Electrochemical Detection of Ammonia in Water Using NiCu Carbonate Hydroxide-Modified Carbon Cloth Electrodes: A Simple Sensing Method

Abstract

Excessive ammonia nitrogen can potentially compromise the safety of drinking water. Therefore, developing a rapid and simple detection method for ammonia nitrogen in drinking water is of great importance. Nickel–copper hydroxides exhibit strong catalytic capabilities and are widely applied in ammonia nitrogen oxidation. In this study, a self-supported electrode made of nickel–copper carbonate hydroxide was synthesized on a carbon cloth collector via a straightforward one-step hydrothermal method for rapid ammonia nitrogen detection in water. It exhibits sensitivities of 3.9 μA μM−1 cm−2 and 3.13 μA μM−1 cm−2 within linear ranges of 1 μM to 100 μM and 100 μM to 400 μM, respectively, using a simple and rapid i-t method. The detection limit is as low as 0.62 μM, highlighting its excellent anti-interference properties against various anions and cations. The methodology’s simplicity and effectiveness suggest broad applicability in water quality monitoring and environmental protection, particularly due to its significant cost-effectiveness.