Development of a stable biosensor based on a SiO2 nanosheet–Nafion–modified glassy carbon electrode for sensitive detection of pesticides

SiO₂ nanosheets (SNS) have been prepared by a chemical method using montmorillonite as raw material and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. SiO₂ nanosheet–Nafion nanocomposites with excellent conductivity, catalytic activity, and biocompatibility provided an extremely hydrophilic surface for biomolecule adhesion. Chitosan was used as a cross-linker to immobilize acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and Nafion was used as a protective membrane to efficiently improve the stability of the AChE biosensor. The AChE biosensor showed favorable affinity for acetylthiocholine chloride and catalyzed the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine chloride with an apparent Michaelis–Menten constant of 134 μM to form thiocholine, which was then oxidized to produce a detectable and fast response. Based on the inhibition by pesticides of the enzymatic activity of AChE, detection of the amperometric response from thiocholine on the biosensor is a simple and effective way to biomonitor exposure to pesticides. Under optimum conditions, the biosensor detected methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, and carbofuran at concentrations ranging from 1.0?×?10^?12 to 1?×?10^?10?M and from 1.0?×?10^?10 to 1?×?10^?8?M. The detection limits for methyl parathion, chlorpyrifos, and carbofuran were 5?×?10^?13?M. The biosensor developed exhibited good sensitivity, stability, reproducibility, and low cost, thus providing a new promising tool for analysis of enzyme inhibitors.

Novel glucose biosensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with hollow gold nanoparticles and glucose oxidase

A novel glucose biosensor is presented as that based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNs) and glucose oxidase. The sensor exhibits a better differential pulse voltammetric response towards glucose than the one based on conventional gold nanoparticles of the same size. This is attributed to the good biological conductivity and biocompatibility of HGNs. Under the optimal conditions, the sensor displays a linear range from 2.0?×?10^?6 to 4.6?×?10^?5?M of glucose, with a detection limit of 1.6?×?10^?6?M (S/N?=?3). Good reproducibility, stability and no interference make this biosensor applicable to the determination of glucose in samples such as sports drinks.

Synthesis of multi-branched gold nanoparticles by reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with Tris base, and their application to SERS and cellular imaging

A biosensor for hydrogen peroxide was constructed by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase on chitosan-wrapped NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electron mediator carboxyferrocene was also immobilized on the surface of the GCE. UV?Cvis spectra, Fourier transform IR spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectra were acquired to characterize the biosensor. The experimental conditions were studied and optimized. The biosensor responds linearly to H₂O₂ in the range from 1.0?×?10^?5 to 2.0?×?10^?3?M and with a detection limit of 2.0?×?10^?6?M (at S/N?=?3).

Nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles/nano silver coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite for the detection of hydrogen peroxide

A new nanocomposite was developed by combination of nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiNP) and nano silver coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (nano Ag-MWNTs). The NiNP/nano Ag-MWNTs nanocomposite was charactered by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The NiNP/nano Ag-MWNTs nanocomposite modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was used to investigate the electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The results showed that NiNP and nano Ag-MWNTs provided the synergistic effect toward this process. The obtained NiNP/nano Ag-MWNTs/GC electrode showed a wide linear response range of 1 × 10^?6 to 1 × 10^?4 and 5 × 10^?4 to 0.01 M hydrogen peroxide with correlation coefficients of 0.998 and 0.997, fast response time (2 s), and good selectivity toward the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The detection limit (S/N = 3) of hydrogen peroxide was 5 × 10^?7 M.     

Dipyrrolylquinoxaline-bridged hydrazones: a new class of chemosensors for copper(II)

Novel 2,3-bis(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)quinoxaline-functionalized hydrazones were prepared and characterized as new chemosensors for copper(II) ion. The binding properties of the compounds 4, 5, 6 and 7 for cations were examined by UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and linear sweep voltammetric experiments (LSV). The results indicate that a 1:1 stoichiometric complex is formed between compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) and copper(II) ion, and the association constant is 1.3?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 4, 2.1?×?10⁶ M^?1 for 5, 4.1?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 6 and 8.0?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 7, respectively. The recognition mechanism between compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) and metal ion was discussed based on their electrochemical properties, absorbance changes, and the fluorescence quenching effect when they interact with each other. Control experiments revealed that compound 4 (or 5, 6, 7) has a highly selective response to copper (II) ion.     

Electrochemical genosensor for detection of human mammaglobin in polymerase chain reaction amplification products of breast cancer patients

Human mammaglobin (MG) has been found to be the most specific molecular marker for the hematogenous spread of breast cancer cells. In our study, an electrochemical impedance spectroscopic DNA biosensor was established for the detection of MG in breast cancer patients. The working conditions for the biosensor, such as immobilization time, rinse process, and hybridization process, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the charge transfer resistance of the proposed DNA biosensor shows excellent correlation with the amount of the complementary oligonucleotides in the range from 1.0?×?10^?9 to 2.0?×?10^?8?M. The detection limit is 5.0?×?10^?10?M. The proposed biosensor was used to detect the polymerase chain reaction amplification products of actual clinical breast cancer samples. The results were compared with that obtained by conventional gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic assay is significantly sensitive and time-saving. The simple strategy described here is expected to be used in clinical application for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

A theoretical investigation of intermolecular interaction of a phthalimide based “on–off” sensor with different halide ions: tuning its efficiency and electro-optical properties

The interaction between chemosensor, N-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-indan-5-yl)-benzamide (1) and different halide ions (F ^? , Cl^? and Br^?) has been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). A clear insight of the sensor anion binding process has been presented. Our calculations revealed that the observed colorimetric and fluorescent signals are induced due to the ground state deprotonation of the sensor molecule caused by F^? which has two times higher binding affinity than other halide ions (Cl^? and Br^?). Derivatives of system 1 have been made to find a better sensor with higher binding affinity and longer wavelength of absorption. All the derivatives are better sensors than the parent 1 except 4-methyl-N-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-indan-5-yl)-benzamide (2). Among these derivatives, trimethyl-[4-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-indan-5-ylcarbamoyl)-phenyl]-ammonium (8) and (5-benzoylamino-1,3-dioxo-indan-2-yl)-trimethyl-ammonium (9) showed a change to higher binding energies of about 58 Kcal/mol and longer absorption wavelengths of 53 nm after deprotonation process than the parent system 1 which is highly demanded in selective chemical sensing. Systems 8, 9 and their deprotonated zwitterionic forms (8z and 9z) have also been studied for their nonlinear optical responses. Systems 8, 9 showed significantly good first hyperpolarizability (β) of 84 × 10^?30 and 40 × 10^?30 esu, respectively. These β values increase in zwitterionic states up to 216 × 10^?30 and 109 × 10^?30 esu, respectively after deprotonation with F^?, representing a new signal of deprotonation.     

Through bond mechanism versus exciplex formation in the photochemistry of fullerene / ferrocene donor-bridge-acceptor dyads

A systematic fluorescence and flash photolytic investigation of a series of covalently linked fullerene / ferrocene based donor-bridge-acceptor dyads is reported as a function of the nature of the bridge between the donor site and acceptor site. The fluorescence of the investigated dyads 2 (Φ_rel = 0.17 × 10^?4, 3 (Φ_rel = 0.78 × 10^?4), 4 (Φ_rel = 1.5 × 10^?4), 5 (Φ_rel = 0.7 × 10^?4), and 6 (Φ_rel = 2.9 × 10^?4) were substantially quenched, relative to N-methyl fulleropyrrolidine (1) (Φ_rel = 6.0 × 10^?4). Photolysis of N-methyl fulleropyrrolidine (1) in toluene revealed formation of the excited singlet state which was followed by a rapid intersystem crossing to the excited triplet state. On the other hand, the fate of the excited singlet state of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 was found to be governed by rapid intramolecular quenching, with rate constants of 28×10⁹ s^?1, 6.9×10⁹ s^?1, and 3.4×10⁹ s^?1, 14×10⁹ s^?1, 2.3×10⁹ s^?1 respectively. The electron transfer process and the charge separation were confirmed by monitoring the characteristic π-radical anion bands at λ_max = 400 and 1055 nm in degassed benzonitrile with τ_1/2 = 1.8 μs (3) and 2.5 μs (4).     

Electrochemical study of vinylsulphone azo dye Reactive Black 5 and its determination at a glassy carbon electrode

The electrochemical oxidation of vinylsulphone azo dye, Reactive Black 5 (RB5), at a glassy carbon electrode has been carried out in phosphate buffer solutions in the pH range 2.85?C11.79 employing cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). RB5 showed one well-defined oxidation peak at 0.560 V vs. Ag-AgCl using DPV. The oxidation process was shown to be irreversible over the pH range 2.85?C8.39 and was diffusion controlled. The linear relationship between the peak current height and RB5 concentrations allowed the differential pulse voltammetric determination of the dye over a wide concentration range, from 6.0 × 10^?7 to 1.5 × 10^?6 M with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10^?7 M. The precision and recovery did not exceed 4.9 and 98.2%, respectively. A UV-Vis spectrophotometry method was also proposed for the determination of the RB5 in concentration range from 5.0 × 10^?6 M to 1.0 × 10^?5 M at ??_max = 600 nm with limit of detection of 4.7 × 10^?6 M and RSD of 1.8% for RB5 concentration of 1.0 × 10^?5 M.     

Sensitive and efficient determination of gabapentin in human serum based on capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

A sensitive and efficient analytical method for gabapentin (GBP) in human serum based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection has been established. 6-Oxy-(N-succinimidyl acetate)-9-(2′-methoxycarbonyl) fluorescein (SAMF), a new synthesized fluorescent reagent, was used for precolumn derivatization of the non-fluorescent drug in serum. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) was used as an internal standard (I.S.). The best derivative condition was obtained in phosphate buffer (pH 8) at room temperature for 10 min. Optimal separation and detection were obtained with a background electrolyte (BGE) of 3.5 × 10^?2 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) and laser-induced fluorescence detection excited at 473 nm. The method developed for GBP was linear over the concentration range of 4.0 × 10^?9 to 4.0 × 10-7 M. The concentration limit of detection was 2.0 × 10^?10 M (signal-to-noise ratio = 3). The sensitive method was used for the determination of GBP in serum samples.     

Ultra-sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor based on signal amplification using gold nanoparticles modified with molybdenum disulfide,graphene and horseradish peroxidase

We have developed an ultra-sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor by assembling probe ssDNA on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite made from molybdenum disulfide, graphene, chitosan and gold nanoparticles. A thiol-tagged DNA strand coupled to horseradish peroxidase conjugated to AuNP served as a tracer. The nanocomposite on the surface acts as relatively good electrical conductor for accelerating the electron transfer, while the enzyme tagged gold nanoparticles provide signal amplification. Hybridization with the target DNA was studied by measuring the electrochemical signal response of horseradish peroxidase using differential pulse voltammetry. The calibration plot is linear in the 5.0?×?10^?14 and 5.0?×?10^?9 M concentration range, and the limit of detection is 2.2?×?10^?15 M. The biosensor displays high selectivity and can differentiate between single-base mismatched and three-base mismatched sequences of DNA. The approach is deemed to provide a sensitive and reliable tool for highly specific detection of DNA.

Determination of organophosphate pesticides using an acetylcholinesterase-based biosensor based on a boron-doped diamond electrode modified with gold nanoparticles and carbon spheres

We report on a biosensor for organophosphate pesticides (OPs) by exploiting their inhibitory effect on the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). A boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode was modified with a nanocomposite prepared from carbon spheres (CSs; with an average diameter of 500 nm) that were synthesized from resorcinol and formaldehyde, and then were coated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by chemically growing them of the CSs. Compared to a bare BDD electrode, the electron transfer resistance is lower on this new electrode. Compared to an electrode without Au-NPs, the peak potential is negatively shifted by 42 mV, and the peak current is increased by 55 %. This is ascribed to the larger surface in the AuNP-CS nanocomposite which improves the adsorption of AChE, enhances its activity, and facilitates electrocatalysis. Under optimum conditions, the inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos is linearly related to the negative log of its concentration in the 10^?11 to 10^?7 M range, with a detection limit of 1.3?×?10^?13 M. For methyl parathion, the inhibition effect is linear in the 10^?12 to 10^?6 M range, and the detection limit is 4.9?×?10^?13 M. The biosensor exhibits good precision and acceptable operational and temporal stability.

Ion selective electrode for uranium based on composite multiwalled carbon nanotube-benzo-15-crown-5 in PVC matrix coated on graphite rod

Development of a composite multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) as ionophore sensor responsive to uranyl ion is described. The composite MWNT-PVC membrane containing the active ingredients was casted on the surface of a graphite rod. The sensor incorporates B15C5 as electroactive material, ortho-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as a plasticizer and sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an ion discriminator. The sensor displays a rapid and linear response over the concentration range of 1 × 10^?1 to 1 × 10^?7 M with a slope of 29.9 ± 0.4 mV per decade. The detection limit of this electrode was found to be 5.4 × 10^?8 M and the working pH range is from 2.5 to 4.5. Interference from many inorganic cations viz. Na⁺, K⁺, Sr²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ is negligible for the sensor. Application to the determination of uranium in ores and effluent samples gives results with good correlation which are comparable with data obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The electrode has been characterized using surface techniques.     

Electrochemical determination of acetaminophen in the presence of propranolol using an electrode modified with a Schiff base from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and ethylenediamine and multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A carbon paste electrode, modified with N,N′-bis-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthalidene)ethylenediamine and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (HNED-MWCNPE), was used for the determination of acetaminophen (ACOP) and propranolol (PP). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronocoulometry, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were employed to study electro-oxidation of ACOP. The results revealed that the modified electrode showed an electrocatalytic activity toward the anodic oxidation of acetaminophen by a marked enhancement in the current response in buffered solution at pH 8.0. Some kinetic parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α) were also determined for the ACOP oxidation. The linear concentration range of 1 × 10^?3?1 × 10^?6 M with a detection limit of 4.6 × 10^?8 M (n = 16) for ACOP was obtained using DPV (pH 8.0). The modified electrode shows good sensitivity, selectivity and stability. The prepared electrode was also applied for the determination of ACOP in human blood serum.     

Spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of uric acid in human serum

A new spectrofluorimetric method is described for the determination of uric acid (UA), that can remarkably reduce the fluorescence intensity of the enoxacin (ENX)-terbium ion (Tb³⁺) complex at 545 nm. The reduced fluorescence intensity of Tb³⁺ ion at pH 5.7 is proportional to the concentration of UA. Optimum conditions for the determination of UA have been investigated. The linear range and detection limit for the determination of UA are 6.0 × 10^?7–3.0 × 10^?5 M and 1 × 10^?7 M, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.4% for 6 × 10^?6 M UA (n = 11). The method is simple, practical and relatively free of interferences. It has been successfully applied to assess UA in serum at the level of 3 × 10^?4 M with an RSD of 5–7% (n = 3). The results were evaluated by comparison with a common clinical spectrophotometric method using phosphotungstic acid as developer.     

Reagentless d-sorbitol biosensor based on d-sorbitol dehydrogenase immobilized in a sol–gel carbon nanotubes–poly(methylene green) composite

A reagentless d-sorbitol biosensor based on NAD-dependent d-sorbitol dehydrogenase (DSDH) immobilized in a sol–gel carbon nanotubes–poly(methylene green) composite has been developed. It was prepared by durably immobilizing the NAD⁺ cofactor with DSDH in a sol–gel thin film on the surface of carbon nanotubes functionalized with poly(methylene green). This device enables selective determination of d-sorbitol at 0.2 V with a sensitivity of 8.7?μA?mmol^?1?L?cm^?2 and a detection limit of 0.11 mmol?L^?1. Moreover, this biosensor has excellent operational stability upon continuous use in hydrodynamic conditions.

The unimolecular thermal decomposition of oxetane and its methyl derivatives: An Ab initio and RRKM calculations

Quantum mechanical and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) calculations are carried out to study the thermal unimolecular decomposition of oxetane (1), 2-methyloxetane (2), and 2,2-dimethyloxetane (3) at the MPW1PW91/6-311 + G** level of theory. The results of the calculations reveal that decomposition reaction of compounds 1?C3 yields formaldehyde and the corresponding substituted olefin. The predicted high-pressure-limit rate constants for the decomposition compounds 1?C3 are represented as 6.61 × 10¹³exp(?32472/T), 9.33 × 10¹³exp(?29873/T), and 4.79 × 10¹³exp(?27055/T) s^?1, respectively. The fall-off pressures for the decomposition of compounds 1?C3 are found to be 9.42 × 10^?2, 3.67 × 10^?3, and 7.26 × 10^?4 mm Hg, respectively. As the fall-off pressure of the decomposition process of compounds 1?C3 are in the following order: P _1/2(1) > P _1/2(2) > P _1/2(3); therefore the decomposition rates are as follow: rate(1) < rate(2) < (3).     

Highly selective DNA biosensor based on the long-range electron transfer of indigo carmine through DNA duplex

We have developed a highly selective DNA biosensor. It was based on the long-range electron transfer (LRET) from the electroactive dye indigo carmine (IC) through the DNA duplex on a glassy carbon electrode. Voltammetric experiments showed that IC interacts with dsDNA through a typical intercalative mode with a relatively strong affinity of 2.3(±0.6)?×?10⁶?M^-1. If incubated with DNA in IC solution, no response was observed with the ssDNA-modified probe electrode. However, a pair of well-defined redox peak was observed with a DNA-hybridized electrode, proving the presence of LRET on the biosensor. The biosensor also can differentiate complementary sequences, non-complementary sequences, and even the mutated sequences with single-base mismatches at different sites.

Self-assembly of ultra-small gold nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode for the enzyme-free detection of hydrogen peroxide

A novel enzyme-free electrochemical sensor for H₂O₂ was fabricated by modifying an indium tin oxide (ITO) support with (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane to yield an interface for the assembly of colloidal gold. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were then immobilized on the substrate via self-assembly. Atomic force microscopy showed the presence of a monolayer of well-dispersed AuNPs with an average size of ~4 nm. The electrochemical behavior of the resultant AuNP/ITO-modified electrode and its response to hydrogen peroxide were studied by cyclic voltammetry. This non-enzymatic and mediator-free electrode exhibits a linear response in the range from 3.0?×?10^?5 M to 1.0?×?10^?3 M (M?=?mol?·?L^?1) with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The limit of detection is as low as 10 nM (for S/N?=?3). The sensor is stable, gives well reproducible results, and is deemed to represent a promising tool for electrochemical sensing.

The dimerization study of some cationic monomethine cyanine dyes by chemometrics method

The thermodynamics of the monomer-dimer equilibrium of five cationic monomethine cyanine dyes has been studied by means of UV-vis spectroscopy and advanced chemometrics methods. The dimerization constants were determined by studying the dependence of their absorption spectra on temperature in the range 20?C75°C and were found to be: 1.91 × 10³, 1.53 × 10³, 6.81 × 10³, 5.18 × 10³, and 8.28 × 10³ dm³ mol^?1 for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. The absorption spectra of the monomer and dimer forms of the dyes were also determined, as well as the enthalpy and entropy of the dimerization.