Control assembly of Au nanoparticles on macrocyclic host molecule cationic pillar [5]arene functionalized MoS2 surface for enhanced sensing activity towards p-dinitrobenzene.

A multicomponent functionalized nano-material (Au@CP5@MoS2) is prepared by control assembly of Au nanoparticles on the surface of CP5@MoS2 for sensing and catalysis reduction of toxic explosives p-dinitrobenzene (p-DNB). Firstly, the Au nanoparticles are obtained by a green redox reaction between HAuCl4 and hydroxylatopillar[5]arene (HP5) in the presence of a small amount of hydroxide ion without any harsh reduced agent. The CP5@MoS2 is prepared by a rapidly supramolecule mediated hydrothermal route in the presence of aqueous solution of cationic pillar[5]arene (CP5). Therefore, we construct an electrochemical sensing platform for the high sensitive and selective determination of p-DNB based on the excellent supramolecular recognition of CP5/HP5 and the high catalytic activity of Au nanoparticles. Moreover, the p-DNB can be reduced into 1,4-diaminobenzene by NaBH4 in the presence of the prepared Au@CP5@MoS2, which can reduce the explosion dangerousness of p-DNB to some extent. This strategy might present a prospective value in sensing and reducing toxic explosives.