Glassy carbon electrode modified with organic�Cinorganic pillared montmorillonites for voltammetric detection of mercury

A glassy carbon electrode modified with organic?Cinorganic pillared montmorillonite was used for voltammetric detection of mercury(II) in water. High sensitivity is obtained due to the use of the montmorillonites which displays outstanding capability in terms of adsorbing mercury ion due to its high specific surface and the presence of multiple binding sites. The experimental parameters and the effect of a chelating agent were optimized to further enhance sensitivity and selectivity. Linear calibration curves were obtained over the Hg(II) concentration range from 10 to 800???g?L^?1 for 5?min accumulation, with a detection limit of 1???g?L^?1. Simultaneous determination of Hg(II) and Cu(II) was also studied, and no interference was observed.

Electrochemical methods for simultaneous determination of trace amounts of dopamine and uric acid using a carbon paste electrode incorporated with multi-wall carbon nanotubes and modified with α-cyclodextrine

In this work, we investigate the electrochemical activity of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) using both a bare and a modified carbon paste electrode as the working electrode, with a platinum wire as the counter electrode and a silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) as the reference electrode. The modified carbon paste electrode consists of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (>95%) treated with α-cyclodextrine, resulting in an electrode that exhibits a significant catalytic effect toward the electro-chemical oxidation of DA in a 0.2-M Britton–Robinson buffer solution (pH 5.0). The peak current increases linearly with the DA concentration within the molar concentration ranges of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.9 × 10⁻⁴ M. The detection limit (signal to noise >3) for DA was found to be 1.34 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. In this work, voltammetric methods such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronocuolometry, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry, and linear sweep and hydrodynamic voltammetry were used. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the redox properties of the modified electrode at various scan rates. The diffusion coefficient (D, cm² s⁻¹ = 3.05 × 10⁻⁵) and the kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α = 0.51) and the rate constant (k, cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ = 1.8 × 10³) for DA were determined using electrochemical approaches. By using differential pulse voltammetry for simultaneous measurements, we obtained two peaks for DA and UA in the same solution, with the peak separation approximately 136 mV. The average recovery was measured at 102.45% for DA injection.     

Electrochemistry of adenosine-5′-diphosphate on ionic liquid modified carbon electrode and its detection

A sensitive electrochemical method was proposed for the determination of adenosine-5′-diphosphate (ADP) on an ionic liquid (IL) 1-(3-chloro-2-hydroxy-propyl)-3-methylimidazole chloride modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) in a pH 4.5 Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer solution. Compared with CPE, IL modified CPE (CILE) showed strong electrocatalytic ability to promote the electrochemical oxidation of ADP. A well-defined irreversible oxidation peak of ADP appeared at +1.381 V with an adsorption-controlled process, which was due to the presence of high conductive IL on the electrode. The experimental conditions were optimized and the electrochemical parameters of ADP were calculated with the electron transfer coefficient (α) as 0.293, the electron transfer number (n) as 1.23, the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k ^s) as 3.325 × 10^?6 s^?1 and the surface coverage (Γ_T) as 0.92 × 10^?8 mol/cm². Under the optimum conditions, the oxidation peak current was linear to ADP concentration in the range from 3.0 to 1000.0 μmol/L with the detection limit as 2.78 μmol/L (3σ) by differential pulse voltammetry. The CILE also eliminated the interferences of commonly coexisting substances and was successfully applied to detect the ADP artificial samples.     

Encapsulation of alkylparabens with natural and modified α- and β-cyclodextrins

The inclusion complexation between methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben with α-CD, β-CD, hydroxypropyl α-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin were carried out by UV–Vis, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence, FT-IR, ¹H NMR techniques and semi-empirical method (PM3). The drug molecules are all given one emission maximum in water where as dual emission in all the CDs. CDs study revealed that the paraben molecules were formed 1:1 inclusion complex. The aliphatic side chain is present in the hydrophilic part whereas hydroxyl group is present in the hydrophobic part of the CD cavity. Nanosecond time-resolved studies indicated that paraben exhibited biexponential decay in water whereas triexponential decay in CDs solution. The complexation energy, thermodynamic parameters and HOMO–LUMO energy structure were calculated using quantum chemical calculation.     

A proposed mechanism for detergent-assisted foam fractionation of lysozyme and cellulase restored with β-cyclodextrin

Foam fractionation by itself cannot effectively concentrate hydrophilic proteins such as lysozyme and cellulase. However, the addition of a detergent to a protein solution can increase the foam volume, and thus, the performance of the foam fractionation process. In this article, we propose a possible protein concentration mechanism of this detergent-assisted foam fractionation: A detergent binds to an oppositely charged protein, followed by the detergent-protein complex being adsorbed onto a bubble during aeration. The formation of this complex is inferred by a decrease in surface tension of the detergent-protein solution. The surface tension of a solution with the complex is lower than the surface tension of a protein or a detergent solution alone. The detergent can then be stripped from the adsorbed protein, such as cellulase, by an artificial chaperone such as beta-cyclodextrin. Stripping the detergent from the protein allows the protein to return to its original conformation and to potentially retain all of its original activity following the foam fractionation process. Low-cost alternatives to beta-cyclodextrin such as corn dextrin were tested experimentally to restore the protein activity through detergent stripping, but without success.     

Electrochemical detection of DNA methylation using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite made from carbon nanotubes and β-cyclodextrin

We describe a method for detecting DNA methylation. It is based on direct oxidation of DNA bases at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with film of a multiwalled carbon nanotube-β-cyclodextrin composite. This nano-structured film causes a strong enhancement on the oxidation current of DNA bases due to its large effective surface area and extraordinary electronic properties. Well-defined peaks were obtained as a result of electro-oxidation of guanine (at 0.67 V), adenine (at 0.92 V), thymine (at 1.11 V), cytosine (at 1.26 V), and 5-methylcytosine (at 1.13 V; all data vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). The potential difference between 5-methylcytosine and cytosine (130 mV) is large enough to enable reliable simultaneous determination and analysis. The interference by thymine can be eliminated by following the principle of complementary pairing between purine and pyrimidine bases in DNA. The modified electrode was successfully applied to the evaluation of 5-methylcytosine in a fish sperm DNA, the methylation level of cytosine was found to be 7.47 %, and the analysis process took less than 1 h.     

Immunosensor for α-fetoprotein based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with electrochemically deposited N-doped graphene,gold nanoparticles and chitosan

The authors describe a voltammetric immunosensor with antibody immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with N-doped graphene (N-GS), electrodeposited gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and chitosan (Chit). The preparation is simple and the thickness of the electrodeposited films can be well controlled. Due to the specific advantages of N-GS, AuNPs and Chit, the electrode has a large specific surface, improved conductivity, high stability. A new label-free immunosensor for the model antigen (alpha fetoprotein, AFP) detection was then designed by employing N-GS-AuNP-Chit as the antibody immobilization and signal amplification platform. Differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for the characterization of the stepwise assembly process. Under the optimized conditions, at a typical working potential of +0.20 V (vs. SCE), and by using hexacyanoferrate as an electrochemical probe, the immunosensor has a detection limit as low as 1.6 pg mL^?1 and a linear analytical range that extends from 5 pg mL^?1 to 50 ng mL^?1. AFP was quantified in spiked human serum samples with acceptable precision.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract Schematic of sensitive and effective label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of AFP based on N-GS-AuNP-Chit as signal amplification matrix.

     

A novel method for simultaneous analysis of three β2-agonists in foods with the use of a gold-nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode and chemometrics

An electrochemical method involving a gold nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode (AuNPs/GCE) was researched and developed for the simultaneous analysis of three β(2)-agonists, ractopamine (RAC), salbutamol (SAL) and clenbuterol (CLB). The three analytes were electrocatalytically oxidized at the AuNP/GCE, which enhanced the oxidation peak current and influenced the shift of the oxidation potentials to lower values in comparison with the analysis involving only the GCE. The differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) voltammograms from the drug mixture produced complex, overlapping profiles, and chemometrics methods were applied for calibration modeling. The peak currents associated with RAC, SAL and CLB measurements were linear as a function of their concentrations (ranges within 0.005-0.150 μg mL(-1)); the detection limits for RAC, SAL and CLB were 2.4, 5.8 and 2.6 ng mL(-1), respectively. It was shown that satisfactory quantitative results were obtained with the use of the MVC1 package of chemometrics methods e.g. the PLS1 calibration model produced a relative prediction error (RPE(T)) of 7.0% and an average recovery of 97.6%. The above AuNP/GCE was successfully employed for the simultaneous analysis of RAC, SAL and CLB in pork meat, liver and pig feed samples.     

Electrochemically modified piezoelectric crystal biosensor for detection of Staphylococcus aureus

Electropolymerized o-phenylenediamine film is used as a functional coating for the immobilization of anti-S. aureus antibody on the surface of a gold-plated piezoelectric crystal, and this piezoelectric immunosensor is applied to detect S. aureus. The frequency shift (F = F20s - F380s, Hz) between the frequency at the 20th second (after the addition of sample, F20s) and that at 380 seconds later (F380s) was introduced to construct a calibration graph, and shortening of assay time was achieved. The S. aureus concentrations in the range of 105-109 cells/mL can be detected by this system.     

A capacitive sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers and poly(p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid) film for detection of pazufloxacin mesilate

A novel capacitive sensor for pazufloxacin mesilate (pazufloxacin) determination was developed by electropolymerizing p-aminobenzene sulfonic (p-ABSA) and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which was synthesized through thermal radical copolymerization of metharylic acid (MAA) and ethyl-ene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in the presence of pazufloxacin template molecules, on the gold electrode surface. Furthermore, 1-dedecanethiol was used to insulate the modified electrode. Alter-nating current (ac) impedance experiments were carried out with a Model IM6e to obtain the capaci-tance responses. Under the optimum conditions, the sensor showed linear capacitance response to pazufloxacin in the range of 5 ng·mL-1 to 5 μg·mL-1 with a relative standard deviation (RSD) 5.3% (n=7) and a detection limit of 1.8 ng·mL-1. The recoveries for different concentration levels of pazufloxacin samples varied from 94.0% to 102.0%. Electrochemical experiments indicated the capacitive sensor exhibited good sensitivity and selectivity and showed excellent parameters of regeneration and stabil-ity.     

A comparison of different types of gold–carbon composite electrode for detection of arsenic(III)

A study has been conducted using abrasively modified basal and edge-plane graphite, carbon-paste, and carbon–epoxy electrodes to create gold–carbon composite electrodes. Using either nano or micro-sized gold particles their suitability for use in detecting arsenic(III) is assessed. It was found that gold arrays prepared from micron-sized particles gave the best performance for arsenic detection. In particular micron arrays produced in carbon-paste electrodes with an easily renewable surface work well for detection of arsenic, producing a detection limit of 5(±2)×10^–9 mol L^–1, with a high sensitivity of 10(±0.1) A mol^–1 L.     

Electroreduction of α-glucose on CNT/graphite electrode modified by Zn and Zn–Fe alloy

Electroreduction of -glucose to form sorbitol on Zn/CNTs and Zn alloy/CNTs electrodes has been investigated in this paper. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) used in this paper are grown directly on graphite disks by chemical vapor deposition. Zn and Zn alloy are electrodeposited on the activated CNTs/graphite electrode by pulse galvanostatic method. The micrographs of Zn/CNTs and Zn alloy/CNTs electrodes are characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the current efficiency of -glucose reduction on CNTs electrodes is much better than that on flat Zn electrodes. The order of the current efficiency on different electrodes is as follows: Zn/CNT (0.58) Zn–Fe/CNT (0.57)>Zn–Ni/CNT (0.43) Zn/graphite (0.42)>Zn (0.40). It indicates that CNTs have good potential application in electrosynthesis. Additionally, effects of some operating parameters, such as pH, temperature and -glucose concentration, on the current efficiency of -glucose reduction are also discussed.     

Biosensor for aluminium(III) based on its inhibition of α-chymotrypsin immobilized on a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles

We report on an amperometric assay for Al(III) ions that is based on the inhibition of the enzyme α-chymotrypsin. Screen-printed carbon electrodes modified with gold nanoparticles were used as solid supports for the immobilization of the enzyme. The amperometric response of the synthetic enzyme substrate substrate N-benzoyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester is affected by Al(III) ions, and this leads to a decrease in the amperometric oxidation current. The assay has a detection limit of 3.3?μM of Al(III). The repeatability and reproducibility of the method are 6.9% (n?=?3) and 6.4% (n?=?5), respectively. Main interferents include Mo(VI), W(VI) and Fe(III) ions. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Al(III) in tap water.

Electrochemical chiral recognition of tryptophan using a glassy carbon electrode modified with β-cyclodextrin and graphene

We report on a method for electrochemical enantioselective recognition of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers. It is based on competitive host-guest interaction between a deoxy-(2-aminoethylamino)-β-cyclodextrin (CD) bound to graphene nanosheets and the Cu(II) complexes of the Trp enantiomers via a ligand exchange mechanism. Chiral recognition was investigated via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results reveal that the CD bound to graphene displays a stronger interaction with the Cu(II) complex of L-Trp than to that of D-Trp. The method was applied to the determination of the ratio of Trp enantiomers in mixtures.

Inclusion complex of α-lipoic acid and modified cyclodextrins

The solubility of α-lipoic acid (LA) with the addition of modified cyclodextrins was investigated using the solubility method. The solubility of LA in the presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), mono-6-O-glucopyranosyl-β-cyclodextrin (mono-G₁-β-CD), methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD), 2,6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD), and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) was higher than that of LA itself. In particular, the solubility of LA in the presence of SBE-β-CD was 20 times higher than that of LA alone. The structure of the inclusion complex of SBE-β-CD and LA in aqueous solution was examined by ¹H-¹H ROESY NMR spectroscopy. The 1,2-dithiolane moiety of LA was included from the secondary hydroxyl face of SBE-β-CD. The solid complexes of LA and SBE-β-CD were prepared by the kneading and freeze-drying methods. Formation of the solid complexes was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The kneading and freeze-drying methods were successful for obtaining the solid inclusion complexes with improved thermal stability.     

Structure-odor relationships of α-santalol derivatives with modified side chains

(Z)-α-Santalol, which has a unique woody odor, is a main constituent of sandalwood essential oil. We investigated the structure-odor relationship of (Z)-α-santalol and its derivatives, focusing on the relationship between the structure of the side chain and the odor of the compounds. Various α-santalol derivatives (aldehydes, formates, and acetates) were synthesized from (Z)- and (E)-α-santalol, which were prepared from (+)-3-bromocamphor through modifications of a reported synthetic route. The Z- and E-isomers of α-santalols have different double-bond configurations in the side chain. Analogues with saturated side chains were also prepared from the corresponding α-santalols, and the odors of the all the prepared compounds were evaluated. We found that the odors of the Z-isomers (woody) were similar to those of the corresponding saturated compounds, but clearly different from the odors of the corresponding E-isomers (odorless, fresh, or fatty). These results indicate that the relative configuration of the side chain with respect to the santalane frame plays an important role in the odor of α-santalol. E-configuration in the side chain eliminates the woody odor character of α-santalol and its examined derivatives, whereas the Z-configuration or saturation of the carbon side chain does not.     

Electroless preparation and electrochemical behavior of a platinum-doped nickel hexacyanoferrate film–zinc modified electrode: catalytic ability of the electrode for electrooxidation of methanol

The use of a zinc substrate as an electrode and the modification of its surface by means of a thin film of platinum-doped nickel hexacyanoferrate (Pt-NiHCF) were developed. The modification conditions of the zinc surface including the electroless deposition of metallic nickel on the electrode surface from NiCl₂ solution, chemical derivatization of the deposited nickel to the NiHCF film in 0.5 M K₃[Fe(CN)₆] solution, and electrochemical penetration of metallic platinum into the modified film are described. The modified zinc electrodes prepared under optimum conditions show a well-defined redox couple due to the [Ni^IIFe^III/II(CN)₆]^1–/2– system. The effects of pH, the alkali metal cation, and the anion of the supporting electrolyte on the electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrode were studied in detail. The diffusion coefficients of hydrated alkali metal cations in the film (D), the transfer coefficient (), and the transfer rate constant for the electron (k_s) were calculated in the presence of some alkali metal cations. The electrocatalytic activity of the modified electrode for methanol oxidation was demonstrated. The stability of the modified electrode under various experimental conditions was investigated.