Interfacial microdomain engineering using Zn-halloysite nanotubes for advanced electrochemical sensing of nitrite in
Arunkumar Selvam1, Esakkimuthu Shanmugasundaram2, Sathish Marimuthu3
1International Graduate Program in Energy and Optoelectronic Materials (EOMP), National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, 10608, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, 10608, Taiwan.
Abstract:
In this work, a zinc nanoparticle-halloysite nanotube composite (Zn NP@HNT) was employed to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for nitrite sensing. The nanocomposite was prepared through a simple synthesis route and systematically analysed by XRD, SEM, and electrochemical measurements, confirming its well-defined morphology, large active surface, and superior conductivity. The Zn NP@HNT/GCE displayed remarkable electrocatalytic activity for sodium nitrite (NaNO2) detection, which can be ascribed to the cooperative effect of Zn NPs and the HNT framework that enhanced charge transfer and analyte interaction. The fabricated electrode delivered a broad linear response range with a low detection limit of 0.1888 μM, together with excellent stability, reproducibility, and resistance to interference. These attributes highlight Zn NP@HNT/GCE as a cost-efficient, robust, and reliable sensing platform with strong potential for applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and biomedical analysis.
