Electrochemical Detection of Halides Using a Matrix Containing Silver Nanoparticles.

摘要

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have many applications in electrochemical studies. Modifying an electrode using AgNPs in a matrix (ie. chitosan) can change the electrochemical properties of a system. In this thesis, we developed an analytical technique based on cyclic voltammetry for the detection of small molecules and halide ions, specifically chloride, in solution using glassy carbon electrodes. Using a more basic fundamental study this technique builds upon work reported by Compton1 on the detection of chloride ions in sweat. After deposition and drying of a chitosan/AgNP film on the electrode, we were able to detect an electrochemical signal change in the presence of various ions at concentrations as low as the nanomolar range. For chloride detection we observed a peak at a potential of ca. 0.3 V while for bromide a similar current appeared at ca. 0.1 V. We investigated the dependence of this technique on the following parameters: pH, analyte concentration, and AgNP morphology.