The investigation of electrochemical properties for Fe3O4@Pt nanocomposites and an enhancement sensing for nitrite

The electrochemical differences (such as charge transfer resistivity, electroactive surface, standard electron transfer rate constant, adsorption amount and analytical performance of nitrite sensor) between Fe3O4@Pt nanocomposites with two elements and core-shell structure and NPs (Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Pt nanoparticles) with single component and simple structure were investigated in detail. Above those investigations, it is believed that for the Fe3O4@Pt core-shell nanocomposites, Pt shell could provide more electro-catalytic activity while magnetic Fe3O4 core could provide larger surface area and facilitate the purification of nanocomposites. After that, Fe3O4@Pt nanocomposites modified GCE served as a nitrite sensor. Electrochemical parameters of nitrite at Fe3O4@Pt nanocomposites such as electron transfer number, electron transfer coefficient, standard heterogeneous rate constant and electron diffusion coefficient were evaluated. With the proposed electrochemical sensors, nitrite in tap water and orange juice could be detected. This investigation suggested that core-shell nanocomposites were superior for the fabrication of electrochemical sensors. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.