Development of a novel electrochemical nitrite sensor based on Zn‐Schiff base complexes

A novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of nitrites based on the modified screen‐printed electrode (SPCE) by Zn‐bidentate Schiff base complexes (ZnLX 2 ) is presented. ZnLX 2 complexes have been synthesized and characterized using several morphological and microstructural techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), and fourier transformed‐infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry (CVs) proved the good electrochemical performances of the ZnLX 2 /SPCE for nitrite ions determination. The influence of pH, scan rate, nitrite concentration, and interfering ions was investigated. After optimization of the operating parameters, the developed ZnLX 2 /SPCE sensor displayed two linear relationships between response current and nitrite concentration in the overall range 2–4838 μM and a lower detection limit estimated to be 0.78 μM based on 3σ/m. Finally, the analytical application of the developed sensor was evaluated to quantify nitrite in a real sample of mineral water. Results obtained demonstrate that the ZnLX 2 /SPCE electrochemical sensor provided an effective tool for the detection of nitrite ions.