The cyclic voltammetric behavior of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (3,5-DNB) in 0.1 M PBS
of pH 7 was examined at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). 3,5-DNB was found to
produce two irreversible reduction peaks corresponds to the reduction of each nitro
group in the 3,5-DNB molecule. Our results contradict previous studies (P.Gopal et
al. Journal of Molecular Liquids 178 (2013) 168-174) wherein the same peaks are
assigned as, the first, to the reduction of the nitro group to hydroxylamine and the
second, to the subsequent reduction to amine derivative.
Also we report that GCE modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)
can be derivatized with 3,5-DNB. The derivatization procedure involves simple
immersion of the MWCNT-modified electrode in a solution containing 3,5-DNB.
SEM images reveals that the network of nanotubes form a homogeneous, twisted,
densely packed, three-dimensional array that remains attached to the GCE
surface. Both electrochemical and SEM measurements indicate that 3,5-DNB is
encapsulated on the electrode, most probably by being trapped within the pockets
of the mentioned three-dimensional array, without formation of covalent bonding.