Electrochemical sensing platform for butylated hydroxytoluene detection using gold nanoparticles and hollow micro-nests like Fe-functionalized manganese dioxide

Abstrac t Herein, we have successfully developed a highly sensitive electrochemical sensing platform specifically designed for the detection of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) by using the composites of gold nanoparticles and hollow micro-nests like Fe-functionalized manganese dioxide (Fe-MnO 2 @Au NPs). Specifically, the hydrothermal method was used to synthesize Fe-MnO 2 with a three-dimensional hollow micro-nest structure. Subsequently, in situ growth of Au NPs on the Fe-MnO 2 surface was achieved using a mild chemical reduction at room temperature. The electrocatalytic properties of the material were enhanced by Fe-functionalized MnO 2 and decorated Au NPs. The composite material was used to construct an electrochemical sensor capable of detecting BHT in the range from 0.05 to 32.0 μM. The limit of detection was 13 nM (S/N = 3). It was confirmed that Fe-MnO 2 @Au NPs possessed excellent reusability and anti-interference ability for the detection of BHT. Furthermore, the sensor was successfully applied to the detection of BHT in edible oil and margarine samples, indicating the potential value of this work in the field of food analysis.