SOL-GEL-DERIVED COBALT PHTHALOCYANINE-DISPERSED CARBON COMPOSITE ELECTRODES FOR ELECTROCATALYSIS AND AMPEROMETRIC FLOW DETECTION

A new sol-gel-derived electrocatalytic carbon composite electrode was prepared by dispersing cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPC) in a carbon cerami c network. The performance of the CoPC-modified sol-gel carbon composi te electrode compares favorably with that of common CoPC-containing ca rbon pastes in term of electrocatalytic properties and short-and long- term stability. The greatly improved stability and electrocatalytic ac tion are illustrated in cyclic-voltammetric and flow injection amperom etric measurements of hydrogen peroxide, hydrazine, oxalic acid, cyste ine and thiourea. Such improvements are coupled with the versatility, mechanical stability and renewability features of sol-gel carbon compo sites.