A selective and very simple electrochemical method, based on anodization of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), was developed for the simultaneous detection of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT). It was found that the activated GCE showed an excellent catalytic behavior and enhanced reversibility towards the oxidation of both HQ and CT. The redox responses from the mixture of HQ and CT were easily resolved at an activated GCE. The detection limits for HQ and CT were calculated to be 0.16 and 0.11 mM, respectively. The activated GCE was successfully examined for real sample analysis with tap water and it showed a stable and reliable recovery data.

A potentiometric immunosensor for the label-free detection of bisphenol A (BPA) was developed by covalently immobilizing a polyclonal antibody (PAb) onto the surface of a carboxylated poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-COOH) membrane. The immunosensor was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The immobilization of PAb and its interaction with antigen (Ag) and BPA were also confirmed by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) studies. Experimental parameters affecting the immuno-interaction between PAb and its Ag or BPA were examined in terms of pH, antibody concentration, and temperature. The immunosensor showed a specific recognition of BPA with less interference than 4.8% from other common phenolic compounds. A calibration plot was obtained between 1.0 and 30.0 ng/mL and the detection limit was determined to be 0.6 ng/mL. The proposed immunosensor was applied for a real water sample spiked with BPA and the recoveries were in the range between 102.5 and 105.7%.

No abstract

No abstract