Interactive adsorption behavior of NAD+ at a gold electrode surface

The adsorption of an oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+, on a polycrystalline gold electrode surface and the subsequent surface conformation of the molecule were investigated over a wide temperature and potential range, using electrochemical differential capacitance and PM-IRRAS techniques. The adsorption process was described by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters were determined: the Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy of adsorption. The large negative Gibbs energy of adsorption (-43 +/- 4 kJ mol-1 and -39 +/- 2 kJ mol-1 on a positively and negatively charged surface, respectively) confirms that the NAD+ adsorption process is highly spontaneous, while the large entropy gain (285 J K-1 mol-1 and 127 J K-1 mol-1 on a positively and negatively charged surface, respectively) was found to represent the adsorption driving force. It was demonstrated that the energetics of the adsorption process is surface-charge controlled, while its kinetics is both mass-transport and surface-charge controlled. A surface-charge dependent conformation model for the adsorbed NAD+ molecule is proposed. These findings suggest that the origin of the NAD+ reduction overpotential is related to the surface conformation of the adsorbed NAD+ molecule, rather than to the electrode Fermi level position.     

Control of adhesion and surface forces via potential-dependent adsorption of pyridine

The orientation and extent of adsorption of pyridine on a gold electrode is known to depend on applied potential and is well characterized. By use of the electrochemical surface forces apparatus, we measured the potential dependence of the double-layer interactions and adhesive forces between a gold electrode and a mica surface for different pyridine concentrations. We observed that, unlike mica-mica interactions, the gold-mica interactions were strongly affected by the presence of small concentrations of pyridine. We are able to reach high negative surface potentials (as determined by applying Derjaguin-Landau-Verway-Overbeek theory to our force measurements), which is similar to what is observed in the absence of pyridine. This demonstrates the electronic nature of the forces measured and shows that pyridine does not displace potential-determining ions on the surface. At positive potentials, where the interaction between gold and mica is attractive, pull-off measurements are a strong function of applied potential. The major effect of the presence of pyridine is on the observed shift in the potential of zero force (PZF), moving it to more negative potentials. This effect is caused by the strong dipole of the pyridine molecule. When the applied potential is cast as a deviation from the PZF, the effect of pyridine is to reduce adhesion between gold and mica. We modeled the potential-dependent adhesion of this system using an electrocapillary framework developed previously, and in doing so, we establish the relationship between the gold-liquid and gold-mica surface energies. In addition, we show that pyridine adsorption affects the capacitance of the gold-mica interface.     

Adsorption of charged macromolecules at a gold electrode

Using an optical reflectometer with impinging-jet system, the adsorption from aqueous solution onto gold of three charged macromolecules has been studied: the strong linear-chain polyelectrolyte polyvinyl pyridine (PVP(+)), the fifth-generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimer DAB-64, which has a pH-dependent charge and a relatively fixed shape, and the protein lysozyme, of which both the charge and the structure-stability are dependent on solution composition. Experimental conditions that have been varied include the adsorbate concentration, electrolyte concentration, pH, and externally applied potential across the gold/solution interface. Making use of the earlier established dependency of the double layer potential of the gold substrate on solution conditions and externally applied potential, the results of measurements as a function of pH and as a function of external potential control are compared. The total set of results enables us to draw conclusions with respect to the relative importance of electrostatic interactions for the adsorption process. PVP(+) adsorption follows the electric potential of the gold/solution interface and is further determined by a rather strong nonelectrostatic affinity between segments and surface. The adsorption behavior of DAB-64 is not quite understood, but electrostatic interactions with the gold surface seem to play a minor role. For lysozyme, surface-induced conformational changes dominate the adsorption process. The extent of spreading of the molecules decreases with increasing polarity of the surface, resulting in a minimum in adsorbed amount around the point of zero potential of the gold.     

Fluorescence quenching studies of potential-dependent DNA reorientation dynamics at glassy carbon electrode surfaces

The potential-dependent reorientation dynamics of double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) attached to planar glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surfaces were investigated. The orientation state of surface-bound ds-DNA was followed by monitoring the fluorescence from a 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM6) fluorophore covalently linked to the distal end of the DNA. Positive potentials (i.e., +0.2 V vs open circuit potential, OCP) caused the ds-DNA to align parallel to the electrode surface, resulting in strong dipole-electrode quenching of FAM6 fluorescence. Switching of the GCE potential to negative values (i.e., -0.2 V vs OCP) caused the ds-DNA to reorient perpendicular to the electrode surface, with a concomitant increase in FAM6 fluorescence. In addition to the very fast (submilliseconds) dynamics of the initial reorientation process, slow (0.1-0.9 s) relaxation of FAM6 fluorescence to intermediate levels was also observed after potential switching. These dynamics have not been previously described in the literature. They are too slow to be explained by double layer charging, and chronoamperometry data showed no evidence of such effects. Both the amplitude and rate of the dynamics were found to depend upon buffer concentration, and ds-DNA length, demonstrating a dependence on the double layer field. The dynamics are concluded to arise from previously undetected complexities in the mechanism of potential-dependent ds-DNA reorientation. The possible origins of these dynamics are discussed. A better understanding of these dynamics will lead to improved models for potential-dependent ds-DNA reorientation at electrode surfaces and will facilitate the development of advanced electrochemical devices for detection of target DNAs.     

Sensing phenothiazine drugs at a gold electrode co-modified with DNA and gold nanoparticles.

DNA and gold nanoparticles are co-immobilized at a gold electrode through elaborate self-assembly processes. This configuration has proven to be useful as a sensor for phenothiazine drugs, taking advantage of the well-known, relatively large surface area of gold nanoparticles and the strong intercalation between dsDNA and phenothiazine drugs. This modified electrode has demonstrated good sensitivity and stability towards the oxidation of two model phenothiazine drugs: promethazine and chlorpromazine. A linear dependence between the concentration of phenothiazine drugs and the peak current is observed, with a concentration range of 2.0 x 10(-5)-1.6 x 10(-4) M and 1.0 x 10(-5)-1.2 x 10(-4) M, and a detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-5) M and 7.0 x 10(-6) M, for promethazine and chlorpromazine, respectively.     

Electrochemical determination of homocysteine at a gold nanoparticle-modified electrode

The construction of a colloidal gold-cysteamine-carbon paste electrode, Au_coll-Cyst-CPE, for the electrochemical determination of homocysteine is reported. The improved voltammetric behaviour of homocysteine at Au_coll-Cyst-CPE with respect to that observed at a gold disk electrode is attributed to an enhanced electron transfer kinetics as a consequence of the array distribution of gold nanoparticles immobilized onto the Cyst SAM. Cyclic voltammtery of homocysteine showed an adsorption-controlled current for scan rates between 500 and 5000 mV s⁻¹. The hydrodynamic voltammogram constructed for homocysteine allowed the selection of a potential value of +600 mV, where the background current is negligible, for the amperometric detection of the analyte at the Au_coll-Cyst-CPE. Using a flow rate of 0.8 ml min⁻¹, the R.S.D. value for i_p after 25 repetitive injections of homocysteine was of 4.3%, and one single electrode could be used for more than 15 days without any treatment or regeneration procedure of the modified electrode surface. An HPLC method for the separation and quantification of homocysteine and related thiols, using amperometric detection at the modified electrode has been developed. A mobile phase consisting of 2:98% (v/v) acetonitrile:0.05 mol l⁻¹ buffer solution of pH 2.0, and a detection potential of +0.80 V were selected. Separation with baseline resolution and retention times of 3.00, 3.60, 4.52, 5.71 and 7.79 min were obtained for cysteine, homocysteine, glutathion, penicillamine and N-acetyl-cysteine, respectively. Calibration graphs were constructed for all the separated compounds. Detection limits ranged between 20 nM for cysteine and 120 nM for penilcillamine, with a value for homocysteine of 30 nM. These values compare advantageously with those achieved with previously reported HPLC methods using electrochemical, UV, fluorescence and MS detection modes. The developed method was applied to the determination of cysteine and homocysteine serum samples with good results.     

Flow-injection amperometric determination of chlorine at a gold electrode

The applied potential is +0.2 V vs. SCE, flow rate is 1 ml min^?1 and sample volume is 30 μ1. The background electrolyte is 0.05 M phosphate, pH 7.4. Electrode pretreatment is +1.3 V vs. SCE for 40 s, followed by a pre-injection delay of 20 s. Peak current over a receding baseline is used. Linear range extends down to 0.4 μM for chloramine and 0.2 μM for hypochlorite. Sensitivities are 70 and 95 nA μM^? respectively. Time per determination is less than 1.5 min. Monochlorinated glycine is active whereas chlorinated cyanuratesshow no response. Chlorine and monochloramine in river water were determined.     

A butadiyne-linked diruthenium molecular wire self-assembled on a gold electrode surface

A 1,3-butadiyne-linked diruthenium complex 4 is successfully brought onto the gold surface in a lying flat mode to form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) showing reversible multiple redox behaviors on the electrode surface. The diruthenium species with different oxidation states, particularly the Ru(2)(III,III) state which is unstable and impossible to isolate from the solution, can be detected by in situ IR spectroscopy.     

Investigation of protein adsorption and electrochemical behavior at a gold electrode

The adsorption of two model proteins, human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G, on a gold electrode surface was investigated using 125I radiolabeling and cyclic voltammetry (CV). 125I radiolabeling was used to determine the extent of protein adsorption, while CV was used to ascertain the effect of the adsorbed protein layer on the electron transfer between the gold electrode and an electroactive moiety in solution, namely, K3Fe(CN)6. The adsorbed amounts of HSA and IgG agreed well with previous results and showed approximately monolayer coverage. The amount of adsorbed protein increased when a positive potential (700 mV) was applied to the electrode, while the application of a negative potential (-800 mV) resulted in a decrease. When the solution pH was varied to alter the charge on the protein, the adsorption trends appeared to follow electrostatic interaction, namely, greater adsorption when the electrode and the protein possessed opposite charge and vice versa. The adsorbed protein layer had the effect of blocking the electron transfer. It was possible to correlate the degree of electron blocking with the amount of adsorbed protein to show that the greater the adsorption, the larger the blocking effect. Of the two proteins used, HSA proved to be more efficient at blocking the electron transfer.     

Oxidation of L-cysteine at a fluorosurfactant-modified gold electrode: lower overpotential and higher selectivity

We describe the oxidation of L-cysteine (CySH) at a fluorosurfactant (i.e., Zonyl FSO)-modified gold electrode (FSO-Au). Significantly reduced anodic overpotential of CySH was observed. The FSO layer inhibited the adsorption of CySH and its oxidation products at the gold electrode surface, and the low coverage of the adsorbed thiol-containing species might account for the more facile electron-transfer kinetics of free CySH at low potentials. An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study revealed the lower charge-transfer resistance of CySH oxidation at the FSO-Au electrode as compared to that at a bare gold electrode. Interestingly, although the FSO layer facilitated CySH oxidation, the anodic responses of other electroactive biological species such as glucose, uric acid, and ascorbic acid were generally suppressed. Furthermore, the modified electrode was capable of differentiating CySH from other low-molecular-mass biothiols such as homocysteine and glutathione. The unique features of the FSO-Au electrode allowed for the development of a highly selective method of detecting CySH in complex biological matrices. The direct determination of free reduced and total CySH in human urine samples has been successfully carried out without the assistance of any separation techniques.     

Direct electrochemical interaction between a modified gold electrode and a bacterial membrane extract

A novel electrochemical approach is described for redox-active membrane proteins. A total membrane extract (in the form of vesicles) of Bacillus subtilis is tethered onto gold surfaces modified with cholesterol based thiols. The membrane vesicles remain intact on the surface and do not rupture or fuse to form a planar bilayer. Oxidation/reduction signals are obtained of the natural co-enzyme, menaquinone-7, located in the membrane. The membrane protein, succinate menaquinone oxidoreductase (SQR), remains in the vesicles and is able to reduce fumarate using menaquinone as mediator. The catalysis of the reverse reaction (oxidation of succinate), which is the natural catalytic function of SQR, is almost absent with menaquinone. However, adding the co-enzyme ubiquinone, which has a reduction potential that is about 0.2 V higher, restores the succinate oxidation activity.     

Electrochemical behavior of dopamine at a quercetin-SAM-modified gold electrode and analytical application

A stable quercetin–thioglycolic acid-modified gold electrode (Qu–TCA/Au) was prepared as a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and its electrochemical behavior was investigated by electrochemical methods. In 0.05-M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) quercetin exhibits quasi-reversible signals at the Qu–TCA/Au electrode. The stability of the quercetin-modified gold electrode is very good. The quercetin self-assembled monolayer is an effective mediator for the oxidation of dopamine, which was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Ascorbic acid does not interfere with determination of dopamine at an electrode modified with a mixture of quercetin–thioglycolic acid and quercetin–11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. This modification allows dopamine to be determined in the presence of ascorbic acid in the range from 3×10^–5 to 3×10^–4 M. The detection limit is 1×10^–6 M. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed to study the electrochemical performances of the modified gold electrode indicating different feedback modes at differently modified surfaces.     

Chronopotentiometric study of laccase-catalysed oxidation of quinhydrone microcrystals immobilised on a gold electrode surface and of the oxidation of a phenol-derivatised graphite electrode surface

Solid microcrystalline quinhydrone immobilised on the surface of a gold electrode was oxidised under the catalytic action of the enzyme laccase. In a buffered medium, this enzymatic reaction was followed by chronopotentiometry to monitor the conversion of hydroquinone to quinone. From the potential time dependences, the degree of conversion versus time was calculated. The reaction exhibits accelerating kinetics. A variation of the laccase concentration (activity) shows that there is a maximum rate at an activity of 0.023 U ml⁻¹. Further increase in activity leads to a pronounced decrease in reaction rate. When a graphite electrode is first oxidised by boiling nitric acid, then electrochemically reduced in an aqueous potassium nitrate solution, it contains phenolic surface groups. These surface groups can be oxidised aerobically under the influence of laccase and the reaction rate versus laccase activity curve resembles that for quinhydrone oxidation. These experiments indicate that laccase can interact with a solid surface directly.     

Effects of solution pH on sulfite oxidation at a gold electrode

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The oxidation of sulfite at a renewable gold electrode in solutions with pH values ranging from 2 to 14 was studied using voltammetry. The voltammogram...     

Controlled-potential electrosynthesis of glucosaminic acid from glucosamine at a gold electrode

The electrocatalytic oxidation of d-glucosamine (2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose) in alkaline and neutral solutions was examined using a carbon felt electrode modified with 2 nm core sized gold nanoparticles (Au_2 nm nanoparticles) and a gold plate electrode. The electrocatalytic voltammetric oxidation curves of d-glucosamine were obtained in both solutions. The voltammetric responses for the electrocatalytic oxidation at a Au_2 nm nanoparticle-modified electrode in both alkaline and neutral solutions were almost the same to those at a gold plate electrode. The oxidized product was identified to be d-glucosaminic acid (2-amino-2-deoxy- d-gluconic acid) generated by the 2-electron oxidation product of d-glucosamine by electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectra (ESI TOF-MS). The HPLC results also indicated that the oxidation product was d-glucosaminic acid.The controlled-potential electrolysis of d-glucosamine was performed at the Au_2 nm nanoparticle-modified carbon felt electrodes in both alkaline and neutral solutions. In the alkaline solution, at a potential of −0.2 V, d-glucosaminic acid was formed with a current efficiency of 100%. In the neutral solution, electrolysis at 0.4 V on d-glucosaminic acid was obtained with current efficiencies of 70%.     

Electrochemical response of dopamine at a penicillamine self-assembled gold electrode.

The penicillamine (Pen) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified gold electrode (Pen/Au) is demonstrated to catalyze the electrochemical response of dopamine (DA) by cyclic voltammetry. A pair of well-defined redox waves was obtained and the calculated standard rate constant (k(s)) is 3.88 x 10(-3) cm/s at the self-assembled electrode. The electrode reaction is a quasi-reversible process. The oxidation peak of DA can be used to determine the concentration of DA. The peak current and the concentration of DA are a linear relationship in the range of 2.0 x 10(-5) M to 8.0 x 10(-4) M. The detection limit is 4.0 x 10(-6) M. By ac impedance spectroscopy the apparent electron transfer rate constant (k(app)) of Fe(CN)(3-)/Fe(CN)(4-) at the Pen/Au electrode was obtained as 2.08 x 10(-5) cm/s. The Pen SAM was characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), grazing angle FT-IR spectroscopy and contact angle goniometer.     

Electrocatalytic response of dopamine at a metallothioneins self-assembled gold electrode.

The metallothioneins (MT) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode (MT/Au) is demonstrated to catalyze the electrochemical response of dopamine (DA) by cyclic voltammetry. A pair of well-defined redox waves was obtained and the calculated standard rate constant (k(s)) is 6.97 x 10(-3) cm s(-1) (20 degrees C) at the self-assembled electrode. The electrode reaction is a quasi-reversible process. The oxidation peak of DA can be used to determine the concentration of DA. The peak current and the concentration of DA follow a linear relationship in the range of 2.0 x 10(-5) M to 8.0 x 10(-4) M. The detection limit is 6.0 x 10-6 M. By ac impedance spectroscopy, the apparent electron transfer rate constant (k(app)) of Fe(CN)6(3-)/Fe(CN)6(4-) at the MT/Au electrode was obtained as 2.0 x 10(-5) cm s(-1). The MT/Au was characterized with grazing angle FT-IR spectroscopy and contact angle goniometry.     

Electrochemical behavior of uric acid at a penicillamine self-assembled gold electrode

The fabrication and electrochemical characteristics of a penicillamine (PCA) self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode were investigated. The electrode can enhance the electrochemical response of uric acid (UA), and the electrochemical reaction of UA on the PCA electrode has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Some electrochemical parameters, such as diffusion coefficient, standard rate constant, electron transfer coefficient and proton transfer number have been determined for the electrochemical behavior on the PCA self-assembled monolayer electrode. The electrode reaction of UA is an irreversible process, which is controlled by the diffusion of UA with two electrons and two protons transfer at the PCA/Au electrode. In phosphate buffer (pH 5.0), the peak current is proportional to the concentration of UA in the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁵–7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and 2.0 × 10⁻⁵–7.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ for the cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods with the detection limits of 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 3.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, respectively. The method can be applied to determine UA concentration in real samples.