Facile Synthesis of Co9S8 Nanocages as an Electrochemical Sensor for Luteolin Detection

A novel Co9S8 nanocage was fabricated via a metalorganic frameworks engaged strategy. The morphology and structure of the resulting Co9S8 nanocage were carefully confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Then the as-synthesized Co9S8 nanocage material was immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and served as an efficient sensing platform for determination of luteolin. Under optimized conditions, the prepared Co9S8/GCE shows significant electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of luteolin. By comparison with GCE and CoS/GCE, the proposed Co9S8/GCE results in great improvement in the electrochemical response of luteolin. Meanwhile, the Co9S8 based-sensor presents an excellent linear relationship with the concentration of luteolin ranging from 0.01 to 20 mu M. Then, the limit of detection based on S/N = 3 was estimated to be 0.8 nM. In addition, the Co9S8/GCE displays good repeatability, reproducibility, and selectivity. Finally, the simplicity and low cost of this sensor makes it possible to determination luteolin in actual sample with good accuracy and precision.

Automated summary

A novel Co9S8 nanocage was successfully fabricated and utilized as an efficient sensing platform for detection of luteolin, showing significant electrocatalytic activity and improved electrochemical response. The sensor exhibited excellent linear relationship, wide detection range (0.01-20 mu M), low detection limit (0.8 nM), good repeatability, reproducibility, and selectivity, as well as simplicity and low cost for accurate and precise determination of luteolin in actual samples.