Selective and Sensitive Determination of Uranyl Ions in Complex Matrices by Ion Imprinted Polymers‐Based Electrochemical Sensor

We report on the design of a UO₂²⁺‐selective electrode based on the use of UO₂²⁺ imprinted polymer nanoparticles (IP‐NPs), and its application for the differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry determination of uranyl ions. A carbon paste electrode was modified with the IP‐NPs, and differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry was applied as the detection technique after open‐circuit sorption of UO₂²⁺ ions. The modified electrode responses to UO₂²⁺ was linear in the 0.1 µg L^?1 to 10 µg L^?1 and in the 0.01 mg L^?1 to 10 mg L^?1. The method detection limit of the sensor was 0.03 µg L^?1.     

Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite in Meat and Water Samples Using a Mesoporous Carbon Ceramic SiO2/C Electrode Modified with In Situ Generated Manganese(II) Phthalocyanine

Mesoporous carbon ceramic SiO₂/50 wt % C (S_BET=170 m² g^?1), where C is graphite, were prepared by the sol‐gel method. The materials were characterized using N₂ sorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity measurements. The matrix was used as support for the in situ immobilization of Mn(II) phthalocyanine (MnPc) on their surface. XPS was used to determine the Mn/Si atomic ratios of the MnPc‐modified materials. Pressed disk electrodes were prepared with the MnPc‐modified matrix, and tested as an electrochemical sensor for nitrite oxidation. The linear response range, sensitivity, detection limit and quantification limit were 0.79–15.74 µmol L^?1, 17.31 µA L µmol^?1, 0.02 µmol L^?1 and 0.79 µmol L^?1, respectively, obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The repeatability of the proposed sensor, evaluated in terms of relative standard deviation was 1.7 % for 10 measurements of a solution of 12.63 µmol L^?1 nitrite. The sensor employed to determine nitrite in sausage meat, river and lake water samples showed to be a promising tool for this purpose.     

Improvement of Selectivity and Stability of Amperometric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Prussian Blue‐PAMAM Supramolecular Complex Membrane as a Catalytic Layer

A novel hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor was fabricated by using a submonolayer of 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (3‐MPA) adsorbed on a polycrystalline gold electrode further reacted with poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer (generation 4.0) to obtain a film on which Prussian Blue (PB) was later coordinated to afford a mixed and stable electrocatalytic layer for H₂O₂ reduction. On the basis of the electrochemical behaviors, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), it is suggested that the PB molecules are located within the dendritic structure of the surface attached PAMAM dendrimers. It was found that the PB/PAMAM/3‐MPA/Au modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for H₂O₂ reduction. The effects of applied potential and pH of solution upon the response of the modified electrode were investigated for an optimum analytical performance. Even in the presence of dissolved oxygen, the sensor exhibited highly sensitive and rapid response to H₂O₂. The steady‐state cathodic current responses of the modified electrode obtained at ?0.20 V (vs. SCE) in air‐saturated 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 6.50) showed a linear relationship to H₂O₂ concentration ranging from 1.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 to 6.5×10^?4 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.1×10^?7 mol L^?1. Performance of the electrode was evaluated with respected to possible interferences such as ascorbic acid and uric acid etc. The selectivity, stability, and reproducibility of the modified electrode were satisfactory.     

Trace Level Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide at a Carbon Ceramic Electrode Modified with Copper Oxide Nanostructures

An electrochemical sensor was developed for determination of hydrogen peroxide based on nanocopper oxides modified carbon sol‐gel or carbon ceramic electrode (CCE). The modified electrode was prepared by electrodeposition of metallic copper on the CCE surface and derivatized in situ to copper oxides nanostructures and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The modified electrode responded linearly to the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration over the range 0.78–193.98 µmol L^?1 with a detection limit of 71 nmol L^?1 (S/N=3) and the sensitivity of 0.697 A mol^?1 L cm^?2. This electrode was used as selective amperometric sensor for determination of H₂O₂ contents in hair coloring creams.     

Effect of influent nitrogen concentration on feasibility of short-cut nitrification during wastewater treatment in activated sludge systems

The inhibitory effect of free ammonia and free nitrous acid on nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB) was studied in a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor with a suspended microbial culture. The reactor was operated at 15°C, with a dissolved oxygen concentration in excess of 5 mg L^?1 and a nitrogen-loading rate of 0.2 kg m^?3 d^?1. Diluted reject water with varying total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations was used as influent. N-NO₂^? represented more than 90 % of all of the oxidised nitrogen, with influent TAN concentrations of 600 mg L^?1, 300 mg L^?1 and 150 mg L^?1, respectively. With a TAN concentration of 75 mg L^?1, a gradual increase in N-NO₃^? concentration was detected, indicating the threshold value enabling short-cut nitrification (SN) to be between 150 mg L^?1 and 75 mg L^?1 under the pertaining conditions. Next, the influent concentration of TAN was gradually increased from 75 mg L^?1 to 1000 mg L^?1 but the nitrite accumulation was not restored. This indicates that once NOB are established in the suspended microbial culture, even high TAN concentrations are not sufficient for NOB inhibition.     

Determination of S(IV) Oxoanions at Poly[Ru(5‐NO2‐Phen)2Cl] Tetrapyridylporphyrin Glassy Carbon Modified Electrode

Glassy carbon electrodes modified with conducting polymers of Ni(II), Zn(II) and metal free tetraruthenated porphyrin were evaluated for reduction and oxidation processes of S(IV) oxoanions in Na₂SO₃/water‐ethanol at pH 1.0 and 3.5, showing electrocatalytic activity. A Ni(II) film was able to reduce the S(IV) oxoanions selectively in presence of high concentration of gallic acid. The Ni(II) film was also used as an amperometric sensor toward S(IV) oxoanions reduction in white wine samples showing a detection and quantification limit of 1.40 mg L^?1 and 4.68 mg L^?1, respectively. These results are promising for the electrochemical determination of S(IV) using conducting polymers from these macrocycles.     

Development of a Sensor Based on Modified Carbon Paste with Com Iron(III) Protoporphyrin Immobilized on SiNbZn Silica Matrix for L‐tryptophan Determination

In this work, SiO₂/Nb₂O₅/ZnO prepared by the sol‐gel processing method was used as substrate base for immobilization of the protoporphyrin‐IX ion. Iron(III) ion was inserted into the porphyrin ring (SiNbZn‐PPFe). A simple square wave voltammetry method based on a composite sensor carbon paste electrode of this material,designed as EPC‐SiNbZn‐PPFe, was developed and validated successfully for the determination of L‐tryptophan (Trp). The optimum conditions were obtained by using sensor modified with 18.00 mg SiNbZn‐PPFe material, 12.00 mg graphite powder and 6.0 μL mineral oil and phosphate buffer 0.3 mol L⁻¹ pH 7.0. The sensitivity of the sensor was found to be 0.523 AL mol ⁻¹, linear range from 10 to 70 μmol L⁻¹ and limit of detection of 3.28 μmol L⁻¹. Therefore, the developed method was successfully applied for the Trp determination in real samples of pharmaceutical formulation and can be used for routine quality control pharmaceutical formulations containing Trp.     

Use of a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Spinel‐Type Manganese Oxide as a Potentiometric Sensor for Lithium Ions in Flow Injection Analysis

A potentiometric sensor constructed from a mixture of 25% (m/m) spinel‐type manganese oxide (lambda‐MnO₂), 50% (m/m) graphite powder and 25% (m/m) mineral oil is used for the determination of lithium ions in a flow injection analysis system. Experimental parameters, such as pH of the carrier solution, flow rate, injection sample volume, and selectivity for Li⁺ against other alkali and alkaline‐earth ions and the response time of this sensor were investigated. The sensor response to lithium ions was linear in the concentration range 8.6×10^?5–1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 with a slope 78.9±0.3 mV dec^?1 over a wide pH range 7–10 (Tris buffer), without interference of other alkali and alkaline‐earth metals. For a flow rate of 5.0 mL min^?1 and a injection sample volume of 408.6 μL, the relative standard deviation for repeated injections of a 5.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 lithium ions was 0.3%.     

Fe3O4@SiO2‐PANI‐Au Nanocomposite Prepared for Electrochemical Determination of Quercetin in Food Samples and Biological Fluids

A new electrochemical sensor based on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au nanocomposite was fabricated for modification of glassy carbon electrode (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au GCE). The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au nanocomposite was characterized by TEM, FESEM‐EDS‐Mapping, XRD, and TGA methods. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au GC electrode exhibited an acceptable sensitivity, fast electrochemical response, and good selectivity for determination of quercetin. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for quercetin concentrations using this sensor was 1.0×10^?8 to 1.5×10^?5 mol L^?1, and the limit of detection was 3.8×10^?9 mol L^?1. The results illustrated that the offered sensor could be a possible alternative for the measurement of quercetin in food samples and biological fluids.     

Poly(Taurine‐Glutathione)/Carbon Nanotube Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode as a New Levofloxacin Sensor

A new highly sensitive and selective electrochemical levofloxacin sensor based on co‐polymer‐carbon nanotube composite electrode was developed. Taurine and Glutathione were electrochemically co‐polymerized on multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (Poly(TAU‐GSH)/CNT/GCE) and used as a levofloxacin sensor in pH 6 phosphate buffer solution. The new composite electrode surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under the optimized conditions, two linear segments were obtained for increasing LEV concentrations between 20 nmol L^?1‐1 μmol L^?1 and 1.5 μmol L^?1‐55 μmol L^?1 LEV with a detection limit of 9 nmol L^?1 using amperometry. Poly(TAU‐GSH)/CNT/GCE exhibited high sensitivity, selectivity with good stability. The new sensor was employed for real samples of LEV tablets and urine. Promising results were obtained with good accuracy which were also in accordance with LC‐MS/MS analysis.     

Electrochemical Determination of Sunscreens Agents in Cosmetic Using Square Wave Voltammetry

Sunscreen agents and in particular UV filters are compounds added in different cosmetic formulations, that has the function of preventing damage caused by sun exposition. Therefore, this paper proposes the development of a simple, fast and reliable electroanalytical method utilizing square wave voltammetry (SWV) to the determination of Benzophenone‐3 (BZ‐3), camphor 4‐methylbenzylidene (MBC) and 2‐ethylhexyl‐4‐methoxycinnamate (OMC) in cosmetic samples. The electrochemical system consisted of a cell with three electrodes: work – gold electrode modified, reference – Ag/AgCl_(sat) and auxiliary – platinum, using as supporting electrolyte 4.0 mL of Britton Robinson Buffer 0.04 mol L^?1 (pH=4.0), 1.0 mL of methanol and 5.50×10^?4 mol L^?1 of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The method was validated using three commercial sunscreen samples and the results showed recovery values between 83 and 98 %. The average values found for the analysed samples were 3.49 % m/m (728 mg L^?1) to BZ‐3, 0.56 % m/m (113 mg L^?1) to MBC and 0.99 % m/m (208 mg L^?1) to OMC. The detection (DL) and quantification (QL) limits were 0.47 mg L^?1 and 1.56 mg L^?1 to BZ‐3, 0.77 mg L^?1 and 2.58 mg L^?1 to MBC and 0.78 mg L^?1 and 2.59 mg L^?1 to OMC, respectively. The sunscreen protector samples were also evaluated by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) demonstrating a good correlation between the results and compared the results with allowed concentration.     

Novel Amperometric Sensor Based on Rigid Near‐Percolation Composite

A novel amperometric sensor based on a rigid graphite‐epoxy composite of which composition is near to the percolation is reported. The electrochemical response of the novel transducer material was evaluated in terms of reproducibility of the fabrication process and reproducibility and repeatability of the analytical signal. The signal to noise ratio was improved. atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was used to obtain qualitatively information. Amperometric detection of chlorine in water was carried on at a set potential of ?250 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The developed flow injection analysis (FIA) system responded linearly to chlorine concentration between 0.15 mg L^?1 and 4 mg L^?1with a sensitivity of ?0.20 μA L mg^?1. The proposed system was applied to real samples from swimming‐pool water. No significant difference was observed regarding the standard method.     

Graphite Based Microsensors Developed for the Electrochemical Determination of L‐Tyrosine from Pharmaceutical Samples

Two electrochemical sensors were proposed for the determination of L‐tyrosine from pharmaceutical capsules. The electrochemical sensors were based on plain graphite paste and chitosan modified graphite paste. Working conditions, e. g. pH, supporting electrolytes have been optimized. The results revealed for both electrodes very low limits of quantification (LOQ) (0.18 mg L^?1 and 0.0018 mg L^?1) for plain graphite paste based sensors and for chitosan modified paste sensors respectively. A higher sensitivity of 7.95×10^?10 A mg L^?1 was obtained for the sensor based on plain graphite paste (G). The uniformity content test showed that L‐Tyrosine can be recovered in pharmaceutical capsules with an average value higher than 98.00 % and a relative standard deviation (RSD%) value less than 1.00 % (N=5).     

Efficient Synthesis of a New Podand and Application as a Suitable Carrier for Silver Ion‐Selective Electrode

A new podand of 1,1′‐thia‐bis‐[1‐(chloroethan‐2‐acetamid‐α‐oxy)] naphtol was synthesized and used as a suitable carrier for Ag⁺ PVC membrane electrode. The electrode exhibited linear response with a Nernstian slope of (59.5±0.8 mV/decade) within a wide concentration range of 1.0×10^?7 to 1.5×10^?2 mol L^?1 silver ions. The electrode had a fast response time of <10 s and detection limit of 8.6×10^?8 mol L^?1 with a working pH range from 3.7 to 9.0. The electrode was highly selective for Ag(I) ions over a large number of cations such as alkali, alkaline earth, and heavy metal ions. The proposed sensor has been applied as an indicator electrode for indirect determination of vitamin B₁ in tablets by determination of Cl^? ions in this compound with a standard solution of Ag(NO₃).     

Electrochemical Properties of the Oxo‐Manganese‐Phenanthroline Complex Immobilized on Ion‐Exchange Polymeric Film and Its Application as Biomimetic Sensor for Sulfite Ions

A biomimetic sensor containing the oxo‐bridged dinuclear manganese‐phenanthroline complex incorporated into a cation‐exchange polymeric film deposited onto glassy carbon electrode for detection of sulfite was studied. Cyclic voltammetry at the modified electrode in universal buffer showed a two electron oxidation/reduction of the couple Mn^IV(μ‐O)₂Mn^IV/Mn^III(μ‐O)₂Mn^III. The sensor exhibited electrocatalytic property toward sulfite oxidation with a decrease of the overpotential of 450 mV compared with the glassy carbon electrode. A plot of the anodic current versus the sulfite concentration for potential fixed (+0.15 V vs. SCE) at the sensor was linear in the 4.99×10^?7 to 2.49×10^?6 mol L^?1 concentration range and the concentration limit was 1.33×10^?7 mol L^?1. The mediated mechanism was derived by Michaelis? Menten kinetics. The calculated kinetics values were Michaelis? Menten rate constant= =1.33 µmol L^?1, catalytic rate constant=6.06×10^?3 s^?1 and heterogeneous electro‐chemical rate constant=3.61×10^?5 cm s^?1.     

Voltammetric Determination of Phenoxybenzyl‐Type Insecticides at Chemically Modified Conducting Polymer‐Carbon Nanotubes Coated Electrodes

The electrochemical reduction of three common insecticides such as cypermethrin (CYP), deltamethrin (DEL) and fenvalerate (FEN) was investigated at glassy carbon electrode (GCE), multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified GCE (MWCNT‐GCE), polyaniline (herein called as modifier M₁) and polypyrrole (herein called as modifier M₂) deposited MWCNT/GCE using cyclic voltammetry. Influences of pH, scan rate, and concentration were studied. The surface morphology of the modified film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD). A systematic study of the experimental parameters that affect differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) was carried out and the optimized experimental conditions were arrived at. The calibration plots were linear over the insecticide's concentration range 0.1–100 mg L^?1 and 0.05–100 mg L^?1 for all the three insecticides at MWCNT‐GCE and MWCNT(M₁)‐GCE respectively. The MWCNT(M₂)‐GCE performed well among the three electrode systems and the determination range obtained was 0.01–100 mg L^?1 for CYP, DEL and FEN. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.35 μg L^?1, 0.9 μg L^?1 and 0.1 μg L^?1 for CYP, DEL and FEN respectively on MWCNT(M₂)‐GCE modified system. Suitability of this method for the trace determination of insecticide in spiked soil sample was also determined.     

Determination of Sulfite in Hair Waving Products Using Oxygen‐Incorporated Gold‐Modified Screen‐Printed Electrodes

An electrodeposition oxygen‐incorporated gold‐modified screen‐printed carbon electrode (AuOSPE) was fabricated to determine the sulfite content in hair waving products. The AuOSPE showed an electrocatalytic current for sulfite at +0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Compared with a gold screen‐printed electrode (AuSPE), the AuOSPE showed a higher electrocatalytic current. The increase in the electrocatalytic current was ascribed to the increase of the oxygen incorporated with gold atom on AuOSPE. The AuOSPE coupled with a flow injection analysis (FIA) system showed excellent oxidation current for sulfite in a 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), pH 6.0. The linear working range for determining the sulfite content was 0.05 to 1200 mg L^?1 (0.625 µmol L^?1 to 15.00 mmol L^?1) with a calculated detection limit of 0.03 mg L^?1 (0.375 µmol L^?1) (DL, S/N=3). Relative standard deviations (RSD) of 3.03 %, 2.30 % and 4.26 % were calculated for consecutive injections (n=12) of 20, 300 and 900 mg L^?1 sulfite, respectively. The amount of sulfite in two hair waving products was determined by the proposed method and a standard iodometric method. The recoveries ranged from 96.18 % to 105.61 %. The AuOSPE showed high sensitivity, selectivity, stability and reproducibility for sulfite.     

Voltammetric Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol and 5‐Nitrobenzimidazole Using Different Types of Silver Solid Amalgam Electrodes – A Comparative Study

The voltammetric behavior of two genotoxic nitro compounds (4‐nitrophenol and 5‐nitrobenzimidazole) has been investigated using direct current voltammetry (DCV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a polished silver solid amalgam electrode (p‐AgSAE), a mercury meniscus modified silver solid amalgam electrode (m‐AgSAE), and a mercury film modified silver solid amalgam electrode (MF‐AgSAE). The optimum conditions have been evaluated for their determination in Britton‐Robinson buffer solutions. The limit of quantification (L_Q) for 5‐nitrobenzimidazole at p‐AgSAE was 0.77 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.47 µmol L^?1 (DPV), at m‐AgSAE it was 0.32 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.16 µmol L^?1 (DPV), and at MF‐AgSAE it was 0.97 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.70 µmol L^?1 (DPV). For 4‐nitrophenol at p‐AgSAE, L_Q was 0.37 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.32 µmol L^?1 (DPV), at m‐AgSAE it was 0.14 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.1 µmol L^?1 (DPV), and at MF‐AgSAE, it was 0.87 µmol L^?1 (DCV) and 0.37 µmol L^?1 (DPV). Thorough comparative studies have shown that m‐AgSAE is the best sensor for voltammetric determination of the two model genotoxic compounds because it gives the lowest L_Q, is easier to prepare, and its surface can be easily renewed both chemically (by new amalgamation) and/or electrochemically (by imposition of cleaning pulses). The practical applicability of the newly developed methods was verified on model samples of drinking water.     

Electrochemical Determination of Neurotransmitters at Crown Ether Modified Carbon Nanotube Composite: Application for Sub‐nano‐sensing of Serotonin in Human Serum

We propose an electrochemical sensor based on applying two successive thin layers from a mixture of multiwalled carbon nanotubes‐ionic liquid crystal and crown ether at glassy carbon electrode surface (GC/(CNTs‐ILC)/Crown). The sensor was used for sensitive determination of neurotransmitters based on effective synergism between its components. The compact conducting surface of (CNTs ‐ ILC) with large surface area allowed the assembling of stable host‐guest inclusion complexes between crown ethers and neurotransmitters. The GC/(CNTs‐ILC)/Crown exhibited excellent electro‐catalytic activity toward the determination of serotonin (ST) in a wide linear dynamic range: 0.005 μmol L^?1 to 100 μmol L^?1. In the concentration range 0.005 μmol L^?1 to 1 μmol L^?1, the detection limit is 2.03×10^?10 mol L^?1 and quantification limit is 6.78×10^?10 mol L^?1 with correlation coefficient 0.999. The sensor was successfully applied for ST detection in human serum samples with satisfied recovery results. The sensor showed excellent analytical performance for the determination of ST in terms of low detection limit, good sensitivity and reproducibility. Furthermore excellent anti‐interference ability and simultaneous determination of ST in presence of other compounds as ascorbic acid, dopamine and antidepressant drug were achieved.     

Amplified Electrochemical Response of Phenol by Oxygenation of Tyrosinase Coupling with Electrochemical‐chemical‐chemical Redox Cycle

In this work, an novel electrochemical‐chemical‐chemical (ECC) redox cycle was designed in an enzyme‐based sensor for acquiring additional signal amplification. The tyrosinase (Tyr) was entrapped in a sulfonated polyaniline?chitosan (SPAN?CS) composite which was used as a redox capacitor on a glass carbon electrode. Firstly, the substrate, phenol was catalyzed to catechol and further catalyzed to o‐benzoquinone by Tyr. Next, in the presence of Ru(NH₃)₆Cl₂, the reduced state of SPAN(SPAN_red) was reacted with o‐benzoquinone to form it's oxidized state (SPAN_ox) and catechol, then SPAN_ox was reduced back to SPAN_red by Ru(II) in the solution. Finally, the amplified anodic current of catechol was obtained on electrode through above ECC redox cycle system. In addition, the ECC redox cycling led to a high signal‐to‐background ratio. The voltammetric response showed excellent analytical performance to phenol over two linear range of 3.5 to 200.0 nmol L^?1 and 200.0 to 2000.0 nmol L^?1 with a high sensitivity of 2204 μA mM^?1. The detection limit was obtained to be 0.8 nmol L^?1 (S/N=3). Furthermore, the proposed approach exhibited good repeatability, stability and specificity, and could offer practicality in the detection of phenol in tap water.