Electrochemical sensor based on biochar and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for carbendazim determination

Abstract For the first time, a nanocomposite based on biochar and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was employed to construct a modified carbon paste electrode and applied for the determination of carbendazim (CBZ). Biochar was obtained through pyrolysis of Eichhornia crassipes biomass, also known how “Aguape” at 400 oC. The modified electrode with our nanocomposite proposal shows to be able to preconcentrate CBZ and presented the highest analytical response in comparison to the unmodified electrode and by the electrodes prepared with the proposed materials separately. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) under optimized conditions, the sensor showed a linear dynamic response (LDR) from 30 to 900 nmol L-1, a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.3 nmol L-1 and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 7.7 nmol L-1. No significant influence of inorganic ions or organic compounds on sensor response was verified, considering the recovery evaluation data. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of CBZ in spiked whole orange juice, lettuce leaves, drinking water, and wastewater samples. Good recovery values were found using the ex-situ methodology, showing excellent analytical performance of the electrochemical sensor based on biochar and rGO nanocomposite.