Crumpled graphene fully decorated with nickel-based nanoparticles applied in glyphosate detection

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Glyphosate is a prevalent herbicide with documented toxicological concerns.
• Water pollution by glyphosate necessitates reliable monitoring methods.
• Existing detection techniques may lack the sensitivity or efficiency for widespread environmental surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel electrochemical sensor for sensitive glyphosate detection in aqueous environments.
• To synthesize and characterize nickel-decorated crumpled graphene (Ni:CG) for enhanced sensing capabilities.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance, including sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for glyphosate monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of nickel-based nanoparticles decorated crumpled graphene (Ni:CG) via a single-step method.
• Electrochemical detection of glyphosate using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.
• Performance evaluation including linear range, detection limits, quantification limits, accuracy, precision, and interference studies.

Main Results:

• The Ni:CG sensor exhibited a wide linear range for glyphosate detection.
• Achieved low detection and quantification limits of 2.0 × 10^-9 M and 6.0 × 10^-9 M, respectively.
• Demonstrated high accuracy (99.9% recovery) and selectivity against common interfering cations (Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe³⁺).

Conclusions:

• The developed Ni:CG electrochemical sensor provides a sensitive, accurate, and robust platform for glyphosate detection.
• This novel material offers a promising solution for on-site environmental monitoring of glyphosate contamination.
• The single-step synthesis and superior performance highlight its potential for addressing water pollution challenges.