Hierarchically Self-Assembled Star-Shaped ZnO Microparticles for Electrochemical Sensing of Amines

Novel, hierarchically nanostructured, star-shaped ZnO (SSZ) microparticles are synthesized by a hydrothermal synthetic route. The SSZ microparticles serve as effective platforms for electrochemical detection of amines in solution. The morphology and structure of the materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The as-synthesized SSZ microparticles comprise self-assembled hexagonal prisms that possess nanometer and micrometer pores in their structure and on their surfaces-structural features that are conducive to sensing applications. An electrode fabricated by using the hierarchically nanostructured SSZ materials serve as a sensitive electrochemical sensor for detection of low concentrations of ethylenediamine, with a sensitivity of 2.98×10(-2)  mA cm(-2)  mm(-1) , a detection limit of 2.36×10(-2)  mm, and a short response time of 8 s.