Gadolinium molybdate decorated graphitic carbon nitride composite: highly visualized detection of nitrofurazone in water samples

Abstract

In this work, a graphitic carbon nitride/gadolinium molybdate (g-C₃N₄/Gd₂MoO₆) composite manufactured glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was used to detect nitrofurazone (NFZ) at the trace level. A quick and inexpensive electrochemical sensor for NFZ analysis is described in this paper. The material structure and properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The GCE/g-C₃N₄/Gd₂MoO₆ electrode was studied using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The electrocatalytic studies of the GCE/g-C₃N₄/Gd₂MoO₆ electrode showed significantly improved detection of NFZ. The electrocatalytic studies of the GCE/g-C₃N₄/Gd₂MoO₆ electrode was significantly improved for the detection of NFZ than bare GCE, GCE/g-C₃N₄, and GCE/Gd₂MoO₆ modified electrodes. The linear response and the detection limit of NFZ were 0.006 μM (S/N = 3) and 0.02–2000 μM, respectively. The electrode sensitivity was identified as 2.057 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² under ideal experimental conditions. The modified electrode was able to detect NFZ even when there were 500-fold as many interfering ions present. The practical applicability of the electrode was tested in a variety of water samples, with satisfactory results. Overall, the NFZ sensor demonstrated satisfactory repeatability, stability, and reproducibility. Meanwhile, it has proven to be a reliable, stable, and practical platform for the analysis of NFZ in various water samples, with acceptable recoveries.