纳米阵列电极研究*

纳米阵列电极作为一种人工组装的纳米结构体系,具有高传质速率、低双电层充电电流、小时间常数、小IR降及高信噪比、可操作性强和测量灵敏度高等优势,因而在电化学理论研究、生物传感器、电催化材料和高能化学电源电极材料等方面等具有广阔的应用前景。迄今为止,人们采用多种材料设计制备出包括圆盘状、圆柱形、球形、圆锥形、叉指状和井状等各种形状的纳米阵列电极。其制作方法主要包括模板法、刻蚀法和自组装法等,电极的表征主要采用电子显微镜技术和电化学方法。本文结合我们的工作和国内外文献,就纳米阵列电极制作方法、表征和应用等方面进行了评述,并对目前纳米阵列电极研究中存在的问题及发展前景进行了探讨和展望。     

Recent advances in sensing and biosensing with arrays of nanoelectrodes

This review deals with recent advances in the field of electrochemical sensing and biosensing with nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) and nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs), focusing mainly on articles published since 2015. At first, a brief introduction on the properties and possible advantages which characterize electroanalytical signals at the NEE/NEA is presented, followed by an overview on the most recent theoretical advances concerning the modeling of relevant electrochemical signals. Novel nanofabrication methods and nanoelectrode materials are discussed together with original (bio)funtionalization procedures, suitable to obtain more sensitive and reliable sensors. Advanced applications of NEE/NEA-based sensors in the biological and biomedical field are presented, including their integration with living cells and application for neurochemical studies. Advances, present limits, and prospects for research in the area are finally discussed. As far as future research trends are concerned, on the one hand, there is a need for development of theoretical models which take into account specific effects that can rule electrochemistry with arrays of nanosized electrodes, such as double layer and quantum mechanical effects. On the other hand, frontier studies concerning the application of the NEE/NEA to the biomedical and neurochemical fields can open new tracks both to fundamental knowledge and application.     

Ultrasensitive electrocatalytic DNA detection at two- and three-dimensional nanoelectrodes

Electrochemical DNA detection systems are an attractive approach to the development of multiplexed, high-throughput DNA analysis systems for clinical and research applications. We have engineered a new class of nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) that constitute a useful platform for biomolecular electrochemical sensing. High-sensitivity DNA detection was achieved at oligonucleotide-functionalized NEEs using a label-free electrocatalytic assay. Attomole levels of DNA were detected using the NEEs, validating the promise of nanoarchitectures for ultrasensitive biosensing.     

Biosensors based on gold nanoelectrode ensembles and screen printed electrodes

Gold nanowires were synthesized within polycarbonate membranes according to an electroless deposition method, obtaining nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) with special electrochemical features. NEEs were coupled with home-produced carbon graphite screen printed electrodes and the electrochemical properties of the original nanoelectrode ensemble on screen printed substrate (NEE/SPS) assembly has been tested for sensors application. Glucose oxidase has been used as model enzyme in order to verify the feasibility of disposable gold NEE/SPS biosensors. Finally, different immobilisation and electrochemical deposition techniques based on either self assembled monolayers of cysteamine (CYS) or amino-propyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) and conductive polyaniline (PANI) molecular wires were used. Spatial patterning of the enzyme on the polycarbonate surface and of PANI wires on gold nanoelectrodes was obtained. Possible direct electron transfer between the enzyme and the PANI modified gold nanoelectrodes has been evaluated.     

Carbon Nanotubes Based Nanoelectrode Arrays: Fabrication,Evaluation, and Application in Voltammetric Analysis

Fabrication, electrochemical characterization, and applications of low‐site density carbon nanotubes based nanoelectrode arrays (CNTs‐NEAs) are reported in this work. Spin‐coating of an epoxy resin provides a new way to create the electrode passivation layer effectively reducing electrode capacitance and current leakage. Cyclic voltammetry showed the sigmoidal shape curves with low capacitive current and scan‐rate‐independent limiting current. Square‐wave voltammetry showed well‐defined peak shapes in voltammograms of K₃Fe(CN)₆ and 4‐acetamidophenol (acetaminophen) and the peak currents to be proportioned to their concentrations, demonstrating the feasibility for voltammetric analysis of the CNTs‐NEAs. The CNTs‐NEAs were also used successfully for voltammetric detection of trace concentrations of lead(II) at ppb level at first‐time. The CNTs‐NEAs provide an excellent platform for ultra sensitive electrochemical sensors for chemical and biological sensing.     

Development and Evaluation of Gold 3D Cylindrical Nanoelectrode Ensembles

Gold 3D cylindrical nanoelectrode ensembles （NEEs）, 100 nm in diameter and 500 nm in length were prepared by electroless template synthesis in polycarbonate filter membranes, followed by selective controlled chemical etching. The morphology of the nanowires and cylindrical NEEs was imaged by scanning electron microscopy. The protruding nanoelectrodes were in good parallel order. EDX study showed that the nanoelectrode elements consisted of pure gold. The electrochemical evaluation of the 3D electrodes was conducted using the well known [Fe（CN）6]^3-/[Fe（CN）6]^4- couple. Cyclic voltammgrams （CV） show a very low double layer charging current and a higher ratio of signal to background current than 2D disc NEEs. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） indicates that the 3D cylindrical NEEs effectively accelerate the charge transfer process, which is in consistent with the results of CV. The linear relationship with a slope of 0.5 between lg Ipc and lg v shows that linear diffusion is dominant on the 3D cylindrical NEEs at conventional scan rates.     

Facile preparation of nanoelectrode ensembles using amphiphilic block copolymer film

Taking advantage of both the self-organizing characteristics and the amphiphilic property of poly(styrene-block-ethyleneoxide) (P(S-b-EO)), we have realized one-step fabrication of nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs). By choosing the electrolyte solution elaborately, only the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) segment in the P(S-b-EO) film was swollen to serve as nanoscale tunnels for solvated ions, whereas the polystyrene segment remained robust to be the electrode mask. An electrochemical analysis indicated that a transition between linear diffusion and nonlinear diffusion could be observed due to the small diffusion coefficient of ferrocene in PEO nanodomains.     

Molecularly-tunable nanoelectrode arrays created by harnessing intermolecular interactions

Intermolecular interactions play a critical role in the binding strength of molecular assemblies on surfaces. The ability to harness them enables molecularly-tunable interfacial structures and properties. Herein we report the tuning of the intermolecular interactions in monolayer assemblies derived from organothiols of different structures for the creation of nanoelectrode arrays or ensembles with effective mass transport by a molecular-level perforation strategy. The homo- and hetero-intermolecular interactions can be fully controlled, which is demonstrated not only by thermodynamic analysis of the fractional coverage but also by surface infrared reflection absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic characterizations. This understanding enables controllable electrochemical perforation for the creation of ensembles or arrays of channels across the monolayer thickness with molecular and nanoscale dimensions. Redox reactions on the nanoelectrode array display molecular tunability with a radial diffusion characteristic in good agreement with theoretical simulation results. These findings have implications for designing membrane-type ion-gating, electrochemical sensing, and electrochemical energy storage devices with molecular level tunability.

Intermolecular interactions in monolayer assembly are harnessed for creating molecularly-tunable nanoelectrode arrays or ensembles.     

One step fabrication of nanoelectrode ensembles formed via amphiphilic block copolymers self-assembly and selective voltammetric detection of uric acid in the presence of high ascorbic acid content

A novel one-step approach to glassy carbon nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) with the pores of 20-120 nm in radii has been developed using an amphiphilic block copolymer [polystyrene-block-poly (acrylic acid)] self-assembly. This procedure is simple and fast, and requires only conventional, inexpensive electrochemical instrumentation. Electrochemical methods were used to characterize the NEEs prepared using this new procedure. The NEEs drastically suppressed the response of ascorbic acid (AA) and resolved the overlapping voltammetric response of uric acid (UA) and AA into two well-defined peaks with a large anodic peak difference (ΔE_pa) of about 310 mV. The peak current obtained from differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was linearly dependent on the UA concentration in the range of 0.25-50 μM at neutral pH (PBS, pH 6.86) with a correlation coefficient of 0.999, and the detection limit was 0.04 μM (S/N = 3). The NEEs has also been demonstrated to be applicable in the detection of UA in serum and urine samples with excellent sensitivity and selectivity. The NEEs will hopefully be of good application for further sensor development.     

Direct determination of pesticides in vegetable samples using gold nanoelectrode ensembles

Gold nanowires were produced by electrodeposition in polycarbonate membrane, with an average diameter of 200 nm and a height of about 2 μm. The nanowire array prepared by the proposed method can be considered as nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs). An amperometric pesticides sensor based on gold NEEs has been developed and used for determination of phoxim and dimethoate in vegetable samples. The electrochemical performance of the gold NEEs has also been studied by the amperometric method. The electrode provided a linear response over a concentration range of 5.9 × 10^?5 to 1.2 × 10^?2 M for phoxim with a detection limit of 4.8 × 10^?6 M and 6.3 × 10^?5 to 1.1 × 10^?2 M for dimethoate. This sensor displayed high sensitivity and selectivity, long-term stability and wide linear range. In addition, the ellipsis of enzyme and the reactivation of enzyme make the operation simple. This sensor has been used to determine pesticides in a real vegetable sample.     

Inlaid Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanoelectrode Arrays for Electroanalysis

The rapid development in nanomaterials and nanotechnologies has provided many new opportunities for electroanalysis. We review our recent results on the fabrication and electroanalytical applications of nanoelectrode arrays based on vertically aligned multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A bottom‐up approach is demonstrated, which is compatible with Si microfabrication processes. MWCNTs are encapsulated in SiO₂ matrix leaving only the very end exposed to form inlaid nanoelectrode arrays. The electrical and electrochemical properties have been characterized, showing well‐defined quasireversible nanoelectrode behavior. Ultrasensitive detection of small redox molecules in bulk solutions as well as immobilized at the MWCNT ends is demonstrated. A label‐free affinity‐based DNA sensor has shown extremely high sensitivity approaching that of fluorescence techniques. This platform can be integrated with microelectronics and microfluidics for fully automated microchips.     

Impedance methods for electrochemical sensors using nanomaterials

This article presents an overview of electrochemical sensors that employ nanomaterials and utilize electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for analyte detection. The most widely utilized nanomaterials in impedance sensors are gold (Au) nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Au nanoparticles have been employed in impedance sensors to form electrodes from nanoparticle ensembles and to amplify impedance signals by forming nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates in the solution phase. CNTs have been employed for impedance sensors within composite electrodes and as nanoelectrode arrays. The advantages of nanomaterials in impedance sensors include increased sensor surface area, electrical conductivity and connectivity, chemical accessibility and electrocatalysis.     

Voltammetry of redox analytes at trace concentrations with nanoelectrode ensembles

Gold nanoelectrodes ensembles (NEEs) have been prepared by electroless plating of Au nanoelectrode elements within the pores of a microporous polycarbonate template membrane. Cyclic voltammograms recorded in (ferrocenylmethyl) trimethylammonium hexafluorophosphate (FA⁺ PF₆⁻) solutions showed that these NEEs operate in the “total-overlap” response regime, giving well resolved peak shaped voltammograms. Experimental results show that the faradaic/background currents ratios at the NEE are independent on the total geometric area of the ensemble, so that NEE can be enlarged or miniaturized at pleasure without influencing the very favorable signal/noise ratio. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at the NEE is optimized for direct determinations at trace levels. DPV at NEE allowed the determination (with no preconcentration) of trace amounts of FA⁺, with a detection limit of 0.02 μM. The use of NEE and DPV in cytochrome c (cyt c) solutions showed the possibility to observe the direct electrochemistry of submicromolar concentration of the protein, even without the need of adding any promoter or mediator.     

Diamond Nanoelectrode Arrays for the Detection of Surface Sensitive Adsorption

Nanocrystalline diamond nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) have been applied to investigate surface‐sensitive adsorption phenomena at the diamond–liquid interface. The adsorption of neutral methyl viologen (MV⁰) was used as a model system. The adsorption of MV⁰ was examined on hydrogen‐ and oxygen‐terminated surfaces. On the hydrogenated nanoelectrode surface, a sharp anodic stripping peak was observed upon oxidation of MV⁰, revealing strong adsorption of MV⁰. In contrast, a sigmoidal voltammogram was recorded with an oxygenated electrode surface, indicating there was no MV⁰ adsorption. The changes in the shapes of these voltammograms are due to the drastic changes that occur in the diffusion profiles during the transition. The diffusion profile changes from hemispherical diffusion on oxygen‐terminated surfaces to thin‐layer electrochemistry upon adsorption on hydrogen‐terminated surfaces. Different types and concentrations of buffer solutions were then used to vary the interaction of MV⁰ with diamond NEAs. The results suggest that the adsorption of MV⁰ on hydrogen‐terminated diamond NEAs is controlled by hydrophobic interactions. Therefore, diamond NEAs are ideal for the study of adsorption phenomena at the liquid–solid interface with voltammetry.     

Dielectrophoretic trapping of single bacteria at carbon nanofiber nanoelectrode arrays

We present an ac dielectrophoretic (DEP) technique for single-cell trapping using embedded carbon nanofiber (CNF) nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs). NEAs fabricated by inlaying vertically aligned carbon nanofibers in SiO2 matrix are applied as "points-and-lid" DEP devices in aqueous solution. The miniaturization of the electrode size provides a highly focused electrical field with the gradient enhanced by orders of magnitude. This generates extremely large positive DEP forces near the electrode surface and traps small bioparticles against strong hydrodynamic forces. This technology promises new capabilities to perform novel cell biology experiments at the nanoscale. We anticipate that the bottom-up approach of such nano-DEP devices allows the integration of millions of nanolectrodes deterministically in lab-on-a-chip devices and will be generally useful for manipulating submicron particles.     

Nanoelectrodes, nanoelectrode arrays and their applications

This review deals with the topic of ultrasmall electrodes, namely nanoelectrodes, arrays of these and discusses possible applications, including to analytical science. It deals exclusively with the use of nanoelectrodes in an electrochemical context. Benefits that accrue from use of very small working electrodes within electrochemical cells are discussed, followed by a review of methods for the preparation of such electrodes. Individual nanoelectrodes and arrays or ensembles of these are addressed, as are nanopore systems which seek to emulate biological transmembrane ion transport processes. Applications within physical electrochemistry, imaging science and analytical science are summarised.     

Ultrasensitive voltammetric detection of trace heavy metal ions using carbon nanotube nanoelectrode array

We describe an ultrasensitive voltammetric detection of trace heavy metal ions using nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) that are based on low-site density carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The NEAs were prepared by sealing the side-walls of CNTs with an epoxy passive layer that reduces the current leakage and eliminates the electrode capacitance, leading to a low background current. This provides a high signal-to-noise ratio. The CNTs-NEAs coated with a bismuth film were used successfully for voltammetric detection of trace cadmium(II) and lead(II) at the sub-ppb level. The detection limit of 0.04 microg L(-1) was obtained under optimum experimental conditions. The attractive behavior of the new carbon NEA sensing platform holds great promise for onsite environmental monitoring and biomonitoring of toxic metals.     

Gold nanoelectrode ensembles for direct trace electroanalysis of iodide

A procedure for the standardization of ensembles of gold nanodisk electrodes (NEE) of 30 nm diameter is presented, which is based on the analytical comparison between experimental cyclic voltammograms (CV) obtained at the NEEs in diluted solutions of redox probes and CV patterns obtained by digital simulation. Possible origins of defects sometimes found in NEEs are discussed. Selected NEEs are then employed for the study of the electrochemical oxidation of iodide in acidic solutions. CV patterns display typical quasi-reversible behavior which involves associated chemical reactions between adsorbed and solution species. The main CV characteristics at the NEE compare with those observed at millimeter sized gold disk electrodes (Au-macro), apart a slight shift in E_1/2 values and slightly higher peak to peak separation at the NEE. The detection limit (DL) at NEEs is 0.3 μM, which is more than one order of magnitude lower than DL at the Au-macro (4 μM). The mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of iodide at NEEs is discussed. Finally, NEEs are applied to the direct determination of iodide at micromolar concentration levels in real samples, namely in some ophthalmic drugs and iodized table salt.     

Ensembles of nanoelectrodes modified with gold nanoparticles: characterization and application to DNA-hybridization detection

A new method to increase the active area (A _act) of nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) is described. To this aim, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are immobilized onto the surface of NEEs using cysteamine as a cross-linker able to bind the AuNPs to the heads of the nanoelectrodes to obtain the so-called AuNPs-NEEs. The analysis of the cyclic voltammograms recorded in pure supporting electrolyte showed that the presence of the nanoparticles reflects in an, approximately, ten-times increase in the electrochemically active area of the ensemble. The measurement of the amount of electroactive polyoxometalates, which can be adsorbed on the gold surface of NEEs vs. AuNPs-NEEs, confirmed a significant increase of active area for the latter. These evidences indicate that there is a good electronic connection between the AuNPs and the underlying nanoelectrodes. The possibility to exploit AuNPs-NEEs for biosensing application was tested for the case of DNA-hybridization detection. After immobilization on the gold surface of AuNPs-NEEs of a thiolated single-stranded DNA, the hybridization with complementary sequences labeled with glucose oxidase (GOx) was performed. The detection of the hybridization was achieved by adding to the electrolyte solution the GOx substrate (i.e., glucose) and a suitable redox mediator, namely the (ferrocenylmethyl) trimethylammonium (FA⁺) cation; when the hybridization occurs, an electrocatalytic increase of the oxidation current of FA⁺ is recorded. Comparison of electrocatalytic current recorded at DNA modified NEEs and AuNPs-NEEs indicate, for the latter, a significant increase in sensitivity in the detection of the DNA-hybridization event.     

Gold Nanoelectrode Arrays and their Evaluation by Impedance Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry

A sol–gel strategy is developed to fabricate highly regular Au nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) consisting of a nanoperforated ultrathin membrane of ZrO₂, which exhibits a well‐ordered array of pores (65±5) nm in diameter with a mean center‐to‐center distance of (110±10) nm, on a polycrystalline gold surface. The structural properties are investigated by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), while grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) is used to assess the thickness homogeneity and the period of the array of electrodes. In addition, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are carried out to describe quantitatively the accessibility, electrochemical behavior, and diffusion processes of the gold NEA. A model applying parameters obtained from FE‐SEM, CV, and EIS analyses is proposed to simulate the experimental results. A fairly good agreement between the experimental and the simulated data is obtained, thus allowing the deconvolution of the different diffusion regimes at the NEA.