Assembly of layer-by-layer films of heme proteins and single-walled carbon nanotubes: electrochemistry and electrocatalysis

After being treated by mixed acids, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were shortened and had negatively charged groups on the surface. Positively charged hemoglobin or myoglobin at pH 5.0 was successfully assembled with SWNTs into layer-by-layer films on solid surfaces, designated as {SWNT/protein} _n . While only those proteins in the first few bilayers closest to the electrode surface exhibited electroactivity, the {SWNT/protein} _n films demonstrated a much higher fraction of electroactive proteins and better controllability in film construction compared with cast films of the proteins and carbon nanotubes. The proteins in the {SWNT/protein} _n films retained their near-native structure at medium pH. The stable protein film electrode showed good electrocatalytic properties toward reduction of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, demonstrating the potential application of the {SWNT/protein} _n films as a new type of biosensor based on the direct electrochemistry of proteins without using mediators. Figure Cyclic voltammograms at 0.2 V s⁻¹ in pH 7.0 buffers with different number of bilayers (n) for layer-by-layer {single-walled carbon nanotube/hemoglobin} _n films.     

Electrochemistry and electroanalytical applications of carbon nanotubes: a review.

This review addresses recent developments in electrochemistry and electroanalytical chemistry of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs have been proved to possess unique electronic, chemical and structural features that make them very attractive for electrochemical studies and electrochemical applications. For example, the structural and electronic properties of the CNTs endow them with distinct electrocatalytic activities and capabilities for facilitating direct electrochemistry of proteins and enzymes from other kinds of carbon materials. These striking electrochemical properties of the CNTs pave the way to CNT-based bioelectrochemistry and to bioelectronic nanodevices, such as electrochemical sensors and biosensors. The electrochemistry and bioelectrochemistry of the CNTs are summarized and discussed, along with some common methods for CNT electrode preparation and some recent advances in the rational functionalization of the CNTs for electroanalytical applications.     

The characteristics of highly ordered mesoporous carbons as electrode material for electrochemical sensing as compared with carbon nanotubes

In this paper, the unique properties of highly ordered mesoporous carbons modified glassy carbon electrode (OMCs/GE) are illustrated from comparison with carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (CNTs/GE) for the electrochemical sensing applications. Electrochemical behaviors of eight kinds of inorganic and organic electroactive compounds were studied at OMCs/GE, which shows more favorable electron transfer kinetics than that at CNTs/GE. Especially, OMCs/GE exhibits remarkably strong and stable electrocatalytic response toward NADH compared with CNTs/GE. The ability of OMCs to promote electron transfer not only provides a new platform for the development of dehydrogenase-based bioelectrochemical devices, but also indicates a potential of OMCs in a wide range of sensing applications. OMCs prepared are the novel carbon electrode materials, exhibiting more favorable electrochemical reactivity than CNTs for the wide electrochemical sensing applications without pretreatments, while purification or end-opening processing was usually required in case of CNTs.     

A general route to prepare one- and three-dimensional carbon nanotube/metal nanoparticle composite nanostructures

Adsorption of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-metal ion complexes onto the surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and subsequent reduction of the metal ion leads to the fabrication of one-dimensional CNT/metal nanoparticle (CNT/M NP) heterogeneous nanostructures. Alternating adsorption of PEI-metal ion complexes and CNTs on substrates results in the formation of multilayered CNT films. After exposing the films to NaBH4, three-dimensional CNT composite films embedded with metal nanoparticles (NPs) are obtained. UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to characterize the film assembly. The resulting (CNT/M NP)n films inherit the properties from both the metal NPs and CNTs that exhibit unique performance in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and electrocatalytic activities to the reduction of O2; as a result, they are more attractive compared to (CNT/polyelectrolyte)n and (NP/polyelectrolyte)n films because of their multifunctionality.     

Bioanalytical Application of the Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Modified Electrodes

An ordered mesoporous carbon modified electrode (OMCE) was prepared by film forming method. The electrochemical behavior of the OMCE was evaluated in connection with the electrochemistry of some electroactive biospecies, such as ascorbic acid (AA), acetaminophenol (AP), cysteine (CySH), dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EP), uric acid (UA), β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced disodium salt hydrate, NADH), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with cyclic voltammetry. Compared with the conventional carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphite powder (GP) modified electrodes, the OMCE provided the best electrochemical reactivities in all cases associated with decreased over potential, better‐defined peak shape, and higher sensitivity. In addition, the OMC, CNT, and GP modified electrodes were employed as sensitive sensors for H₂O₂ and NADH quantification and as stable platforms for the fabrication of glucose and ethanol biosensors on which the enzymes were immobilized.     

Direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase on the carbon nanotube electrode

The direct electrochemistry of redox enzymes (or proteins) has received more and more attention[1—9]. These studies developed an electrochemical basis for the investigation of enzyme structure, mechanisms of redox transformations of enzyme molecules and metabolic processes involving redox transformations. From these studies, one can also find potential appli-cations of enzymes in biotechnology. For example, if an enzyme immobilized on electrode surface is ca-pable of the direct electron tra…     

Accelerated direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin based on hemoglobin-carbon nanotube (Hb-CNT) assembly

In this study, we have demonstrated that hemoglobin can be coupled to acid-treated multiwall carbon nanotubes in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and assembled as hemoglobin-carbon nanotube (Hb-CNT) composites. Our observations of the electrochemical studies demonstrate that the electrochemical response of Hb-CNT assembled in the presence of EDC is much higher than that in the absence of EDC. It is evident that the direct electron transfer of hemoglobin could be effectively accelerated in the Hb-CNT assembly by using EDC on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and the relative electron transfer rate constant K(s) is found to be 1.02+/-0.05 s(-1). The results of our studies illustrate that the assembly of hemoglobin-multiwall carbon nanotubes using EDC could provide a novel strategy to effectively facilitate the direct electrochemistry of heme-containing proteins, which could be further utilized as a promising biosensor for some specific biological substrate and related biological process.     

Recent advances on electroactive CNT-based membranes for environmental applications: The perfect match of electrochemistry and membrane separation

Global climate change, growing population, and environmental pollution underscore the need for a greater focus on providing advanced water treatment technologies. Although electrochemical based-processes are becoming promising solutions, they still face challenges owing to mass transport and upscaling which hinder the exploitation of this technology. Electrode design and reactor configuration are key factors for achieving operational improvements. The electroactive membrane has proven to be a breakthrough technology integrating electrochemistry and membrane separation with an enhanced mass transport by convection. In this review article, we discuss recent progress in environmental applications of electroactive membranes with particular focus on those composed of carbon nanotubes (CNT) due to their intriguing physicochemical properties. Their applications in degradation of refractory contaminants, detoxification and sequestration of toxic heavy metal ions, and membrane fouling alleviations are systematically reviewed. We then discuss the existing limitations and opportunities for future research. The development of advanced electroactive systems depends on interdisciplinary collaborations in the areas of materials, electrochemistry, membrane development, and environmental sciences.     

血红蛋白和SiO2凝胶层层组装膜在碳纳米管/金纳米粒子修饰电极界面上的直接电化学及电催化研究

以SiO2凝胶膜和蛋白质交互组装法固定血红蛋白(Hb), 对其进行了电化学和电催化研究. 首先制备碳纳米管/金纳米粒子复合材料修饰的MWNTs-Au/GC电极, 为防止蛋白质在电极表面流失, 将Hb和自制的SiO2凝胶膜交替滴涂到电极表面, 得到SiO2/Hb层层组装膜修饰电极, 即{SiO2/Hb}n/MWNTs-Au/GC电极, n=2为优化层数. Hb在{SiO2/Hb}2/MWNTs-Au/GC电极上仍能保持其特有的生物活性, 并能与电极进行稳定快速的电子直接转移, 同时表现出过氧化物酶特性, 对H2O2具有良好的生物电催化还原能力.     

Biopolymer and carbon nanotubes interface prepared by self-assembly for studying the electrochemistry of microperoxidase-11

Stable films of biopolymer chitosan and carbon nanotubes were prepared by a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to characterize the film assembly. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that an even, stable film was formed. The UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry study indicated the uniform growth of the film. The property of the self-assembled multilayer film in promoting protein electron transfer was demonstrated by incorporating microperoxidase-11 in the film. Microperoxidase-11 in the multilayer film could transfer electrons with the electrode indicating that carbon nanotubes could wire the protein to the electrode. The electrocatalytic activity of the microperoxidase-11 containing multilayer film-modified electrode toward H(2)O(2) and O(2) was investigated. The results showed that along with the increase in the assembled layers the electrocatalytic reduction potentials of H(2)O(2) and O(2) shifted positively. The prepared multilayer film of chitosan and carbon nanotubes containing protein was a sensitive interface for electrocatalytic study.     

Combinatorial electrochemistry using metal nanoparticles: from proof-of-concept to practical realisation for bromide detection

Principles and practical application of combinatorial electrochemistry in search for new electroactive materials in electroanalysis have been explored. Nanoparticles of three different metals: silver, gold and palladium have been independently synthesized on the glassy carbon spherical powder surface by electroless deposition process and characterized using both spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. These three materials were then combined together onto basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode surface and the application of the combinatorial approach to find the electrode material for bromide detection as model target analyte was demonstrated. The component electroactive for bromide detection was next identified and it was found that silver nanoparticles were the active ones. A composite electrode based on silver nanoparticle modified glassy carbon powder and epoxy resin was then fabricated and it was found to allow accurate determination of bromide. The electroactivity for the bromide determination of the composite electrode was compared with that of a bulk silver electrode and it was shown that the composite electrode is very efficient with a comparable electroactivity with only a portion of precious metals being used for its construction.     

A Nanocomposite Chitosan Based on Ferrocene‐Modified Silica Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes for Biosensor Application

A novel amperometric biosensor for glucose was developed by entrapping glucose oxidase (GOD) in a chitosan composite doped with ferrocene monocarboxylic acid‐aminated silica nanoparticles conjugate (FMC‐ASNPs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The entrapped FMC‐ASNPs conjugate performed excellent redox electrochemistry and the presence of MWNTs improved the conductivity of the composite film. This matrix showed a biocompatible microenvironment for retaining the native activity of the entrapped GOD and was in favor of the accessibility of substrate to the active site of GOD, thus the affinity to substrates is improved greatly. Under optimal conditions this biosensor was able to detect glucose with a detection limit of 10 μM (S/N=3) in the linear range of 0.04 to 6.5 mM. The proximity of these three components FMC‐ASNPs, MWNTs and GOD enhanced the electron transfer between the film and electrode. This composite film can be extended to immobilize other enzymes and biomolecules, which will greatly facilitate the development of biosensors and other bioelectrochemical devices.     

Nickel oxide coated on ultrasonically pretreated carbon nanotubes for supercapacitor

Nickel oxide/carbon nanotubes (NiO/CNTs) composite materials for supercapacitor are prepared by chemically depositing nickel hydroxide onto carbon nanotubes pretreated by ultrasonication and followed by thermal annealing at 300 °C. A series of NiO/CNTs composites with different weight ratios of nickel oxide versus carbon nanotubes are synthesized via the same route. The high-resolution TEM and SEM results show that a lot of nicks, which favored the nucleation of the nickel hydroxide formed on the outer walls of carbon nanotubes due to ultrasonic cavitations, and then nickel oxide coated uniformly on the outer surface of the individual carbon nanotubes. The NiO/CNTs electrode presents a maximum specific capacitance of 523 F/g as well as a good cycle life during 1,000 cycles in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The good electrochemical characteristics of NiO/CNTs composite can be attributed to the three-dimensionally interconnected nanotubular structure with a thin film of electroactive materials.     

Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin on Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Based Electrodes Modified with Au Nanoparticles and SiO2 Gel

Here we report on the preparation and characterization of new electrodes based on aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) for hemoglobin (Hb) electrochemistry and electrocatalysis. The ACNTs are obtained by a thermal chemical vapor deposition method under normal pressure. Then the electrodes are elaborated by first sputtering a thin Au film (thickness of 200 nm) onto the top of the ACNTs, and then removing the Au layer/ACNTs from the quartz substrate with the aide of hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) demonstrates that after nitric acid (HNO₃) treatment, the nanotubes of the removed Au layer are totally tip‐opened, purified and organized in a perfect vertically aligned architecture. The final ACNTs electrode is obtained by attaching the Au layer of ACNTs onto a glassy carbon electrode. Then the electrode was modified to act as a matrix for hemoglobin (Hb) immobilization and as an electrode for Hb electroanalysis by the assistance of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and SiO₂ gel. Due to the individual specific effects of AuNPs, SiO₂ gel and ACNTs, the resulting SiO₂/Hb‐AuNPs/ACNTs electrode showed good direct electrochemistry of Hb with an apparent Michaelis? Menten constant of 0.44 mM. The electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards H₂O₂, possessing a linear range from 40 µM to 4 mM and the detection limit was 22 µM based on a signal to noise ratio of 3.     

Carbon nanotube detectors for microchip CE: comparative study of single-wall and multiwall carbon nanotube, and graphite powder films on glassy carbon, gold, and platinum electrode surfaces

The performance of microchip electrophoresis/electrochemistry system with carbon nanotube (CNT) film electrodes was studied. Electrocatalytic activities of different carbon materials (single-wall CNT (SWCNT), multiwall CNT (MWCNT), carbon powder) cast on different electrode substrates (glassy carbon (GC), gold, and platinum) were compared in a microfluidic setup and their performance as microchip electrochemical detectors was assessed. An MWCNT film on a GC electrode shows electrocatalytic effect toward oxidation of dopamine (E(1/2) shift of 0.09 V) and catechol (E(1/2) shift of 0.19 V) when compared to a bare GC electrode, while other CNT/carbon powder films on the GC electrode display negligible effects. Modification of a gold electrode by graphite powder results in a strong electrocatalytic effect toward oxidation of dopamine and catechol (E(1/2) shift of 0.14 and 0.11 V, respectively). A significant shift of the half-wave potentials to lower values also provide the MWCNT film (E(1/2) shift of 0.08 and 0.08 V for dopamine and catechol, respectively) and the SWCNT film (E(1/2) shift of 0.10 V for catechol) when compared to a bare gold electrode. A microfluidic device with a CNT film-modified detection electrode displays greatly improved separation resolution (R(s)) by a factor of two compared to a bare electrode, reflecting the electrocatalytic activity of CNT.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Cytochrome c at Gold Electrode Modified with Fumed Silica

Direct electrochemistry of horse heart cytochrome c (cytc) has been obtained at a gold electrode constructed by self‐assembling fumed silica particles (FSPs) onto a silane monolayer. A pair of well‐defined and nearly symmetrical redox peaks of cytc is obtained at the FSPs film modified gold electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) are used to characterize the FSPs film modified electrode, showing that the FSPs can provide a favorable microenvironment for cytc and facilitate the direct electron transfer between the cytc and the gold electrode, which may propose an approach to realize the direct electrochemistry of other proteins.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin on chitosan-room temperature ionic liquid-TiO(2)-graphene nanocomposite film modified electrode

TiO₂-graphene nanocomposite was prepared by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide in colloidal suspension of graphene oxide and in situ hydrothermal treatment. The direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin in room temperature ionic liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, chitosan and TiO₂-graphene nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode were investigated. The biosensor was examined by using UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical methods. The results indicated that hemoglobin remained its bioactivity on the modified electrode, showing a couple of well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peaks, corresponding to hemoglobin Fe^III/Fe^II couple. The kinetic parameters for the electrode reaction, such as the formal potential (E^o'), the electron transfer rate constant (k_s), the apparent coverage (Γ), and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) were evaluated. The biosensor showed good electrochemical responses to the reduction of H₂O₂ in the ranges of 1–1170 μM. The detection limit was 0.3 μM (S/N = 3). The properties of this composite film, together with the bioelectrochemical catalytic activity, could make them useful in the development of bioelectronic devices, and investigation of electrochemistry of other heme proteins at functional interface.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin and its Electrocatalysis Based on a Carbon Nanotube Paste Electrode

A new hemoglobin (Hb) and carbon nanotube (CNT) modified carbon paste electrode was fabricated by simply mixing the Hb, CNT with carbon powder and liquid paraffin homogeneously. To prevent the leakage of Hb from the electrode surface, a Nafion film was further applied on the surface of the Hb‐CNT composite paste electrode. The modified electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin in this paste electrode was easily achieved and a pair of well‐defined quasi‐reversible redox peaks of a heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple appeared with a formal potential (E^0′) of ?0.441 V (vs. SCE) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The electrochemical behaviors of Hb in the composite electrode were carefully studied. The fabricated modified bioelectrode showed good electrocatalytic ability for reduction of H₂O₂ and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which shows potential applications in third generation biosensors.     

Carbon nanotubes as a secondary support of a catalyst layer in a gas diffusion electrode for metal air batteries

In this paper, we report the use of binary carbon supports (carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and active carbon) as a catalyst layer for fabricating gas diffusion electrodes. The electrocatalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) were evaluated by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in an alkaline electrolyte. The binary-support electrode exhibits better performance than the single-support electrode, and the best performance is obtained when the mass ratio of carbon nanotubes and active carbon is 50:50. The results from the electrode kinetic parameters indicate that the introduction of carbon nanotubes as a secondary support provides high accessible surface area, good electronic conductivity, and fast ORR kinetics. Furthermore, the effect of CNT support on the electrocatalytic properties of Pt nanoparticles for binary-support electrodes was also investigated by different loading-reduction methods. The electrocatalytic activity of the binary-support electrodes is improved dramatically by Pt loading on CNT carbon support, even at very low Pt loading. Additionally, the EIS analysis results indicate that the process of ORR may be controlled by diffusion of oxygen in the electrode thin film for binary-support electrodes with or without Pt catalyst.     

纳米电极界面的构建和茶碱的直接电氧化测定

以镍铬合金为基体制备嵌入式超薄碳糊前驱膜,然后在薄膜表面构筑单壁碳纳米管/聚L-酪氨酸复合电极.SEM结果表明膜表面的碳纳米管复合物呈立体枝状渗透性结构,电化学实验证明表面膜上的复合纳米结构改变了基体的电化学性质,使之可用作研究电极.以茶碱为目标物考察其在该电极上的伏安行为,在0.1 mol/L的HClO4底液中,茶碱的2.5次微分峰电流与其浓度在1.0×10-6～8.0×10-4 mol/L 范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.9971,方法可用于茶碱的定量测定.