Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Wrapped Metal-free PoPD-Based Biosensor for Xanthine Detection

A metal-free, enzymatic biosensor was developed using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄)-wrapped poly-ortho-phenylenediamine (PoPD) for the determination of xanthine (Xn). Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction confirmed the successful formation of the PoPD, g-C₃N₄ nanosheets and PoPD@g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of the biosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The prepared enzyme electrode exhibited maximum response at pH 7.5 with a response time of 5 s, and its sensitivity was 5.798 μAM^-1. The nanocomposite shows exceptional sensing capabilities for detecting Xn, having a wide linear range from 1 nM to 1 μM with a relatively low detection limit of 0.001 nM. The biosensor shows good stability (4 weeks) and reproducibility and can detect the presence of Xn from other interfering analytes. Validation of the biosensor with real samples obtained from Rohu (Labeo rohita) fish shows that the fabricated biosensor has the requisite potential to be used for Xn detection in meat samples.