Fabrication of CdSe quantum dots @ nickel hexacyanoferrate core–shell nanoparticles modified electrode for the electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine

We have reported an efficient method to immobilize the electroactive nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) on CdSe quantum dots (QDs). CdSe QDs @ NiHCF core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A simple, stable and reproducible CdSe QDs @ NiHCF NPs modified electrode has been constructed as a sensing platform for the electrochemical determination of hydrazine. The electrochemical behavior of CdSe QDs @ NiHCF NPs modified electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimal condition the modified electrode exhibits well defined redox peaks at a formal potential of 0.31 V which corresponds to the redox reaction of hexacyanoferrate (II/III) of NiHCF. The sensor showed an enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidative determination of hydrazine in the concentration range of 1.6–1300 µM with the detection limit of 0.5 µM. The sensor has been tested for analysis of real samples, which makes it useful in practical area of environmental applications.