Biochar: A Low-cost Electrode Modifier for Electrocatalytic, Sensitive and Selective Detection of Similar Organic Compounds

This work proposes for the first time the use of biochar (BC) as a cost-effective electrode modifier for simultaneous electroanalysis of similar organic compounds. BCs were prepared from Babassu petiole pyrolysis at five temperatures (500-900 degrees C) and characterized by FTIR, SEM, TG-DTA and BET., which presented amorphous shapes with relative high surface areas (280-396m(2)g(-1)) and polar surface groups (T<700 degrees C). As a proof of concept, BC-modified glassy carbon electrodes (BC/GCE) were studied using ferrocyanide probe and evaluated towards the simultaneous detection of catechol and hydroquinone (isomers), levofloxacin and norfloxacin (analogous structure), and tert-butylhydroquinone and butylated hydroxyanisole. In all cases, BC improved the peak-to-peak separation, sensitivity and electrocatalytic activity, which highlights BC as a promising modifier to be used in simultaneous determinations of organic compounds with similar peak potentials.