Layered nanocomposite of zinc sulfide covered reduced graphene oxide and their implications for electrocatalytic applications

•Sonochemical-assisted synthesis of zinc sulfide nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide nanosheets.•ZnS NPs/rGO modified electrode exhibited outstanding electrochemical ability by cyclic voltammetry.•ZnS NPs/rGO/GCE showed a wide linear range and high sensitivity of the electrochemical sensor (CA).•The real sample experiments were analyzed in red wine and soft drink samples. Herein, we have synthesized zinc sulfide nanospheres (ZnS NPs) encapsulated on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hybrid by an ultrasonic bath (50 kHz/60 W). The physical and structural properties of ZnS NPs@RGO hybrid were analyzed by TEM, XRD, EIS and EDS. As-prepared ZnS NPs@RGO hybrid was applied towards the electrochemical determination of caffeic acid (CA) in various food samples. The ZnS NPs@RGO hybrid modified electrode (GCE) exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic performance towards caffeic acid detection and determination, when compared to other modified electrodes. Therefore, the electrochemical sensing performance of the fabricated and nanocomposite modified electrode was significantly improved owing to the synergistic effect of ZnS NPs and RGO catalyst. Furthermore, the hybrid materials provide highly active electro-sites as well as rapid electron transport pathways. The proposed electrochemical caffeic acid sensor produces a wide linear range of 0.015–671.7 µM with a nanomolar level detection limit (3.29 nM). In addition, the real sample analysis of the proposed sensor has applied to the determination of caffeic acid in various food samples.