Electrochemical synthesis of polyaniline in surface-attached poly(acrylic acid) network, and its application to the electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid

Acrylic acid was first electropolymerized on the surface of a gold electrode. Then, polyaniline (PANI) was electrodeposited on the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) network to give a PANI–PAA composite film. Scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical studies confirmed the formation of PANI–PAA composite which exhibited excellent electroactivity over a wide pH range. The electro-oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) was studied in detail. The modified electrode exhibits significantly reduced oxidation overpotential. The response towards AA is linear in the range 1.0 μM to 9.3 mM (R?=?0.9997, n?=?33) at a potential of 0.1 V (vs. SCE). The sensitivity is 207 μA mM^-1 cm^-2, and the detection limit is 1.0 μM (S/N?=?3). Interferences by uric acid and dopamine are negligible. The electrode thus enables sensitive and selective determination of AA, with a performance superior to many other PANI–based ascorbate sensors.     

Evaluation of a novel composite based on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube and iron phthalocyanine for electroanalytical determination of isoniazid

A novel platform for electroanalysis of isoniazid based on graphene-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube as support for iron phthalocyanine (FePc/f-MWCNT) has been developed. The FePc/f-MWCNT composite has been dropped on glassy carbon forming FePc/f-MWCNT/GC electrode, which is sensible for isoniazid, decreasing substantially its oxidation potential to +200 mV vs Ag/AgCl. Electrochemical and electroanalytical properties of the FePc/f-MWCNT/GC-modified electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, and amperometry. The sensor presents better performance in 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer at pH 7.4. Under optimized conditions, a linear response range from 5 to 476 μmol L^?1 was obtained with a limit of detection and sensitivity of 0.56 μmol L^?1 and 0.023 μA L μmol^?1, respectively. The relative standard deviation for 10 determinations of 100 μmol L^?1 isoniazid was 2.5%. The sensor was successfully applied for isoniazid selective determination in simulated body fluids.     

Excellent electrocatalytic performance of a Ni<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-loaded multiwalled carbon nanotube composite in glucose oxidation

A new type of Ni²⁺-loaded MWCNT composite was prepared by mixing carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Ni²⁺ ions and allowing them to interact electrostatically. The resulting composite was subsequently used as an electrocatalyst for glucose (Glu) oxidation. Compared with electrodes modified through the addition of free Ni²⁺ ions or MWCNTs, the Ni²⁺/MWCNT composite electrode showed greatly improved properties such as hydrophilicity. Investigations of the Ni²⁺/MWCNT composite electrode via inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms verified that Ni²⁺ ions had been adsorbed onto the surfaces of the MWCNTs in the composite. As expected, a Ni²⁺/MWCNT composite-based sensor showed extraordinary electrocatalytic performance in Glu oxidation. In the concentration range 0–4.3 mM, a good linear relationship between the Glu added and the current generated was observed, with a correlation coefficient (R ²) of 0.9988. The detection limit and sensitivity were calculated to be 0.081 μM and 2285 μA mM^?1 cm^?2, respectively. Finally, the new method was successfully applied to determine the Glu in a human blood sample. Recoveries of >100%, indicative of high reliability, accuracy, and precision, were obtained.     

PANI–TiC nanocomposite film for the direct electron transfer of hemoglobin and its application for biosensing

A novel polyaniline and titanium carbide (PANI–TiC) nanocomposite was synthesized by an in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method, and a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) biosensor was fabricated by PANI–TiC with hemoglobin (Hb)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed the morphology and ingredient of PANI–TiC. Electrochemical investigation of the biosensor showed a pair of well-defined, quasi-reversible redox peaks with E _pa?=??0.318 V and E _pc?=??0.356 V (vs SCE) in 0.1 M, pH 7.0 sodium phosphate-buffered saline at the scan rate of 150 mV s^?1. Transfer rate constant (k _s) was 2.01 s^?1. The Hb/PANI–TiC/GCE showed a good electrochemical catalytic response for the reduction of H₂O₂ with the linear range from 0.5 to 285.5 μM and the detection limit of 0.2 μM (S/N?=?3). The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K _m) was estimated to be 1.21 μM. Therefore, the PANI–TiC as a novel matrix opened up a further possibility for study on the design of enzymatic biosensors with potential applications.     

Micelle-encapsulated multi-wall carbon nanotubes with photosensitive copolymer and its application in the detection of dopamine

Photosensitive copolymer P(St-alt-MAn)-co-P(VM-alt-MAn) was synthesized and employed to disperse multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). It was found that copolymer could form micelles in aqueous solution and adsorb onto the surface of MWCNTs to produce micelle-encapsulated MWCNTs (e-MWCNTs) by in situ photo crosslinking after irradiation with ultraviolet light and a stable suspension of e-MWCNTs in aqueous solution was obtained. When deposited onto polyaniline (PANI)-modified glassy carbon electrodes, a thin film of e-MWCNTs composite was obtained and the performance of the e-MWCNTs/PANI electrode toward dopamine was then evaluated. The experimental results suggest that the hybrid film modified electrode exhibits a dramatic electrocatalytic effect on the oxidation of dopamine (DA), as evidenced by a marked enhancement of the current response. A series of CVs was obtained by modified glassy-carbon electrodes with different size of micelles was also researched. The result shows that the peak current increased with the increasing size of micelles. A linear calibration plot was obtained in a wide range of 1.0?×?10^?7–1.0?×?10^?3 M and the detection limit was 5.0?×?10^?8 M. In addition, the interference from ascorbic acid (AA) was effectively suppressed due to the presence of the negatively charged carboxylate groups of copolymer on the outside of MWCNTs which repels AA anions and provides a transport channel only for DA cations.     

Non-enzymatic analysis of glucose on printed films based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes

We report on the fabrication of an enzyme–free electrochemical sensor for glucose based on a printed film consisting of multi–walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The MWCNT–based film can be produced by means of a flexographic printing process on a polycarbonate (PC) substrate. The electrochemical response of the MWCNT–based film (referred to as MWCNT–PC) towards the oxidation of glucose at pH 7 was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The MWCNT–PC film exhibits substantial electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose at an anodic potential of 0.30?V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The findings reveal that the MWCNT–PC film enables non–enzymatic sensing of glucose with a detection limit as low as 2.16?μM and a sensitivity of 1045?μA?mM^?1?cm^?2.

Electrochemical polymerization of polyaniline doped with Zn2+ as the electrode material for electrochemical supercapacitors

Polyaniline doped with Zn²⁺ (PANI/Zn²⁺) films was synthesized by cyclic voltammetric method on stainless steel mesh substrates in 0.2 mol L^?1 aniline and 0.5 mol L^?1 sulfuric acid electrolyte with various concentrations of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O). The structure and morphology of PANI and PANI/Zn²⁺ films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The electrochemical properties of PANI and PANI/Zn²⁺ films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 0.5 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ electrolyte in a three-electrode system. The results show that the surface morphology of PANI/Zn²⁺ is more rough than that of pure PANI. The specific capacitance of the PANI/Zn²⁺ film displays a larger specific capacitance of 738 F g^?1, lower resistance, and better stability as compared with the pure PANI film. Thus, good capacitive performance demonstrates its potential superiority for supercapacitors.     

Self-assembled reduced graphene oxide/sulfur composite encapsulated by polyaniline for enhanced electrochemistry performance

Reduced graphene oxide/sulfur/polyaniline (referred to RGO/S/PANI) composite was self-assembled through in situ synthesis and used to investigate the electrochemical properties of lithium/sulfur cells. The RGO/S/PANI composite possessed 809.3/801.9 mAh g^?1 of initial charge/discharge capacities, higher than 588.3/588.2 mAh g^?1 for reduced graphene oxide/sulfur (referred to RGO/S) and 681.4/669.9 mAh g^?1 for sulfur/polyaniline (referred to S/PANI) at similar conditions. The RGO/S/PANI composite obtained 400 mAh g^?1 at 2 C and good reversible capacities of 605.5 and 600.8 mAh g^?1 at 100th charge/discharge cycle at 0.1 C, in comparison with low electrochemical performance of RGO/S and S/PANI. The improved properties could be attributed to the collaboration of RGO and PANI. Co-generation of RGO and sulfur acted as seeds for their depositions, stimulated their uniform distributions, and restricted the agglomeration of sulfur particles in situ synthesis. Polyaniline coated RGO/S and stabilized the nanostructure of RGO/S/PANI in repeated charge/discharge cycles. In addition, RGO and PANI provided many electron channels to enhance sulfur conductivity and sufficient void space for sulfur swelling during charge/discharge cycles.     

Enhanced toughness and strength of conductive cellulose-poly(butylene succinate) films filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Cellulose (CE) composite films with high tensile strength, modulus, remarkable elongation as well as excellent electrical conductivity were successfully prepared by dispersing poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in CE matrix via the help of ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry results verified that a physical interaction junction existed between PBS and CE. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showed that the low content PBS was uniformly dispersed in CE matrix, leading to a tough and ductile fractured surface. The elongation at break of CE composite film with 1 wt% PBS was increased to 25.9 %, which showed an increase of 325 % compared to that of neat CE film (6.07 %). But high-content PBS acted as the structural defect in the CE matrix. MWCNTs were further added to improve the mechanical and conductive properties of the composite film. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of MWCNT/CE-PBS composite film with 4 wt% MWCNTs were respectively increased by 33.6 and 140 % compared to CE-PBS film. The electrical conductivity of MWCNT/CE-PBS film was also improved by 8–9 orders of magnitude from 2.5 × 10^?14 to 1.3 × 10^?5 S/m.     

Development of a facile sensor for the determination of Brilliant Blue FCF in beverages

A facile method was developed for the detection of Brilliant Blue FCF (BB FCF) (E133), a synthetic soluble colorant in common beverages. The method is based on a new composite of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-graphite oxide (GO)-room temperature ionic liquids (MWCNT/GO-RTIL) of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate with high dispersibility and strong conductivity. Differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) and the MWCNT/GO-RTIL composite-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) were used to determine the BB FCF in this work. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the oxidation current of BB FCF was proportional to its concentration in two linear ranges, from 6.34 μg kg^?1 to 7.93 × 10² μg kg^?1 and 7.93 × 10² μg kg^?1 to 7.93 × 10³ μg kg^?1.

The detection limit was down to 3.01 μg kg^?1 at signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Also, this method has been successfully applied in the determination of BB FCF in common beverage samples, including RIO cocktail, Bacardi Breezer and Reinnbow rum dinks. The assay results of BB FCF in drink samples obtained by the proposed method were in a good agreement with the reference values detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The proposed method provided a useful tool for the assay of BB FCF in drink samples.     

A sensor based on polyaniline nanofibers/ionic liquid-functionalized carbon nanotubes composite for electrocatalytic oxidation of guanine

In this paper, a novel polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers/ionic liquid-functionalized carbon nanotubes (IL-CNTs) composite-modified electrode was prepared, and its application on electrocatalytic oxidation of guanine of sequence-specific DNA was investigated. The surface morphology and the related electrochemical behaviors of the PANI/IL-CNTs composite film were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The PANI/IL-CNTs composite showed a good response current toward the direct electrooxidation of ssDNA due to the synergistic effect between PANI nanofibers and IL-CNTs. Based on this, it was adopted as an excellent sensing platform for highly sensitive determination of guanine. The detection limit was 3.1 × 10^?9 mol/L.     

Synergetic effect of Prussian blue film with gold nanoparticle graphite–wax composite electrode for the enzyme-free ultrasensitive hydrogen peroxide sensor

Enzyme-free amperometric ultrasensitive determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was investigated using a Prussian blue (PB) film-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) graphite–wax composite electrode. A stable PB film was obtained on graphite surface through 2-aminoethanethiol (AET)-capped AuNPs by a simple approach. Field emission scanning electron microscope studies results in formation of PB nanoparticle in the size range of 60–80 nm. Surface modification of PB film on AET–AuNPs–GW composite electrode was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy studies. Highly sensitive determination of H₂O₂ at a peak potential of ?0.10 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 M KCl PBS, pH?=?7.0) at a scan rate of 20 mVs^?1 with a sensitivity of 23.58 μA/mM was observed with the modified electrode using cyclic voltammetry. The synergetic effect of PB film with AuNPs has resulted in a linear range of 0.05 to 7,800 μM with a detection limit of 0.015 μM for H₂O₂ detection with the present electrode. Chronoamperometric studies recorded for the successive additions of H₂O₂ with the modified electrode showed an excellent linearity (R ²?=?0.9932) in the range of 4.8?×?10^?8 to 7.4?×?10^?8 M with a limit of detection of 1.4?×?10^?8 M. Selective determination of H₂O₂ in presence of various interferents was successfully demonstrated. Human urine samples and stain remover solutions were also investigated for H₂O₂ content.     

In-situ decorated gold nanoparticles on polyaniline with enhanced electrocatalysis toward dopamine

Gold nanoparticles were in-situ decorated on top of a polyaniline film (GNPs–PANI) via the direct electroreduction of the adsorbed AuCl ₄ ^- ions on a glassy carbon electrode that previously was coated with PANI by electropolymerization. The GNPs–PANI composite and the performance of the resultant sensors were investigated in some detail. The sensor was applied to the oxidation of dopamine (DA) with improved catalytic activity. Its catalytic current showed wide linear response toward dopamine ranging from 3 to 115 μM, with a low detection limit of 0.8 μM (S/N=3). In addition, the sensor exhibits easy-operation, fast response to dopamine, as well as excellent reproducibility and stability.

Simultaneous Analysis of Sugars and Polyphenols in Tobacco by CZE with Amperometric Detection Based on a Cu2O/MWCNT-COOH Composite Electrode

A composite electrode was fabricated from Cu₂O powder, carboxyl-functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH), and paraffin oil in the proportions 51:17:32 (w/w). This composite electrode was used for amperometric detection (CZE–AD) in simultaneous capillary zone electrophoretic analysis of chlorogenic acid, rutin, sucrose, glucose, mannose, and fructose in tobacco samples. Under the optimum conditions, the six analytes could be separated in 100 mmol L^?1 NaOH buffer within 30 min. Good linearity was achieved in the range 1 × 10^?7–1 × 10^?4 mol L^?1 for the two polyphenols and 5 × 10^?6–1 × 10^?3 mol L^?1 for the four sugars. The detection limits (S/N = 3) for the polyphenols and sugars were as low as 10^?8 mol L^?1 and 10^?6 mol L^?1, respectively.     

Preparation,morphology and electrical conductivity of polyaniline/polyoxyalkylene–montmorillonite exfoliated nanocomposites

Polyaniline (PANI)/organoclay exfoliated nanocomposites containing different organoclay contents (14–50 wt%) were prepared. PANI emeraldine base (EB) and oligomeric PANI (o‐PANI) were intercalated into montmorillonite (MMT) modified by four types of polyoxyalkylene diamine or triamine (organoclay) using N‐methyl pyrolidinone (NMP) as a solvent in the presence of 0.1 M HCl. o‐PANI and EB have been synthesized by oxidative polymerization of aniline using ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS). Infrared absorption spectra (IR) confirm the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged surface of MMT and positively charged sites in PANI. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies disclosed that the d₀₀₁ spacing between interlamellar surface disappeared at low content of the organoclay. The morphology of these materials was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrical conductivities of the PANI‐organoclay and o‐PANI‐organoclay nanocomposites were 1.5 × 10^?3–2 × 10^?4 and 9.5 × 10^?7–1.8 × 10^?9 S/cm, respectively depending on the ratio of PANI. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the Potentialities of a Carbon Nanotubes/Silicone Rubber Composite Electrode in the Determination of Hydrochlorothiazide

A multiwall carbon nanotube/silicone rubber (MWCNT/SR) composite electrode has been used for the determination of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in pharmaceutical formulations by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The electro-oxidation process was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, from which it was observed that HCTZ presents an irreversible oxidation peak at 0.82 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in the potential range from 0.5 to 1.1 V, in Britton-Robinson buffer pH 7.0 at MWCNT/SR. HCTZ was determined by DPV using a MWCNT/SR 70% (MWCNT, m/m) composite electrode after the optimization of the experimental parameters. The linear range was from 5.0 to 70.0 µ mol L^?1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.6 µ mol L^?1. The HCTZ was determined in pharmaceutical formulations using the proposed composite electrode and the results agreed with those from the official high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method within 95% confidence level, according to the t-Student test.     

Voltammetric determination of trace doxorubicin at a nano-titania/nafion composite film modified electrode in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

A sensitive electrochemical method was developed for the determination of doxorubicin at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a nano-titania (nano-TiO₂)/nafion composite film. Nano-TiO₂ was dispersed into nafion to give a homogeneous suspension. After solvent evaporation, a uniform film of nano-TiO₂/nafion composite was obtained on the GCE surface. The nano-TiO₂/nafion composite film modified GCE exhibited excellent electrochemical behavior toward the reduction of doxorubicin. Compared to the reduction of doxorubicin at the bare GCE, the reduction current of doxorubicin at the nano-TiO₂/nafion composite film modified GCE was greatly enhanced. Based on this, a novel voltammetric method was applied to the determination of doxorubicin. The experimental parameters that influence the reduction current of doxorubicin, were optimized. Under optimal conditions, a linear response of doxorubicin was obtained in the range from 5.0?×?10^?9 to 2.0?×?10^?6 mol L^?1 (R?=?0.998) and with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0?×?10^?9 mol L^?1(S/N?=?3). The RSD of the measurement is 4.7%, and the RSD of the inter-electrode is of 5.1% which indicate the reproducibility of this method. The current response decreased only by around 3.8% of its initial response after 2 weeks exposing the electrode in air. The procedure was applied to assay doxorubicin in human plasma samples with the recoveries of 94.9–104.4%.     

Determination of Five Polyphenols by HPLC/DAD and Discrimination of Apple Varieties

The objective of this study was to set up a method to detect five compounds in fresh smashed apples by HPLC/DAD simultaneously. Different methods have been tested to control browning and ascorbic acid with ultrasonication was adopted. Methanol–water–acetic acid (30:69:1, v/v) containing 2.0 g of ascorbic acid L^?1 was chosen as the extract solvent. The method effectively simplified the sample treatment compared with the traditional ways. And primarily, the results were used to identify between different varieties. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Atlantis C18 (250 mm × 4.5 mm, particle size 5 μm) with a gradient elution program using a mixture of acetonitrile and 2% aqueous acetic acid (v/v) as mobile phase within 20 min at 270 nm wavelength. The variation of the content of five compounds was gallic acid (ND ~1.81 μg g^?1), protocatechuic acid (ND ~1.79 μg g^?1), chlorogenic acid (13.81–189.4 μg g^?1), caffeic acid (6.82–45.02 μg g^?1) and rutin (0.96–18.55 μg g^?1). The results could successfully be used to discriminate between different apple varieties (Gala, Fuji, Delicious, 8th Apple US, Golden Apple, Green Apple and Red Rose); chlorogenic acid and rutin being the polyphenols that contribute most to the differentiation.     

Optimization of parameters for the alcoholic-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of estrogens in water

Extraction and determination of estrogens in water samples were performed using alcoholic-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (AA-DLLME) and high-performance liquid chromatography (UV/Vis detection). A Plackett–Burman design and a central composite design were applied to evaluate the AA-DLLME procedure. The effect of six parameters on extraction efficiency was investigated. The factors studied were volume of extraction and dispersive solvents, extraction time, pH, amount of salt and agitation rate. According to Plackett–Burman design results, the effective parameters were volume of extraction solvent and pH. Next, a central composite design was applied to obtain optimal condition. The optimized conditions were obtained at 220 μL 1-octanol as extraction solvent, 700 μL ethanol as dispersive solvent, pH 6 and 200 μL sample volume. Linearity was observed in the range of 1–500 μg L^?1 for E2 and 0.1–100 μg L^?1 for E1. Limits of detection were 0.1 μg L^?1 for E2 and 0.01 μg L^?1 for E1. The enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were 42.2, 46.4 and 80.4, 86.7, respectively. The relative standard deviations for determination of estrogens in water were in the range of 3.9–7.2 % (n = 3). The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of estrogens in environmental water samples.     

Resorcinol-formaldehyde carbon spheres/polyaniline composite with excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitors

Well-dispersed resorcinol-formaldehyde-based carbon spheres (RFCs) have been prepared by the polycondensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde with ammonia as catalyst and subsequent carbonization of the obtained polymer. In situ polymerization of the aniline occurred in the suspension of the RFC, and RFC was surrounded by the polyaniline (PANI) wires. The PANI and RFC hybrid network (PRFC) formed gradually. In a three-electrode mode, the specific capacitance (C _sp) of PRFC reaches 315 F g^?1 at a current density of 1 A g^?1 in 2 M H₂SO₄, much higher than that of pure PANI (225 F g^?1) and RFC (121.7 F g^?1). Furthermore, the C _sp of PRFC retains 80.0 % after 1000 charge-discharge processes at a current density of 5 Ag^?1. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the PRFC came from its homogeneous three-dimensional hierarchical network structure, good electric conductivity of the PANI around the RFC, and the synergistic effect between the RFC and PANI.