PdCo alloy nanoparticle-embedded carbon nanofiber for ultrasensitive nonenzymatic detection of hydrogen peroxide and nitrite

PdCo alloy nanoparticle-embedded carbon nanofiber (PdCo/CNF) prepared by electrospinning and thermal treatment was employed as a high-performance platform for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and nitrite. The as-obtained PdCo/CHF were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were employed to investigate the electrochemical behaviors of the resultant biosensor. The proposed PdCo/CNF-based biosensor showed excellent analytical performances toward hydrogen peroxide (detection limit: 0.1 mu M; linear range: 0.2 mu M-23.5 mu M) and nitrite (detection limit: 0.2 mu M; linear range: 0.4-30 mu M and 30-400 mu M). The superior analytical properties could be attributed to the synergic effect and firmly embedment of well-dispersed PdCo alloy nanoparticles. These attractive electrochemical properties make this robust electrode material promising for the development of effective electrochemical sensors. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.