A Practical Approach to Triclosan Detection: A Novel Y2O3@GCN-Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Sensitive and Selective Detection in Environmental and Consumer Products

This study presents the development of a novel electrochemical sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of triclosan (TSC) on a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) and doped with yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y2O3). The materials and proposed electrode were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified sensor exhibited significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards TSC compared to the unmodified CPE. The sensor demonstrated a wide linear detection range, which was obtained using square wave voltammetric method (SWV), with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.137 µM and a low limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.455 µM. The sensor also exhibited excellent selectivity towards TSC in the presence of various interfering substances. The practical applicability of the sensor was evaluated through real-sample analysis, where it was successfully used to determine TSC levels in tap water and toothpaste samples. The sensor demonstrated high recovery rates and minimal matrix effects, indicating its suitability for real-world applications. In conclusion, the developed CPE/Y2O3@GCN sensor offers a promising approach for the sensitive, selective, and reliable detection of triclosan in environmental and consumer products.