Fabrication of bio-synthesized CoFe2O4 modified with graphite for electrochemical sensing of lead (II) and mercury (I) heavy metals and photo-dye degradation applications
摘要
The recent advances in sensitive and selective measurements demand fabrication of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (CF NPs) for detecting heavy-metal ions using electrochemical (CV and EIS) techniques. The sustainable development of CF NPs was achieved by solution combustion route using Catharanthus roseus leaves (CRL) extract as a capping agent exhibits excellent physiochemical, redox and specific capacitance (Csp = 113F/g at 30 V/s) characteristics. The structural properties of both CF NPs were well characterized by PXRD, HR-TEM, XPS, EDAX with elemental mapping, FT-IR, and UV–visible techniques. The superior electrochemical and photocatalytic performance is attributed to the co-existence of Co(II) and Co(III) oxidation states confirmed by XPS, which accelerates interfacial electron transfer, while the unique morphology of the composite facilitates rapid ion diffusion. A cost-effective electrochemical sensor electrode designed by CF NPs with graphite powder used for sensing toxic Pb(II) and Hg(I) ions) at trace level in 1.0 M HCl electrolyte. The developed bio-engineered CF (BCF) sensor electrode confirmed a remarkable action on sensing of Pb(II) and Hg(I) than that of chemical-engineered CF (CCF) NPs, with good linearity (0.13–50 µg/L), low LOD (0.95 mM/L), low LOQ (2.87 mg/L) and higher sensitivity were discussed in detail. The BCF NPs exhibited outstanding photo-degradation efficiency (100%) than CCF NPs (91%) on anionic (EBT) dye at 120 min under sunlight irradiation. The proposed electrochemical and photocatalytic activities executed very well for heavy-metal detection and waste water treatment to develop modifying approaches that benefits for decreasing environmental challenges.