Electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of benzene diamine functionalized single walled carbon nanotube-cobalt (II) tetracarboxy-phthalocyanine conjugates

Electrochemical energy storage in an organic supercapacitor via a non-electrochemical proton charge assembly

Contrary to conventional beliefs, we show how a functional ligand that does not exhibit any redox activity elevates the charge storage capability of an electric double layer via a proton charge assembly. Compared to an unsubstituted ligand, a non-redox active carboxy ligand demonstrated nearly a 4-fold increase in charge storage, impressive capacitive retention even at a rate of 900C, and approximately a 2-fold decrease in leakage currents with an enhancement in energy density up to approximately 70% via a non-electrochemical route of proton charge assembly. Generalizability of these findings is presented with various non-redox active functional units that can undergo proton charge assembly in the ligand. This demonstration of non-redox active functional units enriching supercapacitive charge storage via proton charge assembly contributes to the rational design of ligands for energy storage applications.

Unusual Ligand Assistance in Molecular Electrocatalysis via Interfacial Proton Charge Assembly

We show that the ability of the ligand to reorganize the electric double layer (EDL) often dominates the electrocatalysis contrary to their inductive effect in the spectrochemical series, leading to counterintuitive electrocatalysis. With water oxidation and chlorine evolution as the probe reactions, the same catalytic entity with carboxy functionalized ligand exhibited surprisingly higher electrochemical activity in comparison to the aggressively electron-withdrawing nitro functionalized ligands, which is contrary to their actual location in the spectrochemical series. Spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses suggest the enrichment of catalytically active species in the carboxy substituted ligand via proton charge assembly in the EDL that in turn enhances the kinetics of the overall electrochemical process. This demonstration of less obvious ligands becoming indispensable in electrocatalysis suggests a blind designing of ligands solely based on their inductive effect should be reconsidered as it will prevent the utilization of the maximum potential of the molecule in electrocatalysis.

A Low-Cost Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Based Amperometric Sensor for the Detection of Isoproturon in Water Using Carbon Paste Modified Electrode

In this work, a Layered Double Hydroxide (NiAl-LDH) was obtained by coprecipitation method and used to elaborate an electrochemical sensor for the determination of isoproturon, which is a hazardous pollutant, widely used in agriculture, and its residue is distributed into aqueous environment through run-off and leaching from the soil. Various physicochemical techniques such as FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis were used to characterize this material. The anionic exchange capacity of NiAl-LDH on carbon paste modified electrode was investigated toward [Fe(CN)₆]^3- using cyclic voltammetry. Used as electrode modifier of carbon paste electrode for isoproturon detection, a remarkable increase in isoproturon signal on modified carbon paste electrode by LDH was observed. The peak current obtained after 3 min of preconcentration in 25 μM ISO on NiAl-LDH/CPE was 2.6 times higher than that exhibited by the same analyte on the unmodified CPE, thereby opening the way to the development of a sensitive method for the detection of ISO. Other parameters that can affect the stripping response (preconcentration time, pH of detection medium, and LDH loading within the paste) were investigated to optimize the proposed sensor. After optimization, a linear calibration curve was obtained in the concentration range from 2 × 10^-8 to 1.8 × 10^-7 M, leading to a detection limit of 1 × 10^-9 M (S/N = 3). The relative standard deviation for 5 identical measurements was 2.7%. The interfering effect of some compounds and ions was examined on the stripping response of ISO. The applicability of the method was verified by the determination of ISO in spiked water sample.

Pyrene containing liquid crystalline asymmetric phthalocyanines and their composite materials with single-walled carbon nanotubes

In the present work we have studied the dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in liquid crystalline asymmetrically substituted phthalocyanines (MPc, where M [Formula: see text] Cu, Co, and 2H) bearing one pyrene and six polyoxy groups as side chains. The influence of single-walled carbon nanotubes on the phase behavior of MPcs was investigated using X-ray diffraction, polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It was demonstrated that the incorporation of small amounts of single-walled carbon nanotubes ([Formula: see text]1 wt.%) does not alter the MPc mesophases. The structural features and the sensor response of composite thin films of MPc with single-walled carbon nanotubes to ammonia vapor (10–50 ppm) was studied and compared with those of the films of pure MPc derivatives.

Development of lutetium bisphthalocyanine/carbon nanotube Langmuir-Blodgett films: Sensing properties

A method has been developed to obtain good quality Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of mixtures of lutetium bisphthalocyanine and carbon nanotubes. The π-A isotherms exhibit high monolayer stability and the compressed monolayers are easily transferred to solid substrates by Y-type deposition. The electronic absorption spectra of the composite LB films show the characteristic bands of both compounds; the bands appear broader and shifted to higher wavelengths than those observed in solutions or in disordered films prepared by the casting method. The films are sensitive to oxidant or reducing vapors, whose presence cause modifications in the electronic absorption spectra of the films. These fast and reversible changes can be the basis of optical sensors based on thin films of lutetium bisphthalocyanine and carbon nanotubes. LB film electrodes immersed in KCl and KClO4 solutions show electroactivity associated to the oxidation and reduction of the phthalocyanine ring. Important changes in the UV-vis-NIR spectra registered in situ simultaneously to the application of the electrical potential have been observed. The electrochromism observed opens the possibility of using such thin films in electrochromic devices. Composite films show characteristic electrochemical responses when exposed to solutions of antioxidants, where a certain degree of electrocatalytic effect is observed. The enhanced degree of selectivity can be used in the development of voltammetric sensors.