Acrylate polymeric nanocomposites embedded with transition metal triazole complexes: synthesis, characterization, and prospective implement as hydrogen peroxide sensors

Abstract

Novel active polymeric nanocomposites based on triazole complexes with some transition metals, Ni (II), Fe (III), and Cu(II), were synthesized through in situ microemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate and hydroxypropyl methacrylate as biocompatible polymeric nanospheres. TEM images demonstrated that the nanocomposites have been successfully formed into nanosphere shapes. While TEM and FTIR reaffirmed the formed structure, TGA supported the thermal stability of the produced nanocomposite. Herein, characterization and a sensitive electrochemical sensor were constructed for the evaluation of peroxide oxidation detection using the prepared polymeric nanocomposites with the triazole complexes. The differently prepared nanocomposite-modified screen-printed electrode showed high sensitivity toward hydrogen peroxide detection with a linear range of 1–1000 µM and a lower detection limit of 0.015 µM, which can be applied in the enzymatic biosensor field. Finally, polymeric nanocomposites based on triazole complexes have good electrochemical properties, which can be attributed to this compound possessing two electrochemical active components and/or the nanosphere structure of the particles that can further improve the electrochemistry through the possible oxidation states and the synergistic effect.