A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts

The disinfection of drinking water is essential for eliminating pathogens and preventing waterborne diseases. However, this process generates various disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which toxicological research indicates can have detrimental effects on living organisms. Moreover, the safety of these...

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Main Authors: Ying Liu, Zhipeng Zhang, Yuling Wu, Huan Yang, Jiao Qu, Xiaolin Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/2/146
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author Ying Liu
Zhipeng Zhang
Yuling Wu
Huan Yang
Jiao Qu
Xiaolin Zhu
author_facet Ying Liu
Zhipeng Zhang
Yuling Wu
Huan Yang
Jiao Qu
Xiaolin Zhu
author_sort Ying Liu
collection DOAJ
description The disinfection of drinking water is essential for eliminating pathogens and preventing waterborne diseases. However, this process generates various disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which toxicological research indicates can have detrimental effects on living organisms. Moreover, the safety of these DBPs has not been sufficiently assessed, underscoring the need for a comprehensive evaluation of their toxic effects and associated health risks. Compared to traditional methods for studying the toxicity of pollutants, emerging electrochemical sensing technologies offer advantages such as simplicity, speed, and sensitivity, presenting an effective means for toxicity research on pollutants. However, challenges remain in this field, including the need to improve electrode sensitivity and reduce electrode costs. In this study, a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was modified with carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) and nano-iron (III) oxide (α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) to fabricate a low-cost electrode with excellent electrocatalytic performance for cell-active substances. Subsequently, a novel cellular electrochemical sensor was constructed for the sensitive detection of the toxicity of three drinking water DBPs. The half inhibitory concentration (IC<sub>50</sub>) values of 2-chlorophenylacetonitrile (2-CPAN), 3-chlorophenylacetonitrile (3-CPAN), and 4-chlorophenylacetonitrile (4-CPAN) for HepG2 cells were 660.69, 831.76, and 812.83 µM, respectively. This study provides technical support and scientific evidence for the toxicity detection and safety assessment of emerging contaminants.
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spelling doaj-art-c91a19d9d9054c849574faa7ca62a6d02025-01-24T13:44:18ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-01-0115214610.3390/nano15020146A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection ByproductsYing Liu0Zhipeng Zhang1Yuling Wu2Huan Yang3Jiao Qu4Xiaolin Zhu5School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaSchool of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaSchool of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaSchool of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaSchool of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaSchool of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaThe disinfection of drinking water is essential for eliminating pathogens and preventing waterborne diseases. However, this process generates various disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which toxicological research indicates can have detrimental effects on living organisms. Moreover, the safety of these DBPs has not been sufficiently assessed, underscoring the need for a comprehensive evaluation of their toxic effects and associated health risks. Compared to traditional methods for studying the toxicity of pollutants, emerging electrochemical sensing technologies offer advantages such as simplicity, speed, and sensitivity, presenting an effective means for toxicity research on pollutants. However, challenges remain in this field, including the need to improve electrode sensitivity and reduce electrode costs. In this study, a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was modified with carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) and nano-iron (III) oxide (α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) to fabricate a low-cost electrode with excellent electrocatalytic performance for cell-active substances. Subsequently, a novel cellular electrochemical sensor was constructed for the sensitive detection of the toxicity of three drinking water DBPs. The half inhibitory concentration (IC<sub>50</sub>) values of 2-chlorophenylacetonitrile (2-CPAN), 3-chlorophenylacetonitrile (3-CPAN), and 4-chlorophenylacetonitrile (4-CPAN) for HepG2 cells were 660.69, 831.76, and 812.83 µM, respectively. This study provides technical support and scientific evidence for the toxicity detection and safety assessment of emerging contaminants.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/2/146biosensordisinfection byproductscytotoxicitymulti-walled carbon nanotubesnano-iron (III) oxide
spellingShingle Ying Liu
Zhipeng Zhang
Yuling Wu
Huan Yang
Jiao Qu
Xiaolin Zhu
A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts
Nanomaterials
biosensor
disinfection byproducts
cytotoxicity
multi-walled carbon nanotubes
nano-iron (III) oxide
title A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts
title_full A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts
title_fullStr A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts
title_full_unstemmed A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts
title_short A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts
title_sort low cost electrochemical cell sensor based on mwcnt cooh α fe sub 2 sub o sub 3 sub for toxicity detection of drinking water disinfection byproducts
topic biosensor
disinfection byproducts
cytotoxicity
multi-walled carbon nanotubes
nano-iron (III) oxide
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/2/146
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