A boron nitride electrode modified with a nanocomposite prepared from an ionic liquid and tungsten disulfide for voltammetric sensing of 4-aminophenol.

Boron nitride (BN) was used as a support and covered with an ionic liquid (IL) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanoparticles to obtain an electrode for the determination of 4-aminophenol (4-AP). BN was prepared using a "solvent cutting" method, and the BN-IL-WS2 nanocomposite was obtained by an ultrasonic method. BN and its hybrids were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. When the BN-IL-WS2 composites were coated on the surface of the electrode, the response to 4-AP was strongly amplified due to the strong synergetic effect between the three materials. The voltammetric response of the modified sensor (with a maximum at 0.29 V vs. Ag/AgCl) in solutions with a pH of 6 is linear in the 0.01-50 μΜ 4-AP concentration range, and the limit of detection is 3 nM. A modified glassy carbon electrode was applied for the determination of 4-AP in seawater and dispersions containing paracetamol tablets. The results were consistent with those obtained by HPLC. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the voltammetric determination process of 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The electrochemical sensor based on the glassy carbon electrode modified with boron nitride (BN), ionic liquid (IL) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanomaterials. They, exhibit an excellent performance compared with other electrodes.