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 overoxidation (%) was directly proportional to the .OH amount that reached the electrode surface. ABTS.+, superoxide and alkylperoxy radicals did not interfere in the determination. The applicability of the device was demonstrated by estimating the .OH scavenging ability of ascorbic acid.