Synthesis and characterization of ZnO/NiO nanocomposites for electrochemical sensing of p-Cresol in water

In this study, the ZnO/NiO nanocomposite was used as a working electrode for sensing p-cresol using the electrochemical method. The ZnO/NiO nanocomposite was synthesized and subsequently subjected to a comprehensive suite of characterization techniques. These included X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystalline structure analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental mapping for compositional assessment, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) for morphological insights at the atomic scale, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) for surface topology and microstructural details, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for chemical state and electronic structure elucidation. The electrochemical performance of the ZnO/NiO nanocomposite-modified electrode was rigorously evaluated for p-Cresol detection. The sensor demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 72 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 218 µM. The linear dynamic range of the sensor spanned from 0 to 1000 µM, indicating its suitability for varying concentrations of p-Cresol. Furthermore, the sensor's efficacy was validated through real sample analysis, showcasing its potential application in environmental monitoring and contamination assessment. Overall, the ZnO/NiO nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensor emerges as a promising tool for the sensitive and accurate detection of p-Cresol, contributing significantly to environmental surveillance and public health safety.