Constructing and electrochemical performance of NiCo-LDHs@h-Ni NWs core–shell for hydrazine detection in environmental samples

[Display omitted] •The core–shell structured hierarchical Ni NWs and NiCo LDHs nanosheets was prepared the first time by hydrothermal method.•Synergistic effects between NiCo LDHs and h-Ni NWs enhance catalytic performances.•NiCo LDHs@h-Ni NWs exhibits excellent sensitivity and linear range for hydrazine detection.•NiCo LDHs@h-Ni NWs competence for hydrazine sensing in real samples is realized.•The proposed mechanisms for improved electrocatalytic performance were well analyzed and demonstrated. To achieve an electrochemical sensor with good performance such as sensitivity, selectivity, and stability, the fine-tuning and rational design of the electrocatalyst material is vital. In this study, we synthesized a novel catalyst (NiCo-LDHs@h-Ni NWs) with a core–shell structure. First, hierarchical nickel nanowires, h-Ni NWs (the core), were prepared by the reduction of Ni2+ ions by hydrazine, and then the h-Ni NWs are coated with NiCo-LDHs (shell) by the hydrothermal method. Electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry are used to examine the electrocatalytic activity of the NiCo-LDHs@h-Ni NWs electrode for the electrooxidation of hydrazine in 0.1 M PBS solution. Furthermore, the prepared sensor exhibited a favorable electrocatalytic activity towards hydrazine oxidation with high sensitivity of 312.8 μA.mM−1.cm−2 and a low limit of detection (S/N = 3.3) of 0.29 µM in the wide linear range of 10 µM-8 mM. The sensor showed high selectivity for the detection of hydrazine in the presence of some common interferences. In addition, the sensor also demonstrates good stability and reproducibility. The reliability of the prepared sensor was investigated by determining the hydrazine concentration in environmental samples. The results indicate its potential viability for practical applications.