0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Food & Water Human Health Effects Sign in to save

A Low-Cost Electrochemical Cell Sensor Based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe2O3 for Toxicity Detection of Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts

Nanomaterials 2025 Score: 48 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Ying Liu, Zhipeng Zhang, Yuling Wu, Huan Yang, Jiao Qu, Xiaolin Zhu

Summary

A low-cost electrochemical sensor based on MWCNT-COOH/α-Fe2O3 was developed to detect toxicity of drinking water disinfection byproducts, offering a simpler and faster alternative to traditional bioassays for assessing health risks in treated water supplies.

Study Type Environmental

The disinfection of drinking water is essential for eliminating pathogens and preventing waterborne diseases. However, this process generates various disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which toxicological research indicates can have detrimental effects on living organisms. Moreover, the safety of these DBPs has not been sufficiently assessed, underscoring the need for a comprehensive evaluation of their toxic effects and associated health risks. Compared to traditional methods for studying the toxicity of pollutants, emerging electrochemical sensing technologies offer advantages such as simplicity, speed, and sensitivity, presenting an effective means for toxicity research on pollutants. However, challenges remain in this field, including the need to improve electrode sensitivity and reduce electrode costs. In this study, a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was modified with carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) and nano-iron (III) oxide (α-Fe2O3) to fabricate a low-cost electrode with excellent electrocatalytic performance for cell-active substances. Subsequently, a novel cellular electrochemical sensor was constructed for the sensitive detection of the toxicity of three drinking water DBPs. The half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2-chlorophenylacetonitrile (2-CPAN), 3-chlorophenylacetonitrile (3-CPAN), and 4-chlorophenylacetonitrile (4-CPAN) for HepG2 cells were 660.69, 831.76, and 812.83 µM, respectively. This study provides technical support and scientific evidence for the toxicity detection and safety assessment of emerging contaminants.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

In vitro bioassays for monitoring drinking water quality of tap water, domestic filtration and bottled water

Researchers used cell-based bioassays to assess the toxicity of tap water, bottled water, and home-filtered water and found that non-regulated disinfection byproducts — chemical compounds formed when water is treated — were the main drivers of oxidative stress responses. The study demonstrates that standard chemical testing alone misses important toxicological hazards in drinking water.

Article Tier 2

A sensitive MWCNT-OH/PDDA/B-GQDs nanocomposite biosensor for toxicity assessment of nanoplastics and bisphenols in water: Mechanistic insights into cellular toxicity

Researchers built a cell-based electrochemical sensor to quickly measure how toxic nanoplastics and bisphenol chemicals — both common water contaminants — are to liver cells. Combined exposure caused additive harm, triggering oxidative stress and activating gene pathways linked to liver disease, highlighting the compounded health risks of these co-occurring pollutants.

Article Tier 2

Sensing of Disinfection Byproducts; An Iodo-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework as a Platform

Researchers developed a metal-organic framework material capable of detecting halogenated disinfection byproducts in water. These chemical byproducts form when drinking water is chlorinated and can pose health risks, making sensitive detection tools valuable for water safety monitoring.

Article Tier 2

Rapid Microfluidic Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Heavy Metal Ions in Water Sample

This paper reviews the development of a microfluidic electrochemical sensor for detecting toxic heavy metal ions in water samples. Human activities including mining, industrial waste, and improper disposal of microplastics in water bodies release heavy metals that pose serious health risks. The sensor offers a rapid, low-cost alternative to laboratory analysis for monitoring water quality.

Article Tier 2

A sensitive electrochemical sensor for environmental toxicity monitoring based on tungsten disulfide nanosheets/hydroxylated carbon nanotubes nanocomposite

Researchers developed a cell-based electrochemical sensor using tungsten disulfide nanosheet and carbon nanotube composites on a screen-printed electrode to detect aquatic pollutant toxicity, finding it more sensitive than conventional cell viability assays when tested against trichlorophenol, bisphenol AF, and polystyrene nanoplastics.

Share this paper