What question did this study set out to answer?

To develop and evaluate NiO-Carbon nanocomposites for efficient electrochemical detection of pesticides and photocatalytic remediation in agricultural applications.

May 7, 2026Open Access

Sustainable biosynthesis of NiO-carbon nanocomposites with enhanced charge dynamics for high-performance electrochemical pesticide detection in agricultural applications and photocatalytic remediation

Key Points

To develop and evaluate NiO-Carbon nanocomposites for efficient electrochemical detection of pesticides and photocatalytic remediation in agricultural applications.
Utilized Neem leaf extract for green combustion synthesis of NiO-Carbon composites.
Conducted structural analysis confirming face-centered cubic NiO and crystallite sizes of 25–50 nm.
Performed electrochemical impedance analysis to assess charge-transfer resistance.
Achieved a limit of detection in the millimolar range for glyphosate with a linear response from 1 to 6 mM.
Demonstrated 98.78% degradation of Congo Red dye under UV irradiation (365 nm, 15 mW/cm²).
Confirmed reduced charge-transfer resistance, indicating enhanced interfacial kinetics and stability in acidic media.

Abstract

Bio-derived NiO-Carbon nanocomposites were prepared using Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract through a green combustion approach. Structural analysis confirmed the formation of face-centered cubic NiO with crystallite sizes in the 25–50 nm range. The optimized 1:1 NiO: C composite demonstrated a limit of detection calculated via the 3σ/slope method in the millimolar range, along with a linear sensing response between 1 and 6 mM for glyphosate. In addition, the material achieved 98.78% degradation of Congo Red (CR dye) under UV irradiation (365 nm, 15 mW/cm²) while maintaining strong reusability and stability. The improved performance is attributed to the presence of conductive carbon, which facilitates charge transport, reduces electron–hole recombination, and increases the availability of active surface sites. Electrochemical impedance analysis further confirmed reduced charge-transfer resistance in the optimized composite, supporting its enhanced interfacial kinetics. The scalable and cost-effective synthesis, combined with stability in acidic media, highlights the potential of this composite as a multifunctional platform for pesticide monitoring and wastewater remediation.

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