The purpose of this study is to show that an alternative and novel modified electrode such as the zirconium dioxide with titanium dioxide (ZrO 2 /TiO 2 ) carbon paste electrode could be utilized in the area of highly toxic metal detection such as the highly toxic metal indium. The challenges of the development of an electrochemical sensor over the last two decades which possess the following qualities such as user friendly, robust, selective, low detection limits and allowing for fast analyses in toxic metal detection are the reasons for this investigation.

The developments of novel electrochemical sensors to detect phenol (phenol derivatives) and heavy metals in solution have been a focus of our inquiry-based laboratory experiences.  Our students are engaged into the applications of Controlled Potential Electrolysis (CPE) to create a modified working electrode to detect the common contaminants such as phenols and heavy metals in solutions by electroanalytical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV).   Additional analytical instrumentation skills were required through out these inquiry-based learning experiences to confirm the modified working electrodes (TiO2/ZrO2, Polymers and Carbon Nanotube, CNT) were electrochemically created by such instrumentation such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy and X-Ray Fluorescence.  The students content gains were assessed through out these lab modules according to the R.R. Hake’ method.  These content gains assessed will be discussed as well to exemplify the inquiry-based learning experiences of our undergraduate students experiences to meet the needs of todays workforce.