Multiwalled carbon nanotubes resist intercalation whereas pyrolytic graphite can exfoliate in propylene carbonate: Electroanalysis without the deleterious effects of intercalation for the detection of ammonia

A generic approach is presented allowing the sensing of electroactive species at carbon based electrodes in otherwise potentially intercalating media. Graphite electrodes are known to suffer intercalation leading to exfoliation in propylene carbonate solution containing tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte. However, we report contrasting behaviour at bamboo multiwalled carbon nanotubes, where intercalation/exfoliation does not occur, so allowing useful electroanalytical measurements to be made, in particular for the amperometric determination of ammonia.