Dispersion of single walled carbon nanotubes. Comparison of different dispersing strategies for preparation of modified electrodes toward hydrogen peroxide detection

Four different dispersing agents for solubilisation of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are here compared. Dispersing agents used here can be divided into the group of organic solvents (dimethylformamide and cyclohexanone) and charged polymers (Nafion and chitosan). Charged polymers are more efficient dispersing agents allowing quicker dispersion of nanotubes compared to solvents. Moreover charged polymers offer higher stability of dispersion. Cyclic voltammograms of hydrogen peroxide at SWNT-modified electrodes highly depended on the dispersing agent and dispersion procedure used to disintegrate SWNT aggregates for electrode modification. The best performance for detection of hydrogen peroxide was obtained on a nanotube film cast from a chitosan solution offering a quick dispersion and high dispersion stability as well as high sensitivity of detection and mechanical stability of the nanotube film.