Non-covalently functionalized graphene for the potentiometric sensing of zinc ions

The possibility of the application of non-covalently functionalized graphene as a sensing membrane for the potentiometric determination of zinc ions was examined. A graphene carboxylic derivative was functionalized with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol, the Zn2+ ions complexing ligand, simply by adsorption of ligand molecules due to pi-pi interactions. This approach has resulted in a potentiometric sensor characterized with significant selectivity for Zn2+ ions present in solution.