Electrochemical detection of 2-nitrophenol using a heterostructure ZnO/RuO2 nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode

Abstract

A highly selective chemisensor for 2-nitrophenol detection was fabricated using ZnO/RuO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by impregnation method. The as-synthesized NPs were characterized through UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), FTIR and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A glassy carbon electrode was modified with as-synthesized ZnO/RuO₂ nanoparticles and utilized as a chemical sensor for the detection of 2-nitrophenol. The fabricated sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity (18.20 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²), good reproducibility, short response time (8.0 s.), the lowest detection limit (52.20 ± 2.60 pM) and long-term stability in aqueous phase without interference effects. Finally, the fabricated sensor was validated as a 2-NP probe in various environmental water samples at room conditions.