Highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on zirconium oxide-decorated gold nanoflakes nanocomposite 2,4-dichlorophenol detection

In this study, a sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on a zirconia oxide-decorated gold nanoflake nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode (AuNP/ZrO2/GCE) for the detection of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) was developed. ZrO2 was first synthesized using the sol-gel method and then drop-cast onto the electrode surface, followed by electrodeposition of AuNPs by chronoamperometry under acidic conditions. The as-prepared ZrO2 nanoparticles had porous structures with pore sizes of 3.25 nm and particle sizes of 20-30 nm. The combination of an electrocatalytic and porous material ZrO2 and a highly conductive material AuNPs might help to improve the electrochemical signals. Under the optimal conditions, the AuNP/ZrO2/GCE sensor is able to detect 2,4-DCP in a water environment at a detection limit as low as 0.053 mu M within a wide linear range from 1.5 to 24 mu M. The developed sensor was also employed for real samples collected from West Lake and showed good recoveries (95.4-101.8%). This is valuable when considering practical field applications of the sensor, especially in terms of on-site measurements. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

A sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on a zirconia oxide-decorated gold nanoflake nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode was developed for the detection of 2,4-dichlorophenol. The sensor showed a low detection limit of 0.053 μM and a wide linear range from 1.5 to 24 μM. Good recoveries were achieved in real samples, demonstrating the potential for practical field applications.