A facile formation of silver dendrites on indium tin oxide surfaces using electrodeposition and amperometric sensing of hydrazine

• Ag dendrites were prepared by constant potential deposition.
• The shape evolution from polygons to dendrites is dictated by the applied potential.
• Ag dendrites exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity toward hydrazine oxidation.
• The limit of detection is 0.5 μM with the linear range of 100–1700 μM.

Silver dendritic structures have been prepared using constant potential deposition on indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes from an aqueous solution of AgNO3 and KNO3 without any surfactants or structure directing agents. The applied potential is shown to be a crucial factor in the formation of dendrites. Depending upon the magnitude of the applied potentials, morphologies vary from polygons to dendrites. The shape evolution of the silver dendrites has been investigated by varying the deposition time and metal precursors. The mechanism of formation of dendrites is interpreted using the diffusion limited aggregation (DLA) model. The fractal dimensions of the dendrites calculated using the box counting algorithm are in agreement with those predicted by the DLA model. The Ag dendrites coated ITO electrodes exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of hydrazine in alkaline medium. The sensing of hydrazine is carried out with amperometry, where from the limit of detection and linear calibration range is deduced as 0.5 μM and 100–1700 μM respectively. The effect of ascorbic acid, urea, ethanol, glucose, K+, Cl−, Br− and I− ions as possible interfering agents in the detection of hydrazine is analyzed.

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