Polythiophene/Copper Vanadate Nanoribbons and their Electrochemical Sensing Properties for Detecting Benzoic Acid

Abstract

Excessive intake of benzoic acid may cause serious diseases, including disordered metabolism, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Hence, it is important to explore a reliable method to determine the quantity of benzoic acid for protecting human health. In this regard, polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbon composites act as electrode materials for the detection of benzoic acid. The objective of this research was to synthesize polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons via an in-situ polymerization approach and evaluate their electrochemical performance for the detection of benzoic acid. Polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons were obtained via an in-situ polymerization approach. The obtained composite nanoribbons were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and electrochemical method. Amorphous polythiophene nanoparticles with a size of less than 100 nm were homogeneously attached to the copper vanadate nanoribbons. Electrochemical sensing properties of the polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons modified electrode for detecting benzoic acid were analyzed using the Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) method. An irreversible CV peak was observed at +0.36 V in 0.1 M KCl solution with 2 mM benzoic acid. The polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons modified electrode indicated a linear range of 0.001-2 mM with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.29 µM. Polythiophene greatly enhanced the electrochemical sensing properties of copper vanadate nanoribbons. Polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons modified electrode was found to be stable and repeatable owing to the synergistic effect of various components.