Polymer Based Electrode for the Selective Detection of Dichloramine

This report was produced for the Urban Water Research Association of Australia, a now discontinued research program.

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Polymer Based Electrode for the Selective Detection of Dichloramine

Report No UWRAA 38

December 1991

 SYNOPSIS

Chloramines which are formed during chlorination of potable water have a dramatic effect on the water taste and odour, in particular the specific form of dichloramine.

In our laboratories a method for amperometric detection of low levels of chloramines using a glassy carbon electrode was reported previously. However, in that work selective detection of dichloramine was not obtained.

We represent here the investigation into polypyrrole and polypyrrole-dispersed mercury coated glassy carbon electrodes for the selective detection of dichloramine. The selectivity could be altered using various counterions incorporated into the polymer and/or by applying increasingly negative potentials.

This work indicated that the use of a selective polymer based electrochemical sensor for dichloramine detection is a feasible approach.

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