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A practical non-enzymatic urea sensor based on NiCo2O4 nanoneedles.
Sidra Amin1,2,3, Aneela Tahira1, Amber Solangi2
1Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering & Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology 97187 Luleå Sweden Alberto.vomiero@ltu.se zafar.ibupoto@ltu.se.
RSC Advances
|May 6, 2022
Summary
A novel electrochemical sensor using nickel cobalt oxide nanoneedles on a glassy carbon electrode offers highly sensitive, non-enzymatic urea detection. This cost-effective sensor achieves the lowest detection limit yet for urea analysis in urine samples.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Urea detection is crucial for diagnosing various medical conditions.
- Existing non-enzymatic urea sensors often suffer from low sensitivity and high detection limits.
- Development of facile and cost-effective electrochemical sensing platforms is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel electrochemical sensing platform for sensitive urea determination.
- To utilize nickel cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4) nanoneedles for non-enzymatic urea sensing.
- To achieve a low detection limit and high selectivity for urea detection.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of NiCo2O4 nanoneedles via a low-temperature aqueous chemical method.
- Characterization of NiCo2O4 nanoneedles using TEM, SEM, XPS, and XRD.
- Fabrication of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with NiCo2O4 nanoneedles.
- Electrochemical determination of urea using cyclic voltammetry.
Main Results:
- NiCo2O4 nanoneedles exhibited a cubic crystalline phase and self-assembled nanoparticle morphology.
- The modified GCE showed enhanced electrochemical properties compared to bare electrodes.
- A highly sensitive linear response for urea was observed (R2 = 0.99) in the 0.01-5 mM range.
- The sensor achieved a record low detection limit of 1.0 μM for non-enzymatic urea detection.
- The sensor demonstrated high selectivity in the presence of common interferents.
Conclusions:
- The NiCo2O4 nanoneedle-modified GCE provides a highly sensitive and selective platform for non-enzymatic urea sensing.
- The facile fabrication method and excellent performance make this sensor a promising analytical tool for urea estimation in biological samples like urine.
- This work represents a significant advancement in electrochemical urea sensing technology.
