Electron transfer kinetics at polarized nanoscopic liquid/liquid interfaces.

Rapid kinetics of electron transfer (ET) reactions across the interface between water and 1,2-dichloroethane were measured by steady-state voltammetry at nanopipet electrodes (50- to 400-nm orifice radius). The origins of previously reported imperfect voltammetric responses of ET reactions at micropipets were investigated. Several new experimental systems were explored, and two of them yielded high-quality voltammograms suitable for kinetic experiments. The determined standard rate constants were compared to those measured previously at polarized and nonpolarized liquid/liquid interfaces. The effect of the interfacial dimensions on the magnitude of the apparent ET rate constant is discussed. A new approach to ET kinetic measurements based on the use of the scanning electrochemical microscope with a nanopipet tip and a metallic substrate has been developed and employed to check the validity of determined kinetic parameters.