Comparative performances of phenolic sensors based on various CeO₂-carbon material nanocomposites for environmental safety

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 µAcm-2 µM⁻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.

Citation

Algethami, F.K., Marwani, H.M., Asiri, A.M. and Rahman, M.M. (2018), "Comparative performances of phenolic sensors based on various CeO₂-carbon material nanocomposites for environmental safety", Sensor Review, Vol. 38 No. 4, pp. 467-477. https://doi.org/10.1108/SR-11-2017-0235