Determination of Trace Phenol in Water Using Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Film-Coated Glassy Carbon Electrode

Objective To study the determination of trace phenol in water using multi-wall carbon nanotubes(MWNT) film-coated glassy carbon electrode(GCE). Methods The contents of trace phenol in environmental water samples were measured by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The electrochemical behaviors of phenol on the MWNT-modified electrode were studied also. Results Phenol revealed a well-defined and sensitive oxidation peak with potential of 0.69 V on the MWNT-modified GCE in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer. The oxidation peak current of phenol on the MWNT-modified GCE increased significantly compared with that on a bare GCE. The linear range was 4.0×10-8 to 1.0×10-5 mol/L, and the detection limit was 1.0×10-8 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of ten measurements was 5.2% for 5.0×10-7 mol/L phenol. Conclusion This proposed electrochemical techniques was suitable for the determination of trace levels of phenol in the environmental water samples.