Investigations of selected interfacial electron transfer processes aided by novel materials and method

Interfacial surface chemistry is clearly recognized as a research area of great promise. An example of this is the expanding interest in developing and controlling an electrode's interfacial properties by chemical and physical modification. In the general sense, chemical and physical modifications of electrodes imply changing the electrode's electrochemical characteristics. This can be accomplished by immobilizing other elements or molecules within the double layer formed at the electrode's gaussian surface as well as varying the electrode's elemental composition and form. Investigations of a variety of interfacial electron transfer processes aided by novel materials and methods are the general aim of this dissertation. Chapters I through IV outline and discuss experiments performed with a variety of unique electromaterials most of which are first characterized here. Chapters I and II discuss in central amorphous carbon films deposited on eight micron diameter carbon fibers and metal films and the modification of these carbon film laminates. Chapters III and IV discuss fibrous gold electrodes developed in this laboratory and entrapment of enzymes in these electrode matrices. Chapter V is the first report of observation of a quasi-reversible faradaic redox couple via cyclic voltammetry for cytochrome-c at carbon and gold electrodes without added electron mediators. Chapter VI reports the preliminary investigations of novel ion selective electrodes initially being designed for use as on-line continuous monitors of intravenous and interstitial K+ and Ca++ concentrations.