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Detection of dopamine (DA) in the presence of excess of ascorbic acid (AA) has been demonstrated using a conducting polymer matrix, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) film in neutral buffer (PBS 7.4) solution. The PEDOT film was deposited on a glassy carbon electrode by electropolymerization of EDOT from acetonitrile solution. Atomic force microscopy studies revealed that the electrodeposited film was found to be approximately 100 nm thick with a roughness factor of 2.6 nm. Voltammetric studies have shown catalytic oxidation of DA and AA on PEDOT modified electrode and can afford a peak potential separation of ∼0.2 V. It is speculated that the cationic PEDOT film interacts with the negatively charged ascorbate anion through favorable electrostatic interaction, which results in pre-concentration at a less anodic value. The positively charged DA tends to interact with the hydrophobic regions of PEDOT film through hydrophobic–hydrophobic interaction thus resulting in favorable adsorption on the polymer matrix. Further enhancement in sensitivity to micro molar level oxidation current for DA/AA oxidation was achieved by square wave voltammetry (SWV) which can detect DA at its low concentration of 1 μM in the presence of 1000 times higher concentration of AA (1 mM). Thus the PEDOT modified electrode exhibited a stable and sensitive response to DA in the presence of AA interference.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiols with carboxylic acid terminal groups were formed on gold substrates. The electron transfer characteristics of redox species on the above SAM-modified electrodes were studied in acid and neutral media with the help of voltammetry under two different conditions: (1) solution phase electron transfer and (2) bridge mediated electron transfer. Two redox systems, viz., [Fe(CN)6]4-/3− and Ru[(NH3)6]2+/3+ were chosen for the solution phase study. Investigations of bridge mediated electron transfer were carried out by functionalising the SAM with redox moieties and then studying their redox behaviour. For this study, ferrocene carboxylic acid and 1,4-diamino anthraquinone were used and they were linked to carboxylic acid terminated thiols by covalent linkage. The voltammetric results with mercaptoundecanoic acid SAM demonstrate the difference in behaviour between solution phase and bridge mediated electron transfer processes.

In this paper, the electrochemical current rectification phenomenon exhibited at an electrochemical interface constituted by a glassy carbon electrode covered with a bilayer of polymer films is discussed. The authors have shown that Methylene Blue (MB) redox species can be confined to a very thin insulating polymer film formed from orthophenylene diamine. The poly(opd) film exhibited excellent blocking properties to redox molecules in solution. On the other hand, the insulating poly(opd) film trapped with MB could mediate electron transfer between the redox molecules in solution and the electrode. Further, a second polymeric layer (Nafion film) trapped with ferrocene redox species was formed as the outer layer over the inner poly (opd) film containing MB. This bilayer-modified electrode, due to the significant difference in the redox potentials of the MB and ferrocene species immobilized in the inner and outer layers, respectively, exhibits unidirectional current flow and the results of the voltammetric investigations on the modified electrodes are described in this communication.

In this work, we examine the electrocatalytic activity of electrodeposited Platinum (Pt)-Nickel (Ni) alloy layers on an inert substrate electrode for methanol oxidation reaction. Analyses using energy-dispersive fluorescent X-ray analysis and powder X-ray diffractometry confirm alloying of Pt with Ni in a range of compositions. Steady-state polarisation measurements in 0.5 M methanol+0.5 M H2SO4 solutions clearly show that the onset of electro-oxidation shifts to less anodic potential values (approximately 160 mV), while also exhibiting current enhancements up to ~15 times the currents obtained for the pure Pt electrodeposit. A linear relationship between the cyclic voltammetric peak (oxidation) current and [MeOH] is observed at a scan rate of 50 mVs−1, thus indicating reduced influence of adsorbed CO (COads) surface poison. A critical composition, Pt (92%)/Ni (8%) [denoted Pt-Ni(3) alloy] is found to exhibit maximum electrocatalytic activity, beyond which the activity drops, whereas pure Ni does not catalyse the reaction. While the promotion of electro-oxidation is understood to be largely due to the alloy catalyst, surface redox species of Ni oxide formed during the electro-oxidation process may also contribute to the oxygenation of COads, thereby enhancing the oxidation current. Plausible mechanisms of methanol oxidation on Pt/ transition metal alloy electrocatalysts are discussed in terms of electron transfer (in the alloy) and the role of Ni oxide species.

The formation and characterization of self-assembled monolayers of organosulfur compounds like alkanethiols and dialkyl (di)sulfides on metal surfaces such as gold are areas of current research interest. The presence of an aromatic ring in a thiol molecule can enhance the binding between Au and the thiol, resulting in the formation of compact and impervious self-assembled monolayers. The formation of a monolayer of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), containing an aromatic group with a fused thiazole ring but no long alkyl chain, is achieved on a gold electrode surface. Voltammetric investigations of ferro/ferricyanide and ferrous/ferric redox systems carried out on this Au|MBT electrode are reported. Further, the possibility of using such an Au|MBT electrode to distinguish between inner and outer sphere electron transfer reactions is indicated.