Impedimetric sensing platform for sensitive carbendazim detection using MOCVD-synthesized copper graphene

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Carbendazim (CBZ) is a widely used fungicide.
• Accurate and sensitive detection of CBZ is crucial for environmental and food safety.
• Existing detection methods can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel electrochemical sensor for carbendazim (CBZ) detection.
• To utilize metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) for synthesizing graphene nanostructures.
• To eliminate the challenging graphene transfer process in sensor fabrication.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of graphene nanostructures on SiO2/Si using MOCVD.
• Characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES).
• Electrochemical analysis including voltammetric techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• Uniform deposition of graphene with defects and impurities achieved via MOCVD.
• Demonstrated interaction between copper particles and CBZ, enhancing the sensing mechanism.
• Linear response to CBZ concentrations from 1 to 50 nM with a sensitivity of 0.0337 Ω nM⁻¹.
• High selectivity and reproducibility validated through statistical analysis.

Conclusions:

• The MOCVD-synthesized graphene nanostructure electrode provides a highly sensitive and selective platform for electrochemical carbendazim detection.
• The developed sensor eliminates the need for graphene transfer, simplifying the fabrication process.
• This innovative sensor shows significant promise for practical applications in fungicide monitoring.