A sensitive sensor based on MOFs derived nanoporous carbons for electrochemical detection of 4-aminophenol

A novel electrochemical sensor based on zinc oxide/nitrogen doped porous carbons (ZnO/NPC) modified electrode has been constructed for detecting 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The ZnO/NPC material was synthesized by one-step carbonization of MOF-5-NH₂. The modified glassy carbon electrode (ZnO/NPC/GCE) holds excellent electrocatalytic activity toward 4-AP, with a sensitivity of about 31.02 μA/μM/cm². Under optimal conditions, its oxidation peak current increases linearly with the increasing concentration of 4-AP (from 5 to 120 μmol/L), and the detection limits is 0.014 μmol/L (S/N = 3). Furthermore, favorable selectivity, superior reproducibility and outstanding stability have been achieved. The ZnO/NPC/GCE has been applied in detecting 4-AP in industrial waste water and achieved positive results with the recovery of 4-AP ranging from 94.02% to 107.7%, which confirms that this sensor is a reliable platform for the detection of 4-AP in waste water.