Conductive 2D phthalocyanine-based metal-organic framework as a photoelectrochemical sensor for N-acetyl-L-cysteine detection

The thiol compound N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) functions as an antioxidant in protecting cells from cytotoxic poisoning and has numerous therapeutic applications. Therefore, its quantification holds significance in clinical research. Photoelectrochemical analysis is a fast, low-cost, and efficient technique for such a purpose. However, it is challenging to use it directly for NAC detection. Therefore, in this study, conductive 2D octa-hydroxy-substituted nickel(II) phthalocyanine copper metal-organic framework (NiPc-Cu MOF) as a photo-electrochemical (PEC) sensor was successfully fabricated for enhanced room-temperature NAC determination. As NAC is able to interact with Cu compounds, the NiPc-Cu MOF was used as a PEC sensor for sensitive NAC identification. The photocurrent produced by NiPc-Cu MOF was attenuated after NAC interaction. Under optimal conditions, the sensor accurately monitored NAC concentrations ranging from 0.0125 to 42.5 mu M with an ultra-low limit of detection (5.2 nM). Notably, the methodology provides a straightforward and powerful way to efficiently determine NAC in a highly selective manner, which could be significantly beneficial in pharmaceutical process monitoring and quality control.

Automated summary

In this study, a conductive 2D octa-hydroxy-substituted nickel(II) phthalocyanine copper metal-organic framework was successfully fabricated as a photo-electrochemical sensor for efficient determination of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). The sensor accurately monitored NAC concentrations with an ultra-low limit of detection at room temperature.