Electrochemical Study of Chitosan‐SiO2‐MWNT Composite Electrodes for the Fabrication of Cholesterol Biosensors

We report a novel composite electrode made of chitosan‐SiO₂‐multiwall carbon nanotube (CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT) composite coated on the indium‐tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate. Cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) was covalently immobilized on the CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO electrode that resulted in a ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO cholesterolactive bioelectrode. The CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO and ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO electrodes were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The influence of various parameters was investigated, including the applied potential, pH of the medium, and the concentration of the enzyme on the performance of the biosensor. The cholesterol bioelectrode exhibited a sensitivity of 3.4 nA/ mgdL^?1 with a response time of five seconds. The biosensor using ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO as the working electrode retained its original response after being stored for six months. The biosensor using ChOx/CHIT‐SiO₂‐MWNT/ITO as the working electrode showed a linear current response to the cholesterol concentration in the range of 50–650 mg/dL.     

Immobilized Fullerene C60‐Enzyme‐Based Electrochemical Glucose Sensor

A mixed‐valence cluster of cobalt(II) hexacyanoferrate and fullerene C60‐enzyme‐based electrochemical glucose sensor was developed. A water insoluble fullerene C60‐glucose oxidase (C60‐GOD) was prepared and applied as an immobilized enzyme on a glassy carbon electrode with cobalt(II) hexacyanoferrate for analysis of glucose. The glucose in 0.1 M KCl/phosphate buffer solution at pH = 6 was measured with an applied electrode potential at 0.0 mV (vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode). The C60‐GOD‐based electrochemical glucose sensor exhibited efficient electro‐catalytic activity toward the liberated hydrogen peroxide and allowed cathodic detection of glucose. The C60‐GOD electrochemical glucose sensor also showed quite good selectivity to glucose with no interference from easily oxidizable biospecies, e.g. uric acid, ascorbic acid, cysteine, tyrosine, acetaminophen and galactose. The current of H₂O₂ reduced by cobalt(II) hexacyanoferrate was found to be proportional to the concentration of glucose in aqueous solutions. The immobilized C60‐GOD enzyme‐based glucose sensor exhibited a good linear response up to 8 mM glucose with a sensitivity of 5.60 × 10² nA/mM and a quite short response time of 5 sec. The C60‐GOD‐based glucose sensor also showed a good sensitivity with a detection limit of 1.6 × 10^‐6 M and a high reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.26%. Effects of pH and temperature on the responses of the immobilized C60‐GOD/cobalt(II) hexacyanoferrate‐based electrochemical glucose sensor were also studied and discussed.     

Electrochemical and Optical Behavior of 8‐Hydroxypyrene‐1,3,6‐trisulfonic Acid at Optically Transparent Electrodes

The objective of this work is to elucidate the electrochemical and corresponding optical properties of 8‐hydroxypyrene‐1,3,6‐trisulfonic acid (HPTS), using optically transparent electrodes, thereby deducing its usefulness as a model compound for spectroelectrochemical sensor development. Three pH levels were tested to determine optimal solution conditions for optical signal modulation. The electrolysis of HPTS follows an ECE mechanism, presumably resulting in the formation of a dihydroxy/dione derivative, and modulates the optical response at 405 and 460 nm wavelengths for pH 5 solutions. HPTS is a good candidate for spectroelectrochemical sensor research.     

Preparation of Indium Tin Oxide Nanoparticle‐modified 3‐Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane‐functionalized Indium Tin Oxide Electrode for Electrochemical Sulfide Detection

A sulfide sensor based on an indium tin oxide nanoparticle (ITONP)‐modified ITO electrode was developed. To prepare ITONP‐modified ITO, various methods were tested. Drop‐drying of ITONPs (aq.) on aminopropyltrimethoxysilane‐functionalized ITO (APTMS/ITO) was found to be the best method on the basis of voltammetric analysis of the sulfide ion. ITONP‐modified APTMS/ITO (ITONP/APTMS/ITO) yielded much better electrocatalytic properties toward sulfide electro‐οxidation than did bare or APTMS/ITO electrodes. The ITONPs and ITONP‐modified ITO were also characterized using transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Optimization of the type of inert electrolyte and pH yielded an ITONP/APTMS/ITO detector whose amperometrically and chronocoulοmetrically determined limits of detection for sulfide were 3.0 μM and 0.90 μM, respectively. ITONP/APTMS/ITO electrodes displayed reproducible performance, were highly stable, and were not susceptible to interference by common contaminants. Thus, the developed electrode can be considered as a promising tool for sensing sulfide.     

A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on Copper‐based Metal‐Organic Framework for the Determination of Dopamine

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a copper‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF) [HKUST‐1, HKUST‐1 = Cu₃(BTC)₂ (BTC = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylicacid)] was developed as a highly sensitive and simple electrochemical sensor for the determination of dopamine (DA). The MOF was prepared by a hydrothermal process, and the morphology and crystal phase of the MOF were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Meanwhile, the electrochemical performance was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under optimized conditions, the modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity and high selectivity toward DA. The linear response range was from 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and the detection limit was as low as 1.5 × 10⁻⁷ M. Moreover, the electrochemical sensor was used to detect DA in real samples with excellent results. MOF‐based sensors hold great promise for routine sensing applications in the field of electrochemical sensing.     

ITO Electrode Modified by α‐K6[P2W18O62] Hybrid Nanofibers for Nitrite Determination

A promising nitrite sensor based on one‐dimensional polyoxometalate hybrid nanofibers was prepared and developed by electrospinning of a mixture of poly(vinyl alcohol) and α‐K₆[P₂W₁₈O₆₂]?14H₂O (P₂W₁₈) onto the surface of an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. After thermal crosslinking, the P₂W₁₈ hybrid nanofibers are insoluble in aqueous solutions even after a period of 24 hours, which ensures the electrochemical stability of the P₂W₁₈ hybrid nanofiber‐modified ITO electrode. The cyclic voltammetry results have demonstrated that the P₂W₁₈ hybrid nanofiber‐modified ITO electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite in acidic solutions. Additionally, long‐term stability and reproducibility have been observed.     

An Air‐breathing Carbon Cloth‐based Screen‐printed Electrode for Applications in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells

We report a prototype air‐breathing carbon cloth‐based electrode that was fabricated starting from a commercially available screen‐printed electrode equipped with a transparent ITO working electrode (DropSens, ref. ITO10). The fabrication of the air‐breathing electrodes is straightforward, shows satisfactory reproducibility and a good electrochemical response as evaluated by means of [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? voltammetry. The gas‐diffusion electrodes were successfully modified with the O₂ reducing enzyme bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria in a direct electron transfer regime. The enzyme modified electrodes showed a remarkable high current density for O₂ reduction in passive air‐breathing mode of up to 5 mA cm^?2. Moreover, the enzyme modified electrodes were applied as O₂ reducing biocathodes in a glucose/air enzymatic biofuel cell in combination with a high current density glucose oxidase/redox polymer bioanode. The biofuel cell provides a high maximum power density of (0.34±0.02) mW cm^?2 at 0.25 V. The straightforward design, low cost and the high reproducibility of these electrodes are considered as basis for standardized measurements under gas‐breathing conditions and for high throughput screening of gas converting (bio‐)catalysts.     

Label‐free Electrochemical Sensor for Ex‐vivo Monitoring of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker

The beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide was used as an important biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis. The development of an accurate, selective, rapid, and highly sensitive technique for detecting of Aβ level is an important issue in biology, and medicine to assess human health risks. Here, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with different size were electrochemically deposited onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate in the presence of different molecular weights of surfactants. The modified substrates were used as a high sensitive electrochemical sensor of in‐vitro as well as ex‐vivo monitoring of Aβ based on cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry techniques. Our findings revealed that the modification of ITO electrode with Au NPs could enhance its sensor performance with high sensitivity for low concentration levels of Aβ over a wide linear range with a detection limit of about 20.7 ng/g, which is less than the concentration of insoluble Aβ40 (105.4±40.2 μg/g) in brain of AD induced. In addition, Au NPs/ITO modified electrodes have demonstrated ability to monitor Aβ in the brain extracted samples without any potential interference with other components. Raman spectroscopy has been used to confirm the presence of Aβ in the AD‐induced samples. Thus, it is applicable for analyzing ex‐vivo samples.     

Synthesis of Ferrocene Based Naphthoquinones and its Application as Novel Non‐enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide

At present, a highly sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor is fabricated by ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives as 2,3‐Diferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone and 2‐bromo‐3‐ferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone. These ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives are characterized by H‐NMR and C‐NMR. The electrochemical properties of these ferrocene based naphthaquinone are investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified electrode with ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivatives exhibits an improved voltammetric response to the H₂O₂ redox reaction. 2‐bromo‐3‐ferrocenyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone show excellent non‐enzymatic sensing ability towards H₂O₂ response with a detection limitation of 2.7 μmol/L a wide detection range from 10 μM to 400 μM in H₂O₂ detection. The sensor also exhibits short response time (1 s) and good sensitivity of 71.4 μA mM^?1 cm^?2 and stability. Furthermore, the DPV method exhibited very high sensitivity (18999 μA mM^?1 cm^?2) and low detection limit (0.66 μM) compared to the CA method. Ferrocene based naphthaquinone derivative based sensors have a lower cost and high stability. Thus, this novel non‐enzyme sensor has potential application in H₂O₂ detection.     

Chemical Adsorption onto an ITO Substrate of Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotube Functionalized by Carboxylic Groups as an Efficient Support for Electrocatalyst

A single‐wall carbon nanotube functionalized by carboxylic groups (SWNT‐CA) was found to be adsorbed on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode by chemical interaction between carboxylic groups and the ITO surface. The adsorption experiments indicated that the narrow pH conditions (around pH 3.0) exist for its adsorption which is restricted by preparation of stable fluid dispersion (favorable at higher pH) and by the chemical interaction (favorable at lower pH). Atomic force microscopic (AFM) measurements suggest that fragmented SWNT‐CA are adsorbed, primarily lying on the surface. Electrochemical impedance analysis indicated that an electrochemical double layer capacitance of the SWNT‐CA/ITO electrode is considerably higher than that for the ITO electrode, suggesting that the interfacial area between the electrode surface and the electrolyte solution is enlarged by the SWNT‐CA layer. Pt particles were deposited as a catalyst on the bare ITO and SWNT‐CA‐coated ITO (SWNT‐CA/ITO) electrodes to give respective Pt‐modified electrodes (denoted as a Pt/ITO electrode and a Pt/SWNT‐CA/ITO electrode, respectively). The cathodic current for the Pt/SWNT‐CA/ITO electrode was 1.7 times higher than that for the Pt/ITO electrode at 0.0 V, showing that the Pt/SWNT‐CA/ITO electrode works more efficiently for O₂ reduction at 0.0 V due to the SWNT‐CA layer. The enhancement by the SWNT‐CA layer is also effective for electrocatalytic proton reduction. It could be ascribable to the enlarged interfacial area between the electrode surface and the electrolyte solution.     

Cyclic Voltammetrically‐Prepared MnO2 Coated on an ITO Glass Substrate

For the first time, nanostructured manganese dioxide was successfully electrodeposited onto an ITO (indium tin oxide) glass substrate by cyclic voltammetry (CV) method from an aqueous solution of 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ containing 5 × 10⁻³ M MnSO₄. The obtained manganese dioxide‐modified ITO glass substrates were characterized by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. All results not only proved the existence of MnO₂ on an ITO glass substrate but also demonstrated that the morphology of the obtained MnO₂ was greatly affected by the electrodeposition conditions. Also, this MnO₂‐modified ITO electrode was systematically investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in an aqueous electrolyte of 0.1 M Na₂SO₄. The results obtained from electrochemical measurement indicated that this developed MnO₂‐modified ITO electrode has a satisfied specific capacitance value of 264 F·g⁻¹ and exhibits excellent electrochemical stability and reversibility.     

Novel Fabrication of Conductive Polymers Contained Micro‐Array Gas Sensitive Films Using A Micromanipulation Method

A novel method for fabricating a micro gas sensor film on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode patterned using micro‐machining technology was developed. A micromanipulation system equipped with a counter electrode (Au; Ø10 μm) and a microsyringe, which was connected to a microinjection system, was first constructed. With this system, micro gas sensor arrays could be successfully prepared on ITO electrodes. Two kinds of micro gas sensor films were prepared, based on polythiophene (PTh) and poly(3‐n‐dodecylthiophene) (PD). The response behavior of conventional PTh and micro‐PTh films against NH₃ at three different operating temperatures (25, 40 and 60 °C) was investigated by measuring the resistance of the film. With the micro‐PTh film, a reversible response was observed against NH₃ when measured at 40 and 60 °C. In addition, the responsive characteristics of the microsensor films against different testing gases were examined at the three operating temperatures. The resistance of the microsensor films of PTh and PD changed considerably, depending on the type of testing gas, allowing these sensor films to be used for the detection of various gases. Furthermore, the microsensor films had a high stability compared with conventional films prepared from the same polymer.     

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.     

A new near‐infrared switchable electrochromic polymer and its device application

A new near‐infrared switchable electrochromic polymer containing carbazole pendant (poly‐SNSC), synthesized by electrochemical polymerization of 2,5‐bis‐dithienyl‐1H‐pyrrole (SNS) main chain, has been prepared. The electrochemical and optical properties of SNSC monomer and its polymer have been investigated. Because of having two different electro‐donor moieties; that is, carbazole and SNS, SNSC gave two separate electrochemical oxidation and also light brown color of the film in the neutral state turn into gray on oxidation. An electrochromic device, contructed in the sandwich configuration [indium tin oxide (ITO)‐coated glass/anodically coloring polymer (poly‐SNSC)//gel electrolyte//cathodically coloring polymer (PEDOT)/ITO‐coated glass] and exhibited a high coloration efficiency (1216 cm² C^–1), a very short response time (about 0.3 s), low driving voltage, and a high redox stability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Novel Fe2O3@CeO2 Coreshell‐based Electrochemical Nanosensor for the Voltammetric Determination of Norepinephrine

A new selective carbon paste electrode (CPE), was applied as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of norepinephrine (NOE). The sensor was modified with 6‐amino‐4‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐3‐methyl‐1,4‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐c],pyrazole‐5‐carbonitrile (ADPC) assisted Fe₂O₃@CeO₂ coreshell nanoparticles (CNs) synthesized by simple method. To identify the redox properties of the modified electrode, and to examine its electrochemical properties, cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were conducted. Through electrochemical investigations, the coefficient of electron transfer between ADPC and the CNs/CPE (i. e. carbon paste electrode which was modified with CNs), the apparent charge transfer rate constant (k_s), and the diffusion coefficient (D) were calculated. The NOE oxidation occurred at the optimum pH of 7.0 and a potential that was about 235 mV less positive than that of the unmodified carbon paste electrode. The interaction between the two metals in the Fe₂O₃@CeO₂ coreshell led to an increase in the surface area and, consequently a sharp increase in the current. The differential pulse voltammogram of NOE showed two linear dynamic ranges an excellent detection limit (3σ) of 40 nM. In addition, NOE, AC and Trp were simultaneously determined at the modified electrode. Finally, NOE was quantitated in a number of real samples.     

Electrochemical Sensor for trans‐Resveratrol Determination Based on Indium Tin Oxide Electrode Modified with Molecularly Imprinted Self‐Assembled Films

A voltammetric sensor for sensitive and specific determination of trans‐resveratrol (RES) were prepared based on immobilization of an RES‐imprinted film on the surface of functionalized Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrode, which was modified with γ‐methacyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (γ‐MPS). Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) was presented to extract RES from the molecularly imprinted polymer film and RES were extracted rapidly and completely. The binding performance of the imprinted electrode with the template RES were investigated using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The results showed that the imprinted ITO film can give selective recognition to the template RES over that of structurally analogous molecules. A linear response to RES in the concentration range of 2.0×10^?6 M to 2.0×10^?5 M was observed with a correlation coefficient of 0.992, and the detection limit of the electrochemical sensor was 8.0×10^?7 M. Whereas, binding to the reference nonimprinted electrode, made in the same way but without the addition of template RES, there was almost no response to RES.     

Platform for Highly Sensitive Alkaline Phosphatase‐Based Immunosensors Using 1‐Naphthyl Phosphate and an Avidin‐Modified Indium Tin Oxide Electrode

We report a versatile platform for highly sensitive alkaline phosphatase (ALP)‐based electrochemical biosensors that uses an avidin‐modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode as a sensing electrode and 1‐naphthyl phosphate (NPP) as an ALP substrate. Almost no electrocatalytic activity of NPP and good electrocatalytic activity of 1‐naphthol (ALP product) on the ITO electrodes allow a high signal‐to‐background ratio. The effective surface covering of avidin on the ITO electrodes allows very low levels of nonspecific binding of proteins to the sensing electrodes. The platform technology is used to detect mouse IgG with a detection limit of 1.0 pg/mL.     

Chlorpromazine Electro‐oxidation at BDD Electrode Modified with nZVI Nanoparticles Impregnated NiAl LDH

Nanocomposite of nanoscale zero‐valent iron (nZVI) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) was used as modifier for boron‐doped diamond electrode in determination of anti‐psychotic drug chlorpromazine (CPZ). nZVI nanoparticles were prepared by liquid phase reduction of ferric chloride with sodium borohydride on the surface of NiAl LDH matrix owing to the strong exchange and confinement efficiency of LDH. The structure, binding and surface properties of the nZVI@LDH nanocomposite were monitored using powder X‐ray diffractometry, FT‐IR spectroscopy, scanning and transmission microscopy and BET techniques. The electrochemical properties of the modified electrode were investigated by CV and EIS, performed in a phosphate buffer containing ferro/ferricyanide as redox probe. The modified electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance compared with unmodified electrode. As regard potential application of the nanocomposite surface to the CPZ detection, square‐wave voltammetric signals showed a good linear correlation over CPZ concentrations in a broad range from 0.1 to 8.0 μM with low detection limit of 0.005 μM. Nevertheless, these results suggest that the proposed nanocomposite modifier surface provides exceptional synergy and significant enhancement effect to the voltammetric response of CPZ and thus could be applied as highly efficient and stable platform of sensors in clinical analysis.     

Nickel Hydroxide and Intercalated Graphene with Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite‐modified Electrode for Sensing of Glucose

A novel non‐enzymatic glucose sensor based on nickel hydroxide and intercalated graphene with ionic liquid (G‐IL) nanocomposite modified glass carbon electrode was fabricated. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectra and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy of the nanocomposite confirmed the morphology and ingredient of Ni(OH)₂ as well as G‐IL. Moreover, experimental results of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry indicated the sensing properties of Ni(OH)₂ at Ni(OH)₂/G‐IL modified electrode towards the typical electrocatalytic oxidation process of glucose at 0.43 V in 0.10 M NaOH. The current response was linearly related to glucose concentration in a range from 0.5 to 500 μM with a detection limit of 0.2 μM (S/N = 3) and sensitivity of 647.8 μA mM^?1 cm^?2. The response time of the sensor to glucose was less than 2 s. This work may be expected to develop an excellent electrochemical sensing platform of G‐IL as a catalysis carrier.     

A Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Using Nanoporous Platinum Electrodes Prepared by Electrochemical Alloying/Dealloying in a Water‐Insensitive Zinc Chloride‐1‐Ethyl‐3‐Methylimidazolium Chloride Ionic Liquid

We report here a nonenzymatic sensor by using a nanoporous platinum electrode to detect glucose directly. The electrode was fabricated by electrochemical deposition and dissolution of PtZn alloy in zinc chloride‐1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (ZnCl₂‐EMIC) ionic liquid. Both SEM and electrochemical studies showed the evidences for the nanoporous characteristics of the as‐prepared Pt electrodes. Amperometric measurements allow observation of the electrochemical oxidation of glucose at 0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. The sensor also demonstrates significant reproducibility in glucose detection; the higher the roughness factor of the Pt electrode, the lower the detection limit of glucose. The interfering species such as ascorbic acid and p‐acetamidophenol can be avoided by using a Pt electrode with a high roughness factor of 151. Overall, the nanoporous Pt electrode is promising for enzymeless detection of glucose at physiological condition.