Electrochemical characterization of carbon-based pyrophyllite modified electrode for the detection of carbendazim fungicide

The proposed research aims to develop and characterize the electrochemical sensor based on the natural pyrophyllite clay modified carbon paste electrode. Pyrophyllite from Parsovici mine (Bosnia and Herzegovina) was mechanically modified in a ball mill for different durations. Electrochemical characteristics were monitored by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KCl with 1 mM K4Fe(CN)6 . Among the tested compositions, the electrode containing 50% carbon paste and 50% pyrophyllite mechanochemically treated for 15 minutes exhibited the best performance. Using differential pulse striping voltammetry, carbendazim was detected at different pH values in the Britton-Robinson buffer. The developed method showed linearity at pH 4 in the concentration range of 1-10 ppm, with r=0.998, a detection limit of 0.092 ppm, and a RSD of 1.5%. The electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode is improved during the mechanochemical treatment.