Mechanically immobilized nickel aquapentacyanoferrate modified electrode as an amperometric sensor for the determination of BHA

Nickel aquapentacyanoferrate (NAPCF), a novel transition metal complex has been prepared and its ability to act as an electrocatalyst for BHA oxidation has been demonstrated. The cyclic voltammetric behaviour of the NAPCF modified electrode prepared by mechanical immobilization on the graphite electrode was well defined. A pair of redox peaks corresponding to the electrochemical behaviour of the NAPCF was observed at 0.35 V and 0.31 V, corresponding to the anodic and cathodic peaks respectively, with a formal potential of 0.33 V. The NAPCF modified electrode favoured electrocatalytic oxidation of BHA to occur at a greatly minimized overpotential of 0.48 V. Experiments were performed to characterize the electrode as an amperometric sensor for the determination of BHA. The anodic peak current was linearly related to BHA concentration in the range of 6.24 × 10−7 M to 2.19 × 10−4 M with a detection limit of 2.49 × 10−7 M and a correlation coefficient of 0.9979. Amperometry in stirred solution exhibited quick and sensitive response to BHA, showing the possible application of the modified electrode in flow system analysis. The modified electrode retained its initial response for more than 2 months when stored in supporting electrolyte, owing to the chemical and mechanical stability of the NAPCF mediator. This modified electrode was also quite effective in the determination of BHA in commercial samples.