Diamond optically transparent electrodes: demonstration of concept with ferri/ferrocyanide and methyl viologen

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroelectrochemistry: femtosecond to nanosecond excited-state relaxation dynamics of the individual components of an anthraquinone redox couple

Many photoactivated processes involve a change in oxidation state during the reaction pathway and formation of highly reactive photoactivated species. Isolating these reactive species and studying their early-stage femtosecond to nanosecond (fs-ns) photodynamics can be challenging. Here we introduce a combined ultrafast transient absorption-spectroelectrochemistry (TA-SEC) approach using freestanding boron doped diamond (BDD) mesh electrodes, which also extends the time domain of conventional spectrochemical measurements. The BDD electrodes offer a wide solvent window, low background currents, and a tuneable mesh size which minimises light scattering from the electrode itself. Importantly, reactive intermediates are generated electrochemically, via oxidation/reduction of the starting stable species, enabling their dynamic interrogation using ultrafast TA-SEC, through which the early stages of the photoinduced relaxation mechanisms are elucidated. As a model system, we investigate the ultrafast spectroscopy of both anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) and its less stable counterpart, anthrahydroquinone-2-sulfonate (AH2QS). This is achieved by generating AH2QS in situ from AQS via electrochemical means, whilst simultaneously probing the associated early-stage photoinduced dynamical processes. Using this approach we unravel the relaxation mechanisms occurring in the first 2.5 ns, following absorption of ultraviolet radiation; for AQS as an extension to previous studies, and for the first time for AH2QS. AQS relaxation occurs via formation of triplet states, with some of these states interacting with the buffered solution to form a transient species within approximately 600 ps. In contrast, all AH2QS undergoes excited-state single proton transfer with the buffered solution, resulting in formation of ground state AHQS- within approximately 150 ps.

Good Choice of Electrode Material as the Key to Creating Electrochemical Sensors-Characteristics of Carbon Materials and Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCO)

The search for new electrode materials has become one of the goals of modern electrochemistry. Obtaining electrodes with optimal properties gives a product with a wide application potential, both in analytics and various industries. The aim of this study was to select, from among the presented electrode materials (carbon and oxide), the one whose parameters will be optimal in the context of using them to create sensors. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques were used to determine the electrochemical properties of the materials. On the other hand, properties such as hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity and their topological structure were determined using contact angle measurements and confocal microscopy, respectively. Based on the research carried out on a wide group of electrode materials, it was found that transparent conductive oxides of the FTO (fluorine doped tin oxide) type exhibit optimal electrochemical parameters and offer great modification possibilities. These electrodes are characterized by a wide range of work and high chemical stability. In addition, the presence of a transparent oxide layer allows for the preservation of valuable optoelectronic properties. An important feature is also the high sensitivity of these electrodes compared to other tested materials. The combination of these properties made FTO electrodes selected for further research.

Spectroelectrochemistry, the future of visualizing electrode processes by hyphenating electrochemistry with spectroscopic techniques

Reviewing the future of electrochemistry combined with infrared, Raman, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry.

Structure, Electronic Properties, and Electrochemical Behavior of a Boron-Doped Diamond/Quartz Optically Transparent Electrode

The morphology, microstructure, chemistry, electronic properties, and electrochemical behavior of a boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond (BDD) thin film grown on quartz were evaluated. Diamond optically transparent electrodes (OTEs) are useful for transmission spectroelectrochemical measurements, offering excellent stability during anodic and cathodic polarization and exposure to a variety of chemical environments. We report on the characterization of a BDD OTE by atomic force microscopy, optical spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopic mapping, alternating-current Hall effect measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods. The results reported herein provide the first comprehensive study of the relationship between the physical and chemical structure and electronic properties of a diamond OTE and the electrode's electrochemical activity.

Evaluation of a nitrogen-incorporated tetrahedral amorphous carbon thin film for the detection of tryptophan and tyrosine using flow injection analysis with amperometric detection

We report on the analytical performance of a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C:N) thin-film electrode in flow injection analysis with amperometric detection.

Diamond nanoelectrode arrays for the detection of surface sensitive adsorption

Nanocrystalline diamond nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) have been applied to investigate surface-sensitive adsorption phenomena at the diamond-liquid interface. The adsorption of neutral methyl viologen (MV(0) ) was used as a model system. The adsorption of MV(0) was examined on hydrogen- and oxygen-terminated surfaces. On the hydrogenated nanoelectrode surface, a sharp anodic stripping peak was observed upon oxidation of MV(0) , revealing strong adsorption of MV(0) . In contrast, a sigmoidal voltammogram was recorded with an oxygenated electrode surface, indicating there was no MV(0) adsorption. The changes in the shapes of these voltammograms are due to the drastic changes that occur in the diffusion profiles during the transition. The diffusion profile changes from hemispherical diffusion on oxygen-terminated surfaces to thin-layer electrochemistry upon adsorption on hydrogen-terminated surfaces. Different types and concentrations of buffer solutions were then used to vary the interaction of MV(0) with diamond NEAs. The results suggest that the adsorption of MV(0) on hydrogen-terminated diamond NEAs is controlled by hydrophobic interactions. Therefore, diamond NEAs are ideal for the study of adsorption phenomena at the liquid-solid interface with voltammetry.

Fabrication of Hybrid Diamond and Transparent Conducting Metal Oxide Electrode for Spectroelectrochemistry

A novel diamond transparent electrode is constructed by integrating conductive diamond film and transparent conducting metal oxide to combine the superior electrochemical properties of diamond and the electrical conductivity of transparent metal oxide (TCO). Direct growth of diamond on indium tin oxide (ITO) and aluminium doped zinc oxide (AZO) was explored, but X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement reveals that both substrates cannot survive from the aggressive environment of diamond growth even if the latter is regarded as one of the most stable TCO. As a second route, a diamond membrane in silicon frame was prepared by selective chemical etching, and a diamond optically transparent electrode (OTE) was constructed by assembling the diamond membrane on the top of an ITO-coated substrate. The resulting device exhibits a high optical transparency and quasireversible electrochemical kinetics, which are competitive to other diamond OTEs reported previously. Its application in UV-Vis spectroelectrochemical studies on the oxidisation of 4-aminophenol was demonstrated.

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin on undoped nanocrystalline diamond modified glassy carbon electrode

Direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin (Hb) was observed at glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with undoped nanocrystalline diamond (UND) and Hb multilayer films via layer-by-layer assembly. UV-VIS absorbance spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammograms were employed to characterize the film. The results showed that the UND had the effect of enhancing the electron transfer between Hb and the electrode surface. Hb in the multilayer films maintained its bioactivity and structure. It also exhibited a good catalytic activity towards the reduction of H(2)O(2). The reciprocal of catalytic current showed a linear dependence on the reciprocal of H(2)O(2) concentration ranging from 0.5 microM to 0.25 mM with a detection limit of 0.4 microM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was estimated to be 0.019 mM.