Enhanced electrochemical sensor based on gold nanoparticles and MoS2 nanoflowers decorated ionic liquid-functionalized graphene for sensitive detection of bisphenol A in environmental water

In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor was constructed based on gold nanoparticles-MoS2 nanoflowers/ionic liquid functionalized graphene (AuNPs/MoS2 -NFs/IL-graphene) nanocomposites for low level detection of bisphenol (BPA). The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The prepared nanocomposites were also explored the effect of pH and scan rate to the results. The electrochemical performance of the sensor was then evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, and it was showed that the sensor had prominent electrochemistry activity towards the BPA. Under the optimized experimental conditions, a large linear relationship in the range of 0.05-4.0 mu M was detected between the peak current and the concentration of BPA, and the detection limit was 0.028 mu M. The results showed that the sensor had high sensitivity, great selectivity, and excellent stability. Finally, the developed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied toward the determination of BPA in lake water samples and the satisfactory recoveries ranged from 95.7% to 105.4%. Thus, this sensor provided a promising candidate for BPA detection in the environmental water.

Automated summary

A novel electrochemical sensor was developed for low level detection of bisphenol A, exhibiting high sensitivity, good selectivity, and excellent stability. The sensor showed a large linear relationship between peak current and BPA concentration, with a detection limit of 0.028 μM. Additionally, the sensor was successfully applied to determine BPA in lake water samples with satisfactory recoveries between 95.7% and 105.4%.