Conducting polymer engineered covalent organic framework as a novel electrochemical amplifier for ultrasensitive detection of acetaminophen

Abstract Two-dimensional covalent organic framework (COF) has distinctive properties that offer potential opportunities for developing advanced electrode materials. In this work, a core-shell material composed of TAPB-DMTP-COF (TAPB, 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene; DMTP, 2,5-dimethoxyterephaldehyde) core and conducting polymer shell, TAPB-DMTP-COF@PANI, was synthesized solvothermally using a polymerization method. The structural characteristics of the prepared composite were revealed by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical analyses were verified by subsequent monitoring of trace levels of acetaminophen. This resultant composite not only facilitated acetaminophen to interact with absorption sites by π-π stacking effect and hydrogen bonding but also overcame the poor conductivity of COF. Under the optimal conditions, a low limit of detection of 0.032 μmol/L and wide linear range of 0.10-500 μmol/L were obtained. The electrochemical platform was almost unaffected by other interfering substances, and successfully applied for the practical detection of acetaminophen in commercial tablet, human blood serum and urine. The enhanced performance makes this COF based core-shell composite a promising material in electrochemical sensor.