Anionic surfactant modified carbon nanoparticles paste sensor for potentiometric nicotine detection in tobacco

Nicotine is the most important alkaloid of tobacco and its determination is very important in medicine, toxicology, human body and tobacco industry. In this work, a simple potentiometric method using modified carbon nanoparticles paste sensor is described for the rapid determination of nicotine. The formation of carbon nanoparticles was evidenced by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analysis techniques. FTIR confirmed the successful coating of SDS on the surface of carbon nanoparticles. The effect of pH, response time and the composition of modified carbon paste electrode was investigated .The proposed nicotine sensor showed a Nernstian response in the wide detection range from 1x10-3 to 5x10-7 M with a low detection limit of 1x10-7 M. The electrode displayed rapid response, long-time stability (more than 6 months), and high sensitivity. Moreover, the proposed nicotine sensor was also successfully applied for determination nicotine content in tobacco products.