Enhancement Effect of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide on Electrochemical Determination of Chlorophenols using a Carbon Paste Electrode

Abstract

The electrochemical responses of chlorophenols can be effectively enhanced by using the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in combination with a carbon paste electrode (CPE). The influence of CTAB on the electrochemical behavior of hydroquinone, phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, p-chloro-m-cresol and pentachlorophenol at the CPE was investigated in the phosphate buffer solution (pH 7). The concentration of CTAB affecting the electrochemical reaction of phenols was examined and the optimal concentration was 0.2 mM. In this research we have applied electrochemical methods, such as cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The CPE modified with CTAB in DPV increased signal intensity for chlorophenols by around 5 to 13 times and was successfully applied to determination of chlorophenols in soil samples.