Determination of Ascorbic Acid in the Presence of Uric Acid and Folic Acid by a Nanostructured Electrochemical Sensor Based on a TiO2 Nanoparticle Carbon Paste Electrode

A carbon paste electrode (CPE), modified with novel hydroquinone/TiO₂ nanoparticles, was designed and used for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and folic acid (FA). The magnitude of the peak current for modified TiO₂-nanoparticle CPE (MTNCPE) increased sharply in the presence of ascorbic acid and was proportional to its concentration. A dynamic range of 1.0–1400.0 μM, with the detection limit of 6.4 × 10^?7 M for AA, was obtained using the DPV technique (pH = 7.0). The prepared electrode was successfully applied for the determination of AA, UA, and FA in real samples.     

Amperometric sensor based on carbon nanotubes and electropolymerized vanillic acid for simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid,dopamine, and uric acid

This paper describes the development of a simple and efficient nanostructured platform based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) functionalized with an in situ generated vanillic acid (VA) polymer. It was used as an analytical sensor for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA). The electropolymerization process of VA, performed on MWCNT-modified glassy carbon electrode, produces three redox systems based on quinone/hydroquinone functionality, as observed by cyclic voltammetry. The amperometric sensor has as figures of merit for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA, and UA the following values: for AA, a linear range of 5–120 μM and detection limit of 3.5 μM; for DA, a linear range of 5–120 μM and detection limit of 4.5 μM; and for UA, a linear range of 5–120 μM and a detection limit of 1.5 μM. From the obtained performance, the development of the platform based on MWCNT/poly-VA is justified for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA, and UA.     

A highly sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on nickel oxide–carbon nanotube hybrid nanobelts

In this study, we demonstrated a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of glucose in alkaline aqueous solution by using nickel oxide single-walled carbon nanotube hybrid nanobelts (NiO–SWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The hybrid nanobelts were prepared by the deposition of SWCNTs onto the Ni(SO₄)_0.3(OH)_1.4 nanobelt surface, followed by heat treatment at different temperatures ranging from 400 °C to 600 °C. The NiO–SWCNTs hybrid nanobelts modified electrode prepared at 500 °C displays enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation, revealing a synergistic effect between the NiO and the deposited SWCNTs. The as-fabricated nonenzymatic glucose sensor exhibits excellent glucose sensitivity (2,980 μA cm^?2 mM^?1), lower detection limit (0.056 μM, signal/noise [S/N] ratio?=?3), and wider linear range (0.5–1,300 μM). Moreover, the sensor has been successfully used for the assay of glucose in serum samples with good recovery, ranging from 96.4 % to 102.4 %.     

Determination of Methimazole on a Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Paste Electrode

A multiwall carbon nanotube titanium dioxide nanoparticle modified carbon paste electrode was used for direct determination of methimazole. The nanoparticles in the carbon paste increased the surface area of the electrode and improved the sensitivity by enhancing the peak current. The electrochemical behavior of methimazole on the modified electrode was investigated. Experimental variables such as pH and electrode composition were optimized. At the optimum pH 7.0 (universal buffer), the modified electrode had a linear dynamic range of 0.5 to 100.0 μmol L^{? 1} (0.1–11.4 ppm) with a limit of detection of 0.17 μmol L^{? 1} . The application of the electrode for the determination of methimazole in pharmaceuticals and blood serum was investigated.     

Sensitive electrochemical detection of picloram utilising a multi-walled carbon nanotube/Cr-based metal-organic framework composite-modified glassy carbon electrode

This study describes the utilisation of a glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite of multi-walled carbon nanotube and Cr-based metal-organic framework (MIL-101, Cr-BDC, BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) for the sensitive, simple and fast voltammetric determination of picloram in environmental samples. Under optimum conditions, additions of picloram using square wave voltammetry showed linear ranges of picloram concentrations from 24.15 to 3018 µg?L^?1 (0.1–12.5 μM) and from 3018 to 9658 µg?L^?1 (12.5–40 μM) with a detection limit of 14.49 µg?L^?1 (0.06 µM). The method was successfully applied to the determination of picloram in tap and river water samples spiked with picloram without any purification step by the standard addition method. The good recovery values obtained ranging from 97.5% to 105.0% revealed the reliability and accuracy of the method.     

Non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor using an electrode modified with iron pentacyanonitrosylferrate nanoparticles

An electrochemical sensor was developed for determination of hydrogen peroxide (HP) based on a carbon ceramic electrode modified with iron pentacyanonitrosylferrate (FePCNF). The surface of an iron-doped CCE was derivatized in a solution of PCNF by cycling the electrode potential between ?0.2 and +1.3 V for about 60 times. The morphology and the composition of the resulting electrode were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The electrode displayed excellent response to the electro-oxidation of HP which is linearly related to its concentration in the range from 0.5 μM to 1300 μM. The detection limit is 0.4 μM, and the sensitivity is 849 A M ^?1?cm ^?2. The modified electrode was used to determination of HP in hair coloring creams as real samples.     

Sensitive voltammetric determination of rutin at a carbon nanotubes-ionic liquid composite electrode

A new composite electrode of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (DDMIMPF₆) was fabricated to determine rutin. This electrode showed very attractive electrochemical performances compared to other kinds of ionic liquid modified electrodes and notably improved sensitivity and stability. Electrochemical behavior of rutin at the composite electrode had been investigated in pH 2.09 Britton–Robinson buffer solution by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. The experimental results suggested that the composite electrode exhibited an electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of rutin. The electrochemical parameters of rutin were calculated with the results of the charge transfer coefficient (α) and the standard rate constant (k _s) as 0.48 and 2.09 s^?1. Under the selected conditions, the reduction peak current was linearly dependent on the concentration of rutin in the range of 0.03–1.5 μM, with a detection limit of 0.01 μM (S/N?=?3). The relative standard deviation for six times successive determination of 1 μM rutin was 1.6 %. The method was successfully applied to the determination of rutin in tablets and urine samples without the influence of the coexisting substances. In addition, the MWNTs/DDMIMPF₆ composite electrode exhibits a distinct advantage of simple preparation, surface renewal, good reproducibility, and stability.     

Electrochemical Determination of Anti-Hyperlipidemic Drug Ezetimibe Based on its Oxidation on Solid Electrodes

Ezetimibe is the first of a new class of drugs that selectively inhibits cholesterol absorption in the small intestine and reduces plasma LDL cholesterol. In this study, electrochemical oxidation of ezetimibe was investigated on carbon based electrodes and a single and irreversible peak at both electrodes was observed. A linear response was detected between 2 × 10^?6 and 8 × 10^?5 M with glassy carbon electrode and between 2 × 10^?6 and 2 × 10^?4 M with a boron-doped diamond electrode in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ supporting electrolyte. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of ezetimibe from pharmaceutical dosage forms and human serum samples.     

Ytterbium fluoride nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes: preparation, characterization and application for simultaneous electrochemical determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid

A novel modified glassy carbon electrode with ytterbium fluoride nanoparticles (YFNPs)-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was fabricated and then successfully used for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). YFNPs were successfully coated on the MWCNTs via the intermediate of noncovalent hydrophobic interactions of the MWCNTs surface with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The YFNPs and immobilization of YFNPs on MWCNTs were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The particle size of YFNPs was measured to be around 45 nm. The catalytic peak currents for AA, DA and UA were linearly dependent on their concentrations in the range of 2.0–600.0, 2.0–560.0 and 1.8–640.0 μM, respectively, with the corresponding detection limits of 0.77, 0.22 and 0.17 μM. The modified electrode provided good sensitivity and stability, and was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of AA, DA and UA in human blood serum and urine samples.     

Electrochemical biosensor for sensitively simultaneous determination of dopamine, uric acid, guanine, and adenine based on poly-melamine and nano Ag hybridized film-modified electrode

An electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), guanine (G), and adenine (A) has been constructed by copolymerizing melamine monomer and Ag ions on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with cyclic voltammetry. The poly-melamine and nano Ag formed a hybridized film on the surface of the GCE. The morphology of the film was characterized by scanning electron microscope. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of this film were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry (SWV). In 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 4.5), the modified electrode resolved the electrochemical response of DA, UA, G, and A into four well-defined voltammetric oxidation peaks by SWV; the oxidation peak current of DA, UA, G, and A increased 13-, 6-, 7-, and 9-fold, respectively, compared with those at the bare GCE and the SWV peak currents of DA, UA, G, and A with linear concentrations in the ranges of 0.1–50, 0.1–50, 0.1–50, and 0.1–60 μM, respectively. Based on this, a method for simultaneous determination of these species in mixture was setup. The detection limits were 10 nM for DA, 100 nM for UA, 8 nM for G, and 8 nM for A.     

Electrochemical determination of naproxen in the presence of acetaminophen using a carbon paste electrode modified with activated carbon nanoparticles

In this study, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to determine the electrochemical properties and concentration of naproxen in pharmaceutical formulation and human serum samples by using a carbon paste electrode modified with activated carbon nanoparticles. Optimum conditions were obtained at an electrode with 0.005 g activated carbon nanoparticles in a phosphate buffer solution of pH 6 as a supporting electrolyte. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the range of 0.1–120 μM, and the detection limit of naproxen determined was 0.0234 μM. The modified electrode shows good selectivity for naproxen in the presence of some organic and inorganic interferences and very good precision in real samples. Finally, naproxen was measured in the presence of acetaminophen.     

Gold nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes/ionic liquid microsized paste electrode for the determination of cortisol and androsterone hormones

A novel nanocomposite electrode material constituted of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and n-octylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate (OPPF₆) ionic liquid was prepared and checked for the development of electrochemical (bio)sensing devices. AuNPs/MWCNTs/OPPF₆ paste electrodes with micrometer dimensions (500 μm, i.d.) were constructed and applied to the determination of cortisol and androsterone hormones. Regarding cortisol determination, the microsized paste electrode was used to detect 1-naphtol generated upon addition of 1-naphthyl phosphate as enzyme substrate in the competitive immunoassay between alkaline phosphatase-labelled cortisol and cortisol. Squarewave voltammetry allowed determining the hormone within the 0.1- to 10-ng/mL linear range (r?=?0.990) with a detection limit of 15 pg/mL and a EC₅₀ value of 0.46?±?0.06 ng/mL cortisol. The method was applied to the determination of cortisol in urine and serum samples containing a certified cortisol content. Moreover, a microsized enzyme biosensor prepared by bulk modification of the AuNPs/MWCNTs/OPPF₆ electrode with the enzyme 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was used for the determination of androsterone through the amperometric detection of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. A calibration plot with a linear range between 0.1 and 120 μg/mL (r?=?0.993) and a limit of detection of 89 ng/mL were obtained. The biosensor was applied to the analysis of human serum spiked with androsterone at the 250 ng/mL concentration level.     

Simultaneous Determination of Dopamine and Uric Acid by Electrocatalytic Oxidation on a Carbon Paste Electrode Using Pyrogallol Red as a Mediator

A sensitive and selective electrochemical method for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) was developed using a pyrogallol red modified carbon paste electrode. Under the optimized conditions, the peak current was linearly dependent on 1.0–700.0 μmol L^?1 DA and 50.0–1000.0 μmol L^?1 UA. The detection limits for DA and UA were 0.78 μmol L^?1 and 35 μmol L^?1, respectively. Finally, this method was also examined for the determination of DA and uric acid in real samples such as drugs and urine.     

Absorption,transportation and distribution of imidacloprid in maize

The neonicotinoid imidacloprid is a very important insecticide in maize cultivation in China. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate its absorption, transportation and distribution in maize plants. Plants were exposed to an aqueous solution of imidacloprid at five concentrations (10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL). The residues of imidacloprid in different plant parts were determined by using a quick and effective method of high-performance liquid chromatography. Results showed that the average recoveries ranged from 85.16% to 102.23%, with relative standard deviations of 1.82–4.40% at three different spiking levels in each different matrix. The half-lives of imidacloprid in hydroponic maize water were from 5.33 to 11.55 days. The concentrations in roots, stems and leaves were from 5.61 to 7.48, 1.03 to 4.03 and 0 to 30.57 μg/mL after 6 h–7 days exposed in 10 μg/mL imidacloprid aqueous solutions, respectively. Our study showed that imidacloprid was strongly absorbed by roots and mainly accumulated in leaves. Quantity ratio and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were also used to estimate the distribution and accumulation in maize. The values of quantity ratios were the highest in the leaves while lowest in the root after 7 days treatments, with the ranking of leaves > stem > root. The BCFs were 0.63–1.66, 0.52–0.92 and 3.20–6.78 in root, stem and leaves, respectively. These results demonstrated that the exposed time and imidacloprid application concentrations were also the main factors influencing the absorption. This study enhances our understandings of the uptake and distribution of imidacloprid in maize plants.     

Fullerene-based anodic stripping voltammetry for simultaneous determination of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) in foodstuff

Various carbon nanomaterials for use in anodic stripping voltammetric analysis of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) are screened. Graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers and fullerene (C₆₀), dispersed in chitosan (Chit) aqueous solution, are used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The fullerene-chitosan modified GCE (C₆₀-Chit/GCE) displays superior performance in terms of simultaneous determination of the above ions. The electrodes and materials are characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The excellent performance of C₆₀-Chit/GCE is attributed to the good electrical conductivity, large surface area, strong adsorption affinity and unique crystalline structure of C₆₀. Using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, the assay has the following features for Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively: (a) Peak voltages of +0.14, ?0.11, ?0.58 and???0.82 V (vs SCE); (b) linear ranges extending from 0.01–6.0 μM, 0.05–6.0 μM, 0.005–6.0 μM and 0.5–9.0 μM; and (c), detection limits (3σ method) of 3 nM (0.6 ppb), 14 nM (0.9 ppb), 1 nM (0.2 ppb) and 21 nM (2.4 ppb). Moreover, the modified GCE is well reproducible and suitable for long-term usage. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of these ions in spiked foodstuff.

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Graphical abstract Compared with graphene, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, an electrode modified with fullerene in chitosan electrode displays superior performance for the simultaneous anodic stripping voltammetric detection of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II).

     

Comprehensive utilization of dairy manure to produce glucose and hierarchical porous carbon for supercapacitors

Dairy manure, one of the most abundant agricultural wastes generated in livestock farming, was pretreated with KOH aqueous solution to relieve the constraint of lignin, thus facilitating cellulose hydrolysis. The generated black liquor waste was used to prepare porous carbon. Glucose yield of 261 g/kg was obtained from dairy manure pretreated in 0.73 wt% HCl aqueous solution, much higher than that obtained from crude dairy manure (116 g/kg). The generated black liquor, mainly containing lignin and KOH, was employed to prepare porous carbon via a self-templating method. The obtained material had a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structure and was applied for supercapacitors. Good capacitance of 202 F/g was obtained in a two-electrode system with 6 M KOH electrolyte. The porous carbon-based electrode showed excellent cycling stability with retention of 100% after 3000 galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) cycles. This work provides a scalable strategy for comprehensive utilization of lignocellulosic biomass resources.     

Amperometric Detection of Morphine at Preheated Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes

A highly sensitive and fast responding sensor for the determination of morphine is described. The multiwall carbon nanotubes immobilize on preheated glassy carbon electrode (5 min at 50 °C) by gently rubbing of electrode surface on a filter paper supporting the carbon nanotubes.The results indicated that carbon nanotubes(CNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited efficiently electrocatalytic oxidation for morphine with relatively high sensitivity, stability and long life. Under conditions of cyclic voltammetry, the potential for oxidation of morphine is lowered by approximately 100 mV and the current is enhanced significantly (10 times) in comparison to the bare glassy carbon electrode at wide pH range (2–9). The electrocatalytic behavior is further exploited as a sensitive detection scheme for morphine determination by hydrodynamic amperometry. Under the optimized conditions the calibration plots are linear in the concentration range 0.5–150 μM with the calculated detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.2 μM and sensitivity of 10 nA/μM and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.5% (n=10). The amperometric response is extremely stable, with no loss in sensitivity over a continual 30 min operation. Such attractive ability of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified GC electrode, suggests great promise for a morphine amperometric sensor. Finally the ability of the modified electrode was evaluated for simultaneous determination of morphine and codeine.     

Determination of Tyrosine in the Presence of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Using a Gold Nanoparticle Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A carbon paste electrode modified with gold nanoparticles (AuMCPE) was used as a highly sensitive sensor for determination of Tyrosine (Tyr), in the presence of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), in aqueous solution. The measurements were carried out by using of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), amd chronocoulometry and chronoamperometry methods. The prepared electrode shows voltammetric responses with high sensitivity and selectivity for Tyr in the presence of SDS. The relationship between the oxidation peak current of Tyr and its concentration was obtained linearly and it was 1.0 × 10^?7 to 1.0 × 10^?5 M with a detection limit of 5.5 × 10^?8 M in the absence of SDS. On the other hand the oxidation peak current of Tyr increased significantly at AuMCPE in the presence of SDS and its detection limit was reduced to 2.7 × 10^?9 M. The proposed voltammetric approach was also applied to the determination of Tyr concentration in human serum.     

A glassy carbon electrode modified with poly(eriochrome black T) for sensitive determination of adenine and guanine

A thin film of poly(eriochrome black T) was deposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry, and this system is shown to enable the sensitive determination of adenine (A) and guanine (G). Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the film which exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of A and G in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 4.0). Square wave voltammetry reveals an oxidation peak at 1084 mV whose current is linearly related to the concentration of A in the range from 0.05 to 1.00 μM. The oxidation peak for G occurs at 788 mV, and its current is linearly related to the concentration of G in the range from 0.025 to 1.00 μM. The detection limits are 0.017 μM for A and 0.008 μM for G (at S/N?=?3), respectively. The modified electrode displays good reproducibility and selectivity for the determination of A and G. The sensor was applied to quantify A and G in fish sperm DNA with satisfactory results.

Synergistic solvent extraction of copper, cobalt, rhodium and iridium into 1, 2-Dichloroethane at trace level by newly synthesized 25, 26, 27, 28-tetrahydroxy-5, 11, 17, 23-tetra-[4-(N-hydroxyl-3-phenylprop-2-enimidamido) phenylazo] calix[4]arene

A spectrophotometric method for determination of copper, cobalt, rhodium and iridium ions from nitric acid media after extraction of these ions by 25, 26, 27, 28-tetrahydroxy-5, 11, 17, 23-tetra-[4-(N-hydroxyl-3-phenylprop-2-enimidamido) phenylazo] calix [4] arene (THPAC) has been developed and possible synergistic effect has been investigated. The maximum enhancement was obtained in the presence of 30% 1, 2-dichloroethane in DMF and 3M nitric acid. The trace amounts of the metal were determined spectrophotometrically. Beer’s law was obeyed in concentration range 5.0–10.0 μg, 6.0–120.0 μg, 12.0–100.0 μg, and 10.0–130.0 μg/10 mL of the final solution of copper, cobalt, rhodium and iridium, respectively. The molar absorptivities (l mol^?1 cm^?1) and Sandell’s sensitivities (μg cm^?1) were calculated: Cu (II) = 0.96 × 10^4, 0.0066; Co (II) = 1.13 × 10⁴, 0.0052; Rh (III) = 0.98 × 10⁴, 0.012; and Ir (III) = 2.03 × 10⁴, 0.0095, respectively. Seven replicate analyses containing of 20.0 μg of Cu (II), 24.0 μg of Co (II), 36.0 μg of Rh (III) and 25.0 μg of Ir (III) gave mean absorbance 0.302, 0.462, 0.344, 0.264; and relative standard deviation 0.65, 0.85, 1.10, 1.08%, respectively. The interference of various ions was studied and optimum conditions were developed for determination of metals in certain alloys, environmental, pharmaceutical and synthetic samples.