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Nitrofurantoin (NFT) is mainly used in humans for the treatment of urinary tract infections. NFT is used as feed additives in animals, due to its broad antimicrobial activity. However, it shows more side effects on human health and the environment. Therefore low-cost, portable, and rapid sensors are necessary for the detection of NFT in real samples. Herein, we successfully developed an electrochemical sensor using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with gadolinium orthoferrite (GdFeO3) decorated on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite for the detection of NFT. The facile hydrothermal method was used to synthesis a novel GdFeO3/RGO nanocomposite, the morphological and structural characterization was confirmed by the FESEM, HRTEM, EDX, XRD, Raman, and XPS techniques. The formation mechanism of GdFeO3/RGO nanocomposite had been discussed. The effective intercalation of the nanostructured GdFeO3 to the RGO sheets leads to the significant enhancement in physicochemical properties such as electrical conductivity, electro-active surface area, structural stability, and electrochemical activity, which was observed from the EIS and CV experimental results. The electrochemical studies established that the developed GdFeO3/RGO sensor was highly sensitive and selective to NFT. Moreover, the GdFeO3/RGO sensor exhibits good sensitivity of 4.1985 μA μM−1 cm−2, a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.0153 µM and a linear range from 0.001 to 249 µM for NFT detection under optimized experimental conditions. In addition, the investigation of storage time on the CV response of the GdFeO3/RGO sensor indicates superior stability. Owing to these extraordinary analytical advantages, the as-fabricated sensor was applied to detect the NFT levels in human urine and river water samples with satisfactory results.

Crystal defects are crucially important in semiconductor photocatalysis. To improve the reactivity of photocatalysts and attain desirable solar energy conversion, crystal defect engineering has gained considerable attention in real catalysts. Herein, we engineered crystal defects and mediate oxygen vacancies in host Bi2WO6 crystal lattice via varying content of Ti dopant to fabricate single-unit-cell layered structure, resulting in enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic efficiency. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations verified that the substitution of Bi cation in the crystal structure of Bi2WO6 can induce a new defect level, and increase the density of states (DOS) at the valence band maximum, which not only improve the charge dynamic but also the electronic conductivity. Remarkably, the single-unit-cell layers Ti-doped Bi2WO6 structure casts profoundly improved photocatalytic performance towards ceftriaxone sodium degradation, Cr(VI) reduction, and particularly higher photocatalytic H2 production rate, with a 5.8-fold increase compared to bulk Bi2WO6. Furthermore, the photoelectrochemical measurements unveil that the significantly higher charge migration and charge carrier dynamic counts for the elevated photocatalytic performance. After careful examination of experimental results, it was proved that the Ti doping mediated crystal defects, and engendered oxygen vacancies are critically important for controlling the photocatalytic performance of Bi2WO6.

Crystal defects are crucially important in semiconductor photocatalysis. To improve the reactivity of photocatalysts and attain desirable solar energy conversion, crystal defect engineering has gained considerable attention in real catalysts. Herein, we engineered crystal defects and mediate oxygen vacancies in host Bi

Development of new metal boride with carbon composite is an emerging class of catalyst and it brings enormous curiosity in the material community because of their potential intriguing properties. Here, we describe a new type of amorphous cobalt boride (A-CoB) nanosheet anchored on the surface of functionalized carbon nanofiber (A-CoB/ƒ-CNF) by a simple method. The emerged A-CoB/ƒ-CNF composite was demonstrated to possess great bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical sensing of antibiotic drug nitrofurantoin (NFT) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The prepared A-CoB/ƒ-CNF composite was characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic techniques such as XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, Raman, and XPS analysis. The result from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirms that the A-CoB/ƒ-CNF composite shows high electrical conductivity and the number of electron transferability for the NFT sensor and OER which is due to the presence of abundant active sites/large surface area in A-CoB, and synergistic effect between the A-CoB and ƒ-CNF. As an electrochemical sensor, the A-CoB/ƒ-CNF modified electrode shows substantial sensitivity (3.13 μA μM−1 cm−2), wider linear response range (0.01– 527 μM), and lower detection limit (0.003 μM) as-compared to the previously reported noble and non-noble metal-based electrocatalyst for NFT sensor. As well, the A-CoB/ƒ-CNF composite demonstrates superior OER activity with low overpotential and small Tafel slope value of 0.35 V and 173 mV/dec, respectively, which shows advanced kinetics than noble metal catalysts. Based on the results, we believed that the present work gives clear evidence for the preparation of transition metal boride anchored carbon material with an outstanding catalytic activity, and hence, it can be also extended to further electrochemical applications.

We report a sensitive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug aspirin (ASA) sensor studies using the nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQD) decorated copper oxide (Cu2O). A simplistic approach of electrochemical deposition method has been used to prepare the N-CQD incorporated with copper oxide (N-CQD/Cu2O) and the resulting composite has characterized by analytical techniques. Modified glassy carbon electrode of N-CQD/Cu2O/GCE is developed and is used for the sensor studies of aspirin. The modified N-CQD/Cu2O/GCE has exhibited a higher current (Ipa) response to the oxidation process when compared to N-CQD/GCE, Cu2O/GCE and bare GCE. Furthermore, it has shown a good linear range of 1–907 µM with a limit of detection (LOD) ∼0.002 µM and sensitivity ∼21.87 µA µM−1 cm-2. The developed sensor has displayed outstanding repeatability, stability and accumulation time along with better electro-catalytic response in berries for real-life application.

Herein, we report a novel, disposable electrochemical sensor for the detection of nitrite ions in food samples based on the sonochemical synthesized orthorhombic CaFe2O4 (CFO) clusters modified screen printed electrode. As synthesized CFO clusters were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry (i-t). Under optimal condition, the CFO modified electrode displayed a rapid current response to nitrite, a linear response range from 0.016 to 1921 µM associated with a low detection limit 6.6 nM. The suggested sensor also showed the excellent sensitivity of 3.712 μA μM−1 cm−2. Furthermore, a good reproducibility, long-term stability and excellent selectivity were also attained on the proposed sensor. In addition, the practical applicability of the sensor was investigated via meat samples, tap water and drinking water, and showed desirable recovery rate, representing its possibilities for practical application.

In this work, we describe a simple approach for the preparation of cobalt sulfide/reduced graphene oxide (CoS/RGO) nanohybrids via single step electrochemical method. The electrocatalytic activity of the CoS/RGO nanohybrids was evaluated towards the detection hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The physiochemical properties of the prepared composite was characterized by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction patterns. The CoS/RGO modified electrode showed superior electrocatalytic activity towards the detection of H2O2. The amperometric (i-t) studies revealed that the CoS/RGO performed well by attaining a wide linear response range of H2O2 from 0.1 to 2542.4 μM with a lower detection limit 42 nM and the sensitivity of 2.519 μA μM−1 cm−2. Meanwhile, the CoS/RGO nanohybrids exhibited good selectivity, rapid and stable response towards H2O2. The practical applicability of the sensor was successfully evaluated in human serum and urine samples with satisfactory recoveries.

Recently, 2D layered transition-metal dichalcogenide materials have received great consideration because of their unique electronic properties, large surface area and high electrocatalytic activity. In this connection, for the first time the similar nanostructured material of NiSe2 nanosheets (NiSe2-NS) has been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method for electrocatalytic applications. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD) results confirmed the formation of NiSe2-NS with required stoichiometry and morphology. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) data indicate that electron transfer is facile at the NiSe2-NS modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). It has been as an electrode modifier for glucose sensing applications. The electrochemical studies were performed for NiSe2-NS modified GCE using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and amperometric i-t techniques. The results are suggesting the effective response of NiSe2-NS/GCE with a very low limit of detection (LOD) and sensitivity of 23 nM and 5.6 μA μM−1 cm−2 respectively. Moreover, the selectivity data exhibited excellent anti-interference property of NiSe2-NS/GCE towards glucose in the presence of possible interfering agents viz. Ascorbic acid, dopamine, glucose.

We described a three-dimensional Mn3O4 microcubes (3D-Mn3O4MCs) synthesised via a facile hydrothermal route for the determination of nimorazole (NMZ), an important drug that used in the treatment of head and neck cancer. The 3D-Mn3O4 MCs possess large active area and high conductivity, and 3D-Mn3O4 MCs film modified screen-printed carbon electrode (3D-Mn3O4MCs/SPCE) was fabricated which displayed excellent electrocatalytic ability towards NMZ. Under optimised working conditions, the modified electrode responded linearly to NMZ in the 0.025-8060µM concentration range and the detection limit was 6nM. A rapid, sensitive, selective, reproducible, and durable sensor was described. The practical feasibility of the sensor was demonstrated in human serum and NMZ tablet samples. The obtained results revealed the potential real-time applicability of the sensing device in biological analysis and pharmaceutical formulations.

In this study, we report a series of novel palladium nanoparticles (Pd) supported cerium oxide (CeO2)/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanocomposites, fabricated via the simple strategy, which were used for the detoxification of toxic hexavalent chromium to benign trivalent chromium under visible light irradiation. The synthesized Pd/CeO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were characterized by various tools including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS/UV-vis), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS). The wrapping with surface of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets can efficiently promote the interface charge separation and transmission over the ternary photocatalyst, which was studied by photoluminescence spectra (PL) analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) spectra. The obtained 3% Pd/CeO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite photocatalyst exhibit an excellent photocatalytic performance when compared to other single and composite counter parts. The 3% Pd/CeO2/g-C3N4 exhibits a strong synergistic effect which arises due to the interactions between palladium nanoparticles, CeO2 and graphitic carbon nitride resulting in the lower recombination of photo-induced charge carriers with enhanced photocatalytic activity. This work implies that the synergistic Pd/CeO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposites would be a new kind of high-efficiency visible-light-driven photocatalysts materials for the detoxification of public safety and security.

Herein, we report the synthesis of Vanadium Pentoxide Nanoflakes (V2O5 NF) using ionic liquid and employed the V2O5 NF in electrochemical determination of Morin (MR) in fruit samples. The V2O5 NF were characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Remarkably, the as-synthesized V2O5 NF exhibited excellent electrochemical behavior and electrochemical ability towards MR. The CV and DPV studies were recognized that the electrochemical performance of V2O5 NF film modified glassy carbon electrode (V2O5 NF/GCE) towards detection of MR is outstanding in comparison with unmodified GCE. The proposed MR sensor shows a wide linear range, high sensitivity, and low limit of detection are 0.05-10.93μm, 1.130μAμM-1cm-2, and 9nM respectively. The fabulous analytical parameters of the developed sensor surpassed the previously reported modified electrodes, rendering the potential application of V2O5 NF in environmental, biomedical, and pharmaceutical samples.

We applied the nitrogen-doped graphene@nickel oxide (NGE/NiO) nanocomposite doped TiO2 as a photo-anode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates by screen printing method. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.75% was achieved for this DSSCs device, which is greater than that of DSSCs devices using GO/TiO2, and NiO/TiO2 based photo-anodes (PCE=8.55, and 9.11%). Also, the fill factor (FF) of the DSSCs devices using the NGE/NiO/TiO2 nanocomposite photo-anode was better than that of other photo-anodes. The NGE/NiO/TiO2 short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 19.04mAcm-2, open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.76V, fill factor (FF) of 0.67 and dye absorption rate 0.21×10-6molcm-2. The obtained results suggest that as-prepared NGE/NiO/TiO2 nanocomposite is suitable photo-anode for DSSCs application.

Amalgamation of noble metal nanomaterials on graphene flakes potentially paves one way to improve their physicochemical properties. This paper deals with the simultaneous electrochemical deposition of gold and palladium nanoparticles on graphene flakes (Au/PdNPs-GRF) for the sensitive determination of caffeic acid (CA). The physiochemical properties of the prepared Au/PdNPs-GRF was characterized by using numerous analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The enhanced electrochemical determination of CA at Au/PdNPs deposition on GRF were studied by using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. In results, Au/PdNPs-GRF electrode exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards CA with wide linear range and low limit of detection of 0.03-938.97µM and 6nM, respectively. Eventually, the Au/PdNPs-GRF was found as a selective and stable active material for the sensing of CA. In addition, the proposed sensor showed the adequate results in real sample analysis.

The toxicity and environmental pollution by nitro aromatic compounds in water samples is the most recognized problem in worldwide. Hence, we have developed a simple and highly sensitive electrochemical method for the determination of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in water samples based on a chitosan (CHT) crafted zinc oxide nanoneedles (ZnO NDs) modified screen printed carbon electrode. The CHT/ZnO NDs were characterized by Field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction technique. The CHT/ZnO NDs modified electrode showed an enhanced electrocatalytic activity and lower potential detection towards 4-NP, compared with other modified electrodes. Under optimum conditions, the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) response of CHT/ZnO NDs modified electrode displayed a wide linear response range from 0.5 to 400.6μM towards the detection of 4-NP with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.23μM. The CHT/ZnO NDs modified electrode was used for specific and sensitive detection of 4-NP in presence of possible interfering species and common metal ions with long-term stability. In addition, the excellent analytical performance of the proposed sensor was successfully applied for determination of 4-NP in water samples.

The construction and characterization of selective and sensitive non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) electrochemical sensor based on sphere-like zirconium molybdate (ZrMo 2 O 8 ) nanostructure are reported for the first time. The sphere-like ZrMo 2 O 8 were prepared via a simple hydrothermal route followed by annealing process. The structural and morphological properties were investigated by various analytical and spectroscopic techniques such as XRD, Raman, SEM, EDX, TEM, and XPS analysis. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric techniques. The obtained results displayed that the prepared ZrMo 2 O 8 materials hold excellent-crystallinity, well-defined sphere-like formation and demonstrated superior electrochemical properties. Interestingly, the electrochemical H 2 O 2 sensor was constructed based on ZrMo 2 O 8 nanostructure on the glassy carbon electrode exhibited wide linear response ranges, good sensitivity and lower detection limit (LOD). The estimated sensitivity, wide linear ranges and LOD of the fabricated electrochemical sensor was 2.584 μA μM −1 cm −2 , 0.05–523, 543–3053 μM and 0.01 μM respectively. The proposed sensor had excellent selectivity even in the presence of biologically co-interfering substances such as uric acid, dopamine, ascorbic acid and glucose. This effortless, fast, inexpensive technique for constructing a modified electrode is a gorgeous approach to the growth of new sensors.

Nitrobenzene (NB) is widely used in the manufacturing of different types of products and other aromatic chemicals. Moreover, it is highly toxic and environmental pollutant compound. Therefore, the detection of nitro aromatic compounds (NACs) has gained more attention in the field of sensor. This article describes the green reduction utilized to preparation of green reduced graphene oxide/nickel tetraphenyl porphyrin (GRGO/Ni-TPP) nanocomposite modified electrode for the determination of nitrobenzene (NB). The GRGO was prepared by environmentally friendly method and using caffeic acid (CA) as a reducing agent. Moreover, the GRGO/Ni-TPP nanocomposite was prepared via the π-π stacking interaction between the RGO and Ni-TPP. In addition, the prepared material was confirmed by the UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The structural morphology and elemental composition of the prepared nanocomposite was confirmed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Besides, the electrochemical studies of the prepared nanocomposite was characterized by the CV and DPV technique. The DPV studies displayed the linearity response of the proposed sensor about 0.5-878µM with the sensitivity of 1.277µAµM-1cm-2 and the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.14µM. Furthermore, the GRGO/Ni-TPP nanocomposite modified electrode shows good selectivity towards the detection of NB. In addition, the real sample analysis exhibited appreciable recovery towards the determination of NB using various types of water samples.

In this present investigation, we introduced a novel electrochemical sensor for the detection of tryptophan (TRP) based on green pompoms flower-like cerium vanadate (CeVO4). The flower-like CeVO4 microstructure was prepared by the simple hydrothermal treatment with the assistance of urea for the first time. The as-prepared flower-like CeVO4 microstructure was characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies. The electrochemical properties are evaluated by the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). As an electrochemical sensor, the green pompoms flower-like CeVO4 modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) displayed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the detection of TRP. The obtained electrochemical results revealed that the oxidation of TRP, exhibited a lower potential and higher anodic peak current when compared to unmodified GCE. These results were suggested that the flower-like CeVO4/GCE have a good electrocatalytic activity towards the TRP oxidation. The flower-like CeVO4 sensor exhibited the wide linear concentration range and low detection limit of 0.1-94µM and 0.024µM respectively. Finally, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to the determination of TRP in real sample analysis such as food and biological samples with satisfied recoveries.

Well-defined CoS nanorods (NR) were synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method, and were tested as an electrode material for electro-oxidation of vanillin. The NR material was characterized with regard to morphology, crystallinity, and electro-activity by use of appropriate analytical techniques. The resulting CoS NR@Nafion modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited efficient electro-oxidation of vanillin with a considerable linear range of current-vs-concentration (0.5-56μM vanillin) and a detection limit of 0.07μM. Also, food samples containing vanillin were studied to test suitability for commercial applications.