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Iron nanoparticles decorated graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensitive determination of nitrite

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Abstract

In the present work, we described the preparation of iron nanoparticles decorated graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite (GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and its application for the sensitive determination of nitrite. First, GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple solution-based approach via chemical reduction and then it was characterized. Afterwards, GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs/GCE was prepared and employed for the electrocatalysis of nitrite. Electrocatalytic oxidation of nitrite at the GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs/GCE has been significantly improved in terms of both reduction in overpotential and increase in peak current. Therefore, the modified electrode was employed for amperometric determination of nitrite which exhibited excellent analytical parameters with wide linear range of 1 × 10−7 M to 1.68 × 10−3 M and very low detection limit of 75.6 (±1.3) nM. The proposed sensor selectively detects nitrite even in the presence of high concentration of common ions and biological interferrants. Good recoveries achieved for the determination of nitrite in various water samples reveal the promising practicality of the sensor. In addition, the sensor displays an acceptable repeatability and reproducibility along with appreciable storage and excellent operational stabilities.

Schematic representation for the preparation of GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs nanocomposite and its electrocatalysis towards nitrite

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the National Science Council and the Ministry of Education of Taiwan (Republic of China).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electroanalysis and Bioelectrochemistry Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, No. 1, Section 3, Chung-Hsiao East Road, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, People’s Republic of China

    Veerappan Mani, Tzu-Ying Wu & Shen-Ming Chen

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  1. Veerappan Mani
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  2. Tzu-Ying Wu
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  3. Shen-Ming Chen
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Correspondence to Shen-Ming Chen.

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Mani, V., Wu, TY. & Chen, SM. Iron nanoparticles decorated graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensitive determination of nitrite. J Solid State Electrochem 18, 1015–1023 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2349-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2349-z

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