Polythiophene/Copper Vanadate Nanoribbons and their Electrochemical Sensing Properties for Detecting Benzoic Acid

Abstract

Background: Excessive intake of benzoic acid may cause serious diseases, including disordered metabolism, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Hence, it is important to explore a reliable method to determine the quantity of benzoic acid for protecting human health. In this regard, polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbon composites act as electrode materials for the detection of benzoic acid. Objective: The objective of this research was to synthesize polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons via an in-situ polymerization approach and evaluate their electrochemical performance for the detection of benzoic acid. Methods: Polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons were obtained via an in-situ polymerization approach. The obtained composite nanoribbons were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and electrochemical method. Results: Amorphous polythiophene nanoparticles with a size of less than 100 nm were homogeneously attached to the copper vanadate nanoribbons. Electrochemical sensing properties of the polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons modified electrode for detecting benzoic acid were analyzed using the Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) method. An irreversible CV peak was observed at +0.36 V in 0.1 M KCl solution with 2 mM benzoic acid. The polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons modified electrode indicated a linear range of 0.001-2 mM with the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.29 µM. Conclusion: Polythiophene greatly enhanced the electrochemical sensing properties of copper vanadate nanoribbons. Polythiophene/copper vanadate nanoribbons modified electrode was found to be stable and repeatable owing to the synergistic effect of various components.