A highly-sensitive sensor based on carbon nanohorns@reduced graphene oxide coated by gold platinum core-shell nanoparticles for electrochemical detection of carbendazim in fruit and vegetable juice

Carbendazim (CBZ) is beneficial to fruit and vegetable cultivation, but its residue will cause fruit and vegetable juice pollution. In this work, an electrochemical sensor based on carbon nanohorns@reduced graphene oxide coated by gold platinum core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Pt/CNHs@RGO/GCE) was prepared for CBZ detection. The results showed that the assembly of CNHs and RGO assisted by ultrasound improved the electron transfer ability and electrochemical active surface area of CNHs@RGO. Moreover, the coating of Au@Pt nanoparticles further enhanced the sensitivity of the sensor. With the synergistic effect of the three materials, the sensor had a wider linear range (0.05 mu mol/L-50 mu mol/L), a lower limit of detection (1.64 nmol/L), and satisfactory recovery rates (90.60 % similar to 97.60 %, carrot juice; 94.00-114.43 %, orange juice). Additionally, the sensor presented good anti-interference and repeatability. This work provides a simple, rapid, economical, sensitive, and accurate sensor for CBZ quantification in fruit and vegetable juice.

Automated summary

In this study, an electrochemical sensor based on carbon nanohorns@reduced graphene oxide coated by gold platinum core-shell nanoparticles was prepared for Carbendazim (CBZ) detection. The sensor exhibited a wider linear range, lower limit of detection, and satisfactory recovery rates in fruit and vegetable juice samples. It also demonstrated good anti-interference and repeatability, providing a simple and accurate method for CBZ quantification.