Real-Time Detection of Hydroxyl Radical Generated at Operating Electrodes via Redox-Active Adduct Formation Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

The hydroxyl radical (center dot OH) is one of the most attractive reactive oxygen species due to its high oxidation power and its clean (photo)(electro)generation from water, leaving no residues and creating new prospects for efficient wastewater treatment and electrosynthesis. Unfortunately, in situ detection of center dot OH is challenging due to its short lifetime (few ns). Using lifetime-extending spin traps, such as 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N- oxide (DMPO) to generate the [DMPO-OH]center dot adduct in combination with electron spin resonance (ESR), allows unambiguous determination of its presence in solution. However, this method is cumbersome and lacks the necessary sensitivity and versatility to explore and quantify center dot OH generation dynamics at electrode surfaces in real time. Here, we identify that [DMPO- OH]center dot is redox-active with E0 = 0.85 V vs Ag|AgCl and can be conveniently detected on Au and C ultramicroelectrodes. Using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), a four-electrode technique capable of collecting the freshly generated [DMPO- OH]center dot from near the electrode surface, we detected its generation in real time from operating electrodes. We also generated images of [DMPO-OH]center dot production and estimated and compared its generation efficiency at various electrodes (boron-doped diamond, tin oxide, titanium foil, glassy carbon, platinum, and lead oxide). Density functional calculations, ESR measurements, and bulk calibration using the Fenton reaction helped us unambiguously identify [DMPO-OH]center dot as the source of redox activity. We hope these findings will encourage the rapid, inexpensive, and quantitative detection of center dot OH for conducting informed explorations of its role in mediated oxidation processes at electrode surfaces for energy, environmental, and synthetic applications.

Automated summary

The hydroxyl radical (•OH) is a highly attractive reactive oxygen species with potential applications in efficient wastewater treatment and electrosynthesis. However, its short lifetime poses challenges for in situ detection. In this study, we used spin traps and electron spin resonance to detect •OH in solution. We also developed a scanning electrochemical microscopy technique to detect its generation in real time from electrode surfaces. Our findings provide valuable insights for the detection and exploration of •OH in oxidation processes at electrode surfaces.