Dimethylglyoximate Derived Nickel Oxide Nanowires for Trace Level Amperometric Detection of Hydroquinone

Abstract

Here we illustrate the use of dimethylglyoximate (DMG) as shape directing agent for the synthesis of nickel oxide nanowires (NiONWs) via hydrothermal process followed by calcination at elevated temperature. As-prepared NiONWs were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques and Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The surface area of 27 m² g^–1 and pore diameter of 22 nm was true for the product. The prepared NiONWs were drop casted over the active surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to apply it for the electrochemical sensing of hydroquinone based on cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry techniques. The phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 5.8 was used for the measurement of hydroquinone during electrochemical investigation. The developed sensor displayed a wide linear range of 0.5 to 11 µM for hydroquinone detection with sensitivity of 200 µA mM^–1 cm^–2 and limit of detection (LOD) equal to 0.01 µM. The sensor was further examined and found to be highly stable and extremely selective for the oxidation of hydroquinone. The sensor was successfully applied for amperometric detection of hydroquinone from water samples.