In
this study, facile simultaneous nitrogen (N)-doped zinc tungstate
nanorod-decorated N-doped reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (referred
to as N-ZnWO4/N-rGO or N-ZWR-x) were prepared
by a one-pot hydrothermal method. Here, urea serves as a structural
orienting agent, a source of N, and a buffer to maintain the pH medium
throughout the synthesis process. The successful formation of the
crystalline nanocomposite was confirmed through X-ray diffraction,
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, N2 physisorption,
field emission scanning electron microscopy, field emission transmission
electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses.
The modified electrode (N-ZWR-1/GCE) was also successfully applied
for the electrochemical detection of diphenylamine (DPA). It exhibited
a dynamic linear range (LR: 0.2–841 μM), a limit of detection
(LOD: 0.0083 μM), and an acceptable sensitivity (SEN: 1.4746
μA μM–1 cm–2) with
good stability. This is due to its large surface area, mass and ionic
transport, synergetic effect, and chemical stability. Moreover, this
nanocomposite yields admirable reproducibility, storage stability,
and selectivity and is also a promising electrocatalyst to quantify
DPA in fresh fruit samples in practical analysis.