Adsorptive stripping voltammetric detection of tea polyphenols at multiwalled carbon nanotubes-chitosan composite electrode

Abstract

This study reports the catalytic oxidation and detection of tea polyphenols (TPs) at glassy-carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes-chitosan (MWCNTs-CS) film. The adsorption of TPs at the surface of the MWCNTs through π-π conjugation prevents the aggregation of nanotubes and induces a stable MWCNTs suspension in water over 30 days. Based on the adsorptive accumulation of polyphenols at MWCNTs, TPs is sensitively and selectively detected by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The accumulation conditions and pH effect on the adsorptive stripping detection were examined. The linear range was found to be 100 to 1000 mg L-1 with a detection limit of 10 mg L-1 (S/N = 3) for 2.5 min accumulation. Additionally, the MWCNTs-CS electrode is easily renewed by applying positive potential to remove the adsorbed TPs. This method was successfully applied to determine TPs in commercially available teas with satisfied result compared with that of conventional spectrometric analysis. © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.