A novel electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers for caffeine recognition and detection

A sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was developed for caffeine (CAF) recognition and detection. The sensor was constructed through the following steps: multiwalled carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles were first modified onto the glassy carbon electrode surface by potentiostatic deposition method successively. Subsequently, o-aminothiophenol (ATP) was assembled on the surface of the above electrode through Au–S bond before electropolymerization. During the assembled and electropolymerization processes, CAF was embedded into the poly(o-aminothiophenol) film through hydrogen bonding interaction between CAF and ATP, forming an MIP electrochemical sensor. The morphologies and properties of the sensor were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. The recognition and determination of the sensor were observed by measuring the changes of amperometric response of the oxidation-reduction probe, [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/[Fe(CN)₆]^4?, on modified electrode. The results demonstrated that the prepared sensor had excellent selectivity and high sensitivity for CAF, and the linear range was 5.0?×?10^?10?~?1.6?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 9.0?×?10^?11?mol?L^?1 (S/N?=?3). The sensor was also successfully employed to detect CAF in tea samples.     

Electrochemical Determination of Neurotransmitters at Crown Ether Modified Carbon Nanotube Composite: Application for Sub‐nano‐sensing of Serotonin in Human Serum

We propose an electrochemical sensor based on applying two successive thin layers from a mixture of multiwalled carbon nanotubes‐ionic liquid crystal and crown ether at glassy carbon electrode surface (GC/(CNTs‐ILC)/Crown). The sensor was used for sensitive determination of neurotransmitters based on effective synergism between its components. The compact conducting surface of (CNTs ‐ ILC) with large surface area allowed the assembling of stable host‐guest inclusion complexes between crown ethers and neurotransmitters. The GC/(CNTs‐ILC)/Crown exhibited excellent electro‐catalytic activity toward the determination of serotonin (ST) in a wide linear dynamic range: 0.005 μmol L^?1 to 100 μmol L^?1. In the concentration range 0.005 μmol L^?1 to 1 μmol L^?1, the detection limit is 2.03×10^?10 mol L^?1 and quantification limit is 6.78×10^?10 mol L^?1 with correlation coefficient 0.999. The sensor was successfully applied for ST detection in human serum samples with satisfied recovery results. The sensor showed excellent analytical performance for the determination of ST in terms of low detection limit, good sensitivity and reproducibility. Furthermore excellent anti‐interference ability and simultaneous determination of ST in presence of other compounds as ascorbic acid, dopamine and antidepressant drug were achieved.     

Piezoelectric Crystal Biosensor System for Detection of Escherichia Coli

Abstract

A piezoelectric crystal biosensor system was applied to the detection of Escherichia coli. the system consists of an oscillator, a frequency counter, a flow cell and a modified piezoelectric crystal. Anti-E. coli antibody is immobilized on the surface of the crystal. It is used as an E. coli detection by measuring its resonant frequency shift due to a mass change caused by specific binding of the micro organisms to the surface. the frequency shift correlates with an E. coli concentration in the range of 10⁶?10⁸ cells·cm^?3. the resonant frequency shift is increased by further treatment to bind micro-particles modified with anti-E. coli antibody. This method allows us to improve the determination limit to 10⁵ cells · cm^?3.     

Poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-aniline)-modified electrode—synthesis, characterization, and application as cadmium(II) ion sensor

A poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-aniline) (poly(4VP-co-Ani))-based solid-state ion sensor for cadmium (Cd) was developed. This was obtained from studies done on a number of selected monomers electropolymerized onto a poly(4vinylpyridine) (P4VP)-modified graphite pencil rod, surface characterizing them and then analyzing their performances as a Cd(II) ion sensor. Among them, the membrane of poly(4VP-co-Ani) at a mole ratio of 0.05:0.15 was found to be the best. The fabricated poly(4VP-co-Ani) solid-state electrode had a linear response of 1?×?10^?6 to 1?×?10^?2?M Cd²⁺, slope of 29.4?±?0.5 mV decade^?1, detection limit of 7.94?×?10^?7?M Cd²⁺, and response time of 15 s at pH 4.5–8.5 with excellent selectivity. The sensor was operationally stable within a period of 3 months. The proposed sensor was tested for determination of Cd²⁺ in environmental, plant, and pharmaceutical samples. The analyses were comparable to the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometric method.     

Different experimental results for the influence of immersion angle on the resonant frequency of a quartz crystal microbalance in a liquid phase: with a comment

This paper presents different experimental results of the influence of an immersion angle (θ, the angle between the surface of a quartz crystal resonator and the horizon) on the resonant frequency of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor exposed one side of its sensing surfaces to liquid. The experimental results show that the immersion angle is an added factor that may influence the frequency of the QCM sensor. This type of influence is caused by variation of the reflection conditions of the longitudinal wave between the QCM sensor and the walls of the detection cell. The frequency shifts, measured by varying θ, are related to the QCM sensor used. When a QCM sensor with a weak longitudinal wave is used, its resonant frequency is nearly independent of θ. But, if a QCM sensor with a strong longitudinal wave is employed, the immersion angle is a potential error source for the measurements performed on the QCM sensor. When the reflection conditions of the longitudinal wave are reduced, the influence of θ on the resonant frequency of the QCM sensor is negligible. The slope of the plot of frequency shifts (ΔF) versus (ρη)^1/2, the square root of the product of solution density (ρ) and viscosity (η), may be influenced by θ in a single experiment for the QCM sensor with a strong longitudinal wave in low viscous liquids, which can however, be effectively weakened by using the averaged values of reduplicated experiments. In solutions with a large (ρη)^1/2 region (0-55 wt% sucrose solution as an example, with ρ value from 1.00 to 1.26 g cm⁻³ and η value from 0.01 to 0.22 g cm⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively), the slope of the plot of ΔF versus (ρη)^1/2 is independent of θ even for the QCM sensor with a strong longitudinal wave in a single experiment. The influence of θ on the resonant frequency of the QCM sensor should be taken into consideration in its applications in liquid phase.     

Simplified determination of bacterial contamination by Escherichia coli using a flow injection system with piezoelectric detection

A rapid and automated method was developed for the determination of bacterial contamination and using Escherichia coli as a model microorganism. The method involves the use of a sensor connected to a flow injection (FI) system. The sample is introduced through a flow injection system into a piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) flow-cell. The resulting change of the resonance frequency is related to the bacterial contamination in the sample. The parameters associated with the flow system and the conditions for introducing the sample culture were optimized. Calibration curves are linear in the range from 3.2?×?10⁷ to 3.2?×?10⁹ cfu per mL^-1, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The reproducibility was between 3.1 and 7.6%, and the detection limit is 1.1?×?10⁷ cfu per mL^-1. The method allowed the determination of bacterial contamination in residual water and in samples of milk and chicken stock within 5 h, while the conventional plate count method requires 24 to 48 h. The results obtained by these two methods are in good agreement.

Determination of silver in solution with a piezoelectric detector after electrodeposition

Silver in solution is determined in situ by frequency change of a piezoelectric quartz crystal due to electrodeposition on the electrode of the crystal immersed in the solution. A test solution containing EDTA for masking other metal ions flows through a thermostated cell which contains the crystal with platinum-plated electrodes. The frequency change is proportional to the silver concentration in the range 10^?6?3 × 10^?5 M after electrodeposition for 10 min, and 2 × 10^?7?1 × 10^?6 M for 1 h.     

Preparation of an amperometric sensor for norfloxacin based on molecularly imprinted grafting photopolymerization

A sensitive amperometric sensor for norfloxacin (NF) was introduced. The receptor layer was prepared by molecularly imprinted photopolymerization of acrylamide and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate on the surface of a gold electrode. The binding mechanism of the molecularly imprinted polymer was explored by ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The chemosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance (EI), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrode prepared by photopolymerization has a better recognition ability to template molecules than that of electropolymerization and NIP. Some parameters affecting sensor response were optimized. Norfloxacin was detected by measurements of an amperometric i–t curve. The linear relationships between current and logarithmic concentration are obtained from 1.0?×?10^?9 to 1.0?×?10^?3?mol?L^?1. The detection limit of the sensor was 1.0?×?10^?10?mol?L^?1. The proposed method is sensitive, simple, and cheap, and is applied to detect NF in human urine successfully.

A microvolume molecularly imprinted polymer modified fiber-optic evanescent wave sensor for bisphenol A determination

A fiber-optic evanescent wave sensor for bisphenol A (BPA) determination based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-modified fiber column was developed. MIP film immobilized with BPA was synthesized on the fiber column, and the sensor was then constructed by inserting the optical fiber prepared into a transparent capillary. A microchannel (about 2.0 μL) formed between the fiber and the capillary acted as a flow cell. BPA can be selectively adsorbed online by the MIP film and excited to produce fluorescence by the evanescent wave produced on the fiber core surface. The conditions for BPA enrichment, elution, and fluorescence detection are discussed in detail. The analytical measurements were made at 276 nm/306 nm (λ _ex/λ _em), and linearity of 3?×?10^?9–5?×?10^?6 g mL^?1 BPA, a limit of detection of 1.7?×?10^?9 g mL^?1 BPA (3σ), and a relative standard deviation of 2.4 % (n?=?5) were obtained. The sensor selectivity and MIP binding measurement were also evaluated. The results indicated that the selectivity and sensitivity of the proposed fiber-optic sensor could be greatly improved by using MIP as a recognition and enrichment element. Further, by modification of the sensing and detection elements on the optical fiber, the proposed sensor showed the advantages of easy fabrication and low cost. The novel sensor configuration provided a platform for monitoring other species by simply changing the light source and sensing elements. The sensor presented has been successfully applied to determine BPA released from plastic products treated at different temperatures.

The Structure and Properties of Phenol-2,4-disulfonic Acid Dihydrate

The crystal and molecular structure of phenol-2,4-disulfonic acid dihydrate was determined by X-ray structure analysis. All hydrogen positions in the crystal structure were found using difference Fourier syntheses. Oxonium cations and acid anions were linked in the crystal structure by short H-bonds, and the phenol OH group participated in two weak H-bonds with sulfo group oxygens simultaneously. The IR frequency corresponding to ν_{s, as} (H₃O⁺) vibrations decreased to 2700 cm^?1 under the influence of short H-bonds between oxonium cations and anions. The contour of the corresponding absorption band became anomalously broad. A discrete maximum was observed at 3412 cm^?1 on the high-frequency wing of this band; this maximum was assigned to OH stretching vibrations of the phenol group. The protonic conductivity of the compound measured by impedance spectroscopy was 2.5 × 10^?6 Ω^?1 cm^?1 at 298 K in a vacuum, E _a = 0.37 ± 0.01 eV. An increase in the humidity of the environment to 15% at room temperature increased conductivity from 10^?6 to 10^?5 Ω^?1 cm^?1, E _a = 0.27 ± 0.02 eV.     

Candida Biofilm Disrupting Ability of Di-rhamnolipid (RL-2) Produced from Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSVP20

Biosurfactant produced from Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSVP20 was evaluated for its potential to disrupt Candida albicans biofilm formed on polystyrene (PS) surfaces in this investigation. P. aeruginosa DSVP20 exhibited optimum production of biosurfactant (5.8 g?L^?1) after 96 h of growth with an ability to reduce surface tension of the aqueous solution from 72 to 28 mN?m^?1. Analysis of purified biosurfactant with FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and MALDI-TOF MS revealed it to be di-rhamnolipid (RL-2) in nature. Biofilm disrupting ability of RL-2 (0.16 mg?mL^?1) on Candida cells when checked using XTT reduction assay revealed that about 50 % of the cells remain adhered to 96-well plate after 2 h of treatment, while up to 90 % reduction in pre-formed C. albicans biofilm on PS surface was observed with RL-2 (5.0 mg?mL^?1) in a dose-dependent manner. Microscopic analyses (SEM and CLSM) further confirm the influence of RL-2 on disruption of Candida biofilm extracellular matrix on PS surface which can be exploited as a potential alternative to the available conventional therapies.     

Electrochemical sensor for determination of aflatoxin B1 based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes-supported Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

A sensitive and selective imprinted electrochemical sensor for the determination of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) was constructed on a glassy carbon electrode by stepwise modification of functional multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs), Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles (Au/PtNPs), and a thin imprinted film. The fabrication of a homogeneous porous poly o-phenylenediamine (POPD)-grafted Au/Pt bimetallic multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite film was conducted by controllable electrodepositing technology. The sensitivity of the sensor was improved greatly because of the nanocomposite functional layer; the proposed sensor exhibited excellent selectivity toward AFB₁ owing to the porous molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) film. The surface morphologies of the modified electrodes were characterized using a scanning electron microscope. The performance of the imprinted sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in detail. A linear relationship between the sensor response signal and the logarithm of AFB₁ concentrations ranging from 1?×?10^?10 to 1?×?10^?5 mol L^?1 was obtained with a detection limit of 0.03 nmol L^?1. It was applied to detect AFB₁ in hogwash oil successfully.     

Molecular imprinting polymer electrosensor based on gold nanoparticles for theophylline recognition and determination

An electrochemical sensor for theophylline (ThPh) was prepared by electropolymerizing o-phenylenediamine on a glassy carbon electrode in the presence of ThPh via cyclic voltammetry, followed by deposition of gold nanoparticles using a potentiostatic method. The effects of pH, ratio between template molecule and monomer, number of cycles for electropolymerization, and of the solution for extraction were optimized. The current of the electro-active model system hexacyanoferrate(III) and hexacyanoferrate(IV) decreased linearly with successive addition of ThPh in the concentration range between 4.0?×?10^?7?~?1.5?×?10^?5 mol·L^?1 and 2.4?×?10^?4?~?3.4?×?10^?3 mol·L^?1, with a detection limit of 1.0?×?10^?7 mol·L^?1. The sensor has an excellent recognition capability for ThPh compared to structurally related molecules, can be regenerated and is stable.

Gold-nanoparticle on the surface of L-cysteine modified gold electrode and its application

A sensor based on gold nanoparticle on the surface of L-cysteine modified gold electrode is prepared. Electrochemical behavior of dopamine hydrochloride is investigated. The linear relation between peak current of dopamine hydrochloride and scan speed in the range of 10 to 1000 mV s^?1 indicates that a diffusion-adsorption controls the process. The linearity range is 1.05 × 10^?5–7.38 × 10^?4 M with detection limit of 1.05 × 10^?6 M. The recoveries were in the range from 99.8 to 101.5% with relative standard deviations of 1.3 ～ 2.3% (n = 6). The modified electrode under ambient conditions over a period of 2 weeks has an excellent repeatability and reproducibility.     

Enzyme electrodes for the sugar substitute aspartame

A sensor of aspartame (l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester) is prepared by chemical immobilization of l-aspartase on an ammonia-selective electrode. Semi logarithmic response (E vs. log C) was observed in the 1 × 10^?3?1 × 10^?2 M range with a slope of ?30 mV/decade. The sensor is stable for more than eight days. The probe is successfully used for the assay of aspartame in commercially available sweeteners.     

Preparation of Fluorine‐Doped Lead Dioxide Modified Electrodes for Electroanalytical Applications

The effect of F^? on the modified films of lead dioxide in morphology and structure was studied. The results obtained by cyclic voltammetry (CV), X‐diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques indicated that F^? could change the magnitude of lead dioxide crystal grain and the preferred crystallizing orientation on the substrate surface, even though it didn't change the basic structure of PbO₂. When the modified electrode was applied as an analytical sensor to determine phenolic compounds, the linearity was in the range of 2×10^?5 – 1×10^?3 mol/L and the detection limit was 2.5×10^?6 mol/L. It was all found that the stability and reproducibility of the oxide‐modified electrodes were improved by additional F^?.     

Fullerene‐Crown Ether Coated Piezoelectric Crystal Liquid Chromatographic Detector for Metal Ions and Polar/Nonpolar Organic Molecules

Fullerene(C60)‐dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5‐oxyacetic acid (DBI6C5‐OCH₂‐COOC₆₀) was prepared and applied as the coating material on piezoelectric quartz crystals for detection of various metal ions and polar/nonpolar organic molecules. The C60‐crown ether‐coated piezoelectric crystal sensor with a home‐made computer interface for signal acquisition and data processing was applied as an ion chromatographic (IC) detector for various metal ions, e.g., alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and transition‐metal ions. The piezoelectric detector exhibited quite good sensitivity of 10⁴ ～ 10⁶ Hz/M and good detection limit of 10^?3 ～ 10^?4 M for these metal ions. The C60‐crown ether piezoelectric detector compared well with the commercial conductivity detector conventionally used for metal ions. The ionic size and ionic charge seemed to have significant effect on the frequency response of the piezoelectric detector. The C60‐crown ether coated piezoelectric crystal sensor was also employed as a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) detector for various polar organic molecules with frequency responses in the order: amines > carboxylic acids > alcohols > ketones. Furthermore, nonpolar organic molecules, e.g., n‐hexane, 1‐hexene and 1‐hexyne, were also detected with this piezoelectric crystal detector. The frequency responses of the piezoelectric crystal detector for these nonpolar organic molecules were in the following order: alkynes > alkenes > alkanes. The effects of solvents and flow rate on the frequency responses of the piezoelectric crystal detector were investigated. The C60‐crown ether coated piezoelectric crystal detector also showed short response time (< 1 min.) and good reproducibility.     

A potentiometric sensor of silver ions based on the Schiff base of diphenol

A potentiometric sensor based on the Schiff base 2,2′-(1E,1′E)-(1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)diphenol was synthesized and tested as an ionophore PVC-based membrane sensor selective towards silver ions (Ag⁺). Potentiometric testing demonstrated the high affinity of this receptor to silver ions. Seven membranes were fabricated with different compositions, with best performance shown by that with an ionophore composition (w/w) of 1.0?mg, PVC 33.0?mg, 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether 66?mg, and potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate 50?mol% in 1.0?mL tetrahydrofuran. The sensor worked well over a wide range of concentrations (1.0?×?10^?2 to 1.0?×?10^?6?M Ag⁺) at pH?6, showing a slope of 60.99?mV/dec with rapid response times of less than 3?s. The sensor also showed good selectivity towards Ag⁺ in the presence of interfering cations, with the highest selectivity coefficient observed for Hg²⁺ (2.7). A low detection limit of 3.4?×?10^?7?M Ag⁺ was established.     

Simultaneous determination of dopamine and serotonin by use of covalent modification of 5-hydroxytryptophan on glassy carbon electrode

An electrochemical biosensor was fabricated by covalent modification of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrode, denoted as 5-HTP/GCE, was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. For comparison, tryptophan modified GCE (TRP/GCE) and serotonin modified GCE (5-HT/GCE) were prepared by the same method. It was found that electrocatalytic ability of these electrodes was in the order of 5-HTP/GCE?>?TRP/GCE?>?5-HT/GCE for the oxidation of dopamine (DA) and 5-HT. The sensor was effective to simultaneously determine DA and 5-HT in a mixture. It can resolve the overlapping anodic peaks into two well-defined voltammetric peaks at 0.24 and 0.39 V (versus SCE). The linear response is in the range of 5.0?×?10^?7–3.5?×?10^?5 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.1?×?10^?7 mol L^?1 for DA, and in the range of 5.0?×?10^?6–3.5?×?10^?5 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.7?×?10^?6 mol L^?1 for 5-HT (s/n?=?3), respectively.     

Frequency response to liquid density of a piezoelectric quartz crystal sensor with longitudinal wave

Elimination of longitudinal wave effect is an important aspect in the detection cell design, although such consideration is ignored in most of references. Three detection cells were designed to investigate the influence of longitudinal wave effect on the frequency response of a piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) to liquid density. In the cell with horizontally mounted quartz crystal, the air/liquid interface acts the reflection surface for the longitudinal wave. The variation in liquid height by regent addition or solvent evaporation can result in fluctuation in the oscillating frequency of the PQC. The influence of the longitudinal wave is more obvious in a test liquid of lower density. In the cell with perpendicularly mounted quartz crystal, the longitudinal wave is mainly reflected back by the inner wall body. The fine structure of plotting of frequency shift (Δf) versus (ρη)^1/2 shows a wave shape, which is different from the well-known linear relationship between of Δf and (ρη)^1/2, where ρ and η are the density and viscosity of the liquid, respectively. And wave-shaped frequency-temperature curves were observed. The longitudinal wave was a kind of potential error source in the PQC measurements. The longitudinal wave effect can be efficiently eliminated by using a rough reflection surface. After eliminating the influence of reflected longitudinal wave, the stability of the sensor PQC was much improved.