Hybridization of Co3S4 and Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for High-performance Nonenzymatic Sensing of H2O2

MnCo2O4 Spinel Nanorods for Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite

The rational design of nitrite sensors has attracted significant research interest due to their widespread use and the associated risks of methemoglobinemia and carcinogenicity. The undisclosed nitrite-sensing performance of the spinel cobaltite MnCo2O4 (MCO) prepared by an oxalate-assisted coprecipitation method is reported in this study. Spectroscopy and microscopy investigations revealed the formation of uniform MCO nanorods with a high aspect ratio. The electrocatalytic nitrite oxidation at the MCO-coated glassy carbon electrode (MCO/GCE) indicated the promising performance of the synthesized material for nitrite sensing. MCO/GCE detects nitrite in a concentration range of 5 μM to 3 mM and has a limit of detection of 0.95 μM with a higher sensitivity of 857 μA mM-1 cm-2 in a response time of 4 s. In MCO, the mixed-valence states of Co2+/Co3+ confer a high electrical conductivity, and higher valent redox couples of Mn and Co impart remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward nitrite oxidation. MCO spinel undergoes facile and ultrafast faradaic reactions to mediate nitrite oxidation. Additionally, the mesopores of MCO nanorods facilitate the rapid diffusion of electrolyte and nitrite ions. Employing the electrode in sensing nitrite in milk, lake, and tap water samples further validates its potential application in real-life testing. MCO spinel nanorods showcase promising scope for utilization in the electrochemical sensing of nitrite and inspire further exploration of transition-metal oxide-based mixed-spinel materials.

Eco-friendly spark-generated CoxOy nanoparticle-modified graphite screen-printed sensing surfaces for the determination of H2O2 in energy drinks

The modification of graphite screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) is reported using an eco-friendly and extremely fast method based on the direct cobalt pin electrode-to-SPE spark discharge at ambient conditions. This approach does not utilize any liquids or chemical templates, does not produce any waste, and allows the in-situ generation of CoxOy nanoparticles onto the electrode surface and the development of efficient electrocatalytic sensing surfaces for the determination of H2O2. Co-spark SPEs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), revealing the formation of surface confined CoxOy nanoparticles and the diverse oxidation states of cobalt species. Co-spark SPEs were also characterized with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Redox transitions of the surface confined electrocatalysts are demonstrated by electrochemical polarization studies, showing the formation of different oxides (CoxOy), varying the XPS results. Amperometric measurements at 0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl revealed a linear relationship between the current response and the concentration of H2O2 over the range 1 - 102 μM, achieving a limit of detection (3σ/m) of 0.6 μM. The interference effect of various electroactive species was effectively addressed by employing dual measurements in the absence and presence of the enzyme catalase. The analytical utility of the method was evaluated in antioxidant rich real-world samples, such as energy drinks, demonstrating sufficient recovery.

Novel Heterostructure-Based CoFe and Cobalt Oxysulfide Nanocubes for Effective Bifunctional Electrocatalytic Water and Urea Oxidation

The development of effective oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) on heterostructure electrocatalysts with specific interfaces and characteristics provides a distinctive character. In this study, heterostructure nanocubes (NCs) comprising inner cobalt oxysulfide (CoOS) NCs and outer CoFe (CF) layered double hydroxide (LDH) are developed using a hydrothermal methodology. During the sulfidation process, the divalent sulfur ions (S2- ) are released from the breakdown of the sulfur source and react with the Co-precursors on the surface leading to the transformation of CoOH nanorods into CoOS nanocubes. Further, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analyses reveal that the interactions at the interface of the CF@CoOS NCs significantly altered the electronic structure, thus enhancing the electrocatalytic performance. The optimal catalysts exhibited effective OER and UOR activities, the attained potentials are 1.51 and 1.36 V. This remarkable performance is attributable to the induction of electron transfer from the CoFe LDH to CoOS, which reduces the energy barrier of the intermediates for the OER and UOR. Furthermore, an alkaline water and urea two-cell electrolyzer assembled using CF@CoOS-2 NCs and Pt/C as the anode and cathode requires a cell voltage of 1.63 and 1.56 V along with a durability performance.

Rod-Shaped Spinel Co3O4 and Carbon Nitride Heterostructure-Modified Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Electrode as an Electrochemical Transducer for Efficient Sensing of Hydrazine

Engineering low-cost and efficient materials for sensing hydrazine (HA) is critical given the adverse effects of high concentrations on humans. We report an efficient electrode made up of rod-shaped Co3O4/g-C3N4 (Co3O4/graphitic carbon nitride (GCN))-coated fluorine-doped tin oxide as a desirable electrode for the detection of HA. GCN is synthesized by the thermal decomposition of melamine, Co3O4, and the heterostructure is grown by a hydrothermal process. The as-prepared materials were characterized by using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The voltammetric studies showed that HA can be oxidized at a lower onset potential of 0.24 V vs reference Ag/AgCl, and the composite yielded a significantly enhanced oxidation peak current than the pure components because of the high electrocatalytic activity and the synergy between Co3O4 and GCN. By employing chronoamperometry, the proposed sensor can detect HA in a wide range with a high sensitivity of 819.52 μA mM-1 cm-2 and a detection limit of 3.14 μM. The high conductivity of Co3O4, enhanced electroactive surface area, the rich redox couples of Co2+/Co3+, and the additional catalytic sites from GCN are responsible for the high performance of the heterostructure.