Postmodulation of the Metal-Organic Framework Precursor toward the Vacancy-Rich Cu_xO Transducer for Sensitivity Boost: Synthesis, Catalysis, and H₂O₂Sensing

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) act as versatile coordinators for the subsequent synthesis of high-performance catalysts by providing dispersed metal-ion distribution, initial coordination condition, dopant atom ratios, and so on. In this work, a crystalline MOF trans-[Cu(NO3)2(Him)4] was synthesized as the novel precursor of a redox-alternating CuxO electrochemical catalyst. Through simple temperature modulation, the gradual transformation toward a highly active nanocomposite was characterized to ascertain the signal enhancing mechanism in H2O2 reduction. Owing to the proprietary structure of the transducer material and its ensuing high activity, a proof-of-principle sensor was able to provide an amplified sensitivity of 2330 μA mM-1 cm-2. The facile one-pot preparation and intrinsic nonenzymatic nature also suggests its wide potentials in medical settings.