Electrodeposition of anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants and gold nanoparticles onto glassy carbon electrode for catechol detection

Three surfactants were selected to modify glassy carbon electrode including sodiumdodecylbenzenesulfonate, Tween 80 and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The obtained nano-Au/surfactant/GCEs were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and electrochemicaltechniques. Electrochemical behavior of catechol at the nano-Au/surfactant/GCE was thoroughlyinvestigated for modified electrodes. Compared to the unmodified electrode, the peak currentobviously increased and the oxidation and reduction peaks potential shifted to the negative andpositive potential area, respectively, meaning the peak potential separation is reduced. Thesechanges indicated that the composite nanoparticles possess good electrocatalytic performance onthe electrochemical reaction of catechol. The experimental results revealed that the nanoparticlemodified electrodes have good performances for catechol sensing, which including convenientfabrication, low detection limits and wide linear ranges. These merits of this sensing system providehigh potential to apply in environmental monitoring. In addition, kinetic parameters of catecholredox reaction were determined and the number of electrons was obtained two for the threemodified electrodes.