Electrocatalytic oxidation of l-cysteine with a stable copper–cobalt hexacyanoferrate electrochemically modified carbon paste electrode

A stable composition of hybrid copper–cobalt hexacyanoferrate (Cu–CoHCF) film was electrodeposited on a carbon paste electrode (CPE). There are a few reports for using this hybrid as a mediator, but all of them require almost 12 h conditioning time before usage. Contrary to previous reports this electrode does not require any conditioning and can be used immediately after film formation. The electrocatalytic activity of this film was investigated and showed a good electrocatalytic effect for oxidation of l-cysteine (Cys) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) in pH range of 1–7. A linear range of 6 μM to 1 mM of Cys and an experimental detection limit of 5 μM of Cys were obtained using cyclic voltammetry method. The diffusion coefficient of Cys and catalytic rate constant for electrocatalytic reaction were also calculated. The major problem reported in electro oxidation of Cys is poisoning of electrode surface with reaction product, but in this study oxidation of Cys had no significant fouling effect on the modified electrode surface for the concentrations below 0.5 mM of Cys.