A novel electrochemical sensor based on gold nanorods and Nafion-modified GCE for the electrocatalytic oxidation of nitrite

The high-quality CTAB-stabilized gold nanorods (Au NRs) were prepared by the way of seed-mediated protocol. The microstructure and composition of the Au NRs were identified by transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy. Further, a novel non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor of nitrite based on Au NRs–Nafion-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was successfully developed. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the electrochemical behaviors of nitrite on the Au NRs–Nafion-modified GCE were systematically studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrochemical investigations indicated that the Au NRs–Nafion-modified GCE had a wide linear range of 3.0 × 10^?6–6.0 × 10^?3 mol L^?1, an acceptable sensitivity of 130.9 ± 0.05 μA mM^?1 cm^?2, a fast response time of 3 s and a low detection limit of 0.64 ± 0.02 μmol L^?1 at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N = 3). Additionally, the electrochemical sensor also showed good stability and favorable anti-interference capability for the detection of nitrite.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4, Fe2O3, Ag/Fe3O4 and Ag/Fe2O3 nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic properties

Two important iron oxides:Fe3O4 and Fe2O3,as well as Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles mingling with Ag were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal procedure.The samples were confirmed and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The morphology of the samples was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results indicated Fe3O4,Fe2O3,Ag/Fe3O4 and Ag/Fe2O3 samples all were nanoparticles with smaller sizes.The samples were modified on a glassy carbon electrode and their elctrocatalytic properties for p-nitrophenol in a basic solution were investigated.The results revealed all the samples showed enhanced catalytic performances by comparison with a bare glassy carbon electrode.Furthermore,p-nitrophenol could be reduced at a lower peak potential or a higher peak current on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Ag/Fe3O4 or Ag/Fe2O3 composite nanoparticles.     

Electrochemical bisphenol A sensor based on N-doped graphene sheets

Bisphenol A (BPA), which could disrupt endocrine system and cause cancer, has been considered as an endocrine disruptor. Therefore, it is very important and necessary to develop a sensitive and selective method for detection of BPA. Herein, nitrogen-doped graphene sheets (N-GS) and chitosan (CS) were used to prepare electrochemical BPA sensor. Compared with graphene, N-GS has favorable electron transfer ability and electrocatalytic property, which could enhance the response signal towards BPA. CS also exhibits excellent film forming ability and improves the electrochemical behavior of N-GS modified electrode. The sensor exhibits a sensitive response to BPA in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸–1.3 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ with a low detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ under the optimal conditions. Finally, this proposed sensor was successfully employed to determine BPA in water samples with satisfactory results.     

Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of Fe-TiO2/N-doped graphene cathodes for rechargeable Li-O2 batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The Fe3+-doped TiO2 on nitrogen-doped graphene (Fe-TiO2/N-doped graphene) electrocatalyst is synthesized and employed as cathode material for Li-O2...     

A novel hydrazine electrochemical sensor based on the high specific surface area graphene

An ultrasensitive platform is presented for the determination of hydrazine by combining the high specific surface area and higher electrical conductivity of poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSS) graphene nanocomposite film with amperometric detection. The PSS-graphene were synthesized by the Hummers method and used to modify a glassy carbon electrode. The material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and is found to be suitable for sensing hydrazine. The overpotential of hydrazine on the modified electrode is 0.31 V which is lower than in many electrochemical sensors. The calibration curve for hydrazine is linear in the range from 3.0 to 300 µmol L^?1, and the detection limit is as low as 1 µmol L^?1. This is the first report in which such a high sensitivity and low limit of detection has been achieved. It is concluded that PSS graphene represents an efficient electron mediator for sensing hydrazine.     

An electrochemical ascorbic acid sensor based on palladium nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide

In this study, an electrochemical ascorbic acid (AA) sensor was constructed based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with palladium nanoparticles supported on graphene oxide (PdNPs-GO). PdNPs with a mean diameter of 2.6 nm were homogeneously deposited on GO sheets by the redox reaction between PdCl₄²⁻ and GO. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric methods were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of AA in neutral media. Compared to a bare GC or a Pd electrode, the anodic peak potential of AA (0.006 V) at PdNPs-GO modified electrode was shifted negatively, and the large anodic peak potential separation (0.172 V) of AA and dopamine (DA), which could contribute to the synergistic effect of GO and PdNPs, was investigated. A further amperometric experiment proved that the proposed sensor was capable of sensitive and selective sensing of AA even in the presence of DA and uric acid. The modified electrode exhibited a rapid response to AA within 5 s and the amperometric signal showed a good linear correlation to AA concentration in a broad range from 20 μM to 2.28 mM with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.9991. Moreover, the proposed sensor was applied to the determination of AA in vitamin C tablet samples. The satisfactory results obtained indicated that the proposed sensor was promising for the development of novel electrochemical sensing for AA determination.     

Sensitive electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide using Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles as a mimic for peroxidase

A sensor for hydrogen peroxide is described that is based on an indium tin oxide electrode modified with Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles which act as a mimic for the enzyme peroxidase and greatly improve the analytical performance of the sensor. The amperometric current is linearly related to the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range from 0.2 mM to 2 mM, the regression equation is y?=?-0.5–1.82x, the correlation coefficient is 0.998 (n?=?3), and the detection limit is 0.01 mM (S/N?=?3). The sensor exhibits favorable selectivity and excellent stability.

A novel non-enzymatic glucose sensor modified with Fe2O3 nanowire arrays

Fe(2)O(3) was generally considered to be biologically and electrochemically inert, and its electrocatalytic functionality has been rarely realized directly in the past. In this work, Fe(2)O(3) nanowire arrays were synthesized and electrochemically characterized. The as prepared Fe(2)O(3) nanomaterial was proved to be an ideal electrode material due to the intrinsic peroxidase-like catalytic activity. The Fe(2)O(3) nanowire array modified glucose sensor exhibited excellent biocatalytic performance towards the oxidation of glucose with a response time of <6 s, a linear range between 0.015-8 mM, and sensitivity of 726.9 μA mM(-1)cm(-1). Additionally, a high sensing selectivity towards glucose oxidation in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA) has also been obtained at their maximum physiological concentrations, which makes the Fe(2)O(3) nanomaterial promising for the development of effective electrochemical sensors for practical applications.     

基于Fe3O4/Au/GOx的新型磁性敏感膜葡萄糖传感器研制

在核壳结构Fe3O4/Au微粒上共价固定葡萄糖氧化酶,制得磁性复合粒子Fe3O4/Au/Gox,该复合粒子保留了良好的超顺磁性。通过磁力将其固定到改进的玻碳电极上,以二茂铁为电子媒介,制得新型葡萄糖传感器。研究了该传感器的传感性能,优化了实验参数。在pH7.0的磷酸盐缓冲溶液中,葡萄糖浓度在5.0×10-5～2.0×10-2mol/L间呈良好线性关系,响应时间小于10s。该传感器有灵敏度高,选择性好,性能稳定,制作简单且易于更新的特点。     

Surpassing electrocatalytic limit of earth-abundant Fe~(4+) embedded in N-doped graphene for(photo)electrocatalytic water oxidation

Developing highly active,cost-effective,and environmental friendly oxygen evolution reaction(OER)electrocatalysts facilitates various(photo)electrochemical processes.In this work,Fe3N nanoparticles encapsulated into N-doped graphene nanoshells(Fe₃N@NG)as OER electrocatalysts in alkaline media were reported.Both the experimental and theoretical comparison between Fe₃ N@NG and Fe₃N/NG,specifically including in situ Mossbauer analyses,demonstrated that the NG nanoshells improved interfacial electron transfer process from Fe₃N to NG to form high-valence Fe⁴⁺ions(Fe⁴⁺@NG),thus modifying electronic properties of the outer NG shells and subsequently electron transfer from oxygen intermediate to NG nanoshells for OER catalytic process.Meanwhile,the NG nanoshells also protected Fe-based cores from forming OER inactive and insulated Fe₂O₃,leading to high OER stability.As a result,the as-formed Fe⁴⁺@NG shows one of the highest electrocatalytic efficiency among reported Fe-based OER electrocatalysts,which can as well highly improve the photoelectrochemical water oxidation when used as the cocatalysts for the Fe₂O₃ nanoarray photoanode.     

One-pot synthesis of Fe3O4/polypyrrole/graphene oxide nanocomposites for electrochemical sensing of hydrazine

Microchimica Acta - The authors describe the synthesis of a nanocomposite consisting of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, polypyrrole and graphene oxide (Fe3O4/PPy/GO), and its application to voltammetric...     

Hydrothermal synthesis of reduced graphene sheets/Fe2O3 nanorods composites and their enhanced electrochemical performance for supercapacitors

Reduced graphene nanosheets/Fe₂O₃ nanorods (GNS/Fe₂O₃) composite has been fabricated by a hydrothermal route for supercapacitor electrode materials. The obtained GNS/Fe₂O₃ composite formed a uniform structure with the Fe₂O₃ nanorods grew on the graphene surface and/or filled between the graphene sheets. The electrochemical performances of the GNS/Fe₂O₃ hybrid supercapacitor were tested by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Comparing with the pure Fe₂O₃ electrode, GNS/Fe₂O₃ composite electrode exhibits an enhanced specific capacitance of 320 F g⁻¹ at 10 mA cm⁻² and an excellent cycle-ability with capacity retention of about 97% after 500 cycles. The simple and cost-effective preparation technique of this composite with good capacitive behavior encourages its potential commercial application.     

Face mask-derived Ni,N-doped graphene sheets for electrocatalytic CO2-to-CO reduction

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The COVID-19 pandemic that is still prevalent around the globe each day consumes massive disposable face masks and consequently lays a heavy burden on...     

A sensor based on polyaniline nanofibers/ionic liquid-functionalized carbon nanotubes composite for electrocatalytic oxidation of guanine

In this paper, a novel polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers/ionic liquid-functionalized carbon nanotubes (IL-CNTs) composite-modified electrode was prepared, and its application on electrocatalytic oxidation of guanine of sequence-specific DNA was investigated. The surface morphology and the related electrochemical behaviors of the PANI/IL-CNTs composite film were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The PANI/IL-CNTs composite showed a good response current toward the direct electrooxidation of ssDNA due to the synergistic effect between PANI nanofibers and IL-CNTs. Based on this, it was adopted as an excellent sensing platform for highly sensitive determination of guanine. The detection limit was 3.1 × 10^?9 mol/L.     

Preparation of surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on magnetic core/shell Fe3O4/SiO2 and Fe3O4/Ag/SiO2 nanoparticles

In this paper, surface plasmon resonance biosensors based on magnetic core/shell Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles were developed for immunoassay. With Fe(3)O(4) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag nanoparticles being used as seeding materials, Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles were formed by hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate. The aldehyde group functionalized magnetic nanoparticles provide organic functionality for bioconjugation. The products were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), FTIR and UV-vis absorption spectrometry. The magnetic nanoparticles possess the unique superparamagnetism property, exceptional optical properties and good compatibilities, and could be used as immobilization matrix for goat anti-rabbit IgG. The magnetic nanoparticles can be easily immobilized on the surface of SPR biosensor chip by a magnetic pillar. The effects of Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles on the sensitivity of SPR biosensors were also investigated. As a result, the SPR biosensors based on Fe(3)O(4)/SiO(2) nanoparticles and Fe(3)O(4)/Ag/SiO(2) nanoparticles exhibit a response for rabbit IgG in the concentration range of 1.25-20.00 μg ml(-1) and 0.30-20.00 μg ml(-1), respectively.     

Co3O4/聚吡咯/石墨烯碱性溶液中电化学还原氧

燃料电池具有较高的能量密度和发电效率,以清洁能源为原料,零污染排放,是一种具有发展前景的能量储存和转化装置.阴极氧还原反应(ORR)在燃料电池中起着关键作用.ORR广泛采用贵金属铂基催化剂,但是它们价格昂贵,电子动力学转移速率慢,碱性条件下易团聚,这些亟需解决的问题阻碍了燃料电池商业化进程.近期,一些非贵金属催化剂被广泛研究,例如氮掺杂碳材料、Fe/N/C和Co/N/C材料等,它们有可能在未来替代铂基催化剂.我们的目标是合成新型高催化活性的Co/N/C及其衍生非贵金属材料,用于ORR催化反应.由于石墨烯具有独特的形貌、较大的比表面积和良好的导电性,其表面含有功能化的官能团,所以我们选择石墨烯作为碳载体.首先,用改性休克尔方法合成了氧化石墨烯(GO),为了提高其催化活性,采用聚吡咯作为氮源对其进行了氮掺杂,制备了聚吡咯/氧化石墨烯(Ppy/GO).通过ORR催化性能测试发现,GO对ORR具有一定的催化活性,它的起始电位和阴极电流电位分别为–0.31 V vs SCE和–0.38 V vs SCE;Ppy/GO的起始电位和阴极电流电位分别为–0.20 V vs SCE和–0.38 V vs SCE,氮掺杂对GO的催化活性有所提高.采用水热法沉积氧化钴合成了Co3O4/聚吡咯/氧化石墨烯(Co3O4/Ppy/GO).其形貌为Co3O4分散在氮掺杂GO表面.在KOH电解质(0.1 mol/L)中测试,Co3O4/Ppy/GO的起始电位和阴极电流电位分别为–0.20 V和–0.38 V vs SCE.经过800℃高温煅烧处理后,Co3O4/Ppy/GO-800的催化活性明显提高,起始电位和阴极电流电位分别达到–0.10 V和–0.18 V vs SCE.ORR电子转移数为3.4,接近于4电子反应途径.Co3O4/Ppy/GO对ORR的催化活性及4电子催化选择性较高,可能是由于纳米形态的Co3O4和Ppy/GO之间具有较强的表面作用力,聚吡咯掺杂的氧化石墨烯具有较强的电子储存及释放能力.综上,我们通过水热法制备了钴、氮共掺杂的GO,并研究了其对ORR的催化活性和电子转移选择性.结果表明Co3O4/Ppy/GO是一种高效的非贵金属电催化剂,在碱性电解质中具有很高的ORR催化活性,在燃料电池阴极催化剂方面很有前景.     

A novel nonenzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor based on MnO2/graphene oxide nanocomposite

A new electrocatalyst, MnO₂/graphene oxide hybrid nanostructure was successfully synthesized for the nonenzymatic detection of H₂O₂. The morphological characterization was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The MnO₂/graphene oxide based electrodes showed high electrochemical activity for the detection of H₂O₂ in alkaline medium. The nonenzymatic biosensors displayed good performance along with low working potential, high sensitivity, low detection limit, and long-term stability, which could be attributed to the high surface area of graphene oxide providing for the deposition of MnO₂ nanoparticles. These results demonstrate that this new nanocomposite with the high surface area and electrocatalytic activity offers great promise for new class of nanostructured electrode for nonenzymatic biosensor and energy conversion applications.     

Electrochemical synthesis of Fe3O4-PB nanoparticles with core-shell structure and its electrocatalytic reduction toward H2O2

The Fe₃O₄-Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles with core-shell structure have been in situ prepared directly on a nano-Fe₃O₄-modified glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV). First, the magnetic nano-Fe₃O₄ particles were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Then, the properties of the Fe₃O₄-PB nanoparticles were characterized by CV, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device. The resulting core-shell Fe₃O₄-PB-modified electrode displays a dramatic electrocatalytic ability toward H₂O₂ reduction, and the catalytic current was a linear function with the concentration of H₂O₂ in the range of 1 × 10⁻⁷~5 × 10⁻⁴ mol/l. A detection limit of 2 × 10⁻⁸ (s/n = 3) was determined. Moreover, it showed good reproducibility, enhanced long-term stability, and potential applications in fields of magnetite biosensors.     

Bi/Bi_2O_3 nanoparticles supported on N-doped reduced graphene oxide for highly efficient CO_2 electroreduction to formate

Electrocatalytic CO_2 reduction(CO_2 ER) into formate is a desirable route to achieve efficient transformation of CO_2 to value-added chemicals,however,it still suffers from limited catalytic activity and poor selectivity.Herein,we develop a hybrid electrocatalyst composed of bismuth and bismuth oxide nanoparticles(NPs) supported on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide(Bi/Bi_2 O_3/NrGO) nanosheets prepared by a combined hydrothermal with calcination treatment.Thanks to the combination of undercoordinated sites and strong synergistic effect between Bi and Bi_2 O_3,Bi/Bi_2 O_3/NrGO-700 hybrid displays a promoted CO2 ER catalytic performance and selectivity for formate production,as featured by a small onset potential of-0.5 V,a high current density of-18 mA/cm~2,the maximum Faradaic efficiency of85% at-0.9 V,and a low Tafel slope of 166 mV/dec.Experimental results reveal that the higher CO_2 ER performance of Bi/Bi_2 O_3/NrGO-700 than that of Bi NPs supported on NrGO(Bi/NrGO) can be due to the partial reduction of Bi_2 O_3 NPs into Bi,which significantly increases undercoordinated active sites on Bi NPs surface,thus boosting its CO_2 ER performance.Furthermore,a two-electrode device with Ir/C anode and Bi/Bi_2 O_3/NrGO-700 cathode could be integrated with two alkaline batteries or a planar solar cell to achieve highly active water splitting and CO_2 ER.