A sensitive biosensor for cyanide detection using modified glassy carbon electrode with reduced graphene oxide and immobilization of horseradish peroxidase

Abstract

Cyanide is a highly poisonous and hazardous substance which may release into the environment from natural sources or industrial effluent; therefore, cyanide detection is a fundamental step to prevent environmental pollution and secure health and safety. In this study, we prepared a sensitive amperometric inhibition biosensor for cyanide detection by immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). To do so, we performed the amperometric measurement by modified GCE to test its efficiency in detecting cyanide. The optimum conditions of pH equal to 7.5, −100 mV applied potential, 0.7 μM mediator concentration, and 0.5 mM substrate concentration were found. Then, experiments were performed at different boundary conditions in a range of 0.1 to 10 μM cyanide concentration at optimal conditions and a low detection limit of 0.01 μM was obtained. Also, the possible mechanism of inhibition was analyzed based on the Michalis–Menten equation and non‐competitive inhibition was observed. Due to high sensitivity, low detection limit, and low cost, this biosensor is proposed as a useful method for cyanide determination in real samples.