Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Luteolin Using Self-Assembled Titanium Carbide/Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns (SWCNHs) and Differential Pulsed Stripping Voltammetry (DPV)

A novel electrochemical sensor based upon a Ti3C2/single-walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) composite was constructed using self-assembly for the determination of luteolin. The doping of SWCNHs avoids the restacking of Ti3C2 nanosheets, thus significantly improving the electrochemical properties of Ti3C2/SWCNHs. The Ti3C2/SWCNH nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The performance of the sensor was investigated by differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPV). The Ti3C2/SWCNH-modified glassy carbon electrode exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity for luteolin. The composite electrode demonstrates excellent conductivity and high catalysis due to the synergistic properties of Ti3C2 with SWCNHs, which provides high selectivity, good reproducibility, and a low detection limit. Under the optimal conditions, the peak current of the sensor increases linearly with the luteolin concentration from 0.5 to 20 μM, with a detection limit of 0.0086 μM. The sensor was employed for the determination of luteolin in chrysanthemum tea with recoveries between 101.6% and 104.9%. Therefore, the electrochemical sensor based upon the Ti3C2/SWCNH composite is expected to have applications in food and pharmaceutical analysis.