A high-performance and simple method for rapid and simultaneous determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers.

A novel idea on the basis of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) film was developed to simulate the chromatographic separation, which was able to rapidly and simultaneously detect dihydroxybenzene isomers based on their different oxidation potentials and corresponding currents. The mechanism involved in the recognition and isolation of the dihydroxybenzene isomers was explored and confirmed by UV spectra and density functional theory. It was proven that the current method for simultaneously detecting and isolating dihydroxybenzene isomers was ascribed to the priority of porphyrin film to induce oxidation of the three kinds of isomers, and the priority depends to a large extent on the different tendencies of dihydroxybenzene to interact with the peripheral hydroxyl group and with the extended π-conjugated ring of porphyrin. Most important of all, porphyrin functionalized CNTs film allows for the formation of well-defined interface and provides an advantageous and high-performance platform for the simultaneous determination and isolation of dihydroxybenzene isomers.