A Disposable Carbon-Based Electrochemical Cell Modified with Carbon Black and Ag/δ-FeOOH for Non-Enzymatic H₂O₂ Electrochemical Sensing

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an essential analyte for detecting neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory processes and plays a crucial role in pharmaceuticals, the food industry, and environmental monitoring. However, conventional H2O2 detection methods have drawbacks such as lengthy analysis times, high costs, and bulky equipment. Non-enzymatic sensors have emerged as promising alternatives to overcome these limitations. In this research, we introduce a simple, portable, and cost-effective non-enzymatic sensor that uses carbon black (CB) and silver nanoparticle-modified δ-FeOOH (Ag/δ-FeOOH) integrated into a disposable electrochemical cell (DCell). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed successful CB and Ag/δ-FeOOH immobilization on the DCell working electrode. Electrochemical investigations revealed that the DCell-CB//Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor exhibited an approximately twofold higher apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant than the DCell-Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor, capitalizing on CB’s advantages. Moreover, the sensor displayed an excellent electrochemical response for H2O2 reduction, boasting a low detection limit of 22 µM and a high analytical sensitivity of 214 μA mM−1 cm−2. Notably, the DCell-CB//Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor exhibited outstanding selectivity for H2O2 detection, even in potential interferents such as dopamine, uric acid, and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the sensor has the right qualities for monitoring H2O2 in complex biological samples, as evidenced by H2O2 recoveries ranging from 92% to 103% in 10% fetal bovine serum. These findings underscore the considerable potential of the DCell-CB//Ag/δ-FeOOH sensor for precise and reliable H2O2 monitoring in various biomedical and environmental applications.

Keywords

• non-enzymatic sensor
• Ag/δ-FeOOH
• carbon black
• hydrogen peroxide
• electrochemical detection