Electrocatalytical Nitrite Oxidation via Manganese and Copper Oxides on Carbon Screen-Printed Electrode

Nitrite (NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>) has long been recognized as a contaminant of concern due to its detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. As a result, there is a continuing need to develop sensitive, real-time, low-cost, and portable systems for the a...

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Main Authors: Roberta Farina, Silvia Scalese, Alessandra Alberti, Stefania Maria Serena Privitera, Giuseppe Emanuele Capuano, Domenico Corso, Giuseppe Andrea Screpis, Serena Concetta Rita Reina, Guglielmo Guido Condorelli, Maria Anna Coniglio, Sebania Libertino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3764
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Summary:Nitrite (NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>) has long been recognized as a contaminant of concern due to its detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. As a result, there is a continuing need to develop sensitive, real-time, low-cost, and portable systems for the accurate detection of trace levels of NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> in drinking water. We present a novel, low-cost, and easy-to-fabricate amperometric sensor designed for detecting low concentrations of NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> in drinking water. The fabrication technique involves the electrodeposition of manganese and copper oxides onto a carbon working electrode. CuO and MnO<sub>2</sub> act synergistically as efficient catalysts for the electrooxidation of nitrite to nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) thanks to their complementary redox properties. The resulting sensor exhibits high catalytic activity toward the electrooxidation of NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>, with a sensitivity of 10.83 μA/µM, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.071 µM, and a good linear dynamic concentration range (0.2–60 µM). The sensor’s performance was evaluated against potential interfering analytes (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>, Cl<sup>−</sup>, NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>, and NH<sub>2</sub>Cl), all of which showed negligible interference. Reproducibility (maximum standard deviation 2.91%) and repeatability (usable up to three times) were also evaluated.
ISSN:1424-8220