Graphene electrochemical transistors decorated by Ag nanoparticles exhibiting high sensitivity for the detection of paraquat over a wide concentration range.

Paraquat (PQ) is a nonselective contact herbicide used in agriculture for the control of broad leaf weeds, which would cause irreversible damage to human organs even at very low concentrations. Therefore, the trace residue detection of PQ in the environment is of vital importance. Here, a novel graphene electrochemical transistor (GECT) for PQ detection is reported for the first time. The key to the device design is the application of a layer of Ag nanoparticle (Ag NP) modified monolayer graphene as the channel layer. Due to the good electrochemical activity of Ag NPs for PQ detection, the device exhibits excellent sensitivity for PQ with the detection limit of 0.068 nM and a wide linear range from 0.1 nM to 5 mM. The GECT sensor also reveals good selectivity toward several common interferents and exhibits satisfactory recoveries for PQ detection when using Chinese cabbage as a simulant to deduce the real detection situation. The GECT sensor not only provides an efficient method for the detection of PQ residues, but also provides an effective grafting platform for the construction of novel high-sensitivity electrochemical sensors.