The Effects Of Nonionic Surfactant Chain Length On The Tris(2,2'-Bipyridyl) Ruthenium(Ii)-Tripropylamine Electrochemiluminescence System
Date of Graduation
Spring 2001
Degree
Master of Science in Chemistry
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Committee Chair
Mark Richter
Abstract
The effects of nonionic surfactants on the properties of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃⁺² where bpy = 2,2' bipyridine) electrochemiluminescence (ECL) have been investigated. The electrochemistry, photophysics and ECL of Ru(bpy)₃⁺² in the presence of a series of Triton X nonionic surfactants are reported (Triton X-100, 114, 165, 405, 305, and 705-70). These surfactants differ in the number of polyethylene oxide units incorporated into the surfactant molecule. The anodic oxidation of Ru(bpy)₃⁺² produces ECL in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPA) in both aqueous and surfactant solution. Increases in ECL efficiency, duration of the ECL signal and TPA oxidation current have been observed in surfactant media dependent on the nature of the nonionic surfactant. The data supports adsorption of surfactant on the electrode surface. The adsorption of the surfactant species renders the electrode more hydrophobic and facilitates (TPA) and Ru(bpy)₃⁺² oxidation, leading to higher ECL intensities. These increases in ECL efficiency should allow one to improve the detection sensitivity in analytical systems that incorporate Ru(bpy)₃⁺² / TPA.
Subject Categories
Chemistry
Copyright
© Bridgette Factor
Recommended Citation
Factor, Bridgette, "The Effects Of Nonionic Surfactant Chain Length On The Tris(2,2'-Bipyridyl) Ruthenium(Ii)-Tripropylamine Electrochemiluminescence System" (2001). MSU Graduate Theses. 1863.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1863
Dissertation/Thesis
