Electrochemical formation of Prussian blue films with a single ferricyanide solution on gold electrode

Abstract

Experimental conditions for electrochemical deposition of Prussian blue (PB) from a single ferricyanide solution on the gold electrode surface are discussed. Various salts were used as supporting electrolyte in the PB electrochemical formation step and the experimental results show that only in the presence of KCl salt, the electrodeposition of PB can be obtained easily. Results also indicate that, with KCl as electrolyte, PB can be formed during potential cycling in a single ferricyanide solution only under rather extreme experimental parameters. Potential range is very effective in the formation of PB films. Successive cyclic voltammetry of ferricyanide solution in the small potential range (−0.1 to +0.6), only show the cyclic voltammogram of ferro/ferricyanide (i.e., electrodeposition of PB cannot be occur in this condition). Formation of PB is obtained in the extended positive potential range (−0.1 to +0.9). Gold electrode is the best suitable substrate as electrode in this electrodeposition condition. Also, the effect of pH, number of scan and concentration of ferricyanide in the electrochemical deposition of PB from a single ferricycanide solution were investigated and the optimum conditions were obtained.