A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on MXene/FeOx/Ag nanocomposite for detection of total chromium in traditional herbal medicines
Abstract
Contamination of traditional herbal medicines (THMs) with chromium (Cr) has raised concerns regarding product quality and consumer safety, highlighting the need for reliable analytical monitoring. In this study, a Ti3C2Tx MXene/FeOx/Ag nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode was developed for the sensitive determination of total chromium in THMs using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Following microwave-assisted acid digestion, all chromium species were converted to Cr(III), enabling total Cr quantification. The nanocomposite was characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, and BET analyses. Under optimised conditions, the sensor exhibited a wide linear range of 0.5-2000 μg L-1, a low detection limit of 0.08 μg L-1, good selectivity, and satisfactory repeatability (RSD 0.05). A preliminary scenario-based exposure assessment indicated that chromium levels in some products may warrant further attention; however, direct chromium speciation was not performed, and additional studies are required for comprehensive risk evaluation. The proposed sensing platform offers a simple, cost-effective, and reliable approach for total chromium screening in complex herbal matrices, with potential applications in pharmaceutical quality control, food safety, and environmental monitoring.
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