Colorimetric determination of phenolic compounds using peroxidase mimics based on biomolecule-free hybrid nanoflowers consisting of graphitic carbon nitride and copper

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) Vol. 188; no. 9; p. 293
• Main Authors: Dang, Thinh Viet, Heo, Nam Su, Cho, Hye-Jin, Lee, Sang Moon, Song, Min Young, Kim, Hae Jin, Kim, Moon Il
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01-09-2021; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Biomolecules; Biosensing Techniques - methods; Biotechnology; Boron nitride; Carbon; Carbon nitride; Catechol; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coefficient of variation; Color; Colorimetry; Colorimetry - methods; Copper; Drinking water; Graphite - chemistry; Humans; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Hydroquinone; Microengineering; Morphology; Nanochemistry; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanotechnology; Nitrogen Compounds - chemistry; Original Paper; Oxidation; Peroxidase; Peroxidase - chemistry; Phenols; Room temperature; Self-assembly; Substrates; Synergistic effect; Peroxidase mimics; Phenolic compounds; Biomolecule-free hybrid nanoflowers; Graphitic carbon nitride; Colorimetric detection
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-021-04937-4

Hybrid nanoflowers consisting of graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) and copper were successfully constructed without the involvement of any biomolecule, by simply mixing them at room temperature to induce proper self-assembly to achieve a flower-like morphology. The resulting biomolecule-free GCN-copper hybrid nanoflowers (GCN-Cu NFs) exhibited an apparent peroxidase-mimicking activity, possibly owing to the synergistic effect from the coordination of GCN and copper, as well as their large surface area, which increased the number of catalytic reaction sites. The peroxidase-mimicking GCN-Cu NFs were then employed in the colorimetric determination of selected phenolic compounds hydroquinone (HQ), methylhydroquinone (MHQ), and catechol (CC). For samples without phenolic compounds, GCN-Cu NFs catalyzed the oxidation of the peroxidase substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H
2
O
2
, producing an intense blue color signal. Conversely, in the presence of phenolic compounds, the oxidation of TMB was inhibited, resulting in a significant reduction of the color signal. Using this strategy, HQ, MHQ, and CC were selectively and sensitively determined in a linear range up to 100 μM with detection limits down to 0.82, 0.27, and 0.36 μM, respectively. The practical utility of this assay system was also validated by using it to detect phenolic compounds spiked in tap water, yielding a good recovery of 97.1–108.9% and coefficient of variation below 3.0%, demonstrating the excellent reliability and reproducibility of this strategy.
Graphical abstract
Colorimetric determination of phenolic compounds using peroxidase mimics based on biomolecule-free hybrid nanoflowers consisting of graphitic carbon nitride and copper.