Electrochemical detection of methyl parathion using calix[6]arene/bismuth ferrite/multiwall carbon nanotube-modified fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode

A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor using a calix[6]arene/bismuth ferrite/multiwall carbon nanotube-modified fluorinedoped tin oxide electrode (CA6/BFO/MWCNTs/FTO) was fabricated for the detection of methyl parathion. The MWCNTs, BFO, and CA6 were consecutively cast onto the FTO electrode surface to enhance the surface area, electron transfer, and selectivity of sensors. The electrochemical behavior of CA6/BFO/MWCNTs/FTO was studied via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. MP was detected via cyclic voltammetry in a phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.0. The working principle of the sensor involves a linear decrease in the anodic peak current of BFO with increasing MP concentration. The linear working ranges are 0.005-0.05 nM and 0.07-1.5 nM. The CA6/BFO/MWCNTs/FTO sensor provides a low detection limit (S/N= 3) of 5 pM and a high electrochemical sensitivity of 1.23 A mu M-1 cm(-2). The fabricated sensor was successfully applied to assess the presence and amount of MP in vegetables and fruits (recoveries of 82.0106.8%), with results comparable to high-performance liquid chromatography.

Automated summary

In this study, a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor was fabricated for the detection of methyl parathion. The sensor showed low detection limit and high electrochemical sensitivity, and was successfully applied for the detection of methyl parathion in vegetables and fruits.