Electrodeposition of anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants and gold nanoparticles onto glassy carbon electrode for catechol detection

Abstract

Three surfactants were selected to modify glassy carbon electrode including sodium<br />dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tween 80 and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The obtained nano-<br />Au/surfactant/GCEs were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical<br />techniques. Electrochemical behavior of catechol at the nano-Au/surfactant/GCE was thoroughly<br />investigated for modified electrodes. Compared to the unmodified electrode, the peak current<br />obviously increased and the oxidation and reduction peaks potential shifted to the negative and<br />positive potential area, respectively, meaning the peak potential separation is reduced. These<br />changes indicated that the composite nanoparticles possess good electrocatalytic performance on<br />the electrochemical reaction of catechol. The experimental results revealed that the nanoparticle<br />modified electrodes have good performances for catechol sensing, which including convenient<br />fabrication, low detection limits and wide linear ranges. These merits of this sensing system provide<br />high potential to apply in environmental monitoring. In addition, kinetic parameters of catechol<br />redox reaction were determined and the number of electrons was obtained two for the three<br />modified electrodes.