Worm-like gold nanowires assembled carbon nanofibers-CVD graphene hybrid as sensitive and selective sensor for nitrite detection

Abstract

The development of a rapid, selective, and sensitive sensor to precisely monitor nitrite oxidation is of growing importance, given the strong interest in the protection of drinking water quality, treatment of wastewater, food production, and control of remediation processes. In this research, we successfully fabricated a hybrid originated from worm-like gold nanowires (Au WNWs) assembled on a high-quality carbon nanofibers-graphene (CNFs–Gr) hybrid network through a facile synthesis method. The hybrid as a binder-free sensor exhibited excellent activity towards nitrite detection in phosphate buffer solution (pH of 7.4) with a wide linear detection range of (1.98 µM – 3.77 mM), excellent sensitivity of 836 μA cm−2 mM−1, low detection limit of 1.24 µM, and long-term durability. The results were attributed to a special synergistic effect originating from unique hybridization of Au WNWs with large-area CNFs–Gr network to produce more electroactive sites and excellent conductivity, favorably boosting catalytic performance of the sensor. The successful fabrication of Au WNWs/CNFs–Gr suggested an interesting candidate for practically determining low-level nitrite in analytical applications.