Gadolinium ortho-ferrite interfaced polyaniline: Bi-functional catalyst for electrochemical detection and photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen

Abstract

The present work illustrates the synthesis of GdFeO3 by glycol assisted sol-gel process and the polyaniline (PANI) by in-situ oxidative polymerization to constitute GdFeO3 interfaced PANI composite (GdFeO3/PANI) for electrochemical detection and photocatalytic decomposition of an organic pollutant, acetaminophen (AC). The physical, structural, and chemical properties of GdFeO3, PANI, and the composite were determined using various advanced spectroscopic and analytical techniques. For electroanalysis, pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was modified with GdFeO3/PANI composite, resulting in PGE/GdFeO3/PANI working electrode. The electrochemical investigations ascertained that the integration of GdFeO3 and PANI boosted the electron transfer rate, thereby featuring low peak potential and enhanced redox peak current. The developed PGE/GdFeO3/PANI sensor exhibited a wide linear range (2 µM – 1300 µM), and low detection limit (1.089 µM). The real sample analysis displayed an excellent recovery rate assuring PGE/GdFeO3/PANI sensor for reliable detection and quantification of AC in environmental samples. In addition, the photocatalytic behavior of GdFeO3/PANI composite was evaluated for removal of AC (20 ppm) under the visible light irradiation (LED, 30 W). The composite displayed an excellent photodegradation efficiency (87%) attributing to the enhanced charge separation and rapid electron mobility within the composite system. Hence, the as-prepared GdFeO3/PANI composite was proved to act as an efficient bifunctional catalyst that could be scaled up for real-time detection and remediation of AC.