Sol-gel-derived cobalt phthalocyanine-dispersed carbon composite electrodes for electrocatalysis and amperometric flow detection

A new sol-gel-derived electrocatalytic carbon composite electrode was prepared by dispersing cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPC) in a carbon ceramic network. The performance of the CoPC-modified sol-gel carbon composite electrode compares favorably with that of common CoPC-containing carbon pastes in term of electrocatalytic properties and short-and long-term stability. The greatly improved stability and electrocatalytic action are illustrated in cyclic-voltammetric and flow injection amperometric measurements of hydrogen peroxide, hydrazine, oxalic acid, cysteine and thiourea. Such improvements are coupled with the versatility, mechanical stability and renewability features of sol-gel carbon composites.