C60-functionalized MWCNT based sensor for sensitive detection of endocrine disruptor vinclozolin in solubilized system and wastewater

A novel fullerene (C60) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) fabricated electrochemical sensor was developed for the sensitive determination of the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin in a solubilized system of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The home-made sensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the nanocomposite film of C60–MWCNTs on GCE exhibits electrocatalytic activity towards vinclozolin reduction and also lowers the reduction overpotential. The influence of the optimization parameters such as pH, effect of CTAB concentration and effect of loading of composite mixture of C60 and MWCNTs on the analytical performance of the sensor was evaluated. Various kinetic parameters such as electron transfer number (n), proton transfer number (m), charge transfer coefficient (α) and diffusion coefficient (D) were also calculated. Under optimized conditions, the squarewave reduction peak current was linear over the concentration range of 2.54–8.75 μM with the detection and quantification limit of 0.091 μM and 0.3 μM respectively. The fabricated sensor was successfully applied to the detection of vinclozolin in wastewater with good recovery ranging from 97.6 to 103.6%.