Cobalt-iron selenides embedded in porous carbon nanofibers for simultaneous electrochemical detection of trace of hydroquinone, catechol and resorcinol

Abstract

In this study, cobalt-iron selenides embedded in porous carbon nanofibers (CoFe₂Se₄/PCF), derived from Prussian blue analogues, was prepared as a novel phenolic sensor. The obtained CoFe₂Se₄/PCF nanocomposites show three-dimensional (3D) networks nanostructures that can supply a desirable conductive network to accelerate electron transfer and avoid the aggregation of CoFe₂Se₄ nanoparticles. Electrochemical detection of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC) and resorcinol (RS), at CoFe₂Se₄/PCF modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) were researched. The results show the obtained 3D CoFe₂Se₄/PCF/GCE exhibits excellent electrochemical properties towards the simultaneous testing trace of HQ, CC and RS. The obtained electrode provides wide linear ranges of 0.5-200, 0.5-190 and 5-350 μM and low detection limit of 0.13, 0.15 and 1.36 μM for HQ, CC and RS, respectively. The as-prepared phenolic sensor displays satisfied selectivity and long-term storage stability. In addition, the constructed sensor can be used to determine HQ, CC and RS in actual samples.

Keywords: CoFe(2)Se(4)/PCF nanocomposites; Electrocatalysis; Phenolic sensor; Simultaneous testing.