Pulse electroanalysis at gold–gold micro-trench electrodes: Chemical signal filtering

Abstract

Bipotentiostatic control of micro- and nano-trench sensor systems provides new opportunities for enhancing signals (employing feedback currents) and for improved selectivity (by “chemical filtering”). In this study both phenomena are exploited with a gold–gold micro-trench electrode with ca. 70 μm width and ca. 800 μm trench depth. In “generator–collector mode”, feedback current enhancement is demonstrated for the hydroquinone/ benzoquinone redox system. Next, a “modulator-sensor mode” experiment is developed in which one electrode potential is stepped into the negative potential region (employing the normal pulse voltammetry method) to induce an oscillating pH change locally in the micro-trench. The resulting shift in the hydroquinone/ benzoquinone reversible potential causes a Faradaic sensor signal (employing chronoamperometry). This method provides a “chemical filter” by selecting pH-sensitive redox processes only, and by showing enhanced sensitivity in the region of low buffer capacity. The results for the chemically reversible hydroquinone/ benzoquinone system are contrasted to the detection of the chemically irreversible ammonia oxidation.