A study on silver nanoleaf-decorated PANI electrodes for improved electrochemical performance

In this work, electrochemically synthesized polyaniline (PANI) electrode surface was modified by decorating silver nanoleaf (AgNL). AgNLs acted as a promising candidate for electrochemical sensing by providing high oxidation potential. All prepared PANI/AgNL electrodes were subjected to physicochemical characterization techniques such as the surface morphological study by field emission scanning electron microscopy; the structural and elemental detection of PANI and Ag was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Electrocatalytic activity and sensing parameters of optimized PANI/AgNL electrode were explored using chronoamperometric response, cyclic voltammetry performance and corresponding calibration plots regarding the sensing mechanism. The surface-modified PANI/AgNL type III electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic properties and efficient electrode kinetics which is high regarding the electrochemical application in the present study. The improved sensitivity noticed for type III electrode is 4.3124 mA mM−1 cm−2 and limit of detection 0.06 μM. And it also displayed notable stability and reproducibility good current sensitivity.