Facile route for the synthesis of a vertically aligned ZnO-PANI nanohybrid film for polyphenol sensing.

Vertically aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods have been fabricated on a polyaniline (PANI) film template after electrochemical seeding and hydrothermal growth in a nutrient medium at a low temperature of 65 °C. Dense c-oriented [0001], hexagonal-shaped, vertically aligned ZnO nanorods are obtained on the PANI film surface, which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies. The nanohybrid film used as the working electrode has been characterized for sensing catechin polyphenol in different tea varieties through cyclic voltammetry. Principal component analysis shows enhancement in the classification ability of the nanohybrid film for various concentrations of catechin standard and tea infusions.