Controlling voltammetric responses by electrode modification; using adsorbed acetone to switch graphite surfaces between adsorptive and diffusive modes

Abstract

Graphite is a highly versatile electrode substrate material but therecorded voltammetric response is regularly complicated byvarying degrees of adsorption of the analyte to the surfaceleading to voltammetry which is complex to analyse. We reporthow through the pre-adsorption of acetone the electro-activity ofthe substrate is unhindered but adsorption of an electro-activespecies is effectively blocked, hence the experimentalist is able toreadily tailor the electrode so as to effectively switch theadsorption of the analyte 'on' or 'off'.