Iron nanoparticles decorated graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensitive determination of nitrite

In the present work, we described the preparation of iron nanoparticles decorated graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite (GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and its application for the sensitive determination of nitrite. First, GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs nanocomposite has been prepared by a simple solution-based approach via chemical reduction and then it was characterized. Afterwards, GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs/GCE was prepared and employed for the electrocatalysis of nitrite. Electrocatalytic oxidation of nitrite at the GR-MWCNTs/FeNPs/GCE has been significantly improved in terms of both reduction in overpotential and increase in peak current. Therefore, the modified electrode was employed for amperometric determination of nitrite which exhibited excellent analytical parameters with wide linear range of 1?×?10^?7 M to 1.68?×?10^?3 M and very low detection limit of 75.6 (±1.3)?nM. The proposed sensor selectively detects nitrite even in the presence of high concentration of common ions and biological interferrants. Good recoveries achieved for the determination of nitrite in various water samples reveal the promising practicality of the sensor. In addition, the sensor displays an acceptable repeatability and reproducibility along with appreciable storage and excellent operational stabilities.

Electrochemical Detection of Persulfate at the Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode with Nanocomposite Containing Nano‐Ruthenium Oxide/Thionine and Nano‐Ruthenium Oxide/Celestine Blue

The present study describes the fabrication of a sensitive amperometric sensor for the determination of persulfate. The immobilization surface was prepared by modifying a glassy carbon (GC) electrode with a nanocomposite containing ruthenium oxide (RuOx) nanoparticles and thionine (TH) or celestin blue (CB). The modified electrodes indicated excellent electrocatalytic activity toward persulfate reduction at a potential of +0.1 V. The proposed sensor showed detection limits of 1.46 µM for the GC/RuOx/TH modified electrode and 2.64 µM for the GC/RuOx/CB modified electrode. The sensitivities were obtained as 3 nA µM^?1 at a concentration range of 10 µM to 11 mM for the GC/RuOx/TH modified electrode and 1 nA µM^?1 at a concentration range of 10 µM to 6 mM for the GC/RuOx/CB modified electrodes.     

Ultra‐sensitive Amperometric Hydrazine Sensing via Dimethyl Glyoxomat Derived NiO Nanostructures

Here we report the synthesis of NiO nanostructures via glyoxomat assisted precipitation protocol using hydrothermal route under the influence of ammonia followed by annealing at 450 ^oC. These nanostructures were characterized via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) method. The morphological investigation of the finally prepared NiO revealed foam‐like porous nanostructures. These NiO nanostructures were immobilized onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with nafion as binding material and used as highly sensitive and selective sensor for determining hydrazine in the range of 100–500 nM and 600–1600 nM with a calculated limit of detection (LOD) equal to 5 nM. The as prepared sensor was tested for the presence of various interfering species such as Na⁺, Cu²⁺, uric acid, hydrogen peroxide and glucose in the presence of equimolar concentration of hydrazine and negligible interference was noticed. The sensor was further tested for hydrazine detection using square wave voltammetry (SWV) however it only worked in the range of 50–1200 μM. Finally the sensor was successfully implemented for hydrazine determination in real water samples using amperometric protocol.     

Electrochemical determination of picric acid based on platinum nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite

Platinum nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite-modified glassy carbon electrode (PtNPs–rGO/GCE) was developed as a simple, selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor for determination of picric acid (PA). Cyclic voltammogram (CV) of PA showed three well-defined irreversible reduction peaks at the potentials of ?0.43, ?0.57 and ?0.66 V versus Ag/AgCl. In this work, the interference effect of other nitrophenol compounds (NPhCs) was significantly reduced by appropriate adjusting of pH. Square wave voltammetry was used for quantification of PA in the range of 5–500 µM (1.15–115 mg L^?1) with practical detection limit of 1 µM (0.23 mg L^?1). The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of PA in two natural water samples.     

Electrodeposition of Ag nanoparticles on graphenized pencil lead electrode as a sensitive and low-cost sensor for iodate determination

In this study, a simple, sensitive and low-cost iodate electrochemical sensor based on graphenized pencil lead electrode (GPLE) modified with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) was presented. The GPLE was simply prepared via electrochemical exfoliation of pencil lead electrode (PLE) by applying an optimized potential in acidic media. Afterward, silver nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited on the surface of GPLE using chronoamperometry technique. The fabricated electrode was carefully characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Electrochemical behavior and also the electrocatalytic performance of the modified electrode toward the reduction of iodate were studied in details using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The fabricated sensor responds efficiently to iodate over the concentration range of 0.05 to 75 mM with a detection limit of 0.017 mM and sensitivity of 0.26 µA µM^?1 cm^?2. Remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic performance of the modified electrode was ascribed to the synergistic effect of graphene-like nanostructures with high surface to volume ratio, excellent conductivity and also the excessive electrocatalytic behavior of silver nanoparticles. The modified electrode was successfully employed for the determination of iodate in table and sea salt samples.     

Highly sensitive determination of atropine using cobalt oxide nanostructures: Influence of functional groups on the signal sensitivity

This study describes sensitive determination of atropine using glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) modified with Co₃O₄ nanostructures. The as-synthesised nanostructures were grown using cysteine (CYS), glutathione (GSH) and histidine (HYS) as effective templates under hydrothermal action. The obtained morphologies revealed interesting structural features, including both cavity-based and flower-shaped structures. The as-synthesised morphologies were noted to actively participate in electro-catalysis of atropine (AT) drug where GSH-assisted structures exhibited the best signal response in terms of current density and over-potential value. The study also discusses the influence of functional groups on the signal sensitivity of atropine electro-oxidation. The functionalisation was carried with the amino acids originally used as effective templates for the growth of Co₃O₄ nanostructures. The highest increment was obtained when GSH was used as the surface functionalising agent. The GSH-functionalised Co₃O₄-modified electrode was utilised for the electro-chemical sensing of AT in a concentration range of 0.01–0.46 μM. The developed sensor exhibited excellent working linearity (R² = 0.999) and signal sensitivity up to 0.001 μM of AT. The noted high sensitivity of the sensor is associated with the synergy of superb surface architectures and favourable interaction facilitating the electron transfer kinetics for the electro-catalytic oxidation of AT. Significantly, the developed sensor demonstrated excellent working capability when used for AT detection in human urine samples with strong anti-interference potential against common co-existing species, such as glucose, fructose, cysteine, uric acid, dopamine and ascorbic acid.     

Synthesis and characterisation of Ag-nanoparticles immobilised on ordered mesoporous carbon as an efficient sensing platform: application to electrocatalytic determination of hydrazine

In this study, a new strategy for the preparation of a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) based on a novel nano-sensing layer for the electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine was suggested. The suggested nano-sensing layer was prepared with the immobilisation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on ordered mesoporous carbon. The morphology and properties of the prepared nanocomposite on the surface of GCE were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption-desorption, X-ray powder diffraction and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical response characteristics of the modified electrode towards the target analyte were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Under optimal experimental conditions, the suggested modified GCE showed excellent catalytic activity towards the electro-oxidation of hydrazine (pH = 7.5) with a significant increase in anodic peak currents in comparison with the unmodified GCE. By differential pulse voltammetry and amperometric methods, the suggested sensor demonstrated wide dynamic concentration ranges of 0.08–33.8 µM and 0.01–128 µM with the detection limit (S/N = 3) of 0.027 and 0.003 µM for hydrazine, respectively. The suggested hydrazine sensor was successfully applied for the highly sensitive determination of hydrazine in different real samples with satisfactory results.     

Fabrication of Sensitive Potentiometric Cholesterol Biosensor Based on Co3O4 Interconnected Nanowires

Highly sensitive, selective, reliable and inexpensive cholesterol biosensors are highly demanded for the routine monitoring of cholesterol molecules in order to prevent heart failure incidents. In this study, Co₃O₄ nanostructures are synthesized using polyvinyl pyrrolidone surfactant as growth template by a low temperature aqueous chemical growth method. The morphology of nanostructures was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction techniques. The nanostructures exhibit interconnected nanowires like morphology with interconnected network of nanowires. The nanostructures of Co₃O₄ are polycrystalline. The cholesterol oxidase was physically adsorbed on the interconnected nanowires of Co₃O₄ for the chemical sensing of cholesterol molecules. The sensor device detected a wide range of cholesterol from 1×10^?7 M to 1×10^?3 M concentrations with sensitivity of ?94.031 mV/decade. A detection limit of 0.035×10^?7 M cholesterol concentration was observed and a fast response time of 10 s was also noticed. The fabricated device is highly stable, selective, sensitive, reproducible and repeatable. All the collected information about presented cholesterol biosensor indicates its potential application for the monitoring of cholesterol concentrations from human blood serum and real‐life samples.     

Roll‐to‐Roll printed PEDOT/PSS/GO Plastic Film for Electrochemical Determination of Carbofuran

In this work, we developed a roll‐to‐roll printed poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulphoanate without graphene oxide (GO) (PEDOT/PSS) and with graphene oxide (PEDOT/PSS/GO) plastic films for the electrochemical determination of carbofuran. Both the PEDOT/PSS and PEDOT/PSS/GO plastic films showed electroactivity towards the oxidation of carbofuran. Incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) improves the electrochemical activity of carbofuran and increased its sensitivity. The printed plastic films were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), surface profilometer, four point probe and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effects of pH, deposition time, deposition potential and film thickness on the oxidation peak current of carbofuran were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, a dynamic linear range of 1 μM–90 μM with a detection limit of 1.0×10^?7 M (S/N=3) were obtained. The printed PEDOT/PSS/GO plastic electrode was applied for the determination of carbofuran in vegetable and fruit samples with recoveries between 94.4 and 101.8 %.     

An electrochemical sensor for sensitive determination of nitrites based on Ag-Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-graphene oxide magnetic nanocomposites

A functional Ag-Fe₃O₄-grapheme oxide magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized and used to prepare a nitrite sensor. Morphology and composition of the nanocomposites were characterized by a transmission electron microscope, UV-VIS spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. Electrochemical investigation indicated that the nanocomposites possess excellent electrochemical oxidation ability towards nitrites. The sensor exhibited two linear ranges: one from 0.5 µM to 0.72 mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.996 and sensitivity of 1996 µA mM^?1 cm^?2; the other from 0.72 mM to 8.15 mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 and sensitivity of 426 µAmM^?1 cm^?2. The limit of detection of this sensing system was 0.17 µM at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Additionally, the sensor exhibited long-term stability, good reproducibility, and anti-interference.     

Fast Fourier Transform Continuous Cyclic Voltammetry Development as a Highly Sensitive Detection System for Ultra Trace Monitoring of Thiamine

Abstract

In this work, a highly sensitive method for the fast monitoring of thiamine hydrocholoride in flow‐injection systems has been developed. The fast Fourier transform continuous cyclic voltammetry (FFCV) in flowing solution as a detection system was applied for the very fast monitoring of thiamine in its pharmaceutical formulations. This technique is very simple, precise, accurate, time‐saving and economical, compared to all previous reported methods. The effects of various parameters on the sensitivity of the detection system were considered. The best condition was obtained within the pH value of 2, and scan rate value of 25 V s^?1, accumulation potential of ?400 mV, and accumulation time of 0.6 s. The proposed method has some advantages over other reported methods such as, there is no need for the removal of oxygen from the test solution, has a sub‐nanomolar detection limit, and finally the method is fast enough for the determination of any such compound, in a wide variety of chromatographic methods. This research also introduces a special computer‐based numerical method, for the calculation of the analyte signal and noise reduction. The electrode response was calculated based on partial and total charge exchanges on the electrode surface after subtracting the background current from that of noise. To obtain a sensitive determination, the integration range of currents was set for all the potential scan ranges, including oxidation and reduction of the Au surface electrode, while performing the measurements. The potential waveform, consisting of the potential steps for cleaning, accumulation and potential ramp of analyte, was applied on an Au disk microelectrode (12.5 µm in radius) in a continuous way. The detection limit of the method for thiamine was 1.0×10^?12 M. The relative standard deviation of the method at 1.0×10^?8 M was 2.2% for 8 runs.     

Urea Assisted Synthesis of Flower Like CuO Nanostructures and Their Chemical Sensing Application for the Determination of Cadmium Ions

The novel nanostructures of CuO with improved morphology are strongly required for the development of devices with enhanced performance. In this study flower like nanostructures of CuO are synthesized by hydrothermal method using urea as tuning material for the morphology of CuO during the growth process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used for the characterization of these nanostructures. The nanostructures are highly dense, uniform and well aligned on the gold coated glass substrate. Moreover, CuO nanostructures exhibited pure phase of CuO. These novel CuO nanostructures were potentially used for the construction of cadmium ion sensor by functionalizing with tetrathia‐12‐crown‐4 a selective cadmium ion ionophore. The proposed cadmium ion sensor has detected the wide range of cadmium ion concentrations from 1.0×10^?9–1.0×10^?1 M with a sensitivity of 29.3±0.3 mV/decade and also a fast response time of less than 10.0 s is demonstrated. CuO nanostructures based cadmium ion selective electrode has also shown excellent reproducibility, repeatability, selectivity, and stability. The sensor electrode was also used as indicator electrode for the confirmation of practical utility and the obtained result describes the good behavior of the sensor in the potentiometric titration for the determination of cadmium ions.     

N-Doped Carbon Coated TiC Nanofiber Arrays on Ti-6Al-4V for Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Cr(VI)

A sensitive electrochemical sensor for Cr(VI) detection based on N-doped carbon coated TiC nanofiber arrays (TiC@CNx NFAs) is reported. The abundant electrocatalytic active sites contained CNx shell, highly conducting TiC core, and good electrical contact between the TiC@CNx and underlying Ti alloy endow this electrode with the excellent electrochemical sensing properties. The developed electrochemical sensor shows remarkable determination activity towards Cr(VI) with a high sensitivity of 0.88 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻², a low detection limit of 4.0 nM (S/N=3), a wide linear range from 0.2 to 24.1 μM, good selectivity and anti-interference property.     

Development of a Potentiometric Chemical Sensor for the Rapid Detection of Carbofuran Based on Air Stable Lipid Films with Incorporated Calix[4]arene Phosphoryl Receptor Using Graphene Electrodes

The present article describes a miniaturized potentiometric carbofuran chemical sensor on graphene nanosheets with incorporated lipid films. The graphene electrode was used for the development of a very selective and sensitive chemical sensor for the detection of carbofuran by immobilizing an artificial selective receptor on stabilized lipid films. The artificial receptor was synthesized by transformation of the hydroxyl groups of resorcin[4]arene receptor into phosphoryl groups. This chemical sensor responded for the wide range of carbofuran concentrations with fast response time of ca. 20 s. The presented potentiometric carbofuran chemical sensor is easy to construct and exhibits good reproducibility, reusability, selectivity, rapid response times, long shelf life and high sensitivity of ca. 59 mV/decade over the carbofuran logarithmic concentration range from 10^?6 to 10^?3 M.     

Vertical copper oxide nanowire arrays attached three-dimensional macroporous framework as a self-supported sensor for sensitive hydrogen peroxide detection

A hierarchical nanostructure consisting of uniform copper oxide nanowires vertically grown on three-dimensional copper framework (CuO NWs/3D-Cu foam) was prepared by a two-step synthetic process. The uniform CuO NWs anchored onto the 3D foam exhibited outstanding electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen peroxide reduction due to the unique one‐dimensional direction with its excellent catalytic activity and large surface area of 3D substrate, which enhanced electroactive sites and charge conductivity. As a result, a wide linear detection range of 1 µM–1 mM, good sensitivity of 8.87 µA/(mM ⋅ cm²), low detection limit of 0.98 µM, and rapid response time of 5 s to hydrogen peroxide were achieved under a working potential of −0.4 V in phosphate buffer solution (pH of 7.4). In addition, the CuO NWs/3D-Cu foam material showed excellent selectivity to hydrogen peroxide and good resistance against poisonous interferents, including ascorbic acid, dopamine, urea, uric acid, and potassium chloride. Furthermore, the CuO NWs/3D-Cu foam presented good reproducibility, stability, and accurate detection for hydrogen peroxide in real sample; therefore, it may be considered to be a potential free-standing hydrogen peroxide sensor in practical analysis applications.     

Graphite/Nanocrystalline Zeolite Platform for Selective Electrochemical Determination of Hepatitis C Inhibitor Ledipasvir

A simple and efficient procedure is described for the electrochemical determination of ledipasvir (LDP) in presence of co‐formulated drug sofosbuvir (SOF). Herein, a highly sensitive, low‐cost electrochemical protocol was utilized to fabricate a zeolite modified carbon paste electrode (ZY/CPE) through mixing of zeolite nanostructures with graphite powder. The fabricated sensor displayed high sensitivity, allowing optimal charge transfer/electrode kinetics. Different experimental and chemical factors, including electrode composition, effect of pH, scan rate and amount of ZY were evaluated carefully to obtain the highest electrochemical response. Under optimized conditions and using square wave voltammetry (SWV), the current response of the ZY/CPE electrochemical sensing platform exhibited a detection limit of 7.5×10^?9 M and a large linear range from 5.0×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?4 M. The practical applicability of the suggested electrochemical platform was verified in the assessment of LDP in pharmaceutical formulations with excellent recoveries in the range of 99.50–98.87 %. Moreover, a biological relevance of the developed sensor was established by the analysis of LDP in human urine and plasma samples with satisfactory recoveries of 99.00 and 99.68 %, respectively. Due to the simplicity and ease of preparation of the proposed sensor, it can be used in quality control laboratories and for clinical analysis.     

Functionalization of Reduced Graphene Oxide with β‐cyclodextrin Modified Palladium Nanoparticles for the Detection of Hydrazine in Environmental Water Samples

A sensitive and selective hydrazine sensor was developed by β‐cyclodextrin modified palladium nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (PdNPs‐β‐CD/rGO) nanocomposite. The PdNPs‐β‐CD/rGO hybrid material was prepared by simple electrochemical method. The hydrophobic cavity of β‐CD ineracts with palladium nanoparticles by hydrophobic interaction and further it is uniformly assembled on the rGO surface through hydrogen bond formation, which is clearly confirmed by FT‐IR, FESEM and TEM. The high electrocatalytic activity of hydrazine oxidation was observed at −0.05 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) on PdNPs‐β‐CD/rGO modified electrode; due to the excellent stabilization, high catalytic activity and large surface area of the PdNPs‐β‐CD/rGO composite. The PdNPs‐β‐CD/rGO fabricated hydrazine sensor exhibited an excellent analytical performance, including high sensitivity (1.95 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²), lower detection limit (28 nM) and a wide linear range (0.05 to 1600 μM). We also demonstrated that the PdNPs‐β‐CD/rGO nanocomposite modified electrode is a highly selective and sensitive sensor towards detection of hydrazine among the various interfering species. Hence, the proposed hydrazine sensor is able to determine hydrazine in different water samples.     

Nonenzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Electrochemical Sensor Based on Au‐HS/SO3H‐PMO (Et) Nanocomposite

A newly nonenzymatic sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) based on the (Au‐HS/SO₃H‐PMO (Et)) nanocomposite is demonstrated. The electrochemical properties of the as‐prepared nanocomposite were studied. It displayed an excellent performance towards H₂O₂ sensing in the linear response range from 0.20 µM to 4.30 mM (R=0.9999) with a sensitivity of 6.35×10² µA µM^?1 cm^?2 and a low detection limit of 0.0499 µM. Furthermore, it was not affected by electroactive interference species. These features proved that the modified electrode was suitable for determination of H₂O₂.     

Rapid Flow-Injection Method for the Determination of Colistin by Sensitized Chemiluminescence Using the Acidic Permanganate–Sulfite System

Abstract

A simple, rapid, and sensitive chemiluminescence method for the determination of colistin (Polymyxin E), a cyclic polypeptide with antibiotic effect produced by certain strains of Bacillus polymyxa, has been developed by combining a flow-injection technique and the bacteria's sensitizing effect on the chemiluminescence reaction between sulfite and acidic permanganate. The optimum conditions for chemiluminescence emission were established. The chemiluminescence was proportional to the log of concentration of colistin over the range 4–100 µg mL^?1 (3.5–87 µM). The detection limit was 1.2 µg mL^?1 (1.0 µM) of colistin. The method has been satisfactorily used for the determination of colistin in pharmaceuticals.     

Palladium Paste Nanocomposite Electrode as a New Metallic Electrocatalyst for Ethanol Oxidation and Nonenzymatic Amperometric Sensor in Alkaline Medium

Palladium paste nanocomposite electrode was employed as an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation and nonenzymatic amperometric ethanol sensor, in alkaline media. The combined application of unique properties of nanomaterials and ionic liquids results in electrodes with interesting advantages compared to the conventional Pd disk electrodes. High tolerance towards accumulation of carbonaceous species (CO‐like intermediates) and poisoning by strongly adsorbed species suggests this electrode suitable for many applications. The sensor has the advantages of high sensitivity, low detection limit (20.0 µM), wide linear range (30.0 µM–1.6 M), ease of renewing the electrode surface, good long‐term stability and reproducibility for ethanol determination.