Cu-nanoparticles@ graphene nanocomposite: A robust and efficient nanocomposite for micro-solid phase extraction of trace aflatoxins in different foodstuffs

Abstract

Cu-nanoparticles-immobilized graphene (Cu@G) nanocomposite was fabricated in this study by reducing Cu(II) ions in the presence of graphene oxide using a simple chemical reduction step. Cu@G nanocomposite was applied as a sorbent for the SPE of four aflatoxins (AFs). A reusable syringe was filled with the fabricated nanocomposite and used as a sorbent for the micro-solid phase extraction of four AFs (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2). The impact of different analytical factors was fully investigated and optimized. Excellent recoveries, ranging from 92.0 to 108.5 %, were detected when evaluating target AFs in samples of rice, maize, and pistachio. The LOD, LOQ, and linear ranges were attained under optimal circumstances in the ranges of 0.0062 µg kg−1, 0.0192 µg kg−1, and 0.0–20 µg kg−1, respectively. The discovered approach provided the dual benefits of a high enrichment capability of Cu-nanoparticles via AFs complexation and a huge porosity of graphene sheets.