Recent advances in high surface area electrodes for bioelectrochemical applications

The search for high surface area electrodes for bioelectrochemical applications is becoming more intense. In the last few years, new strategies have emerged to develop three-dimensional electrode materials with very well controlled architecture providing at the same time high specific surface, bendability and flexibility. This review will highlight some of the recent work published in the last 2 years and will discuss the issue of mathematical modeling of porous electrodes and what could be the future of high surface area electrodes materials.     

Recent Advances in Nanomaterial‐Modified Pencil Graphite Electrodes for Electroanalysis

Pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) have several advantages over other carbon‐based or commercial metal electrodes, including widespread availability, very low cost, and ease of modification. To make the best use of PGEs in electroanalysis, significant recent advances in the development of different nanomaterial‐PGEs have been observed. The literature published up to mid‐2015 is summarized in the present review, with a focus on the various methodologies used to readily modify graphite pencil electrodes using nanomaterials. This review also touches on the surface characterization of these electrodes and their potential applications in a variety of electrochemical detection applications. The review outlines the scope for further research in this area and discusses the importance of surface modifications of conventional PGE electrodes using nanomaterials or a combination of nanomaterials and electroactive polymers.     

Electroanalytical Application of Carbon Based Electrodes to the Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Carbon and its derivatives, as the high performance material, occupy a special place in electrochemistry due to its ‐in many ways‐ extreme properties. Recent trends and advances in the electrochemistry of carbon‐based electrodes are reviewed. The varieties of carbon‐based electrodes, their basic physicochemical properties and some characteristics are surveyed. Special attention is paid to the possibilities of carbon‐based electrodes in electroanalytical investigation in pharmaceutical dosage forms and biological samples using modern electrochemical techniques. This review includes a summary of the rules that must be considered for drug analysis from its dosage forms and biological samples using carbon‐based electrodes. The present review is the first comprehensive report on the heterogeneous and homogeneous carbon electrodes, and an addition to many excellent reviews on carbon electrodes in the literature. This review summarizes some of the recent developments and applications of carbon‐based electrodes for drug compounds in their dosage forms and in biological samples in the period from 1996 till 2006. Also some further selected designs (screen‐printed; carbon nanotubes, etc.) and applications have been discussed.     

Metal Oxide/Graphene Composites for Supercapacitive Electrode Materials

Graphene composites with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles have been extensively investigated owing to their potential applications in the fields of fuel cells, batteries, sensing, solar cells, and catalysis. Among them, much research has focused on supercapacitor applications and have come close to realization. Composites include monometal oxides of cobalt, nickel, manganese, and iron, as well as their binary and ternary oxides. In addition, their morphological control and hybrid systems of carbon nanotubes have also been investigated. This review presents the current trends in research on metal oxide/graphene composites for supercapacitors. Furthermore, methods are suggested to improve the properties of electrochemical capacitor electrodes.     

Solid electrodes in electroanalytical chemistry: present applications and prospects for high throughput screening of drug compounds

This review summarizes recent progress in the development and application of solid electrodes to the screening of pharmaceutical dosage forms and biological fluids. Recent trends and advances in the electroanalytical chemistry of solid electrodes, microelectrodes and electrochemical sensors are reviewed. The varieties of solid electrodes and their basic physico-chemical properties and some specific characteristics including some supramolecular phenomena at their surface are surveyed. This review also includes some selected designs and their applications. Despite many reviews about individual solid electrodes in the literature, this review offers the first comprehensive report on all forms of solid electrodes. Special attention is paid to the possibilities of solid electrodes in high throughput electroanalytical investigation of drug dosage forms and biological samples using modern electroanalytical techniques. Various selected studies on these subjects since 1996 are reviewed in this paper.     

Theory and applications of ion-selective electrodes part 4

This review of ion-selective electrodes is arranged in the same way as earlier reviews in this series. The growth of the whole subject approaches a steady state. Some mechanistic studies have deepened theoretical understanding. Better insight into the mechanism of liquid-membrane systems has been gained by electrolysis at the interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions. In this field some interesting analytical applications are noted. A steady growth is shown by publications on ion-selective field-effect transistors. Otherwise the same proportion is preserved among well-established electrode types. About 800 papers published between the end of 1978 and the beginning of 1981 are mentioned.     

Pulsed Laser Deposition‐based Thin Film Microbatteries

Emerging applications for robust small format or distributed devices feature a need for power and rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries could play a significant role. This review focuses on a high precision technique to controllably grow thin‐film electrodes or full all‐solid‐state batteries, that is, pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The technique and solid‐state batteries are introduced followed by a detailed showcase of the depth of PLD‐based growth undertaken on cathodes, electrolytes, anodes and whole microbatteries. Emphasis is placed on the various characterization techniques available to study PLD grown components and devices, and how interfaces become both critical and arguably easier to probe in PLD grown films or devices. This work provides a perspective on the techniques, its opportunities for electrodes and devices, and how to probe the resulting growth and its evolution in batteries.     

Analytical implications of zeolites in overlayers at electrodes

A review is given of past and potential analytical and other applications of electrodes overlayered with zeolites.     

Nature-inspired biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial applications

In recent decades, nanotechnology has been empowered as a new and developing interdisciplinary region of science and innovation that coordinates material science and biology. Nanoscience and nanotechnology open up new streets of examination that are helpful in synthesizing novel nanomaterials with remarkable applications. Among different metal nanomaterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) attracted the attention of researchers due to their versatile antibacterial characteristics and biological properties. Biogenically synthesizing AgNPs from plants and microorganisms seems to be a highly promising alternative for developing a technology that is both environmentally benign and fast. Plants and microorganisms' ability to synthesize AgNPs has mostly remained untapped, and the lack of investigation is due to the vast variety of plants and microorganisms. This review aims to describe the current progress in various synthetic techniques for AgNPs and their potential for antibacterial applications. It discusses biogenic synthetic approaches, the role of various metabolites in the growth processes of AgNPs with antibacterial implications, bactericidal mechanisms, and the influence of operational parameters on AgNPs synthesis. Furthermore, the present status, critical challenges, and future outlook of AgNPs will be explored, which will definitely affect their present and future scenarios. We believe that by focusing readers' attention on nature-inspired, biogenically synthesized AgNPs and their bactericidal applications, this review will enable them to formulate a new perspective.     

化学修饰铋膜电极的制备和应用研究进展

本文综述了近年来化学修饰铋膜电极的制备和应用的研究进展。首先介绍了铋膜电极的制备方法,然后介绍铋膜电极的应用和研究进展,包括铋膜电极在检测重金属离子、硝基酚类化合物、药物、杀虫剂及一些生物活性物质等方面的应用。     

Strategies for "wiring" redox-active proteins to electrodes and applications in biosensors, biofuel cells, and nanotechnology

In this tutorial review the basic approaches to establish electrochemical communication between redox-active proteins and electrodes are elucidated and examples for applications in electrochemical biosensors, biofuel cells and nanotechnology are presented. The early stage of protein electrochemistry is described giving a short overview over electron transfer (ET) between electrodes and proteins, followed by a brief introduction into experimental procedures for studying proteins at electrodes and possible applications arising thereof. The article starts with discussing the electrochemistry of cytochrome c, the first redox-active protein, for which direct reversible ET was obtained, under diffusion controlled conditions and after adsorption to electrodes. Next, examples for the electrochemical study of redox enzymes adsorbed on electrodes and modes of immobilization are discussed. Shortly the experimental approach for investigating redox-active proteins adsorbed on electrodes is outlined. Possible applications of redox enzymes in electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cells working by direct ET (DET) and mediated ET (MET) are presented. Furthermore, the reconstitution of redox active proteins at electrodes using molecular wire-like units in order to "wire" the proteins to the electrode surface and possible applications in nanotechnology are discussed.     

Clay Modified Electrodes: Present Applications and Prospects

This review presents the preparation and use of clay modified electrodes with emphasis on analytical applications. Besides, some investigations on ion‐exchange and sorption mechanisms are outlined. Expected prospects of clay modified electrodes in the field of electrochemistry are discussed briefly.     

Recent advances in graphite powder-based electrodes

Graphite powder-based electrodes have the electrochemical performance of quasi-noble metal electrodes with intrinsic advantages related to the possibility of modification to enhance selectivity and their easily renewable surface, with no need for hazardous acids or bases for their cleaning. In contrast with commercial electrodes, for example screen-printed or sputtered-chip electrodes, graphite powder-based electrodes can also be fabricated in any laboratory with the form and characteristics desired. They are also readily modified with advanced materials, with relatively high reproducibility. All these characteristics make them a very interesting option for obtaining a large variety of electrodes to resolve different kinds of analytical problems. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art, advantages, and disadvantages of graphite powder-based electrodes in electrochemical analysis in the 21st century. It includes recent trends in carbon paste electrodes, devoting special attention to the use of emergent materials as new binders and to the development of other composite electrodes. The most recent advances in the use of graphite powder-modified sol–gel electrodes are also described. The development of sonogel–carbon electrodes and their use in electrochemical sensors and biosensors is included. These materials extend the possibilities of applications, especially for industrial technology-transfer purposes, and their development could affect not only electroanalytical green chemistry but other interesting areas also, for example catalysis and energy conversion and storage.     

Modified carbon-containing electrodes in stripping voltammetry of metals

Papers dealing with modified electrodes made of carbon materials and composites for use in stripping voltammetry of metals have been reviewed. The review consists of two parts, of which the first considers applications of modified glassy carbon and carbon paste electrodes, while the second describes diverse modified carbon-containing composite and microscopic electrodes. Information about modifiers, electrode modification methods, conditions, and limits of detection of elements in different materials has been tabulated. The review covers 550 papers published in Russia and abroad between 1990 and the first half of 2007.     

Electrospinning techniques for Li,Na and K-ion batteries

In this current outlook, we critically review the most vital new outcomes in the field of rechargeable Li, Na and K-ion batteries. We deliberate current discoveries like the progress of electrospinning and their applications in future. Mainly, we discuss freestanding and binder-free electrodes structural and morphological effect when it undergoes long term cycling. Finally, this short review grants the up-to-date advancement on novel processing strategies of various carbon-based electrospun composites as anodes whose performance are similar with or even can beat that of the commercial anode material system.     

Recent advances in conjugated polymer energy storage

This review covers recent advances in conjugated polymers and their application in energy storage. Conjugated polymers are promising cost-effective, lightweight, and flexible electrode materials. The operating principles of conjugated polymers are presented within the framework of their potential for energy storage. Special focus is given to polyaniline electrodes. Recent advances are reviewed including new methods of synthesis, nanostructuring, and assembly. Also, covered are applications that take full advantage of the mechanical properties of conjugated polymers and future applications of these novel materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

Current advancements on charge selective contact interfacial layers and electrodes in flexible hybrid perovskite photovoltaics

Perovskite-based photovoltaic materials have been attracting attention for their strikingly improved performance at converting sunlight into electricity.The beneficial and unique optoelectronic characteristics of perovskite structures enable researchers to achieve an incredibly remarkable power conversion efficiency.Flexible hybrid perovskite photovoltaics promise emerging applications in a myriad of optoelectronic and wearable/portable device applications owing to their inherent intriguing physicochemical and photophysical properties which enabled researchers to take forward advanced research in this growing field.Flexible perovskite photovoltaics have attracted significant attention owing to their fascinating material properties with combined merits of high efficiency,light-weight,flexibility,semitransparency,compatibility towards roll-to-roll printing,and large-area mass-scale production.Flexible perovskite-based solar cells comprise of 4 key components that include a flexible substrate,semi-transparent bottom contact electrode,perovskite(light absorber layer)and charge transport(electron/hole)layers and top(usually metal)electrode.Among these components,interfacial layers and contact electrodes play a pivotal role in influencing the overall photovoltaic performance.In this comprehensive review article,we focus on the current developments and latest progress achieved in perovskite photovoltaics concerning the charge selective transport layers/electrodes toward the fabrication of highly stable,efficient flexible devices.As a concluding remark,we briefly summarize the highlights of the review article and make recommendations for future outlook and investigation with perspectives on the perovskite-based optoelectronic functional devices that can be potentially utilized in smart wearable and portable devices.     

Recent advances in direct current electrokinetic manipulation of particles for microfluidic applications

Microfluidic devices have been extensively used to achieve precise transport and placement of a variety of particles for numerous applications. A range of force fields have thus far been demonstrated to control the motion of particles in microchannels. Among them, electric field‐driven particle manipulation may be the most popular and versatile technique because of its general applicability and adaptability as well as the ease of operation and integration into lab‐on‐a‐chip systems. This article is aimed to review the recent advances in direct current (DC) (and as well DC‐biased alternating current) electrokinetic manipulation of particles for microfluidic applications. The electric voltages are applied through electrodes that are positioned into the distant channel‐end reservoirs for a concurrent transport of the suspending fluid and manipulation of the suspended particles. The focus of this review is upon the cross‐stream nonlinear electrokinetic motions of particles in the linear electroosmotic flow of fluids, which enable the diverse control of particle transport in microchannels via the wall‐induced electrical lift and/or the insulating structure‐induced dielectrophoretic force.     

Graphene/polymer composites for energy applications

Graphene has wide potential applications in energy-related systems, mainly because of its unique atom-thick two-dimensional structure, high electrical or thermal conductivity, optical transparency, great mechanical strength, inherent flexibility, and huge specific surface area. For this purpose, graphene materials are frequently blended with polymers to form composites, especially when fabricating flexible devices. Graphene/polymer composites have been explored as electrodes of supercapacitors or lithium ion batteries, counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells, transparent conducting electrodes and active layers of organic solar cells, catalytic electrodes, and polymer electrolyte membranes of fuel cells. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the synthesis and applications of graphene/polymer composites for energy applications. The challenges and prospects in this field have also been discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

Nanoelectrodes, nanoelectrode arrays and their applications

This review deals with the topic of ultrasmall electrodes, namely nanoelectrodes, arrays of these and discusses possible applications, including to analytical science. It deals exclusively with the use of nanoelectrodes in an electrochemical context. Benefits that accrue from use of very small working electrodes within electrochemical cells are discussed, followed by a review of methods for the preparation of such electrodes. Individual nanoelectrodes and arrays or ensembles of these are addressed, as are nanopore systems which seek to emulate biological transmembrane ion transport processes. Applications within physical electrochemistry, imaging science and analytical science are summarised.