A Polypyrrole Based Sensor for the Electrochemical Detection of OH Radicals

Polypyrrole was used as sensitive material in the development of a new device employed for the indirect detection of OH radicals. The polypyrrole film was electrosynthesized on glassy carbon. The modified electrode was exposed to the OH radicals generated by Fenton reaction. As a result of the overoxidation the conductivity of the polymer diminished very much. The over-oxidation (%) was directly proportional to the (OH)-O-center dot amount that reached the electrode surface. ABTS(center dot+), superoxide and alkylperoxy radicals did not interfere in the determination. The applicability of the device was demonstrated by estimating the (OH)-O-center dot scavenging ability of ascorbic acid.