Development of electrochemical sensors for detection and degradation of toxic dyes in industrial wastewater: Towards sustainable environmental solutions

Development of electrochemical sensors for detection and degradation of toxic dyes in industrial wastewater: Towards sustainable environmental solutions

Muhammad Kamran HAKEEM, Muhammad USMAN, Iltaf SHAH

Abstract. The extensive use of synthetic dyes in various industrial applications has led to significant environmental challenges, posing threats to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. Addressing the detection and remediation of these harmful dyes is essential for minimizing their detrimental environmental effects and advancing sustainable water management practices. This study focuses on developing and evaluating electrochemical sensors designed for sensitive detection and effective degradation of toxic dyes in industrial wastewater. The aim is to improve detection sensitivity, analyze dye degradation kinetics, and contribute to eco-friendly water purification technologies that align with sustainable environmental practices. Using modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) with functionalized carbon nanotubes and advanced photocatalytic materials, we aim to design a platform that can detect minute concentrations of toxic dyes in aqueous systems. The electrochemical characteristics were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), and impedance spectroscopy. Photodegradation studies were also conducted to evaluate the degradation efficiency of these sensors under natural sunlight under ambient conditions. The electrochemical sensors demonstrated exceptional sensitivity, achieving detection limits in the picomolar and nanomolar ranges for the target dyes. Photodegradation studies revealed pseudo-first order kinetics, with over 90% dye removal under natural sunlight. The developed electrochemical sensors present an innovative approach to the detection and degradation of toxic dyes in wastewater, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in water purification and environmental sustainability. These findings demonstrate the potential of nanomaterial-based electrochemical systems to address pressing environmental challenges.

Keywords
Electrochemical Sensors, Toxic Dyes, Wastewater Remediation, Nanomaterials, Photocatalysis, Sustainable Development

Published online 6/20/2026, 7 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: Muhammad Kamran HAKEEM, Muhammad USMAN, Iltaf SHAH, Development of electrochemical sensors for detection and degradation of toxic dyes in industrial wastewater: Towards sustainable environmental solutions, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 67, pp 408-414, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904176-55

The article was published as article 55 of the book Climate Action and Sustainability

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

References
[1] Oguanobi, N.C.; Aniagor, C.O.; Okoronkwo, G.; Ude, C.N.; Onu, C.E.; Anike, E.N. Chapter 1 – Industrial Dye Effluent Sources, Generation, and Value-Added Products. In Engineered Biocomposites for Dye Adsorption; Jagaba, A.H., Mohamed Kutty, S.R., Isa, M.H., Birniwa, A.H., Eds.; Elsevier, 2025; pp. 1–10 ISBN 978-0-443-29877-6.
[2] Slama, H.B.; Chenari Bouket, A.; Pourhassan, Z.; Alenezi, F.N.; Silini, A.; Cherif-Silini, H.; Oszako, T.; Luptakova, L.; Golińska, P.; Belbahri, L. Diversity of Synthetic Dyes from Textile Industries, Discharge Impacts and Treatment Methods. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 6255. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146255
[3] Haleem, A.; Shafiq, A.; Chen, S.-Q.; Nazar, M. A Comprehensive Review on Adsorption, Photocatalytic and Chemical Degradation of Dyes and Nitro-Compounds over Different Kinds of Porous and Composite Materials. Molecules 2023, 28, 1081. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031081
[4] Islam, T.; Repon, Md.R.; Islam, T.; Sarwar, Z.; Rahman, M.M. Impact of Textile Dyes on Health and Ecosystem: A Review of Structure, Causes, and Potential Solutions. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2023, 30, 9207–9242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24398-3
[5] Hakeem, M.K.; Shah, A.; Nisar, J.; Jan Iftikhar, F.; Khan, S.B.; Shah, I. Electrochemical Sensing Platform for the Detection and Degradation Studies of Metanil Yellow. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2022, 169, 056503. https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ac6981
[6] Rashid, R.; Shafiq, I.; Akhter, P.; Iqbal, M.J.; Hussain, M. A State-of-the-Art Review on Wastewater Treatment Techniques: The Effectiveness of Adsorption Method. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2021, 28, 9050–9066. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12395-x
[7] Bal, G.; Thakur, A. Distinct Approaches of Removal of Dyes from Wastewater: A Review. Materials Today: Proceedings 2022, 50, 1575–1579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.09.119
[8] Mehta, M.; Sharma, M.; Pathania, K.; Jena, P.K.; Bhushan, I. Degradation of Synthetic Dyes Using Nanoparticles: A Mini-Review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2021, 28, 49434–49446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15470-5
[9] Usman, M.; Morsi, R.; Ghoudi, K.; Sayed Yaqoub, K.; Alblooshi, M.; Alneyadi, A.; Al Hashemi, S.; Ayyash, M.; Meetani, M.A. Ultra-Trace Detection of Carbamate Pesticides and Their Metabolites in Camel Milk Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: A Food Safety Perspective. Journal of Dairy Science 2025, 108, 9238–9249. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-26822
[10] Hakeem, M.K.; Sohail, A.; Hisaindee, S.; Shah, I. Harnessing Nutritional Immunity and Advanced Diagnostics for COVID-19 Prevention. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences 2024, 11, 55–76. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2024.03.007
[11] Kogularasu, S.; Lee, Y.-Y.; Chang-Chien, G.-P.; Govindasamy, M.; Sheu, J.-K. Review—Nanofibers: Empowering Electrochemical Sensors for Reliable Detection of Food and Environmental Toxins. J. Electrochem. Soc. 2023, 170, 077514. https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ace8c2
[12] Choudhari, U.; Jagtap, S.; Ramgir, N.; Debnath, A.K.; Muthe, K.P. Screen-Printed Electrochemical Sensors for Environmental Monitoring of Heavy Metal Ion Detection. Reviews in Chemical Engineering 2023, 39, 1227–1268. https://doi.org/10.1515/revce-2022-0002
[13] Liu, Y.; Xue, Q.; Chang, C.; Wang, R.; Liu, Z.; He, L. Recent Progress Regarding Electrochemical Sensors for the Detection of Typical Pollutants in Water Environments. ANAL. SCI. 2022, 38, 55–70. https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.21SAR12
[14] Aljanaahi, A.; Hakeem, M.K.; Aljanaahi, A.; Shah, I. A Review of Analytical and Chemometric Strategies for Forensic Classification of Homemade Explosives. Analytical Science Advances 2025, 6, e70010. https://doi.org/10.1002/ansa.70010
[15] Hakeem, M.K.; Rajendaran, T.; Eldin Saeed, E.; Mishra, A.K.; Hazzouri, K.M.; Shah, I.; Amiri, K.M.A. Comparative LC-MS/MS-Based Profiling of Phytohormones: A Unified Analytical Approach across Diverse Plant Matrices. Front. Plant Sci. 2025, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1670979
[16] Hakeem, M.K.; Abufarajallah, H.; Abushahab, M.; Abdulgabar, G.; Alneyadi, H.; Alnaqbi, S.; Elangovan, S.; Shah, I. Development and Validation of an LC–MS/MS Method for Quantifying Phytohormones Related to Tomato Shelf Life. Foods 2025, 14, 4040. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14234040
[17] Askar, S.; Usman, M.; Johnson, L.; Thomas, D.; Meetani, M.A. Determination of Multimycotoxins in Camel Milk Products of the United Arab Emirates by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Journal of Dairy Science 2025, S0022030225010562. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-27528
[18] Lu, Y.; Cai, Y.; Zhang, S.; Zhuang, L.; Hu, B.; Wang, S.; Chen, J.; Wang, X. Application of Biochar-Based Photocatalysts for Adsorption-(Photo)Degradation/Reduction of Environmental Contaminants: Mechanism, Challenges and Perspective. Biochar 2022, 4, 45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-022-00173-y
[19] Pavel, M.; Anastasescu, C.; State, R.-N.; Vasile, A.; Papa, F.; Balint, I. Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants to Harmless End Products: Assessment of Practical Application Potential for Water and Air Cleaning. Catalysts 2023, 13, 380. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal13020380
[20] Mohamadpour, F.; Mohammad Amani, A. Photocatalytic Systems: Reactions, Mechanism, and Applications. RSC Advances 2024, 14, 20609–20645. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA03259D