Popcorn-Derived Porous Carbon Based Electrochemical Sensor for Simultaneous Determination of Hydroquinone, Catechol and Nitrite

In this study, popcorn-derived microporous carbon (PPC) was prepared by pyrolysis method under KOH activation, which was used as an electrochemical sensor material for simultaneous detection of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), and nitrite (NT). The prepared PPC/GCE exhibited highly electrocatalytic activity to the oxidation of HQ, CC and nitrite. The oxidation peaks for HQ (111 mV), CC (216 mV), and NT (854 mV) were well separated under the optimized conditions. The PPC/GCE showed a wide linear range of 3.0-700 mu M, 3.0-500 mu M and 5.0-10000 mu M for HQ, CC and NT with detection limits of 1.45 mu M, 0.49 mu M and 1.5 mu M, respectively. The KOH-activated PPC is a promising electrode material for fabricating selective and sensitive electrochemical sensors.

Automated summary

In this study, popcorn-derived microporous carbon was successfully prepared and used as an electrochemical sensor material for simultaneous detection of HQ, CC and NT. The prepared material exhibited high electrocatalytic activity and achieved well-separated peaks under optimized conditions. It showed a wide linear range and low detection limits, making it suitable for fabricating selective and sensitive electrochemical sensors.