新型的钛基Ni-Sn/Ti电极的制备及对甲醇氧化反应的电催化活性

利用电热法,一步制备出新型的钛基Ni-Sn/Ti电极(Ni8Sn/Ti, Ni7Sn3/Ti 和 Ni/Ti)。扫描电镜（SEM）图像表明,催化剂以片状的纳米颗粒形式沉积于钛基体上。利用电化学伏安技术、电位阶跃法和电化学交流阻抗谱（EIS）,研究了这些电极在1mol.L�1NaOH溶液中对甲醇氧化反应的电催化活性。研究表明,与Ni7Sn3/Ti,Ni/Ti以及多晶镍电极相比,Ni8Sn/Ti电极对甲醇氧化反应表现出更高的阳极氧化电流和更低的起始电位。EIS分析表明,在本文所考察的阳极电位和甲醇浓度下,Ni8Sn/Ti电极对甲醇氧化反应显示出极低的电荷传递电阻。结果表明,这种新型的钛基Ni8Sn/Ti电极对甲醇氧化反应具有极高的电催化活性。     

Dramatic Effects of Ionic Liquid on Platinum Electrode Surface and Electron‐Transfer Rates of meso‐Tetraphenylporphyrins

The effect of addition of a room temperature ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim][PF₆], on the electrochemical behavior of different free‐base para‐substituted meso‐tetraphenylporphyrins in dichloromethane solution has been studied using cyclic voltammetric technique. It has been found that the ionic liquid has the ability to regenerate platinum electrode surface and improves the reversibility of electrode processes. This has been true for the case of all the porphyrins studied.     

Ionic Liquid‐Hemoglobin‐Carbon Paste Composite Bioelectrode and Its Electrocatalytic Activity

A new carbon ionic liquid paste bioelectrode was fabricated by mixing hemoglobin (Hb) with graphite powder, ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIMBF₄) and liquid paraffin homogeneously. Nafion film was cast on the electrode surface to improve the stability of bioelectrode. Direct electrochemistry of Hb in the bioelectrode was carefully investigated. Cyclic voltammetric results indicated that a pair of well‐defined and quasi‐reversible electrochemical responses appeared in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), indicating that direct electron transfer of Hb was realized in the modified electrode. The formal potential (E^0′) was calculated as ?0.316 V (vs. SCE), which was the typical characteristic of the electrochemical reaction of heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. Based on the cyclic voltammetric results the electrochemical parameters of the electrode reaction were calculated. This bioelectrode showed high electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with good stability and reproducibility.     

Direct Detection of DNA and DNA‐Ligand Interaction by Impedance Spectroscopy

In this work we present an impedimetric detection system for DNA‐ligand interactions. The sensor system consists of thiol‐modified single‐stranded DNA chemisorbed to gold. Impedance measurements in the presence of the redox system ferri‐/ferrocyanide show an increase in charge transfer resistance (R_ct) after hybridisation of a complementary target. Different amounts of capture strands, used for gold electrode modification, result in surface coverages between 3 and 15 pmol/cm² ssDNA. The relative change in R_ct upon hybridisation increases with increasing amount of capture probe on the electrode from 1.5‐ to 4.5‐fold. Impedimetric detection of binding events of a metal‐intercalator ([Ru(phen)₃]²⁺) and a groove binder (spermine) to double‐stranded DNA is demonstrated. Binding of [Ru(phen)₃]²⁺ and spermine exhibits a decrease in charge transfer resistance. Here, the ligand’s interaction leads to electrostatic shielding of the negatively charged DNA backbone. The impedance changes have been evaluated in dependence on the concentration of both DNA binders. Furthermore, the association of a single‐stranded binding protein (SSBP) is found to cause an increase in charge transfer resistance only when incubated with single‐stranded DNA. The specific binding of an anti‐dsDNA antibody to the dsDNA‐modified electrode surface decreases in contrast the interfacial impedance.     

Template‐Free Galvanic Nanostructuring of Gold Electrodes for Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensors

Gold nanostructuring of smooth gold disk‐electrodes has been performed by electrodeposition. FE‐SEM images indicate a strongly enlarged electrochemically active surface of the modified electrodes. This could be approved by the gold oxide reduction peak in cyclic voltammetry. The electrodes were also applied for sequence‐specific DNA detection. For this, complementary single stranded capture probes were immobilized on the electrodes and consecutively hybridized with complementary and noncomplementary [OsO₄(bipy)]‐labeled DNA targets. We found that intermediate dehybridization steps did not decrease the sensitivity for the specific target. Moreover, the surface modification increased the voltammetric signal by an approx. factor of 9. Further, an enhanced linear calibration range was observed. The presented simple nanostructuring process holds great promise for many electrochemical sensor applications.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Hemoglobin in Layer‐by‐Layer Films Assembled with DNA and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

Based on electrostatic interaction and electrodeposition, poly‐anionic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), room temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄), hemoglobin (Hb) and Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were successfully assembled into Hb/IL/DNA/PDDA layer‐by‐layer complex films on the surface of ITO electrode. FTIR spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the composite film. The obtained results demonstrated that the Hb molecule in the film kept its native structure and showed its good electrochemical behavior. A pair of well‐defined redox peaks of Hb with the formal potentials (E°′) of ?0.180 V (vs. SCE) was appeared in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The Hb/IL/DNA/PDDA/ITO modified electrode also showed an excellent electrocatalytic behavior to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Therefore, the IL/DNA/PDDA complex film as a novel matrix open up a possibility for further study on the direct electrochemistry of other proteins and the fabrication of the third‐generation electrochemical biosensors.     

Graphene‐Functionalized 3D‐Carbon Fiber Electrodes – Preparation and Electrochemical Characterization

Graphene nanosheets were produced on the surface of carbon fibers by in situ electrochemical procedure including oxidative and reductive steps to yield first graphene oxide, later converted to graphene. The electrode material composed of graphene‐functionalized carbon fibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammery demonstrating superior electrochemical kinetics comparing with the original carbon paper. The interfacial electron transfer rate for the reversible redox process of [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? was found ca. 4.5‐fold higher after the electrode modification with the graphene nanosheets. The novel electrode material is suggested as a promising conducting interface for bioelectrocatalytic electrodes used in various electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells, particularly operating in vivo.     

Highly Sensitive Indicator‐Free Impedance Sensing of DNA Hybridization Based on Poly(m‐aminobenzenesulfonic acid)/TiO2 Nanosheet Membranes with Pulse Potentiostatic Method Preparation

A direct electrochemical detection procedure for DNA hybridization by using the electrochemical signal changes of conductive poly(m‐aminobenzenesulfonic) acid (PABSA)/TiO₂ nanosheet membranes, which were electropolymerized by using the pulse potentiostatic method, is reported. Due to the unique properties of TiO₂ nanoparticles, m‐aminobenzenesulfonic acid monomers tend to be adsorbed around the particles, and the electropolymerization efficiency is greatly improved. The combination of TiO₂ nanoparticles and PABSA resulted in a nanocomposite membrane with unique and novel nanosheet morphology that provides more activation sites and enhances the surface electron‐transfer rate. These characteristics were propitious for the magnification of PABSA electrochemical signals and the direct detection of DNA hybridization. Owing to the presence of abundant sulfonic acid groups, PABSA could overcome the drawbacks of polyaniline and be used to detect bioanalytes at physiological pH. DNA probes could be covalently attached to the sulfonic groups through the amines of DNA sequences by using an acyl chloride cross‐linking reaction. After immobilization of probe DNA, the electrochemical impedance value increased significantly compared to that of PABSA/TiO₂ nanosheet membranes, and then decreased dramatically after the hybridization reaction of the probe DNA with the complementary DNA sequence compared to that of the probe‐immobilized electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was adopted for indicator‐free DNA biosensing, which had an eminent ability for the recognition between double‐base mismatched sequences or non‐complementary DNA sequences and complementary DNA sequences. A gene fragment, which is related to one of the screening genes for the transgenically modified plants, the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S gene was satisfactorily detected. This is the first report for the indicator‐free impedance DNA hybridization detection by using PABSA/TiO₂ membranes under neutral conditions.     

Biomimetic Sensor for Dobutamine Employing Nano‐ TiO2/Nafion/Carbon Nanoparticles Modified Electrode

A novel voltammetric biosensor based on nano‐TiO₂/nafion/carbon nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE) was developed for the determination of dobutamine (DBA). Characterization of the surface morphology and property of TiO₂/N/CNP layer was carried out by the scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrode was investigated by means of the cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Effective experimental variables, such as the scan rate, pH of the supporting electrolyte, drop size of the casted modifier suspension and accumulation conditions of DBA on the surface of TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a significant electrochemical improvement was observed toward the electro‐oxidation of DBA on the surface of TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE compared to the bare GCE. Under the optimized conditions, a wide linear dynamic range (6 nM–1 µM) with a low detection limit of 2 nM for DBA was resulted. The prepared modified electrode shows high sensitivity, stability and good reproducibility in the determination of DBA concentrations. Satisfactory results were obtained for DBA analysis in the pharmaceutical and clinical preparations using TiO₂/N/CNP/GCE.     

A Single‐Surface Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of DNA Triplet Repeat Expansion

Molecular diagnostics of inherited neurodegenerative disorders such as fragile X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy or Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is based on analysis of the length of trinucleotide repetitive sequences in certain loci of genomic DNA. The current methods employ PCR and electrophoretic determination of the amplified DNA fragment size. We have recently shown that length of a triplet repetitive DNA sequence can be determined using a double‐surface electrochemical technique involving multiple hybridization of the expanded triplet repeat with short labeled reporter probe (spanning several trinucleotides). Here we propose a single‐surface sensor employing an analogous principle. Target DNA (tDNA) is adsorbed onto surface of a carbon (pyrolytic graphite or screen‐printed) electrode. Biotin‐labeled reporter probe (RP) is hybridized with the immobilized tDNA followed by binding of streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase (ALP) conjugate. The ALP catalyzes production of an electroactive indicator (1‐naphthol) which is detected voltammetrically on the same electrode. Signal resulting from this electrochemical enzyme‐linked DNA hybridization assay is normalized to the amount of tDNA immobilized at the transducer surface either by measuring intrinsic tDNA voltammetric response, or using electrochemical labeling of the tDNA with osmium tetroxide 2,2′‐bipyridine complex. Detection of (GAA)_n?(TTC)_n triplet repeat expansion in nanogram quantities of PCR‐amplified tDNAs, including amplicons of patients' genomic DNA, is demonstrated. We show that our technique allow differentiation between normal and pathological alleles of X25 gene related to the FRDA.     

Direct DNA Hybridization on the Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Sensors Detected by Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Carboxylic acid functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes modified graphite sensors (SWCNT‐PGEs) were developed for electrochemical monitoring of direct DNA hybridization related to specific sequence of Hepatitis B virus, which substantially enhance the electrochemical transduction resulting from guanine oxidation signal comparison to bare PGEs. The performance characteristics of DNA hybridization on disposable CNT‐PGE were explored measuring the guanine signal in terms of optimum analytical conditions; probe and target concentration, hybridization time, and selectivity. The voltammetric results were also complemented with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), that was used to characterize the successful construction of carbon nanotubes modification onto the surface of PGEs.     

Gold nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical investigation of aliphatic di-carboxylic acids in aqueous media

The electrochemical reduction of di-carboxylic acids; oxalic, succinic, malic, and tartaric have been studied on the gold nanoparticles modified electrode in aqueous media solution of 0.1 M KCl. Gold nanoparticle (Au_NPs)-modified electrodes were prepared by the electrodeposition with cyclic voltammetric method onto glassy carbon electrode in acidic media. The surface morphology of the electrodeposited gold nanoparticles was examined by SEM. Also, the electrochemical properties of the prepared electrodes were investigated with different electrochemical techniques; cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetric, chronoamperometric, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic techniques were used for investigating the electrochemical behavior of the particulate acids. The modification of the electrode with Au nanoparticles (Au_NPs) enables the appearance of cyclic voltammogram peaks completely clear and sharp for the acids under investigation in comparison with the poor behavior of them in absence of the modification. All acids undergo totally irreversible redox reaction in neutral and acid media. The cyclic voltammetric response of the investigated acids is sensitive to pH, as well as of the scan rate. Each acid has a different reduction peak position from the other acids depending on the structure of the acid undergo the electroreduction process. Further, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies of the investigated acids have been theoretically evaluated and are compared with their electroreduction potential peaks.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of a N‐containing Calix[4]arene Derivative

The electrochemical behavior of 5,11,17,23‐Tetrakis‐dimethylaminomethylcalix[4]arene (DCA) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results show that there is an irreversible electrochemical oxidative wave with peak potential of 1.35 V in chloroform at a glassy carbon electrode. The kinetic parameters of the andic wave, such as α, n and k_s, were discussed. In addition, a new pair of quasi‐reversible redox peaks with peak potentials of 0.72 V and 0.94 V was found. It can result in DCA electrodeposition at the electrode surface. This film modified electrode was characterized by CV and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Moreover, the possible mechanism of electrodeposition was also discussed     

The Electrochemical Oxidation of N,N‐Diethyl‐p‐Phenylenediamine in DMF and Analytical Applications. Part I: Mechanistic Study

The electrochemical oxidation of N,N‐diethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine in dimethylformamide has been studied at platinum and gold microdisk electrodes of various radii between 6.7 and 66 μm. The voltammetric responses revealed two electrochemically reversible waves the second of which becomes larger at higher concentrations and bigger electrode radii. The voltammetric signals have been modelled and the electrochemical oxidation reaction is not inconsistent with an EC_revECE reaction. Kinetic parameters are reported.     

Electrochemical Behavior of 8‐Azaguanine at DNA Langmuir–Blodgett Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and Its Analytical Application

A highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for the detection of trace amounts of 8‐azaguanine has been designed. Double stranded (ds)DNA molecules are immobilized onto a glassy carbon electrode surface with Langmuir–Blodgett technique. The adsorptive voltammetric behaviors of 8‐azaguanine at DNA‐modified electrode were explored by means of cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Compared with bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), the Langmuir–Blodgett film modified electrode can greatly improve the measuring sensitivity of 8‐azaguanine. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the Langmuir–Blodgett film modified electrode in pH 3.0 Britton–Robinson buffer solutions shows a linear voltammetric response in the range of 5.0×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?5 mol L^?1 with detection limit 9.0×10^?9 mol L^?1. The method proposed was applied successfully for the determination of 8‐azaguanine in diluted human urine with wonderful satisfactory.     

Synthesis,characterization, and application of silver nanoparticle‐thiophenol nanocomposite film on the glassy carbon surface

In this study, 4‐thiophenol modified glassy carbon electrode was prepared by the reduction of 4‐diazothiophenol tetrafluoroborate salt. Silver nanoparticles were attached to the thiophenol modified surface to prepare a thiophenol‐silver nanoparticle composite film. 4‐Aminothiopenol molecules were deposited by self‐assembling technique to form multi‐layered nanofilms of TP/SNP/PhNH₂ on glassy carbon substrate. These surfaces were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflectance‐absorption infrared spectroscopy, and ellipsometry at each multilayer film growth process. Atomic force microscopic images of GC/TP/SNP/PhNH₂ surfaces were also acquired. The characterization methods show that the amine group containing surface permits the subsequent modification by a variety of coupling reactions for the immobilization of more complex systems. An application of the electrode modification for the determination of uric acid with a significantly lower detection limit is described. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Voltammetric Determination of Metronidazole Using a Sensor Based on Electropolymerization of α‐Cyclodextrin over a Carbon Paste Electrode

An electrochemical sensor for metronidazole (MTZ) was built via the surface modification of a carbon paste electrode (CPE) by a film obtained through electropolymerization of α‐cyclodextrin (CPE_α‐CD). The CPE_α‐CD was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), by both techniques was demonstrated that the polymer film is coating the electrode surface. The electroreduction behaviour of MTZ in HClO₄ media as a supporting electrolyte was studied by differential‐pulse voltammetric (DPV) technique. The DPV electrochemical process was observed to be diffusion controlled and irreversible. Under optimal conditions, the peak current was proportional to MTZ concentration in the range of 0.5 to 103.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.28±0.02 μM. The method was successfully applied to quantify of MTZ in pharmaceutical formulations. In addition, this proposed MTZ sensor exhibited good reproducibility, long‐term stability and fast current response.     

Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Iron Oxide‐Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Chitosan Modified with DNA‐Celestine Blue

The present study describes a novel and very sensitive electrochemical assay for determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) based on synergistic effects of reduced graphene oxide‐ magnetic iron oxide nanocomposite (rGO‐Fe₃O₄) and celestine blue (CB) for electrochemical reduction of H₂O₂. rGO‐Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Chitosan (Chit) was used for immobilization of amino‐terminated single‐stranded DNA (ss‐DNA) molecules via a glutaraldehyde (GA) to the surface of rGO‐Fe₃O₄. The MTT (3‐(4,5‐Dim ethylt hiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenylt etrazolium bromide) results confirmed the biocompatibility of nanocomposite. Experimental parameters affecting the ss‐DNA molecules immobilization were optimized. Finally, by accumulation of the CB on the surface of the rGO‐Fe₃O₄‐Chit/ssDNA, very sensitive amperometric H₂O₂ sensor was fabricated. The electrocatalytic activity of the rGO‐Fe₃O₄‐Chit/DNA‐CB electrode toward H₂O₂ reduction was found to be very efficient, yielding very low detection limit (DL) of 42 nM and a sensitivity of 8.51 μA/μM. Result shows that complex matrices of the human serum samples did not interfere with the fabricated sensor. The developed sensor provided significant advantages in terms of low detection limit, high stability and good reproducibility for detection of H₂O₂ in comparison with recently reported electrochemical H₂O₂ sensors.     

BisPNA‐assisted Detection of Double‐stranded DNA via Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

A highly effective strategy for quantification of plasmid which was a special dsDNA based on bisPNA by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was presented in this work. Firstly, through Au?S bond, thiol‐terminated bisPNA probes were immobilized onto the gold electrode surface. Then bisPNA probes directly hybridized with target plasmid DNA pBR322 based on the PNA.DNA‐PNA invasion triplex without denaturation. In the presence of redox electroactive ions [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? as hybridization indicator, the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) was produced, and R_ct was measured via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, this strategy showed a good linear relationship between the ΔR_ct which was the difference of R_ct obtained before and after bisPNA hybridized with plasmid pBR322, and logarithm of the concentration of plasmid pBR322 within the range from 1 nM to 100 nM (R²=0.993), with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 nM. Furthermore, this bisPNA‐assisted biosensor showed good stability and satisfactory analytical reliability. In addition, this novel bisPNA‐assisted biosensor also exhibited excellent analytical results in human serum.     

Fabrication,Characterization, and Application of ‘Sandwich‐Type’ Electrode Based on Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

The much‐enhanced electrochemical responses of potassium ferricyanide and methylene blue (MB) were firstly explored at the glassy carbon electrode modified with single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT/GCE), indicating the distinct electrochemical activity of SWNTs towards electroactive molecules. A hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF₆), was used as electrode modification material, which presented wide electrochemical windows, proton permeation and selective extraction ability. In consideration with the advantages of SWNTs and RTIL in detecting target molecules (TMs), a novel strategy of ‘sandwich–type’ electrode was established with TMs confined by RTIL between the SWNT/GCE and the RTIL membrane. The strategy was used for electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA), and detection limits of 400 and 80 fmol could be obtained, respectively. The selective detection of DA in the presence of high amount of AA could also be realized. This protocol presented many attractive advantages towards voltammetric detection of TMs, such as low sample demand, low cost, high sensitivity, and good stability.