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Synthesis of NiO–CeO2 nanocomposite for electrochemical sensing of perilous 4-nitrophenol

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Abstract

Well-crystalline NiO–CeO2 nanocomposites have been fabricated by ignition method and investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Thermal gravimetric analysis, BET surface area, and transmission electron microscopy. The detailed characterizations disclosed that the pre-calcine (700 °C) nanocomposite (NCC) has two pure phases: cubic fluorite phase (CeO2) and cubic face-centered phase (NiO). Finally, the pre-calcine NCC nanocomposite was applied as electron intermediators for the electrochemical sensing of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Compared with as-grown modified electrode (NCG/GCE), pre-calcine electrode (NCC/GCE) exhibited more excellent conductivity and better electrocatalytic mediator for 4-NP. It was found that the NCC/GCE sensor displayed diffusion-controlled kinetics and excellent sensitivity (3.68 AμM−1 cm−2). The reduction current is directly proportional to the 4-NP concentration, ranging from 1 to 20 μM with lower detection limit of 2.48 μM.

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Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding this work through research group no. RG-218.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Naushad Ahmad, Manawwer Alam, Mohd Ubaidullah & Nawaf M. Alotaibi

  2. Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Rizwan Wahab & Javed Ahmad

  3. King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Anees A. Ansari

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  1. Naushad Ahmad
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Ahmad, N., Alam, M., Wahab, R. et al. Synthesis of NiO–CeO2 nanocomposite for electrochemical sensing of perilous 4-nitrophenol. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 30, 17643–17653 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-019-02113-2

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