Surfaces and Electrochemistry Dónal Leech donal.leech@nuigalway.ie Ext 3563 Room C205, Physical Chemistry
Course Texts Atkins and dePaula, Pysical Chemistry, 7th edition. Chapters 28 and 29 http://www.oup.com/uk/booksites/content/0198792859/ Attard and Barnes, Surfaces Adamson, Physical chemistry of surfaces Somorjai, Introduction to surface chemistry and catalysis Wang, Analytical electrochemistry, 2nd edition Fisher, Electrode dynamics Compton and Sanders, Electrode potentials Very useful web-site by Roger Nix, Queen Mary University of London http://www.chem.qmw.ac.uk/surfaces/scc/
Course Outline ~16 hrs plus tutorials Adsorption Surface structure Catalysis at surfaces Electron transfer theory Heterogeneous electron transfer Voltammetry
Why surfaces and electrochemistry? Surface Electrochemistry Sensors, biosensors and assays Electrosynthesis Fuel cells Corrosion Surfaces Catalysis
Glucose Monitoring and Diabetes Diabetes is a serious disease, and, with its complications, is the fourth leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Its causes are unknown, and there is no cure. Testing: A Crucial Tool Blood tests, done by pricking the finger for a drop of blood, are recommended by most doctors because they give the exact amount of blood sugar at any given moment. There are an estimated 14 million diabetics in the U.S. It is recommended to test blood glucose levels at least 4 times daily. Market of 56 millions disposable tests per day!!
Amperometric Blood Glucose Monitors An example of a test is the use of the immobilised enzyme glucose oxidase, which releases electrons on interaction with glucose. A sensor of this type could detect the level of glucose in the blood.
Glucose Biosensors Glucose + O2 Gluconic acid + H2O2 Glucose + mediator(ox) Gluconic acid + mediator(red)
What is an electronic tongue? Taste cell Nerve cell Taste compounds Electric responses Brain Taste reception Biological taste system Artificial liquid system - electronic tongue Sensor responses Computer array Pattern recognition Y. Vlasov, A. Legin, A. Rudnitskaya, Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2002, 373, 136.
Fuel Cells: Energy Supply of the Future?
Principle of our membrane-less implantable bio-fuel cell
Green white paper an environmental challenge Bleaching is necessary to obtain bright white paper Strong oxidant chemicals are used Chlorinated: Cl2 (not anymore), ClO2 Non-chlorinated: O2, O3, H2O2 Proposed alternative: oxidation of the pulp by an enzyme (laccase) or electrode and a mediator
Mediated delignification O2 H2O 4e- Electrode O R e- Electrode
Electrochemical delignification Mediator ox Lignin Lignin ox Electrode Counter (RVC 20ppi) Dialysis membrane to isolate counter from working Counter electrode casing (nalgene walls and nylon screen) Working electrode & casing Flow cell (interior covered with teflon)