Synthesis and synergistic effect of positively charged jute carbon supported AuNPs coated polymer nanocomposite for selective determination of nitrite

A nanocomposite with highly dispersed AuNPs coated poly[2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (PMTC) supported upon jute carbon (AuNPs-PMTC-JC) was prepared in aqueous medium for the selective determination of nitrite (NO₂⁻) ions. Quaternary ammonium groups of PMTC in the nanocomposite results in a positive zeta potential, elevating the electrocatalytic properties of the modified electrode for negatively charged NO₂⁻ ions oxidation. The AuNPs-PMTC-JC composite was characterized using UV–vis, FESEM, TEM, SAED, XRD, EDS, CV and EIS. The LOD (S/N = 3) value for NO₂⁻ determination is 0.16 µM in the linear range of 0.4–706.5 µM based on the i-t current response, while it is 1.28 µM based on CV responses in the wide range of 10–1000 µM. The modified electrode is highly selective for NO₂⁻ ions and shows highly stable, and reproducible results. CV was used to analyze tap water spiked with NO₂⁻ and a recovery close to 100 % was observed.