ATTEMPTS TO MODIFY AN ELECTRODE WITH A CONDUCTING PLATINUM CLUSTER COMPOUND

A conducting platinum cluster compound K1.64Pt(C2O4)(2) was electroche mically synthesized on a glassy carbon electrode through the electroox idation of K2Pt(C2O4)(2) in an aqueous medium using single potential s tep and cyclic voltammetry methods. The precursor K2Pt(C2O4)(2) was pr epared by a ligand exchange reaction between C2O42- and PtCl42-. Durin g single potential step experiments, the electrolytic current correspo nding to the oxidation of K2Pt(C2O4)(2) increased dramatically after a sharp decrease at the beginning (due to the formation of conducting K 1.64Pt(C2O4)(2) on the surface of the working electrode). Two kinds of mechanism account for the current transients at the different applied potentials. Cyclic voltammetry was conducted with K1.64Pt(C2O4)(2) on the surface of the working electrode and a steady-state diffusion cur rent was observed. Since the material grew in a fibrous manner, each c onducting fiber which was in contact with the electrode could serve as an ultramicroelectrode. The behavior of the working electrode was thu s changed from a plain to an ultramicroelectrode array.