Microporous ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO Nanocomposite for Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Furaltadone in Water Samples

Abstract In this study, glycine nitrate (G/N=1.5 and 1.7) process synthesis ZnFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4@ZnO microporous nanocomposite applied for the detection of the antibiotic drug furaltadone (FTD). The nanoparticles were synthesized by self-combustion GNP, in which the molar concentration of the glycine to metal nitrate was varied at 1.5 and 1.7. The physicochemical properties and morphology of the ZnFe2O4 and ZnFe2O4@ZnO microporous nanocomposite were examined by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Furthermore, the electrochemical activity of the as-synthesized ZnFe2O4@ZnO microporous nanocomposite and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles was examined by electroanalytical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimized conditions, the GCE/ZnFe2O4@ZnO (G/N=1.7) electrode demonstrates a low limit of detection of 0.42 nM and better sensitivity of 1.86 μAμM-1cm-2 along with a linear range of 0.001–300 μM. Also, GCE/ZnFe2O4@ZnO (G/N=1.7) electrode shows acceptable selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and long-term stability. The outcomes revealed that the ZnFe2O4@ZnO (G/N=1.7) microporous composite can serve as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of FTD in tab water, river water and pond water, which obtaining satisfactory recoveries. The electrode demonstrated the electrochemical sensing performance of FTD in terms of food safety, water safety and environmental conservation.