An electrochemical sensor for nanomolar detection of caffeine based on nicotinic acid hydrazide anchored on graphene oxide (NAHGO).

A simple modified sensor was developed with nicotinic acid hydrazide anchored on graphene oxide (NAHGO), by ultrasonic-assisted chemical route, using hydroxy benzotriazole as a mediator. Structural and morphologies of NAHGO samples were investigated in detail by Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The detailed morphological examination and electrochemical studies revealed the delaminated sheet with the tube-like structure of NAHGO provided the route for more electroactive surface which influenced the electrooxidation of caffeine with increased current. The electrochemical behaviour of NAHGO on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for caffeine detection was demonstrated by employing voltammetric techniques. The influence of scan rate, pH, and concentration on caffeine's peak current was also studied. The NAHGO sensor was employed for the determination of caffeine in imol plus and energy drinks. The detection limit determined was 8.7 × 10-9 M, and the best value was reported so far. The results show that NAHGO modified electrodes are one of the best preferences to establish new, efficient, and reliable analytical tools for the detection of caffeine.

Spectroscopic and TDDFT investigation of highly selective fluoride sensors by substituted acyl hydrazones.

In this work, we report the synthesis of two receptors for fluoride ions based on acyl hydrazone, such as N'-[(1Z)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide (R1) and N'-[(1Z)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide (R2). The receptors R1 and R2 were synthesized from the corresponding ketones and benzoic acid hydrazide and characterized spectroscopically by UV-visible, IR and 1HNMR techniques. The response of R1 and R2 towards different anions was studied colourimetrically in acetonitrile. The receptors exhibited a specific response towards fluoride ions. Further studies of 1:1 composition of receptors, R1/R2:fluoride ions by different spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Visible, IR and 1HNMR spectroscopy indicated the participation of -NH proton of the receptors in the sensing action through the hydrogen bonding. To understand the mechanism, Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) studies were done using the CAM-B3LYP/6311G++ (3df,2p) with Grimme's D3BJ empirical dispersion basis set. The studies supported the role of hydrogen bonding interaction of -NH and-OH protons of the receptors with the fluoride ions.