A novel sensor based on electropolymerized substituted-phenols for pH detection in unbuffered systems. Issue 126 (9th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dai, Chencheng; Crawford, Lynne P.; Song, Peng; Fisher, Adrian C.; Lawrence, Nathan S.
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 5:Issue 126(2015)
• Page Start: 104048
• Page End: 104053
• Publication Date: 2015-12-09
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra22595g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Polymeric waves associated with the electrochemical oxidation of salicylaldehyde and its derivatives exhibit Nernstian responses to pH variations in both buffered and unbuffered media. Abstract : This work summarizes the electrochemical response of a range of substituted phenols, including salicylaldehyde and salicylic acid, for use as a voltammetric pH sensor for the determination of pH in both buffered and unbuffered media. Suitable candidates are identified and mechanistic insights into oxidation mechanism of the electro-polymerization by comparing with other substituted phenols are given. Square wave voltammetry measurements suggest the peak achieved through the electrochemical polymerization directly after the 1-electron 1-proton oxidation for both salicylaldehyde and salicylic acid shows a Nernstian response with good definition through a pH range from 2 to 10. In addition, hydrogen bonding enables the compound to sense the pH of unbuffered solutions with an error of less than 1%.