Electrochemical (bio)sensors based on carbon quantum dots, ionic liquid and gold nanoparticles for bisphenol A

Electrochemical (bio)sensors were developed for bisphenol A (BPA) determination. Screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was modified with ionic liquid 1- butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (IL), carbon quantum dots (CQD) and gold nanoparticles (AuNP) for the fabrication of the BPA sensor. Electrode surface composition was optimized for the deposition time of AuNP, amount of CQD and percentage of IL using the central composite design (CCD) method. The results of the CCD study indicated that maximum amperometric response was recorded when 9.8 μg CQD, 3% IL and 284 s AuNP deposition time were used in modification. Tyrosinase (Ty) was further modified on the AuNP/CQD−IL/SPCE to fabricate the biosensor. Analytical performance characteristics of the BPA sensor were investigated by differential pulse anodic adsorptive stripping voltammetry and the AuNP/CQD−IL/SPCE sensor exhibited a linear response to BPA in the range of 2.0 × 10−8 – 3.6 × 10−6 M with a detection limit of 1.1 × 10−8 M. Amperometric measurements showed that the linear dynamic range and detection limit of the Ty/AuNP/CQD−IL/SPCE were 2.0 × 10−8 – 4.0 × 10−6 M and 6.2 × 10−9 M, respectively. Analytical performance characteristics such as sensitivity, reproducibility and selectivity were investigated for the presented (bio)sensors. The analytical applicability of the (bio)sensors to the analysis of BPA in mineral water samples was also tested. [Display omitted] •Electrochemical BPA sensor and biosensor were fabricated and their analytical performances were compared.•Carbon quantum dots, ionic liquid and gold nanoparticles were used for sensor and biosensor fabrication.•Ty/AuNP/CQD−IL/SPCE exhibited a lower detection limit and higher sensitivity than the AuNP/CQD−IL/SPCE.•BPA in mineral water was successfully determined.