Electrocatalytic Activity of Nanocomposites of Sulphur Doped Graphene Oxide and Nanosized Cobalt Phthalocyanines

In this work we explore the electrocatalytic activity of nanocomposites of reduced sulphur doped graphene oxide nanosheets (rSDGONS) and cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) or cobalt tetra amino phthalocyanine (CoTAPc) towards hydrogen peroxide. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photon spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, chronoamperometry, linear scan voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the nanocomposites. Nanosized CoPc showed superior (in terms of currents) electrocatalytic oxidation and reduction of hydrogen peroxide compared to CoTAPc nanoparticles (CoTAPc NP ). The lowest detection limit was obtained for hydrogen peroxide oxidation on electrodes modified with CoPc NP ‐rSDGONS at 1.49 µM. The same electrode gave a high adsorption equilibrium constant of 1.27×10³ mol^?1 and a Gibbs free energy of ?17.71 kJ/mol, indicative of a spontaneous reaction on the electrode surface.     

Catalytic oxidation of thiols at preheated glassy carbon electrode modified with abrasive immobilization of multiwall carbon nanotubes: applications to amperometric detection of thiocytosine, l-cysteine and glutathione

The performance of preheated glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon nanotubes is described. First glassy carbon electrode is heated for 5 min at 50 °C, then abrasive immobilization of multiwall carbon nanotubes on a preheated glassy carbon electrode was achieved by gentle rubbing of electrode surface on a filter paper supporting carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-modified glassy carbon electrodes exhibit strong and stable electrocatalytic response toward thiols oxidation in wide pH range. These properties permit an important decrease in over voltage for the oxidation of thiocytosine, glutathione and l-cysteine, as well as a dramatic increase in the peak currents in comparison with bare glassy carbon electrode. Furthermore, the thiols amperometric response of the coated electrodes is extremely stable, with more than 95% of the initial activity after 30 min stirring of 0.1 mM thiols. The electrocatalytic behavior is further exploited as a sensitive detection scheme for thiols detection by hydrodynamic amperometry. The substantial decrease in the overvoltage of the thiols oxidation associated with a stable amperometric response and antifouling properties of nanotubes films allow the development of highly sensitive thiols sensor without using any redox mediator. Such ability of carbon nanotubes to promote the thiols electron transfer reaction, short response time (5 s) and long-term stability, low detection limit, extended linear concentration range, high sensitivity suggest great promise for thiols amperometric sensors and detector for chromatographic analysis of thiol derivatives.     

Electrocatalytic activity of cobalt phthalocyanine CoPc adsorbed on a graphite electrode for the oxidation of reduced L-glutathione (GSH) and the reduction of its disulfide (GSSG) at physiological pH

Modified electrodes coated by adsorbed cobalt phthalocyanines are known to show substantial electrocatalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of several thiols in alkaline aqueous solution. In this context, we explore in this study the electrocatalytic activity of adsorbed cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) on ordinary pyrolytic graphite electrode for the oxidation of reduced L-glutathione GSH and the reduction of its disulfide GSSG at physiological pH. To do so, cyclic and rotating disk voltammetries were performed and the amperometric results show that a stable electrochemical sensing material, with good reproducibility and sensitivity (in accordance with the concentrations of GSH expected in biological media), can be easily achieved. This opens the way for the design of an electrochemical sensor able to detect these two analytes in biologically relevant experimental conditions (in terms of pH).     

An enhanced biosensor for glutamate based on self-assembled carbon nanotubes and dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanobiocomposites-doped polypyrrole film

An enhanced amperometric biosensor based on incorporating one kind of unique nanobiocomposite as dopant within an electropolymerized polypyrrole film has been investigated. The nanobiocomposite was synthesized by self-assembling glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles (Pt-DENs) onto multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs). ζ-Potentials and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) confirmed the uniform growth of the layer-by-layer nanostructures onto the carboxyl-functionalized CNTs. The size of Pt nanoparticles is approximately 3 nm. The (GLDH/Pt-DENs)_n/CNTs/Ppy hybrid film was obtained by electropolymerization of pyrrole onto glassy carbon electrodes and characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and other electrochemical measurements. All methods indicated that the (GLDH/Pt-DENs)_n/CNTs nanobiocomposites were entrapped within the porous polypyrrole film and resulted in a hybrid film that showed a high electrocatalytic ability toward the oxidation of glutamate at a potential 0.2 V versus Ag/AgCl. The biosensor shows performance characteristics with high sensitivity (51.48 μA mM⁻¹), rapid response (within 3 s), low detection limit (about 10 nM), low level of interference and excellent reproducibility and stability.     

薄层大面积自支撑碳纳米管电极材料的电容脱盐性能

以具有三维开放网络结构的烧结8 μm-Ni金属纤维(SMF-Ni)为基底, 通过乙烯催化化学气相沉积法在金属纤维表面生长碳纳米管(CNTs), 制备了以金属Ni纤维网络为集流极、CNTs为离子存储库, 尺度跨越宏观、介观和纳米的自支撑薄层大面积CNTs/SMF-Ni(CNTs质量分数为50%)复合电极材料. 用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、N₂吸附、脱附等温线和X射线衍射(XRD)等方法对电极材料进行了表征, 并考察了其作为电极对质量分数为0.01%的NaCl水溶液的电容脱盐性能. 自支撑CNTs/SMF-Ni复合电极材料由于具有优异的离子传导和表面电荷传递性能以及较大的介孔表面积, 在1.2 V的工作电压和5 mL/min的水溶液流速下, 对NaCl的电吸附容量和脱盐率分别达159 μmol/g CNTs和57%. 用H₂O₂对CNTs/SMF-Ni电极材料进行氧化处理后, CNTs表面含氧基团的大量增加增大了材料的亲水性, 从而进一步提升了该复合材料的电容脱盐性能.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 2‐Thiouracil and 2‐Thiobarbituric Acid at a Carbon‐Paste Electrode Modified with Cobalt Phthalocyanine

Voltammetric behavior of two mercaptopyrimidine derivatives (2‐thiouracil and 2‐thiobarbituric acid) has been studied by cyclic voltammetry at a cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc)‐modified carbon‐paste electrode. The results of voltammetric determinations showed that the CoPc in the matrix of modified electrode acts as catalyst for electrooxidation of these thiols (RSH), lowering the overpotential of the reaction and significantly increasing the sensitivity for detection of thiols in neutral conditions. The results of voltammetric and polarization measurements in solutions with various pHs were used for prediction of the mechanism of electrocatalytic oxidation at the surface of modified electrode. These results showed that at the modified electrode, electrochemical oxidation of thiolate anion (RS^?) is the rate‐determining step. It was found that the modified electrode exhibits good selectivity for catalytic oxidation of mercaptopyrimidines over other biologically important mercaptans such as cysteine, glutathione and thioglycolic acid. The results demonstrate that the peak current for thiol oxidation has a linear variation with the concentration in the range of 1×10^?2–1×10^?5 M. This system can be used for sensitive and selective voltammetric detection of mercaptopyrimidine derivatives.     

Phthalocyanines and related complexes as electrocatalysts for the detection of nitric oxide

Metallophthalocyanine (MPc) and metalloporphyrin complexes as well as some metalloproteins including myoglobin, hemoglobin, cyanocobalamin and cytochrome c catalyse the detection of nitric oxide (NO). The catalytic process often involve changes in the oxidation state of the catalyst. These complexes catalyse both the reduction and oxidation of NO. MPc complexes containing electroactive central metals such as CoPc and FePc generally show better catalytic activity towards the detection of NO than complexes containing electroinacive central metals. However, the involvement of ring based redox processes was confirmed for the homogenous NO catalysis using CoPc.     

Glassy carbon electrodes modified with single walled carbon nanotubes and cobalt phthalocyanine and nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine: Highly stable new hybrids with enhanced electrocatalytic performances

We report here a fast procedure to modify glassy carbon (GC) electrode using commercially available unsubstituted cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and tetrasulfonated substituted nickel phthalocyanine (NiTSPc) simply adsorbed on oxidized single walled carbon nanotubes SWCNT. The electrocatalytic activity of the resulting SWCNT-MPc nanocomposite materials was evaluated toward the oxidation of two biologically relevant molecules, namely 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and nitric oxide (NO). The obtained electrodes are highly stable under hydrodynamic conditions and the tailored hybrid surfaces allow enhancing electron transfer for the electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-ME and NO.     

Interface Host?Guest Interaction Between Calix[4]pyrrole and Neutral Derivatives of Phenol as the Base for Their Potentiometric Discrimination

Calix[4]pyrrole liquid membrane electrodes display a potentiometric response towards the neutral form of phenol derivatives. They do not respond towards the corresponding anionic forms. The mechanism of the generation of the potentiometric signal relies on: (1) The creation of supramolecular complex calix[4]pyrrole? nitrophenol at the organic/aqueous interface; (2) The increasing of the acidity of OH group from nitrophenol molecules due to formation of hydrogen bond between calix[4]pyrrole? nitrophenol at the interface; (3) The dissociation of the OH group from calix[4]pyrrole? nitrophenol complex and the ejection of H⁺ to the aqueous layer adjusted to the membrane organic phase boundary. The sensitivity and selectivity of the calix[4]pyrrole liquid membrane electrodes are governed by the lipophilicity and acidity of the phenolic guests. Also, the affinity to create a hydrogen bond between the host and the target molecule is a parameter which has a strong influence on the phenomena studied.     

Amperometric and voltammetric detection of hydrazine using glassy carbon electrodes modified with carbon nanotubes and catechol derivatives

A simple procedure was developed to prepare a glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and catechol compounds. First, 25 microL of DMSO-CNTs solutions (0.4 mg/mL) was cast on the surface of GC electrode and dried in air to form a CNTs film. Then the GC/CNTs modified electrode immersed into a chlorogenic acid, catechine hydrate and caffeic acid solution (electroless deposition) for a short period of time (2-80s). The cyclic voltammogram of the modified electrode in aqueous solution shows a pair of well-defined, stable and nearly reversible redox couple (quinone/hydroquinone) with surface confined characteristics. The combination of unique electronic and electrocatalytic properties of CNTs and catechol compounds results in a remarkable synergistic augmentation on the response. The electrochemical reversibility and stability of modified electrode prepared with incorporation of catechol compound into CNTs film was evaluated and compared with usual methods for attachment of catechols to electrode surfaces. The transfer coefficient (alpha), heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (k(s)) and surface concentrations (Gamma) for GC/CNTs/catechol compound modified electrodes were calculated through the cyclic voltammetry technique. The modified electrodes showed excellent catalytic activity, fast response time and high sensitivity toward oxidation of hydrazine in phosphate buffer solutions at pH range 4-8. The modified electrode retains its initial response for at least 2 months if stored in dry ambient condition. The properties of modified electrodes as an amperometric sensor for micromolar or lower concentration detection of hydrazine have been characterized.     

Synergizing Electron and Heat Flows in Photocatalyst for Direct Conversion of Captured CO2

We report a ternary hybrid photocatalyst architecture with tailored interfaces that boost the utilization of solar energy for photochemical CO₂ reduction by synergizing electron and heat flows in the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst comprises cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecules assembled on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are decorated with nearly monodispersed cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs). The CdS QDs absorb visible light and generate electron-hole pairs. The CNTs rapidly transfer the photogenerated electrons from CdS to CoPc. The CoPc molecules then selectively reduce CO₂ to CO. The interfacial dynamics and catalytic behavior are clearly revealed by time-resolved and in situ vibrational spectroscopies. In addition to serving as electron highways, the black body property of the CNT component can create local photothermal heating to activate amine-captured CO₂, namely carbamates, for direct photochemical conversion without additional energy input.     

Cobalt Phthalocyanine‐Based Molecular Materials for the Electrocatalysis and Electroanalysis of 2‐Mercaptoethanol, 2‐Mercaptoethanesulfonic Acid,Reduced Glutathione and L‐Cysteine

We have investigated the electrocatalytic activity of cobalt tetra‐aminophthalocyanine (CoTAPc) for the one‐electron oxidation of thiols of various sizes, namely 2‐mercaptoethanol, 2‐mercaptoethanesulfonic acid, reduced glutathione and L ‐cysteine, using adsorbed monomeric CoTAPc and electropolymerized poly‐CoTAPc films of different thickness on a vitreous carbon electrode. Our results show that the electrocatalytic activity of poly‐CoTAPc films towards the oxidation of the thiols increases slightly with the thickness of the film, but remains similar to that of the adsorbed monomeric CoTAPc. The higher stability of the electropolymerized poly‐CoTAPc films makes them attractive for applications in the activation and/or the detection of thiols. We have assessed this approach by designing ultra‐micro‐carbon‐fiber electrodes, coated with poly‐CoTAPc, and combining their use with different electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and differential normal pulse amperometry) for the electroanalysis of the examined thiols.     

Nitrite Oxidation with Copper–Cobalt Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes Doped Conducting Polymer PEDOT Composite

Copper–cobalt bimetal nanoparticles (Cu?Co) have been electrochemically prepared on glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs), which were electrodeposited with conducting polymer nanocomposites of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Owing to their good conductivity, high mechanical strength, and large surface area, the PEDOT/CNTs composites offered excellent substrates for the electrochemical deposition of Cu?Co nanoparticles. As a result of their nanostructure and the synergic effect between Cu and Co, the Cu?Co/PEDOT/CNTs composites exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity towards the electrochemical oxidation of nitrite. Under optimized conditions, the nanocomposite‐modified electrodes had a fast response time within 2 s and a linear range from 0.5 to 430 μm for the detection of nitrite, with a detection limit of 60 nm . Moreover, the Cu?Co/PEDOT/CNTs composites were highly stable, and the prepared nitrite sensors could retain more than 96 % of their initial response after 30 days.     

Electrode Modification through Click Chemistry Using Ni and Co Alkyne Phthalocyanines for Electrocatalytic Detection of Hydrazine

This work reports on the development of sensors for the detection of hydrazine using glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) modified with phthalocyanines through click chemistry. Tetrakis(5‐hexyn‐oxy) cobalt(II) phthalocyanine (complex 2 ) and tetrakis(5‐hexyn‐oxy) nickel(II) phthalocyanine (complex 3 ) were employed as electrode modifiers for hydrazine detection. The GCE was first grafted via the in situ diazotization of a diazonium salt, rendering the GCE surface layered with azide groups. From this point, the 1, 3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction, catalysed by a copper catalyst was utilised to “click” the phthalocyanines to the surface of the grafted GCE. The modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electrochemical microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The electrografted CoP 2 ‐clicked‐GCE and NiP 3 ‐clicked‐GCE exhibited electrocatalytic activity towards the detection of hydrazine. The limit of detection (LoD) for the CoPc‐GCE was 6.09 μM, while the NiPc‐GCE had a LoD of 8.69 μM. The sensitivity was 51.32 μA mM⁻¹ for the CoPc‐GCE and 111.2 μA mM⁻¹ for the NiPc‐GCE.     

Poly-glutamic acid modified carbon nanotube-doped carbon paste electrode for sensitive detection of L-tryptophan

A novel poly-glutamic acid (PGA) film modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was first prepared for the determination of l-tryptophan (l-Trp). Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were applied for characterization of the surface morphology of the modified electrodes and cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical properties of the proposed electrode towards the oxidation of l-Trp. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed with regard to pH, ratio of CNTs, concentration of glutamic acid, electro-polymerization cycles, accumulation time and concentration of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The linearity between the oxidation peak current and the l-Trp concentration was obtained in the range of 5.0×10(-8) to 1.0×10(-4)M with a detection limit of 1.0×10(-8)M (S/N=3) and the sensitivity was calculated to be 1143.79μA?mM(-1)?cm(-2). In addition, the PGA modified CPE incorporating CNTs displayed high selectivity, good stability and reproducibility, making it suitable for the routine analysis of l-Trp in clinical use.     

Comparison of the Electrochemical Reactivity of Carbon Nanotubes Paste Electrodes with Different Types of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used in electrochemical studies. It is reported that CNTs with different source and dispersed in different agents [1] yield significant difference of electrochemical reactivity. Here we report on the electrochemical performance of CNTs paste electrodes (CNTPEs) prepared by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with different diameters, lengths and functional groups. The resulting electrodes exhibit remarkable different electrochemical reactivity towards redox molecules such as NADH and K₃[Fe(CN)₆]. It is found that CNTPEs prepared by MWNTs with 20–30 nm diameter show highest catalysis to NADH oxidation, while CNTPEs prepared by MWNTs with carboxylate groups have best electron‐transfer rate (The peak‐peak separation (ΔE_p) is +0.108 V for MWNTs with carboxylate groups, +0.155 V for normal MWNTs, and +0.174 V for short MWNTs) but weak catalysis towards oxidation of NADH owing to the hydrophilicity of carboxylate groups. The electrochemical reactivity depends on the lengths of CNTs to some extent. The ‘long’ CNTs perform better in our study (The oxidation signals of NADH appear below +0.39 V for ‘long’ CNTs and above +0.46 V for the ‘short’ one totally). Readers may get some directions from this article while choose CNTs for electrochemical study.     

Surfactant-directed polypyrrole/CNT nanocables: synthesis, characterization, and enhanced electrical properties.

We describe here a new approach to the synthesis of size-controllable polypyrrole/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocables by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization directed by the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or the nonionic surfactant polyethylene glycol mono-p-nonylphenyl ether (Opi-10). When carbon nanotubes are dispersed in a solution containing a certain concentration of CTAB or Opi-10, the surfactant molecules are adsorbed and arranged regularly on the CNT surfaces. On addition of pyrrole, some of the monomer is adsorbed at the surface of CNTs and/or wedged between the arranged CTAB or Opi-10 molecules. When ammonium persulfate (APS) is added, pyrrole is polymerized in situ at the surfaces of the CNTs (core layer) and ultimately forms the outer shell of the nanocables. Such polypyrrole/CNT nanocables show enhanced electrical properties; a negative temperature coefficient of resistance at 77-300 K and a negative magnetoresistance at 10-200 K were observed.     

基于静电吸附作用制备PPy/CNTs复合材料

通过添加十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS), 在碳纳米管(CNTs)表面引入具有静电吸附作用的基团, 使吡咯单体附着于CNTs表面, 然后发生化学原位聚合, 得到了由片状聚吡咯(PPy)包覆CNTs所构成的PPy/CNTs复合材料, 开辟了一条易于工业化生产制备PPy/CNTs复合材料的途径. 所得材料和CNTs借助傅立叶变换红外光谱、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜等设备进行了成分和形貌的表征; 并将所得材料组装成电化学超级电容器, 进行了电化学性能测试. 研究结果表明, 加入SDBS后, 吡咯单体能很好地吸附于CNTs表面; CNTs的应用细化了PPy的颗粒, 改善了PPy的导电性能和机械性能, 使PPy/CNTs复合材料呈现出多孔状; 其电化学容量达到101.1 F·g-1(有机电解液), 是同样制备条件下所得纯PPy电化学容量(19.0 F·g-1)的5倍多, 约是所用纯CNTs电化学容量(25.0 F·g-1)的4倍.     

Functional groups modulate the sensitivity and electron transfer kinetics of neurochemicals at carbon nanotube modified microelectrodes

The surface properties of carbon-based electrodes are critically important for the detection of biomolecules and can modulate electrostatic interactions, adsorption and electrocatalysis. Carbon nanotube (CNT) modified electrodes have previously been shown to have increased oxidative sensitivity and reduced overpotential for catecholamine neurotransmitters, but the effect of surface functionalities on these properties has not been characterized. In this study, we modified carbon-fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) with three differently functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes and measured their response to serotonin, dopamine, and ascorbic acid using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Both carboxylic acid functionalized and amide functionalized CNTs increased the oxidative current of CFMEs by approximately 2-6 fold for the cationic neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, but octadecylamine functionalized CNTs resulted in no significant signal change. Similarly, electron transfer was faster for both amide and carboxylic acid functionalized CNT modified electrodes but slower for octadecylamine CNT modified electrodes. Oxidation of ascorbic acid was only increased with carboxylic acid functionalized CNTs although all CNT-modified electrodes showed a trend towards increased reversibility for ascorbic acid. Carboxylic acid-CNT modified disk electrodes were then tested for detection of serotonin in the ventral nerve cord of a Drosophila melanogaster larva, and the increase in sensitivity was maintained in biological tissue. The functional groups of CNTs therefore modulate the electrochemical properties, and the increase in sensitivity from CNT modification facilitates measurements in biological samples.     

A Review on the Effects of Introducing CNTs in the Modification Process of Electrochemical Sensors

This review summarizes some developments in the fabrication of modified sensors and biosensors through the incorporating the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in their modification ingredients. A large number of papers have paid attention towards the application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electrode constituents and studied its electrochemical behavior. Here, we survey the achievements in the detection of various substances with high selectivity and sensitivity provided using CNTs based electrodes. Moreover, modified electrodes by CNTs have demonstrated the electrocatalytic features and higher sensitivity in detection of analytes. The improved characteristics arises from the large surface area and good conductivity of CNTs. However, it should be considered that the use of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), the presence of impurities, and the chemical procedures adopted are effective on the performance of the modified sensors.