A glassy carbon electrode modified with the nickel(II)-bis(1,10-phenanthroline) complex and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and its use as a sensor for ascorbic acid

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with the nickel(II)-bis(1,10-phenanthroline) complex and with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The nickel complex was electrodeposited on the MWCNTs by cyclic voltammetry. The modified GCE displays excellent electrocatalytic activity to the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA). The effects of fraction of MWCNTs, film thickness and pH values were optimized. Response to AA is linear in the 10 to 630 μM concentration range, and the detection limit is 4 μM (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1). The modified electrode was applied to determine AA in vitamin C tablets and in spiked fruit juice.