Understanding carbon nanotube voltammetry: distinguishing adsorptive and thin layer effects via “single-entity” electrochemistry

Cyclic voltammetry of ensembles of nanotube-modified electrodes fails to distinguish between signals from electroactive material adsorbed on the tubes from those due to a thin-layer response of analyte material occluded in the pores of the ensemble. We demonstrate that the distinction can be clearly...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kaliyaraj Selva Kumar, A, Compton, RG
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: American Chemical Society 2022
Description
Summary:Cyclic voltammetry of ensembles of nanotube-modified electrodes fails to distinguish between signals from electroactive material adsorbed on the tubes from those due to a thin-layer response of analyte material occluded in the pores of the ensemble. We demonstrate that the distinction can be clearly made by combining cyclic voltammetry with single-entity measurements and provide proof of concept for the case of b-MWCNTs and the oxidation of 4-hexylresorcinol (HR), where the increased signals seen at the modified electrode are concluded to arise from thin-layer diffusion and not adsorptive effects. The physical insights are generic to porous, conductive composites.