Ascorbic acid oxidation at polypyrrole-coated electrodes

Abstract

The electrooxidation of ascorbic acid is examined at polypyrrole electrodes doped with chloride and dodecylbenzene sulphonate ion. Both the kinetics of oxidation and the reproducibility of the electrochemical response are found to be enhanced at the polymer-modified electrode compared to that at an unmodified metal electrode. Kinetic data for ascorbate oxidation at the polymer-modified electrodes is evaluated and rationalised in terms of specific mechanistic sequences. The use of polypyrrole-based electrodes as active components in an amperometric chemical sensor for ascorbate is evaluated.