Photoelectrochemical determination of inorganic mercury ions based on energy transfer between CdS quantum dots and Au nanoparticles

A novel photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor for mercury ions (Hg^2 +) was fabricated based on the energy transfer (ET) between CdS quantum dots (QDs) and Au nanoparticles (NPs) with the formation of T–Hg^2 +–T pairs. In the presence of Hg^2 + ions, a T-rich single-strand (ss) DNA labeled with Au NPs could hybridize with another T-rich ssDNA anchored on the CdS QDs modified electrode, through T–Hg^2 +–T interactions, rendering the Au NPs in close proximity with the CdS QDs and hence the photocurrent decrease due to the ET between the CdS QDs and the Au NPs. Under the optimal condition, the photocurrent decrease was proportional to the Hg^2 + concentration, ranging from 3.0 × 10^− 9 to 1.0 × 10^− 7 M, with the detection limit of 6.0 × 10^− 10 M.     

Magnetic nanoparticle-molecular imprinted polymer: A new impedimetric sensor for tributyltin detection

Recently, molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) were extensively used for separation and identification of specific molecules, replacing expensive and unstable biological receptors. Nonetheless, their application in electrochemical sensors has not been sufficiently explored. Here we report the use of a MIP as a specific receptor in a new highly sensitive tributyltin (TBT) electrochemical sensor. The sensor combines the specificity, pre-concentration capability and robustness of molecular imprinted polymer attached onto magnetic nanoparticles with the quantitative outputs of impedimetric measurements. The proposed device detects TBT in a concentration range of 5 pM to 5 μM with a low limit of detection (5.37 pM), which is lower than the one recommended for TBT in sea water by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We believe that this new electrochemical sensor can play an important role in the monitoring of the quality of sea and fresh waters worldwide.     

Electrochemical immunoassay of cotinine in serum based on nanoparticle probe and immunochromatographic strip

A disposable sensor for the determination of cotinine in human serum was developed based on immunochromatographic test strip and quantum dot label. In this assay, cotinine linked with quantum dot competes with cotinine in sample to bind to anti-cotinine antibody in the test strip and the quantum dots serve as signal vehicles for electrochemical readout. Some parameters governing the performance of the sensor were optimized. The sensor shows a wide linear range from 1 ng mL^?1 to 100 ng mL^?1 cotinine with a detection limit of 1.0 ng mL^?1. The sensor was validated with spiked human serum samples and it was found that this method was reliable in measuring cotinine in human serum. The results demonstrate that this sensor is rapid, accurate, and less expensive and has the potential for point of care (POC) detection of cotinine and fast screening of tobacco smoke exposure.     

Sensing of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was obtained by employing a bi-layer gold substrate, assembled by the reduction of Au(III) over gold-seeded nanoparticles immobilized on functionalized glass substrates. The SERS signal was linear with the logarithm of the solution concentrations between 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ and 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, indicating that the bi-layer gold substrate affords a significant dynamic range for SERS, providing an excellent analytical response within this concentration range, and revealing the high sensitivity of the gold surface towards such analyte. In addition, using the same gold substrate, a similar calibration curve was obtained for crystal-violet (CV), and it was possible to identify the concentration limit corresponding to the transition from the average SERS to the nonlinear SERS response.     

Non-enzymatic detection of hydrogen peroxide using a functionalized three-dimensional graphene electrode

A novel three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical sensor was developed for highly sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Monolithic and macroporous graphene foam grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) served as the electrode scaffold. Using in-situ polymerized polydopamine as the linker, the 3D electrode was functionalized with thionine molecules which can efficiently mediate the reduction of H₂O₂ at close proximity to the electrode surface. Such stable non-enzymatic sensor is able to detect H₂O₂ with a wide linear range (0.4 to 660 μM), high sensitivity (169.7 μA mM^− 1), low detection limit (80 nM), and fast response (reaching 95% of the steady current within 3 s). Furthermore, this sensor was used for real-time detection of dynamic release of H₂O₂ from live cancer cells in response to a pro-inflammatory stimulant.     

Porous cuprous oxide microcubes for non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide and glucose sensing

Using porous cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) microcubes, a simple non-enzymatic amperometric sensor for the detection of H₂O₂ and glucose has been fabricated. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) revealed that porous Cu₂O microcubes exhibited a direct electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂ in phosphate buffer solution and the oxidation of glucose in an alkaline medium. The non-enzymatic amperometric sensor used in the detection of H₂O₂ with detection limit of 1.5 × 10^?6 M over wide linear detection ranges up to 1.5 mM and with a high sensitivity of 50.6 μA/mM. This non-enzymatic voltammetric sensor was further utilized in detection of glucose with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10^?7 M, a linear detection range up to 500 μM and with a sensitivity of ?70.8 μA/mM.     

Noncovalently functionalized water-soluble multiwall-nanotubes through azocarmine B and their application in nitric oxide sensor

A new noncovalent approach for the dissolution of MWNTs in water by azocarmine B (ACB) is reported. Through a simple electro-polymerization procedure, a novel electrochemical NO sensor based on water-soluble MWNTs and polyazocarmine B (PACB) nanofilm electrode was prepared, which showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO). The oxidation current linearly increased with the nitric oxide concentration in the range of 2.2 × 10⁻⁷–1.2 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with a low detection limit of 2.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The sensor has the merit of good stability, reproducibility, high sensitivity and selectivity, and it can be used to monitor NO released from rat liver cells effectively.     

Environmental remediation by an integrated microwave/UV illumination technique: VI. A simple modified domestic microwave oven integrating an electrodeless UV-Vis lamp to photodegrade environmental pollutants in aqueous media

A simple device is described based on a modified domestic microwave oven that incorporates an UV-Vis lamp encased in Teflon to photodegrade environmental pollutants in aqueous media. The performance of this device was examined using the photodegradation of the agrochemical pollutant 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as the test process driven by a coupled photocatalytic/microwave method in an aqueous TiO₂ dispersion. The aqueous dispersion was contained in a high-pressure Teflon batch (TB) reactor that also integrated a double glass cylindrical plasma lamp (DGCPL) as the source of the UV-Vis radiation. This DGCPL lamp contained mercury gas with a minute amount of neon gas and was powered solely by microwave radiation. The coupled microwave-UV-Vis irradiation of the TB-DGCPL reactor led to an enhancement of the decomposition of the 2,4-D target substrate in the modified microwave oven relative to the photocatalytic method alone. Specifically, the rates of degradation were 2×10⁻³ mM min⁻¹ (photocatalytic/microwave method (PD/MW)) and 1.1×10⁻³ mM min⁻¹ (photocatalytic method (PD)) even though the light irradiance was some six-fold greater in the latter method. That is, the coupled PD/MW method was about 10 times more efficient than the PD method alone.     

Amperometric sensing of dopamine using a single-walled carbon nanotube covalently attached to a conical glass micropore electrode

A single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) is covalently attached to the interior surface of a conical glass micropore electrode (GME) to create a novel amperometric dopamine sensor (SWNT/NH-GME). The SWNT/NH-GME combines the advantages of excellent transport properties of the cone-shaped micropore with the characteristics of a SWNT, exhibiting a dramatic electrocatalytic effect on the oxidation of dopamine (DA). Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric methods were employed to study the electrochemical behavior of the SWNT/NH-GME. The results showed that the SWNT/NH-GME sensor exhibited an excellent immunity from ascorbic acid interference and was able to measure DA concentrations with a detection limit of 4.2 × 10^?7 mol/L (S/N = 3).     

Efficient stripping voltammetric detection of organophosphate pesticides using NanoPt intercalated Ni/Al layered double hydroxides as solid-phase extraction

We developed a simple strategy for designing a sensitive electrochemical stripping voltammetric sensor for organophosphate pesticides (OPs) based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) using nanosized Pt intercalated Ni/Al layered double hydroxides (labeled as NanoPt-LDHs). By assembling NanoPt with LDHs together, the resulting NanoPt-LDHs are highly efficient to capture OPs. It dramatically facilitates the enrichment of OPs onto their surface and realizes the sensitive stripping voltammetric detection of methyl parathion (MP) as a model of OPs. The stripping analysis shows highly linear over MP concentration ranges of 0.001–0.15 and 0.3–1.0 μg mL^? 1 with a detection limit of 0.6 ng mL^–1 (S/N = 3). The combination of NanoPt, LDHs, SPE, and square-wave voltammetry (SWV) provides a fast, simple, and sensitive electrochemical method for OPs.     

Quantum dot-based electrochemical DNA biosensor using a screen-printed graphite surface with embedded bismuth precursor

This work reports the development of screen-printed quantum dots (QDs)-based DNA biosensors utilizing graphite electrodes with embedded bismuth citrate as a bismuth precursor. The sensor surface serves both as a support for the immobilization of the oligonucleotide and as an ultrasensitive voltammetric QDs transducer relying on bismuth nanoparticles. The utility of this biosensor is demonstrated for the detection of the C634R mutation through hybridization of the biotin-tagged target oligonucleotide with a surface-confined capture complementary probe and subsequent reaction with streptavidin-conjugated PbS QDs. The electrochemical transduction step involved anodic stripping voltammetric determination of the Pb(II) released after acidic dissolution of the QDs. Simultaneously with the electrolytic accumulation of Pb on the sensor surface, the embedded bismuth citrate was converted in situ to bismuth nanoparticles enabling ultra-trace Pb determination. The biosensor showed a linear relationship of the Pb(II) peak current with respect to the logarithm of the target DNA concentrations from 0.1 pmol L^− 1 to 10 nmol L^− 1, and the limit of detection was 0.03 pmol L^− 1. The biosensor exhibited effective discrimination between a single-base mismatched sequence and the fully complementary target DNA. These “green” biosensors are inexpensive, lend themselves to easy mass production, and hold promise for ultrasensitive bioassay formats.     

Strontium(II) selective PVC membrane electrode based acetophenone semicarbazone (ACS) as an ionophore

A new PVC membrane based strontium(II) ion-selective electrode has been constructed using acetophenone semicarbazone as a neutral carrier. The sensor exhibits a Nerstian response for strontium(II) ion over a wide concentration range 1.0 × 10⁻²–1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with the slope of 29.4 mV/per decade. The limit of detection was 2.7 × 10⁻⁸ M. It was relatively fast response time (<10 s for concentration ⩾1.0 × 10⁻³ and <15 s for concentration of ⩾1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M) and can be used for 8 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed sensor revealed relatively good selectivity and high sensitivity for strontium(II) over a mono, di, trivalent cation and can be used in a pH range of 2.5–10.5. It was also successfully used as an indicator electrode in potentiometer titration and in the analysis of concentration in various real samples.     

Fluorescence “turn-on” chemosensor for the selective detection of zinc ion based on Schiff-base derivative

N,N′-phenylenebis(salicylideaminato) (L) has been used to detect trace amounts of zinc ion in acetonitrile–water solution by fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescent probe undergoes fluorescent emission intensity enhancement upon binding to zinc ions in MeCN/H₂O (1:1, v/v) solution. The fluorescence enhancement of L is attributed to the 1:1 complex formation between L and Zn(II), which has been utilized as the basis for selective detection of Zn(II). The linear response range for Zn(II) covers a concentration range of 1.6 × 10^?7 to 1.0 × 10^?5 mol/L, and the detection limit is 1.5 × 10^?7 mol/L. The fluorescent probe exhibits high selectivity over other common metal ions, and the proposed fluorescent sensor was applied to determine zinc in water samples and waste water.     

Towards a minimally invasive device for beta-lactam monitoring in humans

Antimicrobial resistance is a leading patient safety issue. There is a need to develop novel mechanisms for monitoring and subsequently improving the precision of how we use antibiotics. A surface modified microneedle array was developed for monitoring beta-lactam antibiotic levels in human interstitial fluid. The sensor was fabricated by anodically electrodepositing iridium oxide (AEIROF) onto a platinum surface on the microneedle followed by fixation of beta-lactamase enzyme within a hydrogel. Calibration of the sensor was performed to penicillin-G in buffer solution (PBS) and artificial interstitial fluid (ISF). Further calibration of a platinum disc electrode was undertaken using amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. Open-circuit potentials were performed and data analysed using the Hill equation and log(concentration [M]) plots. The microneedle sensor demonstrated high reproducibility between penicillin-G runs in PBS with mean K_m (± 1SD) = 0.0044 ± 0.0013 M and mean slope function of log(concentration plots) 29 ± 1.80 mV/decade (r² = 0.933). Response was reproducible after 28 days storage at 4 °C. In artificial ISF, the sensors response was K_m (± 1SD) = 0.0077 ± 0.0187 M and a slope function of 34 ± 1.85 mv/decade (r² = 0.995). Our results suggest that microneedle array based beta-lactam sensing may be a future application of this AEIROF based enzymatic sensor.     

A novel biomimetic logic gate for sensitive and selective detection of Pb(II) base on porous alumina nanochannels

A novel biomimetic logic gate sensor for Pb^2 + is established using porous alumina membrane nanochannels modified with morpholino and DNA. It is based on electrochemical detection, and the current response from the diffusion flux of Fe(CN)₆^3 − is influenced by the steric blockage and charge repulsion in nanochannels. A limit of detection (0.1 nM) and good linear range (0.1 nM–5 μM) for Pb^2 + analysis are achieved in the tenth cycle. The sensing strategy shows prospective application in drug release, artificial ion channels, DNA logic gates for controlling biomolecule, and ion translocation.     

New analysis of clopidogrel bisulfate in plavix tablet and human biological fluids utilizing chemically modified carbon paste sensor

The fabrication and the performance response characteristics of a sensitive, selective, simple, and rapid sensor for the determination of clopidogrel bisulfate (CLO-H₂SO₄) were described. The constructed carbon paste sensor comprised of an ion-pair based on clopidogrel with silicotungstate (CLO-ST) where this study included: composition, usable pH range, response time and temperature. The sensor exhibited a wide linear dynamic concentration ranging from 1.00 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.00 × 10⁻² and the usable pH ranges from 1.2 to 4.8 with the response time ranging from 5 to 8 s which is much faster compared to liquid ISEs with a detection limit equalling 0.34 nM. The selectivity of the sensor (CLO-H₂SO₄) was applied with respect to many of organic and inorganic cations, amino acids and sugars. The sensor had applications in bulk powder, tablets, humans (serum-urine) and in monitoring Plavix tablets’ dissolution rates. The obtained results were statistically analyzed for both accuracy and precision and were compared using the US pharmacopeial method where no significant difference was observed.     

Voltammetric Sensor for Total Cholesterol Determination

We report on a voltammetric sensor for the detection of total cholesterol. The sensor was fabricated by co-immobilization of two enzymes: cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on porous graphite. The electrochemical behavior of the sensor was studied with the use of linear sweep voltammetry. It has been shown that the sensor has high stability and high sensitivity (16 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²). The biosensor exhibited a wide linear range up to 300 mol/dm³ in a condition close to physiological (pH=6.86). Besides, the interferences of some key analytes containing in the blood were studied. As a matter of fact, making a fabricated sensor is rather promising for using in clinical practice.     

Determination of tannic acid by adsorptive anodic stripping voltammetry at porous pseudo-carbon paste electrode

A novel and sensitive electrochemical sensor based on porous pseudo-carbon paste electrode (PPCPE) for tannic acid detection is described. PPCPE is fabricated by mixing calcium carbonate microspheres as the template, graphite powders as the filler, and pyrrole as the precursor of polymer which actually acted as the paste. After the polymerization of pyrrole catalyzed by Fe³⁺, the template calcium carbonate microspheres are removed with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid to form PPCPE. The diameters of these pores are in the range from 2 to 5 μm by SEM observations and the specific surface area of PPCPE is 59.26 m²/g by the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) method. A linear relationship between the anodic stripping peak current and the concentration of tannic acid from 0.02 to 1 μM and a limit of detection as low as 0.01 μM are obtained using PPCPE.     

High performance electrochemical sensor based on modified screen-printed electrodes with cost-effective dispersion of nanostructured carbon black

A novel sensor based on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with a stable dispersion of commercially available carbon black (CB) N220 was developed. This probe showed significantly enhanced electrochemical activity relative to a bare SPE when tested with ferricyanide, epinephrine, norepinephrine, benzoquinone and NADH. When challenged in amperometric batch mode with NADH, the response was stable and revealed a linear dependence up to 2·10^?4 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3·10^?7 mol L^?1. The analytical performance, coupled with the low cost of the CB nanomaterial, suggests that this sensor holds promise for electrochemical applications.     

Improvement in performance of a flow electrochemical sensor by using carbamoyl-arms polyazamacrocycle for the preconcentration of lead ions onto the electrode

A flow electrochemical sensor for trace analysis of lead, using TETRAM-modified graphite felt electrode is reported here. TETRAM ligands are covalently immobilized on the graphite felt by chemical reactions on amino acid linkers, previously attached to the electrode by an electrochemical process. The detection is performed in two steps: the preconcentration of Pb²⁺ ions by complexation with immobilized TETRAM and the analysis by linear sweep stripping voltammetry. A calibration curve typical of at least two equilibrium processes is obtained. A limit of detection of 2.5 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 is reached for a total analysis time of 35 min. Interestingly, the flow sensor shows a good selectivity toward lead in presence of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions. This new sensor exhibits improved sensitivity and selectivity compared to the previously reported sensor using cyclam-modified electrode. It is stable after three uses, using strong acidic medium for the regeneration step.