Indandione oligomer@graphene oxide functionalized nanocomposites for enhanced and selective detection of trace Cr2+ and Cu2+ ions

Herein, using 1, 3 indandione and three thiophene unit by Suzuki coupling reaction, small organic oligomer-based indandione derivative, 2-(5-hexyl-[2,2':5'2 '' terthiophen]-5-yl) methylene)-1H-indene-1,3(2H) dione oligomer (HTD) was synthesized. A functional and highly effective nanocomposite based on the synthesized HTD oligomer and graphene oxide (GO) was further synthesized and utilized to fabricate high-sensitive and selective chemical sensor. The synthesized HTD@GO functionalized nanocomposites were further examined by several techniques and finally coated on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to fabricate the chemical sensor. Due to the synergistic impacts of HTD oligomer and GO, the functionalized HTD@ GO nanocomposite exhibited outstanding physiochemical, structural, and surface characteristics. Thus, using an electrochemical method, the HTD@GO/GCE sensor probe demonstrated the outstanding simultaneous trace detection of heavy metals such as Cr2+ and Cu2+ ions. The HTD@GO/GCE sensor probe revealed a strong selectivity towards Cr2+ and Cu2+ ions when compared to other metal ions (Al3+, Zn2+, Mn2+). Importantly, the HTD @GO/GCE-based sensor exhibited relatively good dynamic linear ranges of 1-100 mu M and detection limit values of similar to 3.65 mu M and similar to 2.25 mu M, respectively, for trace Cr2+ and Cu2+ ions. The HTD@GO/GCE sensor probe has low relative standard deviations (RSDs) of similar to 10% and similar to 6.4% for Cr2+ and Cu2+ ions, respectively, as suggested by the repeatability test. Analyzing actual water samples was also used to test the reliability of the functionalized nanocomposite sensor.

Automated summary

In this study, a functional nanocomposite based on HTD oligomer and GO was synthesized and used to fabricate a highly sensitive and selective chemical sensor for simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions such as Cr2+ and Cu2+. The HTD@GO/GCE sensor probe exhibited outstanding physiochemical, structural, and surface characteristics, and demonstrated strong selectivity towards Cr2+ and Cu2+ ions. Importantly, the sensor showed good dynamic linear ranges and detection limits for trace Cr2+ and Cu2+ ions, with low relative standard deviations as suggested by the repeatability test. The reliability of the functionalized nanocomposite sensor was also confirmed by analyzing actual water samples.