Voltammetric sensing of sugar by an electrode covered with wheat germ agglutinin/chitin film

The binding between wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and N-acetylglucosamine at the electrode covered with chitin film was investigated with voltammetry. Chitin, β-1,4-poly-N-acetylglucosamine, is one of the biolpolymers which have a high biocompatibility. WGA is immobilized to the surface of chitin film by the affinity of WGA to N-acetylglucosamine residue of chitin. To investigate the binding event of WGA on the chitin modified electrode, N-acetylglucosamine labeled with an electroactive compound was prepared. The binding causes the changes in the electrode response of labeled sugar. The peak current of labeled sugar decreased due to the specific binding with WGA on the chitin film modified at the electrode. N-Acetylglucosamine was successfully determined by using the competitive reaction with labeled sugar to WGA on the chitin film electrode.     

Polarographlc study of adsorbed tellurium at the hanging and dropping mercury electrodes in 1 m hydrochloric or perchloric acid solutions

Studies of tellurium(IV) reduction at a mercury drop electrode are difficult because the two-step electrochemical scheme is complicated by adsorption of elemental tellurium at the mercury surface. Anomalous i—t curves at the HMDE are presented in order to confirm the important rôle of the primary adsorbed monolayer and the unusual behaviour of elemental tellurium when the deposit is increased by more than this mono-layer.     

DNA and PNA sensing on mercury and carbon electrodes by using methylene blue as an electrochemical label

Described here are the electrochemical parameters for MB on binding to DNA at hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and carbon paste electrode (CPE) in the solution and at the electrode surface. MB, which interacts with the immobilized calf thymus DNA, was detected by using single-stranded DNA-modified HMDE or CPE (ssDNA-modified HMDE or CPE), bare HMDE or CPE, and double-stranded DNA-modified HMDE or CPE (dsDNA-modified HMDE or CPE) in combination with adsorptive transfer stripping voltammetry (AdTSV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and alternating current voltammetry (ACV) techniques. The structural conformation of DNA and hybridization between synthetic peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and DNA oligonucleotides were determined by the changes in the voltammetric peak of MB. The PNA and DNA probes were also challenged with excessive and equal amount of noncomplementary DNA and a mixture that contained one-base mismatched and target DNA. The partition coefficient was also obtained from the signal of MB with probe, hybrid, and ssDNA-modified GCEs. The effect of probe, target, and ssDNA concentration upon the MB signal was investigated. These results demonstrated that MB could be used as an effective electroactive hybridization indicator for DNA biosensors. Performance characteristics of the sensor are described, along with future prospects.     

Electrocatalytic activity in sensing of nitrite by films produced by electropolymerization of [Fe(Br-ph-tpy)2]2+

Nitrite is a preservative agent broadly used in the food industry. Its excessive consumption can cause several diseases including cancer. Thus, the development of sensors for nitrite is indispensable for strict nitrite level control in industrialized products and consequently for human welfare. Herein, is presented a study of the modification of electrodes by electropolymerization of [Fe(Br-ph-tpy)₂](PF₆)₂ and its use as electroactive films in sensing of nitrite. The films were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, atomic-force microscopy and they were employed in electroanalytical experiments. The film obtained by electropolymerization exhibited some fibers dispersed on the substrate, reflecting the formation polymers on the surface of the electrode. The electrodes were further improved by drop casting a film of the complex on a glass carbon electrode, and then performing the electropolymerization of the complex. An increase in stability and a 41% enhancement of the electrocatalytical response for nitrite ions have been observed, in comparison with the bare electrode.     

Phase-selective a.c. adsorptive stripping voltammetry of lumazine on a hanging mercury drop electrode

The electrochemical behavior of lumazine (LMZ), an important antibacterial agent, has been studied at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The nature of the process taking place at the HMDE was clarified. Its adsorption behavior at HMDE has been studied by using a.c and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Both the molecule and its reduced product appeared to be adsorbed at the surface of the electrode. Controlled adsorptive accumulation of LMZ on the HMDE provides the basis for the direct stripping measurement of that compound in the subnanomolar concentration level. Experimental and instrumental parameters for the quantitative determination were optimized. Phase-selective a.c voltammetry provided the best signal and gave a detection limit of 0.15 μg L^–1 (9.0 × 10^–10 mol/L) LMZ in aqueous solution. Molecules or ions which may interfere were studied.     

Voltammetric Behavior of Osmium‐Labeled DNA at Mercury Meniscus‐Modified Solid Amalgam Electrodes. Detecting DNA Hybridization

The complex of osmium tetroxide with 2,2′‐bipyridine has been utilized as a probe of DNA structure and an electroactive marker of DNA in DNA hybridization sensors. It produces several voltammetric signals, the most negative of them has been observed only at mercury electrodes. This signal is of catalytic nature affording a high sensitivity of DNA determination. The catalytic current due to evolution of hydrogen in voltammetry of DNA modified by complex of osmium tetroxide with 2,2′‐bipyridine (DNA‐Os,bipy) was studied. Solid amalgam electrodes (modified with mercury menisci) of silver (m‐AgSAE), copper (m‐CuSAE), gold, and of combined bismuth and silver, were used as possible substitutes for mercury electrodes. Besides the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), the catalytic current was observed only on m‐AgSAE and m‐CuSAE. Electrodes of gold and bismuth amalgams did not give the catalytic current. The detection limit of DNA‐Os,bipy on HMDE was 0.1 ng mL^?1 (RSD=2.3 %, N=11), and on m‐AgSAE 0.2 ng mL^?1 (RSD=3.1%, N=11). The m‐AgSAE was successfully applied as a detection electrode in double‐surface DNA hybridization experiments offering highly specific discrimination between complementary (target) and nonspecific DNAs, as well as determination of the length of a repetitive DNA sequence. The m‐AgSAE has proved a convenient alternative to the HMDE or carbon electrodes used for similar purposes in previous work.     

Label‐free Voltammetric Detection of Products of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Tailing Reaction

A label‐free approach that takes advantage of intrinsic electrochemical activity of nucleobases has been applied to study the products of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) tailing reaction. DNA homooligonucleotides A₃₀, C₃₀ and T₃₀ were used as primers for the tailing reaction to which a dNTP – or a mixture of dNTPs – and TdT were added to form the tails. Electrochemical detection enabled study of the tailing reaction products created by various combinations of primers and dNTPs, with pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) being suitable for remarkably precise analysis of the length of tailing reaction products. Furthermore, the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) was able to reveal formation of various DNA structures, such as DNA hairpins and G‐quadruplexes, which influence the behavior of DNA molecules at the negatively charged surface of HMDE. Thus, the described approach proves to be an excellent tool for studying the TdT tailing reactions and for exploring how various DNA structures affect both the tailing reactions and electrochemical behavior of DNA oligonucleotides at electrode surfaces.     

Direct and alternating current voltammetry at an HMDE in solutions containing activated charcoal suspension

Advantage is taken of the property that activated charcoal particles dispersed in a solution accumulate on the HMDE. Alternating current voltammetry is used to determine the surface area of carbon sticking to the electrode on which redox processes may proceed. The surface area of charcoal determined in this way allowed us to estimate the contents of electroactive oxygen in three types of carbon samples. It has been found that the capability of carbon particles to stick to the mercury surface increases with growing oxygen content.The electroactive forms of oxygen bonded to the carbon surface undergo reduction in a peak at about −0.5 V. The second reduction peak, at about −1.6 V, is connected with hydrogen evolution on the charcoal-covered part of the electrode. Detachment of the charcoal particles from the mercury surface results in decay of the H₃O⁺ reduction current. Photographs provide evidence of the efficiency of accumulation of the carbon particles in dependence on the type of sample tested and the HMDE potential as well as phenomena accompanying “desorption”.     

Electrochemical sensor for bisphenol A based on a nanoporous polymerized ionic liquid interface

The ionic liquid 1-butyl -3-[3-(N-pyrrole)-propyl]imidazolium tetrafluoroborate was employed to fabricate a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a porous film of a polymerized ionic liquid. The resulting film electrode was treated with sodium dodecyl sulfonate solution to exchange the terafluoroborate anions by dodecyl sulfonate groups. This was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology of the modified GCE was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and revealed a nanoporous surface. The electrochemical properties of this film electrode were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using the hexacyanoferrate(II/III) system as an electroactive probe. The response to bisphenol A was investigated by voltammetry. Compared to the unmodified GCE, the oxidation potential is positively shifted, and the oxidation peak current is strongly increased. Experimental conditions were optimized and resulted in an oxidation peak current that is linearly related to concentration of bisphenol A in the 10 nM to ~ 10 μM range. The detection limit is 8.0 nM (at S/N?=?3). The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of bisphenol A in leachates of plastic drinking bottles, and its accuracy was verified by independent assays via HPLC.

Environmental effects of chitosan as an immobilization medium for electrochemically active small molecules

Abstract

A number of challenges arise when using ferrocene as a component of electrochemical biosensors, including solubility in aqueous solutions. Therefore, entrapment of the biotin-ferrocene molecules within the chitosan film provides a route for immobilization on an electroactive surface such as an electrode while making the system water compatible. The use of the chitosan-ferrocene bioconjugate thin film on the electrode surface produces a signal that can be monitored in aqueous media. Herein, we discuss a series of modified ferrocene molecules that contain various linkers that provide non-covalent entanglement points to the chitosan medium. The electrochemical analysis and electron microscopy results show marked differences in the ferrocene loaded chitosan polymers when the termini of the ferrocene-linker vary between –SH and –NH₂. The –SH modified systems showed increased reversible and robust electrochemical signals relative to the –NH₂ congeners. Further studies showed that non-covalent impregnation strategy used is robust to degradation and less than 1% of the ferrocene molecules were leached over time. These results indicate that there are specific considerations needed when using chitosan-ferrocene systems as components in sensor arrays in future studies.     

Electrochemical determination of N,N-dimethyl-4-amino-4′-aminoazobenzene

N,N-Dimethyl-4-amino-4′-aminoazobenzene has been determined using differential pulse polarography. Fast-scan modification and linear-scan voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode was used with a detection limit of less than 10⁻⁸ mol liter⁻¹. Differential pulse polarography was then used to analyze mixtures of the above depolarizer with azobenzene and N,N-dimethyl-4-aminoazobenzene, either directly, or after a TLC separation.     

Fabrication of highly sensitive cysteine electrochemical sensor based on nanostructured compound and carbon nanotube modified electrode

This work describes the electrochemical behavior of copper(II)-bis[5-((4-ⁿ-decyloxyphenyl)azo)-N-(ⁿethanol)-salicylaldiminato]film immobilized on the surface of multiwall carbon nanotube glassy carbon electrode and its electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of L-cysteine. The surface structure and composition of the sensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Electrocatalytic oxidation of L-cysteine on the surface of modified electrode was investigated with cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and hydrodynamic amperometery methods and the results showed that the Cu-Schiff base film displays excellent electrochemical catalytic activities towards L-cysteine oxidation. The modified electrode indicated reproducible behavior and high level of stability during the electrochemical experiments.     

Characterization of Inherently Chiral Electrosynthesized Oligomeric Films by Voltammetry and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM)

A voltammetric and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) investigation was performed on an inherently chiral oligomer-coated gold electrode to establish its general properties (i.e., conductivity and topography), as well as its ability to discriminate chiral electroactive probe molecules. The electroactive monomer (S)-2,2′-bis(2,2′-bithiophene-5-yl)-3,3′-bibenzothiophene ((S)-BT₂T₄) was employed as reagent to electrodeposit, by cyclic voltammetry, the inherently chiral oligomer film of (S)-BT₂T₄ (oligo-(S)-BT₂T₄) onto the Au electrode surface (resulting in oligo-(S)-BT₂T₄-Au). SECM measurements, performed in either feedback or competition mode, using the redox mediators [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ and [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ in aqueous solutions, and ferrocene (Fc), (S)-FcEA, (R)-FcEA and rac-FcEA (FcEA is N,N-dimethyl-1-ferrocenylethylamine) in CH₃CN solutions, indicated that the oligomer film, as produced, was uncharged. The use of [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ allowed establishing that the oligomer film behaved as a porous insulating membrane, presenting a rather rough surface. This was inferred from both the approach curves and linear and bidimensional SECM scans, which displayed negative feedback effects. The oligomer film acquired semiconducting or fully conducting properties when the Au electrode was biased at potential more positive than 0.6 V vs. Ag|AgCl|KCl. Under the latter conditions, the approach curves displayed positive feedback effects. SECM measurements, performed in competition mode, allowed verifying the discriminating ability of the oligo-(S)-BT₂T₄ film towards the (S)-FcEA and (R)-FcEA redox mediators, which confirmed the results obtained by cyclic voltammetry. SECM linear scans indicated that the enantiomeric discriminating ability of the oligo-(S)-BT₂T₄ was even across its entire surface.     

Creatinine sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer-modified hanging mercury drop electrode

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) have been elucidated to work as artificial receptors. In our present study, a MIP was applied as a molecular recognition element to a chemical sensor. We have constructed a creatinine sensor based on a MIP layer selective for creatinine and its differential pulse, cathodic stripping voltammetric detection (DPCSV) on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The creatinine sensor was fabricated by the drop coating of dimethylformamide (DMF) solution of a creatinine-imprinted polymer onto the surface of HMDE. The modified-HMDE, preanodised in neutral medium at +0.4 V versus Ag/AgCl for 120 s, exhibited a marked enhancement in DPCSV current in comparison to the less anodised (≤+0.3 V) HMDE. The creatinine was preconcentrated and instantaneously oxidised in MIP layer giving DPCSV response in the concentration range of 0.0025-84.0 μg mL⁻¹ [detection limit (3σ) 1.49 ng mL⁻¹]. The sensor was found to be highly selective for creatinine without any response of interferents viz., NaCl, urea, creatine, glucose, phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine and cytosine. The non-imprinted polymer-modified electrode did not show linear response to creatinine. The imprinting factor as high as 9.4 implies that the imprinted polymer exclusively acts as a recognition element of creatinine sensor. The proposed procedure can be used to determine creatinine in human blood serum without any preliminary treatment of the sample in an accurate, rapid and simple way.     

Modified Electrodes and Electrochemical Systems Switchable by Temperature Changes

This article is an overview of extensive research efforts in the area of temperature‐controlled electrochemical systems. Electrochemical reactions, including electrocatalytic and bioelectrocatalytic processes, have been reversibly activated and inhibited by temperature changes. This was achieved by modification of electrode surfaces with thermo‐sensitive polymers (e.g., poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM) which are reversibly switched by temperature changes between two different structures: swollen expanded coil conformation and shrunken collapsed globule state. While the swollen hydrophilic state allows penetration of redox species to the electrode conducting support and activates electrochemical reactions, the collapsed hydrophobic state isolates the electrode surface and inhibits electrochemical processes. Electrodes modified with the thermo‐switchable polymers have been additionally functionalized with photo‐switchable molecules (e.g., spiropyran derivatives) to achieve double‐controlled electrochemical reactions switchable by temperature changes and light signals. Incorporation of metallic nanoparticles or graphene species in the temperature‐sensitive polymer films resulted in sophisticated features and multi‐signal controlled behavior of the nano‐composite systems.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric behaviour of mitoxantrone on mercury electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of mitoxantrone (MXT), an important antineoplastic agent, has been studied at mercury electrodes. The nature of the process taking place at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) was clarified. The electrochemical behaviour observed was in close agreement with theoretical predictions for an adsorbed molecule which is reversibly reduced. Both the molecule and its reduced product appeared to be adsorbed at the surface of the electrode. Adsorptive stripping voltammetry has been proven to be advantageous over any other assay technique, allowing 5 x 10(-11)M MXT to be detected. The interference arising from surfactants competing for the adsorption sites at the electrode have been studied and the possibility of MXT determination in dilute urine samples has been shown. Some interesting data, such as the MXT adsorbing surface area and the kinetic constant of the associated coupled chemistry reaction were also determined.     

Lability of nanoparticulate metal complexes in electrochemical speciation analysis

Lability concepts are elaborated for metal complexes with soft (3D) and hard (2D) aqueous nanoparticles. In the presence of a non-equilibrium sensor, e.g. a voltammetric electrode, the notion of lability for nanoparticulate metal complexes, M-NP, reflects the ability of the M-NP to maintain equilibrium with the reduced concentration of the electroactive free M²⁺ in its diffusion layer. Since the metal ion binding sites are confined to the NP body, the conventional reaction layer in the form of a layer adjacent to the electrode surface is immaterial. Instead an intraparticulate reaction zone may develop at the particle/medium interface. Thus the chemodynamic features of M-NP complexes should be fundamentally different from those of molecular systems in which the reaction layer is a property of the homogeneous solution (μ?=?(D _M/k _a ^′)^1/2). For molecular complexes, the characteristic timescale of the electrochemical technique is crucial in the lability towards the electrode surface. In contrast, for nanoparticulate complexes it is the dynamics of the exchange of the electroactive metal ion with the surrounding medium that governs the effective lability towards the electrode surface.     

Ion Chromatography Using an Electrochemical Detector: Response to Non-Electroactive Anions

Abstract

The effect of non electroactive anions on the response of glassy carbon electrode used as an electrochemical detector in an ionic chromatographic system with dual column has been investigated and a method to eliminate this anomalous behaviour has been proposed. The results showed that the response of the electrode observed for non electroactive anions is related to the drop in pH of the eluent during the elution of anions.     

Electrochemical Properties of Lanthanum Hexacyanoferrate Particles Immobilized onto Electrode Surface by Au‐Codeposition Method

Lanthanum hexacyanoferrate (LaHCF) was immobilized onto a substrate surface as an electroactive material by Au‐codeposition method. The LaHCF particles were attached to the electrode surface as the result of occlusion within the gold film deposited. This deposition method was first introduced for the preparation of hexacyanoferrate‐based modified electrodes. It was demonstrated that this deposition method provides a higher stability of the electroactive film in comparison with available methods for the mechanical attachment of electroactive films. On the other hand, electrochemical properties of the LaHCF film modified electrode were studied for the first time. The results showed that LaHCF film has excellent electrochemical activity as well as other analogues of Prussian blue. The modified electrode was successfully used as an electrocatalyst for the oxidation of ascorbic acid.     

Electrochemical Determination of Transmembrane Protein Na+/K+‐ATPase and Its Cytoplasmic Loop C45

Electrochemistry of membrane proteins is complicated by the fact that the studied substances are poorly soluble or insoluble in aqueous environment. The solubilization of proteins using surfactants (detergents) affects the electrochemical analysis or even renders it impossible. In the present study, the electrochemistry of the transmembrane protein Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase (NKA) and its water‐soluble isolated cytoplasmic loop C45 is described. The proteins were studied using adsorptive transfer cyclic voltammetry and square‐wave voltammetry on basal‐plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) as well as constant‐current chronopotentiometric stripping analysis on hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The nonionic surfactant octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C₁₂E₈) was used for NKA solubilization. Under these conditions the oxidation currents of Tyr and Trp (peak Y: +0.55 V and peak W: +0.7 V, vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl) and catalytic reduction currents (peak H: ?1.8 V) of NKA and C45 loop can be observed. Using the experimental procedures suggested in this study, we were able to investigate the oxidation, reduction and adsorption of NKA and C45 at femtomole level without the necessity of labeling by electroactive markers or techniques based on protein immobilization within the lipid bilayer attached to the electrode surface.