Chloride voltammetric Sensor Based On Aminated Carbon Nanoparticles

Nano-carbon based electrodes e.g. based on carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene, or carbon nanoparticles are of interest in electrochemical processes due to their often highly active surface characteristics and their ease of functionalisation. The modification of functional groups at carbon surfaces provides an important tool for achieving chemical selectivity [1]. Chloride ion concentration is an important parameter for various biological and environmental applications. Chloride is a key parameter of water quality and salinity. In mechanical industries chloride is a major contributor to corrosion of metal components in steam-generating systems. Chloride is also one of the major contributors to reinforcement corrosion in concrete, especially for structures near sea water or which are exposed to deicing salt. The chloride ion concentration inside the reinforced concrete has been linked to the corrosion process and it is therefore highly desirable to be able to detect the chloride ion concentration level. Thus, keeping in view these applications, the development of a long-term and reliable chloride ion sensor is of great importance [2]. In this study, the surface functionalized aminated carbon nanoparticles have been prepared and characterized. A novel, inexpensive, highly simple, and disposable sensor for the determination of chloride ions has been developed. It is based on the systematic shift of the voltammetric peak potential of a Hg(ΙΙ) species in presence of chloride ions. Differential pulse voltammetry has been applied for sensitive determination of chloride ions in real samples. The disposable character and simplicity of the device provides an interesting alternative to the most frequently used potentiometric method.