From clay- to organoclay-film modified electrodes: tuning charge selectivity in ion exchange voltammetry

Glassy carbon electrode modified with a film of tetraruthenated nickel(ii) porphyrin located in natural smectite clay's interlayer for the simultaneous sensing of dopamine, acetaminophen and tryptophan

A supramolecular complex μ-meso-tetra(4-pyridyl) porphyrinate nickel(ii)tetrakis[bis(bipyridine)(chloro)ruthenium(ii)] ([NiTPyP{Ru(bipy)2Cl}4]4+) was intercalated into the interlayer space of natural smectite clay (shortened as Ba) collected in a Cameroonian deposit at Bagba hill. Physicochemical characterization of the resulting material using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the intercalation of the porphyrin within the interlayer space of the clay. The intercalated clay was then used to form a stable thin film onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by drop casting a suspension of the hybrid material. The GCE modified with the intercalated organoclay endowed the electrode with a larger electrochemically active surface area, good stability, high selectivity, and sensitivity toward dopamine (DA), acetaminophen (AC) and tryptophan (Trp). In addition, it was observed that the modified electrodes exhibited good and pH-dependent electrocatalytic properties toward these analytes. The simultaneous determination of DA, AC and Trp at [NiTPyP{Ru(bipy)2Cl}4]4+-Ba/GCE was thus possible without the interference of one analyte on the others, and the resulting calibration curve exhibits two segments for the three analytes. For DA, AC and Trp, the detection limits were found to be 0.8 μM, 0.3 μM and 0.3 μM, respectively. The [NiTPyP{Ru(bipy)2Cl}4]4+-Ba/GCE modified electrodes were successfully applied for the determination of AC in Paracetamol, a commercial product, and Trp in real pharmaceutical formulation samples.

Investigation of herbicide sorption-desorption using pristine and organoclays to explore the potential carriers for controlled release formulation

Injudicious application of available commercial herbicide formulations leads to water, air and soil contamination, which adversely affect the environment, ecosystems and living organisms. Controlled release formulation (CRFs) could be an effective way to reduce the problems associated with commercially available herbicides. Organo-montmorillonites are prominent carrier materials for synthesising CRFs of commercial herbicides. Quaternary amine and organosilane functionalised organo-montmorillonite and pristine montmorillonite were used to investigate their potential as suitable carriers for CRFs in herbicide delivery systems. The experiment involved a batch adsorption process with successive dilution method. Results revealed that pristine montmorillonite is not a suitable carrier for CRFs of 2,4-D due to its low adsorption capacity and hydrophilic nature. Conversely, octadecylamine (ODA) and ODA-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) functionalised montmorillonite has better adsorption capacities. Adsorption of 2,4-D onto both organoclays is higher at pH.3 (232.58% for MMT1 and 161.29% for MMT2) compared to higher pH until pH.7 (49.75% for MMT1 and 68.49% for MMT2). Integrated structural characterisation studies confirmed the presence of 2,4-D on the layered organoclays. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm model fitted best to the experimental data, which revealed an energetically heterogeneous surface of the experimental organoclays, and adsorption which specifically involved chemisorption. The cumulative desorption percentages of adsorbed 2,4-D from MMT1_{(2,4-D loaded)} and MMT2_{(2,4-D loaded)} after seven desorption cycles were 65.53% and 51.45%, respectively. This outcome indicates: firstly, both organoclays are potential carrier materials for CRFs of 2,4-D; secondly, they have the ability to reduce the instantaneous release of 2,4-D immediately after application; and thirdly, eco-toxicity is greatly diminished.

Amino-Functionalized Laponite Clay Material as a Sensor Modifier for the Electrochemical Detection of Quercetin

In this work, an electrode modified with an amino-functionalized clay mineral was used for the electrochemical analysis and quantification of quercetin (QCT). The resulting amine laponite (LaNH₂) was used as modifier for a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The organic-inorganic hybrid material was structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and CHN elemental analysis. The covalent grafting of the organosilane to the clay backbone was confirmed. The charge on the aminated laponite, both without and with the protonation of NH₂ groups, was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry. On the protonated amine (LaNH₃⁺)-modified GCE, the cyclic voltammograms for QCT showed two oxidation peaks and one reduction peak in the range of -0.2 V to 1.2 V in a phosphate buffer-ethanol mixture at pH 3. By using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the modification showed an increase in the electrode performance and a strong pH dependence. The experimental conditions were optimized, with the results showing that the peak current intensity of the DPV increased linearly with the QCT concentration in the range from 2 × 10^-7 M to 2 × 10^-6 M, leading to a detection limit of 2.63 × 10^-8 M (S/N 3). The sensor selectivity was also evaluated in the presence of interfering species. Finally, the proposed aminated organoclay-modified electrode was successfully applied for the detection of QCT in human urine. The accuracy of the results achieved with the sensor was evaluated by comparing the results obtained using UV-visible spectrometry.

Thermostable water reservoirs in the interlayer space of a sodium hectorite clay through the intercalation of γ-aminopropyl(dimethyl)ethoxysilane in toluene

Treatment of Na⁺-based hectorite LAPONITE® (LAP) and of Na⁺-montmorillonite (MMT) with a homologous series of γ-aminopropyl(methyl)_x(ethoxy)_ysilanes (x + y = 3, y > 0) in toluene was studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, ²⁹Si and ²³Na solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The triethoxy silane (APTS) exclusively grafts on the clays' edges as branched oligomers whereas both the monoethoxy silane (APMS) and the diethoxy silane (APDS) are also intercalated, the latter as linear oligomers. Intercalation of APMS varies for MMT and LAP: MMT hosts the smallest amounts of the silanes with marginal increase of the basal distance and no stabilization of water. On the contrary, LAP accommodates the largest amount of guests in the form of monomeric APMS which yields the largest increase of the basal distance and stabilizes water up to 200 °C when APMS dimerizes. APMS stabilization is attributed to intramolecular Si-O-H-NH₂ hydrogen bonds and the hydrophobic geminal methyl groups together with the trimethylene sides of the cyclic monomers are thought to compartmentalize the hydrated sodium sites. The high temperature release of water from APMS@LAP is discussed in the light of potentially triggered interphase degradation in composite materials for recycling purposes.

A new sensor based on an amino-montmorillonite-modified inkjet-printed graphene electrode for the voltammetric determination of gentisic acid

An amperometric sensor based on an inkjet-printed graphene electrode (IPGE) modified with amine-functionalized montmorillonite (Mt-NH₂) for the electroanalysis and quantification of gentisic acid (GA) has been developed. The organoclay used as IPGE modifier was prepared and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, CHN elemental analysis, and thermogravimetry. The electrochemical features of the Mt-NH₂/IPGE sensor were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The sensor exhibited charge selectivity ability which was exploited for the electrochemical oxidation of GA. The GA amperometric response was high in acidic medium (Brinton-Robinson buffer, pH 2) due to favorable interactions between the protonated amine groups and the negatively charged GA. Kinetic studies were also performed by cyclic voltammetry, and the obtained electron transfer rate constant of 11.3 s^-1 indicated a fast direct electron transfer rate of GA to the electrode. An approach using differential pulse voltammetry was then developed for the determination of GA (at + 0.233 V vs. a pseudo Ag/Ag⁺ reference electrode), and under optimized conditions, the sensor showed high sensitivity, a wide working linear range from 1 to 21 μM (R² = 0.999), and a low detection limit of 0.33 μM (0.051 ± 0.01 mg L^-1). The proposed sensor was applied to quantify GA in a commercial red wine sample. The simple and rapid method developed using a cheap clay material could be employed for the determination of various phenolic acids.

Characterization and Applications of Kaolinite Robustly Grafted by an Ionic Liquid with Naphthyl Functionality

Functionalization of the kaolinite (K) interlayer space is challenging. In this work, a new kaolinite-based nanohybridmaterial (K-NI) was successfully synthesized by grafting on the interlayer aluminol surfaces the ionic liquid, 1-(1-methylnaphthyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl) imidazolium chloride (NI), using a guest displacement strategy. A substantial increase of the basal spacing (10.8 Å) was obtained. This is a grafted derivative of kaolinite possessing one of the largest d-values. Washing in water for several days and other vigorous treatments such as sonication showed a minor effect on the integrity of the material. FTIR and ¹³C NMR confirmed the conservation of the structure of the ionic liquid after the grafting. Thermal analysis confirmed the presence of grafted material and was used to estimate the abundance of the grafted ionic liquid (0.44 mole per mole of kaolinite structural formula, (Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄)). By using cyclic voltammetry, the permeability of a film of K-NI for the bulky ferricyanide ions was demonstrated. The accumulation of nitrophenolate anions was effective (maximum capacity of 190 μmol/g), but was less important than what was expected due to the steric hindrance of the bulky grafted NI. Although the presence of chloride anions reduced the adsorption capacity, the affinity of the modified kaolinite interlayer space for the nitrophenolate anions was demonstrated.

Tetrabutylammonium-modified clay film electrodes: characterization and application to the detection of metal ions

This work describes the preparation and characterization of smectite clay partially exchanged with tetrabutylammonium ions (TBA(+)) and its subsequent deposition onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for application to the preconcentration electroanalysis of metal ions (Cd, Pb, and Cu). Such partial exchange of TBA(+) induces the expansion of the interlayer region between the clay sheets (as ascertained by XRD) while maintaining its ion exchange capacity, which resulted in enhanced mass transport rates (as pointed out by electrochemical monitoring of permeability properties of these thin (organo)clay films on GCE). This principle was applied here to the anodic stripping square wave voltammetric analysis of metal ions after accumulation at open circuit. Among others, detection limits as low as 3.6×10(-8)M for copper and 7.2×10(-8)M for cadmium have been achieved.

Optimization of electrocoagulation process for the simultaneous removal of mercury, lead, and nickel from contaminated water

PURPOSE AND AIM: The present study provides an optimization of electrocoagulation process for the simultaneous removal of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and nickel from water. In doing so, the thermodynamic, adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies were also carried out.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Magnesium alloy, magnesium, aluminum, and mild steel sheet of size 2 dm(2) were used as anode and galvanized iron as cathode. To optimize the maximum removal efficiency, different parameters like effect of initial concentration, effect of temperature, pH, and effect of current density were studied. Mercury-, lead-, and nickel-adsorbed magnesium hydroxide coagulant was characterized by SEM and EDAX.

RESULTS

The results showed that the maximum removal efficiency was achieved for mercury, lead, and nickel with magnesium alloy as anode and galvanized iron as cathode at a current density of 0.15 Å/dm(2) and pH of 7.0. The adsorption of mercury, lead, and nickel are preferably fitting the Langmuir adsorption isotherm suggests monolayer coverage of adsorbed molecules. The adsorption process follows second-order kinetics. Temperature studies showed that adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous in nature.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnesium hydroxide generated in the cell removes the heavy metals present in the water and reduces to a permissible level, making it drinkable.

Direct electrochemical determination of methyl jasmonate in wheat spikelet at a nano-montmorillonite film modified electrode by derivative square wave voltammetry

The direct electrochemical determination of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at a nano-montmorillonite modified glassy carbon electrode (nano-MMT/GCE) is reported. The modified electrode, prepared by a simple casting-drying method and characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), was proved to process a uniform nanostructured surface with a large surface area and a fast electron transfer rate. This electrode exhibited a sensitive electrochemical response for the direct oxidation of MeJA in 0.1 mol L(-1) HClO4, which could be further improved by using a derivative square wave voltammetry technique. Thus, a simple and fast electrochemical method for the determination of MeJA is proposed. Under optimal working conditions, the oxidation current of MeJA linearly increased with its concentration in the range of 7.0 × 10(-7)-1.0 × 10(-3) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10(-7) mol L(-1). This method had been applied to the determination of MeJA content in wheat spikelet samples.

Mercury(II) removal from water by electrocoagulation using aluminium and iron electrodes

In this work, electrocoagulation was used to evaluate the treatment of synthetic solutions containing mercury(II) of concentration 2 x 10(-5)M. The effects of the distance between the electrodes, current density, charge loading and initial pH on the removal efficiency were investigated, using aluminium and iron electrodes. Analysis of the filtrates resulting from the treatment was made by anodic redissolution in the differential pulse mode. The removal efficiency was above 99.9% when the distance between the electrodes was 3 cm, the current density ranging from 2.5 to 3.125 A dm(-2); for instance, 99.95% of the mercury(II) was eliminated when a charge loading of 9.33 and 15.55 F m(-3) were used for iron and aluminium respectively. In these conditions, by varying the pH of the mercury(II) solutions from 3 to 7, the removal efficiency remained higher than 99%. In addition, some experiments were carried out on a river water contaminated with mercury(II) ions, and the results obtained showed that the presence of organic matter do not influence the efficiency of the treatment. The elimination of mercury(II) ions is best performed with iron, where 15 min of electrolysis was sufficient to reach the highest removal compared to aluminium which required 25 min for the same result.

Electrochemical study of ferrocenemethanol-modified layered double hydroxides composite matrix: Application to glucose amperometric biosensor

A novel amperometric glucose sensor based on co-immobilization of ferrocenemethanol (MeOHFc) and glucose oxidase (GOD) in the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was described. MeOHFc immobilized in LDHs played effectively the role of an electron shuttle and allowed the detection of glucose at 0.25 V (versus SCE), with dramatically reduced interference from easily oxidizable constituents. The sensor (LDHs/MeOHFc/GOD) exhibited a relatively fast response (response time was about 5s), low detection limit (3 microM), and high sensitivity (ca. 60 mA M(-1)cm(-2)) with a linear range of 6.7 x 10(-6) to 3.86 x 10(-4)M of glucose. Apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was calculated to be 2.25 mM.

Quaternary ammonium functionalized clay film electrodes modified with polyphenol oxidase for the sensitive detection of catechol

Naturally occurring Cameroonian smectite clay has been grafted with trimethylpropylammonium (TMPA) groups and the resulting organoclay has been deposited onto a glassy carbon electrode surface as a suitable immobilization matrix for polyphenol oxidase (PPO). High sensitivity of the electrochemical device to catechol biosensing can be achieved when the enzyme was impregnated within the organoclay film subsequent to its deposition due to favorable electrostatic interaction between PPO and the TMPA-clay layer. The bioelectrode preparation method was also compatible with the use of a mediator (i.e., ferrocene) and the best performance was obtained with a three-layer configuration made of glassy carbon coated with a first layer of ferrocene (Fc), which was then covered with the PPO-impregnated TMPA-clay layer, and finally overcoated with an enzyme-free TMPA-clay film acting as a protecting overlayer to avoid leaching of the biomolecule in solution. The electrochemical behavior of the modified film electrodes was first characterized by cyclic voltammetry and, then, they were evaluated for the amperometric biosensing of the model analyte catechol in batch conditions and in flow injection analysis. Various experimental parameters likely to influence the biosensor response have been investigated, including the electrode preparation mode (composition configuration, thickness), the usefulness of a mediator, the operating potential and pH of the medium, as well as the advantageous features of the TMPA-clay in comparison to related film electrodes based on non-functionalized clays. The organoclay was found to provide a favorable environment to enzyme activity and the multilayer configuration of the film electrode to provide a biosensor with good characteristics, such as an extended linear range for catechol detection (2 x 10(-8) to 1.2 x 10(-5)M) and a detection limit in the nanomolar range (9 x 10(-9)M).

Preparation and characterization of carbon paste electrode modified with tin and hexacyanoferrate ions

A carbon paste electrode was modified chemically using Sn(II) or Sn(IV) chlorides and hexacyanoferrate(II) or hexacyanoferrate(III). The electrochemical behavior of such SnHCF carbon paste electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The study revealed that Sn(IV) and hexacyanoferrate(II) yield the best results. This electrode showed one pair of peaks: the anodic and cathodic peak at the potentials of 0.195 and 0.154 V vs. SCE, respectively, at a scan rate of 20 mV s-1 in a 0.5 M phosphate buffer as the supporting electrolyte. The SnHCF modified electrodes were very stable under potential scanning. The effects of pH and alkali metal cations of the supporting electrolyte on the electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrode were studied. The results showed that cations have a considerable effect on the electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode. The diffusion coefficients of hydrated K+ and Na+ in the film, the transfer coefficient and the electron transfer rate constant were determined.

Organoclay-enzyme film electrodes

This paper aims at showing the interest of organoclays (clay minerals containing organic groups covalently attached to the inorganic particles) as suitable host matrices likely to immobilize enzymes onto electrode surfaces for biosensing applications. The organoclays used in this work were natural Cameroonian smectites grafted with either aminopropyl (AP) or trimethylpropylammonium (TMPA) groups. The first ones were exploited for their ability to anchor biomolecules by covalent bonding while the second category exhibited favorable electrostatic interactions with negatively charged enzymes due to ion exchange properties that were pointed out here by means of multisweep cyclic voltammetry. AP-clay materials were applied to the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) and TMPA-clays for polyphenol oxidase (PPO) anchoring. When deposited onto the surface of platinum or glassy carbon electrodes as enzyme/organoclay films, these systems were evaluated as biosensing electrochemical devices for detection of glucose and catechol chosen as model analytes. The advantageous features of these organoclays were discussed by comparison to the performance of related film electrodes made of non-functionalized clays. It appeared that organoclays provide a favorable environment to enzymes activity, as highlighted from the biosensors characteristics and determination of Michaelis-Menten constants.

Ion-exchange properties and electrochemical characterization of quaternary ammonium-functionalized silica microspheres obtained by the surfactant template route

Porous silica spheres functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups have been prepared by co-condensation of N-((trimethoxysilyl)propyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (TMTMAC) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium as a template and ammonia as a catalyst. The physicochemical characteristics of the resulting ion exchangers have been analyzed by various techniques and discussed with respect to the amount of organofunctional groups in the materials. For comparison purposes, both an ordered MCM-41 type mesoporous silica and two silica gels of different pore size have been grafted with TMTMAC. The ion-exchange capabilities were first evaluated from batch experiments (determination of anion-exchange capacities) and then by ion-exchange voltammetry at carbon paste electrodes modified with these hybrid materials. Effective concentration of Fe(CN)(6)(3)(-) species in the anion exchangers was pointed out, while no significant accumulation of Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+) was observed. The preconcentration efficiency was discussed on the basis of the organic group content in the materials as well as their structure and porosity. A second series of materials displaying zwitterionic surfaces was finally prepared and characterized with respect to their physicochemical properties and ion-exchange voltammetric behavior. They consisted of sulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica samples resulting from the oxidation of thiol-functionalized silica spheres obtained by co-condensation of mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and TEOS, which were then grafted with TMTMAC at various functionalization levels. Possible interactions between the ammonium and sulfonate moieties in the confined medium were pointed out from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The competitive accumulation-rejection of Fe(CN)(6)(3)(-) and Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+) redox probes was finally studied by cyclic voltammetry.

Preparation of a Clay-modified Carbon Paste Electrode Based on 2-Thiazoline-2-thiol-hexadecylammonium Sorption for Sensitive Determination of Mercury

A montmorillonite from Wyoming-USA was used to prepare an organo-clay complex, named 2-thiazoline-2-thiol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium-clay (TZT-HDTA-clay), for the purpose of the selective adsorption of the heavy metals ions and possible use as a chemically modified carbon paste electrode (CMCPE). Adsorption isotherms of Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ from aqueous solutions as a function of the pH were studied at 298 K. Conditions for quantitative retention and elution were established for each metal by batch and column methods. The organo-clay complex was very selective to Hg(II) in aqueous solution in which other metals and ions were also present. The accumulation voltammetry of Hg(II) was studied at a carbon paste electrode chemically modified with this material. The mercury response was evaluated with respect to the pH, electrode composition, preconcentration time, mercury concentration, "cleaning" solution, possible interferences and other variables. A carbon paste electrode modified by TZT-HDTA-clay showed two peaks: one cathodic peak at about 0.0 V and an anodic peak at 0.25 V, scanning the potential from -0.2 to 0.8 V (0.05 M KNO3 vs. Ag/AgCl). The anodic peak at 0.25 V presents excellent selectivity for Hg(II) ions in the presence of foreign ions. The detection limit was estimated as 0.1 microg L(-1). The precision of determination was satisfactory for the respective concentration level.