Recent developments in the electroanalytical chemistry at an oil|water interface

Abstract

Recent developments in the electroanalytical chemistry at an oil|water interface have been reviewed by citing literature published mainly in 2002 and 2003. Regarding ion-transfer reactions, some important methodologies have been introduced, which include the uses of new organic solvents and room-temperature molten salts as oil-phase solvents, a three-phase (oil|solid electrode|water) system for the determination of standard Gibbs ion-transfer energies, and some controlled-potential electrolytic cells. Using these new as well as conventional methods, extensive studies have been carried out on the facilitated transfer of cations and anions, the distribution reactions of drugs, and the interfacial transfer of ionic polymers. A previous introduction of scanning electrochemical microscopy has revitalized the kinetic study of electron transfer at oil|water interfaces. A further introduction of new methods, including the electron conductor separating oil-water system, has facilitated the mechanistic study of electron-transfer reactions. Much interest has also been paid to photo-induced electron transfers, the electrodeposition of metallic nanoparticles, etc. In addition, adsorption reactions at oil|water interfaces have been studied by means of in situ electrochemical spectroscopy, and the instability of an oil|water interface has been discussed concerning the relevance of interfacial adsorption of a transferring ion. © 2005 The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry.