Efficient detection of selective nitrite using Y₂O₃/BaO-graphene oxide nanocomposites by differential pulse voltammetry for environmental application

This work reports a sensitive electrochemical sensor to determine nitrite (NO₂⁻) detection, modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with newly synthesized Y₂O₃/BaO-GO nanocomposite (NCs). The NCs were prepared using a solid-state process and deposited on the GCE using a 5 % Nafion binder to enhance the conductivity and stability. Its structural, morphological, and elemental characterization was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) was employed to analyze the performance of the sensor in a phosphate buffer solution at a pH of 5.7, and a linear range of nitrite concentrations was 5–3000 μM with a sensitivity of 0.06322 μAμM⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The limits of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 3.4 μM and 11.3 μM, respectively. Stability and repeatability tests presented the reliability of the sensor. The high sensitivity, low detection limits, and good stability of the Y₂O₃/BaO-GO NCs/Nafion/GCE-based sensor make it a promising tool for environmental monitoring.