Uric Acid Determination by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry on Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Based Screen‐Printed Electrodes

A sensitive electroanalytical methodology for the determination of uric acid in real samples using adsorptive voltammetry at a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) modified screen printed electrode (SPCE) is presented. Adsorption of uric acid takes place at open circuit potential at an optimized pH 5.0. Studies about the effect of accumulation time and scan rate on the analytical signal were developed and confirm the adsorption nature of the electrodic process. Quantitative analysis of uric acid by using its oxidation process at +0.18 V (vs. an Ag pseudoreference electrode) was carried out with an accumulation time of 5 min. Thus, a linear voltammetric based reproducible determination of uric acid (RSD 5 %) in the range 1–100 µM was obtained. The method was then successfully used for the determination of uric acid in real clinical samples of urine without detection of interferences. The proposed methodology only requires a dilution of the real sample and present advantages as low cost and easy handling for non specialized technicians.     

Electroanalytical Study of Prussian Blue Modified Glassy Carbon Paste Electrodes

Two types of glassy carbon (GC) powder (i.e., Sigradur K and Sigradur G) have been mixed with mineral oil to obtain glassy carbon paste electrodes (GCPE's). The electrochemical behavior of such electrodes at different percentages of glassy carbon has been evaluated with respect to the electrochemistry of ferricyanide as revealed with cyclic voltammetry and the best paste composition was chosen. GC was then modified with Prussian Blue (PB), mixed at different percentages with unmodified GC and with a fixed amount of mineral oil in order to obtain PB modified glassy carbon paste electrodes (PB‐GCPE's). PB‐GCPE's with different percentages of GC modified with PB (PB‐GC) were compared and the dependence on the amount of PB on their performances was evaluated by studying the parameters of cyclic voltammetry (i.e., current peak, ΔE_p, anodic and cathodic current ratio, charge density) and the amperometric response to H₂O₂. Data interpretation based on the GC surface area is presented. GCPE's with a selected amount of PB‐GC were then tested as H₂O₂ probes and all the analytical parameters together with the dependence on pH were evaluated. Some preliminary experiments with these electrodes assembled as glucose, lysine and lactate biosensors are also reported.     

Cyclodextrin Modified Carbon Paste Based Electrodes as Sensors for the Determination of Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Amines

Voltammetric properties and possibility of the determination of carcinogenic aminoderivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely 1‐ and 2‐aminonaphthalene and 2‐aminobiphenyl, have been investigated. Carbon paste electrodes (CPE) modified with monomeric α‐, β‐ or γ‐cyclodextrin and carbon‐based screen‐printed electrodes (SPE) surface‐modified with a thin film of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CDP) or carboxymethylated β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CDPA) condensation polymer were used for that purpose as simple electrochemical biosensors. Analytical procedure for the DPV determination of tested amines using these biosensors was proposed. Linear calibration plots within the concentration range of 2×10^?8 – 2×10^?7 mol dm^?3 and 2×10^?7–1×10^?6 mol dm^?3 with limits of quantification of the order of 10^?9 mol dm^?3 were obtained for the modified CPE and modified SPE.     

Amperometric Glucose Biosensors Based on Glassy Carbon and SWCNT‐Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Different carbonaceous materials, such as single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and glassy carbon submitted to an electrochemical activation at +1.80 V (vs. SCE) for 900 s, have been used with the aim of comparing their performances in the development of enzyme electrodes. Commercial SWCNTs have been pretreated with 2.2 M HNO₃ for 20 h prior to use. The utility of activated GC as promising material for amperometric oxidase‐based biosensors has been confirmed. With glucose oxidase (GOx) as a model enzyme, glucose was efficiently detected up to 1 mM without the use of a mediator. Both electrodes operated in stirred solutions of 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.5), containing dissolved oxygen, at a potential of ?0.40 V vs. SCE. Although the performances of the two carbonaceous materials were comparable, the biosensors based on activated GC were characterized by a practically unchanged response 40 days after the fabrication, a better signal to noise ratio, and a little worse sensitivity. In addition, the preparation procedure of such biosensors was more simple, rapid and reproducible.     

Determination of Epinephrine at Different Types of Carbon Paste Electrodes

The voltammetric behavior of epinephrine was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at a carbon paste electrodes (CPE) made of different carbon powders – CR-2, glassy carbon (GC) microparticles, and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). In Briton-Robinson (BR) buffer solution pH 6, the linear dependence was found for the determination of epinephrine by the given method in the concentration ranges of 1·10^?6–1·10^?4 (CR-2), 1·10^?6–1·10^?4 (GC microparticles) and 4·10^?6–1·10^?4 (SWNT) mol·dm^?3. Limits of detection were 8·10^?7, 8·10^?7, and 2·10^?6 mol·dm^?3, respectively. The best results were obtained employing CPE containing carbon paste with 50% (m/m) of SWNT, a linear dynamic range being 4·10^?7–1·10^?4 mol·dm^?3 and a limit of detection 2·10^?7 mol·dm^?3. The attempt to increase the sensitivity by adsorptive accumulation of epinephrine was not successful.     

Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Determination of 4‐Hexylresorcinol in Pharmaceutical Products Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Based Electrodes

A sensitive electroanalytical method is presented for the determination of 4‐hexylresorcinol using adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdsSV) at a multiwalled carbon nanotube modified basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (MWCNT‐BPPGE). This method is also extended to the use of a MWCNT modified screen‐printed electrode (MWCNT‐SPE), thereby demonstrating that this approach can easily be incorporated into a facile and inexpensive electrochemical sensor.     

碳纳米管膜电极的制备及其分析应用

本文详细介绍了碳纳米管的特性,并就碳纳米管在电分析化学中的应用情况进行了全面的综述,重点介绍了各种碳纳米管膜电极的制备及其应用。     

Direct Determination of Bacterial Cell Viability Using Carbon Nanotubes Modified Screen‐printed Electrodes

For the early detection of bacterial infection, there is a need for rapid, sensitive, and label‐free assays. Thus, in this study, nanostrucured microbial electrochemical platform is designed to monitor the viability and cell growth of S. aureus. Using multi‐walled carbon nanotube modified screen‐printed electrodes (MWCNTs/SPE), the cyclic voltammetric measurements showed only one irreversible oxidation peak at 600 mV vs Ag/AgCl that accounts for the viable and metabolically active bacterial cells. The assay was optimized and the secreted metabolites, in the extracellular matrix, were directly detected. The peak current showed a positive correlation with viable cell numbers ranging from OD_{600 nm} of 0.1 to 1.1, indicating that the activity of live cells can be quantified. Consequently, responses of viable and non‐viable cells of S. aureus to the effects of antibiotic and respiratory chain inhibitors were determined. Thus, the proposed nanostructure‐based bacterial sensor provides a reasonable and reliable way for real‐time monitoring of live‐dead cell functions, and antibacterial profiling.     

Use of Cationic Surfactants Film Carbon Paste Electrodes Modified with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Electrochemical Analysis of dsDNA

Direct electrochemistry of dsDNA based on the enhancement effect of cationic surfactants such as dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) was achieved by using a carbon paste electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/CPE) as the basal electrode. The results indicated that the dsDNA molecules have been adsorbed quite strongly on the cationic surfactants’ film and very well developed peaks which were attributed to the oxidation of guanine residues on the dsDNA molecule structure were obtained from both electrodes. The electrochemical behavior of dsDNA at the surface of the modified electrodes was also evaluated. Based on the signal of guanine, under the optimal conditions, very low levels of dsDNA were detected following short accumulation times with detection limits of 0.650 mg L^?1 and 0.119 mg L^?1 for DTAB/MWCNTs/CPE and TTAB/MWCNTs/CPE, respectively.     

Metallic Free Carbon Nanotube Cluster Modified Screen Printed Electrodes for the Sensing of Nicotine in Artificial Saliva

We demonstrate that metallic free carbon nanotube cluster modified screen printed electrodes provide an advantageous sensing methodology for nicotine. The electrochemical oxidation of nicotine is possible at low potentials compared to other commercially available carbon electrodes. Using the carbon nanotube cluster modified screen printed electrodes a detection range of 10 to 1000 μM is possible with a limit of detection of 2 μM. The sensing protocol is shown to be viable in artificial saliva and is promising as a portable and rapid sensor for nicotine in oral fluid (saliva) in areas such as health/life insurance, instances where smoking is banned and also as a point of care test to help improve smoking quit rates.     

Fullerene Black Modified Screen Printed Electrodes for the Quantification of Acetaminophen and Guanine

Fullerene Black (FB) and Extracted Fullerene Black (EFB) were used in modified screen‐printed electrodes producing electrochemical transducers (FB‐SPEs and EFB‐SPEs). A complete electrochemical study was performed and the best results are obtained working with FB‐SPEs, especially in terms of: 1. improved electron‐transfer kinetic mechanisms and 2. sensitivity and selectivity toward Acetaminophen (Ac) and Guanine (G). These latter represent two important electro‐active targets to quantify in medicine field application, because: Ac is a preferred alternative (as analgesic‐antipyretic agent) to aspirin, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate aspirin; the oxidation signal of G is useful for the fabrication of emerging analytical tools, such as DNA chipsand user‐friendly diagnostic devices. Ac and G are quantify by using FB‐SPEs electrochemical devices, with an extended linearity (1–300 μM for Ac; 0.1–300 μM for G), an excellent sensitivity (2.82 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² in the case of Ac; and 0.183 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² in the case of G), a low detection limit (0.01 μM for Ac; 0.005 μM for G), a very good reproducibility (both: intra‐; inter‐electrodes reproducibility RSD % ranging from 0.3–0.5 for Ac; and 0.50–0.85 for G) and a very fast response time (6 s for Ac; 5 s in the case of G). In addition, high selectivity is obtained at FB‐SPEs, meaning that the FB‐SPEs electrochemical transducers are suitable to simultaneously quantify Ac and G in real samples, having several different (highly concentrated) interference.     

Simple Electrochemical Characterization of ortho‐Carborane and some of its exo‐Skeletal Derivatives

Electrochemical behaviour of 12 icosahedral carboranes – ortho‐, meta‐ and para‐carborane with different exo‐skeletal substituents was investigated. The study was done using phosphate buffers, in some cases with 20 % and 30 % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) addition to increase the solubility of studied compounds. Commercial glassy carbon electrode or home‐made screen printed electrodes were used. Distinct electrochemical responses were observed only for the ortho‐carborane and its exo‐skeletal derivatives. The study of different exo‐skeletal substituents on the electrochemical behaviour of the carboranes is crucial for the intended use of these compounds as electrochemical labels of biomolecules.     

Voltammetric Determination of an Anti-rheumatoid Drug Acemetacin on Graphite Flake Paste Electrode and Glassy Carbon Electrode

In this study, a simple and sensitive square wave voltammetric procedure has been developed for the determination of acemetacin (ACM) at graphite flake paste electrode (GFPE) and glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Under optimized conditions, the dependence of ACM peak current on its concentration showed wide linear range: 0.03–1.0 μmol L⁻¹ and 0.7–15.0 μmol L⁻¹ at GFPE and GCE, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of ACM in pharmaceuticals and spiked urine with satisfying recoveries. The electrochemical oxidation of ACM is an irreversible process controlled by mixed nature of the mass transfer process.     

基于碳纳米管的化学修饰电极及电化学生物传感器的研究进展

综述了碳纳米管的结构、合成、纯化、功能化、分散及基于碳纳米管的化学修饰电极和电化学生物传感器的研究进展。     

Influence of the Electrode Material on the Electrochemical Behavior of Carbon Paste Electrodes Modified with Meldola Blue and Methylene Green Adsorbed on a Synthetic Zeolite

Carbon paste electrodes modified with a phenoxazine derivative, Meldola blue, and a phenothiazine derivative, methylene green, both strongly adsorbed on a synthetic zeolite were investigated using either glassy carbon powder (Sigradur K, SK) or single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as conductive electrode material. In the case of SWCNT based electrodes, the formal potential of both mediators was pH dependent, as expected for a redox process involving proton transfer. In contrast, the formal potential of both mediators of SK based modified electrodes was practically insensitive to pH. This behavior is discussed in terms of interactions existing in the heterogeneous system mediator‐zeolite‐electrode material.     

Electrochemical Characterization and Determination of Mercury Using Carbon Paste Electrodes Modified with Cyclodextrins

In this work the characterization and determination of mercury in HClO₄ media using carbon paste electrodes modified with α‐ and β‐cyclodextrins (CPE_α‐CD and CPE_β‐CD) at E_d=?0.7 V with a t_d = 20 s and a potential scan v=20 mV s^?1 is studied‥ The statistical results obtained indicate that the modified electrodes displayed a better analytical performance as compared to that obtained with the unmodified CPE. The detection limits for the CPE_α‐CD and for the CPE_β‐CD were 0.05 and 0.09 μM, respectively, while for the CPE it was 0.41 μM. The CPE_β‐CD exhibited greater sensitivity as compared to that of the CPE_α‐CD.     

Sensitive Determination of Nitrofurantoin by Flow Injection Analysis Using Carbon Nanofiber Screen Printed Electrodes

In this work, a new method to quantify nitrofurantoin in aqueous media using a flow injection system connected to commercially available screen‐printed carbon nanofibers was developed. A pretreatment of the screen‐printed carbon nanofibers electrode with Britton? Robinson buffer/N,N‐dimethylformamide was applied to enhance the nitrofurantoin peak current signal in one step. The developed method was demonstrated to be sensible, reproducible, easy, and inexpensive. With a low detection limit, it is applicable to real samples. The results indicate that it is highly applicable for the detection of nitrofurantoin in several matrices. When urine samples without any pretreatment were analyzed, the method proved reproducible and sensible and had a low detection limit. The use of screen‐printed electrodes has advantages over other modified electrodes as a glassy carbon due to its versatility.     

Electrochemical Monitoring of DNA Hybridization by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Based Screen Printed Electrodes

The application of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) based screen printed graphite electrodes (SPEs) was explored in this study for the electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization related to specific sequences on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. After the microscopic characterization of bare MWCNT‐SPEs and DNA immobilized ones was performed, the optimization of assay has been studied. The development of screen printing process combined with nanomaterial based disposable sensor technology leads herein a great opportunity for DNA detection using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) by measuring the guanine oxidation signal observed at +1.00 V in the presence of DNA hybridization between HBV probe and its complementary, target. The detection limit estimated for signal to noise ratios =3 corresponds to 96.33 nM target concentration in the 40 μL samples. The advantages of carbon nanotube based screen printed electrode used for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization are discussed with sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility in comparison with previous nanomaterial based electrochemical transducers developed for DNA or other biomolecular recognitions.     

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.