A sensitive electrochemical sensor based on immobilized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM·PF6) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for o-sec-butylphenol (osBP) was proposed. The electro-oxidation behavior was studied, the experimental conditions were optimized and kinetic parameters were calculated. The results indicated that this electrochemical sensor has the advantages of fast electron-transfer rate, minimal fouling of electrodes, high sensitivity and stability for o-sec-butylphenol. Upon comparison with a glassy carbon electrode, this senor would effectively minimize the over-potential and increase the electrochemical response to o-sec-butylphenol. Under the optimum conditions, the peak current was linear to the osBP concentration range from 1 × 10−7 to 2.5 × 10−5 M with the detection limit of 8.65 × 10−9 M (S/N = 3). The proposed method was applied to the determination of spiked water samples with satisfactory results.
