3,4-Diaminotoluene sensor development based on hydrothermally prepared MnCo_xO_y nanoparticles

A facile hydrothermal process was used to prepare MnCo_xO_y nanoparticles (NPs) in alkaline medium (pH~10.5) at room temperature. The NPs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV/vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). A thin layer of NPs film as a chemical sensor was fabricated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with the help of a conducting binder. The sensor was implemented successfully for the detection 3,4-DAT with reliable I-V approach at low potential. The sensor-features include good sensitivity (0.37 mAµmolL^-1cm^-2), low detection limit (LOD=0.26±0.01 pmolL^-1 at a signal to noise ratio of 3), low limit of quantification (LOQ=7.80±0.01 pmolL^-1), good reliability, good reproducibility, ease of integration, and long-term stability were investigated. The sensor response towards 3,4-DAT is linear in logarithmic scale over a large concentration range (1.0 pmolL^-1 to 1.0 µmolL^-1). This work is introduced a route for future sensitive sensor development based on MnCo_xO_y NPs by reliable I-V method for the detection of hazardous and carcinogenic toxins in environmental and health care fields.