A glassy carbon electrode modified with β-cyclodextin, multiwalled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide for sensitive determination of 1,3-dinitrobenzene

We are presenting a host-guest electrochemical platform for sensing the pollutant 1,3-dinitrobenzene. The method is based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) covered with a composite made from multiwalled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide, and functionalized with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The resultant composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and electrochemical techniques. The modified GCE was used for the sensitive detection of 1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB) at working voltages of −355 mV and −483 mV. Due to the specific recognition property of β-CD and the excellent electronic properties of the carbon nanomaterials, the electrode exhibits outstanding supramolecular recognition and enhanced electrochemical response to DNB compared to more conventional electrodes. Under optimum conditions, the peak currents vary linearly with the DNB concentrations in the range from 0.02 to 30.0 μM, and the detection limit is 5.0 nM (at an S/N of 3). The electrode exhibits long-term stability and has been successfully applied to the determination of DNB in spiked soil and water samples.