2012 Volume 58 Issue 2 Pages 67-73
This article presents a brief review of rapid coulometry exploited by author's group. This rapid coulometric method has been realized by using the porous carbon felt electrode impregnated with an electrolyte. This method adapts a concentration-step method differing from potential-step method employed in conventional controlled potential electrolysis. The sample added to the center of the carbon felt electrode rapidly diffuses into the inner part of the felt accompanied by the electrode reaction, and the complete electrolysis of the added sample is complete below 10-20 s. The various compounds such as L-ascorbic acid, vitamin K3, hydrogen molecule and peroxide have been determined by this novel coulometric method which has been commercialized by three Japanese manufactures so far. Biocoulometric devices have been also developed by combining enzymatic reactions and rapid electrolysis, in which enzyme is dissolved in electrolyte or immobilized at the surface of the carbon felt electrode, and moreover, a flow biocoulometric cell has been fabricated for the determination of substrates contained in blood or urine samples.
