Bimetallic Cu5Zn8 alloy-embedded hollow porous carbon nanocubes derived from 3D-Cu/ZIF-8 as efficient electrocatalysts for environmental pollutant detection in water bodies

Environ Res. 2023 Jan 1;216(Pt 2):114609. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114609. Epub 2022 Oct 19.

Abstract

Excessive use of nitrofurantoin (NFT) and its residues can be harmful to the ecosystem, and to mitigate this, rapid and cost-effective detection of NFT in water bodies is needed. In this regard, we prepared a three-dimensional (3D) copper-zeolitic imidazole framework (Cu/ZIF-8)-derived bimetallic Cu5Zn8 alloy-embedded hollow porous carbon nanocubes (Cu5Zn8/HPCNC) for electrochemical detection of NFT. The resultant material is characterized using suitable spectrophotometry and voltammetry methods. Cu5Zn8/HPCNC is an effective electrocatalyst with high electrical conductivity and a fast electron transfer rate. It also has more catalytic active sites for improved electrochemical reduction of NFT. Fabricated Cu5Zn8/HPCNC-modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) for NFT reduction have a wide linear range with a low detection limit, and high sensitivity (15.343 μA μМ-1 cm-2), appreciable anti-interference ability with related nitro compounds, storage stability, reproducibility, and repeatability. Also, the practicability of Cu5Zn8/HPCNC/SPE can be successfully employed in NFT monitoring in water bodies (drinking water, pond water, river water, and tap water) with satisfactory recoveries.

Keywords: 3D-Cu/ZIF-8; Bimetallic Cu(5)Zn(8) alloy; Environmental pollutant; Hollow porous carbon nanocubes; Nitrofurantoin; Water bodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alloys
  • Carbon* / chemistry
  • Ecosystem
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Environmental Pollutants*
  • Porosity
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Water
  • Zinc

Substances

  • Carbon
  • Alloys
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Water
  • Zinc