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Amperometric nitrite sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and poly(toluidine blue)

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Abstract

An amperometric nitrite sensor modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and poly(toluidine blue) (PTB) on glassy carbon electrode was constructed. The surface morphology of the composite- modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the electrochemical response behavior and electrocatalytic oxidation mechanism of nitrite were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The high surface-to-volume ratio of MWCNTs and PTB brings the electrochemical sensing unit and nitrite in full contact. This renders the electrochemical response extremely sensitive to nitrite. Under the optimal measurement conditions and a working voltage of 0.73 V (vs. SCE), a linear relationship is obtained between the oxidation peak current and nitrite concentration in the range of 39 nM–1.1 mM, and the limit of detection is lowered to 19 nM (at an S/N ratio of 3). The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of nitrite in greenhouse soils.

A glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and poly(toluidine blue) is shown to be a viable amperometric nitrite sensor. It has a linear response in the 39 nM to 1.1 mM nitrite concentration range and a 19 nM detection limit.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program) of China (2012AA101405).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Juan Dai, Dongli Deng, Jinzhong Zhang, Fei Deng & Shuang He

  2. Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Chongqing Industry Polytechnic College, Chongqing, 401120, China

    Dongli Deng

  3. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Yali Yuan

  4. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400716, China

    Jinzhong Zhang

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  1. Juan Dai
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Correspondence to Jinzhong Zhang.

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Dai, J., Deng, D., Yuan, Y. et al. Amperometric nitrite sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and poly(toluidine blue). Microchim Acta 183, 1553–1561 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-016-1773-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-016-1773-z

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