Sains Malaysiana 52(4)(2023): 1173-1188

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2023-5204-11

Sensitive and Selective Detection of Chloroform by Current-Voltage Using ZnO Nanorods Modified Electrode

(Pengesanan Sensitif dan Memilih Kloroform oleh Voltan Arus Menggunakan Elektrod Ubah Suai ZnO Nanorod)

HASLINDA ABDUL HAMID^1,*, PANAPAN KUNAKORNWATTANA², NORAIN ISA^1,3 & KHAIRUNISAK ABDUL RAZAK⁴

¹Department of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia

²Ecospa Company Limited, 1/1 Soi Phatthanakan 63, Intersection 2, Prawet District, 10250 Bangkok, Thailand

³School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia

⁴School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia

Received: 20 July 2022/Accepted: 14 March 2023

Abstract

The development of in situ chloroform detection is crucial due to the high risk of carcinogenic effects associated with chloroform exposure. In this study, an electrochemical-based chloroform sensor was fabricated using undoped ZnO nanorods on indium tin oxide (ZnONRs/ITO) electrode to detect chloroform in aqueous-phase samples. Based on the results, the FESEM imaging showed that the ZnONRs exhibited an evenly distributed circular structure with a diameter of 62-90 nm, while the EDX and XRD findings confirmed the presence of Zn and O elements deposited on the electrode surface. Furthermore, the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) solution significantly affected the performance of the modified electrode with an optimal concentration and pH of 0.1 M and pH 7. The results also highlighted the vital function of the modified ZnONRs/ITO electrode as an efficient electron mediator and its catalytic potential to induce chloroform oxidation. Most importantly, the modified ZnONRs/ITO electrode was able to detect the presence of chloroform in real seawater samples, where the repeatability and reproducibility tests achieved a Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of 1.41% and 2.61%, respectively, indicating the exceptional performance of the modified electrode. Moreover, the modified ZnONRs/ITO electrode recorded a low limit of detection and high sensitivity of 1.50 µM and 2.11 µA/cm²·mM, respectively, within a 0.010-10 mM linear dynamic range. In conclusion, the current-voltage (I-V) method proved the reliable, satisfactory, and effective fabrication of the modified ZnONRs/ITO electrode for chloroform sensing in aqueous-phase samples, including in real seawater samples.

Keywords: Chloroform detection; I-V method; seawater; undoped ZnO nanorods

Abstrak

Pembangunan pengesanan kloroform in situ adalah penting kerana risiko tinggi kesan karsinogenik yang berkaitan dengan pendedahan kloroform. Dalam kajian ini, penderia kloroform berasaskan elektrokimia telah direka menggunakan nanorod ZnO yang tidak didop pada elektrod indium tin oksida (ZnONRs/ITO) untuk mengesan kloroform dalam sampel fasa akueus. Berdasarkan keputusan, pengimejan FESEM menunjukkan bahawa ZnONRs menunjukkan struktur bulat yang tersebar sama rata dengan diameter 62-90 nm, manakala penemuan EDX dan XRD mengesahkan kehadiran unsur Zn dan O yang dienapkan pada permukaan elektrod. Tambahan pula, larutan PBS memberi kesan ketara kepada prestasi elektrod diubah suai dengan kepekatan optimum dan pH pada 0.1 M dan pH 7. Hasilnya juga menyerlahkan fungsi penting elektrod ZnONRs/ITO yang diubah suai sebagai pengantara elektron yang cekap dan potensi pemangkinnya untuk mendorong pengoksidaan kloroform. Paling penting, elektrod ZnONRs/ITO yang diubah suai dapat mengesan kehadiran kloroform dalam sampel air laut sebenar dengan ujian kebolehulangan dan kebolehhasilan mencapai Sisihan Piawai Relatif (RSD) masing-masing 1.41% dan 2.61%, menunjukkan prestasi luar biasa bagi elektrod yang diubah suai. Selain itu, elektrod ZnONRs/ITO yang diubah suai merekodkan had pengesanan yang rendah dan kepekaan tinggi masing-masing 1.50 µM dan 2.11 µA/cm²·mM dalam julat dinamik linear 0.010-10 mM. Kesimpulannya, kaedah I-V membuktikan fabrikasi yang boleh dipercayai, memuaskan dan berkesan bagi elektrod ZnONR/ITO yang diubah suai untuk penderiaan kloroform dalam sampel fasa akueus, termasuk dalam sampel air laut sebenar.

Kata kunci: Air laut; kaedah I-V; pengesanan kloroform; ZnO yang tidak didop

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^*Corresponding author; email: hasli8366@uitm.edu.my