Simple construction of GdBiVO4 assembled on reduced graphene oxide for selective and sensitive electrochemical detection of chloramphenicol in food samples

In the present study, the influence of phase purity and crystallinity on the electrochemical properties of well-designed GdBiVO4@rGO nanocomposite, fabricated by the facile hydrothermal method for the detection of chloramphenicol (CP), is reported. The surface morphology and electrochemical sensing property of as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and electron impedance spectroscopy techniques. The electrochemical property of synthesized GdBiVO4@rGO nanocomposite was used for the detection of hazardous antiprotozoal CP drug in food, scrutinized by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The GdBiVO4@rGO nanocomposite on an electrode showed an excellent and quick response towards CP drug. Under an optimized condition, the proposed electrochemical sensor displayed a low detection limit of up to 0.0229 mu M and broad linear range of 0.05-36.55 and 42.55-2336.55 mu M for CP. In addition, the GdBiVO4@rGO electrodes exhibited good performance characteristics of repeatability and reproducibility and proved suitable for CP analysis in food samples.

Automated summary

This study reports on the electrochemical properties of well-designed GdBiVO4@rGO nanocomposite fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method for detecting chloramphenicol. Various characterization techniques were used to evaluate the surface morphology and electrochemical sensing properties of the synthesized material, showing excellent response towards the CP drug in food samples.