Electrochemical properties of silver nanoparticles decorated aminosilicate functionalized TiO2 nanocomposite in hydrazine sensing

Abstract

An electrochemical hydrazine sensor was constructed using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) customized with a silver-decorated aminosilicate functionalized TiO₂ nanocomposite ((Ag/f-TiO₂)_NCM). Nanoporous TiO₂ spheres were prepared and functionalized with aminosilicate (APS), serving as the catalyst support. Silver nanoparticles (Ag_NPs) were then deposited onto the functionalized TiO₂ (f-TiO₂) using a chemical reduction method. The modified sensing electrode ((Ag/f-TiO₂)_NCM) demonstrated superior hydrazine detection capabilities, with a lower limit of detection (LoD) of 0.26 μM and a sensitivity of 1.297 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻². Additionally, the selectivity of (Ag/f-TiO₂)_NCM for hydrazine was investigated, showing high selectivity over several potential interferents, including Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺, Ca²⁺, and NO₃⁻. The strong metal-support interaction between Ag and TiO₂ was thought to modify the electronic properties, thereby enhancing the catalytic activity through efficient charge transfer and improving the stability of the catalysts. This sensing strategy paves the way for the sensitive detection of hydrazine in spiked water samples.