An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Electropolymerization of ß-Cyclodextrin and Reduced Graphene Oxide on a Glassy Carbon Electrode for Determination of Neonicotinoids

An electrochemical sensor of glassy carbon electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide and -cyclodextrin (GCE/rGO/-CD) was developed as an effective alternative in the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, in honey samples. The peak current variation obtained with the proposed sensor was higher compared to the bare GCE in all the analytes. In the determination of imidacloprid the response increased by 1300%, clothianidin by 670% and thiametoxam by 630%. In addition, the optimization of the experimental conditions provided the construction of a sensor with greater sensitivity. The study of interferers showed that inorganic ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, K+, Na+, e NH4+) and other insecticides (acetamiprid and dinotefuran) did not influence the reduction of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. The determination of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam in honey samples exhibited recovery values within the EPA range (between 107.75 and 116%). In conclusion, the developed sensor GCE/rGO/-CD proved to be an effective alternative in the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey samples.