In vitro continuous amperometric monitoring of 5-hydroxytryptamine release from enterochromaffin cells of the guinea pig ileum

A diamond microelectrode was used to sensitively, reproducibly and stably record overflow of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) from enterochromaffin cells (EC) of the intenstinal mucosal layer. 5-HT is an important neurotransmitter and paracrine signalling molecule in the gastrointestinal tract. The diamond microelectrode was formed by overcoating a sharpened 76 microm diameter Pt wire with a thin layer of conducting diamond. After insulation with polypropylene, the conically-shaped microelectrode had a diameter of about 10 microm at the tip and 80 microm at the cylindrical portion. The exposed length was 100-200 microm. Continuous amperometry with the microelectrode poised at a detection potential of 700 mV vs. Ag|AgCl was used to measure 5-HT overflow as an oxidation current. 5-HT overflow was elicited by both mechanical and electrical stimulation. Some minor electrode fouling, a common problem with the oxidative detection of 5-HT, was seen for diamond but the response stabilized enabling recording in vitro. Both 5-HT and the paracrine hormone, melatonin, were detected in the extracellular solution. The 5-HT oxidation current increased in the presence of the serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitor, fluoxetine (1 microM), providing evidence that the oxidation current was associated with 5-HT.     

Integrated gold-disk microelectrode modified with iron(II)-phthalocyanine for nitric oxide detection in macrophages

An integrated gold-disk microelectrode (IGME) was fabricated and modified with Fe(II)-phthalocyanine (Fe(II)-PC) for NO detection in biological media. Microanalysis of NO using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) in 0.01 M HClO₄ was optimal at the initial potential of 0.1 V, frequency of 100 Hz, pulse amplitude of 25 mV, and a scan rate of 200 mV/s. When the electrode was modified with Fe(II)-phthalocyanines, the anodic peak current and sensitivity of NO were remarkably increased due to the catalytic oxidation of NO. The calibration curve had good linearity in the range from 3.6×10⁻⁵ to 7.2×10⁻⁷ M, and the detection limit was (5.7±1.2)×10⁻⁷ M. Fe(II)-phthalocyanine modified gold-disk microelectrode coated with Nafion was applied to determination of NO released from macrophage cell.     

The Analysis of Chlorinated Phenol Solutions by Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled with Direct and Indirect Amperometric Detection Using a Boron‐Doped Diamond Microelectrode

Analysis of aqueous solutions containing chlorinated phenol pollutants was accomplished by capillary electrophoresis with direct and indirect amperometric detection using a boron‐doped diamond microelectrode. The microelectrode was prepared by (i) coating a thin film of boron‐doped polycrystalline diamond on a sharpened platinum wire (76‐μm diameter) and (ii) sealing the coated wire in a polypropylene pipet tip. The diamond microelectrode, used in end‐column detection, exhibited a low and stable background current with low peak‐to‐peak noise and good electrochemical activity for the pollutants without any conventional pretreatment. The electrode performance was evaluated in terms of the linear dynamic range, sensitivity, limit of quantitation, and response precision for the detection of several priority pollutants (2‐chlorophenol, 3‐chlorophenol, 4‐chlorophenol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol, 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol). The diamond microelectrode gave good detection figures of merit for these contaminants in the direct amperometric mode with no evidence of any electrode fouling. As an example, the concentration limit of quantitation for 2‐chlorophenol was 100 nM or 13 ppb (S/N=3) and the relative standard deviation of the peak height for 9 injections was 4.7±0.5% (est. 1.1 nL inj.). The separation efficiency was greater than 100 000 plates/m for all seven solutes. The microelectrode was also employed for the indirect detection of the chlorinated phenols. In this approach, which is useful for detecting electroinactive solutes, ferrocene carboxylic acid was added to the run buffer as the electrophore. Good detection figures of merit were also achieved for the separation and detection of 2‐chlorophenol, 3‐chlorophenol, and 2,4‐dichlorophenol in this mode, although the linear dynamic range was not as wide and the limit of quantitation was not as low as in direct amperometry. For example, the concentration limit of quantitation for these pollutants was in the mid micromolar range (1–10 ppm) with excellent response reproducibility of 3.2±0.8%, or less.     

Ring‐disc Microelectrodes towards Glutathione Electrochemical Detection

An alternative approach for space‐resolved glutathione (GSH) detection using a ring‐disc microelectrode and an appropriate electroactive probe (acetaminophen) is reported. Acetaminophen is electrochemically oxidized at one of the electrodes and a fraction of the reaction product (N‐acetyl‐p‐quinoneimine) diffuses to the other, where it is detected. The collection efficiency value is dependent on the concentration of glutathione in solution, which consumes N‐acetyl‐p‐quinoneimine during its transit from the disc to the ring. Collection efficiency values close to 100 % were obtained by confining the electroactive species in a gap (<2 μm) that resembles a thin layer cell in a SECM configuration. The proposed indirect method was used to image the transport of GSH across an impermeable membrane in a SECM experiment. The method proved to be useful as a proof of concept for space‐resolved GSH electrochemical detection and a topography independent electrochemical image was acquired.     

富氧条件下乙炔选择催化还原NOx

Acetylene as a reducing agent of metal exchanged HY catalysts, for selective catalytic reduction of NO in the reaction system of 0.16% NO, 0 （C2H2-SCR） was investigated over a series 08% C2H2, and 9.95% O2 （volume percent） in He. 75% of NO conversion to N2 with hydrocarbon efficiency about 1.5 was achieved over a Ce-HY catalyst around 300 ℃. The NO removal level was comparable with that of selective catalytic reduction of NOx by C3H6 reported in literatures, although only one third of the reducing agent in carbon moles was used in the C2H2-SCR of NO. The protons in zeolite were crucial to the C2H2-SCR of NO, and the performance of HY in the reaction was significantly promoted by cerium incorporation into the zeolite. NO2 was proposed to be the intermediate of NO reduction to N2, and the oxidation of NO to NO2 was rate-determining step of the C2H2-SCR of NO over Ce-HY. The suggestion was well supported by the results of the NO oxidation with O2, and the C2H2 consumption under the conditions in the presence or absence of NO.     

Nano‐Roughening a Pt Disk Microelectrode via Electrochemical Alloying‐Dealloying in Ionic Liquid Electrolyte

A green chemistry method to nano‐roughen a Pt disk microelectrode has been successfully developed via electrochemical alloying‐dealloying in an ionic liquid bath comprising of ZnCl₂ and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride. The nano‐roughened Pt layer possesses bark‐like nanoporous structures characteristic of nano‐sized aggregates separated by nano‐cracks whose width ranging from around 50 to 200 nm. The nano‐roughened microelectrode possesses high surface area and diffusional properties typical of a microelectrode. Electrochemical oxidation and reduction of nitrite have been studied as an example for demonstrating that the nano‐roughened microelectrode is a promising technique for electroanalysis and electrocatalysis applications.     

Surface Engineering of g‐C3N4 by Stacked BiOBr Sheets Rich in Oxygen Vacancies for Boosting Photocatalytic Performance

BiOBr containing surface oxygen vacancies (OVs) was prepared by a simple solvothermal method and combined with graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) to construct a heterojunction for photocatalytic oxidation of nitric oxide (NO) and reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂). The formation of the heterojunction enhanced the transfer and separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. Furthermore, the surface OVs sufficiently exposed catalytically active sites, and enabled capture of photoexcited electrons at the surface of the catalyst. Internal recombination of photogenerated charges was also limited, which contributed to generation of more active oxygen for NO oxidation. Heterojunction and OVs worked together to form a spatial conductive network framework, which achieved 63 % NO removal, 96 % selectivity for carbonaceous products (that is, CO and CH₄). The stability of the catalyst was confirmed by cycling experiments and X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy after NO removal.     

Integrated Microanalytical System Coupling Permeation Liquid Membrane and Voltammetry for Trace Metal Speciation. Technical Description and Optimization

A new minicell coupling the liquid‐liquid extraction technique called permeation liquid membrane (PLM) with an integrated Ir‐based Hg‐plated microelectrode array for voltammetric detection has been developed for the speciation of heavy metals in natural waters. Lead and cadmium have been used as model compounds. The PLM consists of a carrier (0.1 M 22DD+0.1 M lauric acid) dissolved in 1 : 1 mixture of toluene/phenylhexane held in the small pores (30 nm) of a hydrophobic polypropylene membrane (Celgard 2500). One side of this membrane is in contact with a flowing source solution, containing the metal ions of interest. An acceptor or strip solution (pyrophosphate) is placed on the other side of the PLM with the microelectrode array placed at 480 μm of the PLM. The analyte is transported by the carrier from the source solution to the strip solution. The originality of the new minicell is that accumulation in the strip solution is voltammetrically followed by the integrated microelectrode array in real time, and at low concentration level, using square‐wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). In order to protect the Hg microelectrodes from the adsorption of the hydrophobic carrier, the microelectrodes are embedded in a thin gel layer (280 μm) of 1.5% LGL agarose gel containing 10% of hydrophobic silica particles C18. The choice of optimum conditions is discussed in details in this article. Due to the very small effective strip volume of the new cell (less than 1 μL), high enrichment factor can be obtained (e.g., 330 for Pb) after 2 hours of accumulation. No deaeration of the solutions is required for SWASV measurements. Detection limits under these conditions are 2 pM and 75 pM for Pb and Cd, respectively, using a voltammetric deposition time of 5 min. In addition, no fouling effects were observed with natural water samples.     

NOx气相光催化氧化降解研究

利用ＴｉＯ２光催化氧化技术对ＮＯｘ进行了净化研究,在一定反应条件下,ＮＯｘ光催化氧化降解率很高,Ｐ－２５的降解达９７％。考察了氧气,水含量等对ＮＯｘ光催化氧化的影响,同时对ＮＯｘ的吸附、光催化氧化动力学行为及机理进行了研究。利用ＦＴＩＲ分析确定反应产物,催化剂失活是由于反应产物硝酸吸附在催化剂表面所致。     

水蒸气对甲烷在金属铁表面还原NO行为的影响

采用程序控温电加热水平陶瓷管反应器,在N2气氛和模拟烟气气氛中、300~1100℃下,研究了水蒸气对甲烷在金属铁表面还原NO行为的影响,并对反应前、后铁样品进行了X光衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)及X光电子能谱(XPS)等表征。结果表明,水蒸气对甲烷在金属铁表面还原NO行为的影响较小。在N2气氛中,水蒸气参与了金属铁的氧化;与无水蒸气时相比,水蒸气存在时NO还原效率有所下降。当水蒸气含量从2.5%增加到7%时,由于水蒸气对金属铁的氧化导致其表面形成疏松的微观孔隙,使得NO的还原效率随水蒸气含量的增加而提高。甲烷则参与了铁氧化物的还原,使铁样品表面形成相对致密的Fe3O4和FeO氧化层,不利于NO与金属铁的接触,使得NO的还原效率低于无甲烷时的结果。在模拟烟气条件下,水蒸气使得甲烷在金属铁表面还原NO的效率增加;在1050℃下,反应段过量空气系数SR1=0.7和燃尽段过量空气系数SR2=1.2时,含7%的H2O和无H2O条件下脱硝效率分别为96.7%和90.6%。而在湿烟气中SO2使NO还原效率略有下降。持久性脱硝实验结果表明,当反应温度为1050℃时,在含7%的H2O、0.02%的SO2的模拟烟气中,1.14%的甲烷在金属铁表面持续50h都能保持90%以上的脱硝效率。     

Nitrate ion photochemistry at interfaces: a new mechanism for oxidation of alpha-pinene

The photooxidation of 0.6-0.9 ppm alpha-pinene in the presence of a deliquesced thin film of NaNO(3), and for comparison increasing concentrations of NO(2), was studied in a 100 L Teflon(R) chamber at relative humidities from 72-88% and temperatures from 296-304 K. The loss of alpha-pinene and the formation of gaseous products were followed with time using proton transfer mass spectrometry. The yields of gas phase products were smaller in the NaNO(3) experiments than in NO(2) experiments. In addition, pinonic acid, pinic acid, trans-sobrerol and other unidentified products were detected in the extracts of the wall washings only for the NaNO(3) photolysis. These data indicate enhanced loss of alpha-pinene at the NaNO(3) thin film during photolysis. Supporting the experimental results are molecular dynamics simulations which predict that alpha-pinene has an affinity for the surface of the deliquesced nitrate thin film, enhancing the opportunity for oxidation of the impinging organic gas during the nitrate photolysis. This new mechanism of oxidation of organics may be partially responsible for the correlation between nitrate and the organic component of particles observed in many field studies, and may also contribute to the missing source of SOA needed to reconcile model predictions and field measurements. In addition, photolysis of nitrate on surfaces in the boundary layer may lead to oxidation of co-adsorbed organics.     

Affinity purification of aprotinin from bovine lung

An affinity protocol for the purification of aprotinin from bovine lung was developed. To simulate the structure of sucrose octasulfate, a natural specific probe for aprotinin, the affinity ligand was composed of an acidic head and a hydrophobic stick, and was then linked with Sepharose. The sorbent was then subjected to adsorption analysis with pure aprotinin. The purification process consisted of one step of affinity chromatography and another step of ultrafiltration. Then purified aprotinin was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, trypsin inhibitor activity, gel‐filtration, and thin‐layer chromatography analysis. As calculated, the theoretical maximum adsorption (Q_max) of the affinity sorbent was 25 476.0 ± 184.8 kallikrein inactivator unit/g wet gel; the dissociation constant of the complex “immobilized ligand‐aprotinin” (K_d) was 4.6 ± 0.1 kallikrein inactivator unit/mL. After the affinity separation of bovine lung aprotinin, reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and gel‐filtration chromatography revealed that the protein was a single polypeptide, and the purities were ～ 97 and 100%, respectively; the purified peptide was also confirmed with aprotinin standard by gel‐filtration chromatography and thin‐layer chromatography. After the whole purification process, protein, and bioactivity recoveries were 2.2 and 92.6%, respectively; and the specific activity was up to 15 907.1 ± 10.2 kallikrein inactivator unit/mg.     

Amperometric determination of nitric oxide derived from pulmonary artery endothelial cells immobilized in a microchip channel

A simple method for immobilizing a confluent layer of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (bPAECs) in microchip-based channels is described. The microchips are prepared from poly(dimethylsiloxane) and have channel dimensions that approximate resistance vessels in vivo. The reversibly sealed channels were coated with fibronectin (100 microg ml(-1)) by aspiration. The bPAECs, which were introduced in the same manner, became attached to the fibronectin coating in about 2 h. The microchip could then be resealed over a micromolded carbon ink electrode (24 microm width x 6 microm height). Coating the carbon microelectrode with a 0.05% Nafion solution selectively blocked nitrite (10 microM) from being transported to the electrode surface while nitric oxide (NO, 10 microM) was amperometrically measured. Upon stimulation with adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 100 microM) the immobilized bPAECs produced and released micromolar amounts of NO. This NO production was effectively inhibited when the immobilized cells were incubated with L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a competitive inhibitor for nitric oxide synthase. Moreover, once the immobilized bPAECs were no longer able to produce NO, incubation with L-arginine allowed for further ATP-stimulated NO production.     

Towards Mixed Fuels: The Electrochemistry of Hydrazine in the Presence of Methanol and Formic Acid

The electrochemistry of formic acid, carbon monoxide and methanol have been investigated and evaluated in combination with hydrazine. Hydrazine was observed to display the anticipated steady‐state oxidation waves at platinum (Pt) microelectrodes by cyclic voltammetry, and upon introduction of carbon monoxide (CO) gas, the Pt surface was fully passivated (prior to CO oxidation). However, the two individual responses of hydrazine and formic acid (HCOOH) are to be additive when combined in solution. No detrimental effects were observed upon the hydrazine voltammetry, even in the presence of excess formic acid, despite formic acid clearly displaying characteristic self‐poisoning tendencies (primarily due to the formation of CO) in its own voltammetry. Effects intermediate to those of CO and formic acid were observed when methanol was present. Currents were essentially additive at low methanol content, but hydrazine oxidation current decreased by about 40 % when an 100‐fold excess of methanol was present, corresponding to poisoning by methanol dehydrogenation intermediates. These results are discussed with relevance to mixed fuels for more flexible or powerful fuel cells, and the possible formation of a random microelectrode array (templated by strongly adsorbed poison) on the microelectrode surface.     

A microchip-based endothelium mimic utilizing open reservoirs for cell immobilization and integrated carbon ink microelectrodes for detection

This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of a microfluidic device that utilizes a reservoir-based approach for endothelial cell immobilization and integrated embedded carbon ink microelectrodes for the amperometric detection of extracellular nitric oxide (NO) release. The design utilizes a buffer channel to continuously introduce buffer or a plug of stimulant to the reservoir as well as a separate sampling channel that constantly withdraws buffer from the reservoir and over the microelectrode. A steel pin is used for both the fluidic connection to the sampling channel and to provide a quasi-reference electrode for the carbon ink microelectrode. Characterization of the device was performed using NO standards produced from a NONOate salt. Finally, NO release from a layer of immobilized endothelial cells was monitored and quantified using the system. This system holds promise as a means to electrochemically detect extracellular NO release from endothelial cells in either an array of reservoirs or concurrently with fluorescence-based intracellular NO measurements.     

Nanostructured Platinum‐iridium Alloy Microelectrode for Ammonia Determination

Nanostructured platinum‐iridium alloy microelectrode with high surface area was successfully prepared by applying successive potential cycles to a conventional PtIr microdisc in ionic liquid electrolyte containing ZnCl₂ at elevated temperature. Scanning‐electron microscope studies show that a very thin nanostructured film was created on the electrode upon 20 potential cycles between −2.0 and 0.75 V versus a Ag pseudo‐reference electrode. The film nanostructures are characteristic of regular hill‐like nano‐spacings separated by valley‐like nano‐cracks, and a roughness factor of approximately 40. The nanostructured electrode is highly active towards electrochemical oxidation of ammonia, and generates a linear relation between voltammetric peak currents (or chronoamperometric currents), and logarithm of ammonia concentration in a range of approximately 1 ppm to 10000 ppm. It has been proposed that the Temkin adsorption of ammonia from the bulk solution onto the electrode surfaces was involved in its electrochemical oxidation and could be responsible for the linear current‐logarithmic concentration relation.     

富氧条件下Ir催化NO反应

用浸渍法制备了系列Ir催化剂, 研究了富氧条件下Ir催化NO的反应, 考察了催化剂的催化反应性能及负载量和载体对催化活性的影响. 结果表明, 在Ir催化剂上不仅发生了NO氧化反应, 同时也发生了NO还原反应; Ir催化剂对NO反应有催化作用, 催化活性随Ir负载量的增加而增强. 载体对催化剂活性有一定的影响, 负载量低于0.1%(w)时, 催化NO氧化的活性顺序为Ir/ZSM-5>Ir/γ-Al2O3>Ir/SiO2, 这主要受载体自身性质的影响; 负载量高于0.1%时, 催化NO氧化的活性顺序为Ir/ZSM-5>Ir/SiO2>Ir/γ的活性顺序为Ir/γ-Al2O3>Ir/SiO2>Ir/ZSM-5, 这主要由于载体吸附作用促进了NO2在Ir催化剂上吸附分解. 与Pt催化剂相比, Ir催化剂更有利于促进NO还原.     

CuO-CeO2-MnOx/γ-Al2O3催化剂选择性催化还原NO

利用溶胶凝胶法制备CuO-CeO₂-MnO_x/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂颗粒,在固定床上测试其催化脱硝活性。CuO-CeO₂-MnO_x/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂在250℃～400℃脱硝效率保持在90%以上。活性组分氧化铈负载量的增多提高了催化剂在低温区脱硝活性。同时利用程序升温方法研究了催化剂对NH₃和NO的氧化性能,随着温度升高NH₃被过度氧化生成了NO和N₂O。催化剂能将NO氧化生成NO₂,但转化程度较低。脱附实验表明,NH₃和NO在催化剂表面存在明显的吸附现象。较少的NH₃吸附量和NH₃过度氧化是高温下脱硝效率降低的主要原因。暂态实验显示,NH₃以吸附态参与反应,而NO以气态或弱吸附态参与反应。     

Analysis of Nitric Oxide from Chemical Donors Using CMOS Platinum Microelectrodes

Electrochemical detection of NO generated from chemical donors is reported. Because NO is an important biological messenger, many donor sources and detection methods have been developed. Few reports have characterized NO donors using electrochemistry despite electrochemical techniques being sensitive and selective. Here, a CMOS platinum microelectrode array is interfaced with a microfluidic device for the electrochemical analysis of NO from (Z)‐1‐[N‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐N‐(2‐ammonioethyl)amino]diazen‐1‐ium‐1,2‐diolate (DETA/NO). The donor parent amine fouls the electrode, resulting in substantial signal loss, but an electrochemical cleaning method was developed that substantially reduces fouling and allows detection of NO between 90 nM and 1 µM.     

Integrated Microanalytical System for Simultaneous Voltammetric Measurements of Free Metal Ion Concentrations in Natural Waters

A complexing gel integrated microelectrode (CGIME) for direct measurements of free metal ion concentrations in natural waters has been developed. It is prepared by the successive deposition of microlayers of a chelating resin, an antifouling agarose gel and Hg on a 100‐interconnected Ir‐based microelectrode array. The trace metals of interest are in a first step accumulated on the chelating resin in proportion to their free ion concentration in solution, then released in acidic solution and detected simultaneously by using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The reliability of this sensor for the simultaneous measurement of copper, lead and cadmium has been studied by a series of replicate laboratory tests. The proportionality between the voltammetric peak current intensity and the free metal ion concentrations in solution has been demonstrated by using malonate as a model ligand. Finally, the CGIME sensor was applied to the Cu and Pb free concentration measurement in sea water samples and the results compared to the free metal ion concentrations measured using hollow fiber based permeation liquid membrane (HF‐PLM) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (ICP‐MS). Comparable concentration values were found for both metals with both techniques allowing to validate the CGIME measurements in complex media.