Hybrid bilayer membrane: a platform to study the role of proton flux on the efficiency of oxygen reduction by a molecular electrocatalyst.

In this report, we present a novel platform to study proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) by controlling the proton flux using an electrode-supported hybrid bilayer membrane (HBM). Oxygen reduction by an iron porphyrin was used as a model PCET reaction. The proton flux was controlled by incorporating an aliphatic proton carrier, decanoic acid, into the lipid layer of the HBM.

Electrocatalytic O2 reduction by covalently immobilized mononuclear copper(I) complexes: evidence for a binuclear Cu2O2 intermediate.

A Cu(I) complex of 3-ethynyl-phenanthroline covalently immobilized onto an azide-modified glassy carbon surface is an active electrocatalyst for the four-electron (4-e) reduction of O(2) to H(2)O. The rate of O(2) reduction is second-order in Cu coverage at moderate overpotential, suggesting that two Cu(I) species are necessary for efficient 4-e reduction of O(2). Mechanisms for O(2) reduction are proposed that are consistent with the observations for this covalently immobilized system and previously reported results for a similar physisorbed Cu(I) system.

Enzyme modification of platinum microelectrodes for detection of cholesterol in vesicle lipid bilayer membranes.

Platinum microelectrodes are modified with a lipid bilayer membrane incorporating cholesterol oxidase. Details for electrode surface modification are presented along with characterization studies of electrode response to cholesterol solution and to cholesterol contained in the lipid bilayer membrane of vesicles. Ferrocyanide voltammetric experiments are used to track deposition of a submonolayer of a thiol-functionalized lipid on the platinum electrode surface, vesicle fusion for bilayer formation on the thiolipid-modified surface, and incorporation of cholesterol oxidase in the electrode-supported thiolipid/lipid bilayer membrane.

Steady-state detection of cholesterol contained in the plasma membrane of a single cell using lipid bilayer-modified microelectrodes incorporating cholesterol oxidase.

Platinum microelectrodes modified with a lipid bilayer membrane incorporating cholesterol oxidase are used for detection of cholesterol contained in the plasma membrane of a single cell. Amperometric responses are consistent with enzymatic catalysis being rate limiting and cholesterol diffusing laterally in the plasma membrane to the electrode contact site. Importantly, electrode response appears to correlate with the cholesterol content of the cell plasma membrane.