Covalent Functionalization of Graphene Oxide with a Presynthesized Metal–Organic Framework Enables a Highly Stable Electrochemical Sensing

Abstract

This paper reports the covalent functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) by a presynthesized metal-organic framework NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) via ultrasonication of the two components. The formation of Fe-O covalent bonding in the NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)-GO nanohybrid is clearly evidenced, and the covalent bonding still remains after electrochemical reduction. The morphology and structure of the nanohybrid are characterized via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The electrode based on electrochemically reduced NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)-GO shows ultrastable and high-sensitive performance in simultaneous electrochemical sensing of three purine metabolic derivatives (uric acid, xanthine, and hypoxanthine); in particular, no signal fading is seen even after running for 120 times. The covalent bonding within the nanohybrid is obviously the key to maintain such a stability.