Rapid and sensitive strategy for Rhodamine B detection using a novel electrochemical platform based on core–shell structured Cu@carbon sphere nanohybrid

• Cu@carbon sphere core–shell material is prepared through one-pot hydrothermal way.
• Cu@carbon sphere is used as sensitizing film for the detection of Rhodamine B.
• The oxidation mechanism of Rhodamine B was studied preliminarily.
• Rhodamine B contents in real food sample extract are successfully determined.

In this study, the core–shell structured Cu@carbon sphere (Cu@CS) nanohybrid was prepared and then used as electrocatalyst to construct an electrochemical platform for the rapid and sensitive detection of Rhodamine B (RB). Owing to the synergistic effect of the good conductivity of Cu nanoparticles and the high surface area of CS, the Cu@CS nanohybrid-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of CN group that connects the benzene ring in RB, exhibiting as greatly increased oxidation peak current. The linear range was from 0.3 to 30.0 μmol L−1, and the limit of detection was 0.1 μmol L−1 after 240 s accumulation. Finally, this method was used in real food samples analysis, and the results consisted with the values that obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography.

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