In-situ electrochemical co-deposition of bimetallic CuCo nanoparticles on cubic mesoporous carbon for ultrasensitive electrochemical sensing of cyadox

Novel electrochemical sensors constructed using CuCo bimetallic nanoparticle-dispersed cubic mesoporous carbon (CMK-8) were applied to determine cyadox (CYA). The nanostructure of CuCo@CMK–8 was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The morphological characteristics of the bimetallic nanoparticles endowed the performed electrochemical sensors with large active regions and excellent electrical conductivity, which provided active reaction sites for the target analyte and improved the detection sensitivity of CYA. The performed sensors were investigated on the CYA detection by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimal conditions, the peak currents of CYA on the modified electrode were linearly correlated with the concentration of CYA in the range of 0.001–3.0 μM. The limit of detection of CYA was 0.26 nM. For the first time, the performance of electrochemical sensors for detecting CYA was explored by reaction kinetics and thermodynamics of CYA on modified electrodes. In addition, the performed sensor was successfully applied to monitor CYA in real fish feed sample. This study presented a new approach in designing a low-cost sensitive electrochemical sensor on the basis of non-noble metals.