In situ metalorganic deposition of silver nanoparticles on gold substrate and squarewave voltammetry: A highly efficient combination for nanomolar detection of nitrate ions in sea water

Abstract

The electro-reduction of nitrate ions in artificial sea water was investigated at a gold substrate (EAu) functionalized by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These AgNPs were generated in situ on the gold substrate by the direct decomposition of the metalorganic N,N'-diisopropylacetamidinate silver precursor [Ag(Amd)] in the liquid phase. Very small and well dispersed AgNPs were deposited on the gold electrode and then used as working electrode (EAu/AgNPs). Square wave voltammetry (SWV) was successfully employed to detect nitrate ions (NO3-) with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.9 nmol·L-1 in artificial sea water (pH = 6.0) without pre-concentration or pH adjustment.