Electrochemical sensing of aniline based on bio-inspired cauliflower shaped tin-oxide nanoparticle using Solanum trilobatum leaf extract

The quantitative detection and determination of aniline (AN) in water samples are of significant importance due to its potential to induce adverse effects in humans and other livestock when consumed in excess. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to develop a highly sensitive conductive matrix for the electrochemical detection and quantification of AN in-water samples. In this regard, tin oxide nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) were synthesized using Solanum trilobatum leaf extract for the first time. Upon conducting structural analysis of the synthesized SnO2 NPs, aggregates of spherical nanoparticles were observed, resulting in the formation of a cauliflower-like structural morphology. Subsequently, the cauliflower-shaped SnO2 nanoparticles were drop-casted onto the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode using nafion as a binder, thereby developing an electrochemical sensing platform for the detection of AN. Later, differential pulse voltammetry technique was employed to detect AN over a concentration range of 2.0–14.0 nM, with a limit of detection of 0.897 nM based on the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N = 3). Importantly, the sensing of AN remained unaffected by tested interfering species from various pollutants, as confirmed by recovery values (99.2–101.0%) in water samples. These results collectively demonstrate that the newly designed sensor exhibits good selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility for the detection of AN.