Three-dimensional nanoporous copper and reduced graphene oxide composites as enhanced sensing platform for electrochemical detection of carbendazim

Abstract Three-dimensional nanoporous copper (NP-Cu) for the first time has been used as an enhanced material for ultrasensitive detection of carbendazim by electrochemistry method. The NP-Cu was fabricated by dealloying Al Cu alloy ribbons, which was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The NP-Cu shows bicontinuous nanoporous structure with ligaments of ~20 nm. Based on the large specific surface area and high electrocatalytic activity, the NP-Cu was used to develop an amperometric sensor for carbendazim detection. Sensing parameters such as accumulation time, suspension volume, pH, scan rate, and concentration of carbendazim were discussed. The sensor can be applied to quantification of carbendazim in the concentration range of 0.5–30 μM (R2 = 0.998), with a detection limit of 0.09 μM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the sensor showed good stability, high selectivity, and satisfactory anti-interference ability. The proposed approach was approvingly applied to electrochemical determination of carbendazim in practical sample.