Biomass waste derived carbon nanoballs aggregation networks-based aerogels as electrode material for electrochemical sensing

In this work, we reported the synthesis of carbon nanoballs aggregation networks-based aerogels (CNANAs) from the biomass waste of shaddock (Citrus maxima) peels for the first time. On the basis of the unique nanostructure of CNANAs with large surface area (446.39 m2 g−1), hierarchical pores (centered at 2, 12 and 87 nm) and high density of edge-plane-like defective sites (EPDSs), the CNANAs as a kind of advanced electrode material exhibited remarkable performance in electrocatalysis. Compared to carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (CNTs/GCE) and glassy carbon electrode (GCE), the CNANAs modified GCE (CNANAs/GCE) showed higher electrocatalytic activities towards some important inorganic and organic molecules, such as the probe molecule of potassium ferricyanide, the oxidase-related molecule of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the neurotransmitters of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). Based on the superior electrocatalytic activities, the CNANAs/GCE exhibited a wider determination linear range (5–1760 μmol L−1), a higher sensitivity (42.4 μA mmol L−1 cm−2) and a lower detection limit (3.53 μmol L−1) than those at CNTs/GCE and GCE for H2O2 detection. Especially, the CNANAs/GCE also showed great potential for the H2O2 determination in human urine and serum samples. The utilization of environmentally-friendly biomass waste of the shaddock peels as the raw material is a promising way to synthesize low-cost and advanced carbon based electrode material for electrochemical sensors construction.