Enhanced electrochemical sensing of thiols based on cobalt phthalocyanine immobilized on nitrogen-doped graphene

A hybrid nanocomposite based on cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) immobilized on nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G) (N-G/CoPc) has been developed to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the sensitive detection of thiols. The nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Cyclic voltammetric studies showed that cobalt phthalocyanine and nitrogen doped graphene have a synergic effect and significantly enhance the electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode towards thiols oxidation compared with electrodes modified with solely CoPc or N-G. The electrochemical oxidation responses were studied and the reaction mechanisms were discussed. The sensors exhibited a wide linear response range from 1 μΜ to 16 mM and a low detection limit of 1 μΜ for the determination of l-cysteine, reduced l-glutathione and 2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid in alkaline aqueous solution. The proposed N-G/CoPc hybrids contribute to the construction of rapid, convenient and low-cost electrochemical sensors for sensitive detection of thiols.