Development and application of a CNT–Ag–Cu–Al/PS-based paper electrode for detecting diverse analytes in complex matrices

Abstract

Electrochemical sensors play a crucial role in the detection of different analytes in complex matrices, and their performance is highly dependent on the electrode capacity. However, most of the available electrodes can only be used for single-component detection, so it is urgent to develop electrodes with high sensitivity and selectivity for different components. Herein, we report an amphiprotic amino-bonded carbon nanotube–Ag/Cu/Al nanoparticle/polystyrene-coated paper electrode (CNT–Ag–Cu–Al/PS electrode), which can be used for the measurement of glucose (Glc), oxytetracycline (OTC), and hydroquinone (HQ), respectively. The results showed that the analytical sensitivity and selectivity of the CNT–Ag–Cu–Al/PS electrode were comparable to those of single metal-coated paper substrate. The developed electrode also exhibited excellent linear responses for Glc, OTC, and HQ in the ranges of 1.0–1000.0 μM, 1.0 × 10⁻² to 10.0 μM, and 5.0 × 10⁻³ to 50.0 μM, and the limits of detection (LODs) were 0.2055 μM (Glc), 0.0074 μM (OTC), and 0.0048 μM (HQ). Owing to the characteristics of good selectivity, anti-interference, stability, and reproducibility, the CNT–Ag–Cu–Al/PS paper electrode has been successfully applied to the detection of these analytes in complex human body fluids, food, and environmental waters. The paper electrode is promising for the detection of target compounds in complex matrices.