Unprecedented 2D GNR-CoB nanocomposite for detection and degradation of malachite green – A computational prediction of degradation pathway and toxicity

In the present work, we have synthesized a novel 2D GNR-CoB composite and was applied it for electrochemical sensing and photocatalytic degradation of the malachite green (MG). The physicochemical properties of the 2D GNR-CoB were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, Transmission electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray diffraction which depicts the morphological and crystalline nature of the prepared composite. The pencil graphite electrode modified with 2D GNR-CoB composite showed excellent electrochemical response for MG detection with a LOD of 1.92 nM, linear range of 25–350 nM with a high sensitivity of 1.714 μA μM−1 cm−2. Besides, the 2D GNR-CoB modified PGE exhibited good recovery for the detection of MG in real samples such as green peas and lady's fingers. Furthermore, the 2D GNR-CoB modified electrode showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MG. It suggests that under visible light, GNR-CoB material generates superoxide (·O2−) and hydroxyl (·OH) radicals for MG degradation. The prepared composite showed an efficiency of 91.28% towards the degradation of MG. Based on the experimental analysis and density functional theory calculations, a photocatalytic degradation mechanism pathway for MG is proposed. A quantitative structure-activity relationship study was used to examine the toxicity of the degradation intermediates. [Display omitted] •2D GNR-CoB is employed as electrode matrix on the PGE to construct a MG sensor.•Fabricated sensor exhibited high sensitivity & low detection limit.•The GNR-CoB exhibited excellent photocatalytic property.•The percentage degradation was found to be 91.28%.