A novel electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of 2,4-dichlorophenol and 3-chlorophenol†

Electrochemical sensors have garnered considerable interest from researchers due to their ability to quickly and accurately detect chlorophenols, which are widespread environmental pollutants with significant health risks. This study presents a novel hydrophilic carbon cloth electrode modified with Ce/Ni/Cu layered double hydroxide (CeNiCu-LDH@CC) for detecting endocrine disruptors 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 3-chlorophenol (3-CP). Using a Ce/Ni metal–organic framework (CeNi-MOF) as a precursor, the material is doped with Cu(II) and then alkali-etched into LDH. This process enhances the adsorption sites and surface area of the material, resulting in an electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of 9.68 cm² for CeNiCu-LDH@CC. The electrochemical tests reveal that Cu(II) doping improves the conductivity of the sensor, enhancing its performance for chlorophenol detection. The sensor detects 2,4-DCP and 3-CP simultaneously with a linear range of 1 to 100 μM and detection limits of 0.197 μM and 0.286 μM, respectively. Moreover, the CeNiCu-LDH@CC sensor demonstrates high recovery rates in real sample tests, indicating its practical application potential. In summary, the CeNiCu-LDH@CC sensor developed in this study shows exceptional sensing capabilities, stability, and selectivity for 2,4-DCP and 3-CP, making it suitable for simultaneous detection of these compounds.