Formaldehyde measurement based on its electrocatalytic oxidation by Ni-TiO2 nanoparticles/chitosan modified carbon paste electrode as an effective method

In this work, for the first time, a new and effective bulk modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was prepared by TiO2 nanoparticles and chitosan and then Ni2+ ions were incorporated to this electrode by immersion of the modified electrode in nickel chloride solution. The values of electron transfer coefficient, charge-transfer rate constant and electrode surface coverage for Ni(II)/Ni(III) redox couple of the TiO2/chitosan modified carbon paste electrode (Ni-TiO2/CHIT/CPE) were found to be 0.66, 3.28 × 10-1 s-1 and 5.14 × 10-8 mol cm-2, respectively. The prepared Ni-TiO2/CHIT/CPE material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffractometry. The electrochemical behaviour of the Ni-TiO2/CHIT/CPE towards oxidation of formaldehyde was evaluated and proved. The effects of various factors on the efficiency of electrocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde were optimized. Under the optimized condition, a calibration curve was obtained in the linear dynamic range of 2.80 × 10-4 to 2.50 × 10-2 mol L-1 with detection limit of 7.14 × 10-5 mol L-1 (3σ/slope) for formaldehyde determination. Also, the method was successfully applied for formaldehyde measurement in the real sample.