Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds
Published on: October 18, 2018
Determination of tocopherols by reverse-phase liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection at a surface-oxide
1Department of Chemical and Analytical Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia.
Abstract:
The reverse-phase separation and electrochemical detection of alpha-, gg-, and delta-tocopherol at a potential of +0.90 V vs. a gold pseudo-reference electrode is possible down to 10(-7)M concentrations, with surface-modified platinum microdisc electrodes in a methanol/water (95:5) solvent mixture. The use of microclectrodes with radii of 10-70 mum, rather than electrodes of conventional size, minimizes problems associated with iR drop and obviates the need for deliberately added electrolyte. These features simplify the analytical procedure. The background response of an untreated platinum microelectrode in the methanol/water (95:5) system at positive potentials is characterized by processes arising from adsorption/oxidation of methanol and formation of surface oxides. Amperometric detection is of little use under these conditions. However, preoxidation of the electrode surface in 2M nitric acid inhibits the methanol adsorption/oxidation reaction but not the tocopherol response and therefore allows highly sensitive amperometric detection.
Related Concept Videos
Voltammetry: Stripping Methods
Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV)
ASV is used to determine metals and metalloids at trace levels. It involves two steps: deposition and stripping. First, a negative potential is applied to the...
Precipitation Titration: Endpoint Detection Methods
In the Volhard method, a standard excess of AgNO3 is first added to the...
Voltammetric Techniques: Cyclic Voltammetry
Effects of EDTA on End-Point Detection Methods
In the visual method, metal-ion indicators (metallochromic dyes), which have distinct colors in their free and complex forms, are added to the mixture to signal the titration's end point. They form stable complexes with metal ions, but these complexes are weaker than the corresponding metal–EDTA complexes. As a result, EDTA...
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
Voltammetric Techniques: Linear-Scan (E vs Time)
