Efficient nickel or copper oxides decorated graphene-polyaniline interface for application in selective methanol...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Polyaniline (PANI)-graphene composites are promising for electrochemical sensing.
• Developing selective methanol sensors is crucial for detecting beverage adulteration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, cost-effective methanol sensors using PANI-graphene decorated with nickel (NiO) or copper (CuO) oxides.
• To evaluate the sensitivity, selectivity, and electrocatalytic activity of these novel sensor materials.

Main Methods:

• Electrochemical preparation of PANI-graphene/NiO and PANI-graphene/CuO nanocomposites.
• Fabrication of electrochemical sensors using the prepared materials.
• Methanol sensing performance evaluation, including sensitivity, dynamic linear range, and selectivity tests.

Main Results:

• The fabricated sensors demonstrated good electrocatalytic activity towards methanol.
• Achieved a wide dynamic linear range (20–1300 mM) and high sensitivity (0.2–1.5 μA mM^-1 cm^-2).
• Exhibited excellent selectivity for methanol, with no significant interference from ethanol and other alcohols.

Conclusions:

• PANI-graphene/NiO and PANI-graphene/CuO are effective materials for sensitive and selective methanol detection.
• Using inexpensive transition metals (Ni, Cu) offers a novel and practical alternative to precious metals for sensor fabrication.
• These sensors show potential for identifying methanol adulteration in counterfeit alcoholic beverages.