Arrays of nanofibers composed of a TiC core and a carbon coating for sensitive electrochemical detection of hydrazine

Arrays made from quasi-aligned nanofibers consisting of a TiC/C composite were produced directly on a titanium alloy substrate by a thermochemical process. Their morphology, structure and composition were characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The arrays were directly utilized as an electrode without further treatment and display high catalytic activity in terms of hydrazine oxidation. The low overpotential decreases gradually when increasing pH values from 5 to 10. The detection range is linear from 0.1 to 1,635 mu M concentrations, and the detection limit is as low as 0.026 mu M (S/N = 3). The selectivity of the electrode and its general performance and stability are very good. The improved electrochemical properties of the new electrode are attributed to the synergic effect of the highly conducting TiC nanowire core and an abundant amount of edge-plane-like defects on the carbon shells.