A magnetic nanocomposite prepared from electrospun CoFe2O4 nanofibers and graphene oxide as a material for highly sensitive determination of rutin

A magnetic bar carbon paste electrode (MBCPE) modified with cobalt ferrite magnetic electrospun nanofibers (NFs) and graphene oxide (GO) is described for the electrochemical determination of rutin. The NFs were prepared by electrospinning using a solution that contains poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and Co(II) and Fe(III) nitrates as metal sources. Carbon paste was prepared by hand mixing GO, CoFe2O4 NFs and graphite. This paste was then packed into the end of a glass tube and a very small magnetic bar was inserted into the tube to be coated with the carbon paste to provide a magnetic field. The MBCPE was used to attract the magnetic nanofibers to the electrode surface. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques were used to study the electrochemical behavior of rutin on the modified MBCPE at pH 2.5. The electrocatalytic current, best measured at a potential of around 0.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), varies with the rutin concentration in two linear ranges, viz. from 0.001-0.1 nM and from 1.0-100 nM, with a 0.94 pM detection limit. The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of rutin in lemon, red apple, lime and orange juices.