Electrochemical Studies of Hydroxyapatitie-Poly Ethylene Glycol Nanocomposite

Abstract

Hydroxyapatite(HAp)-poly ethylene glycol (PEG) nanocomposites of varying composition for biomaterial applications have been synthesized. The HAp/PEG nanocomposite materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and HRTEM. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorod embedded composite was prepared using PEG as a matrix with different weight percentages (wt%). The results indicated that the size and crystallinity of HAp nanoparticles decreases with increase in PEG concentration in the composite. HRTEM confirms the presence of HAp nano rod crystals in PEG matrix. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) were recorded to evaluate the electrocatalytic behaviors of the modified electrode towards the oxidation of 4-NP in the potential range of 0 to +1.0 V. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with HAp-PEG nanocomposite and characterized in terms of electrochemical oxidation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) via cyclic voltammetry. The catalytic reaction facilitates electron transfer between 4-NP and the modified electrode, as a result the electrochemical oxidation of 4-NP becomes easier. The reason for this is that the HAp-PEG 40 can act as a promoter to increase the rate of electron transfer, lower the overpotential of 4-NP and 2-NP at the bare electrode, and the anodic peak shifts less positive potential. Thus, it is clear that HAp-PEG 40 modified GCE can be successfully used for the determination of organic pollutant.