Abstract

A para-nitrophenol sensor based on a 5-sulfosalicylic acid doped polyaniline nanorods modified glassy carbon electrode is reported. The formation of 5-sulfosalicylic acid doped polyaniline was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electroactivity of the 5-sulfosalicylic acid doped polyaniline nanorods was studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry and high response was observed for the reduction of para-nitrophenol. The calibration curve for para-nitrophenol was linear from 6.7x10(-6)M to 112.1x10(-6)M. The sensitivity and limit of detection were 24 nA mu M-1 and 3.2x10(-6)M, respectively. The sensor was simple, inexpensive, and employed for the determination of para-nitrophenol in tap water with recoveries from 97.6 to 101.0%.