Tailored construction of one-dimensional TiO2/Au nanofibers: Validation of an analytical assay for detection of diphenylamine in food samples

We report a one-dimensional titanium dioxide encapsulated with gold heterojunction nanofibers (TiO2/Au NFs) as robust electrocatalysts for electrochemical detection of diphenylamine (DPA). A TiO2/Au NFs were successfully synthesized by a coaxial electrospinning method. The formation of TiO2/Au NFs was confirmed by various analytical and spectroscopic approaches. The fabricated TiO2/Au NFs modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) exhibit a well-enhanced detection activity towards DPA sensing as compared to other electrodes. Under the experimental conditions, the proposed electrode leading to the sensing range from 0.05 to 60 mu M with a detection limit of 0.009 mu M was obtained for the DPA detection. Moreover, the TiO2/Au NFs/SPCE showed good selectivity towards the electrochemical oxidation of DPA. Interestingly, the TiO2/Au NFs modified electrode was then applied to detect the effect of DPA on spiked content in the food samples.

Automated summary

A one-dimensional titanium dioxide encapsulated with gold heterojunction nanofibers was successfully synthesized and applied as robust electrocatalysts for the detection of diphenylamine, showing enhanced detection activity. The modified electrode also exhibited good selectivity towards the electrochemical oxidation of DPA and proved effective in detecting the effect of DPA on spiked content in food samples.