Developing of the electrochemical method for phenol determination

In this study, electrochemical method for the determination of phenol was developed. First, by using the square wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical behaviors for phenol, catechol and quinon were investigated with various electrode and supporting electrolyte. As a result of this work, Au electrode was found to be the best electrode and pH 5 CH3COOH/NaCH3COO buffer was observed as the best supporting electrode, for the determination of phenol. In this media, electrochemical behaviors of catechol, quinon and phenol were investigated with SWV, the reduction peaks were found +0.24 V for catechol and +0.16 V for quinon. In the buffer media (pH 5 CH3COOH/NaCH3COO) the peak was observed at -0.20 V regularly increases with additions of phenol.In the studies made with CV, the reversible peaks were of observed for katekol and kinon. Irreversible peak was observed for phenol.The interference effects of the cations (Al3 +, Sn2 +, Ni2 +, Ag+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Co2 +, Mn2+, Fe3+, Se4 +, As6 +, Cr3+, Cd2 +, Sb3 +, Pb2 +) which can be found in the waste water were investigated.Interference effects of the cations Cr3+, Cd2+, Sb3+ were observed in the ratio of 1/10 1/7 and 1/3 respectively.The calibration graphic for phenol was drawn by using the peak at -0.20V, increasing with phenol additions. Later known amount of phenol concentration was determined by standard addition method and the applicability of the method seen.Method was performed to real sample (Ankara Çayı). The amount of phenol in the real sample was found 3.22×10-6 M by using the standard addition method.Key Words: Phenol, Determination of phenol, Catechol, Quinon,Voltammetry