title: Investigating the use of endogenous quinoid moieties on carbon fibre as means of developing micro pH sensors.
abstract: The redox profile obtained from electrochemically oxidised carbon fibre was exploited as a foundation from which to design a reusable pH probe. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the surface after anodisation revealed an increase in the population of endogenous quinone moieties. Square wave voltammograms recorded in various buffer solutions (pH3-9) yielded a distinct and unambiguous oxidation process through which to ascribe the peak potential - with the latter found to shift in a sub-Nernstian (-0.052 V/pH) manner. The design of a discrete 2-electrode reusable probe which provides a rapid assessment of pH is described and a preliminary characterisation of the electrochemical performance is critically assessed.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ashleigh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jolene
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phair
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meenan
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Electronic address: james.davis@ulster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000737:chemistry*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy
chemical_list: D016227:Benzoquinones; C004532:quinone; D002244:Carbon
keywords: Anodisation; Quinone; Sensor; carbon fibre; pH