Pt nanoparticles modified Au nanowire array for amperometric and potentiometric detection of glucose

A new glucose biosensor, based on the modification of highly ordered Au nanowire arrays (ANs) with Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) and subsequent surface adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOx), is described. Morphologies of ANs and ANs/PtNPs were observed by scanning electron microscope. The electrochemical properties of ANs, ANs/GOx, ANs/PtNPs, and ANs/PtNPs/GOx electrodes were compared by cyclic voltammetry. Results obtained from comparison of the cyclic voltammograms show that PtNPs modification enhances electrochemical catalytic activity of ANs to H₂O₂. Hence, ANs/PtNPs/GOx biosensor exhibits much better sensing to glucose than ANs/GOx. Optimum deposition time of ANs/PtNPs/GOx biosensor for both amperometric and potentiometric detection of glucose was achieved to be 150 s at deposition current of 1?×?10^?6 A. A sensitivity of 0.365 μA/mM with a linear range from 0.1 to 7 mM was achieved for amperometric detection; while for potentiometric detection the sensitivity is 33.4 mV/decade with a linear range from 0.1 to 7 mM.     

Biocatalytic metal nanopatterning through enzyme-modified microelectrodes

The formation of narrow-size distribution nanomaterials on surfaces in defined patterns is a research area of great interest due to its relevance in many applications such as catalysis, optoelectronics, and sensing devices. Patterning surface with nanostructures has been achieved by numerous techniques including electron-beam lithography, microcontact printing, constructive lithography, and different scanning probe microscopy techniques. Here, we present a different approach by which gold patterns are formed by an enzyme-catalyzed reaction followed by a surface-catalyzed process. Our study takes the advantage of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) where the tip is modified with an enzyme and generates a reductant. The latter participates in an electroless deposition reaction, where AuCl₄⁻ is reduced catalyzed by a Pd surface. The result is local deposition of gold patterns made of nanoparticles as soon as the reductant generated by the tip, i.e., hydroquinone, approaches the Pd surface. Two enzymes were used: glucose oxidase (GOx) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The entire process was carefully studied and optimized, which enabled a good control of the patterns formed.

     

一步法制备钯纳米粒子修饰的多孔金电极及其对溶解氧的电催化

建立了只需一步操作即可完成在抛光洗净的金微盘阵列电极上进行多孔化处理和钯纳米粒子修饰的方法。通过对金微盘电极连续施加3个电位,分别实现金的氧化、金的还原和电沉积钯纳米粒子。利用扫描电镜和电化学方法监控制备过程,得到的结果证实了本方法的可行性和有效性。考察了溶液pH值与氧化时间对结果的影响,在磷酸盐缓冲溶液(pH7)中氧化90s,得到的修饰电极的电化学活性面积是裸电极的42倍。同时,由于整个过程不需要更换溶液,且只需开启一次仪器,大大简化了实验操作。将制备的修饰电极用于溶解氧的电催化,对溶解氧的灵敏度达到0.1mA·L/(cm2·mg),优于文献报道结果。     

Printing graphene-carbon nanotube-ionic liquid gel on graphene paper: Towards flexible electrodes with efficient loading of PtAu alloy nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing of blood glucose

The increasing demands for portable, wearable, and implantable sensing devices have stimulated growing interest in innovative electrode materials. In this work, we have demonstrated that printing a conductive ink formulated by blending three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene–carbon nanotube (CNT) assembly with ionic liquid (IL) on two-dimensional (2D) graphene paper (GP), leads to a freestanding GP supported graphene–CNT–IL nanocomposite (graphene–CNT–IL/GP). The incorporation of highly conductive CNTs into graphene assembly effectively increases its surface area and improves its electrical and mechanical properties. The graphene–CNT–IL/GP, as freestanding and flexible substrates, allows for efficient loading of PtAu alloy nanoparticles by means of ultrasonic-electrochemical deposition. Owing to the synergistic effect of PtAu alloy nanoparticles, 3D porous graphene–CNT scaffold, IL binder and 2D flexible GP substrate, the resultant lightweight nanohybrid paper electrode exhibits excellent sensing performances in nonenzymatic electrochemical detection of glucose in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and mechanical properties.     

Fabrication and characterization of single-crystalline ZnTe nanowire arrays

Semiconductor ZnTe nanowire arrays have been synthesized by the pulsed electrochemical deposition from aqueous solutions into porous anodic alumina membranes. X-ray diffraction analyses show that the as-synthesized nanowires have a highly preferential orientation. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicate that high-filling, ordered, and single-crystalline nanowire arrays have been obtained. The optical absorption spectra of the nanowire arrays show that the optical absorption band edge of the ZnTe nanowire array exhibits a blue shift compared with that of bulk ZnTe. The growth mechanism and the electrochemical deposition process are discussed together with the chemical compositions analysis.     

钯纳米线电极的制备及其应用于乙醇的电化学氧化研究

纳米线作为纳米科学领域中的重要一员,因其优异的光学、电学及磁学等特性引起了凝聚态物理学界、化学界以及材料科学界科学家们的极大关注,并己成为当今纳米科技研究的热点领域[1].纳米线的制备方法有多种,本文提及的模板法制备纳米线结构技术是20世纪90年代初发展起来的一种既经济又简便实用的新工艺[2].     

Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of processed, ultrathin, supported Pd-Pt core-shell nanowire catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction

We report on the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical performance of novel, ultrathin Pt monolayer shell-Pd nanowire core catalysts. Initially, ultrathin Pd nanowires with diameters of 2.0 ± 0.5 nm were generated, and a method has been developed to achieve highly uniform distributions of these catalysts onto the Vulcan XC-72 carbon support. As-prepared wires are activated by the use of two distinctive treatment protocols followed by selective CO adsorption in order to selectively remove undesirable organic residues. Subsequently, the desired nanowire core-Pt monolayer shell motif was reliably achieved by Cu underpotential deposition followed by galvanic displacement of the Cu adatoms. The surface area and mass activity of the acid and ozone-treated nanowires were assessed, and the ozone-treated nanowires were found to maintain outstanding area and mass specific activities of 0.77 mA/cm(2) and 1.83 A/mg(Pt), respectively, which were significantly enhanced as compared with conventional commercial Pt nanoparticles, core-shell nanoparticles, and acid-treated nanowires. The ozone-treated nanowires also maintained excellent electrochemical durability under accelerated half-cell testing, and it was found that the area-specific activity increased by ~1.5 fold after a simulated catalyst lifetime.     

Electrochemical fabrication of metal/organic/metal junctions for molecular electronics and sensing applications

A simple electrochemical approach was used for fabricating electrode/metal nanowire/(molecule or polymer)/electrode junctions for sensing or molecular electronics applications. The procedure for fabricating these molecule-based devices involves electropolymerization of phenol or chemisorption of alkanethiols on one set of electrodes (E1) and electrodeposition of Ag metal nano/microwires on a second electrode (E2) which is ～5 μm away from E1. Under appropriate deposition conditions, Ag nanowires grow from E2 and cross over to E1, forming a E1/(molecule or polymer)/Ag nanowire (NW)/E2 junction. The junction resistance was controlled by (1) electrodepositing polyphenol of varied densities on E1 and (2) assembling alkanethiols of different chain lengths on E1. Ag NWs at high resistance E1/polyphenol/Ag NW/E2 junctions functionalized with Pd monolayer protected clusters (MPCs) responded fast and reversibly to H(2) concentrations as low as 0.11% in a nitrogen carrier gas by a resistance decrease, likely due to volume expansion of the Pd nanoparticles, demonstrating the use of these electrochemically fabricated junctions for gas sensing applications.     

Freestanding mesoporous quasi-single-crystalline CO3O4 nanowire arrays

We report a facile template-free method for the large-area growth of freestanding hollow Co3O4 nanowire arrays on a variety of substrates including transparent conducting glass, Si wafer, and copper foil, et al. These nanowires have the interesting combined properties of mesoporosity and quasi-single-crystallinity. With their high surface area and crystallinity, and their direct growth on conductive substrate, these Co3O4 nanowire arrays will have promising applications in lithium-ion batteries, chemical sensing, and field-emission and electrochromic devices. Using the prepared nanowire arrays as electrode, an electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide sensing has been demonstrated.     

Edge plane sites on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite as templates for making palladium nanowires via electrochemical decoration

An approach for the fabrication of metal nanowires is presented. Palladium wires with diameters less than 50 nm were produced by electrochemical decoration of step edge sites on the surface of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite via the following three steps. First an electrochemical activation step was used to oxidize the edge plane sites on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surfaces in 0.5 M Na(2)SO(4). Second, a potential cycling step in a 1 mM PdCl(2) solution in 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) was used to form palladium oxide (s) and/or complexes of Pd on the step edges. Third, Pd nanowires were formed by electroreduction after transfer of the graphite to 0.1 M H(2)SO(4). The resulting wires showed a high degree of uniformity. A merit of this approach is that it allowed metal nanowires to be fabricated without the simultaneous formation of nanoparticles on the basal plane terraces, in contrast to other studies of this type. The mesoscopic palladium wires are shown to be useful for the electrochemical sensing of hydrazine.     

Single‐Step Reagentless Laser Scribing Fabrication of Electrochemical Paper‐Based Analytical Devices

A single‐step laser scribing process is used to pattern nanostructured electrodes on paper‐based devices. The facile and low‐cost technique eliminates the need for chemical reagents or controlled conditions. This process involves the use of a CO₂ laser to pyrolyze the surface of the paperboard, producing a conductive porous non‐graphitizing carbon material composed of graphene sheets and composites with aluminosilicate nanoparticles. The new electrode material was extensively characterized, and it exhibits high conductivity and an enhanced active/geometric area ratio; it is thus well‐suited for electrochemical purposes. As a proof‐of‐concept, the devices were successfully employed for different analytical applications in the clinical, pharmaceutical, food, and forensic fields. The scalable and green fabrication method associated with the features of the new material is highly promising for the development of portable electrochemical devices.     

Electroless Deposition of Nickel Nanowire and Nanotube Arrays as Supports for Pt-Pd Catalyst for Ethanol Electrooxidation

Nickel nanowire and nanotube arrays as supports for Pt-Pd catalyst were prepared by electroless deposition with anodic aluminum oxide template. Pt-Pd composite catalyst was deposited on the arrays by displacement reaction. SEM images show that the nickel nanowires have an average diameter of 100 nm and the nickel nanotubes have an average inner diameter of 200 nm. EDS scanning reveals that elemental Pt and Pd disperse uniformly on the arrays. Cyclic voltammetry study indicates that the nickel nanotube array loaded with Pt-Pd possesses a higher electrochemical activity for ethanol oxidation than the nickel nanowire array with Pt-Pd.     

Porous Si-Cu3Si-Cu Microsphere@C Core–Shell Composites with Enhanced Electrochemical Lithium Storage

Low-cost Si-based anode materials with excellent electrochemical lithium storage present attractive prospects for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, porous Si-Cu₃Si-Cu microsphere@C composites are designed and prepared by means of an etching/electroless deposition and subsequent carbon coating. The composites show a core–shell structure, with a porous Si/Cu microsphere core surrounded by the N-doped carbon shell. The Cu and Cu₃Si nanoparticles are embedded inside porous silicon microspheres, forming the porous Si/Cu microsphere core. The microstructure and lithium storage performance of porous Si-Cu₃Si-Cu microsphere@C composites can be effectively tuned by changing electroless deposition time. The Si-Cu₃Si-Cu microsphere@C composite prepared with 12 min electroless deposition delivers a reversible capacity of 627 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹, showing an enhanced lithium storage ability. The superior lithium storage performance of the Si-Cu₃Si-Cu microsphere@C composite can be ascribed to the improved electronic conductivity, enhanced mechanical stability, and better buffering against the large volume change in the repeated lithiation/delithiation processes.     

Porous Si/TiO2 nanowire photoanode for photoelectric catalysis under simulated solar light irradiation

Porous Si/TiO₂ nanowire photoanodes were prepared by a combination of hydrothermal synthesis and metal‐assisted chemical etching. Characterization of samples was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction, the results showing that a porous Si/TiO₂ heterojunction structure was synthesized. Diffuse reflection spectra show that the porous Si/TiO₂ nanowire photoanodes have a strong absorption. Photocurrent measurement shows that the photocurrent of the porous Si/TiO₂ nanowire photoanodes at 6 h is higher than that of others in the measuring region. The photoelectric catalysis (PEC) activities of porous Si/TiO₂ nanowire photoanodes were evaluated in degradation experiments of methylene blue under simulated solar light irradiation, and the sample at 6 h shows the highest PEC activity. Meanwhile, the PEC activity of the porous Si/TiO₂ nanowire photoanode is higher than that of the single direct photocatalysis process or electric catalysis. The mechanism of the PEC of the porous Si/TiO₂ nanowire photoanodes has been explained.     

Facile Synthesis and in situ TEM Observation of Nanoporous Pd for Enhanced Catalytic Applications

A facile, efficient and green photochemical synthetic approach has been used to prepare sponge‐like porous Pd nanoparticles. Obtained by ultraviolet irradiation using a K₂PdCl₄ precursor solution, the final products exhibited three dimensionally interconnected porous structures made up of ~3.6 nm sized Pd nanoparticles. In situ liquid cell TEM results indicated such porous structures are in a dynamic stable state when the particles are distributed in aqueous solution. The porous Pd nanoparticles exhibited electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of up to 43 m²·g^–1 and mass activity of 1144 mA·mg^–1 in menthol oxidation, k_app of 0.22 min^–1 and normalized k_app/m (k_n) of 8.3×10⁴ min^–1·g^–1 in 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) reduction reactions. Comparing with the literature, it is demonstrated that our porous Pd nanoparticles with clean surfaces exhibited very high catalytic performances. This work may shed a light on facile and green synthesis of noble‐metal particles with better catalytic performances.     

High Electrocatalytic Activity of Pt–Pd Binary Spherocrystals Chemically Assembled in Vertically Aligned TiO2 Nanotubes

To obtain noble metal catalysts with high efficiency, long‐term stability, and poison resistance, Pt and Pd are assembled in highly ordered and vertically aligned TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) by means of the pulsed‐current deposition (PCD) method with assistance of ultrasonication (UC). Here, Pd serves as a dispersant which prevents agglomeration of Pt. Thus Pt–Pd binary catalysts are embed into TiO₂ NTs array under UC in sunken patterns of composite spherocrystals (Sps). Owing to this synthesis method and restriction by the NTs, the these catalysts show improved dispersion, more catalytically active sites, and higher surface area. This nanotubular metallic support material with good physical and chemical stability prevents catalyst loss and poisoning. Compared with monometallic Pt and Pd, the sunken‐structured Pt–Pd spherocrystal catalyst exhibits better catalytic activity and poison resistance in electrocatalytic methanol oxidation because of its excellent dispersion. The catalytic current density is enhanced by about 15 and 310 times relative to monometallic Pt and Pd, respectively. The poison resistance of the Pt–Pd catalyst was 1.5 times higher than that of Pt and Pd, and they show high electrochemical stability with a stable current enduring for more than 2100 s. Thus, the TiO₂ NTs on a Ti substrate serve as an excellent support material for the loading and dispersion of noble metal catalysts.     

Non‐Enzymatic Electrochemical Detection of Glucose with a Gold Nanowire Array Electrode

High‐performance electrodes for in vivo electrochemical detection of glucose (GO) are highly desirable. In this work, we propose a new approach to efficiently and precisely prepare a Au nanowire array electrode (ANAE) with a line width of 78 nm and a large sensor area of 60 mm×60 mm for GO detection. In this approach three techniques, i.e., vacuum sputtering‐deposition, holography photolithography, and argon ion‐beam etching, are integrated. The fabricated ANAE exhibits good performance for GO detection. A linear amperometric response to the oxidation of GO in a concentration range of 0.4–10 mM is observed. The ANAE is characterized by its high detection sensitivity, selectivity, stability and good biocompatibility. All of these make it a promising tool for GO detection and other relevant applications.     

Mimicking both petal and lotus effects on a single silicon substrate by tuning the wettability of nanostructured surfaces

We describe a new method of fabricating large-area, highly scalable, "hybrid" superhydrophobic surfaces on silicon (Si) substrates with tunable, spatially selective adhesion behavior by controlling the morphologies of Si nanowire arrays. Gold (Au) nanoparticles were deposited on Si by glancing-angle deposition, followed by metal-assisted chemical etching of Si to form Si nanowire arrays. These surfaces were chemically modified and rendered hydrophobic by fluorosilane deposition. Au nanoparticles with different size distributions resulted in the synthesis of Si nanowires with very different morphologies (i.e., clumped and straight nanowire surfaces). The difference in nanowire morphology is attributed to capillary force-induced nanocohesion, which is due to the difference in nanowire porosity. The clumped nanowire surface demonstrated the lotus effect, and the straighter nanowires demonstrated the ability to pin water droplets while maintaining large contact angles (i.e., the petal effect). The high contact angles in both cases are explained by invoking the Cassie-Baxter wetting state. The high adhesion behavior of the straight nanowire surface may be explained by a combination of attractive van der Waals forces and capillary adhesion. We demonstrate the spatial patterning of both low- and high-adhesion superhydrophobicity on the same substrate by the simultaneous synthesis of clumped and straight silicon nanowires. The demonstration of hybrid superhydrophobic surfaces with spatially selective, tunable adhesion behavior on single substrates paves the way for future applications in microfluidic channels, substrates for biologically and chemically based analysis and detection where it is necessary to analyze a particular droplet in a defined location on a surface, and as a platform to study in situ chemical mixing and interfacial reactions of liquid pearls.     

An enhanced Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Glucose Sensor Based on Copper‐Palladium Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Novel copper‐palladium nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrodes (Cu−Pd/GC) with enhanced nonenzymatic sensing for glucose were facilely prepared by one‐step electrodeposition. The structure and composition of the prepared nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and EDS, respectively. The electrode modified process was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric experiments were used to evaluate the electrocatalytic activities of the electrodes toward glucose. The surface morphology and the electrocatalytic activities of Cu−Pd/GC was compared to Pd and Cu nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrodes (Pd/GC and Cu/GC), respectively. Thanks to homogeneous distribution of Cu−Pd nanoparticles and the synergistic effect of Cu and Pd atoms, Cu−Pd/GC exhibited the highest sensitivity (298 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²) and the widest linear amperometric response (0.01 mM to 9.6 mM, R²=0.996) toward glucose compared to Pd/GC and Cu/GC. The detection limit of Cu−Pd/GC was 0.32 μM (S/N=3). In addition, the as‐prepared Cu−Pd/GC glucose sensor also exhibited exceptional capabilities of anti‐interference, reproducibility and long‐term stability. The as‐prepared sensor was also evaluated for determination of glucose concentration in human blood serum samples, which exhibited high reliability and accuracy, having great potential in clinical application.     

Modification of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays with palladium nanoparticles for electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen

A novel type of palladium nanoparticles-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite-electrode with electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction is presented. The nanocomposite was prepared by magnetron sputtering deposition with Pd in Ar atmosphere on MWNTs, which were synthesized on Ta plates by chemical vapor deposition. Both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to observe the surface morphology. The Pd nanoparticles, with diameters around 5 nm, are dispersed at the tips and on the sidewalls of the MWNTs. Voltammetry, amperometry and electrochemical impedance measurements were used to demonstrate the strong electrocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite in acid solution. Compared to the bare MWNT electrode, the PdNPs/MWNT nanocomposite shows a positive shift of the O₂ reduction current at onset potentials from +400 to +500 mV, a concurrent 1.5-fold increase in the O₂ reduction peak current with high stability. The successful preparation of PdNPs/MWNTs nanocomposite by magnetron sputtering deposition opens a new path for an efficient dispersion of promising nanoparticles for fuel cells and O₂ sensors.