Electrochemical synthesis of a ferrocenecarboxylic acid–C60 composite and its electrocatalysis to hydrogen peroxide

A new ferrocenecarboxylic acid–C60 composite (Fc–C60) has been synthesized by controlled potential electrolysis. A composite modified glassy carbon electrode has been prepared based on its good electrochemical activity. The modified electrode in 0.1 M NaClO4 solution shows a reversible oxidation wave at E1/2 = 0.32 V (vs. SCE) attributed to the oxidation of the ferrocene entity and a quasi-reversible reduction wave of C60 entity at E1/2 = −0.54 V (vs. SCE). Electrocatalytic studies show that Fc–C60 at the modified electrode can mediate the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and a broad linear range from 1.2 μM to 21.9 mM for H2O2 were obtained with a determination limit of 2.5 × 10−7 M by amperometry.