A novel bio-electrochemical ascorbic acid sensor modified with Cu4(OH)6SO4 nanorods

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Brochantite, Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4), is typically an undesirable oxidation product of copper sulfides.
• Its biological and electrochemical activity has been largely overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanoparticles.
• To explore the application of these nanomaterials as a biosensing material for L-ascorbic acid (AA) oxidation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanorods.
• Fabrication of a biosensor using Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanorods for electrochemical detection.
• Electrochemical analysis of L-ascorbic acid (AA) in the presence of interfering species like dopamine (DA) and acetyl aminophenol (AP).

Main Results:

• The Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanorod-modified biosensor demonstrated rapid response (<8 s) and a wide linear range (0.017–6 mM) for AA determination.
• High sensitivity (17.53 μA mM⁻¹) and excellent selectivity for AA oxidation were observed, even at physiological concentrations of DA and AP.
• The nanomaterials exhibited good analytical performance and long-term stability.

Conclusions:

• Cu(4)(OH)(6)SO(4) nanoparticles possess significant intrinsic electrocatalytic activity.
• These nanomaterials are promising for developing cost-effective and efficient electrochemical sensors.
• Potential applications span medicine, biotechnology, and environmental chemistry.