Hierarchical CuO nanochains: Synthesis and their electrocatalytic determination of nitrite

Microspheres with multilevel structure are widely used as removable catalysts, adsorbents, drug carriers and imaging contrast agents due to their hierarchical porosity. In this paper a facile wet chemical method for the synthesis of hierarchically nanostructured CuO chains assembled with small nanorods is reported. The as prepared nanomaterial is characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The autocatalytic response to nitrite ions is also carried out, which exhibits a wide linear range (0.004–3.7 mM), sound sensitivity (177.9 μA mg−1 dL−1 cm−2), highly reproducible response (R.S.D. of 2.0%), and an excellent long-term stability. The good analytical performance, low cost and straightforward preparation method make this novel electrode material promising for the development of effective nitrite sensors.