Preparation of reproducible glassy carbon electrodes by removal of polishing impurities

This paper describes a simple and rapid electrochemical oxidative procedure that removes polishing contaminants from glassy carbon (GC) surfaces. The method involves oxidation of polished GC electrodes in basic media for short periods of time (∼10 s). Tapping mode scanning force microscopy (TM SFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nanoindentation surface characterization techniques were utilized to track the removal of the polishing layer. Several electrochemical characterizations of the modified GC surface were carried out to assess changes in electrode reactivity following removal of the microparticle polishing layer. Electrochemical measurements obtained on the anodized GC electrodes show a more reproducible surface relative to polished GC.