In situ Raman spectroelectrochemical study of redox processes at poly(Toluidine blue) modified electrode

Electrooxidation of hydroquinone and ascorbic acid at a gold electrode modified with electropolymerized layer of phenothiazine dye Toluidine blue (PTB) has been studied with the use of in situ Raman spectroelectrochemical technique, surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS). It was shown that the redox state of PTB at any electrode potential can be determined in pH 1.0 and 4.0 solutions following specific changes in Raman spectra of these modifier layers. Electrooxidation of hydroquinone at PTB modified electrode in pH 1.0 solution, and of ascorbic acid in pH 4.0 solution, proceed without any detectable changes in a net redox state of modifier layers. It has been concluded that, under the conditions studied, both anodic oxidation processes occur most probably at the modifier/electrolyte interface rather than within the modifier film, as opposed to electrooxidation of same species at polyaniline modified electrodes studied earlier.