Functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes-based electrochemical sensor: synergistic effect of graphitisation and carboxylation on detection performance of methyl parathion

ABSTRACT

Efficient and sensitive detection of methyl parathion (MP), an insecticide, is of great significance to food safety and healthy life. In this work, functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes after graphitisation and carboxylation (FCNTGC) were applied as a sensitising agent to fabricate the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The obtained FCNTGC/GCE sensor was successfully used for the sensitive detection of MP. The graphitisation of carbon nanotubes contributes to enhancing the conductive property, and the carboxylation of carbon nanotubes contributes to improving the dispersibility of carbon material. The combination of graphitisation and carboxylation could effectively enhance the electrochemical sensing property towards MP. The fabricated FCNTGC/GCE sensor showed a low limit of detection of 0.00306 μM in a linear concentration range of 0.01–10 µM. In addition, good repeatability and reproducibility could be obtained for the MP detection with the fabricated sensor.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon nanotubes
• graphitisation
• carboxylation
• electrochemical sensor
• methyl parathion

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the High-Level Talents Introduction Project of Henan Institute of Science and Technology (No. 203010617011).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Henan Institute of Science and Technology [203010617011].

Notes on contributors

Meimei Guo

Meimei Guo is an undergraduate student in the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the nano-micro surface engineering technology for electrochemical sensor.

Gan Zhu

Gan Zhu is an undergraduate student in the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the nano-micro surface engineering technology for electrochemical sensor.

Yunhang Liu

Yunhang Liu is an undergraduate student in the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the nano-micro surface engineering technology for electrochemical sensor.

Mengyuan Zhao

Mengyuan Zhao is a student in the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the nano-micro surface engineering technology for electrochemical sensor.

Yansheng Shen

Yansheng Shen is a student in the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the nano-micro surface engineering technology for electrochemical sensor.

Yu Zhou

Yu Zhou is a student in the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the nano-micro surface engineering technology for electrochemical sensor.

Runqiang Liu

Runqiang Liu is currently working as an associate professor in Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the green pesticide creation and intelligent pesticide residue sensor detection.

Hongyuan Zhao

Hongyuan Zhao is currently working as a Professor in Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China. His research interests include the nano-micro surface engineering technology and advanced functional materials for electrochemical energy and electrochemical sensor.