Facile synthesis of erbium vanadate nanoribbons for electrochemical detection of 4-nitrotoluene

Abstract

In this work, a simple hydrothermal process was utilized for preparing ErVO₄ nanoparticles. The prepared ErVO₄ nanoparticles were used for the electrochemical detection of hazardous 4-nitrotoluene. The physicochemical properties of ErVO₄ nanoparticles were examined using various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), the electrochemical detection of 4-nitrotoluene was assessed. In the 0.01–375 μM detection range, the ErVO₄ modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) sensor showed a low detection limit of 9 nM. The constructed ErVO₄/SPCE sensor exhibits selective detection in the presence of other chemical species, reproducibility, reusability, and real sample validation with a recovery range of ±95.00–99.00%. Compared to several previously reported sensors, ErVO₄ gave a substantially lower LOD for 4-nitrotoluene detection and was easier and faster to fabricate. The proposed ErVO₄-modified electrochemical sensor for 4-nitrotoluene described is affordable and flexible, enabling point-of-care 4-nitrotoluene testing essential for successful environmental monitoring and water quality accreditation.