An electrochemical sensor based on the modification of platinum nanoparticles and ZIF-8 membrane for the detection of ascorbic acid

In this manuscript, a layer of 2-methylimidazole zinc salt (ZIF-8) membrane is deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) by reduction electrochemical method to obtain ZIF-8/Pt NPs/GCE, and then used for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA). The deposition of Pt NPs on the surface of GCE can not only guide the nucleation and growth of ZIF-8 membrane, but also exert a synergistic effect with it to enhance conductivity. For ZIF-8 membrane, it can increase the active area of electrode and thus improve the electrochemical response of the sensor for AA. Influence factors such as the deposition current density, deposition time on the surface morphology of the modified electrode, and the detection performance of the modified electrode during the electrochemical deposition of ZIF-8 membrane were explored to get the best performance. In addition, influence of conditions such as sweep speed and pH of the test solution on the electrochemical response signal of AA were also studied. Under the best conditions, the linear range of AA detection by this sensor is from 10 μmol L −1 to 2500 μmol L −1 , and the detection limit is 5.2 μmol L −1 based on S/N = 3. What's more, the modified electrode also has good anti-interference ability, reproducibility and stability, and has achieved satisfactory results in the detection for AA in real samples. • A layer of ZIF-8 membrane is deposited on the surface of Pt NPs modified GCE by reduction electrochemical method. • The ZIF-8/Pt NPs/GCE sensor is used for high sensitivity detection of ascorbic acid (AA). • The ZIF-8 membrane can increase the active electrode area and improve the electrochemical response for AA detection. • The sensor has good selectively, reproducibility and stability, and can be used for AA detection in real drugs.