Renewable Electrochemical Sensors Based on Copper-Organic Frameworks for Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Tetrabromobisphenol A

Abstract

The development of simple, low-cost, and reliable analytical methods for detecting Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is crucial, given its widespread environmental presence and high biological toxicity. Herein, a ultralow background and renewable electrochemical sensing platform was developed using specific porous copper-organic framework modified carbon paste electrode (Cu-BTC/CPE), enabling highly sensitive and selective detection of TBBPA. Due to its unique porous structure and abundant active sites, the Cu-BTC/CPE exhibits superior electroadsorption capacity (including adsorbed charge and binding energy) as well as enhanced electrocatalytic activity for TBBPA. By leveraging the plasticity and polishability of paraffin oil and graphite powder mixtures, the constructed Cu-BTC/CPE electrode demonstrates admirable repeatability (≥ ten times) and stability (RSD < 5%). Furthermore, the reusable and cost-effective Cu-BTC/CPE-based sensor features a wide linear range of 3–500 nM with a low detection limit of 0.53 nM. It was successfully applied to real samples (plastic e-waste, soil, and sewage), and the results consisted with the values that obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In brief, this novel sensing system holds considerable promise for rapid, convenient, and on-site monitoring of TBBPA in complex environmental matrices.