Electrochemistry of Hydrous Oxide Films

Recent advances in electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensors - A review

This review encompasses the mechanisms of electrochemical glucose detection and recent advances in non-enzymatic glucose sensors based on a variety of materials ranging from platinum, gold, metal alloys/adatom, non-precious transition metal/metal oxides to glucose-specific organic materials. It shows that the discovery of new materials based on unique nanostructures have not only provided the detailed insight into non-enzymatic glucose oxidation, but also demonstrated the possibility of direct detection in whole blood or interstitial fluids. We critically evaluate various aspects of non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors in terms of significance as well as performance. Beyond laboratory tests, the prospect of commercialization of non-enzymatic glucose sensors is discussed.

Catalytic effects on methanol oxidation produced by cathodization of platinum electrodes

A catalytic effect is found for methanol oxidation after new active surface states are produced on polycrystalline platinum by potentiostatic cathodization in acid media at room temperature. This procedure originates surface states not available on the original polycrystalline electrodes with unexpected cyclic voltammetric responses; i.e., at least four new peaks below 0.9 V are observed. The cathodization process also induces a rearrangement of the bulk platinum oxide, showing a defined peak at 1.2 V. The appearance of these new states is also proven by open-circuit potential decays. The electrocatalytic activity of these new surfaces in methanol oxidation is compared with that of the untreated electrodes by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry, and cyclic voltammetry. The cathodic procedure enhances the methanol oxidation voltammetric current peaks with charge density values higher than those on untreated platinum. The integration of chronoamperometric plots over 10 min in methanol acid media presents the largest difference between 0.6 and 0.7 V with respect to the original surface. Analysis of the impedance data shows that the values of polarization resistance for methanol oxidation on the cathodically treated platinum are lower than those of the original surface. According to the time constant values for methanol oxidation, the original surface can be considered less tolerant of the formation of catalytic poisons. A discussion of the most likely mechanism for the formation of the new active sites on platinum is presented here, assuming the presence of hydrogen subsurface states, ordered water clusters, and low-coordinated platinum atoms.

Radiotracer Study of the Specific Adsorption of Anions on Metal Oxides in Acid Media: An Experimental Approach

The specific adsorption of anions (HSO(4)(-), H(2)PO(4)(-), and Cl(-)) was studied at Fe(2)O(3), ZnO, and CuO surfaces by the radiotracer technique in strongly acidic medium (1 M HClO(4)). A significant specific adsorption of HSO(4)(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-) ions was found in all cases studied while no measurable adsorption of Cl(-) ions was observed. In the cases of ZnO and CuO, the specific adsorption takes place over the course of continuous dissolution of the oxide. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.