PVP-capped nickel nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization and utilization as a glycerol electrosensor

• Size-controlled nickel nanoparticles obtained by polyol method.
• Three different main size controlled by simple ratio between reactants.
• Novel nickel nanoparticles-based paste electrodes.
• Electrochemical characterization of different Ni nanoparticles-based electrodes.
• Novel amperometric sensor for glycerol.

Nickel nanoparticles stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were synthesized through modifications to the polyol method. Controlling the Ni/reducing agent (NaBH4) ratio used in the synthesis led to different nanoparticles samples with average sizes of 3.4, 2.8 and 2.2 nm. The crystalline structure, the presence of PVP and the size of the nanoparticles were confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed–infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). One sample was used to construct carbon paste electrodes, which were electrochemically characterized and applied as a glycerol amperometric sensor in a NaOH medium. Several parameters were evaluated, including the presence of PVP on the nanoparticles, the NaOH concentration, the Ni/Nujol/graphite ratio, the number of cycles applied and the type of support electrolyte. The application of the Ni nanoparticle-modified electrode as an amperometric sensor showed a good sensitivity of 24.4 μA M−1 and a low detection limit of 95.0 μmol L−1.

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