High-Resolution Analysis of Photoanodes for Water Splitting by Means of Scanning Photoelectrochemical Microscopy

In pursuance of efficient tools for the local analysis and characterization of novel photoelectrocatalytic materials, several SECM-based techniques have been developed, aiming on the combined benefit of a local irradiation of the analyzed sample and a microelectrode probe for the localized electrochemical analysis of the surface. We present the development and application of scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy (SPECM) for the laterally resolved characterization of photoelectrocatalytic materials. Particularly, the system was developed for the photoelectrochemical characterization of n-type semiconductor-based photoanodes for water splitting. By using the tip microelectrode simultaneously for local irradiation and as an electrochemical probe, SPECM was capable to simultaneously provide information about the local photocurrent generated at the sample under irradiation and to detect the photoelectrocatalytically evolved oxygen at the microelectrode. In combination with a novel means of irradiation of the interrogated sample, local analysis of semiconductor materials for light-induced water splitting with improved lateral resolution is achieved

In Operando Investigation of Electrical Coupling of Photosystem 1 and Photosystem 2 by Means of Bipolar Electrochemistry

Electrochemical communication between two photobioelectrochemical half-cells based on photosystem 1 and photosystem 2 is investigated in operando. The driving force for the electron-transfer reactions is applied in a wireless mode using bipolar electrochemistry with the actual electrode potentials being self-regulated by the redox processes. Four parameters are assessed to understand the overall performance and elucidate the limiting reactions of the photobioelectrochemical cell. In addition to the potential differences for oxidation and reduction reactions, the current flowing between the half-cells as well as in situ collection of locally evolved O₂ by photosystem 2 using a positioned scanning electrochemical microscopy tip are evaluated. In this way, changes in the enzymatic performances as a result of inactivation of either of the protein complexes or variations in the external conditions are monitored

Integrated Amperometric Affinity Biosensors Using Co²⁺–Tetradentate Nitrilotriacetic Acid Modified Disposable Carbon Electrodes: Application to the Determination of β‑Lactam Antibiotics

A novel strategy for the construction of disposable amperometric affinity biosensors is described in this work. The approach uses a recombinant bacterial penicillin binding protein (PBP) tagged by an N-terminal hexahistidine tail which was immobilized onto Co²⁺–tetradentate nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). The biosensor was employed for the specific detection and quantification of β-lactam antibiotics residues in milk, which was accomplished by means of a direct competitive assay using a tracer with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the enzymatic labeling. The amperometric response measured at −0.20 V versus the Ag pseudoreference electrode of the SPCE upon the addition of H₂O₂ in the presence of hydroquinone (HQ) as redox mediator was used as the transduction signal. The developed affinity sensor allowed limits of detection to be obtained in the low part-per-billion level for the antibiotics tested in untreated milk samples. Moreover, the biosensor exhibited a good selectivity against other antibiotics residues frequently detected in milk and dairy products. The analysis time was of approximately 30 min