Electrochemical bisphenol A sensor based on core–shell multiwalled carbon nanotubes/graphene oxide nanoribbons

Bisphenol A (BPA) can disrupt endocrine system and cause cancer. It has been considered as an endocrine disruptor. It is important and necessary to develop a sensitive and rapid method for detection of BPA. In this study, graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs) were synthesized from the facile unzipping of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with the help of microwave energy. MWCNT/GONRs and chitosan (CS) were used to prepare electrochemical BPA sensor. Compared with graphene, MWCNT/GONRs have favorable adsorption capacity, electron transfer ability and electrocatalytic property, which could enhance the response signal toward BPA. CS also exhibits excellent film forming ability and improves the electrochemical behavior of MWCNT/GONRs modified electrode. The sensor displays a sensitive response to BPA within a wide concentration range (0.005–150   μg/L). The proposed electrochemical sensor shows low detection limit (1   ng/L), good reproducibility (RSD   =   5.2%), selectivity, and acceptable stability. This proposed sensor was successfully employed to determine BPA in water samples with satisfactory results.