RETICULATED VITREOUS CARBON FLOW-THROUGH ELECTRODES

Flow-through electrodes have been fabricated from Reticulated Vitreous Carbon (RVC). This material has low electrical resistance, large surface area, a physically continuous structure. The resistance to solution flow is low and flow rates up to 25 mL/min were easily attained. Solutions in the concentration range 1 to 1000 μM produced currents from about 1 to 1000 ;μA, respectively, using flow rates from 0.5 to 25 mL/min. Current-voltage curves were generated using these electrodes. At constant potential, the analyte solution was pumped through the electrode at a constant rate, thereby generating a steady-state current. The linearity and slope of calibration curves (steady-state current vs. concentration) were found to depend on flow rate. Higher sensitivities were obtained at higher flow rates and coulometric conversions occurred at the lowest flow rates. Ferricyanide ion and ascorbic acid were used as test systems, ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets was determined with results thatwere in excellent agreement with a titrimetric check method. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.