A novel approach to the elucidation of facilitated ion transfer mechanisms at the liquid/liquid interface

Detection of Acetylcholine at Nanoscale NPOE/Water Liquid/Liquid Interface Electrodes

The interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) has become a very powerful analytical platform for sensing a diverse range of chemicals (e.g., metal ions and neurotransmitters) with the advantage of being able to detect non-redox electroactive species. The ITIES is formed between organic and aqueous phases. Organic solvent identity is crucial to the detection characteristics of the ITIES [half-wave transfer potential (E_1/2), potential window range, limit of detection, transfer coefficient (α), standard heterogeneous ion-transfer rate constant (k⁰), etc.]. Here, we demonstrated, for the first time at the nanoscale, the detection characteristics of the NPOE/water ITIES. Linear detection of the diffusion-limited current at different concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) was demonstrated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and i-t amperometry. The E_1/2 of ACh transfer at the NPOE/water nanoITIES was -0.342 ± 0.009 V versus the E_1/2 of tetrabutylammonium (TBA⁺). The limit of detection of ACh at the NPOE/water nanoITIES was 37.1 ± 1.5 μM for an electrode with a radius of ∼127 nm. We also determined the ion-transfer kinetics parameters, α and k⁰, of TBA⁺ at the NPOE/water nanoITIES by fitting theoretical cyclic voltammograms to experimental voltammograms. This work lays the basis for future cellular studies using ACh detection at the nanoscale and for studies to detect other analytes. The NPOE/water ITIES offers a potential window distinct from that of the 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE)/water ITIES. This unique potential window would offer the ability to detect analytes that are not easily detected at the DCE/water ITIES.

Investigation of modified nanopore arrays using FIB/SEM tomography

FIB/SEM tomography and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy are employed to study the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions at nanopore arrays, which were electrochemically modified by silica.

Amperometric Ion Sensing Approaches at Liquid/Liquid Interfaces for Inorganic, Organic and Biological Ions

Electrochemistry at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) has become an invaluable tool for the selective and sensitive detection of cationic and anionic species, including charged drug molecules and proteins. In addition, neutral molecules can also be detected at the ITIES via enzymatic reactions. This chapter highlights recent developments towards creating a wide spectrum of sensing platforms involving ion transfer across the ITIES. As well as outlining the basic principles needed for performing these sensing applications, the development of ITIES-based detection strategies for inorganic, organic, and biological ions is discussed.

Thiamacrocyclic lactones: new Ag(I)-ionophores

The syntheses of novel adamantane thialactones 5-12 are reported, and the results of the heavy- and transition-metal cation extraction experiments are described. The results are compared with those obtained with similar thiamacrocyclic ligands that have flexible chains of methylene groups incorporated into the macrocyclic framework as in 13-20. The results show that most of the hosts studied are very good in complexing the Ag(+) ion. The formation of complexes has also been demonstrated using NMR titration experiments for macrocycles 13 and 14 with AgTFA. Introduction of a single polycyclic molecule into the 15- to 18-membered rings increases the rigidity and preorganizes the ligand for complexation. However, two adamantane molecules embedded in the ring usually diminish the complexing ability of the ligand, primarily due to sterical effects of the bulky adamantane moiety that obstructs formation of an optimal geometry for binding the desired metal ion. The structures of macrocycles 5, 7, 9, 11, and 19 were determined by X-ray structure analysis, and their conformational properties are discussed. In the solid state, 7, 11, and 19 are organized into tubular fashion using C-H...O interactions. Also, two silver complexes with thialactone 13, Ag13 and Ag(13)(2), were prepared and characterized. The structure analysis of Ag13 and Ag(13)(2) reveals the formation of mononuclear and binuclear species with silver in ambivalent, tetrahedral coordination via sulfur and oxygen from trifluoroacetate anion.

Modifying the liquid/liquid interface: pores, particles and deposition

The modification of the liquid/liquid interface with solid phases is discussed in this article. Modified interfaces can be formed with molecular assemblies, but here attention is focussed on solid materials such as mesoscopic particles, or microporous and mesoporous membranes. Charge transfer across the modified liquid/liquid interface is considered in particular. The most obvious consequence of the introduction of such modifying components is their effect on the transport to, and the transfer of material across, the liquid/liquid interface, as measured voltammetrically for example. One particularly interesting reaction is interfacial metal deposition, which can also be studied under electrochemical control: the initial formation of metal nuclei at the interface transforms it from the bare, pristine state to a modified state with very different reactivity. Deposition at interfaces between liquids is compared and contrasted with the cases of metal deposition in bulk solution and conventional heterogeneous deposition on conducting solid surfaces. Comparison is also made with work on the assembly of pre-formed micron and nanometre scale solids at the liquid/liquid interface.

Size Selective and Volume Exclusion Effects on Ion Transfer at the Silicalite Modified Liquid−Liquid Interface

The modification of the liquid/liquid interface with membranes of silicalite, a neutral framework zeolite, is used to extend the potential window. This feature allows the observation of the transfer of extremely hydrophilic ions, due to the size-exclusion of organic ions from the interior of the zeolitic framework. Similarly, volume exclusion effects are shown to affect facilitated ion transfer processes involving alkali metal cations. In contrast, proton transfer is largely unaffected by the presence of the zeolite, which is suggestive of more rapid diffusion processes within the interior of the framework. The technique of liquid/liquid electrochemistry should allow the measurement of solution phase transport parameters for ions within microporous hosts.