Iron(III)-Tosylate Doped PEDOT and PEG: A Nanoscale Conductivity Study of an Electrochemical System with Biosensing Applications

The addition of PEG of different molecular weights has important effects on the physical, electrical and electrochemical properties of iron(III)-tosylate doped PEDOT. This particular polymer can be easily spin coated over plastic discs, optimizing thickness and uniformity of the PEDOT-PEG films. The conductivity and morphological analysis of the hybrid PEDOT-PEG polymer by 4-point probe (4PP), 12-point probe (12PP), and conductive AFM (C-AFM) show strong effects of the PEG doping. Moreover, the conductive films kinetics at the nanoscale, in response to different bias voltages, change radically depending on the PEG molecular weight. The hybrid conductive films show also interesting electrochemical properties, making the PEDOT PEG doping appealing for biosensing applications both for EIS-based and amperometric affinity/catalytic biosensors.

An Optical Sensing Film for Fe(III) Determination Based on 1,1′- diethyl 2,2′- cyanine Iodide Immobilized in Nafion Film

An optical chemical sensing film based on immobilizing of 1,1′- diethyl 2,2′-cyanine (pseudocyanine iodide) in nafion film was developed for the determination of Fe(III). The sensing film was homogeneous, transparent, and mechanically stable. Decrease of the absorbance measured at 518 nm was observed when the sensing film was immersed in a solution of Fe(III). The optimum response of the sensing film to Fe(III) was obtained in a solution with pH 4.0. Linear calibration curve over an Fe(III) concentration range of 1-30 ppm with a limit of detection of 0.71 ppm was obtained. Cd(II) is the major interference. The sensing film exhibited good stability for 2 months and high reproducibility. The proposed method was applied for the determination of Fe(III) in water samples with satisfactory results.

Study of Equilibrium and Mass Transfer of Co- Extraction of Different Mineral Acids with Iron(III) from Aqueous Solution by Tri-n-Butyl Phosphate Using Liquid Membrane

Extraction of Fe(III) from aqueous solution using Trin- butyl Phosphate (TBP) as carrier needs a highly acidic medium (>6N) as it favours formation of chelating complex FeCl3.TBP. Similarly, stripping of Iron(III) from loaded organic solvents requires neutral pH or alkaline medium to dissociate the same complex. It is observed that TBP co-extracts acids along with metal, which causes reversal of driving force of extraction and iron(III) is re-extracted back from the strip phase into the feed phase during Liquid Emulsion Membrane (LEM) pertraction. Therefore, rate of extraction of different mineral acids (HCl, HNO3, H2SO4) using TBP with and without presence of metal Fe(III) was examined. It is revealed that in presence of metal acid extraction is enhanced. Determination of mass transfer coefficient of both acid and metal extraction was performed by using Bulk Liquid Membrane (BLM). The average mass transfer coefficient was obtained by fitting the derived model equation with experimentally obtained data. The mass transfer coefficient of the mineral acid extraction is in the order of kHNO3 = 3.3x10-6m/s > kHCl = 6.05x10-7m/s > kH2SO4 = 1.85x10-7m/s. The distribution equilibria of the above mentioned acids between aqueous feed solution and a solution of tri-n-butyl-phosphate (TBP) in organic solvents have been investigated. The stoichiometry of acid extraction reveals the formation of TBP.2HCl, HNO3.2TBP, and TBP.H2SO4 complexes. Moreover, extraction of Iron(III) by TBP in HCl aqueous solution forms complex FeCl3.TBP.2HCl while in HNO3 medium forms complex 3FeCl3.TBP.2HNO3