Comparative performances of phenolic sensors based on various CeO₂-carbon material nanocomposites for environmental safety

Purpose The purpose of this study is to prepare various CeO 2 -based carbon material (CNT, CB, GO) nanocomposites through a wet chemical process for the development of a sensor probe to detect various environmental toxins by using an electrochemical approach under room temperature conditions. A comparative study on sensitive and selective phenolic sensor (4-methoxyphenol; 4-MP) has been fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with various nanocomposites (NCs) such as CeO 2 , CeO 2 –CNT (carbon nanotubes), CeO 2 –CB (carbon black) and CeO 2 –GO (graphene oxide) NCs. Design/methodology/approach The CeO 2 –CNT NCs were prepared by the wet chemical method at low temperature. NCs were characterized by various methods such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR), ultra-violet/visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and XRD (X-ray diffraction). CeO 2 –CNT NCs were immobilized as a film on the flat surface of the GCE by using binders (5% Nafion). The electrochemical measurements of the 4-MP detection with the CeO 2 –CNT NCs/Nafion/GCE sensor were studied by the current-voltage method. Findings In the optimal conditions, the sensitivity, detection limit and limit of quantification of 4-MP sensor probe were found to be 47.56 µAcm-2 µM −1 , 12.0 ± 0.2 nM and 40.0 ± 0.5 nM (S/N of 3), respectively. Research limitations/implications This electrochemical sensor showed an acceptable analytical performance in the detection of 4-MP with higher sensitivity, lower detection limit, large dynamic concentration range, good reproducibility and fast response time. Practical implications This electrochemical approach can be applied practically for the determination of selective 4-MP in real environmental and extracted samples. Social implications CeO 2 –CNT NCs/Nafion/GCE sensor probe was used for the safety of environmental and health-care fields at larger scales. Originality/value This electrochemical approach is a significant achievement on the development of sensor probe. The results are indicated as being technically detailed with an up-to-date account of recent chemical sensor research studies.