Trace-Level Phenolics Detection Based on Composite PAN-MWCNTs Nanofibers

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Phenolic compounds pose significant toxicity risks (genotoxic, mutagenic, hepatotoxic).
• Sensitive and accurate detection methods are crucial for environmental monitoring, water quality control, and food safety.
• Existing analytical procedures require enhancement for detecting low concentrations of phenolics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel biosensor for the sensitive and accurate detection of diphenols and monophenols.
• To utilize composite polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous assemblies enriched with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (PAN-MWCNTs NFs) as an immobilization platform.
• To immobilize tyrosinase onto the PAN-MWCNTs NFs for phenolic compound detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of composite polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous assemblies enriched with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (PAN-MWCNTs NFs).
• Immobilization of tyrosinase onto the PAN-MWCNTs NFs platform.
• Development of a biosensor (Pt/PAN-MWCNTs/Tyr) for electrochemical detection of phenolic compounds.
• Testing the biosensor's sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) for catechol, phenol, and p-chlorophenol.

Main Results:

• The Pt/PAN-MWCNTs/Tyr biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity for catechol detection (362.5 mA/M.cm²).
• Moderate sensitivity was observed for monophenols: phenol (14.79 mA/M.cm²) and p-chlorophenol (25.46 mA/M.cm²).
• The biosensor achieved nanomolar LOD values (4.42×10⁻⁹ M for catechol, 4.06×10⁻⁷ M for phenol, 1.05×10⁻⁷ M for p-chlorophenol), enabling trace detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed Pt/PAN-MWCNTs/Tyr biosensor is a highly sensitive and accurate platform for detecting phenolic compounds.
• This biosensor shows significant potential for monitoring water contamination and ensuring food quality.
• The use of PAN-MWCNTs NFs provides an effective immobilization strategy for enzyme-based biosensors.