Abstract

We report the comparison of the modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nitroaromatic compounds using two different methodologies, the traditional drop casting (DC) method and an alternative buckypaper disc film (BP) method. The methodology for the construction of the BP disc film electrodes consists of a simple filtration of MWCNT and polystyrene (PS) dispersion in 1,3-dioxolane through a nylon membrane filter and then disc-shaped cutting. The adhesion of the disc film to the GCE is achieved by a direct STAMP process.The electrode surfaces were characterized by Raman spectroscopy (RS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) while the electro-chemical responses were followed by voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).The results showed an important enhancement in the reproducibility of the electrochemical response of the electrodes with coefficient of variation (c.v.) values for the faradaic response of 3.82 and 11.42% for the BP and DC methods, respectively. In addition, c.v. values for the capacitive response of 2.2 and 19.2% for the BP and DC methods, respectively. The preparation of BP disc film electrodes improves homogenization in MWCNT deposits causing this increase in the reproducibility of the electrodes.