Fabrication, Characterization, and Application of ‘Sandwich‐Type’ Electrode Based on Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

Abstract

AbstractThe much‐enhanced electrochemical responses of potassium ferricyanide and methylene blue (MB) were firstly explored at the glassy carbon electrode modified with single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT/GCE), indicating the distinct electrochemical activity of SWNTs towards electroactive molecules. A hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6), was used as electrode modification material, which presented wide electrochemical windows, proton permeation and selective extraction ability. In consideration with the advantages of SWNTs and RTIL in detecting target molecules (TMs), a novel strategy of ‘sandwich–type’ electrode was established with TMs confined by RTIL between the SWNT/GCE and the RTIL membrane. The strategy was used for electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA), and detection limits of 400 and 80 fmol could be obtained, respectively. The selective detection of DA in the presence of high amount of AA could also be realized. This protocol presented many attractive advantages towards voltammetric detection of TMs, such as low sample demand, low cost, high sensitivity, and good stability.