Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical applications of carbon nanoparticles derived from castor oil soot.

A simple procedure for the modification of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) from castor oil soot using acid treatment was described herein. Characterization studies revealed the presence of edge plane sites and surface carbon-oxygen functionalities at the surface of the CNP material. Voltammetric studies revealed the increased electrochemical activity of the CNP-modified electrode toward various biologically important molecules, including dopamine, uric acid, dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, tyrosine, and serotonin, relative to those obtained using the unmodified electrode. The improved electro-oxidation potentials for these compounds-and, thereby, the enhanced sensitivity of related sensors-was due directly to the presence of surface C(δ+)O(δ-) functional groups and the greater number of edge plane sites developed after acid treatment of the soot sample.