Fe-based Composites-enabled electrochemical sensors for nitrite detection: A review

Nitrite is one of the most commonly used food additives, but the excessive addition of nitrite has caused many food safety accidents. Among the various methods of nitrite detection, electrochemical sensors have been widely concerned because of its characteristics of high sensitivity, fast response, good selectivity, low detection limit, easy miniaturization and automation. Fe-based materials have exhibited great potential in developing high-performance electrochemical sensors. However, the conductivity of Fe-based materials still needs to be improved. The common strategies are chemically modifying or combing them with highly conductive materials, such as other metal nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials and conductive polymers. In this review, the research progress of various kinds of Fe-based composites for high performance of electrochemical nitrite sensors were summarized in detail. The synthesis strategies, advantages and performance of the Fe-based composites for application in electrochemical nitrite sensors are discussed. The challenges and strategies to improve the electrochemical performance of Fe-based composites for electrochemical nitrite sensors are proposed.