Evaluation of nicotine sensor based on copper nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes

An electrochemical sensor was prepared to detect nicotine by depositing copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The novel-modified sensor exhibited effective electrocatalytic activities toward anodic oxidation of nicotine. Calibration plot showed two linear regions with different sensitivity, 1.121 (r(2) = 0.982) in the range from 1 x 10(-6) to 9 x 10(-5) M and 0.164 (r(2) = 0.982) from 1 x 10(-4) M up to 1 x 10(-3) M. The detection limit was 1 mu M. For six parallel detections of 1 mM nicotine, the relative standard deviation was 5.68 %, suggesting that the film-modified electrode had good reproducibility. Experimental parameters affecting the sensor response such as pH, modifier concentration and electro-deposition scan rate were found to be optimum at 7.0, 2 mg mL(-1) and 80 mV s(-1), respectively.