Formation of graphene nanoplatelet-like structures on carbon–ceramic electrode surface: application for simultaneous determination of sunset yellow and tartrazine in some food samples

Carbon–ceramic electrode modified with 1-allyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetraflouroborate ionic liquid was constructed. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis), energy dispersive X-ray analysis proved that the deposition of ionic liquid on the surface of carbon–ceramic electrode caused formation of graphene nanoplatelet-like structures on its surface. This electrode was used for simultaneous electrochemical determination of sunset yellow (SY) and tartrazine (Tz). Operational parameters such as pH of solution and ionic liquid volume which affected the analytical performance of modified electrode were optimized. The present electrode exhibited linear response to SY and Tz in concentration range of 1 × 10−7–1.5 × 10−5 M and 1 × 10−7–2 × 10−5 M with a detection limit of 7.3 × 10−8 M and 8.1 × 10−8 M, respectively. The high repeatability, reproducibility, long-term life time, and low response time (<3 s) are advantages of modified electrode. The modified electrode was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of SY and Tz in different food samples, and the results were in good agreement with those obtained from HPLC method.