ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIORS OF DNA AT MERCURY FILM ELECTRODE

DNA was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) in combination wit h a mercury film electrode (MFE) using conventional CV, differential p ulse voltammetry (DPV), alternating current voltammetry (ACV). The MFE is sufficiently stable and can be used to study electrochemical behav iors of DNA in negative potential region. This means that MFE is ready to be one kind of solid electrode at which more useful electrochemica l techniques can be carried our such as spectroelectrochemical techniq ues. Redox characters of DNA treated by pure perchloric acid (HClO4) w as studied at MFE. It seems that pure HClO4 would not only bring about the denaturation of DNA but the degradation of it. Pure HClO4, is not suitable for performing the denaturation of DNA. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sc ience S.A.