Green electrochemical sensors using CO2 laser pyrolysis on green leaves substrates for carbendazim detection

Utilizing green leaves as a substrate for manufacturing electrochemical sensors is a groundbreaking method that offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional sensor materials. Furthermore, CO₂ laser pyrolysis allows the fabrication of electrodes on various substrates, assisting in the development of high-performance, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective sensors. In this sense, the leaves used stem from S. macrophylla and P. americana, tree species widely and easily found in Brazil [1, 2]. The system was used for the detection of carbendazim (CBZ), a fungicide that is mainly used in the protection of plants against fungal diseases [3]. Under optimized parameters, an analytical curve was constructed in the concentration range of 0.5 to 10.0 μmol L^-1 using square wave voltammetry (SWV) with linearity, R² = 0.9987, and with a limit of detection of 0.1 μmol L⁻¹. The proposed sensor was applied for CBZ electrochemical determination as a proof of concept and values of 90.6 – 101.13% CBZ were obtained, demonstrating the electrode’s ability to analyze food samples containing CBZ. Therefore, the proposed sensor system prepared with dehydrated green leaves substrate using CO₂ laser pyrolysis for the detection of carbendazim is a great alternative for electrochemical sensing.