Electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen on the surface of glassy carbon electrodes modified with plumbagin

Abstract

The preparation and electrochemical characterization of glassy carbon electrodes modified with plumbagin were investigated by employing cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and rotating disc electrode techniques. The cyclic voltammograms of the electroreduction of oxygen showed an enhanced current peak at approximately -0.289 V in air-saturated phosphate buffer pH = 7 and scan rate 10 mV s-1. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the reduction of oxygen at glassy carbon have been evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. The experimental parameters were optimized and the mechanism of the catalytic process was discussed. The obtained values of E°′ (V vs. Ag/AgCl), the apparent electron transfer rate constant ks (s -1), heterogeneous rate constant for the reduction of O2 at the surface of the modified electrode kh (M-1 s -1) and α (charge transfer coefficient of oxygen) were as follows: -0.146, 23.4, 9.9 × 103 and 0.57, respectively. In addition, plumbagin exhibited strong catalytic activity toward the reduction of H2O2. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.