Electrochemical Reduction of S(IV) Compounds in Water-Ethanol Solutions at Nafion/Tetraruthenated Porphyrins Glassy Carbon Modified Electrodes

This work describes electrocatalytic detection of S(IV) compounds in water-ethanol solutions under acidic conditions, on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Co(II) tetraruthenated porphyrin electrostatically assembled onto a Nafion film. The I(pc) current shows a linear relationship with the concentration of S(IV) oxo-anions. Controlled potential electrolysis shows that thiosulfate was detected as reaction product. Rotating disk electrode and UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry experiments showed a kinetic limitation to the electron transfer controlled by charge propagation in the film and the formation of an intermediary between Co center and S(IV) species. The reproducibility of the modification methodology presents a RSD of 4.1%.