Polymer/carbon nanotubes coated graphite surfaces for highly sensitive nitrite detection

Abstract

This study describes the preparation of poly(vinylferrocenium)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PVF(+)/MWCNTs) coated electrode and its use for sensitive electrochemical nitrite detection. PVF(+)/MWCNTs composite coated disposable pencil graphite electrode (PVF(+)/MWCNTs/PGE) was prepared by electropolymerization of poly(vinylferrocene) (PVF) in the presence of MWCNTs with one-step electropolymerization. Characterization of PVF(+)/MWCNTs/PGE was carried out with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Then electrochemical detection of nitrite was performed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Nanocomposite coated electrode showed high sensitivity to nitrite with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. The electrode platform was successfully applied to a commercial mineral water sample.

Keywords: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes; Nitrite; Poly(vinylferrocenium); Redox polymer.