A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for nitrite detection based on Fe2O3 nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide nanosheets

Nitrite is one of the most frequent measurements in environmental analysis due to their detrimental effect on environment. The development of simple and sensitive analytical method for the detection of nitrite is highly important. In this study, we report the fabrication and testing of nitrite sensor based on the use of Fe2O3/rGO composite. The Fe2O3/rGO composites were prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal approach. Field emission scanning electron microscope studies and powder X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the Fe(2)O(3)nanoparticles were successfully grafted on the rGO nanosheets. Further, the prepared Fe2O3/rGO composites have been examined for the electrochemical detection of nitrite using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. The electrochemical studies demonstrated that Fe2O3/rGO composite detects nitrite linearly over a concentration range of 5.0 x 10(-8) to 7.8 x 10(-4) M with a detection limit of 1.5 x 10-(8) M. The obtained detection limit for Fe2O3/rGO composite is very much comparable to the recent literature values. Furthermore, the Fe2O3/rGO composite modified electrode showed an excellent anti-interference ability against electroactive species and metal ions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.