Nanomolar detection of 4-nitrophenol using Schiff-base phthalocyanine

The Schiff - base embedded cobalt (II) ?-{4-[2-methoxy-4-(4-tolyimino-methyl)-phenoxy]} phthalocyanine (CoTTIMPPc) complex was prepared and characterised by physicochemical techniques. Modification of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with CoTTIMPPc (GCE/CoTTIMPPc) was achieved by drop casting process. The GCE/CoTTIMPPc was characterised and evaluated for detecting 4-nitrophenol by electrochemical methods. The cyclic voltammetric method showed linear behaviour in the 100?1000 nM range with limit of detection (LOD) 38 nM for 4-nitrophenol. The DPV method showed a linear characteristic in the 100 to 1200 nM range with LOD 36 nM. Amperometry technique displayed linear plot in the 100?800 nM range with LOD of 30 nM. The designed GCE/CoTTIMPPc was employed successfully for the electroanalytical detection of 4-nitrophenol in water sample. The GCE/CoTTIMPPc displayed excellent stability, sensitivity, reproducibility and reliability.