Electrochemical determination of p-cresol concentration using zeolite-modified electrodes

Carbon paste electrodes modified with different zeolites (MFI and FAU) were studied in order to evidence the electro-oxidation of p-cresol. Cyclovoltammetric experiments were applied by direct measurement in p-cresol-containing aqueous solution, or during release in solution without p-cresol after impregnation. In both cases, the electro-oxidation signal of p-cresol led to two oxidation peaks. Different concentrations of p-cresol were studied. Influences of charge compensating cations, electrode impregnation time and zeolite type were investigated. It was shown that electrochemical measurements could be used as a detection method for p-cresol in aqueous solution with a high sensitivity.