Development of PANI-CNT electrochemical sensor with NiO catalysis application in methanol detection

Abstract

Methanol (MeOH) is one of the most widely used organic solvents in industrial and household products as well as one of the most potential candidates for an alternative automobile fuel. MeOH is less expensive and is a common solvent, thus it is easy to be abused or intentionally added to beverages to strengthen the effects of alcohol for more profit. Nowadays, the development of devices that can quickly analyse the methanol content in alcoholic beverages and gasoline fuels is a matter of concern in many developing countries. In this study, fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode was modified with polyaniline-carbon nanotubes (PANI-CNT) and NiO was immobilised on the surface by electrochemical method. This electrode was applied as an electrochemical sensor for rapid detection of methanol in water. The fabricated NiO/PANI-CNT/FTO sensor electrode has a porous structure and exhibits good catalytic activity for the methanol direct oxidation reaction with two wide linear regions of 0÷300 mM, selectivity and high sensitivity to methanol. This result promises the high applicability of the fabricated sensor electrode for the detection of MeOH in water with high sensitivity and selectivity.