Solvothermaly synthesized zirconium oxide nanopowders, pure and doped with
various amounts of iron ions (1 - 20 %), were used as modifiers of glassy
carbon electrode. The modified electrodes were tested in the reaction of
electrochemical oxidation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) in order to
investigate the influence of doping on electrochemical performance of
zirconia matrix. The techniques of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy were employed. Cyclic voltammetry showed that
electrooxidation of TCP proceeded through oxidation of hydroxyl group.
Possible pathway included formation of quinones and formation of polyphenol
film on the electrode surface leading to the electrode fouling. Iron doping
enhanced the activity of zirconia matrix towards TCP electrooxidation.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed the importance of iron content
in zirconia matrix for preferable pathway of TCP electrooxidation. Quinone
formation pathway was favored by low iron doped zirconia (doped with 1% of
iron), while polyphenol film formation on the electrode surface was more
pronounced at samples with higher iron ion content (for doping with 10 and
20 % of iron). The sample with 5 % of added iron ions, showed intermediate
behavior where formed polyphenol film showed slight degradation.