Simple sonochemical synthesis of novel grass-like vanadium disulfide: A viable non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide

Design and fabrication of novel inorganic nanomaterials for the low-level detection of food preservative chemicals significant is of interest to the researchers. In the present work, we have developed a novel grass-like vanadium disulfide (GL-VS₂) through a simple sonochemical method without surfactants or templates. As-prepared VS₂ was used as an electrocatalyst for reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The crystalline nature, surface morphology, elemental compositions and binding energy of the as-prepared VS₂ were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical studies show that the GL-VS₂ modified glassy carbon electrode (GL-VS₂/GCE) has a superior electrocatalytic activity and lower-reduction potential than the response observed for unmodified GCE. Furthermore, the GL-VS₂/GCE displayed a wide linear response range (0.1–260 μM), high sensitivity (0.23 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²), lower detection limit (26 nM) and excellent selectivity for detection of H₂O₂. The fabricated GL-VS₂/GCE showed excellent practical ability for detection of H₂O₂ in milk and urine samples, revealing the real-time practical applicability of the sensor in food contaminants.