Generator-collector electroanalysis at tin-doped indium oxide-epoxy-tin-doped indium oxide junction electrodes

Generator-collector electroanalysis approaching the nanomolar level is demonstrated for the reduction of Ru(NH 3) 6 3+ in aqueous (NH 4) 2SO 4 (saturated, as a naturally low-oxygen electrolyte medium) and at tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) electrodes. ITO-ITO double band and double plate geometries are compared. Cyclic voltammetric detection down into the sub-micromolar concentration level is readily achieved at co-planar ITO-ITO double plate junction electrodes with typically 4 μm inter-electrode gap, 5 mm length, and ca. 62 μm average inter-electrode trench depth. Trace oxygen (ca. 60 μM) is shown to enhance both generator and collector currents and the cathodic excess current |I generator| - |I collector| is employed to estimate the bimolecular rate constant for Ru(NH 3) 6 2+ reacting with O 2, k 2 = 10 4 mol -1 dm 3 s -1.