Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to prepare various CeO2-based carbon material (CNT, CB, GO) nanocomposites through a wet chemical process for the development of a sensor probe to detect various environmental toxins by using an electrochemical approach under room temperature conditions. A comparative study on sensitive and selective phenolic sensor (4-methoxyphenol; 4-MP) has been fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with various nanocomposites (NCs) such as CeO2, CeO2-CNT (carbon nanotubes), CeO2-CB (carbon black) and CeO2-GO (graphene oxide) NCs.
Design/methodology/approach The CeO2-CNT NCs were prepared by the wet chemical method at low temperature. NCs were characterized by various methods such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR), ultra-violet/visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and XRD (X-ray diffraction). CeO2-CNT NCs were immobilized as a film on the flat surface of the GCE by using binders (5% Nafion). The electrochemical measurements of the 4-MP detection with the CeO2-CNT NCs/Nafion/GCE sensor were studied by the current-voltage method.
Findings In the optimal conditions, the sensitivity, detection limit and limit of quantification of 4-MP sensor probe were found to be 47.56 mu Acm-2 mu M-1, 12.0 0.2 nM and 40.0 0.5 nM (S/N of 3), respectively.
Research limitations/implications This electrochemical sensor showed an acceptable analytical performance in the detection of 4-MP with higher sensitivity, lower detection limit, large dynamic concentration range, good reproducibility and fast response time.
Practical implications This electrochemical approach can be applied practically for the determination of selective 4-MP in real environmental and extracted samples.
Social implications CeO2-CNT NCs/Nafion/GCE sensor probe was used for the safety of environmental and health-care fields at larger scales.
Originality/value This electrochemical approach is a significant achievement on the development of sensor probe. The results are indicated as being technically detailed with an up-to-date account of recent chemical sensor research studies.