The performance of a nitrogen-containing tetrahedral amorphous carbon electrode in flow injection analysis with amperometric detection

The performance of a nitrogen-incorporated tetrahedral amorphous (ta-C:N) carbon thin-film electrode was evaluated using flow injection analysis with amperometric detection. The response stabilization time, and background current and noise were evaluated as a function of the applied potential. The analytical detection figures of merit for norepinephrine in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) were also determined for the ta-C: N electrode and compared with values obtained at a boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond film electrode. The ta-C: N electrode exhibited more rapid stabilization times, and lower background current and noise at all potentials from 0.1 to 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The response precision, sensitivity, linear dynamic range and limit of detection were as good or superior for the ta-C:N electrode. The results portend the analytical utility of this new carbon electrode material.