Synthesis and characterization of a composite featuring metal–organic frameworks, titania nanoparticles, and graphene oxide: a dual evaluation as a photocatalyst and electrochemical sensing platform

Abstract

This investigation involves synthesizing a new composite, blending graphene oxide (GO), HKUST-1 (copper-based metal–organic frameworks), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) via the hydrothermal method. Following that, the prepared composite is utilized in the design of a photocatalyst and electrochemical sensing platform. Numerous analytical methods, such as XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDX, TGA, UV-Vis investigations, and suitable electrochemical analyses, were used to examine the morphological and structural characteristics of the crafted material. The tailored composite exhibited remarkable efficiency, showcasing an exceptional degradation efficiency of 97.47% for MB dye within just an hour under sunlight irradiation. On the other hand, the electrochemical sensor developed by fabricating the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) referred to as GO@HKUST-1@TiO₂/GCE exhibited a remarkable catalytic effect on the electrochemical response to imatinib (IMB). The sensor displayed exceptional electrocatalytic performance for detecting IMB under optimized conditions, including solution pH and scan rate. Calibration plots showed linear segments within the concentration range of 2–20 µM, with a significant limit of detection (LOD). The fabricated sensor demonstrated high accuracy, reproducibility, and stability throughout various electrochemical assessments. Thus, the dual functionality of the material has been established.

Graphical abstract

A novel composite comprising graphene oxide (GO), HKUST-1, and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) namely GO@HKUST@TiO₂ was synthesized and utilized for both photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye and electrochemical sensing of imatinib (IMB). The composite demonstrated exceptional efficiency in both applications, highlighting its potential for dual-functionality.