Novel biomass-derived porous-graphitic carbon coated iron oxide nanocomposite as an efficient electrocatalyst for the sensitive detection of rutin (vitamin P) in food and environmental samples

Design and development of inexpensive, portable, and eco-friendly electrochemical non-enzymatic sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity is pivotal in analytical chemistry. In this regard, we have developed a highly porous graphitic-activated carbon (GAC, derived from tamarind fruit shell biomass) coated iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) nanocomposite (Fe 2 O 3 /GAC) for the efficient detection of rutin (vitamin p). Fe 2 O 3 /GAC nanocomposite was prepared using a facile green synthesis method and thoroughly characterized using SEM , XRD, and XPS techniques. As-prepared Fe 2 O 3 /GAC nanocomposite was deposited over a screen printed electrode (SPE) to fabricate Fe 2 O 3 /GAC/SPE and utilized as a non-enzymatic sensor for the electrochemical determination of rutin in food and environmental samples. The modified electrode was characterized using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques, which witnessed the excellent conductivity of the developed sensor. The fabricated Fe 2 O 3 /GAC/SPE nanocomposite exhibited a set of redox peaks in the presence of rutin, corresponding to the electrochemical redox feature of rutin (rutin to 3′,4′-diquinone). Further, the modified electrode displayed excellent electrocatalytic characteristics towards the oxidation of rutin, based on which a differential pulse voltammetry-based sensor was developed for rutin determination. The developed non-enzymatic sensor has shown prominent performance towards rutin detection in a wide linear range from 0.1 to 130 μM with an excellent detection limit of 0.027 μM. The enhanced electrocatalytic response could be ascribed to the synergistic effect of Fe 2 O 3 and GAC on the developed probe. Moreover, the developed sensor was successfully utilized for real-time detection of rutin in various samples. • Biomass-derived porous graphitic carbon-coated Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposite was synthesized. • Constructed a disposable electrochemical sensor by depositing Fe 2 O 3 /GAC on SPE. • Fe 2 O 3 /GAC/SPE efficaciously employed for the electrocatalytic oxidation of rutin. • Fe 2 O 3 /GAC/SPE exhibits good selectivity with excellent stability and sensitivity. • Successfully employed for real-time detection of Rutin (Vitamin-P) in aqueous samples.