A Novel Sensor Based on Cu2O/Mo2C@C Derived from MOF Composites for Simultaneous Detection of Catechol and Hydroquinone

Abstract

Herein, the copper-based metal organic framework (CuBDC) modified with MoO3 nanorods uniformly distributed on its surface (MoO3@CuBDC) was synthesized by a one-step solvothermal method, and then was treated with high temperature calcination. A series of characterizations demonstrate that MoO3@CuBDC was transformed into a ternary composite of Cu2O nanospheres, Mo2C, and carbon material (Cu2O/Mo2C@C) after the treatment. Moreover, a novel electrochemical sensor based on Cu2O/Mo2C@C modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was constructed for simultaneous sensitive detection of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ). Due to the excellent electrocatalytic ability of Cu2O/Mo2C@C, the prepared sensor exhibits good electroanalytical performance, which shows good linearity in the concentration ranges of 0.50–200.00 μM for CC and HQ with the limits of detection of 0.38 μM and 0.13 μM. In addition, this sensor can be used to detect CC and HQ simultaneously in real samples with satisfactory results.