A synergistic bimetallic MOF/MWCNT nanocomposite for sensitive electrochemical detection of baicalin

Abstract

Baicalin (Bn), a bioactive compound derived from natural plants, has significant pharmaceutical value and is used in the treatment of diseases such as influenza. However, excessive baicalin administration may lead to increased drug toxicity, immune system disturbances, reduced therapeutic efficacy, and allergic reactions. The synergistic combination of bimetallic MOF and carbon nanotubes (CNT) yields a pronounced enhancement in electrochemical signal toward the analyte. In this study, a simple and low-cost one-pot method was proposed to fabricate ZnNi-MOF@MWCNT nanocomposites, which were used to develop an electrochemical sensor for the detection of Bn. Under optimized conditions, the sensor demonstrated a wide linear detection range of 5 × 10⁻⁹ to 6 × 10⁻⁷ M for Bn, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.12 × 10⁻⁹ M and a sensitivity of 130 A•M⁻¹. The sensor exhibited excellent stability, reproducibility, and resistance to interference from various substances. Additionally, the sensor showed satisfactory stability and recovery rates when applied to real sample goat serum. The proposed sensor material can be synthesized at room temperature, offering a new approach for the green synthesis of MOF-derived materials in pharmaceutical analysis.