Abrasive immobilization of carbon nanotubes on a basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode: application to the detection of epinephrine

The performance of a basal plane pyrolytic graphite (bppg) electrode modified with carbon nanotubes is described. Abrasive immobilization of multiwall carbon nanotubes on a bppg electrode was achieved by gently rubbing the electrode surface on a filter paper supporting carbon nanotubes. The resulting electrode showed excellent mediation of epinephrine oxidation: a decrease in the overvoltage of the epinephrine electro-oxidation (200–500 mV) was observed as well as a dramatic increase in the peak current (4 times) compared to that seen at a bare bppg electrode. The oxidation peaks of epinephrine and ascorbic acid which overlap on bare bppg electrode were separated successfully (by ca. 220 mV) at the surface of the modified bppg electrode. The modified electrode showed good stability in comparison to most modified carbon nanotubes electrodes prepared by alternative methods.