Amperometric determination of hydrazine at manganese hexacyanoferrate modified graphite–wax composite electrode

Abstract

Fabrication, characterization and application of a manganese hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) modified graphite–wax composite electrode are described. The MnHCF mixed with graphite powder was dispersed into molten paraffin wax to yield a conductive composite, which was used as electrode material to construct a renewable three-dimensional MnHCF modified electrode. The characterization of the modified electrode has been studied by electrochemical techniques. The cyclic voltammogram of the MnHCF modified graphite–wax composite electrode prepared under optimum composition, showed a well-defined redox couple due to Fe(CN) 6 4−/Fe(CN) 6 3− system. The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine by MnHCF modified graphite–wax composite electrode has been investigated in an attempt to develop a new sensor for its determination. It was found that the mediator catalyzed the oxidation of hydrazine. The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine was also studied under hydrodynamic and chronoamperometric conditions. The anodic current increases linearly with increase in the concentration of hydrazine in the range of 3.33 × 10 −5 M to 8.18 × 10 −3 M. The detection limit was found to be 6.65 × 10 −6 M (S/N = 3). The modified electrode can also be used for on-line detection of hydrazine. The proposed method has also been applied for the determination of hydrazine in photographic developer solution.