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.     

An Amperometric Biological Toxic Hydrazine Sensor Based on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Iron Tetrasulfonated Phthalocyanine Composite Modified Electrode

Hydrazines are well‐known for their diverse biological properties but especially for their toxicity. An amperometric hydrazine sensor was developed at multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and iron tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (FeTsPc) composite modified electrode for the first time. The TEM and UV‐Vis spectroscopy results revealed the successful formation of MWCNT/FeTsPc composite. Compared with the response of MWCNT and FeTsPc modified electrodes, the MWCNT/FeTsPc composite showed enhanced oxidation current response with lower overpotential for hydrazine. Under optimum conditions, the amperometric i–t response of hydrazine was linear in the concentration range from 100 nM L^?1 to 3 μM L^?1 with the detection limit of 7.6 nM L^?1. The response time of hydrazine was found as 6 s with a high sensitivity of 7.615 μA/μM L^?1 cm^?2.     

Analytical Potentialities of Carbon Nanotube/Silicone Rubber Composite Electrodes: Determination of Propranolol

A new composite electrode based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and silicone‐rubber (SR) was developed and applied to the determination of propranolol in pharmaceutical formulations. The effect of using MWCNT/graphite mixtures in different proportions was also investigated. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for electrochemical characterization of different electrode compositions. Propranolol was determined using MWCNT/SR 70 % (m/m) electrodes with linear dynamic ranges up to 7.0 µmol L^?1 by differential pulse and up to 5.4 µmol L^?1 by square wave voltammetry, with LODs of 0.12 and 0.078 µmol L^?1, respectively. Analysis of commercial samples agreed with that obtained by the official spectrophotometric method. The electrode is mechanically robust and presented reproducible results and a long useful life.     

Characterization and Electrocatalytic Activity of Nanocomposites Consisting of Nanosized Cobalt Tetraaminophenoxy Phthalocyanine,Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes and Gold Nanoparticles

Glassy carbon electrodes were modified with composites containing cobalt tetraaminophenoxy phthalocyanine nanoparticles (CoTAPhPc NP ), multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and gold nanorods (AuNRs). The modified electrodes were studied for their electrocatalytic behavior towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Phthalocyanine nanoparticles significantly improved electron transfer kinetics as compared to phthalocyanines which are not in the nanoparticle form when alone or in the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). CoTAPhPc NP ‐MWCNT‐GCE proved to be suitable for hydrogen peroxide detection with a catalytic rate constant of 3.45×10³ M^?1 s^?1 and a detection limit of 1.61×10^?7 M. Adsorption Gibbs free energy ΔG^o was found to be ?19.22 kJ mol^?1 for CoTAPhPc NP ‐MWCNT‐GCE.     

Polyethylenimine Functionalized Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes for Electrochemical Detection of Chromium(VI)

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with polyethylenimine (PEI) were synthesized and characterized by dispersibility, field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), FT‐IR and thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The glassy carbon electrodes modified by MWCNT‐PEI composite were used for sensitive and selective detection of chromium (VI). A linear response was obtained over a wide range of Cr(VI) concentrations (0.002–20 µmol L^?1) with the detection limit of 0.0006 µmol L^?1 (S/N=3). The proposed electrodes were used successfully for Cr(VI) detection in three real water samples.     

Preparation and Electrochemical Characterization of an Enzyme Electrode Based on Catalase Immobilized onto a Multiwall Carbon Nanotube‐Thionine Film

The present study was aimed at investigating the use of a mixture multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and thionine (Th) dye in designing of a thionine‐based electrochemical biosensor containing catalase (Ct) enzyme (MWCNT‐Nafion‐Th/Ct) onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The effects of pH, MWCNT concentration and thionine concentration on electrochemical response were explored for optimum analytical performance. The modified electrode exhibited a pair of well‐defined, quasi‐reversible peaks at formal potential (E^o′) = ‐0.218 ± 0.017 V vs. Ag/AgCl corresponding to the Th_ox/Th_red redox couples in the presence of MWCNT, Nafion, and Ct. The electrochemical parameters, including charge‐transfer coefficient (0.36), and apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (4.28 ± 0.26 s^?1) were determined. Using differential pulse voltammetry, the prepared enzyme electrode exhibited a linear response to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the range of 10.0‐100.0 μM with a detection limit 8.7 μM and a sensitivity of 6051.0 μA mM^?1 cm^?2.     

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotube/Gold Nanoparticle Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Detection of Estradiol in Environmental Samples

We report a rapid and simple method for sensing estradiol by electro‐oxidation on a multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Compared with a bare GCE, AuNP/GCE and MWCNT/GCE, the composite modified GCE shows an enhanced response to estradiol in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution. Experimental parameters, including pH and accumulation time for estradiol determination were optimised at AuNP/MWCNT/GCE. A pH of 7.0 was found to be optimum pH with an accumulation time of 5 minutes. Estradiol was determined by linear sweep voltammetry over a dynamic range up to 20 %mol L^?1 and the limit of detection was estimated to be 7.0×10^?8 mol L^?1. The sensor was successfully applied to estradiol determination in tap water and waste water.     

Utilization of Carbon Paste Electrodes for the Voltammetric Determination of Chlortoluron

Conventional (CPE) and miniaturized (m‐CPE) carbon paste electrodes consisting of a carbon paste filled capillary were used for differential pulse voltammetric determination of chlortoluron in samples of river water and soil, in the latter case after the extraction by methanol. Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 3 with low content of methanol was found to be optimal for the determination. The achieved determination limits were 2.8 µmol L^?1 and 0.34 µmol L^?1 in river water, and 3.1 and 4.3 µg g^?1 in soil, using CPE and m‐CPE, respectively.     

A Novel Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Adsorption of Horseradish Peroxidase onto a Nanobiomaterial Composite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

In this work, a novel hydrogen peroxide biosensor derived from maize tassel (MT) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite was used to adsorb horseradish peroxidase (HRP) onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode through electrostatic interactions. The morphology and structure of the products were characterized by SEM, FTIR and UV‐visible spectroscopy. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic performance of the HRP/MT‐MWCNT/GCE was studied using voltammetric and amperometric methods. The amperometric response of the biosensor varied linearly with concentration of H₂O₂ from 9 µM to 1 mM with detection limit of 4.0 µM (S/N=3). Furthermore, the biosensor exhibited good reproducibility and stability.     

Electropolymerized Diphenylamine on Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composite Film and Its Application to Develop a Multifunctional Biosensor

Diphenylamine (DPA) monomers have been electropolymerized on the amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (AFCNT) composite film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The surface morphology of PDPA‐AFCNT was studied using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). The interfacial electron transfer phenomenon at the modified electrode was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The PDPA‐AFCNT/GCE represented a multifunctional sensor and showed good electrocatalytic behavior towards the oxidation of catechol and the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Rotating‐disk electrode technique was applied to detect catechol with a sensitivity of 1360 µA mM^?1 cm^?2 and a detection limit of 0.01 mM. Amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide at the PDPA‐AFCNT film modified electrode results in a linear range from 10 to 800 µM, a sensitivity of 487.1 µA mM^?1 cm^?2 and detection limit of 1 µM. These results show that the nano‐composite film modified electrode can be utilized to develop a multifunctional sensor.     

Nanostructured Cobalt(II) Tetracarboxyphthalocyanine Complex Supported Within the MWCNT Frameworks: Electron Transport and Charge Storage Capabilities

The electrochemical redox properties of a surface‐confined thin solid film of nanostructured cobalt(II) tetracarboxyphthalocyanine integrated with multiwalled carbon nanotube (nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT) have been investigated. This novel nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT material was characterized using SEM, TEM, zeta analysis and electrochemical methods. The nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT nanohybrid material exhibited an extra‐ordinarily high conductivity (15 mS cm^?1), which is more than an order of magnitude greater than that of the MWCNT‐SO₃H (527 µS cm^?1) and three orders of a magnitude greater than the nanoCoTCPc (4.33 µS cm^?1). The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant decreases as follows: nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT (k_app≈19.73×10^?3 cm s^?1)>MWCNT‐SO₃H (k_app≈11.63×10^?3 cm s^?1)>nanoCoTCPc (k_app≈1.09×10^?3 cm s^?1). The energy‐storage capability was typical of pseudocapacitive behaviour; at a current density of 10 µA cm^?2, the pseudocapacitance decreases as nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT (3.71×10^?4 F cm^?2)>nanoCoTCPc (2.57×10^?4 F cm^?2)>MWCNT‐SO₃H (2.28×10^?4 F cm^?2). The new nanoCoTCPc/MWCNT nanohybrid material promises to serve as a potential material for the fabrication of thin film electrocatalysts or energy‐storage devices.     

Electrochemical Determination of the Herbicide Bentazone Using a Carbon Nanotube β‐Cyclodextrin Modified Electrode

An electrochemical sensor has been developed for the determination of the herbicide bentazone, based on a GC electrode modified by a combination of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) incorporated in a polyaniline film. The results indicate that the β‐CD/MWCNT modified GC electrode exhibits efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of bentazone with high sensitivity and stability. A cyclic voltammetric method to determine bentazone in phosphate buffer solution at pH 6.0, was developed, without any previous extraction, clean‐up, or derivatization steps, in the range of 10–80 µmol L^?1, with a detection limit of 1.6 µmol L^?1 in water. The results were compared with those obtained by an established HPLC technique. No statistically significant differences being found between both methods.     

Voltammetric Determination of Phenoxybenzyl‐Type Insecticides at Chemically Modified Conducting Polymer‐Carbon Nanotubes Coated Electrodes

The electrochemical reduction of three common insecticides such as cypermethrin (CYP), deltamethrin (DEL) and fenvalerate (FEN) was investigated at glassy carbon electrode (GCE), multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified GCE (MWCNT‐GCE), polyaniline (herein called as modifier M₁) and polypyrrole (herein called as modifier M₂) deposited MWCNT/GCE using cyclic voltammetry. Influences of pH, scan rate, and concentration were studied. The surface morphology of the modified film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD). A systematic study of the experimental parameters that affect differential pulse stripping voltammetry (DPSV) was carried out and the optimized experimental conditions were arrived at. The calibration plots were linear over the insecticide's concentration range 0.1–100 mg L^?1 and 0.05–100 mg L^?1 for all the three insecticides at MWCNT‐GCE and MWCNT(M₁)‐GCE respectively. The MWCNT(M₂)‐GCE performed well among the three electrode systems and the determination range obtained was 0.01–100 mg L^?1 for CYP, DEL and FEN. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.35 μg L^?1, 0.9 μg L^?1 and 0.1 μg L^?1 for CYP, DEL and FEN respectively on MWCNT(M₂)‐GCE modified system. Suitability of this method for the trace determination of insecticide in spiked soil sample was also determined.     

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.     

Electrochemical Sensor Based on Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes and Cobalt Phthalocyanine Composite for Pyridoxine Determination

In this work, an electrochemical sensor based on pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE), cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite designed as PGE‐MWCNT/CoPc was developed and validated for pyridoxine (vitamin B6) determination employing Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV). The electrochemical behaviour of pyridoxine at the PGE‐MWCNT/CoPc has been evaluated and the charge transfer coefficient, α, and the charge transfer rate constant, κ, were calculated as 0.30 and 11.67±0.43 s^?1, respectively, which indicates that, although this system is irreversible, it is viable kinetically to be used as a sensor. The optimized experimental conditions were pH 5.5 in 0.30 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer. The linear range found was 10 to 400 μmol L^?1 of pyridoxine, with r=0.9987. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.50 and 1.67 μmol L^?1, respectively, showing the good sensitivity of the method. The method was successfully applied for the pyridoxine determination in real samples of pharmaceutical formulation with RSD% lower than 5 % indicating that it can be used for routine quality control pharmaceutical formulations containing pyridoxine. Furthermore, it has the advantages of a fast response, a low detection limit and low cost.     

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.     

Biofunctionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes by Electropolymerized Poly(pyrrole‐concanavalin A) Films

The synthesis and electropolymerization of a pyrrolic concanavalin A derivative (pyrrole‐Con A) onto a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) deposit is reported. Glucose oxidase was then immobilized onto the MWCNT‐poly(pyrrole‐Con A) coating by affinity carbohydrate interactions with the polymerized Con A protein. The resulting enzyme electrode was applied to the amperometric detection of glucose exhibiting a high sensitivity of 36 mA cm^?2 mol^?1 L and a maximum current density of 350 μA cm^?2.     

Analytical Biosensing of Hydrogen Peroxide on Brilliant Cresyl Blue/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A cationic quinine‐imide dye brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were co‐immobilized within ormosil on multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode for the fabrication of highly sensitive and selective hydrogen peroxide biosensor. The presence of epoxy group in ormosil as organic moiety improves the mechanical strength and transparency of the film and amino group provides biocompatible microenvironment for the immobilization of enzyme. The presence of MWCNTs improved the conductivity of the nanocomposite film. The surface characterization of MWCNT modified ormosil nanocomposite film was performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry measurements were used to study and optimize the performance of the resulting peroxide biosensor. The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant was determined to be 1.5 mM. The proposed H₂O₂ biosensor exhibited wide linear range from 3×10^?7 to 1×10^?4 M, and low detection limit 1×10^?7 M (S/N=3) with fast response time <5 s. The probable interferences in bio‐matrix were selected to test the selectivity and no significant response was observed in the biosensor. This biosensor possessed good analytical performance and long term storage stability.     

Electro‐oxidation and Determination of Tripelennamine Hydrochloride at MWCNT‐CTAB Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

An electrochemical method for the determination of tripelennamine hydrochloride (TPA) using cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNT‐CTAB/GCE) was developed. Because of good electrical conductivity of MWCNT and catalytic behavior of CTAB, new electrode significantly enhances the sensitivity for the detection of TPA. Parameters such as amount of modifier suspension, scan rate, pH of measure solution, heterogeneous rate constant were investigated. The electrode exhibits a linear potential response in the range of 1.0×10^?8 M to 3.0×10^?6 M with a detection limit of 2.38× 10^?9 M. The modified electrode was successfully applied to the determination of TPA in pharmaceutical and real samples.     

Construction of an Electrochemical Cell System Based on Carbon Composite Film Electrodes and its Application for Voltammetric Determination of Triclosan

An array of carbon composite electrodes embedded in a 96 well microtitration plate was fabricated and applied for DPV determination of the environmental pollutant triclosan (5‐chloro‐2‐(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)‐phenol). For the preparation of composite electrodes, graphite and glassy carbon conductive microparticles were tested in combination with several types of polymers as nonconductive binders. For the measurements, combinations of graphitic carbon particles with polystyrene (C‐PS) and with polycarbonate (C‐PC) were selected. The achieved limit of detection was 0.49 µmol L^?1 for C‐PS electrodes and 0.25 µmol L^?1 for C‐PC electrodes in the selected optimum medium. The method was successfully applied for practical samples of river water and toothpaste.