Effective electrochemical detection of furazolidone based on iron tungstate decorated carbon black composite modified glassy carbon electrode

Abstract

Furazolidone (FUZ), an antibiotic drug widely used to treat bacterial and protozoal infections, poses significant risks to human health and domestic animals. Therefore, detecting FUZ is crucial to prevent environmental contamination. In this study, Iron Tungstate (FeWO4) nanosheets were synthesized using the hydrothermal technique and anchored with Carbon black (CB) to form a FeWO4/CB nanocomposite. This composite was applied onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for electrochemical FUZ detection. Material characterization involved various techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high resolution-transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry studies (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were conducted to assess the electrochemical behavior of the FeWO4/CB/GCE electrodes. The FeWO4/CB electrode demonstrated a low detection limit of 0.01 μM, a wide linear response range of 0.01–135 µM, and a higher sensitivity of 1.3 μA μM−1 cm−2. Moreover, the electrodes exhibited excellent repeatability, reproducibility, and stability. Practical application of the FeWO4/CB/GCE electrodes included the successful detection of FUZ in tap water and river water samples with a high recovery percentage. Additionally, these electrodes were utilized in the field of biotechnological applications for practical FUZ detection.