Convenient Preparation of Ni-Fe Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets on Hollow Co3o4 Cubes for Monitoring the Environmental Pollutant Nitrobenzene

Abstract

In this study, zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) was used as a cobalt source, and hollow Co3O4 cube were obtained after air carbonization. Nickel-iron layered double hydroxides (NiFe-LDH) were subsequently synthesized on the hollow Co3O4 cube using an oil bath method to produce the final material for nitrobenzene (NB) detection. The hollow-cube structure not only provides more active sites and increases surface area, but also offers numerous channels for ion and electron transfer, thereby enhancing charge transfer and improving the sensing performance. The incorporation of NiFe-LDH further enhances the synergistic catalytic effect between the transition metals, with each metal playing a distinct role in achieving a coordinated catalytic effect. Under optimized conditions, the composite exhibits a wide linear range (1.5–1765.5 μA) and a detection limit of 0.162 μA. Additionally, it demonstrates anti-interference, stability, and reproducibility, offering an effective method for trace detection of NB in environmental samples.

Keywords: Co3O4 Hollow cube, Ni-Fe layered double hydroxides, Electrochemical Sensors, nitrobenzene