Yttrium iron oxide embedded reduced graphene oxide: A trace level detection platform for carbamate pesticide in agricultural products

Abstract

Carbofuran (CRF) is an important pesticide that is widely used in agriculture to achieve economic benefits. However, its high toxicity raises serious concerns about food and agricultural safety. To address this issue, our study proposes an electrochemical sensor for the detection of the oxidized form of carbofuran by applying yttrium iron oxide (YFO) embedded reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The YFO-rGO composite was synthesized via hydrothermal and sonochemical methods and characterized for its structural integrity and electrochemical performances. The precise detection of CRF was facilitated through the application of voltammetry (CV) and amperometry (i-t) techniques. Notably, the resulting YFO-rGO/RDE sensor exhibited exceptional selectivity and sensitivity toward CRF under optimized conditions, with a lower detection limit of 0.018 µM with a broad linear range of about 0.0299–303.5 µM respectively. It also demonstrates consistent repeatability and reproducibility. Practical validation of the sensor was conducted through the analysis of actual food samples, confirming its efficacy in real-world agricultural settings.