Preparation of polyaniline-encapsulated carbon/copper composite nanofibers for detection of polyphenol pollutant.

Graphical abstract Polyaniline-encapsulated carbon/copper composite nanofibers (PANI/CuCNFs) were prepared for the first time by a facile and efficient method combining electrospinning and in-situ polymerization. A novel biosensor was constructed based on a composite of PANI/CuCNFs, Laccase, and Nafion. The novel biosensor showed excellent electrochemical properties and highly efficient catalysis towards hydroquinone. Abstract Polyaniline-encapsulated carbon/copper composite nanofibers (PANI/CuCNFs) were synthesized by a facile and efficient method combining electrospinning and in-situ polymerization, which were further applied to the laccase (Lac) based biosensor for polyphenol pollutant detection. The morphology and composition of the fabricated nanocomposite were investigated by a series of advanced characterization techniques. The electrochemical behaviour of the novel biosensor was studied through cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry. Results showed that the addition of PANI/CuCNFs apparently improved the electrocatalytic properties of the Lac-based biosensor towards hydroquinone. The constructed biosensor possessed a high sensitivity (41.65 μA mM−1), a low detection limit (0.24 μM), and a wide linear range from 500 nM to 110 μM, as well as satisfied selectivity, reproducibility and repeatability. Moreover, the biosensor gave a successful application in hydroquinone measurement of river water. This work suggested that the Lac biosensor modified by PANI/CuCNFs has a great potential in the application of phenolic pollutants detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]