Synthesis of 3D flower-like zinc-chromium layered double hydroxides: A functional electrode material for furaltadone detection

Abstract

Furaltadone (FLD) as an antibiotic has been widely used in animal husbandry to treat bacterial infection and promote animal growth. Its abnormal usage has threatened human health and the ecological system. The sensitive FLD detection is crucial for the protection of human health and eco-environment. In this study, unique 3D flower-like zinc-chromium layered double hydroxides (ZnCr-LDHs) are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach and further utilized as the electrode material for electrochemical FLD detection. The characteristics of 3D flower-like ZnCr-LDHs were systematically investigated by various microscopic and spectroscopic methods. This 3D-flower-like ZnCr-LDHs endows the electrocatalyst with rich electroactive sites, good conductivity, large surface area, and rapid ion diffusion to promote electrochemical activities. The ZnCr-LDHs modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) shows superior electrochemical performance for the detection of FLD compared to the pristine GCE, including. wide linear ranges (0.01–60.8; 60.8–312.9 μM), low limit of detection (1.0 nM), low limit of quantitation (3.4 nM), high sensitivity (1.31 μA μM–1 cm–2), good reproducibility (4.75%), and anti-interfering ability (<±5%). The practicality of the fabricated ZnCr-LDHs/GCE was successfully confirmed by measuring FLD in the human-urine and river-water samples with acceptable recovery values (95–99%). This work opens a new perspective way for the design and preparation of novel electrode material with unique properties for boosting electrocatalysis toward electrochemical sensing applications.