Fabrication of a Biocompatible Nanocomposite-Based Voltammetric Sensor for Sensitive Determination of Mercazole

Application of fungicides and pesticides is highly demanded and effective for improvement of agricultural production. In this study, the electrochemical behavior of mercazole (CDZ) at the chitosan-carbon nanoparticles-modified glassy carbon electrode (CS-CNPs/GCE) was discussed in detail through cyclic voltammetry. The results of the investigation of the electrochemical response of CDZ revealed a considerable improvement in the oxidation and reduction peak currents of CDZ on the CS-CNPs/GCE compared to the bare GCE. CDZ underwent totally reversible oxidation at this system and well-defined peaks were observed. Furthermore, density functional theory studies were carried out to investigate the nature of the adsorption process of CDZ molecules on the outer surface of CS-CNPs/GCE. Square wave voltammetry was used as a powerful tool for detection of CDZ in different concentrations. The oxidation mechanism of CDZ was a reversible, pH-dependent and adsorption-controlled process. Under the optimal conditions, the highly sensitive response with a wide linear range from 0.04 μM to 1.0 μM with a sufficiently low detection limit of 17.7 nM was obtained which demonstrates promising results for the future usage in agricultural applications.