Evaluating the electrochemical detection of nitrite using a platinum nanoparticle coated jute carbon modified glassy carbon electrode and voltametric analysis

Abnormally high NO2- levels from the excessive use and in appropriate disposal of high nitrogen content chemicals can disrupt the natural ecosystem, leading to cancer and other fatal diseases in animals and humans. Hence, it is imperative to develop a reliable NO(2)(-)sensor for monitoring nitrite levels in aqueous systems. In this work, a non-enzymatic electrochemical nitrite (NO2-) sensor has been developed by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with Pt nanoparticle (PtNP) coated carboxylated activated jute carbon (PtNP_CAJC/GCE). The carboxylated activated jute carbon material was achieved using a thermochemical synthesis pathway, while the PtNP coating was prepared via an ultrasonication pathway. The important feature of this work was to understand the electron transfer mechanism of NO2- using electrocatalysis. The electrochemical probe, PtNP_CAJC/GCE, was tested for the amperometric detection of NO2- in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.0 under ambient conditions. NO2- sensing on the surface of the electrocatalyst was found to follow a two-electron transfer process and the second electron transfer was the rate-determining step. A computational CV simulation was carried out based on the evaluated kinetic parameters. In addition to the superior stability observed on repeated use and storage, the probe demonstrated excellent efficacy in detecting the NO2- over a wide linear range (4.99 mu M- 4.23 mM) with high selectivity in the presence of common interfering additives. The PtNP_CAJC/GCE probe was successfully tested for the detection of NO2- in real samples, viz., tap water employing an amperometric method.