Detection of hydroquinone in carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) binary structured films and study of logic gate system

Abstract

The detection of hydroquinone (HQ) plays a vital role in human health and protecting the ecological environment. This study constructed an electrochemical biosensor for detecting HQ by preparing carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNTs) and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDEA). Due to the introduction of a large number of carboxyl groups (–COOH) into MWCNTs, the dispersion of MWCNTs in water and polar solvents has been greatly improved, and the interface interaction between MWCNTs and other substances such as inorganic particles and biological small molecules has been enhanced. Because of its good conductivity, large specific surface area, and excellent electrochemical stability, c-MWCNTs can significantly improve the electrochemical reaction activity on the electrode surface and the transmission efficiency of sensing signals, thus improving the detection sensitivity of the target substance HQ. Furthermore, a PDEA/c-MWCNTs hydrogel films were formed by combining c-MWCNTs and PDEA. In addition, by combining c-MWCNTs and PDEA to form a PDEA/c-MWCNTs hydrogel film, it can not only improve the detection performance of HQ but also enable the sensor to exhibit intelligent switchable properties, further extending to the construction of logic gate systems, realizing complex signal processing functions of multiple inputs and multiple outputs.