Molten-salt-composite of Pyrite and Silver Nanoparticle as Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Peroxide Sensing

Abstract

A conductive molten salt was synthesized by using natural pyrite (PR) and silver nanoparticles (Ag) at 450°C using a molten salt method. The molten-salt-composite (PR/Ag) was used as an electrocatalyst to detect hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The as-prepared PR/Ag possessed higher conductivity than natural PR. It exhibited a high sensitivity of 603.54 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² for the detection of H₂O₂, with a linear range of 0.1 to 30 mM, and a detection limit of 0.02 mM (S/N = 3). In addition, the PR/Ag sensor exhibited good selectivity to H₂O₂, resisting interference from other potential interferent compounds (e.g. uric acid, glucose, fructose and common metal ions (K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺)). The approach is considered to provide a sensitive, selective, and reliable tool for highly detection of H₂O₂.