Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Suárez-Herrera, Marco F. and Scanlon, Micheál D.
2020
August
Analytical Chemistry
Quantitative analysis of redox-inactive ions by AC voltammetry at a polarized interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions
Published
8 ()
Optional Fields
92
15
10521
10530
Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society. The interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) is ideally suited to detect redox-inactive ions by their ion transfer. Such electroanalysis, based on the Nernst-Donnan equation, has been predominantly performed using amperometry, cyclic voltammetry, or differential pulse voltammetry. Here, we introduce a new electroanalytical method based on alternating-current (AC) voltammetry with inherent advantages over traditional approaches such as avoidance of positive feedback iR compensation, a major issue for liquid|liquid electrochemical cells containing resistive organic media and interfacial areas in the cm2 and mm2 range. A theoretical background outlining the generation of the analytical signal is provided and based on extracting the component that depends on the Warburg impedance from the total impedance. The quantitative detection of a series of model redox-inactive tetraalkylammonium cations is demonstrated, with evidence provided of the transient adsorption of these cations at the interface during the course of ion transfer. Since ion transfer is diffusion-limited, by changing the voltage excitation frequency during AC voltammetry, the intensity of the Faradaic response can be enhanced at low frequencies (1 Hz) or made to disappear completely at higher frequencies (99 Hz). The latter produces an AC voltammogram equivalent to a "blank"measurement in the absence of analyte and is ideal for background subtraction. Therefore, major opportunities exist for the sensitive detection of ionic analyte when a "blank"measurement in the absence of analyte is impossible. This approach is particularly useful to deconvolute signals related to reversible electrochemical reactions from those due to irreversible processes, which do not give AC signals.
0003-2700
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01340
10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01340
Grant Details