Electrochemical detection of nitrite ions using Ag/Cu/MWNT nanoclusters electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode

A glassy carbon electrode modified with Ag/Cu nanoclusters and multiwalled carbon nanotubes was fabricated using the electrodeposition method to detect nitrite in solution. This modified electrode showed electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of nitrite. A cyclic voltammetry investigation of the electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode in nitrite solution revealed an intense oxidation peak for nitrite at 0.85 V. Upon increase of the nitrite concentration from 1.0 μmol L−1 to 1.0 mmol L−1, the current response increased linearly, with a detection limit of 2 × 10−7 mol L−1. The electrode exhibited good stability, as well as satisfactory performance in the detection of nitrite in lake water, drinking water and seawater.