Hydrophilic graphene surface prepared by electrochemically reduced micellar graphene oxide as a platform for electrochemical sensor.

Graphene is one of the promising hydrophobic carbon-based nanomaterials used for electrode modification in electrochemical sensor. However, hydrophobicity of graphene makes it incompatible with aqueous electrolyte solution, leading to significant impediment to the electron transfer process. Here, we aim to alter graphene property to be hydrophilicity by using an electrochemically reduced micellar graphene oxide for electrode surface modification. Then, this system was applied for the simultaneous determination of toxic pesticides (e.g. carbofuran and carbendazim). Interestingly, the modified electrode offers an improved electrochemical sensitivity, verified by a drastic increase in current signal of carbofuran (4 times) and carbendazim (12 times) compared to an unmodified electrode. Under the optimal conditions, low detection limits of carbofuran and carbendazim were found to be 10µgL-1 and 5µgL-1, respectively. Ultimately, this system was successfully applied for the sensitive and simultaneous determination of carbofuran and carbendazim residues in various agricultural products.