Imidazolium Ionic Liquid Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Improved Interfacial Charge Transfer and Simultaneous Determination of Dihydroxybenzene Isomers

Molecules. 2016 May 14;21(5):617. doi: 10.3390/molecules21050617.

Abstract

In this paper; an imidazolium ionic liquid (IL) is used to functionalize multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by covalent bonding on the MWNT surface. The functionalization not only provides a hydrophilic surface for ion accessibility but also prevents the aggregation of MWNTs. The IL-functionalized MWNTs were then applied for the electrochemical determination of the dihydroxybenzene isomers hydroquinone (HQ); catechol (CC); and resorcinol (RC), exhibiting excellent recognition ability towards the three compounds. The linear calibration ranges for HQ; CC and RC are 0.9-150 μM; 0.9-150 μM and 1.9-145 μM and the detection limits are found to be 0.15 μM for HQ; 0.10 μM for CC and 0.38 μM for RC based on S/N of 3. The proposed electrochemical sensor was also found to be useful for the determination of the dihydroxybenzene isomers in Yellow River water with reliable recovery.

Keywords: carbon nanotube; dihydroxybenzene isomers; ionic liquids; simultaneous determination.

MeSH terms

  • Benzene Derivatives / analysis*
  • Benzene Derivatives / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry*
  • Isomerism
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman

Substances

  • Benzene Derivatives
  • Imidazoles
  • Ionic Liquids
  • Nanotubes, Carbon