Engineering the electronic structure of copper aerogel via bismuth doping for sensitive and selective electrochemical determination of formic acid in food and water samples
Journal
Microchemical Journal
Journal Volume
227
Start Page
118506
ISSN
0026265X
Date Issued
2026-08
Author(s)
Worku, Negash
Belayneh, Befkad Tedla
Dubale, Amare Aregahegn
Berhe, Taame Abraha
Workineh, Zerihun Getaneh
Weldemichael, Henok Tibebu
Chandravanshi, Bhagwan Singh
Abstract
The widespread use of formic acid in industry, agriculture, and energy has serious consequences for both the environment and human health. This work developed highly sensitive, selective, and innovative bismuth-doped copper aerogel-based sensors (Cu98Bi2, Cu95Bi5, and Cu92Bi8) for detecting formic acid. The morphological, structural, compositional, and electrochemical characteristics of the fabricated sensors were analyzed using XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and ICP-OES techniques. Among the sensors supported on a glassy carbon electrode, the Cu95Bi5 aerogel demonstrated exceptional sensitivity in detecting formic acid, exhibiting a linear dynamic range from 0.23 to 6.44 mg/L through square wave voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The limits of detection and quantification were determined to be 0.35 mg/L and 1.16 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, the sensor showed excellent selectivity toward potential interfering substances, such as inorganic ions and carboxylic acids. Furthermore, the Cu95Bi5 aerogel-based sensor was used to measure the amount of formic acid in real samples, including milk, honey, and water, achieving a relative standard deviation of less than 4% and a recovery rate of 96.1–101.8%. Therefore, the Cu95Bi5 aerogel-based sensor is environmentally friendly, easy to use, economical, and user-friendly, making it a suitable choice for the quantitative determination of formic acid in various matrices.
Subjects
Bismuth dopant
Cu aerogel
Electrochemical sensor
Foods
Formic acid
Water samples
Publisher
Elsevier Inc.
Type
journal article