Electrochemical behavior of Inhcf in alkali metal electrolytes

The paper characterizes electrochemical properties of indium hexacyanoferrates (Inhcf). The cyclic voltammetric response in the presence of different metal alkali cations of divalent cations and of hydronium has been investigated. The Inhcf can exchange reversibly with all of these cations. This feature makes the Inhcf a good candidate for many electrochemical applications where a source or sink of metal cations is needed, e.g., electrochromic and energy storage devices. A prototype electrochromic system based on an Inhcf and Cohcf couple has been assembled and tested.     

Characterization of the GM1 pentasaccharide-Vibrio cholera toxin interaction using a carbohydrate-based electrochemical system

Antibody- or DNA-based electrochemical systems have been developed widely for several decades, while carbohydrate-based electrochemical systems have been rarely reported. Herein, we used an electrochemical detection system to understand the molecular relationships in carbohydrate-protein interactions that can provide useful information about biological processes in living organisms. This system was also helpful for the development of potent biomedical agents. Electrochemical detection was achieved through the observation of electrochemical response changes of ferrocyanide solution that resulted from the interaction of carbohydrate and protein using a modified GM1 pentasaccharide containing an anchoring thiol group that was directly immobilized on a gold electrode. As the concentration of the GM1 pentasaccharide increased, the current decreased gradually and saturated after 2 nM. We also found that the drop in current depended on the size of the carbohydrate (larger size of the carbohydrate denoted a higher slope of the current reduction), indicating that the current could be modulated by the molecular size of the carbohydrate as well as its concentration. This system was able to detect very low concentrations of carbohydrate (down to 20 fM), which highlighted the advantage of the electrochemical system. Interestingly, we found that a potential shift at the maximum current occurred upon interaction with cholera toxin proteins. By comparing results for different sizes of GM1 analogues, we surmise that the potential shift is closely associated with the specificity for the carbohydrate-protein interaction. Collectively, a carbohydrate-based electrochemical system can be leveraged for the facile and rapid analysis of carbohydrate-protein interactions.     

A pH-controllable electrochemical molecule switch employing a new electrochemical measurement system as switching transducer

A new design concept of electrochemical pH-controllable molecular switch is presented by utilizing a new electrochemical measurement system as switching transducer. A pH sensor is connected in series between the terminal points of the working and counters electrodes of a potentisostat, and immersed in the solution together with a reference electrode, establishing a novel electrochemical measurement system. In this system, the variation of pH-controllable interface potential at the pH-sensing film/solution interface can be converted to current response when amperometry technique is employed. Based on this unique current–potential relationship, a pH-controllable switch is designed to monitor the protonation and deprotonation reaction of pH-sensing molecule. The current direction interchanges between positive and negative via pH control, illustrating a reversible conformation transition between protonated state and deprotionated state of molecule. The magnitude of current value represents the degree of protonation and deprotonation reaction of molecule. The strategy is successfully demonstrated with a remarkably reversible polyaniline-based pH-controllable switch, which confirms the feasibility of the novel electrochemical measurement system as switching transducer for designing electrochemical pH-controllable switches. This study may open up a potential avenue to construct the electrochemical pH-controllable switches.     

环境响应的智能小分子有机凝胶材料

小分子有机凝胶(low molecule organogel,LMOG)是近年来逐渐发展起来的一类新型自组装材料,随着研究的深入,LMOG的功能化特别是对环境有智能响应的凝胶体系引起人们极大的研究兴趣。本文综述了4类智能响应的凝胶体系的研究进展,即: 光响应小分子凝胶体系,主要是凝胶因子内含有偶氮苯、二芳乙烯等光致变色基团;电化学响应小分子凝胶体系,主要是凝胶因子内含有四硫富瓦烯等电化学响应基团;离子(分子)响应的小分子凝胶体系,通过凝胶和客体离子(分子)间通过电荷转移或结构形变等形式实现响应;超声波响应小分子凝胶体系,在超声波外力的存在下,使分子结构以有利于形成分子间氢键的形式存在,从而形成稳定凝胶。     

溶剂对聚酰亚胺电化学行为的影响

运用电化学循环伏安等方法研究了有机溶剂对可溶性聚酰亚胺(PI)电化学行为的影响.结果表明,PI在一些溶剂中能进行电化学反应.红外光谱研究表明溶剂对PI电化学行为的影响主要取决于不同结构的溶剂与PI之间的相互作用.     

Development of the electrochemical biosensor for organophosphate chemicals using CNT/ionic liquid bucky gel electrode

Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) immobilized on CNT/ionic liquid (IL) electrodes were prepared by using three different intrinsic kinds of ILs, as binders. CNTs/ILs lead to dramatic electrochemical enhancements with respect to response time, stability, and sensitivity of composite electrodes. In addition, the electrochemical and biocatalytic properties of three-composite electrodes were strongly influenced by different types of ILs used, as verified by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. These results were attributed to the conformational changes of the microenvironment between the OPH and the composite electrodes within three different types of ILs. In particular, the biocatalytic signals of three OPH/CNT/ILs-modified electrodes increased linearly to the concentration of paraoxon in a wide range of 2–20 μM. These findings provide a deep understanding of the role of each IL on the modified electrodes, enabling to enhance electrochemical properties for biosensors.     

Parallel Detection of Different DNA Sequences on One Gold Electrode

Motivated by the potential of electrochemical techniques to analyze hybridization events fast and in a simple and cost‐effective way we present here a detection system allowing a parallel electrochemical DNA analysis. For this purpose different probe DNA strands have been immobilized on one electrode. By the use of two different target DNA sequences, both marked with the redox active methylene blue, we can show that hybridization with the complementary probe sh“NA strands can occur without steric hindrance. Each target has been recognized down to 3nM with a very high specificity of the sensor. In addition, we can detect two different ssDNA targets labeled with different redox active molecules, methylene blue and ferrocene, on one sensor surface simultaneously.     

Electroanalysis of D-Amino Acid Oxidase and Its Interaction with Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

We have first obtained the direct electrochemistry of D-amino acid oxidase with a polyethylenimine modified pyrolytic graphite electrode and the electrochemical response related to the catalytic reaction to the substrates. Further studies reveal that the enzyme may exhibit different substrate specificity. Taking D-serine as a model, we have also presented an electrochemical method to detect this amino acid and have studied the effect of hydrogen peroxide on the catalytic activity of this enzyme. It is found that hydrogen peroxide can lower the enzymatic activity of this enzyme.     

单个Nafion@Ru和Au-Nafion@Ru纳米粒子的电化学和电化学发光碰撞行为研究

通过静电作用在Nafion和Au-Nafion纳米粒子(NPs)上负载钌联吡啶(Ru(bpy)₃²⁺)分别制得Nafion@Ru和Au-Nafion@Ru NPs.分析并比较了Au-Nafion@Ru和Nafion@Ru NPs在金超微电极(Au UME)上随机碰撞产生电流响应峰的平均峰大小、峰电量和单峰持续时间,建立了以Au-Nafion@Ru NPs为主体的电化学碰撞体系.研究结果表明,制备的Au-Nafion@Ru NPs因其特殊结构,Nafion和AuNPs的共同参与增加了NPs与Au UME的有效接触或碰撞面积,产生了更强的电化学碰撞响应信号.在Au-Nafion@Ru NPs-三正丙胺(TPrA)体系中,同时使用电流-时间曲线和电化学发光(ECL)-时间曲线监测Au-Nafion@Ru NPs碰撞Au UME产生的电化学和ECL瞬变信号,建立了单个Au-Nafion@Ru NPs-TPrA在Au UME上瞬变电化学信号与ECL信号之间的相关性.该策略为研究其他分子电化学碰撞体系提供了思路.     

Electrochemical sensing in microfluidic systems using electrogenerated chemiluminescence as a photonic reporter of redox reactions

This paper describes a microfluidics-based sensing system that relies on electrochemical detection and electrogenerated chemiluminescent (ECL) reporting. The important result is that the ECL reporting reaction is chemically decoupled from the electrochemical sensing reaction. That is, the electrochemical sensing reaction does not participate directly in the ECL process, but because electrochemical cells require charge balance, the sensing and ECL reactions are electrically coupled. This provides a convenient and sensitive means for direct photonic readout of electrochemical reactions that do not directly participate in an ECL reaction and thus broadens the spectrum of redox compounds that can be detected by ECL. The approach can be implemented in either a two-electrode or bipolar (single-electrode) configuration. By manipulating the placement and dimensions of the conductors, the photonic response can be enhanced. The system is used to electrochemically detect benzyl viologen present in solution and report its presence via Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) luminescence.     

虚拟恒电位仪的研制及其在腐蚀电化学测量中的应用

恒电位仪是腐蚀电化学测量最重要的基本设备.虚拟恒电位仪用图形程序软件取代复杂硬件来实现恒电位功能.它的结构和参数灵活,构建简单,能满足多方面腐蚀电化学测试方法的需求,虚拟恒电位仪的实现是发展虚拟腐蚀电化学仪器的重要步骤.本文采用LabVIEW 2010编程系统和比例-积分-微分(PID)控制技术,研制了虚拟恒电位仪,并组建了VEC11-A腐蚀电化学测试系统,该系统能满足不同阻抗体系的腐蚀电化学测试需求.其腐蚀电位、稳态极化曲线、线性极化曲线、循环伏安、动电位扫描、恒电位阶跃等常规腐蚀电化学测量结果与2263电化学测试系统相近,能够满足常规腐蚀电化学测试要求,具有很大的发展空间.     

Feasibility studies for the detection of volatile organic compounds in the gas phase using microelectrode sensors

The use of microelectrode sensors to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air is demonstrated. In general, VOCs that oxidize easily to form protons gave a larger electrochemical response. The use of voltammetry for speciation and the effect of electrode size on the electrochemical response are discussed. We demonstrate that surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be used to monitor the electrochemical reactions in situ and discuss its applicability in identifying the electroactive species.     

Electrochemical Study and Direct Determination of Adenosine‐5′‐Monophosphate Coupled to 6‐Thioguanosine and a Glassy Carbon Modified Electrode with Gold Nanoparticles

The direct accumulation of 6‐thioguanosine (6‐TG) and its electrochemistry has been studied by cyclic voltammetry in different conditions physical and chemical. In a first moment the surface of electrode was modified with gold nanoparticles. This modification was realized by electrodeposition on the active surface of a glassy carbon electrode with a HAuCl₄ solution. The nucleotide 6‐thioguanosine was deposited in this gold nanoparticles monolayer. The study of accumulation of other nucleotide, adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP), was realized by the direct reaction with 6‐TG deposited. The conditions of the reaction and its electrochemical response were tested to fix the ideal conditions of its determination. The ideal conditions of formation of the monolayer and its electrochemical response were studied; the possibility of preconcentration of 6‐TG nucleotide in gold nanoparticles, the possibility of catalysis and limits of identification and quantification were also determined. The method proposed can be applied in direct determination of oligonucleotides. In this respect we applied it in the determination of AMP in a commercial product of infantile nutrition.     

Effect of the Dispersing Agent on the Electrochemical Response of Glassy Carbon Electrodes Modified with Dispersions of Carbon Nanotubes

The electrochemical response of a glassy carbon electrode modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT) dispersed in two solvents, water and DMF, and two polymers, chitosan and Nafion is reported. The films were homogeneous when the dispersing agent was water or DMF. In the case of polymers, the surfaces present areas with different density of CNTs. A more sensitive electrochemical response was obtained when CNTs are dispersed in the solvents. In the case of CNT dispersed with polymers, the nature of the polymer demonstrated to be a critical parameter not only for dispersing the nanotubes but also for the electrochemical activity of the resulting electrodes.     

高阻抗电化学体系恒电位脉冲暂态过程研究

提出一套恒电位脉冲测量暂态电流的技术,通过累加生成处理,可大大降低曲线的噪声,再由非等间距的差分处理,可对电化学体系时间常数作出简便的判定,还分析了脉冲幅度以及溶液电阻的作用,并在Fe/H_3BO_3＋Na_2B_4O_7体系和碳钢／砂土体系中对该方法进行了验证。     

A novel electrochemical SPR biosensor

In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time that upon electrochemical oxidation/reduction, the transition in the conductivity of polyaniline (PAn) film on gold electrode surface leads to a large change of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) response due to a change in the imaginary part of dielectric constant of PAn film. Based on the amplifying response of SPR to the redox transformation of PAn film as a direct result of the enzymatic reaction between horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and PAn in the presence of H₂O₂, a novel PAn-mediated HRP sensor has been fabricated. The electrochemical SPR biosensor, unlike a usual binding assay with SPR, can afford a larger SPR response, and can also be reused by reducing the PAn film electrochemically to its reduced state. This method opens up a new route to the fabrication of SPR biosensor.     

Morphology evolution of ZnO by controlling solvent and electrochemical sensing of hexagonal nanotablets toward amines

Organic amines are important solvent and raw material in laboratory and industry, as well as releasing from cigarette smoke. It is significant to detect low-concentration amines for environment and public health. Here we reported that as-synthesized zinc oxide is an effective electrode material of electrochemical sensor for the detection of amines. The characterization results reveal that the ZnO morphologies experienced a change from hexagonal bowl-like microparticles, cones, prisms to nanoparticles by adjusting the reaction time, temperature, solvents and additives. Interestingly, ZnO material possessing hexagonal shapes and different sizes exhibits distinct electrochemical response in various amines solution, suggesting that there is a better dependent relationship between different morphological ZnO and amines detection. Particularly, regular hexagonal ZnO nanotablets exhibit a detectable electrochemical response and selectivity to ammonia, implying it can be serve as electrode material for highly effective detection of organic amines.     

Development of polypyrrole (nano)structures decorated with gold nanoparticles toward immunosensing for COVID-19 serological diagnosis

The rapid and reliable detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroconversion in humans is crucial for suitable infection control. In this sense, many studies have focused on increasing the sensibility, lowering the detection limits and minimizing false negative/positive results. Thus, biosensors based on nanoarchitectures of conducting polymers are promising alternatives to more traditional materials since they can hold improved surface area, higher electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity. In this work, we reported the analytical comparison of two different conducting polymers morphologies for the development of an impedimetric biosensor to monitor SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in humans. Biosensors based on polypyrrole (PPy), synthesized in both globular and nanotubular (NT) morphology, and gold nanoparticles are reported, using a self-assembly monolayer of 3-mercaptopropionic acid and covalently linked SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein. First, the novel hybrid materials were characterized by electron microscopy and electrochemical measurements, and the biosensor step-by-step construction was characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. As a proof of concept, the biosensor was used for the impedimetric detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein monoclonal antibodies. The results showed a linear response for different antibody concentrations, good sensibility and possibility to quantify 7.442 and 0.4 ng/mL of monoclonal antibody for PPy in the globular and NT morphology, respectively. The PPy-NTs biosensor was able to discriminate serum obtained from COVID-19 positive versus negative clinical samples and is a promising tool for COVID-19 immunodiagnostic, which can contribute to further studies concerning rapid, efficient, and reliable detections.     

A method for characterization of sea surface microlayer based on monolayer properties in presence and absence of phospholipids

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, ac voltammetry and fractal analysis were used to characterize model compounds, compound mixtures and extracted samples of sea surface microlayer (ssm) und underlying water (ulw). The reasons for carrying out this work were to use the scientific basis of these characterizations in future on-line analytical procedures of ssm. The mercury (Hg) drop electrode uncoated and coated with a monolayer of dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) was used as an experimental basis for investigation of the major sea surface film forming material. Firstly, the interaction of the uncoated and DOPC coated Hg electrode with model water insoluble compounds of increasing polarity was investigated. The compounds studied in order of increasing polarity were: nonadecane, stearic acid, cholesterol and cardiolipin. Subsequently the electrochemical response of the system to different ssm extracts was compared to signals observed with model compounds to demonstrate method selectivity. From the electrochemical results, it is observed that both the molecular structure and polarity of the investigated compounds have a role in their interaction with the uncoated and DOPC coated electrode. In the fractal analysis the increase above 2 of fractal dimension D imparted to the DOPC layer is related to the degree of apolarity of the additive model compound. Consistent with this, the more apolar hexane extracted ssm 2 imparts a fractal dimension D value of 2.45 when incorporated in DOPC layers. The electrochemical response to the ssm and ulw follows that characteristic of sterol compounds.     

Electrochemical manipulation of localised pH: application to electroanalysis

The electrochemical manipulation of the local pH at a polymer functionalised electrode has been achieved in order to enhance the electrochemical response to cationic analytes. The changes in pH have been shown to provide a method for significantly enhancing the analytical signal towards the model compounds, dopamine and p-aminophenol. The procedure was found to operate irrespective of the electrical properties of the film. The main requirement for this electroanalytical system is that the film contains acidic groups within the polymer backbone. In the carboxylic acid functionalised polypyrrole film studied here, the performance was found to be greatest when the bulk solution pH was less than the pK_a of the acid groups. The mechanism attributed to the enhanced response is elucidated and the limitations of the technique are assessed.