Selective and sensitive detection of 4-nitrophenol in ecological water samples based on terbium tungstate anchored with graphitic nitride

In this work, the Tb2(WO4)3/C3N4 composite is for the electrochemical sensing of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Tb2(WO4)3 was prepared by hydrothermal method. Tb2(WO4)3 homogeneously functionalized with the g-C3N4 by a noncovalent pi-pi interaction. Besides, field emission scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction studies, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were utilized to characterize the prepared materials. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry techniques were used to investigate the electrocatalytic behavior of prepared electrode materials. The reduction in 4-NP exhibits high electrocatalytic activity, with best at working voltage with a linear response range of up to 1200 mu M. Moreover, the SPCE/C3N4/Tb2(WO4)3 electrode exhibited a detection limit and sensitivity of 0.23 mu M and 1.72 mu A mu M-1 cm-2, respectively. The electrode provides a workable platform for the analysis of 4-NP in water samples and is highly reproducible and stable. Tb2(WO4)3 (6 mg, 66%) and g-C3N4 (3 mg, 33%) were dispersed in DMF (6 mL) in a 1:1 ratio and sonicated for 60 minutes to form a g-C3N4/Tb2(WO4)3 composite then dried for further research. The g-C3N4/Tb2(WO4)3 composite is formed by the noncovalent stacking attraction between g-C3N4 and Tb2(WO4)3. image