A novel ternary nanocomposite based electrochemical sensor coupled with regularized neural network for nanomolar detection of sunset yellow FCF.

Synthetic dyes are extensively used worldwide although they instigate adverse environmental and health issues at higher concentrations. A reliable and ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor for nanomolar determination of common food colorant sunset yellow FCF is reported in this paper. The electrochemical sensor was integrated with a regularized neural network to enable intelligent sensing of this azo dye. The sensor was fabricated using a ternary nanocomposite based on silver doped spinel Co 3 O 4 nanorods embedded functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (fCNTs). Co-precipitation method was employed for synthesis of porous Co 3 O 4 nanorods and CNTs were functionalized using acid-treatment approach. Electrochemical investigations based on cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques revealed stupendous electrocatalytic performance towards sunset yellow detection. A nanomolar detection limit of 0.8 nM and high sensitivity of 8.79 μA μM−1 cm−2 was exhibited by the developed sensor and real sample analysis experiment was conducted in commercial beverages to validate its practical feasibility. [Display omitted] • Prepared AgNPs-Co 3 O 4 /fCNTs ternary nanocomposite based on sonochemical approach. • Ultrasensitive and reliable detection of commonly used synthetic dye sunset yellow FCF. • This is the first work that reports intelligent electrochemical sensing of sunset yellow. • Nanomolar-level detection limit and high sensitivity was achieved for proposed sensor. • Real sample analysis was conducted in Fanta drink and pineapple juice to ensure practical feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]