A new ultramicrosensor for nitric oxide based on electropolymerized film of nickel salen

A new amperometric ultramicrosensor for the determination of nitric oxide (NO) is described. The ultramicrosensor, which is based on an electropolymerized film of ethylenebis(salicylideneiminate) nickel [Ni(salen)] and Nafion, shows a low detection limit, high selectivity and sensitivity to NO determination. The oxidation current (measured by a differential pulse amperometric method) is linear with NO concentration ranging from 1.0 x 10^-8 to 4.0x10^-6 mol/L with a calculated detection limit, at a signal to noise ratio of three, equal to 5.0x10^-9 mol/L. Some endogenous electroactive substances in biological tissues, such as dopamine, 5-HT and nitrite do not interfere with NO determination at the concentrations higher than those in biological systems. The ultramicrosensor could be employed for in vivo measurements of NO. The mechanism of the response of the ultramicrosensor to NO is also studied.