The development of electrochemical (APTA) sensors based on carbon nanofiber composite and silver nanocomposite platforms and their applications on the detection of endocrine disrupting Bisphenol A

Abstract: The primary focus of this research was on the development of three electrochemical sensing systems for the detection of Bisphenol A (BPA) - an endocrine disrupting compound. Studies of health effects on humans associated with BPA exposures reported increased risks of heart diseases, coronary diseases, diabetes and cancer. In recent years, the concern over the effects of BPA on humans has been highlighted by the fact that infants and children are estimated to have the highest daily intake of BPA. Electrochemical methods of detection for BPA have proven to be the most effective and practical ones, when compared conventional techniques such as chromatography. However, the electro-oxidation of BPA is an irreversible process with products that cause surface fouling of electrodes, which always limits the electro-detection of BPA. This surface fouling of electrode surfaces is considered a major challenge on electro-analytical based techniques for determining not only BPA molecule but also other phenolic molecules. To mitigate this major issue, this dissertation reports the use of a regenerable exfoliated graphite (EG) electrode. Regeneration was achieved by mechanical polishing of the robust electrode on emery paper...M.Sc. (Chemistry