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Photoelectrochemical amperometric sensing of cyanide using a glassy carbon electrode modified with graphene oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles

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Abstract

The authors describe a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the amperometric determination of cyanide ions. First, the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles was modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AS). These were then deposited, along with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, on the surface of the GCE. The modification steps were followed by reductive deposition of reduced 4-nitrophenol (rNPh). The GO/TiO2-AS-rNPh electrode was used to design a photoelectrochemical amperometric cyanide assay which works in pH 7 solution, best at 0.35 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Characteristics of merit include a 0.1 μM detection limit, a 165.5 nA·nM−1·cm−2 sensitivity, and a dynamic linear range extending from 0.1 μM to 60 μM. The selectivity of the assay was tested by recording the response of the modified GCE to potentially interfering anions and was found to be very good. The inherent photocatalytic activity, good stability, wide linear analytical range, short response time, low detection limit and good selectivity make this assay highly advantageous

Schematic presentation of prepared nanocomposite made from graphene oxide and modified titanium oxide nanoparticles. The titanium oxide nanoparticles were modified by using aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AS) and nitrophenol (NPh). The GO/TiO2-AS-rNPh was applied to sensing the cyanide ion. The mechanisms of charge transfer and photocatalysis are also illustrated.

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Acknowledgements

The financial support of the nanotechnology center of Iran and the Research Office of Kurdistan University are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O.Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran

    Rahman Hallaj & Nasibeh Haghighi

  2. Nanotechnology Research Center, University of Kurdistan, P.O.Box 416, Sanandaj, Iran

    Rahman Hallaj

Authors
  1. Rahman Hallaj
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  2. Nasibeh Haghighi
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Correspondence to Rahman Hallaj.

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Hallaj, R., Haghighi, N. Photoelectrochemical amperometric sensing of cyanide using a glassy carbon electrode modified with graphene oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Microchim Acta 184, 3581–3590 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-017-2366-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-017-2366-1

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