Introducing a Paradigm–Shifting Sensor Array: Enabling the Simultaneous Detection of Antibiotics, Heavy Metals, and Pesticides through the Synergy of Copper Oxide–Anchored Carbon Nanofibers

Abstract

Electrochemical sensors offer promising prospects for real–time pollutant monitoring. In this study, copper oxide–dispersed graphitic carbon nanofibers (CuO−CNFs) grown via chemical vapour deposition were employed as a robust platform for detecting a variety of environmental pollutants. This array–based sensor adeptly identifies three different classes of analytes, i. e., antibiotics (chloramphenicol (CP) and tylosin tartrate (TT)), heavy metals (cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)), and pesticides (quinalphos (QP) and imidacloprid (IP)). Electron collection is facilitated by a glassy carbon electrode, while various physico–electrochemical methods delve into the properties of CuO−CNFs. The CuO−CNF–modified GCE array rapidly discerns (<15 sec) a broad linear range: 1–20 ppm for CP, 1–13.33 ppm for TT, 0.66–11.66 ppm for Cd, 20–33.33 ppm for Pb, 1.6–11.6 ppm for QP, and 5–25 ppm for IP, boasting quantification limits of 1.0, 1.0, 0.66, 20.0, 1.6, and 5.0 ppm for CP, TT, Cd, Pb, QP, and IP, respectively. Notably, this sensor achieves simultaneous identification of mixed analytes, including CP and TT, Cd and Pb, and QP and IP, within real tap water. Furthermore, the electrochemical sensor exhibits robustness; heightened sensitivity, selectivity, and stability; a swift response; and impressive reproducibility in detecting CP, TT, Cd, Pb, QP, and IP within aqueous samples. Consequently, this array–based electrochemical sensor has emerged as a rapid and simultaneous detection tool for diverse pollutant residues in surface and groundwater samples.