Detection of phenol at boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond electrodes

The phenol quantification using boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond (BOND) from electroanalytical technique of square wave voltammetry (SWV) is reported. BDND depositions were performed using Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition reactor, where it was possible to grow films with statics substrate-holder (sample Si) or with spinning substrate-holder (sample S2). The variation of this growth parameter induced significant changes on the electrode properties. For example, the electrode S2 presented smoothness surface with low roughness in relation to that for electrode Si. Besides, Raman spectra showed different features for both electrodes that could be related to boron incorporation. Electrochemical measurements also presented differences between electrodes, showing the advantages of electrode 52, such as, rapid charge transfer, large electrochemical area and excellent phenol detection limit similar to 0.1 mg L-1. The phenol standard sample of 8.0 mg L-1 was used to validate the application of this electrode as a nanosensor. Its concentration calculated from SWV using electrode S2 was 8.2 +/- 0.2 mg L-1 while from Ion Chromatograph it was 7.9 +/- 0.1 mg L-1. These results demonstrated the high potential of BOND electrodes for electroanalytical applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.