CeO2 nanostructured electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous recognition of diethylstilbestrol and 17β-estradiol hormones

A new highly sensitive, selective, and inexpensive electrochemical method has been developed for simultaneously detecting diethylstilbestrol (DES) and 17β-estradiol (E2) in environmental samples (groundwater and lake water) using a graphite sensor modified by cerium oxide nanoparticles (CPE-CeO2 NPs). The developed sensor and the materials used in its preparation were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ab initio simulation was used to evaluate the adsorption energies between both DES and E2 with the surface of the sensor. The peak current of oxidation of both hormones showed two regions of linearity. The region of greatest sensitivity was observed for the linear range of 10 nM–100 nM. The detection and quantification limits for this concentration range were 0.8/2.6 nM and 1.3/4.3 nM for DES and E2, respectively. The analytical performance of the developed method showed high sensitivity, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, and selectivity. The CPE-CeO2 NPs sensor was successfully applied to simultaneously detect DES and E2 in real samples with recovery levels above 98%. [Display omitted] •A new sensor is designed for simultaneously detecting DES and E2 in water samples.•The CPE-CeO2 NPs sensor is efficient in simultaneously detecting DES and E2.•CeO2 nanoparticles improve transport properties at the electrode-solution interface.•The sensor shows enhanced sensitivity and selectivity in detecting DES and E2.•The linear range from 10 to 100 nM showed a LOD of 0.8 nM for DES and 1.3 nM for E2.