Enhanced Electrochemical\nDetection of Valganciclovir\nUsing a Hierarchically Structured Lisianthus Flower-Inspired Bimetallic\nNi–Ce Organic Framework

This study reports the development\nof an innovative electrochemical\nsensor based on organometallic framework nanostructures for detecting\nvalganciclovir (VLCV). VLCV is employed in the treatment of cytomegalovirus\nretinitis in AIDS patients. Rational design of nanoarchitectures for\nelectroactive materials is a crucial approach for boosting their electrocatalytic\nperformance. Herein, Lisianthus flower-inspired Ni–Ce-metal–organic\nframework (MOF), Ni-MOF, and rod-inspired Ce-MOF were synthesized\nby the solvothermal method. An electrochemical sensor for VLCV was\ndeveloped by employing a multilayer approach using Lisianthus flower-inspired\nNi–Ce metal–organic framework/multiwall carbon nanotubes\n(Ni–Ce-MOF/MWCNTs) modification on a glassy carbon electrode\n(GCE). Incorporating a bimetallic Ni–Ce-MOF into a conventional\nconductive material, such as MWCNTs, significantly increases the specific\nsurface area and improves the conductivity and catalytic properties\nof the MWCNTs. Relative to the rod-inspired Ce-MOF and Ni-MOF, the\nelectrocatalytic performance of the Lisianthus flower-inspired Ni–Ce-MOF\ncoated on MWCNTs surpasses that of the rod-inspired Ce-MOF, showcasing\nenhanced performance in VLCV oxidation. This superiority arises from\ntheir enhanced electrical conductivity and enlarged surface area.\nThe Lisianthus flower-inspired Ni–Ce-MOF/MWCNTs/GCE demonstrated\nextensive linear ranges (ranging from 4.0 to 3800.0 nM), a lower detection\nlimit (1.4 nM), remarkable selectivity, and sustained stability over\nan extended period in the context of VLCV sensing. The real samples\nunderwent analysis through using both electrochemical and UV–vis\nspectrophotometry methods, and the findings from both methods exhibited\nno substantial difference, validating the sensor’s remarkable\npractical performance. These results suggest that Lisianthus flower-inspired\nNi–Ce-MOF/MWCNTs/GCE electrocatalysts provide a promising sensing\nplatform for analyzing biological samples.