Determination of organophosphate pesticides using an acetylcholinesterase-based biosensor based on a boron-doped diamond electrode modified with gold nanoparticles and carbon spheres

We report on a biosensor for organophosphate pesticides (OPs) by exploiting their inhibitory effect on the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). A boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode was modified with a nanocomposite prepared from carbon spheres (CSs; with an average diameter of 500 nm) that were synthesized from resorcinol and formaldehyde, and then were coated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by chemically growing them of the CSs. Compared to a bare BDD electrode, the electron transfer resistance is lower on this new electrode. Compared to an electrode without Au-NPs, the peak potential is negatively shifted by 42 mV, and the peak current is increased by 55 %. This is ascribed to the larger surface in the AuNP-CS nanocomposite which improves the adsorption of AChE, enhances its activity, and facilitates electrocatalysis. Under optimum conditions, the inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos is linearly related to the negative log of its concentration in the 10^?11 to 10^?7 M range, with a detection limit of 1.3?×?10^?13 M. For methyl parathion, the inhibition effect is linear in the 10^?12 to 10^?6 M range, and the detection limit is 4.9?×?10^?13 M. The biosensor exhibits good precision and acceptable operational and temporal stability.

A Sensitive Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Hemoglobin Immobilized on Gold Nanoparticles and 1,6-hexanedithiol Modified Gold Electrode

Hemoglobin (Hb) was successfully immobilized on a gold electrode modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via a molecule bridge 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT). The AFM images suggested that the HDT/gold electrode could adsorb more AuNPs. UV-vis spectra indicated that Hb on AuNPs/HDT film retained its near-native secondary structures. The electrochemical behaviors of the sensor were characterized with cyclic voltammetric techniques. The resultant electrode displayed an excellent electrocatalytical response to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The linear relationship existed between the catalytic current and the H₂O₂ concentration ranging from 5.0 × 10^?8 to 1.0 × 10^?6 mol · L^?1. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 1.0 × 10^?8 mol · L^?1.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin on a gold ion implantation-modified indium tin oxide electrode

In this paper, a gold nanoparticle-modified indium tin oxide electrode (Au/ITO) was prepared without the use of any cross-linker or stabilizer reagent. The prepared Au/ITO was used as a new platform to achieve the direct electron transfer between Hb and the modified electrode. The proposed electrode exhibited a pair of well-defined redox peaks with a formal potential of ?0.073 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The immobilized Hb showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward H₂O₂ and the electrocatalytic current values were linear with the increasing concentration of H₂O₂ ranging from 1.0?×?10^?6?M to 7.0?×?10^?4?M. The detection limit was 2.0?×?10^?7?M (S/N?=?3) and the Michaelis–Menten constant was calculated to be 0.2 mM. The proposed electrode also showed high selectivity, long-term stability, and good reproducibility.     

An H2O2 Biosensor Based on Immobilization of Horseradish Peroxidase Labeled Nano‐Au in Silica Sol‐Gel/Alginate Composite Film

Abstract

A novel approach to assemble an H₂O₂ amperometric biosensor was introduced. The biosensor was constructed by entrapping horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled nano‐scaled particulate gold (nano‐Au) (HRP‐nano‐Au electrostatic composite) in a new silica sol‐gel/alginate hybrid film using glassy carbon electrode as based electrode. This suggested strategy fully merged the merits of sol‐gel derived inorganic‐organic composite film and the nano‐Au intermediator. The silica sol‐gel/alginate hybrid material can improve the properties of conventional sol‐gel material and effectively prevent cracking of film. The entrapment of HRP in the form of HRP‐nano‐Au can not only factually prevent the leaking of enzyme out of the film but also provide a favorable microenvironment for HRP. With hydroquinone as an electron mediator, the proposed HRP electrode exhibited good catalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂. The parameters affecting both the qualities of sol‐gel/alginate hybrid film and the biosensor response were optimized. The biosensor exhibited high sensitivity of 0.40 Al mol^?1 cm^?2 for H₂O₂ over a wide linear range of concentration from 1.22×10^?5 to 1.46×10^?3 mol L^?1, rapid response of <5 s and a detection limit of 0.61×10^?6 mol L^?1. The enzyme electrode has remarkable stability and retained 86% of its initial activity after 45 days of storage in 0.1 mol L^?1 Tris‐HCl buffer solutions at pH 7.     

Facile Synthesis of Amino Shell-Magnetic Core Nanoparticles and Application for Direct Electrochemistry

This paper reports a core-shell nanoparticle system coated on the carbon paste electrode (CPE) for determination of hydrogen peroxide. The amino-functionalized shell-magnetic core nanoparticles have been proven to be an effective material for Hb immobilization. The core-shell nanoparticle system was constructed by immobilizing hemoglobin (Hb) on amino-functionalized shell@magnetic core composite nanoparticles (NH₂-SiO₂-CoFe₂O₄) with the bridge of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry were used to characterize the obtained biosensor. The Hb/AuNPs/NH₂-SiO₂-CoFe₂O₄/CPE showed a linear range from 1.9 × 10^?6 to 4.6 × 10^?3 M, with a detection limit of 6.3 × 10^?7 M (S/N = 3) under the optimized experimental conditions. A good affinity was shown due to the small apparent Michaelis–Menten constant of 2.68 mM.     

Determination of Oxytetracycline with a Gold Electrode Modified by Chitosan-Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Multilayer Films and Gold Nanoparticles

A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor was fabricated based on a gold electrode modified by chitosan-multiwalled carbon nanotube composite (CS-MWCNTs) multilayer films and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for convenient and sensitive determination of oxytetracycline (OTC). The multilayer of CS-MWCNTs composites and AuNPs were used to augment electronic transmission and sensitivity. The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized using OTC as the template molecule and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) as the functional monomer. They were modified on a gold electrode by electropolymerization. The electrochemical behavior of OTC at the imprinted sensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and amperometry. The molecularly imprinted sensor showed high selectivity and excellent stability toward OTC. The linear range was from 3.0 × 10^?8 to 8.0 × 10^?5 mol/L, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.7 × 10^?8 mol/L (S/N = 3). The developed sensor showed good recovery in spiked samples analysis.     

A Novel Nitric Oxide Cellular Biosensor Based on Red Blood Cells Immobilized on Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

We have developed a novel nitric oxide (NO) cellular biosensor based upon the immobilization of red blood cells (RBCs) onto nanometer‐size colloidal gold that is attached to an electrochemically pretreated glassy carbon electrode via the bridging of an ethylenediamine monolayer. The biosensor has been characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemistry. The immobilized RBCs display an excellent electrocatalytic response to nitric oxide. The electrocatalytic currents are proportional to the NO concentration in the range from 1.0×10^–8 to 1.0×10^–6 M and the detection limit is as low as 5.0×10^–9 M (S/N=3). Furthermore, the biosensor is very stable and relatively free of potential interference.     

Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor for uranium using deoxyribozymes with amplification by gold nanoparticles

A novel highly sensitive and specific electrochemical biosensor for detecting uranium based on specific Deoxyribozymes and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is reported. In this work, AuNPs provide excellent electrochemical signal transduction and a large surface area for immobilising numerous Deoxyribozymes, so a low detection limit of 3.24 ng L^?1 uranium and a good linear relationship over the range 5.94–35.1 ng L^?1 (r = 0.994) were obtained. The proposed biosensor presents high specificity and selectivity for uranium and is not affected by other metal ions. Thus, the biosensor protocol offers good selectivity, rapid speed and operational convenience for detection uranium in liquid waste.     

Self-assembly of ultra-small gold nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode for the enzyme-free detection of hydrogen peroxide

A novel enzyme-free electrochemical sensor for H₂O₂ was fabricated by modifying an indium tin oxide (ITO) support with (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane to yield an interface for the assembly of colloidal gold. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were then immobilized on the substrate via self-assembly. Atomic force microscopy showed the presence of a monolayer of well-dispersed AuNPs with an average size of ~4 nm. The electrochemical behavior of the resultant AuNP/ITO-modified electrode and its response to hydrogen peroxide were studied by cyclic voltammetry. This non-enzymatic and mediator-free electrode exhibits a linear response in the range from 3.0?×?10^?5 M to 1.0?×?10^?3 M (M?=?mol?·?L^?1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The limit of detection is as low as 10 nM (for S/N?=?3). The sensor is stable, gives well reproducible results, and is deemed to represent a promising tool for electrochemical sensing.

Simultaneous Voltammetric Detection of Salsolinol and Uric Acid in the Presence of High Concentration of Ascorbic Acid with Gold Nanoparticles/Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Composite Film Modified Electrode

This work demonstrates gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNT) composite film modified gold electrode via covalent‐bonding interaction self‐assembly technique for simultaneous determination of salsolinol (Sal) and uric Acid (UA) in the presence of high concentration of ascorbic acid (AA). In pH 7.0 PBS, the composite film modified electrode exhibits excellent voltammetric response for Sal and UA, while AA shows no voltammetric response. The oxidation peak current is linearly increased with concentrations of Sal from 0.24–11.76 μmol L^?1 and of UA from 3.36–96.36 μmol L^?1, respectively. The detection limits of Sal and UA is 3.2×10^?8 mol L^?1 and 1.7×10^?7 mol L^?1 , respectively.     

Development of a stable biosensor based on a SiO2 nanosheet–Nafion–modified glassy carbon electrode for sensitive detection of pesticides

SiO₂ nanosheets (SNS) have been prepared by a chemical method using montmorillonite as raw material and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. SiO₂ nanosheet–Nafion nanocomposites with excellent conductivity, catalytic activity, and biocompatibility provided an extremely hydrophilic surface for biomolecule adhesion. Chitosan was used as a cross-linker to immobilize acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and Nafion was used as a protective membrane to efficiently improve the stability of the AChE biosensor. The AChE biosensor showed favorable affinity for acetylthiocholine chloride and catalyzed the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine chloride with an apparent Michaelis–Menten constant of 134 μM to form thiocholine, which was then oxidized to produce a detectable and fast response. Based on the inhibition by pesticides of the enzymatic activity of AChE, detection of the amperometric response from thiocholine on the biosensor is a simple and effective way to biomonitor exposure to pesticides. Under optimum conditions, the biosensor detected methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, and carbofuran at concentrations ranging from 1.0?×?10^?12 to 1?×?10^?10?M and from 1.0?×?10^?10 to 1?×?10^?8?M. The detection limits for methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, and carbofuran were 5?×?10^?13?M. The biosensor developed exhibited good sensitivity, stability, reproducibility, and low cost, thus providing a new promising tool for analysis of enzyme inhibitors.

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.     

Synergetic effect of Prussian blue film with gold nanoparticle graphite–wax composite electrode for the enzyme-free ultrasensitive hydrogen peroxide sensor

Enzyme-free amperometric ultrasensitive determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was investigated using a Prussian blue (PB) film-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) graphite–wax composite electrode. A stable PB film was obtained on graphite surface through 2-aminoethanethiol (AET)-capped AuNPs by a simple approach. Field emission scanning electron microscope studies results in formation of PB nanoparticle in the size range of 60–80 nm. Surface modification of PB film on AET–AuNPs–GW composite electrode was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy studies. Highly sensitive determination of H₂O₂ at a peak potential of ?0.10 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 M KCl PBS, pH?=?7.0) at a scan rate of 20 mVs^?1 with a sensitivity of 23.58 μA/mM was observed with the modified electrode using cyclic voltammetry. The synergetic effect of PB film with AuNPs has resulted in a linear range of 0.05 to 7,800 μM with a detection limit of 0.015 μM for H₂O₂ detection with the present electrode. Chronoamperometric studies recorded for the successive additions of H₂O₂ with the modified electrode showed an excellent linearity (R ²?=?0.9932) in the range of 4.8?×?10^?8 to 7.4?×?10^?8 M with a limit of detection of 1.4?×?10^?8 M. Selective determination of H₂O₂ in presence of various interferents was successfully demonstrated. Human urine samples and stain remover solutions were also investigated for H₂O₂ content.     

Amperometric nitrite biosensor based on a gold electrode modified with cytochrome c on Nafion and Cu-Mg-Al layered double hydroxides

An amperometric biosensor for nitrite was prepared by immobilizing cytochrome c (Cyt c) on a gold electrode that was modified with Nafion and a Cu-Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (Cu-LDH). The Cu-LDH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The UV-visible spectrum suggests that Cyt c retains its native conformation in the modified film. The direct electrochemical investigation indicated that the composite film represents a good platform for the immobilization of Cyt c as well as an excellent promoter for the electron transfer between Cyt c and the gold electrode. Moreover, the biosensor showed a remarkable bioelectrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of nitrite with a linear range from 0.75 to 123 μM. The detection limit is 2?×?10^?7 M (S/N?=?3). The biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of nitrite in food samples.     

Electrocatalytic Behavior and Amperometric Detection of Morphine on ITO Electrode Modified with Directly Electrodeposited Gold Nanoparticles

A gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified indium tin oxide (ITO) film coated glass electrode was prepared via a novel electrochemical deposition technique. The UV‐visible spectrum and SEM indicated that the AuNPs on ITO electrode surface were spherical shape and quite symmetric distributed. The modified electrode exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the oxidation of morphine (MO). At optimal experimental condition, the oxidation current was responsive with the MO concentrations ranging from 8.0×10^?7 to 1.6×10^?5 M, the detection limit was 2.1×10 ^–7 M. The modified electrode also exhibited high stability and reproducibility. The average recoveries of detection MO in human urine were ranged between 91.95% and 92.23%, and the RSD was less than 3.68% (n=5).     

Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin Entrapped in Composite Electrodeposited Chitosan‐Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes and Nanogold Particles Membrane and Its Electrocatalytic Application

Hemoglobin was entrapped in composite electrodeposited chitosan‐multiwall carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) film by assembling gold nanoparticles and hemoglobin step by step. In phosphate buffer solution (pH 7), a pair of well‐defined and quasireversible redox peaks appeared with formal potential at ?0.289 V and peak separation of 100 mV. The redox peaks respected for the direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin at the surface of chitosan‐MCNTs‐gold nanoparticles modified electrode. The parameters of experiments have also been optimized. The composite electrode showed excellent electrocatalysis to peroxide hydrogen and oxygen, the peak current was linearly proportional to H₂O₂ concentration in the range from 1×10^?6 mol/L to 4.7×10^?4 mol/L with a detection limit of 5.0×10^?7 mol/L, and this biosensor exhibited high stability, good reproducibility and better selectivity. The biosensor showed a Michaelis–Menten kinetic response as H₂O₂ concentration is larger than 5.0×10^?4 mol/L, the apparent Michaelis–Menten constant for hydrogen peroxide was calculated to be 1.61 μmol/L.     

New method for preparation of polyoxometalate-capped gold nanoparticles, and their assembly on an indium-doped tin oxide electrode

Functionalized gold nanoparticles capped with polyoxometalates were prepared by a simple photoreduction technique where phosphododecamolybdates serve as reducing reagents, photocatalysts, and as stabilizers. TEM images of the resulting gold nanoparticles show the particles to have a relative narrow size distribution. Monolayer and multilayer structures of the negatively charged capped gold nanoparticles were deposited on a poly(vinyl pyridine)-derivatized indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) electrode via the layer-by-layer technique. The surface plasmon resonance band of the gold nanoparticles displays a blue shift on the surface of the ITO electrode. This is due to the substrate-induced charge redistribution in the gold nanoparticles and a change in the electromagnetic coupling between the assembled nanoparticles. The modified electrode exhibits the characteristic electrochemical behavior of surface-confined phosphododecamolybdate and excellent electrocatalytic activity. The catalysis of the modified electrode towards the model compound iodate was systematically studied. The heterogeneous catalytic rate constant for the electrochemical reduction of iodate was determined by chronoamperometry to be ca. 1.34?×?10⁵ mol^?1·L·s^?1. The amperometric method gave a linear range from 2.5?×?10^?6 to 1.5?×?10^?3 M and a detection limit of 1.0?×?10^?6 M. We believe that the functionalized gold nanoparticles prepared by this photoreduction technique are advantageous in terms of fabrication of sensitive and stable redox electrodes.

Electrochemical and Electrocatalytic Properties of Ferrocene Incorporated in L‐Cysteine Self‐Assembled Monolayers on a Gold Electrode

Abstract

The preparation of a gold electrode modified by aminylferrocene (FcAI) covalently bound to L‐cysteine self‐assembled monolayer (L‐Cys/Au SAM) was described, and characterized by cyclic voltammogram (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In pH 7.4 buffers, FcAI incorporated in L‐Cys/Au SAM gave a pair of well‐defined and quasi‐reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks at 0.109 vs. saturated calomel eletrode (SCE), characteristic of Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couples of the Fc. The apparent surface electron transfer rate constant is 6.86 s^?1 at the modified electrode. The immobilized Fc gave an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of epinephrine (EP). The catalytic current of EP vs. its concentration has a good linear relation in the range of 1.7×10^?7–1.0×10^?4 mol/L, with the correlation coefficient of 0.9975 and detection limit of 1.8×10^?8 mol/L. The modified electrode can be used for the determination of EP in practical injection. The method is simple, quick, sensitive, and accurate.     

Novel glucose biosensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with hollow gold nanoparticles and glucose oxidase

A novel glucose biosensor is presented as that based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNs) and glucose oxidase. The sensor exhibits a better differential pulse voltammetric response towards glucose than the one based on conventional gold nanoparticles of the same size. This is attributed to the good biological conductivity and biocompatibility of HGNs. Under the optimal conditions, the sensor displays a linear range from 2.0?×?10^?6 to 4.6?×?10^?5?M of glucose, with a detection limit of 1.6?×?10^?6?M (S/N?=?3). Good reproducibility, stability and no interference make this biosensor applicable to the determination of glucose in samples such as sports drinks.

Immobilization of Horseradish Peroxidase on a Biocompatible Titania Layer–Modified Gold Electrode for the Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

A procedure for fabricating an enzyme electrode has been described based on the effective immobilization of horseradish peroxidase to an ultrathin titania layer–modified self‐assembled gold electrode. The resulting electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytical activity to hydrogen peroxide in the presence of hydroquinone as a mediator. The analytical conditions were studied in detail by using an amperometric method. Under the optimized conditions, a detection limit of 7.1×10^?7 mol l^?1 and a linear response to hydrogen peroxide that ranged from 1×10^?6 mol l^?1 to 7.6×10^?4 mol l^?1 were obtained. The reproducibility and stability were examined with satisfactory results.