Electrochemical Detection of Catechol using Synthesized Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

The fabrication of advanced electrodes has garnered significant attention due to their exceptional sensitivity and selectivity for detecting catechol samples. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO<inf>2</inf> NPs) have emerged as highly effective modifiers for carbon paste electrodes (CPEs), attributed to their unique electrochemical characteristics and enhanced conductivity. In this study, TiO<inf>2</inf> NPs are prepared via the combustion method (CM), offering a reliable strategy for boosting electrode performance. This work aims to synthesize the TiO<inf>2</inf> NPs by using Titanium (III) sulfate as precursor materials, and citric acid as fuel to get the desired TiO<inf>2</inf> NPs. The confirmation of NPs is done through various techniques such as field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM), microstructure analysis by XRD, elemental composition by EDS, and absorption vibration levels by Raman spectroscopy. TiO<inf>2</inf> NPs are used for the development of electrode applications to determine catechol (CC) using carbon paste electrodes (CPE). The electrode surface is modified into a TiO<inf>2</inf> composite carbon paste electrode (TiCCPE). The electrochemical techniques are performed using a phosphate buffer solution (BS) of 0.1 M at a pH range of 7.0 of a two-electron transfer system with scan rates variation from 0.50-0.400 V/s signifies reaction of absorption-controlled process, and concentration studies from 0.2 µM to 1.6 µM with detection and quantification limit of 0.21 µM and 0.71 µM and was found using Linear sweep voltammetry technique (LSV). The electrode modification associated with synthesized TiO<inf>2</inf> NPs assists in an outstanding way to sense the CC, as good sensitivity, stability, selectivity, and reproducibility of catechol detection were assessed using electrochemical techniques throughout the studies. © 2025, Center of Excellence in Electrochemistry, Univ. of Tehran. All rights reserved.