Electrochemical determination of p-cresol using mesoporous TiO2-modified carbon paste electrode

A mesoporous TiO2 (meso-TiO2) was synthesized, and used to prepare modified carbon paste electrode (CPE). The electrochemical sensing properties were characterized using K-3[Fe(CN)(6)], showing that meso-TiO2 modified CPE possesses larger surface area and higher electron transfer rate. The electrochemical behavior of p-cresol was investigated. At the meso-TiO2 modified CPE, the oxidation peak current of p-cresol remarkably increases, and the oxidation peak potential shifts negatively, suggesting that meso- TiO2 exhibits highly efficient catalytic activity to the oxidation of p-cresol. Based on this, a sensitive, rapid and convenient electrochemical method was developed for the detection of p-cresol. The linear range is from 1.5 x 10(-7) and 2.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1), and the limit of detection is as low as 8.0 x 10(-8) mol l(-1). Finally, the new method was successfully used to determine p-cresol in water samples.