Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensors for Caffeine Determination.

The determination of target analytes at very low concentrations is important for various fields such as the pharmaceutical industry, environmental protection, and the food industry. Caffeine, as a natural alkaloid, is widely consumed in various beverages and medicines. Apart from the beneficial effects for which it is used, caffeine also has negative effects, and for these reasons it is very important to determine its concentration in different mediums. Among numerous analytical techniques, electrochemical methods with appropriate sensors occupy a special place since they are efficient, fast, and entail relatively easy preparation and measurements. Electrochemical sensors based on carbon materials are very common in this type of research because they are cost-effective, have a wide potential range, and possess relative electrochemical inertness and electrocatalytic activity in various redox reactions. Additionally, these types of sensors could be modified to improve their analytical performances. The data available in the literature on the development and modification of electrochemical sensors for the determination of caffeine are summarized and discussed in this review.

Electrochemical determination of L-tryptophan in food samples on graphite electrode prepared from waste batteries.

One of the goals of this research was to develop an electrochemical sensor that had the ability to determine the target analyte and was both cheap and non-toxic. Another goal was to influence the reduction of electronic waste. In accordance with these, a graphite rod from zinc-carbon batteries was used to prepare an electrochemical sensor for the determination of L-tryptophan in Britton-Robinson buffer solution. Two electrochemical methods were used in the experimental research, differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of different parameters, including the pH value of supporting solution, scan rate, as well as the concentration of L-tryptophan on the current response, was studied. The pH value of Britton-Robinson buffer influenced the intensity of L-tryptophan oxidation peak, as well as the peak potential. The intensity of the current response was the highest at pH 4.0, while the peak potential value became lower as the pH increased, indicating that protons also participated in the redox reaction. Based on the obtained data, electrochemical oxidation of L-tryptophan at the graphite electrode was irreversible, two electron/two proton reaction. In addition, it was observed that the oxidation peak increased as the scan rate increased. According to the obtained electrochemical data, it was suggested that the oxidation of L-tryptophan was mixed controlled by adsorption and diffusion. The linear correlation between oxidation peak and L-tryptophan concentration was investigated in the range 5.0-150.0 µM and the obtained values of limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1.73 µM and 5.78 µM, respectively. Also, the prepared electrochemical sensor was successful in determination of target analyte in milk and apple juice samples.

Corrosion Behavior of Titanium in Simulated Body Solutions with the Addition of Biomolecules.

Titanium is one of the most used biomaterials for different applications. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of adenine, thymine, and l-histidine as important biomolecules in the human body on the corrosion behavior of titanium in simulated body solutions. Open circuit measurements, potentiodynamic measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, and quantum chemical calculations were employed during the investigation. All electrochemical methods used revealed that the investigated biomolecules provide better corrosion resistance to titanium in artificial body solutions. The increase in corrosion resistance is a result of the formation of a stable protective film on the metal surface. Also, quantum chemical calculations are in compliance with electrochemical test results and indicate that adenine, thymine, and l-histidine may act as corrosion inhibitors in the investigated solutions.

Influence of 5-Chlorobenzotriazole on Inhibition of Copper Corrosion in Acid Rain Solution.

This paper aims to examine the efficiency of 5-chlorobenzotriazole (5Cl-BTA) as a copper corrosion inhibitor in acidic rain solutions with a pH value of 2.42 by the electrochemical polarization method. 5-Chlorobenzotriazole acts similar to a mixed type inhibitor, according to the potentiodynamic polarization measurements. Results obtained in this research suggest that 5Cl-BTA is a good inhibitor; it decreases anodic and cathodic reaction rates, and the highest inhibition efficiency was 91.2%. The inhibitory effect of 5-chlorobenzotriazole is explained by the formation of the layer on the copper surface. Stability of the protective layer increased with inhibitor concentration. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays analysis confirmed that on the electrode surface, a protective layer was formed. Adsorption of 5Cl-BTA obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. 5Cl-BTA showed good inhibitory characteristics even when the Cl- ions were present in examined solutions.

Electrochemical and DFT studies of brass corrosion inhibition in 3% NaCl in the presence of environmentally friendly compounds.

The effects of adenine, salicylaldoxime and 4(5)-methylimidazole on brass corrosion in NaCl were investigated. The investigation comprised electrochemical techniques, scanning electron microscopy and quantum chemical calculation. The results obtained by polarization measurements show that the examined compounds successfully inhibited the corrosion of brass. Additionally, the quantum mechanical calculations indicate that there is a correlation between energy gap and inhibition efficiency. Moreover, the inhibition mechanism includes the adsorption of the inhibitor on active sites on the electrode surface, which was confirmed by SEM-EDS analysis of the brass.

Ibuprofen as a corrosion inhibitor for copper in synthetic acid rain solution.

It is known that if unused drugs are improperly disposed, they can pollute the environment. Furthermore, researchers are still trying to find an environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor. These factors lead to the possible application of unused pharmaceutical compounds as corrosion inhibitors. The feasibility of an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drug, ibuprofen, was evaluated as a potential copper corrosion inhibitor in synthetic acid rain solution. This investigation was performed by applying electrochemical and weight loss measurements and quantum chemical calculations. The results obtained by these techniques revealed the ability of ibuprofen to protect copper from corrosion. The inhibition efficiency of ibuprofen rises with increase in its concentration and can reach a value of 97.3%. The results of surface analysis of treated coupons by scanning electron microscopy and theoretical calculations are consistent with the experimental results.

Assessment of the quality of polluted areas based on the content of heavy metals in different organs of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cv Tamjanika.

In this study, the samples of the spatial soil and organs of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivar Tamjanika were collected from the selected zones near the Mining and Smelting Complex Bor (East Serbia). They were analyzed by ICP-OES to determine the content of Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Cd, and Ni with the aim of ascertaining if these data may help in the assessment and improvement of the quality of environment in polluted areas such as Bor and its surrounding area. The results obtained from the calculated biological and enrichment factors, as well as from the Pearson correlation study and hierarchical cluster analysis confirmed that very useful information is recorded in plant organs: root, stem, leaves, and fruit. Yet, when the atmospheric pollution is the sphere of interest, the most informative data are found in unwashed leaves. The results of this study indicated also that the investigated plant species has some highly effective strategies involved in tolerance to the stress induced by heavy metals, which makes it an excellent candidate for phytostabilization purposes. Planting of this grapevine cultivar can be recommended in all areas that are severely polluted with heavy metals.

Cysteine as a green corrosion inhibitor for Cu37Zn brass in neutral and weakly alkaline sulphate solutions.

The aim of this study was to investigate electrochemical properties of brass in neutral and weakly alkaline solutions in the presence of cysteine as a nontoxic and ecological corrosion inhibitor. Potentiodynamic measurements, open circuit potential measurements, as well as chronoamperometric measurements were the methods used during investigation of the inhibitory effect of cysteine on the corrosion behaviour of brass. Potentiodynamic measurements showed that cysteine behaves as a mixed-type inhibitor in the investigated media. Based on polarization curves for brass in a weakly alkaline solution of sodium sulphate at varying cysteine concentrations, an interaction occurs between Cu(+) ions and the inhibitor, resulting in the formation of a protective complex on the electrode surface. The results of chronoamperometric measurements confirm the results obtained by potentiodynamic measurements. Optical microphotography of the brass surface also confirms the formation of a protective film in the presence of a 1 × 10(-4) mol/dm(3) cysteine. Adsorption of cysteine on the brass surface proceeds according to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

Determination of the Content of Heavy Metals in Pyrite Contaminated Soil and Plants.

Determination of a pyrite contaminated soil texture, content of heavy metals in the soil and soil pH, was the aim in the investigation. Acidification of damaged soil was corrected by calcium carbonate. Mineral nutrients and organic matter (NPK, dung, earthworm cast, straw and coal dust) were added to damaged soil. Afterwards, the soil was used for oat production. Determination of total heavy metal contents (Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe) in soil was performed by atomic absorption spectrofotometry. Plant material (stems, seeds ) was analysed, too. Total concentration of the heavy metals in the plant material were greater than in crop obtained in unaffected soil.