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

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

Gold Nanoparticles Modified Electrode for the Determination of an Antihypertensive Drug

The nature of binding between Terazosin (TR) and gold nanoparticles (Au‐Nps) is investigated using UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, SEM, and EIS. The results suggest that Au‐Nps are effective carriers for TR. An electrochemical sensor for TR is introduced using Au‐Nps electrodeposited on carbon paste electrode. The effect of parameters including pH and scan rate on the response was investigated. A linear range from 8.0×10^?9 to 5.4×10^?5 mol L^?1 with correlation coefficient of 0.9995 and detection limit of 1.2×10^?10 mol L^?1 was obtained. This sensor was used for determining TR spiked in urine, and excellent recovery results are achieved.     

Electrochemical Sensor for Sensitive Determination of Ga(III) Ion Based on β‐Cyclodextrin Incorporated Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes and Imprinted Sol‐gel Composite Film

A novel sensor for detection of trace gallium ion [Ga(III)] was created by stepwise modification of a gold electrode with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and an ion imprinted polymer (IIP). The sensor surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the imprinted sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The sensor displayed excellent selectivity towards the target Ga(III) ion. Meanwhile, the introduced MWCNTs displayed noticeable catalytic activity, and β‐CD demonstrated significant enrichment capacity. A linear calibration curve was obtained covering the concentration range from 5.0×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?4 mol·L^?1, with a detection limit of 7.6×10^?9 mol·L^?1. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to detect Ga(III) in real urine samples.     

Fabrication of a Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Gold Nanoparticles/CuO Nanospindles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

In this work, a sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of sequence‐specific target DNA was reported. Firstly, CuO nanospindles (CuO NS) were immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Subsequently, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were introduced to the surface of CuO NS by the electrochemical deposition mode. Probe DNA with SH (HS‐DNA) at the 5′‐phosphate end was covalently immobilized on the surface of the Au NPs through Au? S bond. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to elucidate the morphology of the assembled film, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS) was used to investigate the DNA sensor assembly process. Hybridization detection of DNA was performed with differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and the methylene blue (MB) was hybridization indicator. Under the optimal conditions, the decline of reduction peak current of MB (ΔI) was linear with the logarithm of the concentration of complementary DNA from 1.0×10^?13 to 1.0×10^?6 mol·L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.5×10^?14 mol·L^?1 (S/N=3). In addition, this DNA biosensor has good selectivity, and even can distinguish single‐mismatched target DNA.     

Nano Au/TiO2 hollow microsphere membranes for the improved sensitivity of detecting specific DNA sequences related to transgenes in transgenic plants

Gold nanoparticles (nano Au)/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) hollow microsphere membranes were prepared on the carbon paste electrode (CPE) for enhancing the sensitivity of DNA hybridization detection. The immobilization of nano Au and TiO₂ microsphere was investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The hybridization events were monitored with EIS using [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? as indicator. The sequence-specific DNA of the 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV35S) gene was detected with this DNA electrochemical sensor. The dynamic detection range was from 1.0×10^?12 to 1.0×10^?8 mol/L DNA and a detection limit of 2.3×10^?13 mol/L could be obtained. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the terminator of nopaline synthase (NOS) gene from the real sample of a kind of transgenic soybean was also satisfactorily detected.     

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

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

Graphene Oxide/ZnO Nano Composite for Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Sensing of Levodopa and Tyrosine Using Modified Graphite Screen Printed Electrode

Determination of levodopa and tyrosine as two important species for treatment of Parkinson's disease is described. A novel electrochemical sensor involving graphene oxide/ZnO nanorods (GR/ZnO) nano composite and the graphite screen‐printed electrodes (GSPE) was developed for the simultaneous detection of levodopa and tyrosine. The screen‐printed electrodes with several advantages, including low cost, versatility and miniaturization were employed. On the other hand, the graphene oxide/ZnO nanorods nano composite was casted on the surface of GSPE to obtain GR/ZnO/SPE. The proposed nano sensor has excellent performance such as high sensitivity, good selectivity and analytical application in real samples. The combination of graphene oxide/ZnO nanorods nano composite with the screen‐printed electrode is favorable for amplifying electrochemical signals. Under optimized conditions square wave voltammetry (SWV) exhibited linear dynamic ranges from 1.0×10^?6 to 1.0×10^?3 M and 1.0×10^?6 to 8.0×10^?4 M with detection limits of 4.5×10^?7 M and 3.4×10^?7 M for levodopa and tyrosine respectively.     

Direct Determination of Paracetamol in Environmental Samples Using Screen‐printed Carbon/Carbon Nanofibers Sensor – Experimental and Theoretical Studies

The paper describes the first electrochemical method (differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry, DPAdSV) using a screen‐printed sensor with a carbon/carbon nanofibers working electrode (SPCE/CNFs) for the direct determination of low (real) concentrations of paracetamol (PA) in environmental water samples. By applying this sensor together with DPAdSV, two linear PA concentration ranges from 2.0×10^?9 to 5.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 (r=0.9991) and 1.0×10^?7–2.0×10^?6 mol L^?1 ( r=0.9994) were obtained. For the accumulation time of 90 s, the limit of detection was 5.4×10^?10 mol L^?1. Moreover, the SPCE/CNFs sensor and the DPADSV procedure for PA determination are potentially applicable in field analysis. The process of PA adsorption at the SPCE/CNFs surface was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and theoretical studies. In the theoretical study of the interaction of CNF and PA, the first species was modelled by graphene‐like clusters containing up to 37 rings. It was found that the preferable orientation of PA is parallel to the carbon surface with the binding energy of about ?68 kJ/mol calculated by symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT). Both the selectivity and the accuracy of the developed sensor for real sample analysis were also investigated using Polish river and sea samples.     

Electrochemical aptamer sensor for highly sensitive detection of mercury ion with Au/Pt@carbon nanofiber‐modified electrode

In this paper, an electrochemical aptamer sensor was proposed for the highly sensitive detection of mercury ion (Hg²⁺). Carbon nanofiber (CNF) was prepared by electrospinning and high‐temperature carbonization, which was used for the loading of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) by the hydrothermal method. The Pt@CNF nanocomposite was modified on the surface of carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) to obtain Pt@CNF/CILE, which was further decorated by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through electrodeposition to get Au/Pt@CNF/CILE. Self‐assembling of the thiol‐based aptamer was further realized by the formation of Au‐S bond to get an electrochemical aptamer sensor (Aptamer/Au/Pt@CNF/CILE). Due to the specific binding of aptamer probe to Hg²⁺ with the formation of T‐Hg²⁺‐T structure, a highly sensitive quantitative detection of Hg²⁺ could be achieved by recording the changes of current signal after reacting with Hg²⁺ within the concentration range from 1.0 × 10^?15 mol/L to 1.0 × 10^?6 mol/L and the detection limit of 3.33 × 10^?16 mol/L (3σ). Real water samples were successfully analyzed by this method.     

Electrode Based on Nickel‐containing SBA‐15 for the Determination of Copper in Ethanol Biofuel

A sensor based in a graphite–polyurethane composite electrode modified with the mesoporous nanostructured silica with hexagonal array of pores called Santa Barbara Amorphous type material (SBA‐15) containing nickel was built. The presence of Ni, incorporated during the synthesis of SBA‐15, resulted in an increase in sensitivity when compared to the other electrodes based on the unmodified SBA‐15. A procedure was proposed for the determination of Cu²⁺ in ethanol biofuel by square wave stripping voltammetry with linear response in concentration levels of 1.0×10^?8 and 1.0×10^?7 mol L^?1, resulting in a limit of detection of 1.83×10^?10 mol L^?1 and precision (RSD) of 2.09 %.     

A New Amperometric Biosensor Based on HRP/Nano-Au/L-Cysteine/Poly（o-Aminobenzoic acid）-Membrane-Modified Platinum Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide

The third generation amperometric biosensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） has been described. For the fabrication of biosensor, o-aminobenzoic acid （oABA） was first electropolymerized on the surface of platinum （Pt） electrode as an electrostatic repulsion layer to reject interferences. Horseradish peroxidase （HRP） absorbed by nano-scaled particulate gold （nano-Au） was immobilized on the electrode modified with polymerized o-aminobenzoic acid （poABA） with L-cysteine as a linker to prepare a biosensor for the detection of H2O2. Amperometric detection of H2O2 was realized at a potential of ＋20 mV versus SCE. The resulting biosensor exhibited fast response, excellent reproducibility and sensibility, expanded linear range and low interferences. Temperature and pH dependence and stability of the sensor were investigated. The optimal sensor gave a linear response in the range of 2.99×10^-6 to 3.55×10^-3 mol·L^-1 to H2O2 with a sensibility of 0.0177 A·L^-1·mol^-1 and a detection limit （S/N = 3） of 4.3×10^-7 mol·L^-1. The biosensor demonstrated a 95% response within less than 10 s.     

Pulsed Amperometric Detection of Histamine at Glassy Carbon Electrodes Modified with Gold Nanoparticles

Gold nanocrystal‐modified glassy carbon electrodes (nAu‐GCE) were prepared and used for the determination of histamine by flow injection and high performance liquid chromatography using pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) as the detection mode. Experimental variables involved in the electrodeposition process of gold from a HAuCl₄ solution were optimized. A catalytic enhancement of the histamine voltammetric response was observed at the nAu‐GCE when compared with that obtained at a conventional Au disk electrode, as a consequence of the microdispersion of gold nanocrystals on the GC substrate. The morphological and electrochemical characteristics of the nAu‐GCE were evaluated by SEM and cyclic voltammetry. PAD using a very simple potential waveform consisting of an anodic potential (+700 mV for 500 ms) and a cathodic potential (?300 mV for 30 ms), was used to avoid the electrode surface fouling when histamine was detected under flowing conditions. Flow injection amperometric responses showed much higher I_p values and signal‐to‐noise ratios at the nAu‐GCE than at a conventional gold disk electrode. A limit of detection of 6×10^?7 mol L^?1 histamine was obtained. HPLC‐PAD at the nAu‐GCE was used for the determination of histamine in the presence of other biogenic amines and indole. Histamine was determined in sardine samples spiked at a 50 μg g^?1 concentration level, with good results. Furthermore, the chromatographic PAD method was also used for monitoring the formation of histamine during the decomposition process of sardine samples.     

Immobilization of Enzymes on the Nano‐Au Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide and Glucose

A new enzyme‐based amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide was developed relying on the efficient immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to a nano‐scaled particulate gold (nano‐Au) film modified glassy carbon electrode (GC). The nano‐Au film was obtained by a chitosan film which was first formed on the surface of GC. The high affinity of chitosan for nano‐Au associated with its amino groups resulted in the formation of nano‐Au film on the surface of GC. The film formed served as an intermediator to retain high efficient and stable immobilization of the enzyme. H₂O₂ was detected using hydroquinone as an electron mediator to transfer electrons between the electrode and HRP. The HRP immobilized on nano‐Au film maintained excellent electrocatalytical activity to the reduction of H₂O₂. The experimental parameters such as the operating potential of the working electrode, mediator concentration and pH of background electrolyte were optimized for best analytical performance of amperometry. The linear range of detection for H₂O₂ is from 6.1×10^?6 to 1.8×10^?3 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 6.1 μmol L^?1 based on signal/noise=3. The proposed HRP enzyme sensor has the features of high sensitivity (0.25 Almol^?1cm^?2), fast response time (t_90%≤10 s) and a long‐term stability (>1 month). As an extension, glucose oxidase (GOD) was chemically bound to HRP‐modified electrode. A GOD/HRP bienzyme‐modified electrode formed in this way can be applied to the determination of glucose with satisfactory performance.     

Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Zirconium with Complexing Preconcentration of Zirconium(IV) at a Morin‐Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A sensitive, selective and economic stripping voltammetry is described for the determination of trace amounts of zirconium at a morin‐modified carbon paste electrode (morin‐MCPE). Zirconium(IV) can be preconcentrated on the surface of the morin‐MCPE due to forming the Zr(IV)–morin complex. The complex produces two second‐order derivative anodic peaks at 0.69 V (vs. SCE) and 0.75 V when linear‐scanning from 0.0 to 1.0 V. The optimum analytical conditions are: 2.2 mol L^?1 HCl, 0.0 V accummulation potential, 90 s accummulation time, 250 mV s^?1 scan rate. A linear relationships between the peak currents at 0.75 V and the Zr(IV) concentration are in the range of 2.0×10^?8 to 3.0×10^?6 mol L^?1. The detection limit is 1.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 (S/N=3) for 120 s accumulation. The RSD for determination of 4.0×10^?7 mol L^?1 Zr(IV) is 4.8% (n=8). The proposed method has been applied to determine zirconium in ore samples, unnecessarily extracted.     

Sensitive and Simple Electrochemical Detection of Lead(II) with Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode

In this paper a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) was fabricated by using ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ethylsulphate ([EMIM]EtOSO₃) as the modifier and further used as the working electrode for the sensitive anodic stripping voltammetric detection of Pb²⁺. The characteristics of the CILE were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In pH 4.5 NaAc‐HAc buffer Pb²⁺ was accumulated on the surface of CILE due to the extraction effect of IL and reduced at a negative potential (‐1.20 V). Then the reduced Pb was oxidized by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry with an obvious stripping peak appeared at ?0.67 V. Under the optimal conditions Pb²⁺ could be detected in the concentration range from 1.0 × 10^?8 mol/L to 1.0 × 10^?6 mol/L with the linear regression equation as I_p(μA) = ?0.103 C (μmol/L) + 0.0376 (γ = 0.999) and the detection limit as 3.0 × l0^?9 mol/L (3σ). Interferences from other metal ions were investigated and Cd²⁺ could be simultaneously detected in the mixture solution. The proposed method was further applied to the trace levels of Pb²⁺ detection in water samples with satisfactory results.     

Preparation of Polypyrrole/Nuclear Fast Red Films on Gold Electrode and Its Application on the Electrocatalytic Determination of Methyl‐dopa and Ascorbic Acid

A novel voltammetric method using the Ppyox/NFR/Au (poly pyrrole – nuclear fast red – gold) modified electrode was developed for simultaneous measurement of various combinations of ascorbic acid (AA) and methyldopa (MDA). Polypyrrole film was prepared by incorporation of nuclear fast red (NFR) as doping anion, during the electropolymerization of pyrrole onto a gold (Au) electrode in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetric (CV) method, and then it was overoxidized at constant potential. Differential pulse voltammetry was utilized for the measurement of both analytes using modified electrode. Well‐separated voltammetric peaks were observed for ascorbic acid (AA) and methyldopa at the Ppyox/NFR/Au modified electrodes with peak separation of 0.210 V. It has been found that under optimum condition (pH 3.0), the oxidation of AA and MDA at the surface of the electrode occurs at a potential about 260 and 50 mV less positive than unmodified Au electrode respectively. The current catalytic oxidation peaks showed a linear dependent on the concentration of AA and MDA in the range of 9.0×10^?6 to 1.0×10^?3 and 1.0×10^?7 to 2.0×10^?5 mol L^?1 respectively. The detection limit of 5.8×10^?6 and 5.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 (S/N=3) were obtained for AA and MDA respectively. The modified electrode was used for determination of AA and MDA in some real samples such as human serum and tablet.     

Simultaneous Detection of Dopamine and Uric Acid under Coexistence of Ascorbic Acid with DNA/Pt Nanocluster Modified Electrode

A novel biosensor by electrochemically codeposited Pt nanoclusters and DNA film was constructed and applied to detection of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) in the presence of high concentration ascorbic acid (AA). Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used for characterization. This electrode was successfully used to resolve the overlapping voltammetric response of DA, UA and AA into three well‐defined peaks with a large anodic peak difference (ΔE_pa) of about 184 mV for DA and 324 mV for UA. The catalytic peak current obtained from differential pulse voltammetry was linearly dependent on the DA concentration from 1.1× 10^?7 to 3.8×10^?5 mol·L^?1 with a detection limit of 3.6×10^?8 mol·L^?1 (S/N=3) and on the UA concentration from 3.0×10^?7 to 5.7×10^?5 mol·L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.0×10^?7 mol·L^?1 with coexistence of 1.0×10^?3 mol·L^?1 AA. The modified electrode shows good sensitivity and selectivity.     

Fe3O4@SiO2‐PANI‐Au Nanocomposite Prepared for Electrochemical Determination of Quercetin in Food Samples and Biological Fluids

A new electrochemical sensor based on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au nanocomposite was fabricated for modification of glassy carbon electrode (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au GCE). The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au nanocomposite was characterized by TEM, FESEM‐EDS‐Mapping, XRD, and TGA methods. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐PANI‐Au GC electrode exhibited an acceptable sensitivity, fast electrochemical response, and good selectivity for determination of quercetin. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for quercetin concentrations using this sensor was 1.0×10^?8 to 1.5×10^?5 mol L^?1, and the limit of detection was 3.8×10^?9 mol L^?1. The results illustrated that the offered sensor could be a possible alternative for the measurement of quercetin in food samples and biological fluids.     

Preparation of a Novel COOH Ion Implantation Sensor and Its Application

A novel ion implantation sensor (DNA/COOH/ITO) based on DNA immobilization in COOH/ITO probe was manufactured for the first time. The surface morphologies of the electrodes were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FSEM) and electrochemical methods. In a 0.5 mol/L PBS solution, a sensitive oxidation peak of DNA on the COOH/ITO electrode was obtained by voltammetry. The electrochemical behavior of DNA was studied. And the oxidative peak potential of DNA was +0.400 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Its peak current was proportional to the concentration of DNA over the range of 1.0×10^?8?1.0×10^?6 mol/L with a detection limit of 5.0×10^?9 mol/L (about 0.5 ng/mL). This sensor was applied to the direct detection of DNA samples.     

A Simple and Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on Phosphomolybdic‐Polypyrrole Film Modified Electrode for Highly Sensitive Detection of Cholic Acid

A simpe electrochemical sensor for detection of cholic acid (CA) was designed by modifying phosphomolybdate (PMo₁₂) doped polypyrrole (PPy) film on glassy carbon electrode (PMo₁₂‐PPy/GCE). The electrochemical behavior of CA on PMo₁₂‐PPy/GCE was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and 0.5 order differential voltammetry. The results indicated that CA had high inhibitory activity toward the peak currents of PMo₁₂‐PPy/GCE. The reduction peak currents were linearly related to the logarithmic value of the concentration of CA from 1.0×10^?7 to 1.0×10^?3 mol/L with a low detection limit of 1.0×10^?8 mol/L. The developed sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity, selectivity and stability for detection of CA, and it could be successfully applied to detect the level of CA in the urine samples. Moreover, the response mechanism of CA on the PMo₁₂‐PPy/GCE was discussed in detail.