ZnO QDs: Synthesis, Electrochemical, and Spectroscopic Characterizations, and Application as an Electrode Modifier in a Voltammetric Study

Abstract

Zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) possess unique optical, electronic, and chemical properties due to the quantum confinement effect, making them ideal for sensing applications. Also, advances in sol-gel synthesis allow precise control over size, shape, and surface chemistry, improving functionality. By adjusting synthesis parameters, their effectiveness in optical and electrochemical applications has been increased. However, further research is needed to understand the relationship between synthesis parameters and performance fully. In this paper, ZnO QDs were synthesized using sol-gel techniques. The synthesis parameters, such as precursor concentrations, pH, temperature, and reaction time, were optimized to control the size, morphology, and properties of the ZnO QDs. The electrochemical characterization of the ZnO QDs was then studied by cyclic voltammetry utilizing K4[Fe(CN)6], as a known electrochemical probe in biosensing, in 0.1 M KCl solution. Also, a blood sample was used to find the electrochemical behavior of the ZnO QDs modified on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in a biological matrix. It was found that the modified working electrode, ZnO QDs/GCE, acts as an anti-oxidative in an alkaline blood medium and oxidative in the electrolyte of KCl.