Cathodic detection of H2O2 using iodide-modified gold electrode in alkaline media.

Oxidative chemisorption and cathodic stripping reductive desorption of iodide have been studied at a smooth polycrystalline gold (Au (poly)) electrode. Potential-dependent surface coverage of iodide has been controlled on the basis of its reductive desoprtion in 0.1 M KOH alkaline media and its quantitative oxidation to aqueous iodates in acidic media. The Au (poly) electrode surface catalyzes the decomposition of H2O2 to O2. Specific adsorption of iodide on the Au electrode inhibits fully the catalytic decomposition and electrochemical oxidation of H2O2 as well as the adsorption of unknown impurities and the oxidative degradation of the electrode surface by H2O2. A quantitative characterization/detection of H2O2 at the iodide-modified Au (poly) electrode in the alkaline media has, thus, been achieved. Performance of the electrode toward the detection of H2O2 with respect to response time and sensitivity as well as operational stability has been evaluated. It has a sensitivity of 0.272 mA cm(-2) mM(-1) in amperometric measurements with a detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-5) M H2O2, and the response time to achieve 95% of the steady-state current is <20 s. The effect of O2 in the air-saturated solution can be minimized by subtracting the additional current for the O2 reduction. Experimental measurements were based upon cyclic voltametric and amperometric techniques.