An efficient voltammetric sensing platform for trace determination of Norfloxacin based on nanoplate-like α-zirconium phosphate/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Abstract

Norfloxacin (NOR) residues pose a potential threat to our health and ecosystem, so it is highly urgent to develop a simple but accurate method for NOR determination. Therefore, an efficient voltammetric sensing platform was constructed for trace detection of NOR based on nanoplate-like α-zirconium phosphate/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (α-ZrP/CMWCNT). The physiochemical characteristics of α-ZrP/CMWCNT were scrutinized using various microscopic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical means. In order to pursuit higher voltammetric responses, detection conditions of NOR such as accumulation potential, accumulation time and buffer pH, were explored comprehensibly. The α-ZrP/CMWCNT enlarged the electrochemically active surface area and lowered the charge transfer resistance. Owing to the synergistic interactions between nanoplate-like α-ZrP NPs and CMWCNTs, the α-ZrP/CMWCNT boosted the voltammetric response signals and reduced the over-potential of NOR. Consequently, the α-ZrP/CMWCNT demonstrated remarkably catalytic activity for NOR electrooxidation, with two broad linear detection ranges (0.01–0.1 μM; 0.1–10.0 μM) and a low detection limit (2.8 nM). The α-ZrP/CMWCNT modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited strong anti-interfering ability even in excess of other antibiotics and common metal ions, and maintained robust response peaks up to two weeks. The α-ZrP/CMWCNT/GCE realized accurate determination of NOR from complicated matrices at trace levels with good recoveries (99.00–104.40 %).