Influence of pyrolysis temperature on pineapple peel derived-porous biochar for electrochemical detection of bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used for the production of plastics products, which have been linked to carcinogenic risks and detrimental effects on humans, yet its current detection methods remain costly and complex. For the first time, pineapple peel-derived biochar (PPB) synthesized at varying pyrolysis temperatures (PPB400 – PPB700) was systematically investigated and characterized as a sustainable and low-cost sensor material. The PPB was modified with screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for electrochemical detection of BPA. The synthesized PPB shows abundant functional groups, formation of graphitic structures, improved surface area, porosity and electrochemically active surface area upon increasing pyrolysis temperature. The optimal condition for BPA detection was achieved using PPB700/SPCE at pH 7 with a PPB700 concentration of 15 mg/mL. Under these conditions, the sensor exhibited a linear response in the range of 50 – 300 μM with a limit detection of 77 μM and sensitivity of 0.726 μA μM −1 cm −2 . The developed sensor demonstrated good reproducibility, selectivity, stability, and satisfactory recovery in real sample analysis, underscoring its strong potential for real-world applications. Overall, the potential of agricultural waste-based biochar as sustainable sensor material was demonstrated offering a greener alternative in an electrochemical sensor platform. • Pineapple peel-derived biochar at different pyrolysis temperature were synthesized. • Increase in temperature improved biochar's physico-/electrochemical properties. • The best pineapple peel derived biochar was achieved at 700 °C. • A linear range of 50 – 300 μM with a limit of BPA detection of 77 μM was obtained.