Ionic liquids coated Fe3O4 based inorganic–organic hybrid materials and their application in the simultaneous determination of DNA bases

• ILs coated Fe3O4 based inorganic–organic hybrid materials were prepared.
• Fe3O4/ILs based electrochemical sensors were fabricated.
• Electrodes were used for the simultaneous determination of all four DNA bases.
• Electro-catalytic activity is explained using DFT calculation.
• The analytical performance of sensor was demonstrated using calf thymus DNA sample.

Ionic liquids (ILs) coated Fe3O4 based inorganic–organic hybrid materials (represented as Fe3O4/ILs) were synthesized. ILs such as methylimidazolium chloride ([Hmim][Cl]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) were investigated. For comparative study, quaternary ammonium salts such as choline chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide [C16H33N(CH3)3][Br], and trimethylstearylammonium chloride [C18H37N(CH3)3][Cl] were also investigated. Materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption, Fourier transform infrared and scanning/transmission electron microscopy. Electrochemical sensors based on Fe3O4/ILs modified glassy carbon electrodes were fabricated for the simultaneous determination of all four DNA bases. The electrochemical behavior of DNA bases was investigated in detail. Various reaction parameters such as effect of scan rate, number of electrons involved in the rate determining step, electron transfer coefficient, surface adsorbed concentration, and the electrode reaction standard rate constant were investigated. Catalytic activity obtained at various Fe3O4/ILs modified electrodes was explained using DFT calculation. The analytical performance of the sensor was demonstrated in the simultaneous determination of guanine, adenine, thymine, and cytosine in calf thymus DNA sample.

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