Electrochemical determination of picric acid based on platinum nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite

ABSTRACTPlatinum nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite-modified glassy carbon electrode (PtNPs–rGO/GCE) was developed as a simple, selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor for determination of picric acid (PA). Cyclic voltammogram (CV) of PA showed three well-defined irreversible reduction peaks at the potentials of −0.43, −0.57 and −0.66 V versus Ag/AgCl. In this work, the interference effect of other nitrophenol compounds (NPhCs) was significantly reduced by appropriate adjusting of pH. Square wave voltammetry was used for quantification of PA in the range of 5–500 µM (1.15–115 mg L−1) with practical detection limit of 1 µM (0.23 mg L−1). The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of PA in two natural water samples.