Anti-fouling PEDOT:PSS modification on glassy carbon electrodes for continuous monitoring of tricresyl phosphate

In this paper the application of poly(3,4-ethlenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulphonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as an anti-fouling modification on a glassy carbon electrode has been investigated for use in an electrochemical sensing system for continuous monitoring of gaseous tricresyl phosphate (TCP). PEDOT is a type of conductive polymer with high stability in aqueous solution. The amphiphilic nature of poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS) helps repel the oxidation products of cresol and reduces electrode fouling. The composite modification has high reproducibility which enables the quantitative determination of gaseous TCP. Although the linear range of detection (50–300 ppb) is narrower than that previously reported, this modified electrode enables continuous monitoring of TCP without the need for electrode polishing that may limit practical application of the sensor in the aircraft cabin.