Voltammetric sensing of fenitrothion in natural water and orange juice samples using a single-walled carbon nanohorns and zein modified sensor.

Abstract A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNH) and zein (ZE), a prolamin type-protein find in maize, for the differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of fenitrothion (FT) is proposed. The proposed film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Regarding the electrochemical characterization, comparing the results obtained by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the modified electrode (SWCNH-ZE/GCE) showed an electroactive surface area 3 times higher and faster electron transfer kinetic than bare GCE. By using differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry and SWCNH-ZE/GCE the analytical curve exhibited a linear response ranging of 9.9 × 10−7 to 1.2 × 10−5 mol L−1, with a limit of detection of 1.2 × 10−8 mol L−1. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of FT pesticide in natural water and orange juice samples. Moreover, the electrochemical sensor showed good repeatability and reproducibility arising from the excellent film stability, suggesting that the proposed architecture has broad potential for applications in sensing and biosensing. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Zein is a protein that can be used for thin film preparation. • Single-walled carbon nanohorns were applied in electrochemical sensors. • A voltammetric sensor for fenitrothion determination is proposed. • Fenitrothion is successfully quantified in orange juice and water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]