Electrochemical inclusion of catechol into singlewalled carbon nanotubes: application for sensors

We report on the use of catechol for the electrochemical activation of acid-functionalised single-walled carbon nanotubes immobilised on glassy carbon electrodes. Following well-published methods for catechol activation of bare glassy carbon electrodes, these studies show the efficacy of extending the method to activation of carbon nanotubes. Voltammetric scans in catechol show an increase in current response of 37 μA for the catechol redox pair over a maximum of three cycles during the catechol activation step. An increase in the ease of electron flow is indicated by a larger value for K_app, which corresponds to a decrease in R_ct obtained during impedance measurements. Catechol activation enhanced electron transfer, potentially afforded by an ease of electron passage due to a decrease in the resistance of the layer.