Single-crystalline SnS2 nano-hexagons based non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for detection of carcinogenic nitrite in food samples

• A simple hydrothermal synthesis of single-crystalline SnS 2 nano-hexagons has been reported. • The electroanalytical application of single-crystalline SnS 2 nano-hexagons has been studied for the first time. • A novel non-enzymatic nitrite sensor was fabricated using single-crystalline SnS 2 nano-hexagons modified electrode. • The fabricated non-enzymatic nitrite sensor showed a lower LOD of 13.6 nM with wider linear response up to 2.63 mM. • The practicality of the fabricated non-enzymatic nitrite sensor has been demonstrated in meat samples. In recent years, the shape-controlled synthesis of two-dimensional Sn chalcogenides nanostructures has received enormous attention owing to their specific optical and electronic properties. Nevertheless, the direct application of Sn chalcogenides in electroanalysis is limited and rarely explored. In this perspective, pure single-crystalline SnS 2 nano-hexagons were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method, and its novel electrochemical sensors applications were studied. The single-crystalline nature of as-synthesized SnS 2 nano-hexagons confirmed using XRD, HRTEM, and SAED. The TEM observations confirmed the formation of SnS 2 nano-hexagons with a diameter and thickness of about 27 ± 3 and 23 ± 0.6 nm, respectively. A novel non-enzymatic nitrite sensor was fabricated using the SnS 2 nano-hexagons modified electrode. The fabricated non-enzymatic electrode shows a 0.15 V lower oxidation potential (vs. Ag/AgCl) with improved catalytic activity (3 folds) to nitrite than unmodified glassy carbon electrode which is due to the unique physicochemical properties of synthesized SnS 2 nano-hexagons. The modified electrode can efficiently detect the nitrite with the response range up to 2.63 mM with a detection limit of 13.6 nM. The excellent selectivity and practicality of the as-fabricated nitrite sensor further demonstrated the potential ability towards environmental monitoring applications.