Willow catkin template synthesis of NiS@NSC hollow tubes for highly sensitive dual-function electrochemical detection of acetaminophen and Cu2+

Public health and environmental well-being have become increasingly threatened by the contamination of pharmaceuticals and heavy metal ions. This study focuses on addressing this critical issue by developing a novel electrochemical sensor for the dual-functional detection of acetaminophen (AP) and Cu²⁺. Utilizing willow catkins as a biomass template, a hollow tubular NiS@NSC composite was prepared by simple nickel salt impregnation combined with calcination and sulfurization. A highly sensitive dual-functional electrochemical sensor was thus constructed that can detect both acetaminophen (AP) and Cu²⁺. By examining its electrochemical properties, the sensor achieves an impressive detection limit of 1.33 pM for AP, with a linear range of 4.00 pM ~ 0.15 mM. The sensor can also detect Cu²⁺, with a detection limit of 1.04 µM, and a linear range of 3.13 µM ~ 0.66 mM. The sensor also exhibits strong resistance to interference, and good repeatability and stability. In addition, the sensor has demonstrated good performance in actual sample analysis, including the detection of AP in serum and Cu²⁺ in wastewater. This excellent electrochemical sensing performance is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of its unique tubular structure and highly conductive N, S co-doped carbon. This results in the sensor exhibiting minimal charge transfer resistance, an extensive electrochemically active surface area, and a high density of active sites.

Graphical Abstract