High-Performance Electrochemical Sensor for Zn2+ Using Pd Nanoparticle-Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Zinc ion (Zn 2+ ) detection is critically important in both environmental and biological systems. Although Zn 2+ plays an important role in metabolic processes, excessive intake can lead to toxic effects, highlighting the need for simple and effective detection methods for Zn 2+ . In this study, palladium nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide (Pd@rGO) nanocomposite was drop-cast onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to develop a facile electrochemical sensing platform, and the resulting Pd@rGO/GCE was successfully used for the sensitive and selective detection of Zn 2+ . The morphology and structural properties of the nanocomposite were systematically characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to confirm improved electrochemical performances of the modified electrode. The sensor was linear with a detection range of 2.0–200.0 µM with a low limit of detection of 1.7 nM for Zn 2+ analysis using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Moreover, the practicability of the Pd@rGO/GCE was proved by the precise Zn 2+ determination in drinking water sample.