The Effect of a Combination of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT), Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs), and Silica Microspheres (Si) on the Detection of 17α -Ethinylestradiol (EE2)

Abstract

17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a female synthetic hormone with high estrogenic activity that can disrupt the environment, which can lead to dire health problems. The current standard method is very time-consuming and expensive, so the objective of this study is to develop chemical sensors that are faster and much cheaper to detect EE2 in water samples. In this work, an electrochemical sensor using a combination of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and silica microspheres (Si) as a modified electrode is reported to demonstrate 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) detection using electrochemical analysis. MWCNT-AuNPs, MWCNT-Si, and Si-AuNPs are prepared for the development of this chemical sensor by depositing each material on the carbon electrode by using the drop casting method. The resistance and conductivity of MWCNT-AuNPs, MWCNT-Si, and Si-AuNPs modified electrodes demonstrated stable electrochemical current responses towards the detection of EE2. It demonstrates that when MWCNTs and AuNPs are combined with Si, the sensitivity and R2 value improves at EE2 concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 μM, respectively.