Au nanoparticles supported on functionalized two-dimensional titanium carbide for the sensitive detection of nitrite

Abstract

A novel electrochemical sensing platform based on a Au NPs/Ti₃C₂T_X composite was constructed. The platform was prepared by combining functionalized two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti₃C₂T_X) with Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) reduced in situ for the sensitive and selective detection of nitrite ions. The Au NPs are uniformly dispersed on the Ti₃C₂T_X sheet, and due to the synergy between Ti₃C₂T_X and Au NPs, the prepared composite has a high electrocatalytic activity and a large specific surface area. Additionally, the prepared Au NPs/Ti₃C₂T_X composite electrochemical sensor has an ultralow detection limit of 0.14 μM in a wide linear concentration range of nitrite ions (1.0 μM to 4581.1 μM) and therefore has a high sensitivity for detecting nitrite. The constructed sensor also shows favorable anti-interference ability and good applicability. All of these results indicate that the prepared electrochemical sensor has broad application potential in the field of nitrite detection.