A highly efficient electrochemical sensor containing polyaniline/cerium oxide nanocomposites for hydrogen peroxide detection

Abstract

An efficient electrochemical sensor containing polyaniline/cerium oxide (PANI/CeO2) nanocomposites for the detection of hydrogen peroxide has been fabricated using the traditional in situ oxidative polymerization process. PANI/CeO2 nanocomposite-based modified glassy carbon electrodes were utilized as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. Before the fabrication, CeO2 was prepared by a hydrothermal method, and common techniques confirmed its structure. PANI/CeO2 nanocomposites were prepared by adding variable loadings of the pre-prepared CeO2 nanoparticles (weight%) inside the polymer host matrix. All the nanocomposites were characterized to determine their chemical structures and suitability for electrode materials. The electrode detection limit, sensitivity, and effect of pH on the sensor performance were investigated using different electrochemical methods, including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and linear sweep voltammetry. The results indicated that the sensing abilities of the synthesized PANI/CeO2(10) nanocomposite-modified GCE presented good electrocatalytic oxidation properties towards H2O2 with an enhanced low limit of detection and good repeatability. The fabricated electrode sensor was successfully used to detect H2O2 in real samples.