Eggplant-based bioamperometric sensor for the detection of catechol

Polyphenol oxidases from eggplant have a high catalytic activity for the aerobic oxidation of catechol to o-quinone with selectivity over other phenolic substrates. An amperometric biosensor can therefore be constructed by incorporating selected portions of eggplant tissue in a carbon paste electrode. The proposed biosensor provides a selective response for catechol in the micromolar range, with a very fast response time and a useful lifetime of at least 3 weeks.     

A novel palygorskite-modified carbon paste amperometric sensor for catechol determination

A palygorskite-modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) was constructed using graphite powder mixed with palygorskite particles. Compared with the unmodified CPE, the resulting palygorskite-modified CPE remarkably increases the peak currents of catechol, and greatly lowers the peak potential separation. Therefore, the palygorskite exhibits catalytic activity to catechol and significantly improves the determining sensitivity. The electrocatalytic activity of palygorskite is attributed to its high adsorption capability and the –OH groups on its surface, which plays an important role in the electron transfer between the modified CPE and the catechol in the solution. The sensor shows a linear response range between 5 and 100 μM catechol with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The detection limit was calculated as 0.57 μM (s/n = 3).     

Simple and label-free electrochemical assay for signal-on DNA hybridization directly at undecorated graphene oxide

Exploring graphene oxide (GO), DNA hybridization detection usually relies on either GO decoration or DNA sequences labeling. The former endows GO with desired chemical, optical, and biological properties. The latter adopts labeled molecules to indicate hybridization. In the present work, we propose a simple, label-free DNA assay using undecorated GO directly as the sensing platform. GO is anchored on diazonium functionalized electrode through electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding or epoxy ring-opening. The π–π stacking interaction between hexagonal cells of GO and DNA base rings facilitates DNA immobilization. The adsorbed DNA sequence is specially designed with two parts, including immobilization sequence and probe sequence. In the absence of target, the two sequences lie nearly flat on GO platform. In the presence of target, probe hybridizes with it to form double helix DNA, which ‘stands’ on GO. While the immobilization sequence part remains ‘lying’ on GO surface. Hence, DNA hybridization induces GO interfacial property changes, including negative charge and conformational transition from ‘lying’ ssDNA to ‘standing’ dsDNA. These changes are monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and adopted as the analytical signal. This strategy eliminates the requirement for GO decoration or DNA labeling, representing a comparatively simple and effective way. Finally, the principle is applied to the detection of conserved sequence of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 pol gene fragment. The dynamic detection range is from 1.0 × 10⁻¹² to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M with detection limit of 1.1 × 10⁻¹³ M with 3σ. And the sequences with double- or four-base mismatched are readily distinguishable. In addition, this strategy may hold great promise for potential applications from DNA biosensing to nanostructure framework construction based on the versatile DNA self-assembly.     

A novel electrochemical sensor based on nano-structured film electrode for monitoring nitric oxide in living tissues

A sensor exhibited high sensitivity and good selectivity for determination of nitric oxide (NO) was fabricated. The sensor was constructured by coating Nafion/multi-walled carbon nanoubes-chitosan-gold nanoparticles (Nafion/MWNTs-CS-AuNPs) film on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Several key parameters affecting on the electrochemical response were optimized, such as the film thickness, applied potential and volume of Nafion. The sensor showed good linear relationship with the NO concentration in the range of 1.90 × 10⁻⁸ to 5.40 × 10⁻⁵ M and with the detection limit of 7.60 × 10⁻⁹ M (S/N = 3). Finally, the sensor was successfully applied to the monitoring of NO release from living tissues, including mouse kidney, heart, spleen and liver (a slice). NO release at micro-molar level can be detected while the NO donor l-arginine (l-Arg), nitroglycerin (GTN) and aspirin (ASA) was present. It was interestedly found that the capacities to induce NO generation were in the order of GTN > ASA > l-Arg when these stimulants were converted to the same concentration. In addition, the NO release is associated with the functional groups in these donors.     

Tin oxide nanoparticles-polymer modified single-use sensors for electrochemical monitoring of label-free DNA hybridization

In this study, SnO₂ nanoparticles (SNPs)-poly(vinylferrocenium) (PVF⁺) modified single-use graphite electrodes were developed for electrochemical monitoring of DNA hybridization. The surfaces of polymer modified and polymer-SNP modified pencil graphite electrodes (PGEs) were firstly characterized by using SEM analysis. The electrochemical behaviours of these electrodes were also investigated using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The polymer-SNP modified PGEs were then tested for the electrochemical sensing of DNA based on the changes at the guanine oxidation signals. Experimental parameters, such as; different modifications in DNA oligonucleotides, DNA probe concentrations were examined to obtain more sensitive and selective electrochemical signals for nucleic acid hybridization. After optimization studies, DNA hybridization was investigated in the case of complementary of hepatitis B virus (HBV) probe, mismatch (MM), and noncomplementary (NC) sequences.     

A Dihomooxacalix[4]arene-gold nanohybrid based colorimetric sensor for sensitive and selective detection of iodide

Bidentate ureido-dihomooxacalix[4]arene based supramolecular hosts (n-propyl 1 and tert-butyl 2) were processed into organic nanoparticles via a bottom up approach in which a single step of re-precipitation was employed. These organic nanoparticles were then coupled with gold nanoparticles on the surface, resulting in an organic – inorganic hybrid framework (n-propyl H1 and tert-butyl H2). Photophysical studies of the organic nanoparticles and of the hybrid material were performed. The size and morphology were determined by TEM and DLS analysis. Moreover, the prepared hybrid frameworks were screened against various anions using UV-Visible absorption and fluorescence spectrophotometry. H1 exhibited ratiometric response towards iodide ion in aqueous medium, and colour change of the solution from pink to light blue was observed. This hybrid material selectively and sensitively detected iodide ion with detection limit of 8.3 nM and with almost no interference from other anions. H1 sensor ability was also tested with artificial and real urine samples. H2 showed different responses and no selectivity to any anion.     

Graphene oxide and electropolymerized p -aminobenzenesulfonic acid mixed film used as dopamine and serotonin electrochemical sensor

A novel electrochemical sensor is prepared by electropolymerization with p-aminobenzenesulfonic acid (p-ABSA) film and dropping graphene oxide on the surface of electrode. The results indicated that GO-poly(p-ABSA) nanofilms displayed enhanced current responses to dopamine and serotonin. In the range of 0.3–20 μmol dm−3 and 0.6–20 μmol dm−3, the dopamine and serotonin concentration are linearly related to current intensity, and the detection limit is 0.09 μmol dm−3 and 0.2 μmol dm−3 (S/N = 3), respectively. By adding dopamine and serotonin standards, the electrochemical sensor is applied in serum sample. The results show that the GO-poly(p-ABSA) films represent well-modified materials for use in the biosensors.     

Copper(I) complex covalently anchored on graphene oxide as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for Sonogashira reaction

In this study, the organosilane‐functionalized graphene oxide as a stabilizer was prepared by a facile one‐step silylation approach. [Cu(PPh₃)₃Cl] complex was successfully immobilized onto the graphene oxide surface through coordination interaction with organosilane ligand spacers. The supported catalyst showed enhanced catalytic performance toward Sonogashira reaction of aryl halides with phenylacetylene in water solvent compared with the homogeneous analogues, and it could be readily recycled and reused several times without discernible loss of its activity.     

Synthesis and characterization of new organic–inorganic nanohybrid film (TBA)PWFe/PVA/CTS as an efficient and reusable amphiphilic catalyst for ODS of real fuel

In this work, we report a new catalytic oxidative desulfurization (CODS) system based on (TBA)PWFe/PVA/CTS nanohybrid film as a highly active catalyst. The nanohybrid material was successfully fabricated by the composition of tetra (n‐butyl) ammonium salt of Fe‐substituted phosphotungstate, ((n‐C₄H₉)₄N)₄[PW₁₁Fe(H₂O)O₃₉] abbreviated as (TBA)PWFe, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and chitosan (CTS). The composite was characterized using various analytical techniques including FT‐IR, UV–vis, XRD, and SEM. The results revealed the hydrogen‐bonding interaction between inorganic (TBA)PWFe clusters and organic polymers. The catalytic activity of (TBA)PWFe/PVA/CTS was evaluated in the CODS of real gas oil. Also, the solutions of heterocyclic thiophenic compounds (HTCs) in n‐heptane were tasted as simulated fuels. It was found that the removal efficiency of HTCs in the presence of (TBA)PWFe/PVA/CTS catalyst reached as high as 95% at 60 °C after 2 h. The significant catalytic performance of the nanohybrid film might be attributed to its amphiphilicity and multifunctional active sites, which enhances adsorption and oxidation of sulfur compounds. Moreover, the (TBA)PWFe/PVA/CTS composite can be easily recovered and reused by simple filtration, making it a suitable catalyst for cleaner processing.     

A sensor based on the carbon nanotubes-ionic liquid composite for simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol

MWNTs-IL-Gel/GCE, a glassy carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and ionic liquids (IL), was developed to serve as a sensor for simultaneous determination of Hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) in this paper. The modified GCE showed two well-defined redox waves for HQ and CC in both CV and DPV with a peak potential separation of ca. 0.1 V, which was large enough for simultaneous detection. The results revealed that the oxidation of HQ and CC with the enhancement of the redox peak current and the decrease of the peak-to-peak separation exhibit excellent electrocatalytic behaviors. A high sensitivity of 1.8×10(-7)M with detection limits of 6.7×10(-8)M and 6.0×10(-8)M (S/N=3) for HQ and CC were obtained. Moreover, the constants of apparent electron transfer rate of HQ and CC at MWNTs-IL-Gel/GCE were calculated as 7.402 s(-1) and 8.179 s(-1), respectively, and the adsorption quantity of HQ and CC was 1.408×10(-6) mol cm(-2) with chronocoulometry. The developed sensor can be applied to determinate directly of HQ and CC in aqueous solution.     

Iron oxide nanopowder based electrochemical sensor for sensitive voltammetric quantification of midodrine

The present work describes the fabrication and electrochemical characterization of a novel iron oxide nanopowder-based carbon paste electrodes (CPE) for the sensitive voltammetric quantification of midodrine (MD) in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids. At the electrode surface, the postulated reaction mechanism involved the irreversible oxidation of the terminal amino group of midodrine through the participation of two-electron as elucidated by the sweep rate studies and molecular orbital calculations. Calibration graphs were linear in the MD concentration range from 0.16 × 10^-6 to 2.12 × 10^-6 mol L^-1 with LOD 0.04 × 10^-6 mol L^-1. Prolonged stability with an operational lifetime of more than 4 months and high measurement reproducibility were the promising futures of the fabricated sensors. The proposed electroanalytical approach was free from interference and suggested for assaying of midodrine in its pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples with recovery agreed with the official methods.     

In-situ formation of 2H phase MoS2/cerium-zirconium oxide nanohybrid for potential electrochemical detection of an anticancer drug flutamide

The developing field of sensors is highly motivated and attracted by two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with transition metal oxide integration. Initially, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), one among the TMDs with cerium-zirconium oxide (CZO), was one-pot synthesized via hydrothermal method for sensing flutamide (FLD). The as-synthesized hybrid nanocomposite was characterized to understand their physical and chemical presence. MoS₂-CZO was well assigned with crystalline nature observed from X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the irregularly arranged nanoparticles wrapped with MoS₂ sheets. The wide surface area with more electroactive sites has provided higher conductance of the MoS₂-CZO/glassy carbon electrode. The limit of detection was 0.005 μM with a linear range of 0.019 μM to 668.5 μM, sensitivity 0.353 μA μM?1 cm^?2. The practical feasibility was analyzed with human urine and river water samples, whereas the obtained results showed excellent FLD detection. The fabricated MoS₂-CZO with all these distinguished analyses will be an outbreak in the field of electrochemical sensors.     

基于氧化锌/碳纳米纤维材料的氧氟沙星电化学传感器的构建及应用

通过静电纺丝技术合成碳纳米纤维,以循环伏安法在此碳纤维上电聚合乙酸锌制备复合纳米材料作为一种新型的电化学增敏剂,用于修饰玻碳电极,开发了一种基于碳纤维和氧化锌复合材料的新型电化学传感器(ZnO/CNF/GCE)。使用循环伏安法、差分脉冲伏安法等进行电化学催化性能的研究,并优化实验条件。结果表明,与裸电极相比,在pH 5.5磷酸盐缓冲溶液中,ZnO/CNF/GCE修饰电极能使氧氟沙星的峰电流明显提升,线性范围1~200μmol/L,检测限为0.33μmol/L。该ZnO/CNF/GCE修饰电极已用于氧氟沙星滴耳液中氧氟沙星的含量测定。     

Identification of hydroquinone and catechol as impurities in reagent-grade phenol using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and electrochemical detectors

Several impurities which were suspected to be present in commercial reagent-grade phenol were separated using high performance liquid chromatography following sample concentration by steam distillation. A reverse-phase, microparticulate column and 5 solvent systems containing 5% to 25% methanol in 0.05 M phosphoric acid were used. A variable wavelength ultraviolet detector and an electrochemical detector were connected in series, in that order, to the column. Capacity factors (?) for pyrogallol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, orcinol and phenol were determined in the 5 solvent systems and compared to ?-values of impurities present in the residue remaining from the steam distillation of phenol. Co-chromatography of standards suspected as contaminants and possessing ?-values similar to those of impurities were carried out in 3 solvent systems to confirm identical retention characteristics. Detector response ratios of contaminants and suspected standards, using various wavelengths and voltage potential settings, were utilized as major identification parameters. Two of the several contaminants separated were identified as hydroquinone and catechol.     

还原氧化石墨烯表面聚苯胺纳米阵列的制备及电化学电容性能

本文以阳极氧化铝(AAO)膜为模板,通过恒电位法在自组装还原氧化石墨烯(rGO)膜表面制备有序聚苯胺(PANI)纳米线阵列。通过拉曼光谱和场发射扫描电子显微镜分别对其结构和微观形貌进行了表征,并对PANI纳米线阵列的电化学电容性能进行了测试。结果表明,rGO膜表面可电沉积PANI,电沉积得到的PANI纳米线阵列具有比PANI薄膜材料更高的电容和比电容。     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrochemical,spectroelectrochemical and electrical measurements of novel ball-type four 1,1′-methylenedinaphthalen-2-ol bridged metal-free,zinc(II) and cobalt(II), and metal-free clamshell phthalocyanines

The new ball-type bisphthalocyanines [metal-free 6, Zn(II) 7 and Co(II) 8] were synthesized from the corresponding 4,4′-[1,1′-methylenebis(naphthalene-2,1-diyl)]bis(oxy)di-phthalonitrile 4, which can be obtained from the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile (2) with 1,1′-methylenedinaphthalen-2-ol 3. A novel clamshell type bisphthalocyanine 5 was synthesized from compound 4 and 4,5-bis(hexylthio)phthalonitrile 1. The novel compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, UV/Vis, IR, ¹H NMR and MALDI-TOF Mass spectroscopies. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements showed the formation of various mixed-valence oxidation and reduction species, due to the strong intramolecular interactions between the two phthalocyanine rings, especially in the ball-type phthalocyanines. The conduction properties of the compounds have been examined by d.c. and impedance spectroscopy measurements as function of temperature and frequency. D.c. conductivity, measured between 290 and 480 K, is thermally activated with the activation energy ranging between 0.62 and 0.84 eV. The a.c. results gave a power law behaviour, σ_a.c. = A(T)ω^s, in which the frequency exponent s decreases with temperature for 6, 7 and 8. The bulk resistance of the samples was derived from complex impedance spectra. It was found that the bulk resistance shows a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance, decreasing with a rise in temperature, like that of a semiconductor.     

DNA-templated silver nanoclusters-graphene oxide nanohybrid materials: a platform for label-free and sensitive fluorescence turn-on detection of multiple nucleic acid targets

In this study, we develop an efficient method for multiple DNA detection by exploring silver nanoclusters (AgNCs)-graphene oxide (GO) nanohybrid materials. Because of the extraordinarily high quenching efficiency of GO, the ssDNA-AgNCs probe exhibits minimal background fluorescence, while strong emission is observed when it forms a double helix with the specific target DNA, leading to a high signal-to-background ratio. Therefore the AgNCs-GO nanohybrid materials can be successfully applied for DNA detection. The system described here exhibits not only high sensitivity with a detection limit of 1 nM, but also an excellent differentiation ability for single-base mismatched sequences. In addition, by exploring AgNCs as signal reporters and GO as the nanoquencher, this approach avoids labeling the probe DNA or target DNA, which offers the advantages of simplicity and cost efficiency. Moreover, the large planar surface of GO allows adsorption of different DNA-AgNCs probes, each with a distinct emission, leading to a multicolor sensor for the detection of multiple DNA targets in the same solution.     

Fabrication and characterization of enhanced hydrazine electrochemical sensor based on gold nanoparticles decorated on the vanadium oxide,ruthenium oxide nanomaterials,and carbon nanotubes composites

This work describes the synthesis of mixed oxide film of vanadium and ruthenium by pulsed deposition technique on multiwall carbon nanotubes and the decoration of gold nanoparticles on the mixed film. A ternary electrocatalyst has been developed for the electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine by combining two metal oxide mixtures with Au nanoparticles. Surface morphology and chemical composition of the electrode have been examined with SEM, EDX, HRTEM, EIS, and XRD. The peak current of hydrazine increased 9 times at the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE compared to the bare GCE, and the peak potential shifted to negative 848 mV. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric techniques revealed that the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE displays linear concentration range 2.5–10000 µM (LSV) and the concentration range 0.03–100 µM (amperometry). The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.5 μM and 0.1 μM at (S/N = 3) for LSV and amperometric technique, respectively. The results obtained show a good RSD% of 2.1%–3.2% and reasonable recovery of 97%–108% of hydrazine detection.     

An electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polydopamine coated on reduced graphene oxide for selective detection of ornidazole

The electrochemical sensing of ornidazole (OR) was achieved with a highly selective sensor fabricated by a combination of an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) and molecularly imprinted polydopamine (PDA). The sensor (OR-imp@PDA/ERGO/GCE) was synthesized by electrochemical polymerization of dopamine (DA) on ERGO modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The analytical response of the sensor changed linearly with OR concentration varying from 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ M to 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M and 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ M to 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ M, and the detection limit was defined as 1.1 × 10⁻⁹ M. The proposed sensor ensured the highly sensitive detection of OR concentration because of the advantages of ERGO and molecularly imprinted PDA.     

Thiol modified chitosan-silica nanohybrid for antibacterial,antioxidant and drug delivery application

Chitosan exhibits great versatility in various biomedical fields and mesoporous silica nanoparticles have emerged as an interesting material in biomedical areas owing to their outstanding physio-chemical properties. The combination of inorganic silica and organic polymer such as chitosan, make them suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications. Here, we have explored the benefits of chitosan and silica by synthesizing chitosan-silica nanohybrid. In the synthesis of chitosan-silica (CS–Si) nanohybrid, chitosan is modified by thioglycolic acid and mesoporous silica MCM-41(Mobil Composition of Matter number 41) is functionalized by 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-1-propane thiol (TMSP). The modified chitosan and thiol functionalized MCM-41(inorganic network) is then linked through disulfide bond by oxidation process or oxidative coupling, resulting in the formation of inorganic-organic hybrid material. The hybrid material was characterized by FTIR, Raman, XRD, TGA, Zeta potential, EDX, Proton NMR and SEM techniques. The antibacterial results indicated that gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria exhibit better inhibition zone than gram-positive (B. subtilis) bacteria. The DPPH scavenging capability of synthesized hybrid was found to be 68%. The drug (quercetin) encapsulation efficiency of hybrid material was calculated to be 92.38% and more drug releases in acidic medium (pH 5.0) than at pH 7.4, so we can conclude that hybrid material shows pH-dependent drug releasing behavior. The results show that synthesized nano-hybrid material possess good antibacterial and antioxidant activities and is also a good nanocarrier for drug delivery application.