Electrochemical Monitoring of Synthetic Dyes in Water Using Modified Electrodes With Perovskite Oxides Integrated Halloysite Nanotubes Composites

Why It Matters

The sensor offers rapid, low‑cost, and highly sensitive detection of hazardous dyes, enabling tighter regulatory compliance and protecting water resources. Its green synthesis and compatibility with portable electrodes make it scalable for on‑site environmental testing.

Key Takeaways

• FeTiO3/HNTs/SPCE detects IC, SY, TRZ with 0.0011‑0.0205 µM LODs.
• Linear range spans 0.03 to 1,350 µM for all three dyes.
• Green ultrasonication yields perovskite titanates without hazardous reagents.
• Sensor validated in industrial wastewater and pond water samples.

Pulse Analysis

Synthetic dyes such as Indigo Carmine, Sunset Yellow, and Tartrazine are widely used in textiles, food, and cosmetics, yet their persistence in water bodies poses ecological and health risks. Conventional laboratory analyses—chromatography or spectrophotometry—require expensive equipment, skilled operators, and lengthy sample preparation. Electrochemical sensing, by contrast, promises real‑time, on‑site monitoring with minimal infrastructure, a crucial advantage for municipalities and industries seeking to meet tightening discharge standards.

The new sensor leverages perovskite metal titanates (MTiO3) synthesized through an ultrasonication‑driven, solvent‑free route, integrating them with halloysite nanotubes to boost surface area and electron transfer. Among the tested compositions, FeTiO3 combined with HNTs delivered the highest catalytic activity, achieving detection limits in the low nanomolar range—far surpassing many reported dye sensors. The use of screen‑printed carbon electrodes further reduces cost and enables mass production, while differential pulse voltammetry provides distinct peaks for each dye, ensuring selectivity even in complex matrices.

Beyond laboratory validation, the sensor’s performance in real water samples—including effluent from a textile plant and a natural pond—confirms its robustness against interferents and variable pH. This breakthrough positions the technology as a viable tool for continuous water quality surveillance, supporting regulatory bodies and industries in early leak detection and compliance reporting. Future work may expand the platform to multiplexed detection of additional contaminants, integrate wireless data transmission, and explore large‑scale manufacturing, paving the way for smarter, greener water management solutions.