Electroactive ceramic carbon electrode impregnated with organic liquid

The carbon ceramic electrodes impregnated with hydrophobic organic solvent (toluene, hexadecane, nitrobenzene) containing redox probe (decamethylferro cene) were prepared. The electrode material was obtained by sol-gel process . It consists of graphite powder homogeneously dispersed in hydrophobic sil ica matrix. After gelation and drying it was filled with organic liquid. Th e electrochemical properties of the electrode were investigated by cyclic v oltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Approximately symmet ric cyclic voltammograms were obtained with these electrodes immersed in aq ueous electrolyte solution. Their shape and current magnitude and position on the potential scale depends on the organic solvent and the salt present in aqueous phase. It has been concluded that the mechanism of the electrode process involves electron transfer between graphite particle and the redox probe in organic phase, followed by anion transfer from the aqueous phase. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Ah rights reserved.