Low potential detection of nicotine at multiwalled carbon nanotube–alumina-coated silica nanocomposite

Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxidation of nicotine at multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–alumina-coated silica (ACS) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode are described. The sensing performance of the MWCNT–ACS nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode for the electrooxidation of nicotine was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 8). The MWCNT–ACS nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited the abilities to decrease the electrooxidation potential, to prevent the electrode surface fouling, and to raise the current responses. The MWCNT–ACS nanocomposite responded rapidly to nicotine with a sensitivity of 1.786 A M −1 cm −2 and a detection limit of 1.42 μM (according to 3σ criterion). A signal almost 180 times more sensitive was obtained at MWCNT–ACS nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrodes as compared to bare glassy carbon electrode. The nicotine oxidation potential obtained in this study is much lower than that at boron-doped diamond electrodes.