Enhancing the sensitivity of hexachlorobenzene electrochemical sensor based on nitrogen–doped graphene

Reduction of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) on the surface of nitrogen–doped graphene (NG) and chitosan modified glassy carbon electrode is sensitive in deaerated organic electrolyte solutions using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimized conditions, the modified electrode achieved good sensing performances for the detection of HCB, with a wide linear range from 3   μg/L to 10   mg/L, and a low detection limit of 1.72   μg/L. The HCB sensor is constructed by using a layer–by–layer assembly technique. In this sensor, NG not only provides electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of HCB, but also shows good adsorption affinity to HCB, which enhances the sensitivity of sensor. The sensor has been successfully utilized for detection of HCB in practical water samples, providing a promising alternative for the environmental monitoring.