A nanocomposite
material consisting of a copper ion-based metal–organic
gel (MOG-Cu) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was prepared
and served to construct a sensor for electrochemical detection of
nitrite. The micromorphology of the MOG-Cu-MWCNT nanocomposite was
characterized. The effects of MWCNT doping on the formation of a Cu-based
MOG and its electrochemical property for nitrite electro-oxidation
were evaluated. It shows that the optimal amount of MWCNTs does not
influence the formation and nanofiber structure of the Cu-based MOG
but can increase the electrochemical surface area and facilitate the
interfacial charge transport. Hence, the oxidation current of nitrite
at the MOG-Cu-MWCNT-coated glass carbon electrode (GCE) is considerably
enhanced in contrast to the MOG-Cu/GCE. The analytical performances
of the MOG-Cu-MWCNTs/GCE for electrochemical detection of nitrite
were investigated. Operated in optimum conditions, the oxidation peak
current at a potential of about 0.77 V versus a saturated calomel
electrode shows direct proportion correlation with concentration of
nitrite. The linear range is 0.3–100 μM. The sensor demonstrates
fair anti-interference capacity, high sensitivity, a low detection
limit (0.086 μM), satisfactory reproducibility, and storage
stability, being a valuable tool for the electrochemical monitoring
of nitrite in food samples.