A calix[4]arene-modified (Pc)Eu(Pc)Eu[T(C4A)PP]-based sensor for highly sensitive and specific host-guest...

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Development of advanced host-guest electrochemical recognition layers is crucial for sensitive analyte detection.
• Calixarene macrocycles offer tunable cavities for molecular recognition.
• Rare earth triple-decker compounds exhibit unique photophysical and electrochemical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel calix[4]arene-functionalized europium triple-decker compound.
• To prepare well-organized films of this compound for electrochemical sensing applications.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance for detecting biologically relevant organic molecules.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a calix[4]arene-functionalized (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) europium(iii) triple-decker compound.
• Preparation of quasi-Langmuir-Shäfer (QLS) films on ITO electrodes.
• Electrochemical detection of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp), and Acetaminophen (APAP).

Main Results:

• The QLS film demonstrated specific electrochemical responses to organic molecules based on molecular dimension matching with the calixarene cavity.
• The sensor exhibited a wide linear detection range (0.1–100 μM) for DA and APAP.
• High sensitivity (53.0 μA mM⁻¹ for DA, 94.3 μA mM⁻¹ for APAP) and low detection limits (25 nM for DA, 11 nM for APAP) were achieved.
• Excellent stability, reproducibility, selectivity, and anti-interference properties were observed.

Conclusions:

• The calix[4]arene-functionalized europium triple-decker compound shows great potential for ultrasensitive and specific nonenzymatic sensing.
• This material represents a promising platform for developing advanced electrochemical biosensors.
• The host-guest recognition mechanism based on molecular dimension matching is effective for selective analyte detection.