An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Electropolymerization of ß‐Cyclodextrin and Reduced Graphene Oxide on a Glassy Carbon Electrode for Determination of Neonicotinoids

An electrochemical sensor of glassy carbon electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide and β‐cyclodextrin (GCE/rGO/β‐CD) was developed as an effective alternative in the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, in honey samples. The peak current variation obtained with the proposed sensor was higher compared to the bare GCE in all the analytes. In the determination of imidacloprid the response increased by 1300 %, clothianidin by 670 % and thiametoxam by 630 %. In addition, the optimization of the experimental conditions provided the construction of a sensor with greater sensitivity. The study of interferers showed that inorganic ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, e NH₄⁺) and other insecticides (acetamiprid and dinotefuran) did not influence the reduction of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. The determination of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam in honey samples exhibited recovery values within the EPA range (between 107.75 and 116 %). In conclusion, the developed sensor GCE/rGO/β‐CD proved to be an effective alternative in the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides in honey samples.     

Investigation of the Electrochemical Behavior of Mesalazine on the Surface of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with CNT/PPY Doped by 1,5‐Naphthalenedisulfonic Acid

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with a thin layer of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and subsequently, electrochemically deposited poly‐pyrrole. The electrochemical behavior of mesalazine was studied on the surface of the modified electrode by applying linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The electropolymerization process and the electrochemical response toward mesalazine were investigated in the presence of different aromatic anion dopants including, benzenesulfonic acid (BSA), 1,3‐benzenedisulfonic acid (1,3‐BDSA), 1,5‐naphthalenedisulfonic acid (1,5‐NDSA) and new coccine (NC). By using 1,5‐NDSA as dopant, a significant increase (～418 times) in the peak current of mesalazine was observed, in comparison to the bare GCE. Experimental variables such as drop size of the cast MWCNTs suspension, pH of the supporting electrolyte, accumulation conditions and the number of scans in the electropolymerization process were optimized by monitoring the LSV responses of mesalazine. Under the optimum conditions, two linear dynamic ranges of 0.01–0.1 µmol L^?1 and 0.1–1.0 µmol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3 nmol L^?1 were resulted for the voltammetric determination of mesalazine. The prepared electrode showed high sensitivity, stability and good reproducibility for determination of mesalazine. These properties made the prepared sensor suitable for the determination of mesalazine in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.     

Electrocatalytic and Analytical Response of β‐Cyclodextrin Incorporated Carbon Nanotubes‐Modified Electrodes Toward Guanine

The utility of β‐cyclodextrin incorporated carbon nanotubes‐modified electrodes (β‐CD/CNT/E) for electrocatalytic oxidation of guanine in aqueous solution is demonstrated. Compared to the conventional electrode, it lowers the overpotential and enhances the peak current significantly. The action mechanism of β‐CD/CNT/E was discussed systemically. The results demonstrated that the use of β‐CD/CNT/E clearly provides an effective methodology for the determination of guanine. Based on the signal of guanine, an estimate of DNA concentration can be recognized with a limit of detection of 10 ng mL^?1.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles and Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite for the Determination of Hydrazine

β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via one step electrochemical potentiodyanamic method has been prepared. Scanning electron microscopy, Energy‐Dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to study the role of β‐CD on preparation of AgNPs and RGO. RGO/β‐CD/AgNPs modified GCE showed good electrochemical activity towards electro‐oxidation of hydrazine in terms of decreasing the over potential and increasing the peak current. The kinetic parameters such as electron transfer coefficient (α) and diffusion coefficient (Do) of the modified electrode towards hydrazine were determined to be 0.66 and 0.97×10^?6 cm² s^?1, respectively. The LOD of our sensor was many folds lower than that of recommended concentration of hydrazine in drinking water by United States Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. The sensor exhibited a wide linear range from 0.08 to 1110 µM and a very low detection limit (LOD) of 1.4 nM. In addition, the sensor selectively determined hydrazine even in the presence of common interferents.     

Rapid and Sensitive Determination of Dinotefuran Residue Based on Electrochemical Enhancement of β‐cyclodextrin‐Graphene Composite

A rapid method for sensitive voltammetric determination of dinotefuran residue was reported. The proposed method was based on the electrocatalytic reduction of dinotefuran on β‐cyclodextrin‐graphene composite modified glassy carbon electrode (β‐CD‐rGO/GCE), giving rise to a higher reduction signal to dinotefuran relative to the bare (GCE) and graphene modified electrode (rGO/GCE). Moreover, a further signal enhancement was observed when the modified electrode incubated in solution at low temperature (0 °C) for a short time. The reduction mechanism and binding affinity were also discussed. The external standard calibration curve was obtained from linear sweep voltammetry in the range of 0.5 to 16.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.10 μM. In addition to optimization of pretreatment, this electrochemical method has been applied to the dinotefuran residue determination in millet samples with the detection limit of 0.01 mg kg^?1 and compared with an high performance liquid chromatography method. The proposed electrode and analysis methods were proven to be sensitive, accurate and rapid under the used conditions.     

A Prostate Specific Antigen Immunosensor Based on Biotinylated‐Antibody/Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex: Fabrication and Electrochemical Studies

Immobilization of biomolecules with a proper orientation is considered as a basis for diverse biotechnological applications. Herein, we report a host‐guest inclusion complexation between β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and biotin as a versatile approach for the immobilization of biomolecules. As a practical application, a sandwich‐type electrochemical immunosensor was designed for the determination of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The immunosensor was fabricated by in situ electropolymerization of poly(N‐acetylaniline) onto a rGO‐modified Pt electrode. Then, β‐CD was covalently grafted onto the over‐oxidized polymer backbone. For improving the efficiency of the assay, AuNPs were casted on the polymeric film, on the surface of which thionine (TH) as an electron mediator was covalently immobilized. Using a host‐guest inclusion complexation between β‐CD and biotin, a β‐CD/biotin‐Ab₁/PSA/Ab₂‐horseradish peroxidase (HRP) sandwich was formed on the electrode surface. The analytical signal was produced via electrochemical reduction of TH_ox, generated by biocatalytic oxidation of the TH_red in the presence of HRP/H₂O₂. Under optimal conditions, the proposed sensor responded linearly to PSA in the range from 10.0 pg mL⁻¹ to 25.0 ng mL⁻¹, with a low detection limit of 6.7 pg mL⁻¹ (S/N=3). Kinetic parameters of the interaction of β‐CD with Ab₁ were also investigated. Finally, the applicability of the immunosensor was successfully investigated for the detection of PSA in human serum samples.     

An Electrochemical Sensing Strategy for Amantadine Detection Based on Competitive Host‐guest Interaction of Methylene Blue/β‐cyclodextrin/Poly(N‐acetylaniline) Modified Electrode

A novel electrochemical strategy for the detection of amantadine (AMD) has been developed based on the competitive host‐guest interaction of AMD and methylene blue (MB) with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). Due to the host‐guest interaction, MB molecules can enter into the hydrophobic inner cavity of β‐CD, and the MB/β‐CD/poly(N‐acetylaniline)/glassy carbon electrode displays a remarkable reduction peak due to MB. In the presence of AMD, competitive association to β‐CD occurs and the MB molecules are displaced by AMD, resulting in a decrease of reduction peak current of MB. The difference value of the cathodic peak current showed a linear relationship with the AMD concentration.     

Selective Electrochemical Determination of Uric Acid in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid Using a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with β‐Cyclodextrin

Uric acid (UA) was determined in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) by using a carbon paste electrode modified superficially by a β‐cyclodextrin film (CPE/β‐CD). The surface carbon paste electrode was prepared applying a 30 cycles potential program and using a 1 M HClO₄+0.01 M β‐CD electrolytic solution. The UA and AA solutions were used to evaluate the electrode selectivity and sensitivity by cyclic voltammetric and amperometric methods. In these experiments the detection limit for UA was (4.6±0.01)×10^?6 M and the RSD calculated from the amperometric curves was 10%. From the data obtained it was possible to quantify UA in the urine and saliva samples. Selective detection of UA was improved by formation of an inclusion complex between β‐CD and UA. The results show that the CPE/β‐CD is a good candidate due to its selectivity and sensitivity in the UA determination in complex samples like the biological fluids.     

Electrochemical Studies of Inclusion Complex Formed Between Glutathione and β‐cyclodextrin‐modified Carbon Electrodes and its Application for Determination of Glutathione

In this work, the electrochemical determination of glutathione (GSH) using β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) modified carbon electrodes was carried out. Different methodologies were used to modify the electrodes. In the first part of this paper, we analyze and compare the ability of the electrodes to determine GSH using the different β‐CD‐modified electrodes and cyclic voltammetry. We found that the carbon paste electrode modified by potential sweeping was the best electrode for GSH determination; in addition, we found that an inclusion complex formed between β‐CD deposited on the electrode surface and GSH. The formation constant for this complex was 2498.54 M^?1 at 25 °C. Furthermore, we have also calculated thermodynamic parameters for the formation of the inclusion complex. In the second part of this paper, we analyze the effect of sweep rate and pH on the determination of GSH. The best results were obtained at a rate of 50 mV s^?1 and a pH of 2.2. The β‐CD‐modified carbon paste electrode exhibits a linear response in a concentration range of 20 to 157 µM with a sensitivity of 1083.65 µA mM^?1cm^?2 and a detection limit of 3.92 µM. Finally, the electrode was used to determine the GSH concentration in Eichhornia crassipes root extract, and the concentration determination accuracy was validated by a well‐known spectroscopic method.     

Electrochemical Derivatization of Acetaminophen for Indirect Determination of Eflornithine Using β‐CD Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

In the present work, the oxidation of acetaminophen in the absence and presence of eflornithine was electrochemically investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Our results indicate that N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) produced from two‐electron electrochemical oxidation of acetaminophen participates in a Michael addition reaction with eflornithine via an ECE mechanism. This fact was used for the determination of eflornithine using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique on the surface of β‐Cyclodextrin modified glassy carbon (β‐CD/GC) electrode. β‐CD/GC electrode was prepared through an electrodeposition procedure and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. Under optimum conditions, the β‐CD/GC electrode showed a good linearity as a function of the eflornithine concentration over the range from 5 to 100 μM with detection limit and quantification limit of 1.94 and 5.8 μM, respectively. Finally, the proposed protocol was confirmed to be successful in determination of eflornithine in human urine samples with good recovery, ranging from 97.2 % to 104.8 %.     

Electrochemical Determination of the Herbicide Bentazone Using a Carbon Nanotube β‐Cyclodextrin Modified Electrode

An electrochemical sensor has been developed for the determination of the herbicide bentazone, based on a GC electrode modified by a combination of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) incorporated in a polyaniline film. The results indicate that the β‐CD/MWCNT modified GC electrode exhibits efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of bentazone with high sensitivity and stability. A cyclic voltammetric method to determine bentazone in phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.0, was developed, without any previous extraction, clean‐up, or derivatization steps, in the range of 10–80 µmol L^?1, with a detection limit of 1.6 µmol L^?1 in water. The results were compared with those obtained by an established HPLC technique. No statistically significant differences being found between both methods.     

Interaction of β‐Cyclodextrin with Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide in the Presence of Neutral Red and Its Application to the Spectrophotometric Determination of β‐Cyclodextrin

The effects of addition of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) to the neutral red‐cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) associates in pH 7 phosphate buffer solutions were investigated. Addition of β‐CD to neutral red‐CTAB association causes decomposition of the associate by displacement of neutral red with β‐CD. The inclusion complex of CTAB with β‐CD is more stable than that with neutral red. The results indicate that formation of inclusion complex of CTAB with β‐CD prevents its association with neutral red, and inclusion complex formation of β‐CD and neutral red in the presence of CTAB takes place after total consumption of CTAB. The competition of β‐CD and neutral red on the interaction with CTAB can be used for the simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of β‐CD.     

Enantioselective separation of chiral vicinal diols in capillary electrophoresis using a mono‐6A‐aminoethylamino‐β‐cyclodextrin as a chiral selector

This paper describes an improved access to mono‐6^A‐aminoethylamino‐β‐CD (β‐CDen), a very efficient cationic chiral selector for CZE in the separation of eight chiral aromatic vicinal diols. The β‐CDen concentration has a strong influence on the efficiency of enantioseparation. The effects of the pH and concentration of the BGE, the capillary temperature, and the applied voltage on the resolution and separation selectivity have been studied. Excellent chiral resolution was achieved under the optimal conditions of β‐CDen 10 mM, pH 10, 200 mM borate buffer at 15 kV and 20°C within 20 min. Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied to the determination of the enantiomeric purity of the catalytic asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) reaction products.     

Metallophthalocyanines Bearing Polymerizable {[5‐({(1E)‐[4‐(Diethylamino)phenyl]methylene}amino)‐ 1‐naphthy1]oxy} Groups as Electrochemical Pesticide Sensor

The synthesis and characterization of novel metallophthalocyanines (MPcs(ea)) carrying {[5‐({(1E)‐[4‐(diethylamino)phenyl]methylene}amino)‐1‐naphthyl]oxy} groups on four peripheral positions have been reported. These complexes have been characterized by a combination of FT‐IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, mass and UV‐Vis spectroscopy techniques. Redox active metal centers in the core of the Pc rings (Co (II) [CoPc(ea)], Mn(III) [Cl–MnPc(ea)], and Ti(IV)O [TiOPc(ea)]) and electropolymerizable substituents on the peripheral positions of Pc rings were used to increase redox activity and electrochemically polymerization ability of the complexes. The redox properties of MPcs(ea) were determined with voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry techniques. Then, GCE/MPc(ea) electrodes were constructed with the electropolymerization of MPcs and these electrodes were tested as the pesticide sensors. Sensing studies indicated that type of the metal center of the complexes effectively influenced the sensing activities. While all complexes showed interaction abilities for the fenitrothion, parathion and eserine, GCE/CoPc(ea) electrode detected the parathion selectively with LOD value of 4.52×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ among studied three pesticides. Moreover, GCE/MnClPc(ea) electrode selectively detected eserine with LOD value of 6.43×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ and GCE/TiOPc(ea) electrode detected parathion with LOD value of 8.64×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³. All GCE/MPcs(ea) electrodes showed high sensitivity and wide linear ranges for those pesticides. These sensing data illustrated the usability of these modified electrodes in real samples such as seawater with good selectivity and sensitivity.     

Development of an Amperometric Biosensor for β‐N‐Oxalyl‐L‐α,β‐Diaminopropionic Acid (β‐ODAP)

An amperometric method for the determination of the neurotoxic amino acid β‐N‐oxalyl‐L ‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (β‐ODAP) using a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) is reported. The electrode material was bulk‐modified with manganese dioxide and used as a detector in flow injection analysis (FIA). The enzyme glutamate oxidase (GlOx) was immobilized in a Nafion‐film on the electrode surface. The performance of the biosensor was optimized using glutamate as an analyte. Optimum parameters were found as: operational potential 440 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), flow rate 0.2 mL min^?1, and carrier composition 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer (pH 7.75). The same conditions were used for the determination of β‐ODAP. The signal was linear within the concentration range 53–855 μmol L^?1 glutamate and 195–1950 μmol L^?1 β‐ODAP. Detection limits (as 3σ value) for both analytes were 9.12 and 111.0 μmol L^?1, respectively, with corresponding relative standard deviations of 3.3 and 4.5%. The biosensor retained more than 73% of its activity after 40 days of on‐line use.     

Electrochemical Determination of Fenitrothion Organophosphorus Pesticide Using Polyzincon Modified‐glassy Carbon Electrode

In this paper, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with polyzincon. The modified electrode was used as a simple, inexpensive and highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of organophosphorus pesticide fenitrothion. To fabricate the electrochemical sensor, GCE was immersed in 0.10 mmol L⁻¹ zincon solutions at pH 7.0 and then successively scanned between −1.00 to 2.20 V (vs . Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 70 mV s⁻¹ for six cycles. The morphology and structure of the polyzincon were studied with atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A comparison of the electrochemical behavior of fenitrothion on the unmodified and polyzincon modified‐GCE showed that in the modified electrode not only the oxidation peak current increased, but also the overpotential shifted to lower one. The experimental conditions such as sample solution pH, accumulation potential, and time were optimized. The differential pulse voltammetric responses of fenitrothion at potential about −0.60 V was used for the determination of fenitrothion. The peak current increased with increasing the concentration of fenitrothion in the range of 5 to 8600 nmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1.5 nmol L⁻¹. Finally, the electrochemical sensor was used for the analysis of fenitrothion in water and fruit samples.     

Application of Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with a Bilayer of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube and Polypyrrole Doped with Nitrazine Yellow for Voltammetric Determination of Naltrexone

A new sensitive electrochemical sensor was fabricated based on a layer by layer process. In this process the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is first coated by a thin film of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). In the next step, the electropolymerization of pyrrole in the presence of Nitrazine Yellow (NY) as a dopant anion is performed on the surface of the MWCNTs precoated electrode. The electrochemical response characteristics of the modified electrode toward naltrexone (NTX) were studied by means of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). A remarkable increase (～19 times) was observed in the anodic peak current of NTX on the surface of the modified electrode relative to the bare GCE. The effects of experimental parameters on the electrode response such as, drop size of the cast MWCNTs suspension, pH of the supporting electrolyte, accumulation conditions and the number of cycles in the electropolymerization process were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the modified electrode showed a wide linear response to the concentration of NTX in the range of 4.0×10^?8–1×10^?5 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 12 nmol L^?1. The prepared sensor exhibited high sensitivity, stability and good reproducibility for the determination of NTX. This sensor was successfully applied for the accurate determination of trace amounts of NTX in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.     

Simultaneous Determination of Nitrophenol Isomers Based on β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide

β‐CD modified reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets have been prepared and characterized by TEM, AFM, IR, EIS and CVs. In comparison with bare glass carbon electrode (GCE) and RGO modified GCE, CD‐RGO/GCE showed much higher peak currents to the reduction of nitrophenol isomers (NPs), attributed to the larger specific surface area of RGO and high quantities of host–guest recognition sites. Three pairs of redox peaks are observed on the CVs of CD‐RGO for p‐NP (0.3 V), o‐NP (?0.2 V) and m‐NP (0.05 V), separating well with each other. Under the optimized condition, the anodic peak currents were linear over ranges around 1–10 mg dm^?3 for p‐NP, 1–9 mg dm^?3 for o‐NP and 1–6 mg dm^?3 for m‐NP, with the detection limits of 0.05 mg dm^?3, 0.02 mg dm^?3 and 0.1 mg dm^?3, respectively. Thus, the CD‐RGO is expected to be a promising sensor material for detecting trace NPs in waste water.     

Fabrication of β‐Cyclodextrin/Glycine/Carbon Nanotubes Electrochemical Neurotransmitters Sensor – Application in Ultra‐sensitive Determination of DOPAC in Human Serum

In this work, an electrochemical sensor was constructed by applying two successive thin layers of glycine‐carbon nanotubes mixture and β‐cyclodextrin (CNTs‐Gly)/CD over glassy carbon electrode surface for some neurotransmitters determination. A host‐guest interaction between CD and neurotransmitters molecules is expected and resulted in enhanced sensitivity, selectivity and stability of sensor response. Other components of the sensor are crucial for the unique electrochemical response. Carbon nanotubes allowed large surface area for glycine distribution that provided hydrogen bonding to CD moieties and contributed to facilitated charge transfer. It was possible to determine 3,4‐dihydroxy phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) in the linear range of 0.1 μmol L⁻¹ to 80 μmol L⁻¹ with detection limit of 9.40 nmol L⁻¹, quantification limit of 31.5 nmol L⁻¹ and sensitivity of 4.16 μA/μmol L⁻¹. The proposed sensor was applied in synthetic cerebrospinal fluids samples using random standard addition method. Also, the proposed sensor was used to determine DOPAC in presence of common interferences and acceptable recovery results were achieved for its analysis in real blood serum. Figures of merit for (CNTs‐Gly)/CD composite in terms of precision, robustness, repeatability and reproducibility were reported.     

β‐Cyclodextrin‐Platinum Nanoparticles/Graphene Nanohybrids: Enhanced Sensitivity for Electrochemical Detection of Naphthol Isomers

Naphthol isomers, including α‐naphthol (α‐NAP) and β‐naphthol (β‐NAP), are used widely in various fields and are harmful to the environment and human health. The qualitative and quantitative determination of naphthol isomers is therefore of great significance. Herein, β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs)/graphene nanosheets (GNs) nanohybrids (β‐CD‐PtNPs/GNs) were prepared for the first time using a simple wet chemical method and characterized by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods, and then applied successfully in the ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of naphthol isomers. The results show that the oxidation peak currents of naphthol isomers obtained at the glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with β‐CD‐PtNPs/GNs are much higher than those at the β‐CD/GNs/GC, PtNPs/GNs/GC, GNs/GC, and bare GC electrodes. Additionally, compared with other electrochemical sensors developed previously, the proposed electrode results in improved detection limits of about one order of magnitude for α‐NAP (0.23 nM ) and three orders of magnitude for β ‐NAP (0.37 nM ).