Fabrication of the Ni-based composite wires for electrochemical detection of copper(II) ions

Copper ions (Cu2+) pollution in the water environment poses a great threat to the health function of life-sustaining metabolic activities. However, the current detection methods need relatively expensive instruments, complex operation procedures and long time, so a facile and direct detection method is desired to be developed. In this work, the Ni-based composite wires with p-n junction (the Ni/NiO/ZnO/ Chitosan wire) and Schottky junction (the Ni/NiO/Au/Chitosan wire) were fabricated, and the barrier driven electrochemical sensing mechanism was studied. The direct and facile detection of Cu2+ was achieved with a wide linear range (0-6000 nM) and a low LOD (0.81 nM). The excellent stability and recovery in real water samples made the Ni-based composite wires a promising candidate for the practical application. The interfacial barriers of semiconductor can be used as a special sensing factor to develop novel sensors. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Ni-based composite wires with barrier-driven electrochemical sensing mechanisms were successfully prepared for the direct and facile detection of Cu2+, showing a wide linear range and low LOD. The excellent stability and recovery in real water samples make these composite wires promising candidates for practical application in environmental monitoring. The interfacial barriers of semiconductor can be utilized as a special sensing factor to develop novel sensors.