Zirconium Phosphate-Incorporated Polyaniline–Graphene Oxide Composite Modified Electrodes for Effective and Selective Detection of Nitrite

Nitrite contamination in food, water, and environmental samples poses a substantial health hazard, owing to its capacity for transformation into carcinogenic compounds. Given the profound ecological and physiological implications, precise and highly sensitive surveillance of nitrite has emerged as an imperative area of concern, addressing the substantial detrimental impact that it can have on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The novel electroactive polyaniline-graphene oxide composite, incorporating hexagonal zirconium phosphate discs (PGZrP), was systematically engineered as a foundation for an advanced electrochemical sensor, enabling precise nitrite detection in diverse aqueous and biological matrices. At a specific potential peak of +0.85 V, observed within a pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution, the PGZrP-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited exceptional electrocatalytic proficiency in the sensing nitrite ions (NO2-), surpassing the performance of alternative electrode configurations, including the zirconium phosphate-modified GCE (ZrP/GCE), graphene oxide-modified GCE (GO/GCE), polyaniline-graphene oxide-modified GCE (PG/GCE), and the unmodified bare glassy carbon electrode. The constructed sensor demonstrated an impressive limit of detection at 80 nM along with a broad and linear detection range spanning from 124 nM to 40 mM. The synergistic effect created by the close contact between ZrP and PG, which resulted in a well-enhanced electrochemical sensing capability, was responsible for this exceptional activity. The developed sensor exhibited an enhanced electrochemical performance characterized by an extended operational range, a heightened detection threshold, and exceptional sensitivity. The PGZrP/GCE sensor, as fabricated, consistently demonstrated commendable operational stability, robust reproducibility, and remarkable repeatability in its capacity for nitrite detection. Furthermore, its successful application in the precise quantification of nitrite levels within environmental water samples and blood specimens showcased an impressive recovery rate, establishing it as a promising tool for diverse analytical applications. These findings indicate the promising potential of the PGZrP composite for integration into electrochemical devices designed to deliver rapid response times, heightened sensitivity, and sustained stability, thereby placing it as a potential candidate for the production of cutting-edge sensors, particularly those employed for the precise recognition of nitrite in aquatic and biological specimens.