Amine-functionalized activated carbon for 2-chloroethyl phenyl sulphide (2-CEPS) sensing using a portable electrochemical circuit

Abstract

In this study, activated carbon (AC) is synthesized from waste thermocol sheets and functionalized it with amine groups to enhance the surface properties and selectivity. The synthesized material is further characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). SEM images revealed excellent porosity, XRD confirmed AC synthesis, and FTIR and XPS verified amine functionalization. The size of particles of the synthesized material is determined to be 38.4 nm using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The modified carbon is used as a working electrode in an innovative portable electrochemical sensing prototype for detecting 2-chloroethyl Phenyl Sulphide (2-CEPS). Electrochemical characterizations, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), were conducted to evaluate the electrode's performance. Studies on analyte concentration effects, calibration plots, reproducibility, and stability were also performed. The prototype demonstrated a limit of detection (LOD) of 82.89 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 251.18 µM, with a linear range of 50-300 µM. Stability tests using 150 µM of 2-CEPS at pH 6 showed consistent peak current values, indicating the device's reliability. The prototype is cost-efficient, portable, and suitable for onsite detection of 2-CEPS, with potential applications in environmental monitoring, war zones, emergency response, border security, and industrial safety.