The construction of CoP nanoparticles coated with carbon layers derived from core-shell bimetallic MOF for electrochemical detection of dopamine

Enhanced Enzymatic Performance of Immobilized Pseudomonas fluorescens Lipase on ZIF-8@ZIF-67 and Its Application to the Synthesis of Neryl Acetate with Transesterification Reaction

In this study, hybrid skeleton material ZIF-8@ZIF-67 was synthesized by the epitaxial growth method and then was utilized as a carrier for encapsulating Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (PFL) through the co-precipitation method, resulting in the preparation of immobilized lipase (PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67). Subsequently, it was further treated with glutaraldehyde to improve protein immobilization yield. Under optimal immobilization conditions, the specific hydrolytic activity of PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 was 20.4 times higher than that of the free PFL. The prepared biocatalyst was characterized and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). Additionally, the thermal stability of PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 at 50 °C was significantly improved compared to the free PFL. After 7 weeks at room temperature, PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 retained 78% of the transesterification activity, while the free enzyme was only 29%. Finally, PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 was applied to the neryl acetate preparation in a solvent-free system, and the yield of neryl acetate reached 99% after 3 h of reaction. After 10 repetitions, the yields of neryl acetate catalyzed by PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 and the free PFL were 80% and 43%, respectively.

Synthesis of cobalt phosphide hybrid for simultaneous electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid, dopamine, and uric acid

Ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA) are important biomarkers for the clinical screening of diseases. However, the simultaneous determination of these three analytes is still challenging. Herein, we report a facile metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived method to synthesize a cobalt phosphide (Co2P) hybrid for the simultaneous electrochemical detection of AA, DA and UA. The introduction of highly dispersed Co2P nanoparticles onto a P, N-doped porous carbon matrix is responsible for providing abundant active sites and facilitating electron transfer, thereby contributing to the improved electrocatalytic performance of the hybrid. Well-resolved oxidation peaks and an enhanced current response for the simultaneous oxidation of AA, DA, and UA were achieved using a Co2P hybrid-modified screen-printed electrode (Co2P hybrid-SPE) with the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. The detection limits for AA, DA, and UA in simultaneous detection were calculated as 17.80 μM, 0.018 μM, and 0.068 μM (S/N = 3), respectively. Furthermore, the feasibility of using Co2P hybrid-SPE for the simultaneous detection of AA, DA, and UA in real serum samples was also confirmed.

Enhancing Electrochemical Non-Enzymatic Dopamine Sensing Based on Bimetallic Nickel/Cobalt Phosphide Nanosheets

In this study, the successful synthesis of bimetallic nickel/cobalt phosphide nanosheets (Ni-Co-P NSs) via the hydrothermal method and the subsequent high-temperature phosphorization process were both confirmed. Ni-Co-P NSs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical non-enzymatic DA sensing. The surface morphologies and physicochemical properties of Ni-Co-P NSs were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), field-emission scanning (FESEM), field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Further, the electrochemical performance was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The metallic nature of phosphide and the synergistic effect of Ni/Co atoms in Ni-Co-P NSs provided abundant catalytic active sites for the electrochemical redox reaction of DA, which exhibited a remarkable consequence with a wide linear range from 0.3~50 μM, a high sensitivity of 2.033 µA µM-1 cm-2, a low limit of detection of 0.016 µM, and anti-interference ability. As a result, the proposed Ni-Co-P NSs can be considered an ideal electrode material for the electrochemical non-enzymatic DA sensing.

Synergistic Effects of Pyrrolic N/Pyridinic N on Ultrafast Microwave Synthesized Porous CoP/Ni2P to Boost Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

Transition metal phosphides are ideal inexpensive electrocatalysts for water-splitting, but the catalytic activity still falls behind that of noble metal catalysts. Therefore, developing valid strategies to boost the electrocatalytic activity is urgent to promote large-scale applications. Herein, a microwave combustion strategy (20 s) is applied to synthesize N-doped CoP/Ni2P heterojunctions (N-CoP/Ni2P) with porous structure. The porous structure expands the specific surface area and accelerates the mass transport efficiency. Importantly, the pyrrolic N/pyridinic N content is adjusted by changing the amount of urea during the synthesis process and then optimizing the adsorption/desorption capacity for H*/OH* to enhance the catalyst activity. Then, the synthesized N-CoP/Ni2P exhibits small overpotentials of 111 and 133 mV for HER in acidic and alkaline electrolytes and 290 mV for OER in alkaline electrolytes. This work provides an original and efficient approach to the synthesis of porous metal phosphides.

A review of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) as electrochemical sensors for important small biomolecules in human body fluids

Small biomolecules play a critical role in the fundamental processes that sustain life and are essential for the proper functioning of the human body. The detection of small biomolecules has garnered significant interest in various fields, including disease diagnosis and medicine. Electrochemical techniques are commonly employed in the detection of critical biomolecules through the principle of redox reactions. It is also a very convenient, cheap, simple, fast, and accurate measurement method in analytical chemistry. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are a unique type of metal-organic framework (MOF) composed of porous crystals with extended three-dimensional structures. These frameworks are made up of metal ions and imidazolate linkers, which form a highly porous and stable structure. In addition to their many advantages in other applications, ZIFs have emerged as promising candidates for electrochemical sensors. Their large surface area, pore diameter, and stability make them ideal for use in sensing applications, particularly in the detection of small molecules and ions. This review summarizes the critical role of small biomolecules in the human body, the standard features of electrochemical analysis, and the utilization of various types of ZIF materials (including carbon composites, metal-based composites, ZIF polymer materials, and ZIF-derived materials) for the detection of important small biomolecules in human body fluids. Lastly, we provide an overview of the current status, challenges, and future outlook for research on ZIF materials.

Enhancing electrochemical properties of a two-dimensional zeolitic imidazole framework by incorporating a conductive polymer for dopamine detection

The zeolitic imidazole framework with a leaf-shaped morphology (ZIF-L) has a wide range of promising applications in gas storage, battery materials, catalytic reactions, and optoelectronic devices due to its planar leaf-like structure and large surface area. However, the low conductivity, weak catalytic activity, and poor stability in the water dielectric medium of ZIF-L limit its further practical application. To solve these problems, we added the conductive polymer heterocyclic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to ZIF-L for the sensitive detection of dopamine (DA). The synthesized composite ZIF-L/PEDOT:PSS (ZIF-L/PEDOT) not only retained the surface morphology of ZIF-L but also exhibited excellent electrochemical properties. The higher electrical conductivity of ZIF-L/PEDOT than that of ZIF-L was due to the enhanced electron transfer at the interface between ZIF-L and PEDOT:PSS. As a result, we developed an electrochemical biosensor based on the ZIF-L/PEDOT composite, which has a limit of detection of 7 nM for DA and a wide linear range from 25 nM to 500 μM. Furthermore, the current drop was negligible after 28 days, proving that the biosensor has excellent stability. Based on the above-mentioned outstanding performance, the ZIF-L/PEDOT-based biosensor was successfully used to detect DA in human serum samples. These results demonstrated that ZIF-L/PEDOT is expected to play an essential role in disease detection.

Metal-organic frameworks/metal nanoparticles as smart nanosensing interfaces for electrochemical sensors applications: a mini-review

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials with huge specific surface area and abundant active sites, which are composed of metal ions or clusters and organic ligands in the form of coordination bonds. In recent years, MOFs have been successfully applied in many fields due to their excellent physical, chemical, and biological properties. Electrochemical sensors have advantages such as economy, portability, and sensitivity, making them increasingly valued in the field of sensors. Many studies have shown that the electrode materials will affect the performance of electrochemical sensors. Therefore, the research on electrode materials is still one of the hotspots. MOFs are also commonly used to construct electrochemical sensors. However, electrochemical sensors prepared from single MOFs have shortcomings such as insufficient conductivity, low sensitivity, and poor electrochemical catalytic ability. In order to compensate for these defects, a new type of nanocomposite material with very ideal conductivity was formed by adding metal nanoparticles (MNPs) to MOFs. The combination of the two is expected to be widely applied in the field of sensors. This review summarizes the applications of various MNPs/MOFs composites in the field of electrochemical sensors and provides some references for the development of MNPs/MOFs composites-based electrochemical sensors in the future.

Advantages of Bimetallic Organic Frameworks in the Adsorption, Catalysis and Detection for Water Contaminants

The binary metal organic framework (MOF) is composed of two heterometallic ions bonded to an organic ligand. Compared with monometallic MOFs, bimetallic MOFs have greatly improved in terms of structure, porosity, active site, adsorption, selectivity, and stability, which has attracted wide attention. At present, many effective strategies have been designed for the synthesis of bimetallic MOF-based nanomaterials with specific morphology, structure, and function. The results show that bimetallic MOF-based nanocomposites could achieve multiple synergistic effects, which will greatly improve their research in the fields of adsorption, catalysis, energy storage, sensing, and so on. In this review, the main preparation methods of bimetallic MOFs-based materials are summarized, with emphasis on their applications in adsorption, catalysis, and detection of target pollutants in water environments, and perspectives on the future development of bimetallic MOFs-based nanomaterials in the field of water are presented.

Highly Efficient Spatial Three-Level CoP@ZIF-8/pNF Based on Modified Porous NF as Dual Functional Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting

The development of non-noble metal catalysts for water electrolysis to product hydrogen meets the current strategic need for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. However, complex preparation methods, low catalytic activity and high energy consumption still limit the application of these materials. Herein, in this work we prepared a three-level structured electrocatalyst of CoP@ZIF-8 growing on modified porous nickel foam (pNF) via the natural growing and phosphating process. In contrast to the common NF, the modified NF constructs a large number of micron-sized pores carrying the nanoscaled catalytic CoP@ZIF-8 on the millimeter-sized skeleton of bare NF, which significantly increases the specific surface area and catalyst load of the material. Thanks to the unique spatial three-level porous structure, electrochemical tests showed a low overpotential of 77 mV at 10 mA cm^-2 for HER, and 226 mV at 10 mA cm^-2 and 331 mV at 50 mA cm^-2 for OER. The result obtained from testing the electrode's overall water splitting performance is also satisfactory, needing only 1.57 V at 10 mA cm^-2. Additionally, this electrocatalyst showed great stability for more than 55 h when a 10 mA cm^-2 constant current was applied to it. Based on the above characteristics, the present work demonstrates the promising application of this material to the electrolysis of water for the production of hydrogen and oxygen.

Uniform H-CdS@NiCoP core-shell nanosphere for highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution

Constructing highly efficient and cost-effective photocatalyst system has been a big challenge for photocatalysis. Herein, CdS nanosphere (N-CdS), hollow CdS (H-CdS) and a series of H-CdS@NiCoP core-shell nanospheres have been successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. The activity test showed that H-CdS exhibited higher photocatalytic activity (3.34 mmol g^-1h^-1) compared with N-CdS (0.99 mmol g^-1h^-1) under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm), suggesting that hollow structure could effectively improve photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the H-CdS@NiCoP-7 wt% displayed a maximum photocatalytic H₂ evolution rate of 13.47 mmol g^-1h^-1, which was about 4 times and 2.5 times higher than that of pristine H-CdS and H-CdS@Pt-3 wt%, respectively. Furthermore, H-CdS@NiCoP-7 wt% exhibited a good stability during 20 h test. The physicochemical properties were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV-vis DRS, PL and photoelectrochemical technique. The results showed that NiCoP addition can construct p-n junction with H-CdS and effectively promote the charge transfer from CdS to NiCoP, which improved the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity. This work revealed that NiCoP could react as an excellent co-catalyst for enhancing H-CdS photocatalytic activity.

Fabrication of Co3O4/NiCo2O4 Nanocomposite for Detection of H2O2 and Dopamine

Herein, the Co₃O₄/NiCo₂O₄ nanocomposite has been prepared as a novel electrochemical sensor to accurately detect hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and glucose. ZIF-67 is a metal-organic framework (MOF) with Co as the center metal ion. Co₃O₄ can be obtained by calcination of ZIF-67 at 700 °C, which can retain the structure of ZIF-67. The hollow Co₃O₄ nanocrystal was synthesized based on a calcination process of ZIF-67. This open structure can promote the whole Co₃O₄/NiCo₂O₄ nanocomposite larger accessible surface area and reactive sites. Co₃O₄ has good electrocatalytic performance, which has been applied in many fields. Moreover, H₂O₂ and dopamine sensing tests indicate that the as-prepared non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensor has good detection properties. The testing results indicate the as-prepared biosensor has a wide detection range, low detection limit, high selectivity, and long-term stability. These testing results suggest the potential application in food security, biomedicine, environmental detection, and pharmaceutical analysis.