An electrochemical sensor-based carbon black associated with a modified mixed oxide (SiO2/TiO2/Sb2O5) for direct determination of thiamethoxam in raw honey and water samples

The study aimed to develop an electrochemical sensor based on glassy carbon, mixed oxide (SiO2/TiO2/Sb2O5), and carbon black. The material was synthesized, characterized, and used to determine thiamethoxam in raw honey and water. The morphologic structure and electrochemical performance of the sensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Differential pulse voltammetry with a concentration of 0.1 mol L-1 of Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 7.0 allowed the generation of a method to determine thiamethoxam in a linear range of 0.25 to 100.5 mu mol L-1 and with a limit of detection of 0.012 mu mol L-1. The system efficiently quantified traces of thiamethoxam in raw honey and tap water samples. The modified sensor did not present interferences of K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, glyphosate, imidacloprid, and carbendazim. In addition, the device showed good recovery values for thiamethoxam when applied directly to honey and water samples without any treatment, presenting an electrochemical sensor to monitor real-time hazardous substances in environmental and food matrices.

Automated summary

In this study, an electrochemical sensor based on glassy carbon, mixed oxide, and carbon black was developed for the determination of thiamethoxam in raw honey and water. The sensor exhibited good morphological structure and electrochemical performance, allowing efficient and accurate quantification of thiamethoxam.