Enhancing the electrochemical sensitivity of hydroquinone using a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent-based carbon...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES) offer tunable properties for electrochemical applications.
• Fatty acid-based HDES, combined with tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) or 1-octanol, represent a novel class of solvents.
• Developing advanced electrode materials is crucial for sensitive and selective analyte detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel HDES based on fatty acids.
• To develop and characterize a carbon paste electrode modified with decanoic acid and TBAB-based HDES.
• To investigate the electrochemical determination of hydroquinone (H2Q) using the modified electrode.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of HDES (viscosity, density, conductivity, water content).
• Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical analysis.
• Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Square-wave adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry (SWAdASV) for H2Q determination.

Main Results:

• The modified electrode exhibited enhanced electrochemical activity, fast electron transfer, and high surface area.
• A significant decrease in peak potential separation was observed, indicating improved electrochemical performance.
• Linear response for H2Q detection in the range of 2.5 × 10⁻⁶–3.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹.
• A low limit of detection (LOD) of 7.7 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The decanoic acid and TBAB-based HDES modified carbon paste electrode demonstrates excellent electrochemical sensing capabilities.
• The developed method is sensitive and selective for the determination of hydroquinone.
• The method shows practical applicability for H2Q analysis in dermatological creams.