Boron-doped diamond electrode acting as a voltammetric sensor for the detection of methomyl pesticide

Abstract

Standard methods for the detection of carbamate pesticides are expensive, time-consuming, and require highly trained employees. Thus, electroanalytical methods are considered to be rapid, simple and low-cost alternatives. Here, we develop sensitive voltammetric methods for the determination of methomyl (a carbamate pesticide) using a bare boron-doped diamond electrode, square wave voltammetry (SWV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and Britton–Robinson buffer (pH2.0) as supporting electrolyte. Methomyl has three oxidation processes: meantime process P1 was chosen for the analytical determination due to its higher sensitivity in comparison with other processes. The detection limits and concentration ranges of the SWV and DPV methods were 1.9×10−5 and 1.2×10−6molL−1, and 6.6–42.0×10−5 to 5.0–410.0×10−6molL−1, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied in river water, tap water and commercial formulations showcasing >80% mean recoveries. Comparing the two techniques, DPV was seen as the most sensitive method.