A facile synthesis of nanostructured CoFe2O4 for the electrochemical sensing of bisphenol A

Abstract

This work reports a novel, highly sensitive and cost-effective electrochemical sensor for the detection of bisphenol A in environmental water samples. Attractive non-noble transition metal oxide CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using a sol–gel combustion method and further characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode exhibits high electrochemical activity and good catalytic performance for the detection of bisphenol A. The linear calibration curves are obtained within a wide concentration range from 0.05 μmol L⁻¹ to 10 μmol L⁻¹, and the limit of detection is 3.6 nmol L⁻¹ for bisphenol A. Moreover, this sensor also demonstrates excellent reproducibility, stability, and good anti-interference ability. The sensor was successfully applied to determine bisphenol A in practical samples, and the satisfactory recovery rate was between 95.5% and 102.0%. Based on the great electrochemical properties and practical application results, this electrochemical sensor has broad application prospects in the sensing of bisphenol A.