Electrochemical determination of 2,4-dichlorophenol by using a glassy carbon electrode modified with molybdenum disulfide, ionic liquid and gold/silver nanorods

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) was used as an electrically conductive skeleton and functionalized with an ionic liquid and gold/silver nanorods. The resulting composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. The composites were used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to obtain a sensor for 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). The results show that the oxidation power and electrocatalytic activity of the modified GCE towards 2,4-DCP are enhanced compared to a bare GCE and other modified GCEs. Response is linear in the 0.01 to 50 μM 2,4-DCP concentration range, with a 2.6 nM detection limit. The sensor is highly sensitive and long-term stable. It was successfully applied to the determination of 2,4-DCP in spiked water samples and gave satisfactory recoveries. Graphical abstract Schematic of an electrochemical sensor for the differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) determination of 2,4-dichlorophenol. It is based on the use of an MoS₂-ionic liquid-Au/Ag nanorod composite.