Smartphone‐Assisted Electrochemical Sensor Based on Mg0.5Co2.5(PO4)2 and Carbon Black for Trace Bisphenol A Detection

Abstract

Abstract Bisphenol A (BPA) widely recognized as an endocrine disruptor can induce serious threats to human health such as sexual anomalies and cancer. Unfortunately, BPA has been increasingly used since 1950s; specifically during the manufacturing of polycarbonates and plastics such as food containers and water bottles. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop low‐cost, simple, portable and sensitive sensors for in‐situ detection of this contaminant in food and water. The combination of nanostructured carbon materials and metal/metal oxide nanoparticles can result in materials with unique physicochemical properties as well as excellent catalytic behaviors. Herein, we propose a smartphone‐assisted electrochemical sensor based on the combination of Mg0.5Co2.5(PO4)2 and carbon black (CB) modified screen‐printed electrode (SPE) for a rapid and sensitive determination of BPA. Structural characterization confirmed the formation of Mg0.5Co2.5(PO4)2/CB nanocomposite on SPE surface. Very low oxidation potential of BPA was observed during the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) experiments at 0.16 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The sensor revealed two‐step linear response from 0.5–6.5 μm and from 16.5–100 μm with a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.15 μm. A good reproducibility, excellent stability, and high interference‐free ability were obtained. Furthermore, the developed sensor showed satisfactory recoveries for BPA detection in real water samples.

Keywords

• bisphenol A sensing
• carbon black
• electrochemical sensor
• screen-printed electrode
• smartphone-assisted