Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of thymol using areca nut fibre-derived carbon sensors for environmental protection
Ranjan S. Shetti, Mahesh M. Shanbhag, T. Maiyalagan, Mohammed Alshehri, Nagaraj P. Shetti
Abstract
The increasing use of thymol (THY) as a common pesticide in agriculture raises significant concerns regarding its potential environmental and human health risks. Therefore, developing a sensitive detection method for thymol residues is essential for monitoring and ensuring safety standards. This study presents a novel approach for sensitively detecting thymol using activated carbon derived from areca nut ( Arecanut catechu L) fibre, an agricultural by-product as the precursor. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is added to the test solution to improve the material's surface properties and increase the number of active sites. Electrochemical sensing techniques, specifically cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV), are employed to evaluate the performance of Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide mediated activated carbon as a thymol detection sensor. The sensor exhibits outstanding sensitivity with an ultralow limit of detection (D L ) of 1.84 × 10⁻⁸ M and a limit of quantification (Q L ) of 6.14 × 10⁻⁸ M, enabling the quantification of trace amounts of thymol in complex matrices. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrates exceptional reproducibility and long-term stability, making it suitable for real-time applications. Utilizing areca nut fibre as a precursor represents a sustainable and eco-friendly approach. This method offers a promising solution for pesticide detection, contributing to enhanced food safety, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance in the agricultural sector. • The study uses areca nut husk as a sustainable precursor for activated carbon. • This approach repurposes agricultural by-products, aiding waste reduction efforts. • Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide reduces surface tension, enhancing interactions. • A limit of detection of 1.84 × 10⁻⁸ M indicates the electrode's sensitivity to Thymol. • The electrode is suitable for real-time applications, detecting Thymol in real samples.