In this study, a carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) with improved electroanalytical performance was developed by bulk-modifying it with bismuth(III) oxide nanoparticles (Bi-CCE). Characterization of the Bi-CCE was conducted employing atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Comparative analysis was conducted using an unmodified CCE. The findings proved that the incorporation of Bi2O3 nanoparticles into the CCE significantly altered the morphology and topography of the ceramic composite, and it improved the electrochemical properties of CCE. Notably, the Bi-CCE demonstrated a prolonged operational lifespan of at least three months, and there was a high reproducibility of the electrode preparation procedure. The developed Bi-CCE was effectively employed to explore the electrochemical behavior and quantify the priority environmental pollutant 4-chloro-3-methylphenol (PCMC) using CV and square-wave voltammetry (SWV), respectively. Notably, the developed SWV procedure utilizing Bi-CCE exhibited significantly enhanced sensitivity (0.115 µA L mol-1), an extended linearity (0.5-58.0 µmol L-1), and a lower limit of detection (0.17 µmol L-1) in comparison with the unmodified electrode. Furthermore, the Bi-CCE was utilized effectively for the detection of PCMC in a river water sample intentionally spiked with the compound. The selectivity toward PCMC determination was also successfully assessed.
Keywords: bulk modification; effective surface area; electrochemical characterization; pollutant determination; surface characterization.