In Situ ESR and UV/Vis Spectroelectrochemical Study of Eosin Y Upon Reduction with and without Zn(II) Ions

Abstract

The electroreduction of eosin Y on a platinum electrode in deaerated slightly acidic aqueous 0.1 mol L(-1) potassium chloride medium is followed in situ by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The electrochemical formation of a semiquinone radical is proved by both the appearance of an absorbing band at 408 nm, and a strong ESR signal observed during a negative-going scan. The system is also studied in the presence of Zn(II) ions due to its importance for understanding the growth mechanism of nanostructured ZnO/Eosin Y hybrid films by electrodeposition; under such conditions the ESR and UV/Vis response of the semiquinone radical is not observed. Zinc (II) ions form a complex with the dye, which is reduced by a fast two-electron process.