Dual applicability of ceria and silica nanospheres (CeO2@SiO2 NSs) assembled with pencil graphite electrode to sense ascorbic acid, extended with their antibacterial property
Meena Yadav, Monika Dhanda, Rajat Arora, Simran Ahlawat, Geeta Singh, Kiran Nehra, Suman Lata
Abstract
Ascorbic acid (AA), being core vitamin, prompts collagen protein growth that maintains our skin, bones, joint lining’s, teeth, gums, blood vessels and even ligament. Initially, synthesis of CeO 2 and SiO 2 nanoparticles and their nano-spheric composite (CeO 2 @SiO 2 NSs) materials through solvothermal and sol–gel routes was achieved. These nanospheres were defensibly characterized through appropriate characterization techniques. Pencil graphite electrode or PGE was modified by drop coating and electrochemically investigated for analytical and real samples with AA detection in phosphate buffer saline. CeO 2 @SiO 2 NSs/PGE electrode showed high sensitivity (167.5 μA/mM.cm 2 ) and low LOD (70.18 µM) for AA. The modified electrode revealed good linear range, high stability, specificity and performed well for real samples’ AA detection. CeO 2 @SiO 2 NSs also effectively inhibited multiple bacteria with and without solar irradiation. Overall, the NSs, due to their unique physical, chemical and optical properties offered path towards advance sensing and antibacterial material as well.