Voltammetric determination of catechol using a sonogel carbon electrode modified with nanostructured titanium dioxide

In this study, we investigate highly efficient sonogel carbon electrode (SGC/TiO2) modified with nanostructured titanium dioxide synthesized via sol-gel method employing surfactant template for tailor-designing the structural properties of TiO2. The stable SGC/TiO2 electrode detects catechol, a neurotransmitter, in the presence of ascorbic acid, a common interferent, using cyclic voltammetry. A possible rationale for the stable catechol detection of SGC/TiO2 electrode is attributed to most likely the adsorption of catechol onto highly porous TiO2 (surface area of 147 m(2) g(-1) and porosity of 46.2%), and the formation Of C6H4(OTi)(2) bond between catechol and TiO2. The catechol absorbed onto Ti02 rapidly reaches the SGC surface, then is oxidized, involving two electrons (e) and two protons (W). As a result, the surface of TiO2 acts as an electron-transfer accelerator between the SGC electrode and catechol. In addition to the quantitative and qualitative detection of catechol, the SGC/TiO2 electrode developed here meets the profitable features of electrode including mechanical stability, physical rigidity, and enhanced catalytic properties. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.