Investigation of T site variation in spinel aluminates TAl2O4 (T= Mg, Zn & Cu), and formation of electrocatalyst CuAl2O4/carbon for efficient sensing application

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-08, Vol.301, p.134458-134458, Article 134458
• Main Authors: Chen, Po Chou, Ganguly, Anindita, Kanna Sharma, Tata Sanjay, Chou, Kuan-Yu, Chang, Shu-Mei, Hwa, Kuo-Yuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetaminophen; Electrochemical sensor; Hydrothermal synthesis; Real time analysis; Spinel aluminates
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134458

Spinel structured aluminates TAl2O4 (T = Mg, Zn, and Cu) were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The resultant enhancement in the electrochemical behavior was achieved due to the covalent synergism among the elements coexisting together. Structural and morphological characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. MgAl2O4, ZnAl2O4 and CuAl2O4 has displayed same space group Fd3m of Laue class lattice type of the cubic structure as they were synthesized at same temperature (600 °C). CuAl2O4 spinel structure displayed a nanoneedle like structure along with the small sized cylindrical particles alongside to which CuAl2O4 spinel is combined with activated carbon (CuAl/C) and was applied to develop a facile sensor for the electrochemical detection of Acetaminophen (ACAP) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which exhibited maximum conductivity, and a substantial electroactive surface area. Finally, the defect-rich composite, CuAl/C, showed excellent sensor performance towards DPV with 21.5 nM limit of detection (LOD) in a wide linear working range of 0.199 μM–165.88 μM ACAP concentration, with a high sensitivity of 19.1221 μA μM−1cm2. Additionally, the sensor showed excellent recovery results in real-time analysis for environmental aquatic samples like industrial wastewater and Tuna Fish. [Display omitted] •Highly efficient spinel metal aluminates (TAl2O4; T = Mg, Zn, Cu) were synthesized.•The composite shows good catalytic activity by effective covalent synergism.•The composite was utilized to develop a sensor for the detection of anti-analgesic drug ACAP.•Sensitive detection of ACAP was possible with lower LOD at 21.5 nM.•The real-time applicability was successfully implied in environmental aquatic samples.