capacitance of 380 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1.

π-Self-Assembly of a Coronene on Carbon Nanomaterial-Modified Electrode and Its Symmetrical Redox and H2O2 Electrocatalytic Reduction Functionalities

The structure-electroactivity relationship of graphene has been studied using coronene (Cor), polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), and a subunit of graphene as a model system by chemically modified electrode approach. In general, graphene and PAH do not show any redox activity in their native form. Herein, we report a simple electrochemical approach for the conversion of electro-inactive coronene to a highly redox-active molecule (Cor-Redox; E°' = 0.235 ± 0.005 V vs Ag/AgCl) after being adsorbed on graphitic carbon nanomaterial and preconditioned at an applied potential, 1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl, wherein, the water molecule oxidizes to dioxygen via hydroxyl radical (^•OH) intermediate, in acidic solution (pH 2 KCl-HCl). When the same coronene electrochemical experiment was carried out on an unmodified glassy carbon electrode, there was no sign of faradic signal, revealing the unique electrochemical behavior of the coronene molecule on graphitic nanomaterial. The Cor-Redox peak is found to be highly symmetrical (peak-to-peak potential separation of ∼0 V tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV)) and surface-confined (Γ_Cor-Redox = 10.1 × 10^-9 mol cm^-2) and has proton-coupled electron-transfer (∂E°'/∂pH = -56 mV pH^-1) character. Initially, it was speculated that Cor is converted to a hydroxy group-functionalized Cor molecule (dihydroxy benzene derivative) on the graphitic surface and showed the electrochemical redox activity. However, physicochemical characterization studies including Raman, IR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), redox-site selective oxidation probe, cysteine (for dihydroxy benzene), radical scavenger ((2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl, TEMPO), and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) using ferricyanide redox couple have revealed that coronene cationic radical species like electroactive molecule is formed on graphitic material upon the electrochemical oxidation reaction at a high anodic potential. It has been proposed that ^•OH generated as an intermediate species from the water oxidation reaction is involved in the coronene cationic radical species. Studies on coronene electrochemical reaction at various carbon nanomaterials like multiwalled carbon, single-walled carbon, graphite, graphene oxide, and carbon nanofiber revealed that graphitic structure (without any oxygen functional groups) and its π-π bonding are key factors for the success of the electrochemical reaction. The coronene molecular redox peak showed an unusual electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide similar to the peroxidase enzyme-biocatalyzed reduction reaction in physiological solution.

Electrochemical behavior of the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand on a multiwalled carbon nanotube surface and its relevant electrochemistry for selective recognition of copper ion and hydrogen peroxide sensing

1,10-Phenanthroline (Phen) is a well-known benchmark ligand and has often been used in the coordination chemistry for the complexation of transition metal ions, such as Fe(2+), Ni(2+), and Co(2+). Because the electro-oxidation potential of Phen is much higher (>2 V versus Ag/AgCl) than the water decomposition potential, i.e., ∼1.5 V versus Ag/AgCl, in pH 7, it is practically difficult to electro-oxidize Phen in aqueous medium using any conventional electrodes, such as glassy carbon electrode (GCE), gold, and platinum. Interestingly, herein, we report an unexpected oxidation of Phen to a highly redox active 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (Phen-dione) and its confinement on a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE/MWCNT@Phen-dione) surface by potential cycling of Phen-adsorbed GCE/MWCNT (GCE/MWCNT@Phen) from -1 to 1 V versus Ag/AgCl in pH 7 phosphate buffer solution. GCE/MWCNT@Phen-dione showed selective recognition of copper ion (GCE/MWCNT@Phen-dione-Cu(2+)) by catalyzing the hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction in a neutral pH solution. The precise structure of the Phen electro-oxidized product has been identified after characterizing the electrode and/or ethanolic extract of the product by various techniques, such as Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (for copper complex), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) (for copper complex), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and in situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and comparing electrochemical behavior of several control compounds, such as phenanthrene and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone. It is concluded that the product formed is 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione, wherein the dione position is ortho to each other and the copper ion is complexed with nitrogen of the phenanthroline ring. With extended electrochemical oxidation of a structurally similar ligand, 2,2'-bipyridine failed to show any such electrochemical dynamics. Finally, applicability of GCE/MWCNT@Phen-dione-Cu(2+) for electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide in a couple of real samples is successfully demonstrated.