Preparation of Organophilic Nanohybrid Kaolinite and Application to the Electrochemical Detection of Organic Pesticide

Novel organophilic nanohybrid materials (K‐TDD) were obtained by the grafting of 1,2‐tetradecanediol (TDD) onto the surface of kaolinite (K). XRD, IR, TGA‐DTG, and SEM characterization showed that TDD grafting results in a partial exfoliation of kaolinite layers. This material was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE/K‐TDD) and applied for the trace analysis of methyl parathion (MP). The signal of MP recorded on GCE/K‐TDD was more intense compared to the unmodified GCE or to one modified with a film of natural kaolinite. Several parameters that can affect the stripping response were systematically investigated to optimize the sensitivity of the organokaolinite‐modified electrode. A linear calibration curve for MP was obtained in the concentration range from 2×10⁻⁶ to 14×10⁻⁶ mol .L⁻¹ in acetate buffer (pH 6), giving a detection limit of 9×10⁻⁸ mol .L⁻¹. The sensitivity of the method was found to be 2.42 μA/μM for the range of concentrations that gives a linear calibration curve. The electrode was shown to be very stable, with the electrochemical response of MP decreasing by only 1.5 % after a series of nine measurements. The interference of various inorganic ions and organic compounds likely to influence the stripping determination of the MP were also examined. The results showed that the GCE/K‐TDD electrode was effective in solutions containing interfering species and could be applied for the quantification of MP pesticide in natural water.     

Cyclodextrin-graphene hybrid nanosheets as enhanced sensing platform for ultrasensitive determination of carbendazim

In this paper, cyclodextrin-graphene hybrid nanosheets (CD-GNs) for the first time have been used as an enhanced material for ultrasensitive detection of carbendazim by electrochemistry method. The peak currents of carbendazim on the GNs modified glassy carbon electrode (GNs/GCE) and the CD-GNs/GCE are increased by 11.7 and 82.0 folds compared to the bare GCE, respectively. This indicates the nanocomposite film not only shows the excellent electrical properties of GNs but also exhibits high supramolecular recognition capability of CDs. At the CD-GNs/GCE, the peak currents increase linearly with the concentration of carbendazim in the range of 5 nM-0.45 μM. The detection limit of carbendazim reached to 2 nM on the basis of the signal-to-noise characteristics (S/N = 3) and the recoveries were between 98.9% and 104.5%. The developed electrochemical sensor exhibited good stability and reproducibility for the detection of carbendazim. And the CD-GNs based electrochemical sensor was also successfully demonstrated for the detection of carbendazim in water sample with satisfactory results. Furthermore, this simple sensing platform can in principle be extended to the detection of other benzimidazole fungicide which can form host-guest complexes with cyclodextrin.     

A lead(II) sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Fe3O4 nanospheres and carbon nanotubes

We have developed a highly sensitive and selective sensor for lead(II) ions. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with Fe₃O₄ nanospheres and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and this material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrode displays good electrochemical activity toward Pb(II) and gives anodic and cathodic peaks with potentials at ?496 mV and ?638 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH?6.0 solution. The sensor exhibits a sensitive and fairly selective response to Pb(II) ion, with a linear range between 20 pM and 1.6 nM, and a detection limit as low as 6.0 pM (at a signal-to noise ratio of 3). The sensor was successfully applied to monitor Pb(II) in spiked water samples.

Automated portable analyzer for lead(II) based on sequential flow injection and nanostructured electrochemical sensors

A fully automated portable analyzer for toxic metal ion detection based on a combination of a nanostructured electrochemical sensor and a sequential flow injection system has been developed in this work. The sensor was fabricated from a carbon paste electrode modified with acetamide phosphonic acid self-assembled monolayer on mesoporous silica (Ac-Phos SAMMS) which was embedded in a very small wall-jet (flow-onto) electrochemical cell. The electrode is solid-state and mercury-free. Samples and reagents were injected into the system and flowed through the electrochemical cell by a user programmable sequential flow technique which required minimal volume of samples and reagents and allowed the automation of the analyzer operation. The portable analyzer was evaluated for lead (Pb) detection due to the excellent binding affinity between Pb and the functional groups of Ac-Phos SAMMS as well as the great concern for Pb toxicity. Linear calibration curve was obtained in a low concentration range (1-25 ppb of Pb(II)). The reproducibility was excellent; the percent relative standard deviation was 2.5 for seven consecutive measurements of 10 ppb of Pb(II) solution. Excess concentrations of Ca, Ni, Co, Zn, and Mn ions in the solutions did not interfere with detection of Pb, due to the specificity and the large number of the functional groups on the electrode surface. The electrode was reliable for at least 90 measurements over 5 days. This work is an important milestone in the development of the next-generation metal ion analyzers that are portable, fully automated, and remotely controllable.     

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ionic Liquid and Application for the Detection of Dissolved Oxygen

The electrochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles (nano‐Ag) has been successfully carried out on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and indium tin oxide electrode (ITO) using 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMT) as green electrolytes. Further the electrodeposited nano‐Ag modified ITO electrode has been examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray diffraction studies (XRD). The electrodeposited Ag nanoparticles on ITO were found in the size range of 5 to 35 nm. The nano‐Ag film modified GCE was further coated with nafion (Nf) and BMT (1 : 1 ratio) mixture and found to be stable in BMT and in pH 7 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The nano‐Ag/BMT‐Nf film modified GCE successfully applied for the oxygen reduction reaction in neutral pH (pH 7.0 PBS). The proposed film modified GCE successfully reduces the over potential and show well defined reduction peaks for the detection of dissolved oxygen using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disc voltammetry (RDE). The film also applied for the detection of dissolved oxygen using electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies (EIS).     

Pulsed Deposited Manganese and Vanadium Oxide Film Modified with Carbon Nanotube and Gold Nanoparticle: Chitosan and Ionic Liquid‐based Biosensor

Present study describes the synthesis of mixed oxide films of manganese and vanadium by electrochemical pulsed deposition technique on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The film was further decorated with gold nanoparticles to enhance the reduction signal of dissolved oxygen in pH 5.17 acetate buffer solution. All of the electrochemical synthesized modified electrodes have been characterized with Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The electrode obtained (AuNPs/MnOx?VOx/CNT/GCE) was utilized as a platform for glucose biosensor where the glucose oxidase enzyme was immobilized on the composite film with the aid of chitosan and an ionic liquid. The electrochemical performance of the biosensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and the relative parameters have been optimized by amperometric measurements in pH 5.17 acetate buffer solution. The developed biosensor exhibited a linear range for glucose between 0.1–1.0 mM and the limit of detection was calculated as 0.02 mM.     

Electrochemical Properties of Electrode Modified with Langmuir‐Blodgett Film of p‐tert‐Butylcalix[4]arene Derivatives and Its Application in Determining of Silver

A new type of voltammetric sensor, Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) film of 5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,27‐di(3‐thiadiazole‐propanoxy)‐26,28‐dihydroxycalix[4]arene modified glassy carbon electrode (LB_TZCA–GCE), was prepared. The electrochemical properties of LB_TZCA–GCE were researched in detail and its recognizing mechanism for silver ion in aqueous solution was discussed. Using this voltammetric sensor, a new stripping voltammetric method for determining of Ag⁺ was erected with good sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and recovery. The detection limit was 8×10^?9 M at accumulation time of 180 s. By this method, real samples (lake water, tap water and synthesis sample) were analyzed and the results obtained were well satisfactory.     

Construction of an electrochemical sensor based on the electrodeposition of Au-Pt nanoparticles mixtures on multi-walled carbon nanotubes film for voltammetric determination of cefotaxime

Mixtures of gold-platinum nanoparticles (Au-PtNPs) are fabricated consecutively on a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by the electrodeposition method. The surface morphology and nature of the hybrid film (Au-PtNPs/MWCNT) deposited on glassy carbon electrodes is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The modified electrode is used as a new and sensitive electrochemical sensor for the voltammetric determination of cefotaxime (CFX). The electrochemical behavior of CFX is investigated on the surface of the modified electrode using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The results of voltammetric studies exhibited a considerable improvement in the oxidation peak current of CFX compared to glassy carbon electrodes individually coated with MWCNT or Au-PtNPs. Under the optimized conditions, the modified electrode showed a wide linear dynamic range of 0.004-10.0 μM with a detection limit of 1.0 nM for the voltammetric determination of CFX. The modified electrode was successfully applied for the accurate determination of trace amounts of CFX in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.     

基于L-半胱氨酸/CdTe量子点修饰电极的电化学传感器的制备及其对Pb~(2+)的检测

成功制备了由L-半胱氨酸和CdTe量子点作为修饰材料的电化学传感器并用于水体中Pb~(2+)的检测。巯基丙酸修饰的CdTe量子点通过水相合成,表面含有大量羧基,与L-半胱氨酸表面的氨基形成酰胺键,修饰于金电极表面。通过荧光分光光度计、透射电子显微镜、红外光谱、X射线衍射对L-Cys/CdTe QDs复合材料进行表征。采用循环伏安法(CV)研究了L-Cys/CdTe QDs修饰成分在金电极上的电化学性能及CdTe量子点的最佳自组装时间。采用差分脉冲溶出伏安法(DPSV)研究了铅离子在修饰电极上的电化学行为。在优化实验条件下,Pb~(2+)浓度在1.0×10~(-6)~1.0×10~(-2) mol/L范围内与其峰电流呈良好的线性关系,相关系数(r2)为0.993 8,检出限(3σ,n=5)为4.0×10~(-7) mol/L。该传感器具有良好的重现性和稳定性,有望用于实际水样中铅离子的检测。     

Immobilization of DNA on a glassy carbon electrode based on Langmuir–Blodgett technique: application to the detection of epinephrine

A double-stranded (ds) DNA-octadecylamine Langmuir–Blodgett film was attached to the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to create a novel voltammetric sensor (DNA-LB/GCE) for epinephrine (EP). Atomic force microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to study the characteristic of the DNA-LB film. The electrochemical behavior of EP at the modified electrode was investigated in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer solutions by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric methods. Compared with bare GCE, the DNA-LB/GCE sensor demonstrated an electrocatalytic effect on the oxidation of EP. In addition, the sensor shows excellent selectivity for EP detection, being free of interference from excess ascorbic acid and uric acid, and the method was also applied successfully to detect EP in the human urine samples.     

A Robust Electrochemical Sensor Based on Butterfly-shaped Silver Nanostructure for Concurrent Quantification of Heavy Metals in Water Samples

Heavy metals in drinking water have become a severe threat to human health. Detection of heavy metals has been achieved by electrochemical sensors that are modified with complex nanocomposites; however, reproducibility of these sensors is still a big challenge when applied in commercial settings. Here, a simple, very robust, and sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with butterfly-shaped silver nanostructure (AgNS/SPCE) has been developed for the concurrent determination of cadmium (II), lead (II), copper (II), and mercury (II) in water samples. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrodes was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The AgNS/SPCE showed distinct peak potentials and a significant increase in the peak currents for all heavy metals, attributed to the high electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic activity of the synthesized butterfly-shaped AgNS. Moreover, the excellent stability and sensitivity towards simultaneous quantification of heavy metals have been obtained with detection limits of 0.4 ppb, 2.5 ppb, 7.3 ppb, and 0.7 ppb for Cd (II), Pb (II), Cu (II), and Hg (II), respectively. Besides, the constructed sensor was successfully applied to simultaneously quantify target heavy metals in spiked water samples. Owing to excellent sensitivity, high robustness, affordability, and fast response, the presented electrochemical sensor could be incorporated into a portable and miniaturized potentiostat device, making it a promising method for on-site water analysis.     

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.     

A Simple and Sensitive Method for the Amperometric Detection of Trace Chromium(VI) Based on Prussian Blue Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A simple and sensitive method for the amperometric detection of trace amount of chromium(VI) using a Prussian blue modified glassy carbon electrode (PB/GCE) is described here. The Everitts salt/Prussian blue redox couple of the PB film was found to mediate the Cr(VI) reduction, and the mechanism of electrochemical reaction was investigated. The effects of PB film thickness, applied potential and electrolyte solution on the current response of Cr(VI) reduction were thoroughly studied. Under the optimized conditions, the PB/GCE provided a wide linear range for Cr(VI) analysis from 0.5 to 200 ppb with excellent sensitivity (15±0.2 nA/ppb) and low detection limit (0.15 ppb). In addition, the modified electrode showed excellent stability, reproducibility and good resistance to other metal ions and surfactants. Finally, the proposed method was applied to detect trace Cr(VI) in wastewater with satisfactory results. The great advantages of the method were characterized by the simplicity, ease of preparation, stability, short analysis time and cost‐efficiency.     

Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Citrate Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles for Sensitive Arsenic (III) Detection

The electrochemical detection of As(III) was investigated on the novel citrate stabilized gold nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode (AuNPs/GCE) in 1 M HCl by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. AuNPs/GCE was prepared by simply casting citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles onto the well-polished glassy carbon electrode. Gold modification was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, while transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis Spectroscopy revealed the size and distribution of gold nanoparticles. Anodic stripping voltammetry was performed with the modified electrode in As(III) solution. Electrochemical experiments proved that AuNPS/GCE exhibited good performance for As(III) analysis, the linear range were obtained between 0.05 and 1 ppb for trace level of As(III) as well as 1 to 15 ppb, with a limit of detection of 0.025 ppb. In terms of reproducibility, the precision of the aforementioned method in %RSD was calculated at 7.78% (n = 10), and the repeatability of the proposed method was calculated to be 1.59%. The application of the method to analyze As(III) in tap water was investigated.     

A promising electrochemical sensing platform based on copper nanoparticles-decorated polymer in carbon nanotube electrode for monitoring methimazole

In this paper, a novel and convenient electrochemical sensor for detection of methimazole (MMI) by differential pulse voltammetry is presented. This sensor was fabricated by dripping well-dispersed MWCNTs onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface, and then poly-l-Arg (P-L-Arg) film was deposited on the electrode. Finally, Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) were electrochemically deposited on the resulting film by using cyclic voltammetry to prepare CuNPs-P-L-Arg/MWCNTs/GCE. The surface morphology of the electrodes has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. Studies reveal that the irreversible oxidation of MMI was highly facile on CuNPs-P-L-Arg/MWCNTs/GCE. The dynamic detection range of this sensor to MMI was 5.2–50 µM, with the detection limit of 2 µM. A new voltammetric method for determination of MMI was erected and shows good sensitivity and selectivity, very easy surface update and good stability. The analytical application of the modified electrode is demonstrated by determining MMI in biological fluids (serum).     

The synthesis and characterization of thiol-based aryl diazonium modified glassy carbon electrode for the voltammetric determination of low levels of Hg(II)

Electrochemical determination of Hg(II) in aquatic solutions on bare and modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is reported. Optimizing the parameters used for a bare GCE, such as the electrolyte solution, the potential and time of deposition, resulted in linear response over a large range of Hg(II) concentrations (4–160 ppb) using linear sweep anodic stripping voltammetry. Modification of the electrode with 4,4′-disulfanediyldibenzenediazonium (DSBD) yielded a lowest detection limit of 1 ppb. Two procedures for DSBD synthesis are described for the first time, and the product was characterized by microanalysis, FTIR and ¹H-NMR. The electrochemical attachment of DSBD to the electrode was studied and compared with the electrochemical behaviour of DSBD analogous molecules, i.e. 4-aminophenyl disulfide, p-aminothiophenol and phenyl disulfide.     

A novel amperometric sensor and chromatographic detector for determination of parathion

A novel amperometric sensor and chromatographic detector for determination of parathion has been fabricated from a multi-wall carbon nano-tube (MWCNT)/Nafion film-modified glassy-carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical response to parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The redox current of parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode was significantly higher than that at the bare GCE, the MWCNT-modified GCE, and the Nafion-modified GCE. The results indicated that the MWCNT/Nafion film had an efficient electrocatalytic effect on the electrochemical response to parathion. The peak current was proportional to the concentration of parathion in the range 5.0×10^–9–2.0×10^–5 mol L^–1. The detection limit was 1.0×10^–9 mol L^–1 (after 120 s accumulation). In high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC–ED) a stable and sensitive current response was obtained for parathion at the MWCNT/Nafion film electrode. The linear range for parathion was over four orders of magnitude and the detection limit was 6.0×10^–9 mol L^–1. Application of the method for determination of parathion in rice was satisfactory.     

Micropatterning of biomolecules on a glass substrate in fused silica microchannels by using photolabile linker-based surface activation

Platinum nanoparticles were electrodeposited onto a film of dihexadecyl hydrogen phosphate deposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and modified with dispersed acetylene black. Scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that this nanocomposite has a uniform nanostructure and a large surface area that enables fast electron-transfer kinetics. The modified GCE showed high electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO). Under optimal conditions, the oxidation peak current of nitric oxide is linearly related to the concentration of NO in the concentration range between 0.18 and 120?μM, and the detection limit is as low as 50?nM (at an S/N of 3). The modified electrode was successfully applied to sensing of NO as released from rat liver.

Preparation of Functionalized Ayous Sawdust-carbon Nanotubes Composite for the Electrochemical Determination of Carbendazim Pesticide

Fine particles of Ayous sawdust (AS) were successfully modified by maleic anhydride to increase their accumulation capability towards carbendazim (Cbz). For a more efficient use of the biosourced material as electrode modifier for electrochemical detection, the functionalized particles were mixed with carbon nanotubes to yield a conductive composite. After electrochemical characterization, the modified GCE was applied to Cbz detection. A sensitivity of (2.61±0.08) μA M⁻¹ and a detection limit of 0.04 μM were obtained under optimized experimental conditions. Moreover, the designed sensor was found efficient for Cbz determination in real samples (spring water and commercial pesticide product).     

Ionic liquid–graphene hybrid nanosheets-based electrochemical sensor for sensitive detection of methyl parathion

In this work, ionic liquid–graphene nanosheets (IL–GNs) were synthesised and used as an enhanced material for sensitive detection of methyl parathion (MP) by electrochemical method. IL–GNs were characterised by UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed that IL was successfully covered on the surface of GNs. Significantly, due to the coupling of excellent properties of GNs and IL, the IL–GNs-modified glassy carbon electrode (IL–GNs/GCE) showed higher signals for MP response than the GNs/GCE and bare GCE. At the IL–GNs/GCE, the peak currents increase linearly with the concentration of MP in the range of 5.3 ng/mL to 2.6 μg/mL with the detection limit of 1.1 ng/mL, which was better than other enzyme-based and enzymeless sensors. The IL–GNs-based electrochemical sensor was also successfully demonstrated for the detection of water sample with satisfactory results. Furthermore, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited satisfied stability and reproducibility. The simple sensing platform can be extended to detect other organophosphate pesticide.