OICC Press Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry 2193-8865 15 3 2025 06 14 Fabrication of Bi2O3/rGO Nanocomposite: A High Performance Electrochemical Sensor for Cadmium Detection in Industrial Waste Water 10.57647/jnsc.2025.1503.09 EN Sanoober Bhagat National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan Jamil A. Buled National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan Amber R. Solangi National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3852-1245 Arfana Mallah M.A.Kazi Institute of Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan S.Tufail H. Sherazi National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan Journal Article 2025 06 14 In this study, a bismuth oxide/reduced graphene oxide (Bi2O3/rGO) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized and analysed using multiple analytical techniques to evaluate its properties. The resulting (Bi2O3/rGO) material was characterized using different  methods. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed successful material functionalization, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a crystalline structure with an average particle size 30 nm. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images displaced rough, exfoliated surface morphology and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed elemental composition of carbon (60.3), oxygen (36.1%) and bismuth (3.1%). Electrochemical impendence spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) demonstrated  enhanced electrical conductivity of Bi2O3/rGO nanocomposite as compared to the bare electrode. The fabricated sensor suggested a  broad detection range of Cd2+ from 0.03 to 35 μM, with low detection and quantification limits of 0.006 to 0.02 μM respectively. The application of proposed sensor for environmental samples produced excellent recovery rates between 96% to 103%. Additionally, the sensor’s performance is superior to the previously reported work in terms of simplicity, cost effectiveness, energy saving and fast response time. This study emphasizes the potential of the Bi2O3/rGO nanocomposite as an effective material for environmental sensing applications, mainly for cadmium detection. Highlights• Easy and simple synthesis of Bi2O3/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite • Development of an innovative electrochemical sensor for selective and sensitive analysis of (Cd2+). • Consistent and highly sensitive sensor during prolonged use. • High accuracy and reliability in practical applicability. • Contributing to public health protection and environmental safety initiatives.