Propanetricarboxylic acid ornamented multi-CeIII encapsulated phospho(III)tungstate and its electrochemical sensing properties

A propanetricarboxylic acid ornamented multi-CeIII encapsulated phospho(III)tungstate [H2N(CH3)2]4Na4H2[Ce4(HP)W4(H2O)14(H2PTCA)2O18][(HPIII)2W22O76]·16H2O (1, H3PTCA = 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid) was obtained by a facile one-step reaction of Na2WO4·2H2O, H3PO3, Ce(NO3)·6H2O, itaconic acid (H2ICA) and dimethylamine hydrochloride. Notably, the polyanion of 1 possesses a neotype [(HPIII)2W22O76]12‒ fragment and an unusual [HPIIIW4O18]8‒ unit bridged by four Ce3+ centers in the assistance of two H2PTCA‒ ligands. It is worth emphasizing that two H2PTCA‒ ligands simultaneously chelate with WVI and CeIII centers. Furthermore, the composite of 1 and carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (CMCN) is utilized to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to develop the 1@CMCN/GCE electrochemical sensor. The 1@CMCN/GCE electrochemical sensor displays potential sensing property toward detection of noradrenaline (NDL) with low limit of 2.10 μmol·L−1. This research will powerfully facilitate continuous investigations on rational design and in-depth development of structure-oriented rare-earth inserted phospho(III)tungstates and tremendously promote their application developments in drug testing, clinical diagnosis, and food detection.