Clioquinol (CQ) is a mass-produced drug with broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties. This neurodegenerative medicine has attracted significant attention in the pharmaceutical field. However, excessive administration of CQ presents neurotoxic effects that require its early detection and effective countermeasures. Electrochemical detection can be beneficial in this regard, using functional material architectures with multiple advanced features. A unique emphasis is placed on manipulating these hierarchical structures, for advanced functions, offering an impressive perspective for monitoring systems. In this paper, we report on the innovative synthesis of distinct structures of AB2O4 (AB = Zn, Co, and Mn) spinel metal oxide anchored sulfur-doped reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) for the effective detection of CQ. Fascinatingly, unique flower-like manganese cobaltite (MCO) exhibits superior structural advantages over other spinels, and doping of S-rGO into the framework marks a significant improvement in electrochemical properties. The highly symmetrical floral architecture with straight edges and facets provides defect-rich active sites, and the dissolution of S-rGO facilitates faster electron transfer and improved surface area. A wide linear response range, low detection limit, excellent reproducibility, and stability show that this material offers an efficient electrocatalyst that reinforces the practical viability of S-rGO doped MCO spinel for analysis and monitoring of real samples. The unique structural characteristics of the synthesized electrocatalyst can further extend its functions and applications, thereby expanding its potential capabilities.

The innovations in the field of green chemistry have expedited the pace of advances in varied research areas ranging from the development of diverse routes for the material synthesis to designer solvents. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) integrating the metrics and principles of sustainability substitute the traditional hazardous and volatile reagents, which is significantly attracting the attention of research and industrial sectors. In view of that, we introduce deep eutectic-mediated solid-state synthesis of phase-pure magnesium ferrite nanoparticles at a temperature of 500 °C for the simultaneous detection of nitrofurantoin and 4-nitrophenol. The influence of five different DESs on the effectual formation, structure, and composition of magnesium ferrite nanoparticles was investigated through various techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques are employed to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of as-synthesized samples toward the electrochemical detection of nitrofurantoin and 4-nitrophenol. Comparatively, the choline chloride and fructose DES-assisted nanometric magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4)-modified electrode exhibits a higher sensitivity, lower detection limits (NFT = 33 nM and 4-NP = 7 nM), a linear range (0–342.6 μM), an excellent selectivity, and a good reproducibility. The practical applicability of the fabricated sensor was studied in water and fruit samples and thus affords satisfactory results for NFT and 4-NP detection.

Pharmaceutical contamination is an emerging environmental concern that threatens global health and impacts every hemisphere of existence. The extensive exploitation and unregulated release of these chemical pollutants challenge environmental sustainability and call for their immediate detection and remediation. This study discusses the electrochemical determination of the antiprotozoal drug (dimetridazole), which is banned in numerous places owing to suspicions of it being carcinogenic, using a 2D/2D heterojunction. The detrimental outcomes of the drug demonstrate the significance of its effective detection and the development of suitable materials for the sensing application. The deep eutectic solvent-based fabrication of Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide nanosheets/sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride heterostructure features the green and ecologically benign synthesis of the compound with remarkable properties. The conjunction of hierarchical structures offers synergistic quantum confinement effects and confines charge carriers promoting abundant active sites. The improved electrocatalytic activity of the proposed drug sensor reinforces its perspectives by exhibiting higher sensitivity, wide linear-range responses (0.008–110.77 μM), a lower limit of detection (1.6 nM), appreciable stability, and higher selectivity. Analysis of real samples with the developed electrocatalyst underpins its practical applications in the real world. The development of superior architectures with lower energy requirements and minimal byproducts marks the superior characteristics of the synthesis methodology within the guidelines of green chemistry.

No abstract

No abstract