γ-Fe2O3/CNTs Composites for Electrochemical Detection of Paracetamol: Synthesis, Phase Transition and Enhanced Properties

In this work, gamma-Fe2O3/CNTs composite was facile synthesized by simple hydrothermal method and hydrazine hydrate treatment at low temperature (CNTs = carbon nanotubes). The result of VSM shows that the saturation magnetization of Fe2O3/CNTs composites increase from 0 to 1.29 emu g(-1) after hydrazine hydrate treatment, indicating that the Fe2O3 in the composite transforms from alpha phase to gamma phase. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of both alpha-Fe2O3/CNTs and gamma-Fe2O3/CNTs was studied. Compared with alpha-Fe2O3/CNTs, gamma-Fe2O3/CNTs shows enhanced electrochemical performance toward paracetamol determination. Under optimum condition, the gamma-Fe2O3/CNTs modified electrode exhibits two linear ranges of 2.5 mu M-385 mu M and 593 mu M-1550 mu M and a low detection limit of 0.046 mu M. In addition, the constructed sensor can be successfully utilized for detecting paracetamol in different water bodies. This work provides a new clue for the design and construction of excellent electrochemical sensor for paracetamol determination.

Automated summary

In this work, a gamma-Fe2O3/CNTs composite was synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method, with increased saturation magnetization after hydrazine hydrate treatment, showing enhanced electrochemical performance for paracetamol determination. This study provides a new path for designing and constructing excellent electrochemical sensors for paracetamol detection.