Cobalt single-atom catalyst for hydrogen peroxide electrochemical detection in waterlogged foods and living cancer cells

The quantitative detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in waterlogged foods and living cancer cells is important for food safety and clinical detection. In this study, single-atom cobalt catalysts in polymeric carbon nitride (Co SACs-CN) were synthesized by grinding and pyrolysis. This catalyst was subsequently used to modify a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) for electrochemical detection of H₂O₂. The electrostatic potential of H₂O₂ was analyzed using Gaussian and Multiwfn software. The linear range of the prepared electrochemical sensor was 1 − 8000 μM, and the detection limit was 0.31 μM. After 30 days, the current retention rate was 93.4%, which can be used for the electrochemical determination of H₂O₂ in waterlogged foods. Moreover, the sensor was capable of real-time monitoring of H₂O₂ release from A549 lung cancer cells. The successful development of this sensor has broadened the application of cobalt-based single-atom nanomaterials in the design of H₂O₂ sensors and offers a novel alternative for the electrochemical detection of H₂O₂.

Graphical Abstract