Zinc Nanocomposite Supported Chitosan for Nitrite Sensing and Hydrogen Evolution Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Chitosan are biocompatible materials with diverse applications.
• Developing novel composite materials enhances the properties of individual components for specific applications.
• Electrochemical sensing and catalysis are crucial for environmental monitoring and sustainable energy solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize Zinc Oxide-Chitosan (Zn-Chit) composite nanoparticles.
• To investigate the potential of the Zn-Chit composite for electrochemical nitrite sensing.
• To evaluate the Zn-Chit composite as a catalyst for hydrogen production.

Main Methods:

• Precipitation method for composite synthesis.
• Characterization using SEM, TEM, XRD, IR, and thermal analysis.
• Electrochemical techniques for sensing and catalysis evaluation.

Main Results:

• The Zn-Chit composite exhibited a linear detection range of 1-150 µM for nitrite with a low LOD of 0.402 µM and a rapid response time of ~3 s.
• The composite demonstrated efficient catalytic activity for hydrogen production in an acidic medium, achieving a current density of 50 mA cm⁻² at -0.2 V (vs. RHE).
• The electrode showed good stability and anti-interference capabilities in real samples and long-term operation.

Conclusions:

• The developed Zn-Chit composite is a highly effective material for sensitive and selective nitrite detection.
• The composite serves as an efficient and stable catalyst for hydrogen production, contributing to enhanced energy security.
• This study highlights the synergistic benefits of combining ZnO and Chitosan for advanced electrochemical applications.