Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium Oxide Nanorods on Surface of Polydopamine Coated Carbon Cloth for Ethanol Detection

Abstract

The on-site monitoring of ethanol is critical because of its widespread use in several applications such as pharmaceuticals, brewing, food, and chemical industries. Excess ethanol over the allowed maximum level has life-threatening consequences. Several studies have previously focused on simple, miniaturized, cost-effective, and sustainable methods, which are especially important in resource-limited situations. The current study is aimed at developing a robust electrode sensing interface for meeting application needs, as well as operational stability for quality control applications. The sensor layer (CeO/PDA@CC) is a composite of PDA and Cerium oxide nanostructure. Dopamine was effectively electropolymerized over the surface of carbon cloth, boosting the electron transfer rate compared to bare CC. The modified electrode (PDA@CC) was then deposited with CeO nanostructures by voltammetric technique. The synergistic impact of PDA and CeO nanostructure can develop a reliable ethanol sensor with admirable working stability. The synthesized sensor coating materials are evaluated using XRD, contact angle, SEM, and EDX investigation to evaluate the surface morphology and characterization of materials. EIS and CV were employed to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the developing sensor. At the designed sensor, cyclic voltammetry (CV) is used to measure the ethanol concentration ranging from 1 mM to 30 mM. The modified electrode was employed for real samples to ensure its suitability for practical applications. Ethanol identification and quantification at the milli-molar level are promising for on-the-spot monitoring and other quality control purposes.