Molecularly imprinted electrochemical determination of cymoxanil fungicide by using bismuth incorporated bismuth vanadate nanocomposite.

Cymoxanil (CYM), an aliphatic nitrogen fungicide, is widely used in vegetables/fruits and it is effective against a diverse group of fungal pathogens. However, its long-term consumption can result in an important damage to human and environment such as acute poisoning. In present study, a molecularly imprinting electrochemical sensor based on bismuth incorporated bismuth vanadate (Bi-BiVO4) nanocomposite was prepared and applied to CYM detection in orange and apple juice samples. After the preparation of the Bi-BiVO4 nanocomposite by using environmentally friendly hydrothermal technique with minimal waste, the Bi-BiVO4 nanocomposite modified electrode surface was developed by using IR lamp. CYM imprinted electrode based on Bi-BiVO4 nanocomposite was prepared in the presence of CYM as analyte and pyrrole as monomer using cyclic voltammetry (CV). This sensor showed linear response of 1.0 × 10− 9 – 1.0 × 10− 8 mol L− 1, limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.0 × 10− 9 mol L− 1, and limit of detection (LOD) of 3.3 × 10− 10 mol L− 1. The sensor system is environmentally friendly, fast-responding, and provides high accuracy and sensitivity compared to other conventional analytical methods. Finally, selectivity, stability and reproducibility of the sensor was highlighted and the sensor was applied to CYM detection in orange and apple juice samples with high recovery. In summary, thanks to the Bi-BiVO4 nanocomposite presented for the first time in the literature for CYM fungicide determination, the successful implementation of the electrochemical sensor system has been demonstrated.