Electrocatalytic Oxidation and Ion Chromatography Detection of S2O32-, SO32-, I- and SCN- at Glassy Carbon Electrode with Functionalized Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Film

In this research, a glassy carbon electrode modified with the functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT-COOHs) film was used as an amperometric sensor for the determination of S2O32-, SO23-, I- and SCN-. The electrochemical behavior of those oxidizable inorganic anions at this modified electrode was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry(CV). The experimental results indicate that the modified electrode exhibits a high electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of those anions with a relatively high sensitivity, a good stability and a long-life. Separated by ion chromatography(IC) with 1.25 mmol/L H2SO4 as an eluent,those oxidizable anions can be determined by the MWNT-COOHs modified electrode successfully. Under the optimal chromatographic conditions, the detection limits are 1.5 × 10-7 mol/L for S2O23-, 2. 5 × 10-7 mol/L for SO32-, 1.2 × 10-7 mol/L for I- and 2. 0 × 10-7 mol/L for SCN-, respectively. The method was applied successfully to the determination of those anions in environmental water.