Self-assembly of cucurbit[7]uril on the surface of graphene/gold modified electrode: A novel electrochemical sensing platform

Abstract

Using supramolecular recognition capability of cucurbit[7]uril to create a novel electrochemical sensing platform was accomplished by self-assembly of cucurbit[7]uril on the surface of graphene–gold composites modified glassy carbon electrode. The graphene–gold composites consisted of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide–nafion matrix and anchored electrodeposited gold nanoparticles and the graphene–gold composites modified glassy carbon electrode (labelled as graphene–gold) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectrometer. Self-assembly of cucurbit[7]uril was achieved by immersing the graphene–gold electrode into cucurbit[7]uril solution and confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Ferrocene and its derivatives served as the substrates, and the electrochemical responses of fabricated graphene–gold/cucurbit[7]uril electrode were evaluated. The results showed that the presence of cucurbit[7]uril increased the peak current, improved the reversibility of reaction and extended the recognition ability of the modified electrode.