Electrochemical studies of cytochrome c on gold electrodes with promotor of humic acid and 4-aminothiophenol

p-Aminothiophenol (PATP) and humic acids (HA or HAs) were applied jointly as the electron transfer accelerants of redox reactions of cytochrome c (Cyt c) on gold electrodes. The electrochemical properties of the modified electrodes were studied by field emission scanning electron microscope, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The immobilized Cyt c displayed a couple of stable and well-defined redox peaks with a formal potential of −0.101 V (vs. SCE) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. Cyt c adsorption is in the form of a monolayer with average surface coverage of 5.28 pmol cm⁻². The electron transfer rate constant was calculated to be 2.14 s⁻¹. It indicate that the HA film acted as a good adsorption matrix for Cyt c and an excellent accelerant for the redox of Cyt c. The Cyt c-HA modified gold electrode showed a new couple of well-marked redox peaks when 2,4-dichlorophenol was added to the test solution.     

A Novel Electrochemical Method for the Analysis of Hydrogen Peroxide with the Use of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified by a Prussian Blue/Copper‐Gold Bimetallic Nanoparticles Hybrid Film

A novel Prussian blue/copper‐gold bimetallic nanoparticles hybrid film modified electrode was prepared by electrochemical deposition on a glassy carbon electrode (PB/Cu‐AuNPs/GCE). Morphology and electrochemistry of this electrode were studied by UV‐vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The sensor showed significantly better electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in comparison with the single PB/GCE and PB/AuNPs/GCE. This was attributed to the synergistic effect of PB and Cu‐Au bimetallic nanoparticles. Also, the sensor demonstrated an overall high level of performance for the analysis of H₂O₂ in the concentration range from 0.002 to 0.84 mM.     

Fabrication of Hemoglobin/Ionic Liquid Modified Carbon Paste Electrode Based on the Electrodeposition of Gold Nanoparticles/CdS Quantum Dots and Its Electrochemical Application

A novel H₂O₂ amperometric biosensor based on the electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and CdS quantum dots (CdS QDs) onto a carbon paste electrode (CPE) and immobilizing hemoglobin (Hb) with ionic liquid (IL), is presented in this article. The modification process of the electrode was monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Due to synergistic effects of AuNPs, CdS QDs and IL, the biosensor exhibited high stability and good bioelectrocatalytic ability to H₂O₂ with a linear concentration range from 10 to 750 µM and a detection limit of 4.35 µM (S/N=3).     

A Self‐assembled L‐Cysteine and Electrodeposited Gold Nanoparticles‐reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Electrode for Adsorptive Stripping Determination of Copper

Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with L‐cysteine and gold nanoparticles‐reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs‐RGO) composite was fabricated as a novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of Cu²⁺. The AuNPs‐RGO composite was formed on GCE surface by electrodeposition. The L‐cysteine was decorated on AuNPs by self‐assembly. Physicochemical and electrochemical properties of L‐cysteine/AuNPs‐RGO/GCE were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The results validated that the prepared electrode had many attractive features, such as large electroactive area, good electrical conductivity and high sensitivity. Experimental conditions, including electrodeposition cycle, self‐assembly time, electrolyte pH and preconcentration time were studied and optimized. Stripping signals obtained from L‐cysteine/AuNPs‐RGO/GCE exhibited good linear relationship with Cu²⁺ concentrations in the range from 2 to 60 μg L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.037 μg L⁻¹. Finally, the prepared electrode was applied for the determination of Cu²⁺ in soil samples, and the results were in agreement with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.     

Immobilization and Characterization of Glucose Oxidase on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Its Application to Sensing Glucose

The negatively charged （at pH 8.2） glucose oxidase （GOx, pI ca. 4.2） was assembled onto the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWNT）, which was covered （or wrapped） by a layer of positively charged polyelectrolyte poly（dimethyldiallylammonium chloride） （PDDA）, via the electrostatic interaction forming GOx-PDDASWNT nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared （FTIR）, UV-Vis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） were used to characterize the growth processes of the nanocomposites. The results indicated that GOx retained its native secondary conformational structure after it was immobilized on the surface of PDDA-SWNT. A biosensor （Nafion-GOx-PDDA-SWNT/GC） was developed by immobilization of GOx-PDDA-SWNT nanocomposites on the surface of glassy carbon （GC） electrode using Nafion （5%） as a binder. The biosensor showed the electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of glucose under the presence of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid （FcM） as an electroactive mediator with a good stability, reproducibility and higher biological affinity. Under an optimal condition, the biosensor could be used to detection of glucose, presenting a typical characteristic of Michaelis-Menten kinetics with the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of KM^app ca. 4.5 mmol/L, with a linear range of the concentration of glucose from 0.5 to 5.5 mmol/L （with correlation coefficient of 0.999） and the detection limit of ca. 83 μmol/L （at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3）. Thus the biosensor was useful in sensing the glucose concentration in serum since the normal glucose concentration in blood serum was around 4.6 mmol/L. The facile procedure of immobilizing GOx used in present work would promote the developments of electrochemical research for enzymes （proteins）, biosensors, biofuel cells and other bioelectrochemical devices.     

Direct electron transfer of cytochrome c and its biosensor based on gold nanoparticles/room temperature ionic liquid/carbon nanotubes composite film

A robust and effective composite film based on gold nanoparticles (GNPs)/room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL)/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was prepared by a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. Cytochrome c (Cyt c) was successfully immobilized on the RTIL-nanohybrid film modified GC electrode by electrostatic adsorption. Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of Cyt c were investigated. The results suggested that Cyt c could be tightly adsorbed on the modified electrode. A pair of well-defined quasi-reversible redox peaks of Cyt c was obtained in 0.10 M, pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). RTIL-nanohybrid film showed an obvious promotion for the direct electron transfer between Cyt c and the underlying electrode. The immobilized Cyt c exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂. The catalysis currents increased linearly to the H₂O₂ concentration in a wide range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁵– 1.15 × 10⁻³ M. Based on the multilayer film, the third-generation biosensor could be constructed for the determination of H₂O₂.     

Construction of glucose biosensor based on sorption of glucose oxidase onto multilayers of polyelectrolyte/nanoparticles

A new approach to constructing an enzyme-containing film on the surface of a gold electrode for use as a biosensor is described. A basic multilayer film (BMF) of (PDDA/GNPs) _n /PDDA was first constructed on the gold electrode by electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Glucose oxidase (GOx) was then sorbed into this BMF by dipping the BMF-modified electrode into a GOx solution. The assembly of the BMF was monitored and tested via UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The ferrocenemethanol-mediated cyclic voltammograms obtained from the gold electrode modified with the (PDDA/GNPs) _n /PDDA/GOx indicated that the assembled GOx remained electrocatalytically active for the oxidation of glucose. Analysis of the voltammetric signals showed that the surface coverage of active enzyme was a linear function of the number of PDDA/GNPs bilayers. This result confirmed the penetration of GOx into the BMF and suggests that the BMF-based enzyme film forms in a uniform manner. Electrochemical impedance measurements revealed that the biosensor had a lower electron transfer resistance (R _et) than that of a sensor prepared by layer-by-layer assembly of PDDA and GOx, due to the presence of gold nanoparticles. The sensitivity of the biosensor for the determination of glucose, which could be controlled by adjusting the number of PDDA/GNPs bilayers, was investigated.     

Designing and fabrication of a novel gold nanocomposite structure: application in electrochemical sensing of bisphenol A

In this article, a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor is introduced for direct electro-oxidation of bisphenol A (BPA). The novel nanocomposite was prepared based on multi-walled carbon nanotube/thiol functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-SH) as an immobilisation platform and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as an amplifying electrochemical signal. The chemisorbed AuNPs exhibited excellent electrochemical activity for the detection of BPA. Some analysing techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction exposed the formation of nanocomposite. Under optimum conditions (pH 9), the sensor showed a linear range between 0.002–240 μM, with high sensitivity (0.25 μA μM^?1) along with low detection limit (6.73 × 10^?10 M). Moreover, nanocomposites could efficiently decrease the effect of interfering agents and remarkably enhance the utility of sensor at detection of BPA in some real samples.     

The immobilization of Cytochrome c on MWNT–PAMAM–Chit nanocomposite incorporated with DNA biocomposite film modified glassy carbon electrode for the determination of nitrite

A novel and sensitive biosensor was developed for the determination of nitrite. Firstly, multi-walled carbon nanotubes–poly(amidoamine)–chitosan (MWNT–PAMAM–Chit) nanocomposite along with the incorporation of DNA was used to modify the glassy carbon electrode. Then the immobilization of Cyt c was accomplished using electrochemical deposition method by consecutive cyclic voltammetry (CV) scanning in a neutral Cyt c solution. CV behaviors of the modified electrodes showed that the MWNT–PAMAM–Chit nanocomposite is a good platform for the immobilization of DNA and Cyt c in order, at the same time, an excellent promoter for the electron transfer between Cyt c and the electrode. At high potential, the immobilized Cyt c could be further oxidized into highly reactive Cyt c π-cation by two-step electrochemical oxidation, which could oxidize NO₂ ⁻ into NO₃ ⁻ in the solution. Therefore, a nitrite biosensor based on the biocatalytic oxidation of the immobilized Cyt c was fabricated, which showed a fast response to nitrite (less than 5 s). The linear range of 0.2–80 μM and a detection limit of 0.03 μM was obtained. Finally, the application in food analysis using sausage as testing samples was also investigated.     

Amperometric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Glassy Carbon Electrodes Modified with Chromium Hexacyanoferrate/Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Chemical functionalization of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has constructed plenty of new structures with useful properties. But the modification was often confined to organic molecules, either by covalence or noncovalence. In this report, SWNTs were successfully functionalized with one kind of electroactive inorganic compounds: chromium hexacyanoferrate (Cr hcf). The resulting Cr hcf/SWNTs nanocomposites were confirmed by Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Cr hcf crystallites are observed to be finely attached to the SWNTs. The electrochemical properties of Cr hcf/SWNTs nanocomposites were also investigated. The nanocomposites modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode shows high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂ and the amperometric responses show a linear dependence on the concentration of H₂O₂ in a range of 0.5 μM to 10 mM (R=0.9989). In addition, the sensor has good stability and reproducibility.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin in Layer‐by‐Layer Films Assembled with DNA and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

Based on electrostatic interaction and electrodeposition, poly‐anionic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), room temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄), hemoglobin (Hb) and Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were successfully assembled into Hb/IL/DNA/PDDA layer‐by‐layer complex films on the surface of ITO electrode. FTIR spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the composite film. The obtained results demonstrated that the Hb molecule in the film kept its native structure and showed its good electrochemical behavior. A pair of well‐defined redox peaks of Hb with the formal potentials (E°′) of ?0.180 V (vs. SCE) was appeared in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The Hb/IL/DNA/PDDA/ITO modified electrode also showed an excellent electrocatalytic behavior to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Therefore, the IL/DNA/PDDA complex film as a novel matrix open up a possibility for further study on the direct electrochemistry of other proteins and the fabrication of the third‐generation electrochemical biosensors.     

Fabrication of multilayer-film-modified gold electrode composed of myoglobin,chitosan, and polyelectrolyte-wrapped multi-wall carbon nanotubes by layer-by-layer assembled technique and electrochemical catalysis for hydrogen peroxide and trichloroacetic acid

Electroactive multilayer film of myoglobin (Mb)-, chitosan (CS)-, and poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-wrapped multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) is fabricated on a gold electrode via layer-by-layer (LBL) technique. The assembled multilayer films is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). UV-vis spectroscopy showed that Mb in the films retained its near-native structure. The stable multilayerfilm-modified gold electrodes showed good electroactivity in protein-free buffer solution, which is originated from protein heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. The modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic property toward reduction of H₂O₂ and trichloroacetic acid, indicating the potential application as amperometric biosensor. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 11, pp. 1366–1376. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

纳米ZnO修饰电极的制备及其对血红蛋白, 细胞色素c的直接电化学研究

A novel electrochemical method as a sensitive and convenient technique for the determination of heme proteins based on their interaction with ZnO nanorods was developed. A ZnO nanorod modified glassy carbon electrode (ZnO/GCE) was prepared and the electrochemical behaviors of heme proteins, such as hemoglobin (HB) and cytochrome c (Cyt-c), on this modified electrode have been studied. The results showed that both HB and Cyt-c could be oxidized on the modified electrode and the oxidation currents were linear to the concentrations of the analytes in aqueous solutions. In addition, the results of flow injection analysis (FIA) further suggested the high stability and reproducibility of the ZnO nanorod modified electrode. So this method can be applied to the determination of HB and Cyt-c in biological systems.     

A Non‐Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Ag/MnOOH Nanocomposites

A novel non‐enzymatic sensor based on Ag/MnOOH nanocomposites was developed for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The H₂O₂ sensor was fabricated by immobilizing Ag/MnOOH nanocomposites on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The morphology and composition of the sensor surface were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy. The electrochemical investigation of the sensor indicates that it possesses an excellent electrocatalytic property for H₂O₂, and could detect H₂O₂ in a linear range from 5.0 µM to 12.8 mM with a detection limit of 1.5 µM at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3, a response time of 2 s and a sensitivity of 32.57 µA mM^?1 cm^?2. Additionally, the sensor exhibits good anti‐interference. The good analytical performance, low cost and straightforward preparation method made this novel electrode material promising for the development of effective non‐enzymatic H₂O₂ sensor.     

Immobilization and direct electrochemistry of cytochrome <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">c</Emphasis> at a single-walled carbon nanotube-modified electrode

A single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)-modified electrode was fabricated and characterized by SEM and ac impedance techniques. The direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c (Cyt c), which was adsorbed on the surface of the SWNT, was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The results from cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroscopy indicated that Cyt c remained in its original structure and did not undergo structural change after its immobilization on the SWNT. Further results demonstrated that the SWNT had promotional effects on the direct electron transfer of Cyt c and also indicated that the immobilized Cyt c retained its electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H₂O₂. This modified electrode might be used in development of new biosensors and the biofuel cells.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of Gold Nanoparticle‐Tantalum(V) Phthalocyanine Composites: Applications Towards the Electroanalysis of Bisphenol A

The formation of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) composites with tantalum phthalocyanines (TaPc) complexes { 1a and 1b (Figure 1 )} is reported. The TaPc‐AuNPs conjugates were characterised by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy. The AFM analyses show that conjugates of TaPc with AuNPs are more aggregated when compared to AuNPs alone. The conjugates and TaPc complexes were immobilized on a gold electrode by drop and dry method and these were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The charge transfer behaviour of AuNPs was enhanced in the presence of TaPc complexes. All the modified electrodes showed electrocatalytic oxidation of bisphenol A. The limits of detection for complexes 1a and 1 b were 4.78×10^?10 and 2.76×10^?10 mol L^?1, respectively.     

A MnOOH‐Polyaniline Nanocomposite Modified Gold Electrode for Electrochemical Sensing of Nitrite

A novel non‐enzymatic nitrite sensor was fabricated by immobilizing MnOOH‐PANI nanocomposites on a gold electrode (Au electrode). The morphology and composition of the nanocomposites were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM ) and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR ). The electrochemical results showed that the sensor possessed excellent electrocatalytic ability for NO₂⁻ oxidation. The sensor displayed a linear range from 3.0 μmol•L⁻¹ to 76.0 mmol•L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.9 μmol•L⁻¹ (S/N = 3), a sensitivity of 132.2 μA •L•mol⁻¹•cm⁻² and a response time of 3 s. Furthermore, the sensor showed good reproducibility and long‐term stability. It is expected that the MnOOH‐PANI nanocomposites could be applied for more active sensors and used in practice for nitrite sensing.     

Carbon Nanotubes‐Based Amperometric Cholesterol Biosensor Fabricated Through Layer‐by‐Layer Technique

A carbon nanotubes‐based amperometric cholesterol biosensor has been fabricated through layer‐by‐layer (LBL) deposition of a cationic polyelectrolyte (PDDA, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)) and cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)‐modified gold electrode, followed by electrochemical generation of a nonconducting poly(o‐phenylenediamine) (PPD) film as the protective coating. Electrochemical impedance measurements have shown that PDDA/ChOx multilayer film could be formed uniformly on MWNTs‐modified gold electrode. Due to the strong electrocatalytic properties of MWNTs toward H₂O₂ and the low permeability of PPD film for electroacitve species, such as ascorbic acid, uric acid and acetaminophen, the biosensor has shown high sensitivity and good anti‐interferent ability in the detection of cholesterol. The effect of the pH value of the detection solution on the response of the biosensor was also investigated. A linear range up to 6.0 mM has been observed for the biosensor with a detection limit of 0.2 mM. The apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant and the maximum response current density were calculated to be 7.17 mM and 7.32 μA cm^?2, respectively.     

An Enzyme‐free H2O2 Sensor Based on Poly(2‐Aminophenylbenzimidazole)/Gold Nanoparticles Coated Pencil Graphite Electrode

A poly(2‐aminophenylbenzimidazole)/gold nanoparticles (P2AB/AuNPs) coated disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was fabricated as an enzyme‐free sensor for the H₂O₂ determination. P2AB/AuNPs and P2AB were successfully synthesized electrochemically on PGE in acetonitrile for the first time. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and UV‐Vis spectroscopy. AuNPs interacted with P2AB as carrier enhances the electrocatalytic activity towards reduction of H₂O₂. The analytical performance was evaluated in a 100 mM phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.5 by amperometry. The steady state current vs. H₂O₂ concentration is linear in the range of 0.06 to 100 mM (R²=0.992) with a limit of detection 3.67×10^?5 M at ?0.8 V vs. SCE and no interference is caused by ascorbic acid, dopamine, uric acid, and glucose. The examination for the sensitive determination of H₂O₂ was conducted in commercially available hair oxidant solution. The results demonstrate that P2AB/AuNPs/PGE has potential applications as a sensing material for quantitative determination of H₂O₂.     

Electrochemiluminescence Immunosensor Based on Functionalized Graphene/Fe3O4‐Au Magnetic Capture Probes for Ultrasensitive Detection of Tetrodotoxin

An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for the detection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) is proposed, which are composed of the branched poly‐(ethylenimine) (BPEI) functionalized graphene (BGNs)/Fe₃O₄‐Au magnetic capture probes and luminol‐capped gold nanocomposites (luminol‐AuNPs) as the signal tag. Herein, a typical sandwich immunecomplex was constructed on the glassy carbon electrode. The BGNs/Fe₃O₄‐Au hybrids could efficiently conjugate primary antibody via the Au−S chemical bonds or Au−N chemical bonds and rapidly separate under external magnetic field. The introduction of BPEI to GO could enhance the luminol‐ECL intensity. Meanwhile, the multifunctional nanocomposites have been proved with good water‐solubility, excellent electron transfer, outstanding stability, etc. The luminescent luminol‐AuNPs, a high efficient electrochemiluminescence marker, can be assembled on the second antibody, which can produce the ECL signal to achieve the determination of TTX. This proposed ECL immunosensor with a linear range from 0.01–100 ng/mL can be applied in the detection of TTX in real samples with satisfactory results.