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.     

Enhanced Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxadiargyl and Its Determination on 2‐(4‐((4‐Acetylphenyl)diazenyl)phenylamino)‐ethanol Modified Graphene‐Paste Electrode

The electrochemical behavior of oxadiargyl at a graphene‐paste electrode modified with an azo dye, 2‐(4‐((4‐acetylphenyl)diazenyl)phenylamino)ethanol (ADPE), ADPE/MGRPE was investigated. The modified electrode showed high electrocatalytic activity toward oxadiargyl. The apparent electron transfer rate constant (k_s) and charge transfer coefficient (α) between electrode and ADPE were 1.16 s^?1 and 0.41, respectively. The differential pulse voltammetry response of the modified graphene‐paste electrode was linear against the concentration of oxadiargyl in the range from 0.03 to 1.4 mg L^?1. The limit of detection was found to be 1.3 µg L^?1 (S/N=3). The practical analytical utility of this electrode was demonstrated by measurement of oxadiargyl in river water, soil and rice samples.     

Determination of Sulfite in Hair Waving Products Using Oxygen‐Incorporated Gold‐Modified Screen‐Printed Electrodes

An electrodeposition oxygen‐incorporated gold‐modified screen‐printed carbon electrode (AuOSPE) was fabricated to determine the sulfite content in hair waving products. The AuOSPE showed an electrocatalytic current for sulfite at +0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Compared with a gold screen‐printed electrode (AuSPE), the AuOSPE showed a higher electrocatalytic current. The increase in the electrocatalytic current was ascribed to the increase of the oxygen incorporated with gold atom on AuOSPE. The AuOSPE coupled with a flow injection analysis (FIA) system showed excellent oxidation current for sulfite in a 0.1 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer solution (PBS), pH 6.0. The linear working range for determining the sulfite content was 0.05 to 1200 mg L^?1 (0.625 µmol L^?1 to 15.00 mmol L^?1) with a calculated detection limit of 0.03 mg L^?1 (0.375 µmol L^?1) (DL, S/N=3). Relative standard deviations (RSD) of 3.03 %, 2.30 % and 4.26 % were calculated for consecutive injections (n=12) of 20, 300 and 900 mg L^?1 sulfite, respectively. The amount of sulfite in two hair waving products was determined by the proposed method and a standard iodometric method. The recoveries ranged from 96.18 % to 105.61 %. The AuOSPE showed high sensitivity, selectivity, stability and reproducibility for sulfite.     

Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetric Detection of Tea Polyphenols at Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes‐Chitosan Composite Electrode

This study reports the catalytic oxidation and detection of tea polyphenols (TPs) at glassy‐carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes‐chitosan (MWCNTs‐CS) film. The adsorption of TPs at the surface of the MWCNTs through π–π conjugation prevents the aggregation of nanotubes and induces a stable MWCNTs suspension in water over 30 days. Based on the adsorptive accumulation of polyphenols at MWCNTs, TPs is sensitively and selectively detected by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The accumulation conditions and pH effect on the adsorptive stripping detection were examined. The linear range was found to be 100 to 1000 mg L^?1 with a detection limit of 10 mg L^?1 (S/N=3) for 2.5 min accumulation. Additionally, the MWCNTs‐CS electrode is easily renewed by applying positive potential to remove the adsorbed TPs. This method was successfully applied to determine TPs in commercially available teas with satisfied result compared with that of conventional spectrometric analysis.     

Selective and Sensitive Determination of Uranyl Ions in Complex Matrices by Ion Imprinted Polymers‐Based Electrochemical Sensor

We report on the design of a UO₂²⁺‐selective electrode based on the use of UO₂²⁺ imprinted polymer nanoparticles (IP‐NPs), and its application for the differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry determination of uranyl ions. A carbon paste electrode was modified with the IP‐NPs, and differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry was applied as the detection technique after open‐circuit sorption of UO₂²⁺ ions. The modified electrode responses to UO₂²⁺ was linear in the 0.1 µg L^?1 to 10 µg L^?1 and in the 0.01 mg L^?1 to 10 mg L^?1. The method detection limit of the sensor was 0.03 µg L^?1.     

FIA Determination of Paracetamol in Pharmaceutical Drugs by Using Gold Electrodes Modified with a 3‐Mercaptopropionic Acid Monolayer

A flow injection analysis (FIA) method for the determination of paracetamol in pharmaceutical drugs using a gold electrode modified with a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of 3‐mercaptopropionic acid is described. At optimized experimental conditions the dynamic concentration range was 0.15 to 15.0 mg L^?1 with a detection limit of 0.2 μg mL^?1 (S/N=3). The repeatability of current responses for injections of 10 μmol L^?1 paracetamol was evaluated to be 3.2% (n=30) and the analytical frequency was 180 h^?1. The lifetime of the modified electrode was found to be 15 days. The results obtained by using the proposed amperometric method for paracetamol determination in four different drug samples compared well with those found by spectrophotometry.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Acyclovir on Poly(p‐Aminobenzene Sulfonic Acid) Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Acyclovir is an antiviral effective drug active compound. A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with an electropolymerized film of p‐aminobenzene sulfonic acid (p‐ABSA) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The polymer film‐modified electrode was used to electrochemically detect acyclovir. Polymer film showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of acyclovir. The anodic peak potential value of the acyclovir at the poly(p‐ABSA) modified glassy carbon electrode was 950 mV obtained by DPV. A linear calibration curve for DPV analysis was constructed in the acyclovir concentration range 2×10^?7–9×10^?6 mol L^?1. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were obtained as 5.57×10^?8 and 1.85×10^?7 mol L^?1 respectively. The proposed method exhibits good recovery and reproducibility.     

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.     

Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on Rhodium Dioxide‐Modified Carbon Ink

An amperometric method for the determination of glucose using a screen printed carbon electrode is reported. The electrode material was bulk modified with rhodium dioxide and the enzyme glucose oxidase immobilized in a Nafion‐film on the electrode surface and investigated for its ability to serve as a detector of glucose in flow injection analysis. The sensor exhibited a linear increase of the amperometric signal with the concentration of glucose in the range of 1–250 mg L^?1 with a detection limit (evaluated as 3σ) of 0.2 mg L^?1 under optimized flow rate of 0.4 mL min^?1 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) carrier. At the potential applied (?0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl), interferences from redox species present in the sample matrix were negligible. The biosensor reported here retained its activity for more than 40 injections or 4 months of storage at 6 °C. The RSD was determined as 1.8% for a glucose concentration of 25 mg L^?1 (n=5) with a typical response time of about 28 s.     

Effect of Pulse Width of Square Potential to Remove Silver Interference in the Determination of Mercury(II)

A graphite electrode modified with silver (Ag‐CPE) has been applied to detect mercury(II) using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimized conditions, the calibration curve is linear in the range from 5.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 to 1.0×10^?4 mol L^?1 of mercury(II). The detection limit was found to be 3.38×10^?8 mol L^?1 with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.25 % (n=8). The proposed method was successfully applied for the detection of mercury(II) in leachate samples. The Ag‐CP composites were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), BET adsorption analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) Immobilized in Humic Acid‐Silica‐Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Films

In this paper, we report the first attempt to use humic acid (HA) as modifiers to prepare the organic‐inorganic hybrid modified glassy carbon electrodes based on HA‐silica‐PVA (poly(vinyl alcohol)) sol‐gel composite. Electroactive species of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy) ) can easily incorporate into the HA‐silica‐PVA films to form Ru(bpy) modified electrodes. The amount of Ru(bpy) incorporated in the composite films strongly depends on the amount of HA in the hybrid sol. Electrochemical and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy) immobilized in HA‐silica composite films coated on a glassy carbon electrode have been studied with tripropylamine (TPA) as the coreactant. The analytical performance of this modified electrode was evaluated in a flow injection analysis (FIA) system with a homemade flow cell. The as‐prepared electrode showed good stability and high sensitivity. The detection limits (S/N=3) were 0.050 μmol L^?1 for TPA and 0.20 μmol L^?1 for oxalate, and the linear ranges were from 0.10 μmol L^?1 to 1.0 mmol L^?1 for TPA and from 1.0 μmol L^?1 to 1.0 mmol L^?1 for oxalate, respectively. The resulting electrodes were stable over two months.     

Electrochemical Behavior of 8‐Azaguanine at DNA Langmuir–Blodgett Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and Its Analytical Application

A highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for the detection of trace amounts of 8‐azaguanine has been designed. Double stranded (ds)DNA molecules are immobilized onto a glassy carbon electrode surface with Langmuir–Blodgett technique. The adsorptive voltammetric behaviors of 8‐azaguanine at DNA‐modified electrode were explored by means of cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Compared with bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), the Langmuir–Blodgett film modified electrode can greatly improve the measuring sensitivity of 8‐azaguanine. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the Langmuir–Blodgett film modified electrode in pH 3.0 Britton–Robinson buffer solutions shows a linear voltammetric response in the range of 5.0×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?5 mol L^?1 with detection limit 9.0×10^?9 mol L^?1. The method proposed was applied successfully for the determination of 8‐azaguanine in diluted human urine with wonderful satisfactory.     

Simultaneous Flow Injection Analysis of Paracetamol and Ascorbic Acid with Multiple Pulse Amperometric Detection

The present work reports a simple and quick strategy for simultaneous determination of paracetamol (PC) and ascorbic acid (AA) in pharmaceutical formulations using flow injection method with multiple pulse amperometric detection. The method allows the resolution of the mixture without chemical pretreatment of the sample or electrode modification or the use of chemometric techniques for data analysis. The compounds are detected by applying four sequential pulses (waveform) in function of time to a three‐electrode amperometric system that uses a wall‐jet cell with gold as working electrode. AA is direct detected at +0.40 V and PC is indirectly detected at 0.0 V by the reduction (desorption) of the oxidation product (N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine) electrochemically generated at +0.65 V. The fourth potential pulse (?0.05 V) is applied for the complete regeneration (cleaning) of the gold electrode surface. The linear response range was optimized between 5 and 24 mg L^?1 for AA and 50 and 240 mg L^?1 for PC. The difference between the two responses ranges (10‐fold) present correlation with the concentration of these compounds in two different pharmaceutical formulations available in the Brazilian market. The analytical frequency was calculated in 60 injections per hour. The use of the proposed methodology for PC quantification in the presence of higher AA concentrations was also carried out. Using the standard addition method, it was possible to detect PC in trace levels (LD=0.2 mg L^?1) in the presence of 880‐fold more of AA (176 mg L^?1).     

Lead Determination by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Using a p‐Phenylenediamine Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

Carbon paste electrodes were modified by mixing appropriate amounts of the monomers o‐phenylendiamine, p‐phenylendiamine and m‐phenylendiamine (o‐PD, p‐PD and m‐PD) into a graphite powder‐paraffin oil matrix. The electropolymerization of the incorporated phenylendiamine was then carried out in a carbon paste electrode in acidic medium by cyclic voltammetry between ?0.30 V and +0.90 or under constant potential. The modified carbon paste electrodes (MCPEs) obtained by this electropolymerization method were found to be useful for trace determination of Pb²⁺ in aqueous solutions. Lead(II) was first preconcentrated on the modified electrodes by complexation with the modifier, and the electrode was then transferred to an electrochemical cell. The best results in terms of sensitivity and detection limit were obtained with poly p‐phenylenediamine (poly (p‐PD)). For a 10‐min preconcentration time, the calibration plot was linear from 5×10^?8 mol L^?1 to 10^?5 mol L^?1, with r²=0.999 and relative standard deviation equal to 5%. However, the lowest lead concentration that could be detected was 10^?9 mol L^?1. Interference from metal ions like Cd(II), Hg(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Cu(II) was also studied.     

Determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by a multi-wall carbon nanotubes-modified glassy carbon electrode

A multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (MWNT-GCE) was used to study the electrochemical behaviour of1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and applied to its determination. The results showed that the modified electrode had a strong adsorptive ability to 1-OHP and enhances its electrochemical signal. By square wave voltammetry, the linear relationship of 1-OHP was 6?×?10^?9???8?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1 with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.996, and the detection limit was 1?×?10^?10?mol?L^?1. Compared with other published methods, this newly proposed method possesses many advantages such as very low detection limit, fast response, low cost and simplicity. And this method was applied successfully in the determination of 1‐OHP in real human urine samples.     

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.     

Amino‐Containing Ultrafine Organosilica‐Nanoparticle‐Modified Au Electrode for the Determination of Cu(II) Ions

Using 3‐Aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTES) as a single silica source, an amino‐rich ultrafine organosilica‐nanoparticle‐modified Au electrode was fabricated, following the formation of (3‐mercaptopropyl)‐trimethoxysilane (MPTS) monolayer on Au surface (MPTS/Au). With cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as an additive, APTES‐based gel particles on the electrode have a narrow particle size distribution of 4–7 nm and “crystal‐like” structure. AFM and electrochemical characterization confirmed the successful grafting of APTES nanoparticles on MPTS/Au. The APTES/MPTS/Au electrode is highly sensitive for the detection of copper(II) ions with a detection limit as low as 1.6×10^?12 mol L^?1 (S/N>3) by square wave voltammetry. The current is linear to copper(II) concentration between 1.6×10^?12 and 6.25×10^?10 mol L^?1.     

Potentiometric Quantification of the Benzoate Ion in Nonalcoholic Beverages Using a Solid Electrode Modified with a Polypyrrole‐Based Selective Membrane

This work presents the results obtained on the construction of a potentiometric ion‐selective electrode based on a polypyrrole (PPy) selective membrane to quantify the benzoate ion in nonalcoholic beverages. The electrode modification with benzoate (Benz^?1) ion doped‐Ppy was carried out under an imposed potential, while the electrosynthesis optimization was undertaken using the modified Simplex method, such that the film’s sensitivity was maximized toward the benzoate ion. The maximum sensitivity recorded was ?52.02±1.55 mV/decade [Benz^?1] using a graphite powder‐araldite resin composite electrode. During the modified electrode’s characterization it was found out that the response and drift were relatively short, namely 2 min and 0.4 mV min^?1 respectively, within the 7 to 9 pH range, exhibiting a detection limit of 7×10^?4 mol L^?1 and a quantification range of 3×10^?3 at 10^?1 mol L^?1. Selectivity coefficients were evaluated with the Matched Potential Method obtaining in all cases values much less than 1. The benzoate concentration in commercially available juices and sweetened beverages was evaluated comparing the results obtained with the proposed ion‐selective electrode and those of HPLC, the usually accepted technique. A statistical analysis of the results led to the conclusion that there exists no meaningful difference between the results obtained with both techniques, which shows the usefulness of the ion‐selective electrode to proceed with the quantification in real samples.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Nitrite at Gold Nanoparticle-polypyrrole Nanowire Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

A novel chemically modified electrode based on the dispersion of gold nanoparticles on polypyrrole nanowires has been developed to investigate the oxidation behavior of nitrite using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. The diffusion coefficient (D), electron transfer coefficient (α) and charge transfer rate constant (k) for the oxidation of nitrite were determined. The modified electrode exhibited high electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of nitrite. The catalytic peak current was found to be linear with nitrite concentrations in the range of 8.0×10^?7?2.5×10^?3 mol·L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.0×10^?7 mol·L^?1 (s/n=3). The proposed method was successfully applied to the detection of nitrite in water samples with obtained satisfactory results. Additionally, the sensor also showed excellent sensitivity, anti‐interference ability, reproducibility and stability properties.     

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.