Fabrication of multi-wall carbon nanotube film on glassy carbon electrode surface and the determination of tyrosine

A novel chemically modified electrode has been prepared on the basis of the attachment of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in the presence of a hydrophobic surfactant, dihexadecyl phosphate (DHP). This MWNT film was characterized by transmission electron microscopy images (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical behavior of tyrosine at the MWNT film coated GCE was examined and it is found that this MWNT-modified GCE greatly enhances the oxidation peak current of tyrosine. Effects of some important factors, including pH, scan rate and amount of modifier, on the oxidation process of tyrosine were investigated. When the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is 3, the detection limit is 1 x 10(-7) M. The low relative standard deviations of the detection of tyrosine in human morning urine (3.3%) and white wine (5.2%) suggest a good reproducibility of the modified electrode.