Electrochemical sensors based on Au-ZnS hybrid nanorods with Au-mediated efficient electron relay

Development of a novel and stable electrochemical sensor electrode for the sensitive and reliable determination of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) is of great importance to environment. In the present work, electrocatalysts of Au/ZnS hybrid nanorods were prepared via a facile photoassisted reduction process for an efficient detection of p-NP. The microscopic analysis revealed the uniform adherence of Au onto ZnS nanorods. As-fabricated AZS nanorods were evaluated for the efficient sensing of p-NP by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed the unique oxidative sensing ability of AZS for p-NP at 0.14 V with a low ΔEp (118 mV) when compared to that of bare GCE. On the basis of the notable sensing ability of AZS, a reliable and sensitive electrochemical method was anticipated for the determination of p-NP. Moreover, the effects of scan rate and pH level were examined to find out the optimized conditions at which there were a higher sensitivity and low detection limit. At optim...