MOF-derived Bi@C nanocomposites electrode simultaneous detection of hydroquinone and catechol

Electrochemical detection techniques are not sensitive in detecting isomers with similar structures and properties due to the disadvantages of some sensors such as instability, poor selectivity and susceptibility to environmental interference. Therefore, calcined metal–organic framework structure (Bi-MOF) was used to prepare its derivative Bi@C nanocomposites, and materials with multiple surface active sites and large specific surface area were developed to improve the current response signal of the detected substance. The morphology and structure of the prepared Bi@C were tested by XRD, SEM and other characterisation means. The electrochemical response of Bi@C nanocomposites was studied using an electrochemical workstation for hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) electrochemical detection. An electrochemical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol in a simple and highly selective manner. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used for simultaneous detection of HQ and CC. The results show that Bi@C electrode can detect isomers with high selectivity. Bi@C was detected in the range of 2–600 μM and 2–800 μM for HQ and CC, respectively, in pH = 7 solution. The detection limits were 0.14 μM and 0.12 μM(S/N = 3), respectively. The sensor is successfully applied to detect HQ and CC of real samples and has low detection limit, good recovery, high selectivity, stability and reproducibility. It provides a new idea for electrochemical detection.