Fabrication of a highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence lactate biosensor using ZnO nanoparticles decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

ZnO nanoparticles (nanoZnO) were decorated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and then the prepared nano-hybrids, nanoZnO-MWCNTs, were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to fabricate nanoZnO-MWCNTs modified GCE. The prepared electrode, GCE/nanoZnO-MWCNTs, showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL) reaction. The electrode was then further modified with lactate oxidase and Nafion to fabricate a highly sensitive ECL lactate biosensor. Two linear dynamic ranges of 0.01-10 μmol L⁻¹ and 10-200 μmol L⁻¹ were obtained for lactate with the correlation coefficient better than 0.9996. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 4 nmol L⁻¹ lactate. The relative standard deviation for repetitive measurements (n = 6) of 10 μmol L⁻¹ lactate was 1.5%. The fabrication reproducibility for five biosensors prepared and used in different days was 7.4%. The proposed ECL lactate biosensor was used for determination of lactate in human blood plasma samples with satisfactory results.     

Natural rubber nanocomposites with SiC nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and SiC nanoparticles were dispersed in natural rubber (NR) polymer solution and subsequently evaporated the solvent to prepare NR nanocomposites. Using this technique, nanoparticles can be better dispersed in the NR matrix. The influence of nano-fillers on the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites was quantified.Mechanical test results show an increase in the initial modulus with nanoscale reinforcements for up to 50% strain compared to pure NR. The modulus and strength of natural rubber with 1.5% SiC nanoparticles appear to be superior to those of SWNTs with the same filler content. In addition to mechanical testing, these nanocomposites were studied using the SEM and Raman spectroscopy techniques in order to understand the morphology of the resulting system and the load transfer mechanism, respectively. The Raman spectrum of the SWNT/NR system is characterized by a strong band at 1595 cm⁻¹ (G mode—C-C stretching) and other two bands at 1300 cm⁻¹ (D mode-disorder induced) and 2590 cm⁻¹ (D* band). A shift of the 2590 cm⁻¹ Raman band to the lower wavenumber was observed after subjecting SWNT/NR sample to cyclic stress testing. Ageing SWNT/NR specimen in distilled water for 30 days also provided a similar result. The Raman shift in aged samples indicates internal stress transfer from the natural rubber matrix to the SWNTs implying the existence of bonding at the interface.     

Voltammetric determination of Cd2+ based on the bifunctionality of single-walled carbon nanotubes-Nafion film

In the presence of Nafion, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were easily dispersed into ethanol, resulting in a homogeneous SWNTs/Nafion suspension. After evaporating ethanol, a SWNTs/Nafion film with bifunctionality was constructed onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Attributing to the strong cation-exchange ability of Nafion and excellent properties of SWNTs, the SWNTs/Nafion film-coated GCE remarkably enhances the sensitivity of determination of Cd²⁺. Based on this, an electrochemical method was developed for the determination of trace levels of Cd²⁺ by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). In pH 5.0 NaAc-HAc buffer, Cd²⁺ was firstly exchanged and adsorbed onto SWNTs/Nafion film surface, and then reduce at −1.10 V. During the positive potential sweep, reduced cadmium was oxidized, and a well-defined stripping peak appeared at −0.84 V, which can be used as analytical signal for Cd²⁺. The linear range is found to be from 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, and the lowest detectable concentration is estimated to be 4.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Finally, this method was successfully employed to detect Cd²⁺ in water samples.     

Selective melamine detection in multiple sample matrices with a portable Raman instrument using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy-active gold nanoparticles

Melamine adulteration of food and pharmaceutical products is a major concern and there is a growing need to protect the public from exposure to contaminated or adulterated products. One approach to reduce this threat is to develop a portable method for on-site rapid testing. We describe a universal and selective method for the detection of melamine in a variety of solid matrices at the 100–200 μg L⁻¹ level by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with gold nanoparticles. With minimal sample preparation and the use of a portable Raman spectrometer, this work will lead to field-based screening for melamine adulteration. Citrate coated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were investigated for both colorimetric and Raman-based responses. Several non-hazardous solvents were evaluated in order to develop a melamine extraction procedure safe for field applications. Au NP agglomerates formed by the addition of isopropanol (IPA) prior to sample introduction enhanced the Raman signal for melamine and eliminated matrix interference for substrate formation. The melamine Raman signal resulted in a 10⁵ enhancement through the use of Au NP agglomerates. To our knowledge, we have developed the first portable SERS method using Au NPs to selectively screen for the presence of melamine adulteration in a variety of food and pharmaceutical matrices, including milk powder, infant formula, lactose, povidone, whey protein, wheat bran and wheat gluten.     

Determination of trace heavy metals in herbs by sequential injection analysis-anodic stripping voltammetry using screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrodes

A method for the simultaneous determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) at low μg L⁻¹ concentration levels by sequential injection analysis-anodic stripping voltammetry (SIA-ASV) using screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrodes (SPCNTE) was developed. A bismuth film was prepared by in situ plating of bismuth on the screen-printed carbon nanotubes electrode. Operational parameters such as ratio of carbon nanotubes to carbon ink, bismuth concentration, deposition time and flow rate during preconcentration step were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the linear ranges were found to be 2-100 μg L⁻¹ for Pb(II) and Cd(II), and 12-100 μg L⁻¹ for Zn(II). The limits of detection (S_bl/S = 3) were 0.2 μg L⁻¹ for Pb(II), 0.8 μg L⁻¹ for Cd(II) and 11 μg L⁻¹ for Zn(II). The measurement frequency was found to be 10-15 stripping cycle h⁻¹. The present method offers high sensitivity and high throughput for on-line monitoring of trace heavy metals. The practical utility of our method was also demonstrated with the determination of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) by spiking procedure in herb samples. Our methodology produced results that were correlated with ICP-AES data. Therefore, we propose a method that can be used for the automatic and sensitive evaluation of heavy metals contaminated in herb items.     

The effects of carbon nanotubes on the electrocatalysis of hydrogen peroxide by metallo-phthalocyanines

The pre-grafted screen-printed gold electrode modified with phenyl-amino monolayer was investigated for covalent immobilization of phenyl-amine functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (PA-SWCNT) and metal tetra-amino phthalocyanine (MTAPc) using Schiff-base reactions with benzene-1,4-dicarbaldehyde (BDCA) as cross-linker. The PA-SWCNT and MTAPc modified electrodes were applied as hybrids for electrochemical sensing of H₂O₂. The step-by-step fabrication of the electrode was followed using electrochemistry, impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy and all these techniques confirmed the fabrication and the immobilization of PA-SWCNT, MnTAPc and CoTAPc onto gold surfaces. The apparent electron transfer constant (k_app) showed that the carbon nanotubes and metallo-phthalocyanines hybrids possess good electron transfer properties compared to the bare, pre-grafted and the MTAPc modified gold electrode surfaces without PA-SWCNT. The electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide was successful with PA-SWCNT-MTAPc hybrid systems showing higher electrocatalytic currents compared to the other electrodes. The analytical parameters obtained using chronoamperometry gave good linearity at H₂O₂ concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 30.0 μmol L⁻¹. The values for the limit of detection (LoD) were found to be of the orders of 10⁻⁷ M using the 3δ for all the electrodes. The PA-SWCNT-MTAPc modified SPAuEs were much more sensitive compared to PA-MTAPc modified SPAuEs.     

Label-free and sequence-specific DNA detection down to a picomolar level with carbon nanotubes as support for probe DNA

This study describes a simple and label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) method for sequence-specific detection of DNA by using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as the support for probe DNA. SWNTs are confined onto gold electrodes with mixed self-assembly monolayers of thioethanol and cysteamine. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe is anchored onto the SWNT support through covalent binding between carboxyl groups at the nanotubes and amino groups at 5′ ends of ssDNA. Hybridization of target DNA with the anchored probe DNA greatly increases the interfacial electron-transfer resistance (R_et) at the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-modified electrodes for the redox couple of Fe(CN)₆^3−/4−, which could be used for label-free and sequence-specific DNA detection. EIS results demonstrate that the utilization of SWNTs as the support for probe DNA substantially increases the surface loading of probe DNA onto electrode surface and thus remarkably lowers the detection limit for target DNA. Under the conditions employed here, R_et is linear with the concentration of target DNA within a concentration range from 1 to 10 pM with a detection limit down to 0.8 pM (S/N = 3). This study may offer a novel and label-free electrochemical approach to sensitive sequence-specific DNA detection.     

Fabrication and characterization of hexahistidine-tagged protein functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for selective solid-phase extraction of Cu and Ni

Hexahistidine-tagged protein functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/6His-tagged protein) were prepared and characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and atomic force microscopy. Both static and dynamical adsorption experiments showed that the MWCNTs/6His-tagged protein served as good sorbent for the solid-phase extraction of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺. Effective on-line sorption of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ on the MWCNTs/6His-tagged protein packed microcolumn was achieved in a pH range of 3.0-4.5 and 4.5-6.0, respectively. The retained Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were efficiently eluted with 0.2 mol L⁻¹ imidazole-HCl solution for on-line flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination. The MWCNTs/6His-tagged protein exhibited fairly fast kinetics for the sorption of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺, and offered up to 20,000 and 1800 times improvement in the tolerable concentrations of co-existing ions over the MWCNTs for solid-phase extraction of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺, respectively. On-line solid-phase extraction at a flow rate of 5.0 mL min⁻¹ for 60 s gave an enhancement factor of 29 for Cu²⁺ and 28 for Ni²⁺, a sample throughput of 45 h⁻¹, and a detection limit (3s) of 0.31 μg L⁻¹ for Cu²⁺ and 0.63 μg L⁻¹ for Ni²⁺. The precision for 11 replicate measurements was 2.4% for 10 μg L⁻¹ Cu²⁺, and 2.5% for 15 μg L⁻¹ Ni²⁺.     

Solid phase extraction of metal ions using carbon nanotubes

The sorption behaviour of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) toward some divalent metal ions such as Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Mn(II) and Cd(II) has been investigated systematically. The affinity order of the metal ions towards CNTs at pH in the range of 7.0-9.0 was: Cu(II) > Pb(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II) > Cd(II) > Mn(II). The experimental parameters for preconcentration of copper, which exhibits the highest affinity towards carbon nanotubes, on a microcolumn packed with CNTs prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry have been investigated. Copper can be quantitatively retained at pH 8.2 from sample volume up to 150 mL and then eluted completely with 0.1 mol L^− 1 HNO₃. The limit of detection limit for Cu(II) determination with FAAS detection was 2.1 μg L^− 1, and the RSD was 3.5% at the 50 μg L^− 1 level. Under the optimal conditions for copper enrichment also Zn(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II) could be quantitatively preconcentrated from water samples. The method was validated using a certified reference materials BCR-610 and SRM 1640.     

Solid-phase extraction system for Pb (II) ions enrichment based on multiwall carbon nanotubes coupled on-line to flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The present paper proposes the application of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a solid sorbent for lead preconcentration using a flow system coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The method comprises the preconcentration of Pb (II) ions at a buffered solution (pH 4.7) onto 30 mg of MWCNTs previously oxidized with concentrated HNO₃. The elution step is carried out with 1.0 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃. The effect of the experimental parameters, including sample pH, sampling flow rate, buffer and eluent concentrations were investigated by means of a 2⁴ full factorial design, while for the final optimization a Doehlert design was employed. Under the best experimental conditions the preconcentration system provided detection and quantification limits of 2.6 and 8.6 μg L⁻¹, respectively. A wide linear range varying from 8.6 up to 775 μg L⁻¹ (r > 0.999) and the respective precision (relative standard deviation) of 7.7 and 1.4% for the 15 and 200 μg L⁻¹ levels were obtained. The characteristics obtained for the performance of the flow preconcentration system were a preconcentration factor of 44.2, preconcentration efficiency of 11 min⁻¹, consumptive index of 0.45 mL and sampling frequency estimated as 14 h⁻¹. Preconcentration studies of Pb (II) ions in the presence of the majority foreign ions tested did not show interference, attesting the good performance of MWCNTs. The accuracy of the method was assessed from analysis of water samples (tap, mineral, physiological serum and synthetic seawater) and common medicinal herbs submitted to the acid decomposition (garlic and Ginkgo Biloba). The satisfactory recovery values obtained without using analyte addition method confirms the feasibility of this method for Pb (II) ions determination in different type of samples.     

Electrical detection of deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization based on carbon-nanotubes/nano zirconium dioxide/chitosan-modified electrodes

A novel and sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor based on nanoparticles ZrO₂ and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) for DNA immobilization and enhanced hybridization detection is described. The MWNTs/nano ZrO₂/chitosan-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated and oligonucleotides were immobilized to the GCE. The hybridization reaction on the electrode was monitored by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) analysis using electroactive daunomycin as an indicator. Compared with previous DNA sensors with oligonucleotides directly incorporated on carbon electrodes, this carbon nanotube-based assay with its large surface area and good charge-transport characteristics increased DNA attachment quantity and complementary DNA detection sensitivity. The response signal increases linearly with the increase of the logarithm of the target DNA concentration in the range of 1.49 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 9.32 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ with the detection limit of 7.5 × 10⁻¹¹ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The linear regression equation is I = 32.62 + 3.037 log C_DNA (mol L⁻¹) with a correlation coefficient value of 0.9842. This is the first application of carbon nanotubes combined with nano ZrO₂ to the fabrication of an electrochemical DNA biosensor with a favorable performance for the rapid detection of specific hybridization.     

Electrochemical behavior and determination of fluphenazine at multi-walled carbon nanotubes/(3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane bilayer modified gold electrodes

A novel multi-walled carbon nanotubes/(3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPS) bilayer modified gold electrode was prepared and used to study the electrochemcial behavior of fluphenazine and determine it. Fluphenazine could effectively accumulate at this electrode and produce two anodic peaks at about 0.78 V and 0.93 V (versus SCE). The peak at about 0.78 V was much higher and sensitive, thus it could be applied to the determination. Various conditions were optimized for practical application. Under the selected conditions (i.e. 0.05 M pH 3.5 HCOOH-HCOONa buffer solution, 5 μl 1 mg ml⁻¹ multi-walled carbon nanotubes for Φ=2.0 mm electrode, accumulation at open circuit for 180 s), the anodic peak current was linear to fluphenazine concentration in the range from 5×10⁻⁸ to 1.5×10⁻⁵ M with correlation coefficient of 0.9984, the detection limit was 1×10⁻⁸ M. For a 1×10⁻⁵ M fluphenazine solution, the relative standard deviation of peak current was 2.51% (n=8). This method was successfully applied to the determination of fluphenazine in drug samples and the recovery was 96.4-104.4%. The electrode could be easily regenerated and exhibited some selectivity, but some surfactants reduced the peak current greatly. The modified electrode was characterized by alternating current impedance and electrochemical probe.     

On-site fuel electroanalysis: Determination of lead,copper and mercury in fuel bioethanol by anodic stripping voltammetry using screen-printed gold electrodes

The potential application of commercial screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGEs) for the trace determination of lead, copper, and mercury in fuel bioethanol is demonstrated. Samples were simply diluted in 0.067 mol L⁻¹ HCl solution prior to square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) measurements recorded with a portable potentiostat. The proposed method presented a low detection limit (<2 μg L⁻¹) for a 240 s deposition time, linear range between 5 and 300 μg L⁻¹, and adequate recovery values (96–104%) for spiked samples. This analytical method shows great promise for on-site trace metal determination in fuel bioethanol once there is no requirement for sample treatment or electrode modification.     

A single-wall carbon nanotubes modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite sensor for determination of methylprednisolone in biological fluids

An electrochemical protocol based on reduction is developed to determine methylprednisolone using single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) modified edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPGE). To obtain a good sensitivity, instrumental variables were studied using Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV). The voltammetric results indicate that SWNTs modified EPPGE remarkably enhances the reduction of methylprednisolone which leads to considerable improvement of peak current with shift of peak potential to less negative values. The voltammetric current showed a linear response for methylprednisolone concentration in the range 5-500 nM with a sensitivity of 98 nA nM⁻¹. The limit of detection was estimated to be 4.5 × 10⁻⁹ M. The developed method is used for the determination of methylprednisolone in pharmaceutical dosages and human blood plasma samples of patients undergoing treatment with methylprednisolone. The major metabolites present in blood plasma did not interfere with the present investigation as they did not exhibit reduction peak in the experimental range used. A comparison of results with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicates a good agreement.     

A new flow injection preconcentration method based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes for the ETA-AAS determination of Cd in urine

A new flow injection (FIA) procedure for the preconcentration of cadmium in urine using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as sorbent and posterior electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA-AAS) Cd determination has been developed. Cadmium was retained in a column filled with previously oxidized MWCNTs and it was quantitatively eluted with a nitric acid solution. The parameters influencing the adsorption-elution process such as pH of the sample solution, amount of sorbent and flow rates of sample as well as eluent solutions have been studied. Cd concentration in the eluent was measured by ETA-AAS under the optimized conditions obtained. The results indicated the elimination of urine matrix effect as a consequence of the preconcentration process performed. Total recovery of cadmium from urine at pH 7.2 using a column with 45 mg of MWCNTs as sorbent and employing a HNO₃ 0.5 mol L⁻¹ solution for elution was attained. The detection limit obtained was 0.010 μg L⁻¹ and the preconcentration factor achieved was 3.4. The method showed adequate precision (RSD: 3.4-9.8%) and accuracy (mean recovery: 97.4-100%). The developed method was applied for the determination of cadmium in real urine samples from healthy people (in the range of 0.14-2.94 μg L⁻¹) with satisfactory results.     

Direct electrochemical determination of carbaryl using a multi-walled carbon nanotube/cobalt phthalocyanine modified electrode

The electrochemical detection of carbaryl at low potentials, in order to avoid matrix interferences, is an important challenge. This study describes the development, electrochemical characterization and utilization of a glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) plus cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) for the quantitative determination of carbaryl in natural waters. The surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy, enhanced sensitivity was observed with respect to bare glassy carbon and electrocatalytic effects reduced the oxidation potential to +0.80 V vs. SCE in acetate buffer solution at pH 4.0. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to estimate the rate constant of the oxidation process and square-wave voltammetry to investigate the effect of electrolyte pH. Square-wave voltammetry in acetate buffer solution at pH 4.0, allowed the development of a method to determine carbaryl, without any previous step of extraction, clean-up, or derivatization, in the range of 0.33-6.61 μmol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 5.46 ± 0.02 nmol L⁻¹ (1.09 ± 0.02 μg L⁻¹) in water. Natural water samples spiked with carbaryl and without any purification step were successfully analyzed by the standard addition method using the GC/MWCNT/CoPc film electrode.     

Single granular activated carbon microextraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry determination for trace amount of gold in aqueous and geological samples

A new and simple method was developed for preconcentration trace amount of gold in aqueous and mineral samples. The method was based on the sorption of gold on granular activated carbon (AC) in acidic medium (hydrochloric acid) and subsequently direct determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). A small particle of adsorbent was delivered to small volume of sample. After extraction, AC removed and analyzed directly by GFAAS. Several factors influencing the extraction efficiency, such as the hydrochloric acid concentration, sample volume and extraction time were studied as well as effect of potential interfering ions. The preconcentration factor 50 was obtained. The limit of detection (LOD) of gold in water and soil samples was 0.007 μg L^− 1 and 0.9 ng g^− 1, respectively. The proposed method was applied successfully to the determination of trace amount of gold in environmental and geological samples. In order to validate the developed method, two certified reference materials: Platinum Ore (SARM-7B) and Copper Ore Mill Heads (No. 330) were analyzed and the determined values obtained were in good agreement with the certified values and recovery was obtained in the range of 80-118%. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for the spiking levels of 0.5 μg L^− 1 in the real samples was 4%, (n = 15).     

A novel multiwalled carbon nanotubes bonded fused-silica fiber for solid phase microextraction-gas chromatographic analysis of phenols in water samples

The present work reports on the synthesis of chemically bonded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/fused-silica fibers and their use in solid phase microextraction of seven phenols from water samples coupled with gas chromatography (GC). The synthetic strategy was verified by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Adsorption factors (pH, ionic strength, stirring rate, adsorption time and temperature) and desorption factors (time and temperature) of the fibers were systematically investigated. Detection limits to seven phenols were less than 0.05 μg L⁻¹, and their calibration curves were all linear (R² ≥ 0.9984) in the range from 0.05 to 5000 μg L⁻¹. This method was then utilized to analyze two real water samples from Yellow River and sanitary wastewater, resulting in satisfactory results. Compared with normal solid phase materials, this MWCNTs-bonded fused-silica fibers showed a number of advantages: wide linear range and low detection limit for extracting phenols couple with GC, and good stability in acid, alkali, organic solvents and at high temperature.     

A novel nonenzymatic hydrogen peroxide sensor based on multi-wall carbon nanotube/silver nanoparticle nanohybrids modified gold electrode

A novel strategy to fabricate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) sensor was developed based on multi-wall carbon nanotube/silver nanoparticle nanohybrids (MWCNT/Ag nanohybrids) modified gold electrode. The process to synthesize MWCNT/Ag nanohybrids was facile and efficient. In the presence of carboxyl groups functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were in situ generated from AgNO₃ aqueous solution and readily attached to the MWCNTs convex surfaces at room temperature, without any additional reducing reagent or irradiation treatment. The formation of MWCNT/Ag nanohybrids product was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the electrochemical properties of MWCNT/Ag nanohybrids modified gold electrode were characterized by electrochemical measurements. The results showed that this sensor had a favorable catalytic ability for the reduction of H₂O₂. The resulted sensor could detect H₂O₂ in a linear range of 0.05-17 mM with a detection limit of 5 × 10⁻⁷ M at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The sensitivity was calculated as 1.42 μA/mM at a potential of −0.2 V. Additionally, it exhibited good reproducibility, long-term stability and negligible interference of ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), and acetaminophen (AP).     

Study on the application of reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid materials for simultaneous determination of catechol,hydroquinone, p-cresol and nitrite

In this paper, the reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid materials (RGO–MWNTs) were prepared and a strategy for detecting environmental contaminations was proposed on the basis of RGO–MWNTs modified electrode. The hybrid materials were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N₂ sorption–desorption isotherms. Due to the excellent catalytic activity, enhanced electrical conductivity and high surface area of the RGO–MWNTs, the simultaneous measurement of hydroquinone (HQ), catechol (CC), p-cresol (PC) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) with four well-separate peaks was achieved at the RGO–MWNTs modified electrode. The linear response ranges for HQ, CC, PC and NO₂⁻ were 8.0–391.0 μM, 5.5–540.0 μM, 5.0–430.0 μM and 75.0–6060.0 μM, correspondingly, and the detection limits (S/N = 3) were 2.6 μM, 1.8 μM, 1.6 μM and 25.0 μM, respectively. The outstanding film forming ability of RGO–MWNTs hybrid materials endowed the modified electrode enhanced stability. Furthermore, the fabricated sensor was applied for the simultaneous determination of HQ, CC, PC and NO₂⁻ in the river water sample.