Exploring the interactions between gold nanoparticles and analytes through surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI‐MS) is applied to provide strong evidence for the chemical reactions of functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with analytes – Hg²⁺ ions induced MPA?Au NPs aggregation in the presence of 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) and H₂O₂ induced fluorescence quenching of 11‐MUA?Au NDs. PDCA‐Hg²⁺‐MPA coordination is responsible for Au NPs aggregation, while the formation of 11‐MUA disulfide compounds that release into the bulk solution is responsible for H₂O₂‐induced fluorescence quenching. In addition to providing information about the chemical structures, SALDI‐MS is also selective and sensitive for the detection of Hg²⁺ ions and H₂O₂. The limits of detection (LODs) for Hg²⁺ ions and H₂O₂ by SALDI‐MS were 300 nM and 250 µM, respectively. The spot‐to‐spot variations in the two studies were both less than 18% (50 sample spots). Our results reveal that SALDI‐MS can be used to study analyte‐induced changes in the surface properties of nanoparticles. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical nanostructured biosensors: carbon nanotubes versus conductive and semi-conductive nanoparticles

The aim of this work was to demonstrate that various types of nanostructures provide different gains in terms of sensitivity or detection limit albeit providing the same gain in terms of increased area. Commercial screen printed electrodes (SPEs) were functionalized with 100 µg of bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi₂O₃ NPs), 13.5 µg of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), and 4.8 µg of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to sense hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The amount of nanomaterials to deposit was calculated using specific surface area (SSA) in order to equalize the additional electroactive surface area. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments revealed oxidation peaks of Bi₂O₃ NPs, Au NPs, and MWCNTs based electrodes at (790 ± 1) mV, (386 ± 1) mV, and (589 ± 1) mV, respectively, and sensitivities evaluated by chronoamperometry (CA) were (74 ± 12) µA mM^?1 cm^?2, (129 ± 15) ±A mM^?1 cm^?2, and (54 ± 2) ±A mM^?1 cm^?2, respectively. Electrodes functionalized with Au NPs showed better sensing performance and lower redox potential (oxidative peak position) compared with the other two types of nanostructured SPEs. Interestingly, the average size of the tested Au NPs was 4 nm, under the limit of 10 nm where the quantum effects are dominant. The limit of detection (LOD) was (11.1 ± 2.8) ±M, (8.0 ± 2.4) ±M, and (3.4 ± 0.1) ±M for Bi₂O₃ NPs, Au NPs, and for MWCNTs based electrodes, respectively.     

The methylene blue‐D‐glucose‐O2 system. Oxidation of D‐glucose by methylene blue in the presence and the absence of oxygen

Quasi‐oscillations in [O₂] were observed during the methylene blue catalyzed oxidation of D‐glucose by O₂ in alkaline aqueous solutions. The kinetics of anaerobic oxidation of D‐glucose (GH) by methylene blue (MB⁺) was investigated in a closed system. The reaction was first order with respect to the concentration of methylene blue and the observed rate constant increased with GH concentration in a saturated mode. The oxidation proceeds via complex formation between GH and MB⁺ and the rate constant of the decay of the complex was determined. The oxidation process was also investigated under aerobic conditions and the reaction rates and reaction orders were determined by spectrophotometric measurements of the disappearance of MB⁺ and by amperometric determination of O₂ consumption. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 463–468, 1999     

Effect of proton donors on direct electron transfer in the system gold electrode–horseradish peroxidase

The effect of proton donors (PD) on the direct electron transfer (ET) reaction between polycrystalline Au electrodes and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was investigated. HRP was immobilised directly on the bare Au surface. The pH of the contacting solution was varied at a constant ionic strength and the following different PDs were used as additives: H₃O⁺, NH₄⁺, [La(H₂O)]³⁺, [Y(H₂O)]³⁺, [Lu(H₂O)]³⁺. The kinetics of the bioelectrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ catalysed by HRP was studied with linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) in the potential range from 700 to −100 mV vs. SCE as well as amperometrically at −50 mV vs. Ag|AgCl with the HRP-modified Au electrodes placed in a wall-jet flow through electrochemical cell. An increase of [H₃O⁺] results in an enhancement of the current of the bioelectroreduction of H₂O₂ due to a more facilitated direct ET between Au and the enzyme over the potential range involved. It is shown that at high overvoltages (E<0.4 V) the PDs do not affect the rate of the enzymatic reduction of H₂O₂ but rather increase significantly the rate of direct ET between Au and HRP and the efficiency of acting as a PD is strongly correlated with their PD properties. The dependence of the apparent heterogeneous rate constant of direct ET, k_s, on [H₃O⁺] makes it possible to suggest that the reaction mechanism involves the participation of a proton in the elementary step of the charge transfer.     

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.     

Thermodynamische Untersuchungen zur Chelatbildung zwischen Aminoterephthalsäure-N,N-diessigsäure und 3 d- bzw. Erdalkalimetallionen. Eine Betrachtung zum Einfluß einer koordinativ inaktiven Carboxylgruppe auf die komplexe Bindung von Metallionen durch Aminopolycarbonsäuren

N-(2-Carboxyphenyl)iminodiacetic acid (H₃A) and N-(2,5-dicarboxyphenyl)iminodiacetic acid (H₄B) are tetradentate ligands and form complexes of the composition MA- and MB^2? with M^II ions. These compounds differ by the additional charge of the second carboxylic group only, which is fixed to the benzene nucleus and which is unable for coordination for steric reasons. Using an anisothermal calorimeter ΔH values for the formation of the complexes MA- and MB^2? in aqueous solution have been measured at an ionic strength 0.1 m KNO₃. From these data, and from the stability constants of the complexes, entropy changes ΔS have been calculated. In all cases investigated (M^m+ = H⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺) the ΔH values are more negative for the complexes MA^m-3 than for complexes MB^m-4, whereas the ΔS values are greater for complexes MB^m-4. Using a simple model for the molecules of the complexes MB^m-4 and empirically determined dielectric constants of the medium between the central ions and the noncoordinated ionized carboxylic group, the electrostatic attraction between these charges was calculated. Basing on these results the influence of the noncoordinated carboxylic group on the central atom by the mesomeric and inductive effect is discussed.     

The reduction of methylene blue by sulfide ion in the absence and presence of oxygen: Simulation of the methylene blue-O2?HS?-CSTR oscillations

A mechanism is discussed which reproduces in simulations the oscillations during the methylene-blue catalyzed reduction of O₂ by HS^– in a continuous-flow, strirred tank reactor (CSTR). It contains 14 reactions and is based on experiments and simulations of simpler reactions including the reduction of MB⁺ by HS^– in the absence and presence of O₂ and the reactions of H₂O₂ and O₂ with HS^–. All experiments on component reactions as well as the CSTR oscillations can be simulated by the same set of reactions and rate constants. The major dynamic feature of the mechanism is the competition for MB^. by the oxidizing agents O₂ and H₂O₂ and the reducing agents HS^– and HS^.. The species MB^. is the radical intermediate between the colored (MB⁺) and colorless (MBH) forms of methylene blue.     

Oxidation‐Responsive Aliphatic Polycarbonates from N‐Substituted Eight‐Membered Cyclic Carbonate: Synthesis and Degradation Study

Oxidation‐responsive aliphatic polycarbonates represent a promising branch of functional biodegradable polymers. This paper reports the synthesis and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of an eight‐membered cyclic carbonate possessing phenylboronic pinacol ester ( C3 ) and the H₂O₂‐triggered degradation of its polymer ( PC3 ). C3 is prepared from the inexpensive and readily available diethanolamine with a moderate yield and undergoes the well‐controlled anionic ROP with a living character under catalysis of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene. It can also be copolymerized with l ‐lactide, trimethylene carbonate, and 5‐ter‐butyloxycarbonylamino trimethylene carbonate, affording the copolymers with a varied distribution of the repeating units. To clearly demonstrate the oxidative degradation mechanism of PC3 , this paper first investigates the H₂O₂‐induced decomposition of small‐molecule model compounds by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). It is found that the adduct products formed by the in‐situ‐generated secondary amines and p‐quinone methide (QM) are thermodynamically unstable and can decompose slowly back to QM and the amines. On this basis, this paper further studies the H₂O₂‐accelerated degradation of PC3 nanoparticles that are prepared by the o/w emulsion method. A sequential process of oxidation of the phenylboronic ester, 1,6‐elimination of the in‐situ‐generated phenol, releasing CO₂ and intramolecular cyclization or isomerization is proposed as the degradation mechanism of PC3 .     

Cu(II) and Ni(II)‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐ 5,6‐dione‐amino acid ternary complexes exhibiting pH‐sensitive redox properties

Syntheses, and electrochemical properties of two novel complexes, [Cu(phendio)(L ‐Phe)(H₂O)](ClO₄) ·H₂O (1) and [Ni(phendio)(Gly)(H₂O)](ClO₄)·H₂O (2) (where phendio = 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione, L ‐Phe = L ‐phenylalanine, Gly = glycine), are reported. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction results of (1) suggest that this complex structure belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system. The electrochemical properties of free phendio and these complexes in phosphate buffer solutions in a pH range between 2 and 9 have been investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The redox potential of these compounds is strongly dependent on the proton concentration in the range of ? 0.3–0.4 V vs SCE (saturated calomel reference electrode). Phendiol reacts by the reduction of the quinone species to the semiquinone anion followed by reduction to the fully reduced dianion. At pH lower than 4 and higher than 4, reduction of phendio proceeds via 2e^?/3H⁺ and 2e^?/2H⁺ processes. For complexes (1) and (2), being modulated by the coordinated amino acid, the reduction of the phendio ligand proceeds via 2e^?/2H⁺ and 2e^?/H⁺ processes, respectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface Nanostructures Composed of Thiolated Cyclodextrin/Au and Fe Species: Gas‐ and Liquid‐Phase Preparation

Supramolecular surface nanostructures have application potential as functional devices. The complex combination of thiolated cyclodextrin, chemisorbed on an Au surface (Au‐S‐CD), with deposited Fe species is studied by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The Fe species are prepared by pulsed laser ablation in water and thermal effusion in vacuum. Using laser ablation in water, the solution of Fe species is dropped on Au‐S‐CD, where mass peaks at 1227 m/z, 1243 m/z, and 1260 m/z are observed and assigned to C₄₂H₆₈O₃₄SNa‐Fe⁺, C₄₂H₆₈O₃₄SK‐Fe⁺ together with C₄₂H₆₈O₃₄SNa‐FeO⁺, and C₄₂H₆₈O₃₄SK‐FeO⁺, respectively. On the other hand, laser ablation directly linked to the Au‐S‐CD surface results in desorption of CD‐S. Thermal effusion, even with a cooled surface, was negative with respect to the complex observation. Laser ablation results in the formation of a supramolecular host–guest complex of the form Au‐S‐CD‐Fe, and in the formation of an adduct of the form Au‐S‐CD‐FeO.     

Tetraphenylphosphonium bis(2‐thioxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolato)aurate(III) acetone solvate and ethyltriphenylphosphonium bis(2‐thioxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolato)aurate(III)

In the two title complexes, (C₂₄H₂₀P)[Au(C₃S₅)₂]·C₃H₆O, (I), and (C₂₀H₂₀P)[Au(C₃S₅)₂], (II), the Au^III atoms exhibit square‐planar coordinations involving four S atoms from two 2‐thioxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolate (dmit) ligands. The Au—S bond lengths, ranging from 2.3057 (8) to 2.3233 (7) Å in (I) and from 2.3119 (8) to 2.3291 (10) Å in (II), are slightly smaller than the sum of the single‐bond covalent radii. In (I), there are two halves of independent Ph₄P⁺ cations, in which the two P atoms lie on twofold rotation axis sites. The Ph₄P⁺ cations and [Au(C₃S₅)₂]⁻ anions are interspersed as columns in the packing. Layers composed of Ph₄P⁺ and [Au(C₃S₅)₂]⁻ are separated by layers of acetone molecules. In (II), the [Au(C₃S₅)₂]⁻ anions and EtPh₃P⁺ counter‐cations form a layered arrangement, and the [Au(C₃S₅)₂]⁻ anions form discrete pairs with a long intermolecular Au...S interaction for each Au atom in the crystal structure.     

Responses of Metalloporphyrin‐Based Ion‐Selective Electrodes to pH

The ISEs based on [M(tpp)Cl] (M: Al, Ga, In, Mn, Fe; H₂tpp: tetraphenylporphin) had pH responses across their respective pH ranges, which had some correlation with the pH ranges of the two‐phase hydrolysis. Such pH responses are ascribed to the phase boundary potentials relating to the acid‐base pairs of [M(tpp)(H₂O)]⁺ and [M(tpp)(OH)] and/or [M₂(tpp)₂O]. The potential responses of the In and Fe complexes had the upper limitation to pH of 90 % hydrolysis, whereas those of the Al and Ga complexes had the extension to at least pH 12, indicating stable existence of [M(tpp)(H₂O)]⁺ even in contact with strongly alkaline solutions.     

A Novel Electroactive Polymer for pH‐independent Oxygen Sensing

Methylene blue (MB⁺) and pyrrole were copolymerised to electrodeposit a novel electroactive polymer on a Au electrode which was assessed for O₂ sensing. The electroactive polymer exhibits diffusion‐limited behaviour and an electrochemical, followed by catalytic (EC′) mechanism in the presence of dissolved O₂. Notably, it is pH‐insensitive in both N₂‐purged and air‐equilibrated phosphate buffered saline (PBS) from pH 4 to 8. It is stable over 18 days, possesses a good sensitivity of 256.335 µA mM^?1 cm^?2, wide linear range of 15 µM to 285 µM and detection limit of 1.47 µM (S/N=3) for dissolved O₂. It is highly promising for use in biological investigations where pH fluctuations are expected.     

Electrochemical Determination of L‐Lactate Using Phenylboronic Acid Monolayer‐Modified Electrodes

The surface of a gold (Au) disk electrode was modified with a self‐assembled monomolecular layer of dithiobis(4‐butylamino‐m‐phenylboronic acid) (DTBA‐PBA) to prepare L ‐lactate‐sensitive electrodes. The DTBA‐PBA‐modified electrodes exhibited an attenuated cyclic voltammogram (CV) for the Fe(CN)₆^3? ion in the presence of L ‐lactate, as a result of the formation of phenylboronate ester of L ‐lactate accompanied with the addition of OH^? ion to the boron atom. In other words, the negatively charged DTBA‐PBA monolayer blocked the electrode surface from the access of the Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? ions. Thus, the DTBA‐PBA monolayer‐modified Au electrode can be used for determining L ‐lactate on the basis of the change in redox current of Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? ions. The calibration graph useful for determining 1–30 mM L ‐lactate was obtained.     

X‐ray studies of crystalline complexes involving amino acids and peptides. XLIII. Adipic acid complexes of l‐ and dl‐lysine

The asymmetric unit of the dl ‐lysine complex of adipic acid [bis­(dl ‐lysinium) adipate], 2C₆H₁₅N₂O₂⁺·C₆H₈O₄²⁻, contains a zwitterionic singly charged lysinium cation and half a doubly charged adipate anion (the complete anion has inversion symmetry). That of the l ‐lysine complex (lysinium hydrogen adipate), C₆H₁₅N₂O₂⁺·C₆H₉O₄⁻, consists of a lysinium cation and a singly charged hydrogen adipate anion. In both structures, the lysinium cations organize into layers inter­connected by adipate or hydrogen adipate anions. However, the arrangement of the mol­ecular ions in the layer is profoundly different in the dl ‐ and l ‐lysine complexes. The hydrogen adipate anions in the l ‐lysine complex form linear arrays in which adjacent ions are inter­connected by a symmetric O⋯H⋯O hydrogen bond.     

Photofragmentation of 2‐Deoxy‐D‐Ribose Molecules in the Gas Phase

We have measured the synchrotron‐induced photofragmentation of isolated 2‐deoxy‐D ‐ribose molecules (C₅H₁₀O₄) at four photon energies, namely, 23.0, 15.7, 14.6, and 13.8 eV. At all photon energies above the molecule′s ionization threshold we observe the formation of a large variety of molecular cation fragments, including CH₃⁺, OH⁺, H₃O⁺, C₂H₃⁺, C₂H₄⁺, CH_xO⁺ (x=1,2,3), C₂H_xO⁺ (x=1–5), C₃H_xO⁺ (x=3–5), C₂H₄O₂⁺, C₃H_xO₂⁺ (x=1,2,4–6), C₄H₅O₂⁺, C₄H_xO₃⁺ (x=6,7), C₅H₇O₃⁺, and C₅H₈O₃⁺. The formation of these fragments shows a strong propensity of the DNA sugar to dissociate upon absorption of vacuum ultraviolet photons. The yields of particular fragments at various excitation photon energies in the range between 10 and 28 eV are also measured and their appearance thresholds determined. At all photon energies, the most intense relative yield is recorded for the m/q=57 fragment (C₃H₅O⁺), whereas a general intensity decrease is observed for all other fragments— relative to the m/q=57 fragment—with decreasing excitation energy. Thus, bond cleavage depends on the photon energy deposited in the molecule. All fragments up to m/q=75 are observed at all photon energies above their respective threshold values. Most notably, several fragmentation products, for example, CH₃⁺, H₃O⁺, C₂H₄⁺, CH₃O⁺, and C₂H₅O⁺, involve significant bond rearrangements and nuclear motion during the dissociation time. Multibond fragmentation of the sugar moiety in the sugar–phosphate backbone of DNA results in complex strand lesions and, most likely, in subsequent reactions of the neutral or charged fragments with the surrounding DNA molecules.     

Amperometric Biosensor for Hydrogen Peroxide,Using Supramolecularly Immobilized Horseradish Peroxidase on the β‐Cyclodextrin‐Coated Gold Electrode

Horseradish peroxidase, previously modified with 1‐adamantane moieties, was supramolecularly immobilized on gold electrodes coated with perthiolated β‐cyclodextrin. The functionalized electrode was employed for the construction of an amperometric biosensor device for hydrogen peroxide using 1 mM hydroquinone as electrochemical mediator. The biosensor exhibited a fast amperometric response (6 s) and a good linear response toward H₂O₂ concentration between 12 μM and 450 μM. The biosensor showed a sensitivity of 1.02 mA/M cm², and a very low detection limit of 5 μM. The electrode retained 97% of its initial electrocatalytic activity after 30 days of storage at 4 ⁰C in 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0.     

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.     

Amperometric Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on the Immobilization of Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) on the Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly Films of Gold Colloidal Nanoparticles and Toluidine Blue

The precursor film was first formed on the Au electrode surface based on the self‐assembly of L ‐cysteine and the adsorption of gold colloidal nanoparticles (nano‐Au). Layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly films of toluidine blue (TB) and nano‐Au were fabricated by alternately immersing the electrode with precursor film into the solution of toluidine blue and gold colloid. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) were adopted to monitor the regular growth of {TB/Au} bilayer films. The successful assembly of {TB/Au}_n films brings a new strategy for electrochemical devices to construct layer‐by‐layer assembly films of nanomaterials and low molecular weight materials. In this article, {TB/Au}_n films were used as model films to fabricate a mediated H₂O₂ biosensor based on horseradish peroxidase, which responded rapidly to H₂O₂ in the linear range from 1.5×10^?7 mol/L to 8.6×10^?3 mol/L with a detection limit of 7.0×10^?8 mol/L. Morphologies of the final assembly films were characterized with scanning probe microscopy (SPM).     

Therapeutic Vesicular Nanoreactors with Tumor‐Specific Activation and Self‐Destruction for Synergistic Tumor Ablation

Polymeric nanoreactors (NRs) have distinct advantages to improve chemical reaction efficiency, but the in vivo applications are limited by lack of tissue‐specificity. Herein, novel glucose oxidase (GOD)‐loaded therapeutic vesicular NRs (thera NR) are constructed based on a diblock copolymer containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and copolymerized phenylboronic ester or piperidine‐functionalized methacrylate (P(PBEM‐co ‐PEM)). Upon systemic injection, thera NR are inactive in normal tissues. At a tumor site, thera NR are specifically activated by the tumor acidity via improved permeability of the membranes. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production by the catalysis of GOD in thera NR increases tumor oxidative stress significantly. Meanwhile, high levels of H₂O₂ induce self‐destruction of thera NR releasing quinone methide (QM) to deplete glutathione and suppress the antioxidant ability of cancer cells. Finally, thera NR efficiently kill cancer cells and ablate tumors via the synergistic effect.