In-situ growth of MoS2 nanosheets on g-C3N4 nanotube: A novel electrochemical sensing platform for vanillin determination in food samples

The molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) based nanomaterials show outstanding catalytic performance in many electrochemical sensing applications with improved catalytic and electrochemical properties. Novel electrocatalyst developments and their application for food additives monitoring are of significant interest. In this work, we have developed a novel synthesis protocol for graphitic carbon nitride nanotubes decorated MoS2 composite (g-C3N4 NTs@MoS2) using the hydrothermal method and evaluated its electrochemical sensing performance towards vanillin (VN) determination. The electrochemical sensor was accomplished at various electrolytes and optimized parameters to get an enhanced current signal for VN detection. Under the optimized conditions, the sensor obtained wide linear ranges (0.005-458.9 µM), low limit of detection (LOD, 4 nM), and excellent sensitivity (3.48 μA μM−1 cm−2) using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Moreover, the practical applicability of the developed sensor was also successfully evaluated in food samples with an excellent recovery rate.