A Novel Sensor Based on Manganese azo‐Macrocycle/Carbon Nanotubes to Perform the Oxidation and Reduction Processes of Two Diphenol Isomers

The present work describes the development of a selective and sensitive voltammetric sensor for simultaneous determination of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ), based on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine azo‐macrocycle (MnPc) adsorbed on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Scanning electron microscopy and scanning electrochemical microscopy were used to characterize the composite material (MnPc/MWCNT) on the glassy carbon electrode surface. The modified electrode showed excellent electrochemical activity towards the simultaneous oxidation and reduction of CC and HQ. On the MnPc/MWCNT/GC electrode, both CC and HQ can generate a pair of quasi‐reversible and well‐defined redox peaks. Under optimized experimental and operational conditions, the cathodic peak currents were linear over the range 1–600 µmol L^?1 for both CC and HQ, with limits of detection of 0.095 and 0.041 µmol L^?1, respectively. The anodic peak currents were also linear over the range 1–600 µmol L^?1 for both CC and HQ, with limits of detection of 0.096 and 0.048 µmol L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was effectively applied for the simultaneous detection of hydroquinone and catechol in water samples and the results were in agreement with those obtained by a comparative method described in the literature.     

Sensitive simultaneous determination of catechol and hydroquinone using a gold electrode modified with carbon nanofibers and gold nanoparticles

A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ) was fabricated by electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles onto carbon nanofiber film pre-cast on an Au electrode. Both CC and HQ cause a pair of quasi-reversible and well-defined redox peaks at the modified electrode in pH?7.0 solution. Simultaneously, the oxidation peak potentials of CC and HQ become separated by 112?mV. When simultaneously changing the concentrations of both CC and HQ, the response is linear between 9.0???M and 1.50?mM. In the presence of 0.15?mM of the respective isomer, the electrode gives a linear response in the range from 5.0 to 350???M, and from 9.0 to 500???M for CC and HQ, respectively, and detection limits are 0.36 and 0.86???M. The method was successfully examined for real sample analysis with high selectivity and sensitivity.

Fabrication of Bienzymatic Glucose Biosensor Based on Novel Gold Nanoparticles‐Bacteria Cellulose Nanofibers Nanocomposite

An exploration of gold nanoparticles–bacterial cellulose nanofibers (Au‐BC) nanocomposite as a platform for amperometric determination of glucose is presented. Two enzymes, glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were immobilized in Au‐BC nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode at the same time. A sensitive and fast amperometric response to glucose was observed in the presence of electron mediator (HQ). Both of GOx and HRP kept their biocatalytic activities very well in Au‐BC nanocomposite. The detection limit for glucose in optimized conditions was as low as 2.3 µM with a linear range from 10 µM to 400 µM. The biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of glucose in human blood samples.     

Simultaneous Electrochemical Determination of Hydroquinone and Catechol at MWNTs and Cobalt(II) Tetrakisphenylporphyrin Modified Electrode

A multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and cobalt(II) tetrakisphenylporphyrin (Co(II)TPP) modified glassy carbon electrode (MWNTs/Co(II)TPP/GCE) has been prepared. It can be used for individual or simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC). The anodic peaks of HQ and CC can be separated well. Owing to the unique properties of MWNTs and special synergistic effect of MWNTs and Co(II)TPP, the modified electrode exhibited a remarkable and stable current response for CC and HQ. The linear ranges for CC and HQ were 1.0–450.0 µmol L^?1 and 0.8–400.0 µmol L^?1 with detection limits of 0.8 µmol L^?1 and 0.5 µmol L^?1, respectively. Furthermore, Co(II)TPP, MWNTs, and Co(II)TPP/MWNTs composite were also used to construct modified electrodes and the electrochemical performances were studied.     

Development of a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Reduced Graphene Oxide and an Imidazole Derivative for Simultaneous Determination of Biological Species of N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine,Uric Acid and Dopamine

In this work, the modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) with an imidazole derivative 2‐(2,3 dihydroxy phenyl) 4‐methyl benzimidazole (DHPMB) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was used as an electrochemical sensor for electrocatalytic oxidation of N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC). The electrocatalytic oxidation of N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine on the modified electrode surface was then investigated, indicating a reduction in oxidative over voltage and an intensive increase in the current of analyte. The scan rate potential, the percentages of DHPMB and RGO, and the pH solution were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, some parameters such as the electron transfer coefficient (α) between electrode and modifier, and the electron transfer rate constant) k_s) in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH=7.0) were obtained by cyclic voltammetry method. The diffusion coefficient of species (D) 3.96×10^?5 cm² s^?1 was calculated by chronoamperometeric technique and the Tafel plot was used to calculate α (0.46) for N‐ acetyl‐L‐cysteine. Also, by using differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) technique, two linear dynamic ranges of 2–18 µM and 18–1000 µM with the detection limit of 61.0 nM for N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) were achieved. In the co‐existence system of N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC), uric acid (UA) and dopamine (DA), the linear response ranges for NAC, UA, and DA are 6.0–400.0 µM, 5.0–50.0 µM and 2.0–20.0 µM, respectively and the detection limits based on (C=3s_b/m) are 0.067 µM, 0.246 µM and 0.136 µM, respectively. The obtained results indicated that DHPMB/RGO/CPE is applicable to separate NAC, uric acid (UA) and dopamine (DA) oxidative peaks, simultaneously. For analytic performance, the mentioned modified electrode was used for determination of NAC in the drug samples with acceptable results, and the simultaneous determination of NAC, UA and DA oxidative peaks was investigated in the serum solutions, too.     

Simultaneous Determination of Trace Zinc and Cadmium by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Using a Polymeric Film Nanoparticle Self‐Assembled Electrode

A promising modified electrode was fabricated by polymerization a conductive polymer film of dipicolinic acid (DPA) onto gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐cysteine‐gold electrode (Au). The morphology of poly(DPA)‐AuNP‐Au electrode was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This chemically modified electrode was used for electrochemical determination of cadmium and zinc in aqueous media using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The result showed that the modified electrode could clearly resolve the anodic stripping peaks of zinc and cadmium. The linear analytical curves were obtained in the ranges of 0.020–25.0 and 0.045–17.0 µM for zinc and cadmium respectively. The limit of detections (S/N=3) were 0.008 µM for zinc and 0.015 µM for cadmium.     

Au‐TiO2/Graphene Nanocomposite Film for Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide and NADH

We describe a simple method for preparing Au‐TiO₂/graphene (GR) nanocomposite by deposition of Au nanoparticles (NPs) on TiO₂/GR substrates. The as‐prepared Au‐TiO₂/GR was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of Au NPs on TiO₂/GR surface remarkably improves the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The Au‐TiO₂/GR modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode exhibits good amperometric response to H₂O₂ and NADH, with linear range from 10 to 200 µM and 10 to 240 µM, and detection limit of 0.7 and 0.2 µM, respectively.     

Simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol based on glassy carbon electrode modified with gold-graphene nanocomposite

We have synthesized a virtually monodisperse gold-graphene (Au-G) nanocomposite by a single-step chemical reduction method in aqueous dimethylformamide solution. The nanoparticles are homogenously distributed over graphene nanosheets. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with this nanocomposite and displayed high electrocatalytic activity and extraordinary electronic transport properties due to its large surface area. It enabled the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) in acetate buffer solution of pH?4.5. Two pairs of well-defined, quasi-reversible redox peaks are obtained, one for HQ and its oxidized form, with a 43 mV separation of peak potentials (ΔE_p), the other for CC and its oxidized form, with a ΔE_p of 39 mV. Due to the large separation of oxidation peak potentials (102 mV), the concentrations of HQ and CC can be easily determined simultaneously. The oxidation peak currents for both HQ and CC increase linearly with the respective concentrations in the 1.0 μM to 0.1 mM concentration range, with the detection limits of 0.2 and 0.15 μM (S/N?=?3), respectively. The modified electrode was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of HQ and CC in spiked tap water, demonstrating that the Au-G nanocomposite may act as a high-performance sensing material in the selective detection of some environmental pollutants.

Investigation of Electrochemical Oxidation of Methanol at a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Ni(II)‐BS Complex and Reduced Graphene Oxide Nano Sheets

In the present research, the electro oxidation of methanol was investigated by different electrochemical methods at a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with bis(salicylaldehyde)‐nickel(II)‐dihydrate complex (Ni(II)‐BS) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) (which named Ni(II)‐BS/RGO/CPE) in an alkaline solution. This modified electrode showed very efficient activity for oxidation of methanol. It was found that methanol was oxidized by NiOOH groups generated by further electrochemical oxidation of nickel (II) hydroxide on the surface of the modified electrode. The rate constant and electron transfer coefficient were calculated to be 2.18 s^?1 and 0.4, respectively. The anodic peak currents revealed a linear dependency with the square root of scan rate. This behaviour is the characteristic of a diffusion controlled process, so the diffusion coefficient of methanol was found to be 1.16×10^?5 cm² s^?1 and the number of transferred electron was calculated to be 1. Moreover, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) investigations showed that the peak current values were proportional to the concentration of methanol in two linear ranges. The obtained linear ranges were from 0.5 to 100.0 µM (R²=0.991) and 400.0 to 1300.0 µM (R²=0.992), and the detection limit was found to be 0.19 µM for methanol determination. Generally, the Ni(II)‐BS/RGO/CPE sensor was used for determination of methanol in an industrial ethanol solution containing 4.0 % methanol.     

Electrochemical behavior of dihydroxybenzene isomers at MWCNTs modified electrode and simultaneous determination in neutral condition

Simultaneous determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers in neutral condition was successfully realized by a simple and easy prepared modified electrode without previous chemical or physical separations. The multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNTs/GCE), which was prepared by the drop-coating method, was characterized by FE-SEM and TEM. Then, the electrochemical behavior of dihydroxybenzene isomers at MWCNTs/GCE was systematically studied at different temperature and pH conditions. The oxidation peak potentials were separated in neutral condition with 105 mV to hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) and 390 mV to CC and resorcinol (RS). And in neutral condition, the amperometric current were found to be linear with concentration of HQ, CC, and RS (20–140 μM) with the presence of 100 μM other isomers. Furthermore, excellent anti-interference, stability, and reproducibility were also presented by this modified electrode.     

Electrochemical Biosensor Utilizing Supramolecular Association of Enzyme on Sol−gel Matrix Embedded Gold Nanoparticles Supported Reduced Graphene Oxide−cyclodextrin Nanocomposite

Herein we present β‐cyclodextrin (CD)‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets supported on silicate sol‐gel matrix‐embedded gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) modified electrode as a new affinity binding nanocomposite. The modified electrode is fabricated through layer‐by‐layer drop casting followed by immobilization of chemically modified enzyme conjugate (horse radish peroxidase (HRP)?adamantane carboxylic acid (ADA)). This affinity system is based on the supramolecular association between CDs and HRP?ADA and is mimicking the biological avidin?biotin interactions. CDs‐functionalized RGO (RGO?CD) functions as a macrocyclic host to form stable supramolecular inclusion complexes with enzyme conjugate. Besides Au NPs improve the interfacial interaction with RGO?CD nanosheets, and thus exhibit synergistic electrocatalytic effect toward H₂O₂ reduction in the presence of 1 mM hydroquinone.     

Simultaneous Determination of Dihydroxybenzene Isomers Using Preanodized Inlaying Ultrathin Carbon Paste Electrode

In this paper, we described a rapid, sensitive and selective method for simultaneous voltammetric determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers with a preanodized inlaying ultrathin carbon paste electrode (PAIUCPE). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and voltammetry were employed to characterize the configuration and electrochemical properties of the electrode. The resulting PAIUCPE exhibited excellent recognition ability towards dihydroxybenzene isomers. Three well‐defined oxidation peaks of catechol (CC), resorcinol (RC) and hydroquinone (HQ) can be identified entirely at the electrode. The oxidation peak potential difference between HQ and CC was 120 mV, CC and RC 430 mV, respectively. The peak currents increased linearly with increasing the concentration of dihydroxybenzene isomers. The proposed electrode can be applied to simultaneous determination of dihydroxybenzene isomers without previous chemical or physical separations.     

Simultaneous Determination of Nitrophenol Isomers Based on β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide

β‐CD modified reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets have been prepared and characterized by TEM, AFM, IR, EIS and CVs. In comparison with bare glass carbon electrode (GCE) and RGO modified GCE, CD‐RGO/GCE showed much higher peak currents to the reduction of nitrophenol isomers (NPs), attributed to the larger specific surface area of RGO and high quantities of host–guest recognition sites. Three pairs of redox peaks are observed on the CVs of CD‐RGO for p‐NP (0.3 V), o‐NP (?0.2 V) and m‐NP (0.05 V), separating well with each other. Under the optimized condition, the anodic peak currents were linear over ranges around 1–10 mg dm^?3 for p‐NP, 1–9 mg dm^?3 for o‐NP and 1–6 mg dm^?3 for m‐NP, with the detection limits of 0.05 mg dm^?3, 0.02 mg dm^?3 and 0.1 mg dm^?3, respectively. Thus, the CD‐RGO is expected to be a promising sensor material for detecting trace NPs in waste water.     

A Highly Sensitive and Selective Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes/Nafion/Au Microarrays Electrode for Dopamine Determination

This work presents the fabrication of Nafion (Nf) or Nafion/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (Nf/MWCNTs) modified gold microarray (Au‐µA) and macro‐(Au‐M)electrode biosensors. The surface morphologies of the above electrodes were examined using SEM. The catalytic properties of the above electrodes towards dopamine were tested using square wave voltammetric technique. The Nf/MWCNT/Au‐µA electrode exhibited a wide range (0.1–1000 nM) of linearity among the other electrodes. The LOD of Nf/MWCNT/Au‐µA electrode was 50 pM for dopamine in the presence of 5000 µM ascorbic acid. Therefore, the Nf/MWCNT/Au‐µA biosensor was applied for the determination of dopamine in human serum.     

Reduced Graphene Oxide|Carbon Ceramic Electrode Modified with CdS‐Hemoglobin as a Sensitive Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor

A sensitive hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) biosensor was developed based on a reduced graphene oxide|carbon ceramic electrode (RGO|CCE) modified with cadmium sulfide‐hemoglobin (CdS‐Hb). The electron transfer kinetics of Hb were promoted due to the synergetic function of RGO and CdS nanoparticles. The transfer coefficient (α) and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) were calculated to be 0.54 and 2.6 s^?1, respectively, indicating a great facilitation achieved in the electron transfer between Hb and the electrode surface. The biosensor showed a good linear response to the reduction of H₂O₂ over the concentration range of 2–240 µM with a detection limit of 0.24 µM (S/N=3) and a sensitivity of 1.056 µA µM^?1 cm^?2. The high surface coverage of the CdS‐Hb modified RGO|CCE (1.04×10^?8 mol cm^?2) and a smaller value of the apparent Michaelis? Menten constant (0.24 mM) confirmed excellent loading of Hb and high affinity of the biosensor for hydrogen peroxide.     

Detection of Thiols by o‐Quinone Nanocomposite Modified Electrodes

A chemically modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was developed as an amperometric sensor for detection of biological thiols. The electrode was modified by inclusion of co‐enzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and a co‐catalyst of oxidized single wall carbon nanotubes (Ox‐SWNT) into a gold polypyrrole (Au‐PPy) nanocomposite matrix. The electrode (PQQ/Ox‐SWNT/Au‐PPy/GC) was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Optimal conditions for the PQQ/Ox‐SWNT/Au‐PPy/GC electrode were determined and then utilized for the amperometric detection of L‐cysteine, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, L‐penicillamine and D, L‐glutathione. The electrochemical response for each thiol in pH 3.2 citrate phosphate buffer at +450 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) was found to be linear with limit of detections (LOD, S/N=3) ranging from 0.50 µM for L‐penicillamine to 1.55 µM for D, L‐glutathione with sensitivities of 30.2 nA/µM and 3.6 nA/µM respectively. The electrode design is simple and easy to construct using a minimum amount of co‐enzyme and co‐catalyst, resulting in detection methods with very good stability and improved sensitivity for thiol detection.     

Simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol using a glassy carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles,ZnS/NiS@ZnS quantum dots and L-cysteine

We describe an electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC). A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with gold nanoparticles, L-cysteine, and ZnS/NiS@ZnS quantum dots using a layer-by-layer technique. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry revealed this modified GCE to represent a highly sensitive sensor for the simultaneous determination of HQ and CC. The anodic peak current for HQ at a working voltage of 80 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) is related to its concentration in the 0.1 to 300 μM range (even in the presence of 0.1 mM of CC). The anodic peak current for CC at a working voltage of 184 mV is related to its concentration in the 0.5 to 400 μM range (even in the presence of 0.1 mM of HQ). The detection limits (at an S/N ratio of 3) are 24 and 71 nM for HQ and CC, respectively. The modified GCE was successfully applied to the determination of HQ and CC in aqueous solutions and gave satisfactory results.

A glassy carbon electrode was modified with gold nanoparticles, ZnS/NiS@ZnS quantum dots and L-cysteine and used for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol.

     

A Sensitive Simultaneous Determination of Epinephrine and Piroxicam Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with a Nickel Hydroxide Nanoparticles/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Composite

The electrooxidation of epinephrine (EPI) and piroxicam (PRX) has been investigated by application of nickel hydroxide nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite electrode (MWCNTs‐NHNPs/GCE) using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CA) methods. The modified electrode showed suitable electrochemical responses for EPI and PRX determination. Under the optimum conditions the electrode provides a linear response versus EPI and PRX concentrations in the range of 1–220 µM and 0.7–75 µM, respectively using the DPV method. Linear responses versus EPI and PRX concentrations in the range of 1–1000 µM and 1–800 µM, respectively, were obtained using the CA method. The modified electrode was used for determination of EPI and PRX in human urine with satisfactory results.     

Electrodeposition of PdAu Alloy Nanoparticles on Ionic Liquid Functionalized Graphene Film for the Voltammetric Determination of Oxalic Acid

An ionic liquid functionalized graphene film was prepared and PdAu nanoparticles (NPs) were electrodeposited on it. The PdAu NPs were characterized by various methods and they showed the features of alloys. In 0.2 M H₂SO₄ solution, oxalic acid (OA) exhibited a sensitive anodic peak at the resulting electrode at about 1.1 V (vs. SCE), and the peak current was linear to OA concentration in the range of 5–100 µM with a sensitivity of 45.5 µA/mM. The detection limit was 2.7 µM (S/N=3). The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of OA in real sample.     

Covalent modification of glassy carbon electrode with aspartic acid for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol

Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is covalently modified with aspartic acid (Asp). The modified electrode is used for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) and shows an excellent electrocatalytical effect on the oxidation of HQ and CC by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.1 mol/L acetate buffer solution (pH 4.5). In differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) measurements, the modified electrode could separate the oxidation peak potentials of HQ and CC present in binary mixtures by about 101 mV though the bare electrode gave a single broad response. A successful elimination of the fouling effect by the oxidized product of HQ on the response of CC has been achieved at the modified electrode. The determination limit of HQ in the presence of 0.1 mmol/L CC was 9.0 x 10(-7) mol/L and the determination limit of CC in the presence of 0.1 mmol/L HQ was 5.0 x 10(-7) mol/L. The proposed method has been applied to the simultaneous determination of HQ and CC in a water sample with simplicity and high selectivity.