Fruitful design of novel synthesis of aluminium boride–f-CB nanocomposite for real-time electrochemical sensing of mercury ions in environmental water samples

Environmental pollution exposure to human methylmercury (MeHg) causes minamata illness, a severe neurological condition discovered in Japan in 1956. Before MeHg being identified as the cause, Detection of heavy metal mercury in water is critical for ensuring environmental health and the ecological system. Mercury ion (Hg 2+ ), a highly toxic exposure risk, requires the development is needed in ultra-low sensitive detection. The current study investigates, novel approach towards Aluminium Boride–f-CB (AlB 2 @f-CB) nanocomposites were prepared by a simple solid-state reaction method, which has exceptional electroactive and a high surface area f-CB. The nanocomposite was confirmed with crystalline, morphology, elemental composition and oxidation properties, which were studied using XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and XPS. Electrochemical behaviour was demonstrated for the AlB 2 @f-CB modified electrode for detecting Hg 2+ . The developed sensor reveals a broad linear range (0.03–2000 μM) with sensitivity around 0.6338 μA μM −1 cm 2 . The ultra-low detection limit of 0.0286 μM with higher potential towards interference. Real-time environmental were validated in industrial water, tap water, and river water samples, achieving better RSD values (97–99.6 %). This work highlights developed novel sensor AlB 2 @f-CB, offering ultra-low sensitivity, cost-effective for monitoring mercury ions in the environment.