Investigating the use of endogenous quinoid moieties on carbon fibre as means of developing micro pH sensors

Abstract

The redox profile obtained from electrochemically oxidised carbon fibre was exploited as a foundation from which to design a reusable pH probe. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the surface after anodisation revealed an increase in the population of endogenous quinone moieties. Square wave voltammograms recorded in various buffer solutions (pH3-9) yielded a distinct and unambiguous oxidation process through which to ascribe the peak potential - with the latter found to shift in a sub-Nernstian (-0.052 V/pH) manner. The design of a discrete 2-electrode reusable probe which provides a rapid assessment of pH is described and a preliminary characterisation of the electrochemical performance is critically assessed.

Keywords: Anodisation; Quinone; Sensor; carbon fibre; pH.