Application of pyrite and chalcopyrite as sensor electrode for amperometric detection and measurement of hydrogen peroxide

The sensing performance of solid-state amperometric sensors based on natural sulfide minerals, i.e., pyrite and chalcopyrite, has been characterized for the detection and measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in aqueous medium. The sensors showed a wide linear relationship range between response current and the concentration of H(2)O(2) from 1.0 × 10(−5) mol L(−1) to 1.0 × 10(−2) mol L(−1) and 1.0 × 10(−4) mol L(−1) to 3.0 × 10(−2) mol L(−1) for pyrite and chalcopyrite, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 8.6 × 10(−6) mol L(−1) and 5.2 × 10(−5) mol L(−1) (S/N = 3), respectively. The electrodes exhibited great sensitivity, repeatability and short response time (less than 5 s). The results show that pyrite and chalcopyrite can be used as a natural, low cost, reliable and sensitive sensor for hydrogen peroxide detection, creating a new and high value application for the sulfide minerals.