Self-Combustion Glycine Nitrate Process Prepared CuAlO2 Nanopowder Catalyst Applied into the Carbendazim Electrochemical Assessment and Computational Prediction

This work aims to develop an electrochemical sensor by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with CuAlO2 nanopowder for the detection of carbendazim (CBZ). The CuAlO2 nanopowder, characterized by its high surface area and porous nature, was synthesized via a highly efficient glycine nitrate self-combustion process (GNP). The structural features of CuAlO2 and the modified electrodes were thoroughly examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and BET surface area analysis. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of the GCE@CuAlO2 electrode were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The modified GCE@CuAlO2 electrode exhibited an enhanced sensor response toward CBZ detection, showing a significantly increased oxidation peak current along with a well-defined peak potential. It demonstrated an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward CBZ sensing, achieving a broad linear detection range (0.01–800 μM), a low detection limit (1 nM), and high sensitivity (1.44 μA μM–1 cm–2). The electrical performance of the GCE@CuAlO2 electrode confirmed its efficient functionality, exhibiting good stability, coherence, and long-term equilibrium. In addition, the modified electrode showed outstanding specificity, selectivity, reproducibility, repeatability, long-term stability, and anti-interference capability for CBZ detection. Furthermore, using DFT calculations, the adsorption of CBZ on the CuAlO2 slab has been investigated, revealing exceptional sensing performance with an adsorption energy of −5.973 eV and strong interaction between CuAlO2 and CBZ, as confirmed by the NCI scatter plot. In conclusion, the GCE@CuAlO2 electrode developed via a cost-effective and straightforward method presents a promising platform for constructing highly efficient electrochemical sensors for CBZ detection at the nanomolar level in various vegetables, fruits, and different water media.