Improving the electrocatalytic activity of the copper (II) metal-organic framework by functionalized imidazolate linker and functionalized carbon nanoparticles for detection of acyclovir

With the aim of expansion of nanocomposite materials in electrochemical sensors, the use of nanostructures as the electrode modifier has been shown to improves the kinetics of the electron transfer reactions and consequently increases the sensitivity of the sensors. So, in this study, a new electrochemical sensor was fabricated by using the nanocomposite of copper (II) metal-organic framework with functionalized imidazolate linker [Cu-3(BTC)(2)-2-MIM] and cationic functionalized carbon nanoparticles (CFCNPs) at the glassy carbon electrode (GCE); Cu-3(BTC)(2)-2-MIM/CFCNPs/GCE. The as prepared nanocomposite; Cu-3(BTC)(2)-2-MIM/CFCNPs was characterized using various instrumental techniques. To identify the capabilities and electrocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposite in analytical chemistry, it was used as an electrochemical modifier along with suitable electrochemical techniques. In this regard, the prepared modified electrode; Cu-3(BTC)(2)-2-MIM/CFCNPs/GCE was utilized to the electrooxidation and determination of the acyclovir (ACR) in NaOH solution. Under optimal experimental conditions, the Cu-3(BTC)(2)-2-MIM/CFCNPs/GCE showed low detection limit (0.24 mu M) over the concentration ranges of 2.49-84.28 mu M of ACR. On the other hand, the present sensor has robust stability, good reproducibility, high selectivity and sensitivity (5.907 mu A mu M-1 cm(-2)) in electrodetermination of ACR. Also, the diffusion coefficient of ACR (D-ACR = 9.25 x 10(-6) cm(2) s(-1)), the transfer coefficient (alpha = 0.34) and catalytic rate constant (k(cat) = 10.1 x 10(5) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)) of ACR electrooxidation reaction were estimated at the surface of modified electrode in NaOH solution. Finally, the Cu-3(BTC)(2)-2-MIM/CFCNPs/GCE was applied as a promising and low-cost sensor for determination of the ACR in actual pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples.