Tweaking the electrocatalytic ability of Cu-MOF by the inclusion of PTA: a selective electrochemical sensor for resorcinol

Abstract

Resorcinol (RL) is a phenolic compound that is extensively utilized in the industrial sector, mostly for skin care applications as an antiseptic and disinfectant. However, this chemical has the potential to be very hazardous to people and the environment due to its pernicious nature in the environment owing to its high degree of toxicity and weak degradation capacity. Finding novel analytical techniques to monitor RL is therefore crucial. A facile and superior electrochemical fabrication route was procured to develop the composite of Cu-BTC-MOF/PTA/CFP for the sensitive detection of resorcinol (RL). The modified Cu-BTC-MOF/PTA/CFP (copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate–poly-3-thiophene acetic acid) electrode displayed improved electron transport features as well as excellent electrocatalytic performance. The developed electrode was characterized using physicochemical and electrochemical techniques. The enhanced electrochemical activity of the Cu-BTC-MOF/PTA/CFP electrode compared to the individual MOF and polymer electrode was examined using electrochemical characterization, which revealed a 10-fold increase in the current response for Cu-BTC-MOF/PTA/CFP (0.004 A) compared to the bare electrode. The cyclic voltammetric analysis of the Cu-BTC-MOF/PTA/CFP electrode in the presence of 120 nM analyte gave an oxidation peak at 0.62 V and a 5.4-fold increase in the current peak compared to the bare CFP electrode suggesting a higher sensitivity in sensing the analyte. The limit of detection for RL under optimal conditions was calculated to be 8 nM with a broad linear range from 0.025 μM to 350 μM. In addition, the Cu-MOF/PTAA/CFP electrode was scrutinized for its stability, reproducibility, and selectivity. Real sample analysis was carried out to validate the analytical applications.