Synthesis of ZnO nanobundles via Sol–Gel route and application to glucose biosensor

ZnO nanobundles were fabricated by Sol–Gel route. The as-prepared ZnO nanobundles were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, TEM and PL. ZnO nanobundles structure are composed of many nanorods of about 80 nm in diameter and 0.6 μm in length. It showed weaker UV emission and stronger green emission. A glucose biosensor was constructed using these ZnO nanobundles as supporting materials for glucose oxidase (GO_X) loading by chitosan-assisted cross-linking technique. The biosensor exhibits a high affinity, high sensitivity, and fast response for glucose detection. These results demonstrate that zinc oxide nanostructures have potential applications in biosensors.     

Preparation of onion-like Pd–Bi–Au/C trimetallic catalyst and their application

This paper describes the preparation of dispersed onion-like Pd–Bi–Au/C catalyst with average diameter of 13 nm obtained by consecutive chemical reduction of precursor gold, bismuth and palladium salts in aqueous solution and immobilization on active carbon. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy experiments were performed to analyze the structure and to characterize the Pd–Bi–Au/C catalyst. The onion-like morphology is composed of high content of gold inner core, a Bi-rich intermediate layer and a Pd-rich external layer. The catalytic activity of the catalyst was subsequently investigated and they were found to be efficient catalysts for the aerobic liquid phase oxidation. The results showed that the catalytic activity of Pd–Bi–Au/C was higher than that of Pd–Au/C bimetallic catalyst, indicating that bismuth plays an important role in synergistic effect between gold and palladium.     

Electrochemical synthesis of Au/polyaniline–poly(4-styrenesulfonate) hybrid nanoarray for sensitive biosensor design

Au/polyaniline (PANI)–poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) hybrid nanoarray is fabricated for biomolecular sensing in neutral aqueous solutions. Firstly, an array of one-dimensional Au nanorods (diameter = ca. 200 nm, length = ca. 3 μm) is formed by a template-electrodeposition method using a porous anodic alumina membrane, and then a thin PANI–PSS composite layer is electropolymerized on the surface of the Au nanorods. The resulting Au/PANI–PSS hybrid nanoarray exhibits a quasi-reversible redox electrochemical process at ca. +0.11 V and electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is attained with a detection limit of 0.3 μM in a neutral solution.     

Graphene–Au composite sensor for electrochemical detection of para-nitrophenol

A novel electrochemical sensor for para-nitrophenol (p-NP) was constructed with graphene–Au composite containing 10 % Au (G–Au 10 %). In the composite, Au nanoparticles with the size of ca. 11 nm were regularly scattered on graphene sheet without aggregation, which offers dramatically higher electrocatalytic activity on the redox of K₃[Fe(CN)₆]/K₄[Fe(CN)₆] couple than sole Au nanoparticles. Compared to sole Au nanoparticles, the G–Au 10 % also exhibited dramatically improved electrocatalytic activity on the reduction of p-NP. Amperometric detection of p-NP at G–Au 10 % modified electrode displayed a wide linear range of 0.47–10.75 mM with detection limit of 0.47 μM and a high sensitivity of 52.85 μA/mM. Considering the thrifty in utilization of noble Au, the G–Au 10 % can be successfully applied as a low-cost and powerful sensing material for trace detection of p-NP.     

Electrodeposition of cobalt–tungsten alloys and their application for surface engineering

Applying electrochemically deposited coatings is a convenient way to improve surface properties of a substrate metal. Today materials for applications are frequently selected according to their functional properties. Nowadays theoretical and practical studies of the co-deposition of tungsten with iron group metals are conducted worldwide, and interest for these studies increases. Tungsten alloys of iron group metals have a high melting point and are often considered high-performance alloys, and the attractiveness in those has been driven by their outstanding properties and multiple possible applications. That research is encouraged by the pronounced mechanical, tribological, and magnetic properties as well as the corrosion resistance of tungsten alloys. The magnetic properties of electrodeposited Co–W alloys are of interest in recording media and remotely-actuated micro-/nano-electromechanical systems. The given research presents an overview of versatile possibilities of Co–W alloys as multiscale materials obtained by electrodeposition from citrate solutions at pH 5–8 and temperatures 20–60°C. The paper discusses electrodeposited tungsten alloys as suitable candidates to meet many technological demands at macro-, micro- and nano-scale as coating films, microbumps and nanowires.     

Synthesis of carbon nanotube—nanodiamond hierarchical nanostructures and their polyurea nanocomposites

Hierarchical carbon nanostructures (HCNs) comprising functionalized nanodiamond particles (ND) covalently bonded to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through urea or ethylene diamine linkers were synthesized using wet chemistry technique. Atomic force microscopy, transmission electron spectroscopy, and scanning electron spectroscopy reveal the pearl-necklace-like morphology of new HCNs with up to 50% of the CNT surface decorated by ND particles. Nanocomposites fabricated using polyuria/polyurethane hybrid polymer matrix and 0.2 wt.% of HCNs as a reinforcing filler show a 64% increase in tensile and elongation strength at break relatively to neat polymer.     

A novel electrochemical DNA biosensor construction based on layered CuS–graphene composite and Au nanoparticles

A novel CuS–graphene (CuS-Gr) composite was synthesized to achieve excellent electrochemical properties for application as a DNA electrochemical biosensor. CuS-Gr composite was prepared by a hydrothermal method, in which two-dimensional graphene served as a two-dimensional conductive skeleton to support CuS nanoparticles. A sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) labeled at the 5′ end using 6-mercapto-1-hexane (HS-ssDNA) on the surface of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) to form ssDNA-S–AuNPs/CuS-Gr, and hybridization sensing was done in phosphate buffer. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were performed for the characterization of the modified electrodes. Differential pulse voltammetry was applied to monitor the DNA hybridization using an [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? solution as a probe. Under optimum conditions, the biosensor developed exhibited a good linear relationship between the current and the logarithm of the target DNA concentration ranging from 0.001 to 1 nM, with a low detection limit of 0.1 pM (3σ/S). The biosensor exhibited high selectivity to differentiate one-base-mismatched DNA and three-base-mismatched DNA. The results indicated that the sensing platform based on CuS-Gr provides a stable and conductive interface for electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization, and could easily be extended to the detection of other nucleic acids. Graphical abstracts

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Synthesis and electrochemical performance of sulfur–carbon composite cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries

In this paper, porous carbon was synthesized by an activation method, with phenolic resin as carbon source and nanometer calcium carbonate as activating agent. Sulfur–porous carbon composite material was prepared by thermally treating a mixture of sublimed sulfur and porous carbon. Morphology and electrochemical performance of the carbon and sulfur–carbon composite cathode were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), and galvanostatic charge–discharge test. The composite containing 39 wt.% sulfur obtained an initial discharge capacity of about 1,130 mA?h g^?1 under the current density of 80 mA?g^?1 and presented a long electrochemical stability up to 100 cycles.     

Synthesis and computation of diastereomeric phenanthroline–quinine ligands and their application in asymmetric Henry reaction

A class of chiral ligands has been developed by combining phenanthroline with quinine in a one-step method that does not require resolution. The synthesized three ligands were then coordinated with Cu^(II) and the performance of the resultant chiral catalysts in the asymmetric Henry reaction was evaluated. Moderate to good yields (up to 86%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) were observed in the reactions catalyzed by one of the three catalysts. Theoretical calculations were performed to analyze the catalytic activities of the different Cu^(II)-ligand catalysts. Three different ligands were investigated and one ligand was found to adopt an unexpected five-coordinated mode; the second coordinated with two nitrogen atoms of phenanthroline to give a complex, which activated both substrates of Henry reaction; the third was unable to form a complex with Cu^(II).     

An electrochemical microRNAs biosensor with the signal amplification of alkaline phosphatase and electrochemical–chemical–chemical redox cycling

MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) have been regarded as clinically important biomarkers and drug discovery targets. In this work, we reported a simple and ultrasensitive electrochemical method for miRNAs detection based on single enzyme amplification and electrochemical–chemical–chemical (ECC) redox cycling. Specifically, upon contact with the target miRNAs, the hairpin structure of biotinylated DNA immobilized on gold electrode was destroyed and the biotin group in DNA was forced away from the electrode surface, allowing for the coupling of streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase (SA-ALP). Then, ascorbic acid (AA, the enzymatic product of ALP) triggered the ECC redox cycling with ferrocene methanol (FcM) and tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) as the redox mediator and the chemical reducing reagent, respectively. The method was more sensitive than that with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or glucose oxidase (GOx) triggered recycling since one ALP molecule captured by one target miRNA molecule promoted the production of thousands of AA. Analytical merits (e.g., detection limit, dynamic range, specificity, regeneration and reproducibility) were evaluated. The feasibility of the method for analysis of miRNA-21 in human serum has also been demonstrated.     

Synthesis and structure of a new polyoxometalate-based inorganic–organic hybrid and application as a chemically bulk-modified electrode

A new Keggin-type polyoxometalate-based inorganic–organic hybrid, [Cu(H₂O)₂(daphen)]₂[SiW₁₂O₄₀]·9H₂O (1) (daphen?=?5,6-diamino-1,10-phenanthroline), was hydrothermally synthesized, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectra, and thermal analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that in 1, [SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4? is a tetradentate ligand with its four terminal oxygens coordinating to four Cu(II)–daphen fragments to form a 2D sheet with (4,4) topology. On the basis of the insolubility of 1 in water and common organic solvent and its reversible multielectron redox processes, 1 was used to fabricate a bulk-modified carbon paste electrode (1-CPE) by direct mixing. Electrochemistry indicated that 1-CPE is stable over hundreds of cycles and possessed electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction reactions of nitrite.     

A ratiometric electrochemical biosensor for sensitive detection of Hg based on thymine–Hg–thymine structure

In this paper, a simple, selective and reusable electrochemical biosensor for the sensitive detection of mercury ions (Hg²⁺) has been developed based on thymine (T)-rich stem–loop (hairpin) DNA probe and a dual-signaling electrochemical ratiometric strategy. The assay strategy includes both “signal-on” and “signal-off” elements. The thiolated methylene blue (MB)-modified T-rich hairpin DNA capture probe (MB-P) firstly self-assembled on the gold electrode surface via Au–S bond. In the presence of Hg²⁺, the ferrocene (Fc)-labeled T-rich DNA probe (Fc-P) hybridized with MB-P via the Hg²⁺-mediated coordination of T–Hg²⁺–T base pairs. As a result, the hairpin MB-P was opened, the MB tags were away from the gold electrode surface and the Fc tags closed to the gold electrode surface. These conformation changes led to the decrease of the oxidation peak current of MB (I_MB), accompanied with the increase of that of Fc (I_Fc). The logarithmic value of I_Fc/I_MB is linear with the logarithm of Hg²⁺ concentration in the range from 0.5 nM to 5000 nM, and the detection limit of 0.08 nM is much lower than 10 nM (the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit of Hg²⁺ in drinking water). What is more, the developed DNA-based electrochemical biosensor could be regenerated by adding cysteine and Mg²⁺. This strategy provides a simple and rapid approach for the detection of Hg²⁺, and has promising application in the detection of Hg²⁺ in real environmental samples.     

Synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ)–oxazoline ligands and their application in enantioselective Henry reactions

A novel family of eleven new tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ)–oxazoline intermediates and five corresponding copper(II) catalysts has been developed and applied to the catalytic asymmetric Henry reaction of various aldehydes with nitromethane to provide β-hydroxy nitroalkanes in high conversion (>99%). This paper describes the synthesis of the TIQ compounds from l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) as the starting material. The chiral ligands were complexed in situ with various transition metals such as Cu, Sc, Co, Zn, Ni and Mn and tested as a chiral catalyst for the Henry reaction. The reaction was optimized in terms of the metal, counter ion, solvent, temperature and over a range of substrates. The corresponding catalyst with copper(II) acetate and 2-propanol as the solvent provides the best enantioselectivities (up to 77% ee) of the corresponding nitroalcohol for 4-chlorobenzaldehyde.     

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of TiO2–sulfur composite cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries

Titania–sulfur (TiO₂–S) composite cathode materials were synthesized for lithium–sulfur batteries. The composites were characterized and examined by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical methods, such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. It is found that the mesoporous TiO₂ and sulfur particles are uniformly distributed in the composite after a melt-diffusion process. When evaluating the electrochemical properties of as-prepared TiO₂–S composite as cathode materials in lithium–sulfur batteries, it exhibits much improved cyclical stability and high rate performance. The results showed that an initial discharge specific capacity of 1,460 mAh/g at 0.2 C and capacity retention ratio of 46.6 % over 100 cycles of composite cathode, which are higher than that of pristine sulfur. The improvements of electrochemical performances were due to the good dispersion of sulfur in the pores of TiO₂ particles and the excellent adsorbing effect on polysulfides of TiO₂.     

Synthesis of fluorescent Ag nanoclusters and their application in α-l-fucosidase detection

Highly fluorescent Ag nanoclusters (NCs) were successfully prepared by a simple and nontoxic approach, and the as-prepared Ag NCs could be utilized for the AFu detection with a lower detection limit of 0.001 U L(-1).     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical investigation of a new inorganic–organic hybrid compound constructed by Keggin-type polyoxometalate and cyanoguanidine

An inorganic–organic hybrid complex [HDCD]₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]·3H₂O (1) (DCD = 2-cyanoguanidine) has been synthesized from the reaction of Keggin polyanion and cyanoguanidine (C₂N₄H₄) under mild condition, and characterized by using elemental analysis, infrared spectrum, thermogravimatric analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystallography reveals that 1 displays an inorganic–organic hybrid frameworks constructed by [PW₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ Keggin-type polyoxoanion and three {(HDCD)}⁺ monocationic hydrogen-bonded units. The electrochemical behavior and electrocatalysis of 1 have been studied in detail.     

Synthesis of γ-functionalized allyltrichlorosilanes and their application in the asymmetric allylation of aldehydes

Isomerically pure trans- and cis-γ-bromoallyltrichlorosilanes 4 and 5 have been synthesized and shown to react with aromatic aldehydes 1 in the presence of Lewis-basic catalysts (e.g., DMF) to produce the corresponding anti- and syn-allylbromohydrins 8 and 9, respectively, as single diastereoisomers. With BINAPO 25 as a chiral catalyst, promising enantioselectivity (?50% ee) has been attained.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of a novel nanorod-structured organic–inorganic hybrid material as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of aminouracil derivatives

Research on Chemical Intermediates - In this work, a novel nanorod-structured organic–inorganic hybrid material namely nanorod-[SiO2-Pr-Im-SO3H][TFA] (N-[SPIS][TFA]) has been synthesized, and...     

Synthesis and properties of organic–inorganic hybrid liquid crystal gels

Organic–inorganic hybrid liquid crystal (LC) gels have been synthesised by the thiol-ene reaction of a multifunctional cyclic siloxane, 1,3,5,7-tetravinyl-1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (TVMCTS) and alkane dithiols, 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT) or 1,9-decanedithiol (DDT), in LC matrices, 4-cyano-4?-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) or 4′-n-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl (8CB). The LC gels were prepared in an isotropic phase at 70°C or mesophases at 25°C using radical initiators. The phase transition temperatures from a mesophase to an isotropic phase of the resulting gels were lower than those of the original LCs. The gels containing 8CB (8CB gels) prepared at 25°C showed two phase transitions: smectic-to-nematic and nematic-to-isotropic transitions. By contrast, the 8CB gels synthesised in the isotropic phase showed only one phase transition from smectic phase directly to isotropic phase. Reaction conversions in the LC gels prepared at 70°C were higher than that in the gels prepared at 25°C. Scanning microscopic light scattering analysis of the LC gels cleared homogeneous small size mesh with a small amount of large defect. Polarisation micrographs of the LC gels showed framed optical textures derived from the LC molecules at room temperature. The LC gels containing more than 90 wt% of LC showed electro-optic response.