A novel detection method for organophosphorus insecticide fenamiphos: Molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on core-shell Co3O4@MOF-74 nanocomposite

Organophosphorus insecticide fenamiphos (FEN) is utilized to control the detrimental nematode pests. In this report, a novel molecular imprinted electrochemical sensor for insecticide FEN detection was prepared. The molecular imprinted sensor was prepared based on Co3O4 nanowire and core-shell Co3O4@MOF-74 nanocomposite. Firstly, hydrothermal method followed by thermal annealing was applied for the preparation of Co3O4 nanowire. Then, solvothermal technique was used in no presence of metal salts to prepare core-shell Co3O4@MOF-74 nanocomposite. In addition, several solvothermal cycles were tried to optimally adjust the reaction efficiency. After the modification of the clean carbon electrode surfaces with Co3O4@MOF-74 nanocomposites, the molecular imprinted electrodes based on Co3O4@MOF-74 nanocomposites were prepared in presence of 100.0 mM pyrrole as monomer and 25.0 mM FEN as analyte molecule between +0.30 V and +1.50 V by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The prepared molecularly imprinted sensor based on Co3O4 nanowire and core-shell Co3O4@MOF-74 nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) method, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and CV. The quantification limit (LOQ) and the detection limit (LOD) were obtained as 1.0 × 10−11 M and 3.0 × 10−12 M, respectively, by using the developed sensor. Hence, the developed molecularly imprinting electrochemical sensor having high selectivity, stability and reproducibility was presented in this study for insecticide FEN detection.