Chemiluminescent flow sensor for H2O2 based on the decomposition of H2O2 catalyzed by cobalt(II)-ethanolamine complex immobilized on resin

The decomposition of H2O2 catalyzed by transition metal ion has been investigated by chemiluminescence (CL). Using a heterogeneous catalyst, Co(II)-monoethanolamine complex immobilized on Dowex-50W resin, the rapid decomposition of H2O2 was observed. A very weak CL appeared during the H2O2 solution mixed with the immobilized resin by batch method. When appropriate amount of neutral luminol solution was added into the heterogeneous system, a bright CL emission was recorded. This heterogeneous CL system was developed as a H2O2 flow sensor. Detection limit of H2O2 using Dowex 50W-X4-Co-monoethanolamine as catalyst is 1 x 10(-7) M (S/N = 3). The flow sensor is of long lifetime, highly selective and very stable in the neutral solution. The application of the proposed method to determine H2O2 in rainwater samples without any special pre-treatment gives out a satisfactory result. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.