Abstract: A method of detecting an imidacloprid compound including: contacting an electrochemical sensor with a solution; applying a potential across the electrochemical sensor in the solution. The method further includes measuring the current output of the electrochemical sensor; and determining if the imidacloprid compound is present in the solution based on the current output. The electrochemical sensor includes at least one layer of a nanocomposite at least partially coating a substrate surface. The nanocomposite includes silver nanoparticles, mesoporous carbon, and hematite ore.

Abstract: A nanocomposite photocatalyst is provided. The nanocomposite photocatalyst contains carbon nitride particles, a polymer composite comprising a conducting polymer and a carbon nanomaterial, the polymer composite being disposed on the carbon nitride particles, and noble metal nanoparticles disposed on both the polymer composite and the carbon nitride particles. Also provided is a method of forming the nanocomposite photocatalyst and a method of photodegrading an organic pollutant in water using the nanocomposite photocatalyst and visible light irradiation.

Abstract: A nanocomposite photocatalyst is provided. The nanocomposite photocatalyst contains a carbon nanomaterial made of amorphous carbon and graphitic carbon, metal oxide nanoparticles disposed on the carbon nanomaterial, and noble metal nanoparticles disposed on the metal oxide nanoparticles and/or the carbon nanomaterial. Also provided is a method of forming the nanocomposite photocatalyst and a method of photodegrading an organic pollutant in water using the nanocomposite photocatalyst and visible light irradiation.