Semiconductor nanocrystals-reduced graphene composites for the electrochemical detection of carbendazim

Abstract

A new nanocomposite based on ZnCdTe semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) synthesized in situ on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was obtained. The heterostructure was characterized using UV-Vis emission and absorption spectroscopies, which provided evidences of the growth of the nanocrystals onto the rGO matrix. To evaluate the electrochemical performance, carbon paste electrodes modified with the nanocomposite (QD-rGO/CPE) were prepared, showing high sensitivity in the electroanalytical detection of the pesticide carbendazim. Under optimal operational conditions a calibration curve was constructed with a linear behavior in the range of 9.98 × 10-8 to 1.18 × 10-5 mol L-1, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for carbendazim were 9.16 × 10-8 and 2.78 × 10-7 mol L-1, respectively. The electrode is successfully applied for the determination of carbendazim in orange juice samples.