Sensitive electrocatalytic determination of p-phenylenediamine using bimetallic nanocomposite of Cu-Ag nanoalloy and ionic liquid-graphene oxide

Abstract We report an efficient electrochemical sensor based on a novel bimetallic nanocomposite ‘ionic liquid functionalized graphene oxide wrapped Cu-Ag nanoalloy particles’ modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensing of p-phenylenediamine (a toxic dye component). The synergism between ionic liquid functionalized graphene oxide and Cu-Ag nanoalloy facilitated the electron transfer and increased surface area offering a high electrocatalytic effect to the oxidation of p-phenylenediamine at 0.21 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in a linear concentration range of p-PDA from 0.018-22 μM and limit of detection 3.96 nM. Real sample analysis in spiked dye and water samples exhibited good recovery results, which established the prepared nanocomposite as a good alternative for the development of an efficient electrochemical tool for p-PDA detection with simplicity and high reliability.