Rationally designing CW@rGO nanocomposite for ultra-sensitive electrochemical detection of tert-butyl hydroquinone in food samples.

Abstract

The widespread use of tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) as a synthetic antioxidant in food systems necessitates reliable strategies for rapid and precise determination, given potential health risks associated with overexposure. In this work, a novel electrochemical sensing interface was engineered by integrating Cr2WO6 (CW) nanoparticles with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) onto a glassy carbon electrode via a facile one-step hydrothermal route. The hybrid architecture provides a conductive network with abundant active sites, promoting efficient electron transfer and surface-controlled redox behavior. As a result, the modified electrode exhibits a markedly amplified electrochemical response toward TBHQ compared to conventional electrodes. Using differential pulse voltammetry, the sensor achieves a broad linear range (0.001-1245.18 μM), low detection limit (0.0051 μM), and high sensitivity. Importantly, the platform demonstrates strong selectivity and reliable performance in diverse food matrices. This study offers a practical and scalable sensing approach for improving food quality control and safety assessment.