Synthesis and characterisation of Ag-nanoparticles immobilised on ordered mesoporous carbon as an efficient sensing platform: application to electrocatalytic determination of hydrazine

In this study, a new strategy for the preparation of a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) based on a novel nano-sensing layer for the electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine was suggested. The suggested nano-sensing layer was prepared with the immobilisation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on ordered mesoporous carbon. The morphology and properties of the prepared nanocomposite on the surface of GCE were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N-2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray powder diffraction and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical response characteristics of the modified electrode towards the target analyte were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Under optimal experimental conditions, the suggested modified GCE showed excellent catalytic activity towards the electro-oxidation of hydrazine (pH=7.5) with a significant increase in anodic peak currents in comparison with the unmodified GCE. By differential pulse voltammetry and amperometric methods, the suggested sensor demonstrated wide dynamic concentration ranges of 0.08-33.8 mu M and 0.01-128 mu M with the detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.027 and 0.003 mu M for hydrazine, respectively. The suggested hydrazine sensor was successfully applied for the highly sensitive determination of hydrazine in different real samples with satisfactory results.