Hierarchically Au-functionalized Derived Ultrathin NiO Nanosheets for Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Hydrazine Detection

Abstract A highly sensitive hierarchical electrochemical sensing nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal and chemical deposition methods using Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)-functionalized Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) derived oxide nickel nanosheets (NiO NSs) on nickel foam (AuNPs@NiO NSs/NF). The morphological characterization of AuNPs@NiO NSs/NF nanomaterials was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The electrochemical behaviors of AuNPs@NiO NSs/NF sensors were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and amperometric response (i-t). The measured results of AuNPs@NiO NSs/NF sensor shows good electrochemical properties, including high sensitivity of 17.80 μA·μM-1·cm-2, wide linear range from 0.2 to 300 μM, a low detection limit (LOD) (S/N=3) of 0.04 μM, limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.13 μM and as well as great selectivity and long-time stability. Moreover, the electrochemical sensor has also been demonstrated excellent hydrazine properties in the real environmental samples. The excellent electrochemical performance of AuNPs@NiO NSs/NF sensor can be attributed to the hierarchical nanostructure of nickel-metal frameworks and synergistic catalysis effect of Au nanoparticles, which is promising as highly sensitive material for electrochemical sensor applications.