Real-time detection of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in environmental samples using Fe3O4 nanospheres decorated graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets

Real-time detection of 2,4,6-chlorophenol (TCP) has gained greater interest due to its widespread distribution and hazardous effects on living organisms. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets decorated with Fe3O4 nanospheres (CN@Fe3O4) composite-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) were designed to develop a novel and selective electrochemical sensor for the detection of TCP. For the synthesis of CN nanosheets, the combustion technique was used, while the co-precipitation method was used for the preparation of CN@Fe3O4 composite. The XRD confirmed a high degree of crystalline nature and exceptionally pure phase, with an average size of 38.7 nm for Fe3O4 on CN nanosheets. Under optimal conditions, CN@Fe3O4 modified SPCE outperformed CN and Fe3O4 modified SPCEs in determining TCP. Analytical validations confirmed that the CN@Fe3O4-modified SPCE has a linear range for TCP between 0.04 and 651 mu M with a detection limit of 12 nM. A practicality evaluation of the proposed sensor revealed an outstanding TCP recovery rate in various water samples.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor was developed for the real-time detection of TCP using graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets decorated with Fe3O4 nanospheres (CN@Fe3O4) composite-modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE). The synthesis of CN nanosheets was done using the combustion technique while the co-precipitation method was used for the preparation of CN@Fe3O4 composite. The CN@Fe3O4-modified SPCE showed superior performance in TCP detection compared to CN and Fe3O4 modified SPCEs, with a linear range of 0.04-651 μM and a detection limit of 12 nM.