Revealing the effect of multidimensional ZnO@CNTs/RGO composite for enhanced electrochemical detection of flufenamic acid

Rational design of different heteroarchitecture-based ultrasonic approaches offer great opportunities to improve the electrocatalytic properties in electrochemical reaction. Especially, zinc oxide (ZnO)-based carbon architecture has gained tremendous interest due its fascinating properties. Herein, we have synthesized flower-like ZnO superstructures on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composite using an ultrasonic bath (100 W at 50 kHz). The structuro-chemical and crystalline properties of ZnO@CNTs/RGO composite are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Raman spectroscopic analysis. Also, the as-synthesized ZnO@CNTs/RGO composite has been successfully applied towards the electrochemical detection of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, flufenamic acid (FFA). As expected, ZnO@CNTs/RGO composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance towards FFA detection, when compared to other modified and un-modified GCEs. The positive synergistic effect between ZnO, CNTs and RGO in the composite is highlighted by the advanced electrochemical sensing performance of the fabricated GCE which can be ascertained to more number of active sites and rapid electron transport. The proposed sensor establishes two response ranges with trace level detection limit and higher sensitivity towards FFA sensing. The feasibility of the sensor is also validated by its application towards the determination of FFA in bovine serum albumin and urine samples which offers satisfying recovery range. Thus the manipulation of the hierarchical architecture of ZnO together with the electronic conductivities of CNTs and RGO tailor the formation of a nanocomposite which can be utilized for real analysis of pollutants.

Automated summary

The rational design of heteroarchitecture-based ultrasonic approaches provides great opportunities for enhancing electrocatalytic properties in electrochemical reactions. Specifically, the synthesis of flower-like ZnO superstructures on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composite using an ultrasonic bath has shown promising results. The resulting ZnO@CNTs/RGO composite exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for detecting the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, flufenamic acid (FFA), highlighting the positive synergistic effect among ZnO, CNTs, and RGO in the composite.