Surface functionalization of carbon cloth with cobalt-porphyrin-based metal organic framework for enhanced electrochemical sensing

Here, a novel synthetic strategy for functionalizing the surface of carbon cloth is demonstrated by introducing a cobalt-porphyrin-based metal organic framework (MOF), Al-TCPP-Co, onto the substrate. The deposition of the rationally designed Al-TCPP-Co layer was achieved in situ by a two-step method – evaporation/transformation procedure. The structural features of the obtained MOF/carbon composite were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), small/wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), FT-IR spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption. Compared to the pristine carbon cloth, Al-TCPP-Co functionalized carbon composite exhibited a substantially enhanced sensitivity and selectivity in the electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide. The great sensing performance based on the Al-TCPP-Co treated carbon electrode renders the method of coating metalloporphyrin-based MOF layers a promising technique to improve the surface properties of carbon materials.