Fullerene-β-cyclodextrin conjugate based electrochemical sensing device for ultrasensitive detection of p-nitrophenol

The article describes the use of a fullerene (C₆₀)-β-cyclodextrin conjugate, synthesized via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, for the ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of p-nitrophenol. This conjugate was successfully immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode and the developed device showed high activity towards p-nitrophenol due to the synergetic effect of C₆₀, the latter becoming highly conductive upon reduction. The determination of p-nitrophenol was performed by using square wave voltammetry over a concentration range from 2.8×10^-9molL^-1 to 4.2×10^-7molL^-1 and the detection limit was calculated to be 1.2×10^-9molL^-1.