The weak conductivity of covalent organic frameworks
(COFs) limits
their wide application in electrochemical sensors. Here, a novel electrochemical
sensor (AuNFs/COF-SH/CNTs/GCE) was designed and constructed by a one-step
electrochemical deposition of Au nanoflowers (AuNFs) on a hybrid nanocomposite
of sulfhydryl-functional covalent organic framework/carbon nanotubes
(COF-SH/CNTs) for the determination of Cu(II) in seawater. AuNFs/COF-SH/CNTs/GCE
was prepared in a three-step method including in situ synthesis, post-synthesis,
and one-step electrochemical deposition. The adsorption and catalytic
performances of the modified electrode were improved based on the
mechanism of “adsorption-catalysis stripping determination”.
By combining the excellent catalytic properties of the AuNFs with
the good adsorption capacity of COF-SH toward Cu(II), as well as the
good conductivity of CNTs, the AuNFs/COF-SH/CNTs/GCE exhibited excellent
performance for the determination of Cu(II). Through optimization
of the experimental conditions, a low detection limit of 0.47 nM and
a wide linear range of 1.6 nM-4.7 μM were obtained. Moreover,
the sensor possessed good stability with a relative standard deviation
of less than 5% after 20 repeated measurements. The results are consistent
with certified values when used for the determination of certified
reference materials. In summary, the AuNFs/COF-SH/CNTs/GCE, with high
stability and sensitivity, has been successfully applied for the determination
of Cu(II) in seawater samples with satisfactory results.