CC Bonding of Graphene Oxide on 4‐Aminophenyl Modified Gold Electrodes towards Simultaneous Detection of Heavy Metal Ions

This paper studied the electrochemical sensors based on C? C bonding of graphene oxide (GO) on π‐conjugated aromatic group modified gold electrodes for simultaneous detection of heavy metal ions. For comparison, another sensing interface Au‐Ph‐NH‐CO‐GO, in which GO was modified to Au‐Ph‐NH₂ interfaces by amide bonding. On the basis of the principle of heavy metal ions complexation with oxygenated species on GO, the fabricated sensing interfaces were used for the simultaneous determination of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺. The performance of two sensing interfaces for simultaneous detection of three metal ions was compared. Au‐Ph‐GO sensing interface demonstrated higher sensitivity and better repeatability than Au‐Ph‐NH‐CO‐GO sensing interface.     

Molecular Design of Calixarene,Part 4, Synthesis of Novel Double‐Armed p‐(tert‐Butyl)calix[4]arene‐Derived Amides and Their Lead(II)(Pb2+)‐Selective‐Electrode Properties

A series of novel double‐armed p‐(tert‐butyl)calix[4]arenes, carrying benzoylamido, 4‐nitrobenzoylamido, isonicotinamido, α‐naphthamido, acetamido, propionamido, or butyramido groups (see 2 – 8 , resp.) were synthesized in 80 – 86% yield by the reaction of the lower‐rim 1,3‐bis(aminoethoxy)‐substituted calix[4]arenediol 1 with the corresponding acylating agents. Their structures were established by elemental analysis, mass, IR, UV, and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. Ion‐selective electrodes (ISEs) for Pb²⁺, carrying 2 – 8 in a PVC membrane as neutral ionophore, were prepared, and their selectivity coefficients for Pb²⁺ (K) were determined against other heavy‐metal ions, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions, and ammonium ions by means of the separate‐solution method. The results obtained indicated that the electrodes based on the calix[4]arene‐derived amides 2 – 8 as the neutral ionophores were all Pb²⁺ selective and exhibited almost theoretical Nernstian slopes, except for 3 and 4 . Typically, the Pb²⁺‐selective electrode based on 6 – 8 exhibited almost Nernstian slopes for Pb²⁺ over a relatively wide concentration range and had a fast response time as well as a long lifetime, although the silver ion interfered strongly. These ISEs based on 6 – 8 showed a relatively good Pb²⁺ selectivity against most of the interfering cations examined, except for Ag⁺. The effect of the side‐arm functions of calix[4]arene derivatives 2 – 8 on the Nernstian slopes and on the selectivity coefficients for Pb²⁺ obtained with the Pb²⁺ ISEs based on 2 – 8 is discussed.     

Silver(I)‐Selective PVC Membrane Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Recently Synthesized Calix[4]arene

A new PVC membrane potentiometric sensor for Ag(I) ion based on a recently synthesized calix[4]arene compound of 5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,27‐dihydroxy‐calix[4]arene‐thiacrown‐4 is developed. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Ag(I) ions over a wide concentration range (1.0×10^?2?1.0×10^?6 M) with a slope of 53.8±1.6 mV per decade. It has a relatively fast response time (5–10 s) and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed electrode shows high selectivity towards Ag⁺ ions over Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ ions and can be used in a pH range of 2–6. Only interference of Hg²⁺ is found. It is successfully used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of a mixture of chloride, bromide and iodide ions.     

Diazonium salts: Stable monolayers on gold electrodes for sensing applications

The modification of gold electrodes with 4-carboxyphenyl diazonium salts to form stable layers for sensing applications is reported. Electrochemical reduction of 4-carboxyphenyl diazonium salts on gold electrodes yielded more stable layers than alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers in terms of extremes of electrode potential, sonication and with time. The application of the 4-carboxyphenyl modified electrodes for electrochemical sensing, which typically requires short chain alkanethiols on gold electrodes, is demonstrated via the covalent attachment of oligopeptides for the selective detection of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The diazonium salt/peptide modified gold electrodes not only had greater stability but also performed with lowest detected concentration to alkanethiol/peptide modified electrodes and with far greater sensitivity than the metal ion sensors when diazonium salt/peptide modified similar glassy carbon electrodes were employed.     

Simultaneous determination of trace levels of lead(II) and copper(II) by square wave stripping voltammetry using a glassy carbon electrode modified with hierarchical gold dendrites

A glassy carbon electrode was modified with gold hierarchical dendrites (Au HDs) by one-step electrodeposition in the presence of cytosine, which plays an important role in the formation of the Au HDs. This approach is simple, fast, feasible, controllable, without any seed, template, or surfactant. The modified electrodes were used for the simultaneous determination of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ by square wave stripping voltammetry. The peak currents show good linear relationship with concentrations of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in the range of 5.0 to 15.0 μM. The recoveries of the spiked water samples are in the range of 94.0 %–107.4 % for Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺, and their relative standard deviation are in the range of 2.7 %–4.3 % for Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively (n?=?3).

Prussian Blue Modified Submicron Structured Gold Electrodes for Amperometric Hydrogen Peroxide Sensing

In this work, we present a simple and effective approach for fabricating sub‐micron structured gold (SM−Au) electrodes by chemically etching the magnetron co‐sputtered gold film in KI solution for certain time. Such electrodes with a large surface area to volume ratio were used as the matrix for electrochemical deposition of Prussian blue (PB) to develop an electrochemical hydrogen peroxide sensor. Experimental characterization using scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope shows that the thickness of PB layer on SM−Au electrode is around 140 nm, and is composited with cubic PB nanocrystals. The electrochemical performance of the designed sensor, studied using cyclic voltammograms and chronoamperometry methods, suggests that the sensor based on SM−Au/PB electrode presents the direct electron transfer of PB particle towards SM−Au film, and exhibits fast response, wide linearity, low detection limit and high stability. Under the optimized conditions, the sensitivity of the developed sensor for the detection of H₂O₂ reaches the value of 512 mA cm⁻² M⁻¹ with a linear range from 1 μM to 4.5 mM.     

Polythymine Oligonucleotide‐Modified Gold Electrode for Voltammetric Determination of Mercury(II) in Aqueous Solution

Polythymine oligonucleotide (PTO)‐modified gold electrode (PTO/Au) was developed for selective and sensitive Hg²⁺ detection in aqueous solutions. This modified electrode was prepared by self‐assembly of thiolated polythymine oligonucleotide (5′‐SH‐T₁₅‐3′) on the gold electrode via Au? S bonds, and then the surface was passivated with 1‐mercaptohexanol solution. The proposed electrode utilizes the specific binding interactions between Hg²⁺ and thymine to selectively capture Hg²⁺, thereby reducing the interference from coexistent ions. After exchanging the medium, electrochemical reduction at ?0.2 V for 60 s, voltammetric determination was performed by differential pulse voltammetry using 10 mM HEPES; pH 7.2, 1 M NaClO₄ as supporting electrolyte. This electrode showed increasing voltammetric response in the range of 0.21 nM Hg²⁺, with a relative standard deviation of 5.32% and a practical detection limit of 60 pM. Compared with the conventional stripping approach, the modified electrode exhibits good sensitivity and selectivity, and is expected to be a new type of green electrode.     

Determination of Tryptophan using a p-Sulfonated Calix [4,6,8]arene Modified Gold Electrode

The ability of p-sulfonated calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8) to form complexes with tryptophan was studied. The electrochemical properties of these complexes immobilized on gold surfaces were examined by cyclic voltammetry. Parameters affecting the performance of the modified electrodes including the arene concentration, scan rate, applied potential, and pH were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the method had a linear response to tryptophan between 1 × 10^?7 M and 1 × 10^?5 M with a detection limit of 3 × 10^?8 M. The interaction of the tryptophan–p-sulfonated calix[4]arene complex was more stable than the tryptophan–p-sulfonated calix[6]arene and p-sulfonated calix[8]arene complexes. Molecular modeling calculations indicated that electrostatic interactions and structural matching effects were predominant stabilizing factors. The modified electrodes demonstrated good reproducibility and high selectivity, illustrating their effectiveness for analytical measurements.     

Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Lead（Ⅱ） Using Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Novel Calix[4] arene

A new glassy carbon electrode modified with novel calix[4]‐arene derivative was prepared and then applied to the selective recognition of lead ion in aqueous media by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. A new anodic stripping peak at ? 0.92 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) in square wave voltammogram can be obtained by scanning the potential from ? 1.5 to ? 0.6 V, of which the peak current is proportional to the concentration of Pb²⁺. The modified electrode in 0.1 mol/L HNO₃ solution showed a linear voltammetric response in the range of 2.0 × 10–⁸–1.0 × 10–⁶ mol/L and a detection limit of 6.1 × 10–⁹ mol/L. In the modified glassy carbon electrode no significant interference occurred from alkali, alkaline and transition metal ions except Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, which can be eliminated by the addition of KSCN. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine lead in aqueous samples.     

QCM 表面自组装胱氨酸1，3－桥连杯[4]芳烃膜用于识别气相丁胺

Two cystine-bearing 1,3-bridged calix[4]arenes were used as the coatings of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with gold electrodes. The two calix[4]arene derivatives were self-assembled onto the gold electrode surface by the covalent attachment between the di-sulfur and gold. The compound of cystine-bearing bi-phenylalanine 1,3-bridged calix[4]arene (CPC) with longer alkyl chain had better self-assembled capacity onto the fresh surfaces of gold electrode than that of cystine-bearing 1,3-bridged calix[4]arene (CC) with comparably shorter alkyl chain.The modified QCM sensors were used to recognize the butylamine isomers in gas. The results showed that the QCM coated with both compounds had preferential affinity to n-butylamine, then i-butylamine, t-butylamine in the range of low concentrations, indicating that in the recognition process, the steric hindrance effect played an important role when forming complex with guest molecules. When the concentrations of the analytes were increased, the polarity and the magnetism of the butylamine became determinative factors. The reversibility was improved greatly and the equilibrium time was much shorter on the self-assembled film than on the film obtained by dropping coating.     

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Biomass Yeast Integrated Sulfur-doped Graphene and Carboxylated Carbon Nanotubes/MoS2 for Highly-sensitive Detection of Pb2+

Glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) modified with sulfur-doped graphene (SG)/carboxylated carbon nanotube (CNT−COOH)/MoS₂/yeast composite were prepared for electrochemical detection for lead ions by the simple hydrothermal methods and ultrasonic methods. The combination of SG and CNT−COOH could form a double-layer carbon structure, providing more active detection sites for detection for lead, which could also contribute to adherence of yeast and MoS₂. The SG/CNT−COOH/MoS₂/yeast exhibited a high response in detecting low concentrations of lead ions. And then the SG/CNT−COOH/MoS₂/yeast was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Compared with traditional detection technology, the linear range of the sensor was 10⁻⁶∼10⁻¹⁴ g/L. And the lower of detection (LOD) down to 2.61×10⁻¹⁵ g/L was achieved. The sensor showed prospective applications in detection of Pb²⁺ in real serum samples.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p‐tert‐Butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene and Its Selective Complexation with Metal Ions at Water‐Air Interface

The electrochemical behavior of p‐tert‐butyl‐sulfonylcalix[4]arene (SCA) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results show that there is an irreversible electrochemical oxidative wave when the potential ranges from 0.9 to 1.9 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in CH₂Cl₂ at a glassy carbon electrode. The kinetic parameters of the andic wave, such as α,n, k_s, D and the diffusion activation energy (E_d), were discussed. In addition, the interaction of SCA with metal ions at the water‐air interface was also discussed by Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) techniques. The results confirm that the selectivity of SCA as ligand for Pb²⁺ in monomolecular film is very high by complexation action, which provide the foundation that LB film of SCA modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as voltammetric sensor to detect trace amounts of Pb²⁺.     

Calix[4]Arenes in the partial cone conformation as ionophores in silver ion-selective electrodes

Two calix[4]arene derivatives, in the partial cone conformation, with sulfur-containing functionalities, were tested as neutral carrier ionophores in potentiometric silver-selective electrodes of conventional membrane and membrane-coated glassy carbon electrode types. Comparison with a calix[4]arene in the cone conformation was made. The membranes were prepared using either 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether or bis(ethylhexyl)sebacate as plasticizers and potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate as the lipophilic salt in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix. Both calix[4]arenes yielded electrodes of good sensitivity (approx. 47 mV dec⁻¹) in the range 10⁻⁴–10⁻¹ M and excellent selectivity [log K_Ag,_MH+ < −1.5] of transition, alkali and heavy metal cations, including sodium, mercury(II) and lead(II) cations. Temperature effects and reproducibility of response were determined and the interfering effects of mercury(II) and lead (II) ions on the membranes were noted. The partial cone conformation allows improved selectivity over certain cations relative to calix[4]arenes in the cone conformation.     

Dual Signal Amplification Electrochemical Biosensor for Lead Cation

Herein, a sensitive electrochemical Pb²⁺ sensor was developed which based on DNA‐functionalized Au nanoparticles(AuNPs) and nanocomposite modified electrode. The DNA‐functionalized AuNPs includes two types of DNA, namely a Pb²⁺‐mediated DNAzyme comprising a biotin labeled‐enzyme DNA and a substrate strand DNA with a typical stem‐loop structure, and a ferrocene‐labeled linear signal DNA. Without Pb²⁺, the hairpin loop impeded biotin binding to avidin on the electrode. However,when the goal Pb²⁺ exists, the substratum strand was divided into two fragments that lead to the enzyme strand was substratumed on the electrode and biotin was admited by avidin, bringing about DNA‐functionalized AuNP(AuNPs) deposition on the electrode surface.The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to measure electrochemical response signals connect to signal DNA.For the amplification characters of the DNA‐functionalized AuNPs and nanocomposite, the electrochemical detection signal of Pb²⁺ was greatly improved and revealed high specificity. Under optimum conditions, the resultant biosensor bringed out a high sensitivity and selectivity for the determination of Pb²⁺. The proposed method was able to detect as low as picomolar Pb²⁺ concentrations.     

Electorchemical Studies of Cytochrome c on Electodes Modified by Single—Wall Carbon Naotubes

Single-wall carbon nanotubes(SWNTs) modified gold electrodes were prepared by using two different methods.The electrochemical behavior of cytochrome c on the modified gold electrodes was investigated.The first kind of SWNT-modified electrode (noted as SWNT/Au electrode)was prepared by the adsorption of carboxylterminated SWNTs from DMF dispersion on the gold electrode.The oxidatively processed SWNT tips were covalently modified by coupling with amines (AET) to form amide linkage.Via Au-S chemical bonding,the self-assembled monolayer of thiol-unctionalized nanotubes on gold surface was fabricated so as to prepare the others SWNT-modified electrode (noted as SWNT/AET/Au electrode).It was shown from cyclic voltammetry cxperiments that cytochrome c exhibited direct electrochemical responses on the both electrodes, but only the current of controlled diffusion existed on the SWNT/Au electrode while both the currents of controlled diffusion and adsorption of cytochrome c occurred on the SWNT/AET/Au electrode.Photoelastic Modulation Infared Reflection Absorpthion Spectroscopy (PEM-IRRAS) and Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) were employed to verify the adsorption of SWNTs on the gold electrodes.The results proved that SWNTs could enhance the direct electron transfer proecss between the electrodes and redox proteins.     

A New Silver(I) Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Calix[4]arene Substituted at the Narrow Rim by Amide/Phosphoryl Groups

A coated‐wire type silver ion‐selective electrode has been constructed using a modified p‐tert‐butyl‐calix[4]arene by amide‐phosphoryl groups, named 5, 11, 17, 23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25, 27‐bis(diethylcarbamoylmethoxy)‐26,28‐bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (Calix), as neutral carrier. A plasticized PVC membrane containing 30% PVC, 60% ortho‐nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE), 2% sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and 8% “Calix” was coated on a graphite rod. The prepared electrode exhibited a linear Nernstian response over the range 1 × 10^?6 to 1 × 10^?2 M with a slope 58.4 (±0.2) mV per decade change and a detection limit of 6.3 × 10^?7 M. The working pH range of the sensor is 4‐6.7. It is found that the dynamic response time of the electrode to achieve a steady potential was very fast (～11 s). The selectivity of the sensor relative to NH₄⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, La³⁺, Sm³⁺ and Th⁴⁺ was examined. The prepared electrode exhibits adequate stability with good reproducibility (57.6 ± 0.5 mV per decade change for 10 weeks). It was successfully used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of silver ions with standard solution of EDTA. The sensor was also used for silver ion measurements in various synthetic samples.     

Underpotential Deposition and Stripping of Lead at Disorganized Monolayer‐Modified Gold Electrodes

Underpotential deposition (UPD) and stripping of Pb²⁺ at thiol‐based disorganized monolayer‐modified gold electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry (EQCM). Electrodes modified with mercaptoacetic acid or mercaptoethane sulfonic acid were studied. Due to the proximity of the potentials for the Pb UPD and thiol reductive desorption, achievement of a UPD‐stripping voltammetry methodology for determination of low concentrations of Pb²⁺ was not successful. However by comparison of the CV and EQCM data and consideration of the possible mass changes per mole electrons transferred in light of the other species present in solution, possible mechanisms are put forward for the deposition and stripping of Pb²⁺ at thiol‐modified electrodes.     

Oligomeric calix[4]arene‐thiacrown ether for toxic heavy metals

A new oligomeric calix[4]arene‐thiacrown‐4 ( 5 ) was synthesized via a condensation reaction of 5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,27‐bis‐(4‐aminobenzyloxy)‐calix[4]arene‐thiacrown‐4 ( 4 ) with adipoyl dichloride. In this oligomerization reaction only five/six calix[4]arene‐thiacrown‐4 units were linked in the oligomeric chain. The complexation studies of 5 were made with liquid–liquid‐ extraction and solid–liquid‐sorption procedures. For comparison, the extraction efficiencies of monomers 1 , 3 , and 4 to selected transition metals are reported. The selectivity of monomers 3 and 4 toward Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ was lost after oligomerization in the two‐phase extraction systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 186–193, 2004     

Electrochemical Determination of L‐Lactate Using Phenylboronic Acid Monolayer‐Modified Electrodes

The surface of a gold (Au) disk electrode was modified with a self‐assembled monomolecular layer of dithiobis(4‐butylamino‐m‐phenylboronic acid) (DTBA‐PBA) to prepare L ‐lactate‐sensitive electrodes. The DTBA‐PBA‐modified electrodes exhibited an attenuated cyclic voltammogram (CV) for the Fe(CN)₆^3? ion in the presence of L ‐lactate, as a result of the formation of phenylboronate ester of L ‐lactate accompanied with the addition of OH^? ion to the boron atom. In other words, the negatively charged DTBA‐PBA monolayer blocked the electrode surface from the access of the Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? ions. Thus, the DTBA‐PBA monolayer‐modified Au electrode can be used for determining L ‐lactate on the basis of the change in redox current of Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? ions. The calibration graph useful for determining 1–30 mM L ‐lactate was obtained.     

Voltammetric determination of mercury (II) in aqueous media using glassy carbon electrodes modified with novel calix[4]arene

A novel calix[4]arene derivative containing benzothiazole group was coated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and then applied to the recognition of mercury ion. Cyclic and square wave voltammetric results showed that the modified electrode selectively recognizes Hg²⁺ ion in aqueous media. A new anodic stripping peak at −0.3 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) can be obtained by scanning the potential from −0.6 to 0.6 V, and the peak currents are proportional to the Hg²⁺ concentration. The modified electrode in a 0.1 M H₂SO₄+0.01 M NaCl solution shows linear voltammetric response in the range of 25-300 μg l⁻¹ and detection limit of 5 μg l⁻¹ (ca. 2.5×10⁻⁸ M). This modified GCE does not present any significant interference from alkali, alkaline and transition metal ions except for Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. Only 500, 50 and 100-fold molar excess of Pb²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, respectively, can lead to voltammetric response comparable with that of Hg²⁺. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine mercury in natural water.