Supramolecular p-sulfonated calix[4,6,8]arene for tryptophan detection

Numerous techniques have focused on the ability of p-sulfonated calix[n]arene to form complexes with tryptophan. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were utilized to study the organization and molecular structure of different layers of the electrode surface. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that SC4A displayed a cubic structure whereas SC6A and SC8A displayed dendrite structures. The electrochemical properties and potential complex formation between SCnA and tryptophan were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry experiments showed that the gold electrode was successfully functionalized by self-assembled cysteamine and SC4A. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results showed the observation of the tryptophan-SCnA interaction and indicated that SC4A had the highest sensitivity to tryptophan and allowed 2.04 μg L^-1 tryptophan to be detected. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis and molecular modeling calculation confirmed that SC4A has higher tryptophan sensitivity than SC6A and SC8A. (author)