Impact of gadolinium oxide with functionalized carbon nanosphere: A portable advanced electrocatalyst for pesticide detection in aqueous environmental samples

In this study, we developed a portable electrochemical sensor for realizing the pesticide residue in biological, environmental, and vegetable samples. A lower concentration of carbendazim pesticide (CBZ) was electrochemically exposed by newly developed gadolinium oxide/functionalized carbon nanosphere modified glassy carbon electrode (Gd2O3/f-CNS/GCE). The Gd2O3/f-CNS composite was prepared by two-pot ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation method and characterized by various physicochemical analytical techniques. In addition, the electrocatalytic activity of the composite was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) towards the detection of CBZ. Besides, the Gd2O3/f-CNS/GCE exhibited excellent electrocatalytic capability and sensitivity towards the oxidation of CBZ due to its high electrochemical active surface area, good conductivity, and fast electron transfer ability. A wide linear range of CBZ (0.5–552 μM) was attained with a low level of detection (LOD) of 0.009 μM L−1 and exceptional stability of 93.41%. The proposed sensor exemplifies practical feasibility in blood serum, water, and vegetable samples with an remarkable recovery range of 96.27–99.44% and primary current response of ∼91% after 15 days. Electrochemical detection of CBZ through Gd2O3/f-CNS/GCE in environmental aqueous samples. [Display omitted] •Gd2O3/f-CNS was synthesized through an ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation method.•Gd2O3/f-CNS/GCE exhibits excellent physiochemical properties towards the electrochemical detection of CBZ.•Very low electron transfer resistance and high active surface area of the fabricated electrode.•It exibits a high selectivity with possible co-interferents and very low detection of CBZ of the sensor.•Potential challenge in field test for environmental samples with good recoveries.