ZnO nanoflakes decorated graphene oxide acting as an efficient platform for precise detection of uric acid via rhodamine fluorescence quenching

Abstract

Herein, we report 2D based nanocomposite of metallic architectures as probe material for the detection of uric acid (UA). In brief, ZnO nanoflakes are grown on the basal surface of graphene oxide (GO/ZnO-NF), which eventually influences the fluorescence intensity of Rhodamine B (Rh) with varying concentrations of UA. This nanocomposite was synthesized at a low cost with optimized one-step hydrothermal process. It was observed that the transfer of electrons between GO/ZnO-NF and Rh resulted in the oxidation of UA, corroborating significant quenching of fluorescence intensity of Rh. This conjecture was later applied for the quantitative analysis of UA, affirming gradual quenching of fluorescence as a factor of UA concentration in the range of (50 µM – 8*103 µM) with a detection limit of 5.4 µM. Our fluorescent-based sensor was effective for the serum sample without losing its sensitivity, selectivity and analytical performance. Based on these findings, we anticipate that this simple, non-enzymatic, robust, inexpensive method can be a useful tool for diagnostics and biomedical applications.