Polyimide-multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite as electrochemical sensing platform for the simultaneous detection...

Developing novel electrode materials plays a crucial role in enhancing the electrochemical sensing performance of chemically modified electrodes. This research presents a composite electrode material based on polyimide incorporated with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PI-MWCNT) for the simultaneous detection of three nitrophenol isomers (NPs). First, the composite was prepared and characterized using microscopies, spectroscopic techniques, and electrochemical experiments. The results indicated that the PI-MWCNT exhibited porosity and roughness, which facilitated the enhancement of its sensing performance. Afterward, the detection capabilities of PI-MWCNT towards NPs were evaluated through voltammetry experiments under optimal conditions. The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) curves revealed three distinct anodic peaks in the NPs solution, with linear ranges of 1-300 μM for 2-NP, 0.25-250 μM for 3-NP, and 0.25-400 μM for 4-NP. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.50 μM for both 2-NP and 3-NP, and 0.64 μM for 4-NP. Furthermore, the proposed electrode material was successfully applied to real samples, achieving recovery rates ranging from 92.9% to 106%. This study could contribute to the development of more efficient and sensitive electrochemical sensors.