Microwave-assisted synthesis graphite-supported Pd nanoparticles for detection of nitrite

The graphite-supported palladium (Pd/Grp) nanocomposite modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was fabricated and their catalytic properties towards nitrite were studied. Pd/Grp was synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrogen reduction of palladium (II) acetate with graphite power. TEM displayed a high density of slightly aggregated Pd nanoparticles loading on the surface of graphite power with a diameter of 5–15   nm. The electrode exhibits enhanced electro-catalytic behavior to the oxidation of nitrite compared to the activated carbon-supported palladium and SiO 2 -supported palladium modified GC electrode. Under the optimal conditions, the Pd/Grp modified GC electrode can be used to determine nitrite concentration in a wide linear range and a limit of detection of 0.071   μM at a signal-to-noise ratio   =   3 (S/N   =   3). The sensitivity of the electrode was 0.29   μA   μM −1   cm −2 .