Electrochemical Behaviour of Poly(benzopyrene) Films Doped with Eriochrome Black T as a Pb2+-Sensitive Sensors

Poly(benzopyrene) films were electrosynthesized on glassy carbon disk electrodes from benzo(a) pyrene by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of eriochrome black T, which forms strong complexes with lead ions. In consequence, by conditioning the films in high concentration of lead (0.1 mol dm(-3) Pb(NO3)(2)) potentiometric sensitivity to lead ions down to 10(-5) mol dm(-3) Pb2+ was induced, and a novel type of lead-sensitive electrode was obtained. The electrode is characterized by high stability of the potential readouts, good reproducibility of the calibration curves as well as a minor hysteresis effects. The performance of our lead-sensitive electrode was favourable compared to PEDOT and PPy-based electrodes doped with eriochrome black T. We conclude that poly(benzopyrene) doped with eriochrome black T is a new electroactive material that may be applied in sensor technology.