Alternate assemblies of polyelectrolyte functionalized carbon nanotubes and platinum nanoparticles as tunable electrocatalysts for dioxygen reduction

A novel method based on electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly (LBL) technique for alternate assemblies of polyelectrolyte functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) is proposed. The shortened MWNTs can be functionalized with positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) based on electrostatic interaction. Through electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly, the positively charged PDDA functionalized MWNTs (PDWNTs) and negatively charged citrate-stabilized PtNPs were alternately assembled on a 3-mercaptopropanesulfonic sodium (MPS) modified gold electrode and also on other negatively charged surface, e.g. quartz slide and indium–tin-oxide (ITO) plate, directly forming the three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured materials. This is a very general and powerful technique for the assembling three-dimensional nanostructured materials containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanoparticles. Thus prepared multilayer films were characterized by ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectroscopy (UV–vis–NIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Regular growth of the mutilayer films is monitored by UV–vis–NIR. SEM provides the morphology of the multilayer films. The PtNPs containing multilayer films exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of dioxygen. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic activity of the films could be further tailored by simply choosing different cycles in the LBL process. This assembling method for polyelectrolyte functionalized carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles introduces new opportunities for the incorporation of various functionalities into nanotube devices, which, in turn, opens up the possibility of building more complex multicomponent nanostructures.     

Graphene as a spacer to layer-by-layer assemble electrochemically functionalized nanostructures for molecular bioelectronic devices

This study demonstrates the capability of graphene as a spacer to form electrochemically functionalized multilayered nanostructures onto electrodes in a controllable manner through layer-by-layer (LBL) chemistry. Methylene green (MG) and positively charged methylimidazolium-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as examples of electroactive species and electrochemically useful components for the assembly, respectively. By using graphene as the spacer, the multilayered nanostructures of graphene/MG and graphene/MWNT could be readily formed onto electrodes with the LBL method on the basis of the electrostatic and/or π-π interaction(s) between graphene and the electrochemically useful components. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the assembly processes, and the results revealed that nanostructure assembly was uniform and effective with graphene as the spacer. Electrochemical studies demonstrate that the assembled nanostructures possess excellent electrochemical properties and electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of NADH and could thus be used as electronic transducers for bioelectronic devices. This potential was further demonstrated by using an alcohol dehydrogenase-based electrochemical biosensor and glucose dehydrogenase-based glucose/O(2) biofuel cell as typical examples. This study offers a simple route to the controllable formation of graphene-based electrochemically functionalized nanostructures that can be used for the development of molecular bioelectronic devices such as biosensors and biofuel cells.     

Fabrication of multilayer-film-modified gold electrode composed of myoglobin,chitosan, and polyelectrolyte-wrapped multi-wall carbon nanotubes by layer-by-layer assembled technique and electrochemical catalysis for hydrogen peroxide and trichloroacetic acid

Electroactive multilayer film of myoglobin (Mb)-, chitosan (CS)-, and poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-wrapped multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) is fabricated on a gold electrode via layer-by-layer (LBL) technique. The assembled multilayer films is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). UV-vis spectroscopy showed that Mb in the films retained its near-native structure. The stable multilayerfilm-modified gold electrodes showed good electroactivity in protein-free buffer solution, which is originated from protein heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. The modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic property toward reduction of H₂O₂ and trichloroacetic acid, indicating the potential application as amperometric biosensor. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 11, pp. 1366–1376. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Alternate assemblies of platinum nanoparticles and metalloporphyrins as tunable electrocatalysts for dioxygen reduction

Through electrostatic layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly, negatively charged citrate-stabilized platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and positively charged [tetrakis(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrinato] cobalt were alternately deposited on a 4-aminobenzoic acid-modified glassy carbon electrode and also on indium tin oxide substrates, directly forming the three-dimensional nanostructured materials. Thus-prepared multilayer films were characterized by UV--visible spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and cyclic voltammetry. Regular growth of the multilayer films is monitored by UV--visible spectroscopy and SPR spectroscopy. AFM provides the morphology of the multilayer films. The PtNPs containing multilayer films exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of dioxygen with high stability. Rotating disk electrode voltammetry and rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry demonstrate that the PtNP-containing multilayer films can catalyze an almost four-electron reduction of O(2) to H(2)O in an air-saturated 0.5 M H(2)SO(4) solution. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic activity of the films could be further tailored by simply choosing different cycles in the LBL process or more specifically the amount of the assembly components in the films. The high electrocatalytic activity and good stability for dioxygen reduction make the PtNP-containing multilayer films potential candidates for the efficient cathode material in fuel cells.     

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.     

Electroactive films of heme protein-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A novel method for fabricating protein-MWNT films on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrodes was described. Positively charged hemoglobin (Hb) or myoglobin (Mb) in buffers at pH 5.5 or 5.0 was first adsorbed on the surface of acid-pretreated, negatively charged multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) mainly by electrostatic interaction, forming a core-shell structure. The aqueous dispersion of protein-coated MWNTs was then cast on PG electrodes, forming protein-MWNT films after evaporation of solvent. The protein-MWNT films exhibited a pair of well-defined, quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks, characteristic of heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couples. The protein films were characterized by voltammetry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This approach for assembly of protein-MWNT films showed higher surface concentration of electroactive proteins than the simple cast method, and the amount of proteins in the films could be controlled more precisely compared with the dipping method. Furthermore, the film assembly using this method was more stable than that using simple cast method. The proteins in MWNT films retained their near-native structure, and electrochemically catalyzed reduction of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, suggesting the potential applicability of the films as the new type of biosensors or bioreactors based on direct electrochemistry of enzymes.     

Layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly of anionic and cationic carbon nanotubes

<正>The layer-by-layer(LBL) self assembly of anionic and cationic multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs) through electrostatic interaction has been carried out to fabricate all-MWNT multilayer films.The alternate uniform assembly of anionic and cationic MWNTs was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) images displayed the growth of the MWNT films.     

Fabrication of a Nanobiocomposite Film Containing Heme Proteins and Carbon Nanotubes on a Choline Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode: Direct Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Catalysis

A nanocomposite electrochemical sensing film is assembled on choline (Ch) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which contains multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), Nafion cation exchanger, and myoglobin (Mb) or hemoglobin (Hb). The MWNTs provide a 3D porous and conductive network for the enzyme immobilization and Nafion acts as polymeric binder to give cast thin films. Both MWNTs and Nafion provide negative functionalities to bind to the positively charged redox proteins and to attach at the positively charged Ch modified layer, and drive the formation of homogeneous and stable nanocomposite film, the MWNT‐Nafion‐Mb. The nanocomposite film was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM). The Mb in the nanocomposite film showed a pair of well‐defined and nearly reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks at about ?0.32 V vs. SCE at pH 7.0 solution for the heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. The immobilized heme proteins can display the features of peroxidase in electrocatalytic reductions of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and bromate.     

Construction of hyaluronan-silver nanoparticle–hemoglobin multilayer composite film and investigations on its electrocatalytic properties

In this work, hyaluronan-silver nanoparticles (HSNPs) were prepared by UV-initiated photoreduction, and protein hemoglobin (Hb) was then alternately assembled with the prepared negatively charged HSNPs into layer-by-layer (LBL) films on solid surface. The electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic activities toward oxygen and hydrogen peroxide of the resulting films were studied. It was found that the HSNPs greatly enhanced the electron transfer reactivity of Hb as a bridge. The assembly films showed a pair of nearly reversible redox peaks with a formal potential of −0.32 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for the heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. The immobilized Hb in the films maintained its biological activity, showing a surface-controlled process with a heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k _s) of 1.0 s⁻¹ and displaying the same features of a peroxidase in the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. This work provides a novel model to fabricate LBL films with protein, polysaccharide and nanoparticles, which may establish a foundation for fabricating new type of biosensors based on the direct electron transfer of redox proteins immobilized in nanocomposite multilayer films with underlying electrodes.     

Self‐Assembly of Platinum Nanoparticle/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Multilayer Film on Au Substrate Electrode

A novel approach to assemble multilayer films of Pt nanoparticle/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNTs) composites on Au substrate has been developed for the purpose of improving the methanol oxidation efficiency by providing high catalytic surface area. MWNTs were firstly functionalized with 4‐mercaptobenzene and then assembled on an Au substrate electrode. Pt nanoparticles were fabricated and attached to the surface of the functionalized MWNTs subsequently. Thus a layer of Pt/MWNT composites were assembled on the Au substrate electrode. Repeating above process can assemble different layers of film of Pt/MWNTs composites on the Au electrode. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the Au electrode modified with two layers of film of Pt/MWNT composites exhibits high catalytic ability and long‐term stability for methanol oxidation. The layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique provides an efficient strategy to construct complex nanostructure for improving the methanol oxidation efficiency by providing high catalytic surface area.     

Electro-assisted fabrication of layer-by-layer assembled poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline)/phosphotungstic acid modified electrode and electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid

Multilayer films, consisting of poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline) (PDMA) and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as alternative layers are assembled on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode to obtain (PDMA/PTA)_n layer-by-layer (LBL) film, (where n = number of layers of PDMA/PTA) through electrochemical polymerization and chemical treatment with PTA. The film assembly, electrochemical property as well as the electroactivity of GC/(PDMA/PTA)_n toward oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) were investigated. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of LBL (PDMA/PTA)_n film towards AA was attributed to the existence of tungsten atoms in the interlayer of PDMA that augments the electron transfer processes.     

Transparent and flexible glucose biosensor via layer-by-layer assembly of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and glucose oxidase

This paper reports a transparent and flexible glucose biosensor of which multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and glucose oxidase (GOx) is layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembled on a polymer substrate. A thin Ti and Au layers is firstly deposited on the polymer substrate through plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) and sputtering, respectively. An organic monolayer then forms on the gold surface using thiol chemistry. Subsequently, negatively charged MWNTs and GOx are stably LBL assembled on the modified Au surface, respectively, via alternative electrostatic interaction of the positively charged polyelectrolyte with the oppositely charged MWNTs and GOx. Electrochemical studies show that the multilayer membrane exhibits remarkable electrocatalytic activity to detect glucose molecule. The biosensor displays a linear response range of 0.02–2.2 mM (a correlation coefficient of 0.998) with a low detection limit of 10 μM. This remarkable performance, combined with the large area preparation process, demonstrates this CNT-based multilayer biosensor is well suited for commercial applications.     

Electrochemistry of ITO electrode modified by multilayer ultrathin films based on crown-shaped polyoxomolybdate

The electrochemical multilayer films of crown-shaped polyoxomolybdate Na21{[Na5(H2O)14] intersection[Mo(V)(20)Mo(VI)(26)O134(OH)10(mu-CH3COO)4]}.CH3COONa.90H2O (Mo46) and polyelectrolytes by layer-by-layer assembly were investigated. The stable multilayer films were assembled by alternate adsorption of negatively charged POM and positively charged polyelectrolytes is from their aqueous dispersions. UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to monitor the regular growth of the multilayer films. The multilayer films-modified ITO electrode was used for the detection of electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite, bromate, and hydrogen peroxide. The proposed novel immobilized method exhibited good stability, reproducibility and high sensitivity for the determination of electrocatalytic, which is important for practical application.     

Multilayer films of carbon nanotubes and redox polymer on screen-printed carbon electrodes for electrocatalysis of ascorbic acid

Multilayer films containing multiwall carbon nanotubes and redox polymer were successfully fabricated on a screen-printed carbon electrode using layer-by-layer (LBL) assembled method. UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical method were used to characterize the assembled multilayer films. The multilayer films modified electrodes exhibited good electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA). Compared with the bare electrode, the oxidation peak potential negatively shifted about 350 mV (versus Ag/AgCl). Furthermore, the modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) could be used for the determination of ascorbic acid in real samples.     

碳纳米管尺寸对电化学反应活性的影响

制备不同尺寸的多壁碳纳米管(MWNT)修饰电极,应用循环伏安法研究了相同管径、不同管长和相同管长、不同管径的多壁碳纳米管修饰电极在K3Fe(CN)6溶液中的电化学行为及其对尿酸、多巴胺等生物分子的电催化作用,以及尺寸效应对碳纳米管修饰电极电化学活性的影响规律.结果显示,在同一条件下,短管的MWNT比长管的更能有效促进K3Fe(CN)6的电子传递,更有利于对生物分子的电催化;管径对它的电化学行为及生物电催化活性影响较小,无明显规律.主要原因在于碳纳米管管端、管壁的不同电化学活性.     

Chemometrics to evaluate the quality of water sources for human consumption

Multilayer films of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were homogeneously and stably assembled on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode using the layer-by-layer (LBL) method based on electrostatic interaction between MWNTs (negatively charged) and a biopolymer chitosan (CHIT) (positively charged). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the resulting {CHIT/MWNTs}₉ film indicated that the substrate was mostly covered with MWNTs in the form of small bundles or single nanotubes. The multilayer film was used to study the electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH. The assembled {CHIT/MWNTs}₉/GC electrode could decrease the oxidation overpotential of NADH by more than 350 mV. The {CHIT/MWNTs}₉/GC electrode exhibited a wide linear response range of 8 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.6 × 10⁻³ mol · L⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient of 0.997 for the detection of NADH. The response time and detection limit (S/N = 3) were determined to be 3 s and 0.3 × 10⁻⁶ mol · L⁻¹, respectively. Another attractive characteristic was that the method was simple and the assembled {CHIT/MWNTs}₉/GC electrode was highly stable.     

Parallel alignment of carbon nanotubes induced with inorganic molecules

In this work, a new strategy is presented to form ordered multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) arrays. The MWNTs are aligned horizontally and parallel in (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (3-APTES) sol films on the surface of mica and glassy carbon (GC). 3-APTES is ready to form charged rodlike micelles, which play a key role in fabricating orderly MWNT arrays. Moreover, we prepare MWNT arrays on the surfaces of solid electrodes and detect the electrochemical response of the microarray electrodes for the Fe(CN)(6)3-/Fe(CN)6(4-) couple.     

Electrochemical Reduction of Oxygen on Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Electrode in Alkaline Solution

The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) electrode was constructed using polytetrafluoroethylene as binder, and the electrochemical reductive behavior of oxygen in alkaline solution was first examined on this electrode. Compared with other carbon materials, MWNTs show higher electrocatalytic activity, and the reversibility of O2 reduction reaction is greatly improved. The experiments reveal that the electrochemical reduction of O2 to HO2 is controlled by adsorption. The preliminary results illustrate the potential application of MWNTs in fuel cells.     

Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Polymer‐Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes on Surfaces

Summary: Supramolecular self‐assembly of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT‐g‐PMMA) was reported herein. The MWNT‐g‐PMMA (85 wt.‐% PMMA) dispersed in tetrahydrofuran could self‐assemble into suprastructures on surfaces such as gold, mica, silicon, quartz, or carbon films. With decreasing concentration of the MWNT‐g‐PMMA from 3 to 0.1 mg · mL⁻¹, the assembled structures changed from cellular and basketwork‐like forms to multilayer cellular networks and individual needles. SEM, AFM, and TEM measurements confirmed the morphology of the assembled suprastructures, and revealed the assembly mechanism. Phase separation during evaporation of the solvent drives the MWNT‐g‐PMMA nanohybrids to assemble and form the suprastructures, and the rigid MWNTs stabilize the structures.

SEM images of self‐assembled suprastructures of basketwork (a), cellular network (b), and needles (c) from the THF solution of the PMMA‐grafted MWNTs on gold surface.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Multi‐Copper Oxidases at Carbon Nanotubes Noncovalently Functionalized with Cellulose Derivatives

This study describes the direct electron transfer of multi‐copper oxidases, i.e., laccase (from Trametes versicolor) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD, from Myrothecium verrucaria) at multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) noncovalently functionalized with biopolymers of cellulose derivatives, i.e., hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), methyl cellulose (MC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The functionalization of the MWNTs with the cellulose derivatives is found to substantially solubilize the MWNTs into aqueous media and to avoid their aggregation on electrode surface. Under anaerobic conditions, the redox properties of laccase and BOD are difficult to be defined with cyclic voltammetry at either laccase/MWNT‐modified or BOD/MWNT‐modified electrodes. The direct electron transfer properties of laccase and BOD are thus studied in terms of the bioelectrocatalytic activities of the laccase/MWNT‐modified and BOD/MWNT‐modified electrodes toward the reduction of oxygen and found to be facilitated at the functionalized MWNTs. The possible application of the laccase‐catalyzed O₂ reduction at the laccase/MWNT‐modified electrode is illustrated by constructing a CNT‐based ascorbate/O₂ biofuel cell with the MWNT‐modified electrode as the anode for the oxidation of ascorbate biofuel.