Disposable graphite paper for rapid detection of clothianidin

Abstract

Clothianidin, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, can adversely affect human health at elevated concentrations, particularly impacting the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems. This study addresses the urgent need for rapid detection of clothianidin in environmental samples by developing an electrochemical sensor using flexible graphite paper for the first time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to characterize the electrodes, and cyclic voltammetry was used to analyze their electrochemical behavior. The results indicated that the reduction of clothianidin is an irreversible process, with nitro groups being reduced to hydroxylamine derivatives. Under optimized electroanalytical conditions, a linear response for clothianidin was observed in the concentration range of 10 to 50 μM, with detection and quantification limits of 0.04 μM and 0.13 μM, respectively. Recovery rates in tomato and lake water samples ranged from 80.7 to 100.2%, demonstrating the sensor’s potential for rapid and accurate detection of clothianidin in complex environmental matrices.